Where oh where does the time go?

Last month, my parents came to visit for two weeks. On the first weekend that they were here, we took the Bus Eireann day long tour of Newgrange/ Boyne Valley and Tara Hill. The tour guide wasn't one of the best that we had but it was still a good day. We had a few stops along the day. All in all, it was a good day but I suspect that there may be better tours, at least better tour drivers than the one we had...

I could write all about how amazing Newgrange is (and it really is) but I am going to let the pictures "talk" for me today. :)

Newgrange:












The Hill of Tara was also interesting to see. It doesn't look like that much at first but when you explore it, you can see some of the history. It was also fascinating to see the lambs running around this historical site!

drinking

While in Kilkenny, we went into a couple pubs to have a couple pints and sometimes get food. While sipping our pints, I observed the people and noticed some things that I found interesting. First, when I asked for my Bulmers with a splash of black current, they gave me a quizzical look (it tastes really good). After the wait staff/bartenders recovered from that, they always asked me if I wanted a glass or a pint. I always responded that I wanted a pint. I generally don't drink a glass of beer/cider since it looks wimpy and then I'd have to order two eventually.

While watching people, we noticed that the vast majority of women were drinking from smaller glasses. Almost none of them drank pints. We also noticed that many of the women were drinking beer, but they were lighter beers, often things like Coors Light, Budweiser, or Corona. Very few women drank what we classify as "real beer." Meanwhile, most of the men drank Bulmers cider or darker beers from pint glasses. Many ordered bottles but then drank from a pint glass. Only one man drank from a glass. We thought it was strange because it wasn't the proper glass for the beer, so that couldn't be the reason that he was drinking from a glass instead of a pint glass.

To contrast, in Dublin, we frequently see women ordering pints. I rarely get asked if I want a glass or a pint when I order here. People just assume pint unless told otherwise. I also notice a wider variety in what women drink. Men seem to stick to cider and varieties of beer. I wonder what that is. What makes cocktails and wine more of women's drinks while in pubs?

Excuses

This year for Lent, I gave up caffeine and alcohol. I gave them up for a few reasons. When I gave up alcohol, I knew I would have some awkward social situations (but have thus far avoided them). I hadn't really thought about the giving up of caffeine. Saturday, a lady next to me at the knitting group ordered a cappuccino. It smelled sooo good and made me want one. But, I couldn't have one. At lunch one day, I was talking about how difficult it has been to give up caffeine even though I don't drink that much of it anyway. One mate commented that you are supposed to give up nice things for Lent.

Recently, I went into the staff room to let people know I was leaving. Someone came up to me and asked if we could have a chat. I said I had a couple minutes as I had a taxi waiting. He then asked if I wanted coffee. I said, no I was fine. He then asked if I wanted tea. I said no again. He looked a bit uncomfortable. I then said I gave up caffeine for Lent. He smiled and said that they had water. I assured him that I was fine and we found an empty room and had a quick chat.

I couldn't help wondering how the interaction would have gone if I had told him I just don't drink caffeine. Tea is such a staple in the Irish diet. Not drinking it or coffee is seen as very strange. Some mates even tease me that I drink herbal or green tea instead of the black tea provided by work.

I also wonder how it will be when I am in a situation where I would normally drink. We have gone to a couple pubs since Lent began but the people with me knew that I had given up alcohol. The waitresses have given me a few looks but I can handle that.

Detoxing

I went back to work last Friday. While talking to a few mates, they mentioned that they were "off the drink" for January because they drank so much during the holidays.

Friday evening, we went out to dinner with a couple friends. We went to an Indian place and all during dinner, the other couple kept saying how well beer and Indian go together. They were aching for a drink. However, they are "detoxing" for the month of January because they too drank too much over the holidays.

Today, we went to the Porterhouse for dinner. Much to my surprise, there were plenty of seats/tables available. Granted, it is a Tuesday evening but it was well past 7:00 and in the past it has been busy at this time. During dinner, John told me that a few of his mates are "off the drink" for January also.

My question to you, dear readers (especially Irish ones), why do you need to "detox" from alcohol during Januaray? I thought the Irish could handle their drink. :) Otherwise, you could try drinking 3-4 pints a night instead of 10. It seems silly to give up the sauce.

Adventures in "Customer Service"

After leaving work today, I had to go do some last minute shopping. I am not a huge fan of shopping in Dublin because the customer service is usually bad. By bad, I mean employees may ignore me or be downright rude.

Before heading home, I went to the train station. I had purchased a one-day bus and train ticket earlier this month but hadn't used it. The tickets similar to these I have purchased before were from the bus company. So, I went to put my ticket in the ticket machine to let me into the area so that I could go to the platform to wait for the train. I put the card in. It beeped and said something about being expired. I looked closer at my ticket. It had a date stamped on it that was the date I got it. Since I was late for my chiropractor appointment, I just paid in cash to get on the train.

When leaving the chiropractor office, I told the man at the train station about the ticket. He said that the train company (who I purchased this one from) always stamps a date on their tickets. If it was not today's date, there was nothing I could do. He also asked me why I purchased it for that day. I tried to explain that no one told me it was for a specific day and when you get the tickets from the bus company, they don't have a date on them. Basically, he expected me to somehow know that there would be a date on the ticket even though in the past there hadn't been. He then explained that the bus and train are different companies and therefore do things differently. He would not let me on the train without paying an additional fee. Therefore, I am out 8.50 because the train company does things differently than the bus company and I am expected by the train company to know when I plan to use a ticket that should be able to be used for a day of my choosing (without advance planning).

Anyway, after getting into city centre and going to the bank, I went to my next errand. I went into the mobile phone store to get a charger and try to get my phone unlocked so that I could make calls and send texts while I am in America. I waited in line (with the people behind me so close that they kept bumping into me) to explain what I wanted. The woman took my phone, looked at it a bit, and then turned it off. She took out the battery and said that it wasn't the right type of phone to work in America. She then got another guy who said that the only way I could use a phone of theirs in America was if I had monthly bill pay (I pay as I use the phone). He said that there was no roaming agreement with the U.S. and this is clearly stated online. He said that Vodaphone has never had a roaming agreement with the US even though multiple people in other stores have told me otherwise. He was not going to do anything to my phone (even though it is locked to not allow me to make certain calls like those in the U.S.). He just kept saying the same things over and over in a more agitated way. I rolled my eyes and then turned to the woman and told her that I still needed my phone charger.

While I was waiting to pay for the phone charger, a woman tried to return her phone. The salesperson asked why she wanted to return the phone. The customer tried to explain. The sales lady then turned to another salesperson and asked if he could understand the customer because she couldn't understand a word the customer was saying. She said this in front of the customer! The customer still tried to explain why she didn't want the phone. When this didn't work because the sales lady just kept saying "huh" or "wha?" she started using one or two word answers.

On a more positive note, the rest of my shopping went better.

On an update, I can definitely receive phone calls and texts while in America. I haven't tried sending anything yet. Vodaphone may be sophisticated enough to not let me do that...

Identification

My friend M is trying to buy a different car. She found a car that she wants to buy and secured a bank loan. Today she got a message from the bank that she could bring identification to the bank and then sign the papers. Since she didn't have any ID on her, she ran home during lunch and then took her credit card bill and pay stub to the bank as her identification. Only one problem: the bank didn't accept these as identification! They will only accept a utility bill. She got into an argument with the staff at the bank and then phoned another branch. A different branch will accept car insurance as her identification.

As she told the story to us, another person told us that she can't get a video rental card because she doesn't have two forms of ID for an address! She has her passport and bank statements with her parents' address. She has one bill in her name in her current address. That isn't enough to get a video card!

What is it in Ireland that makes businesses require so much identification? When I got my bank account, they wanted a particular type of utility bill and my passport. I also had to have my government number. Fine, I understand the government number but why are banks so particular about the other types of identification? Why does a video store need such particular identification?

happy day

Today was a good day. It was warm. The sun shined for a while. It rained heavily and smelled like spring rain for a while. People were smiling. What more could a person want? I really didn't want to go to work but I forced myself. I am glad that I did because I did feel better once I got into the swing of work (I woke up really congested and coughing).

After work, I took Caineal for a long walk. She has had more energy lately so we have been going for one walk that is at least 20 minutes. I am starting to think that she will make it to the park this spring/summer after all. That alone makes me happy. Anyway, one lady commented on what a nice Jack Russell Terrier I had. Toward the end of the walk, there was a guy walking his little black dog. Caineal was sniffing a tree so she didn't notice the other dog. The owner of the black dog came up to her and sniffed her. Caineal sniffed back and was nice for about a minute. Then she tensed and scared the other little dog. Anyway, the owner of the other dog seemed nice and it was good to see more dogs around again. He seemed to want to talk to me more but didn't say anything. It was just the usual, "Is he an old dog?" "Is he a boy dog?" Why do people always assume dogs are boys and cats are girls?

Anyway, I digress as usual. When crossing the Ha'Penny Bridge to go home, one of the homeless guys tried to whistle her to come by him so he could pet her. I asked the guy if he wanted to pet her (many of the homeless people on the Ha'Penny and O'Connell bridges are mean to her). I brought her closer to the guy but she was really tense. She stayed nicely but was quite tense and kind of cuddled into my leg a bit. After chatting with him for a couple minutes, Caineal wanted to go. I feel bad for the guy. He said he has been homeless for 7 years. He commented on how lucky Caineal was to have gotten adopted and taken off the streets. She is.

I wonder, what has made this man homeless for so long. If he is there again, maybe I will ask him. I would like to help the homeless but am not sure what organizations are available here and what is really the best way. I have been reading the blogs of two men who are homeless in the U.S. One has been homeless for a very long time, the other recently is homeless. The guy who has been homeless for many years has mental health issues. It seems like quite a few of the homeless here have drug abuse issues. There also seems to be violence on the streets at night. Every now and then I see bruises on their faces. I am not sure if they get into fights with each other but I doubt it. I think it is more likely that people are mean to them since John has observed this.

Dialectical differences

As I've highlighted in previous posts, there are some word choice differences here in Ireland. Some words are also pronounced differently. Lately, I find myself using more American phrases and word choices instead of the Irish ones. While this isn't a conscious decision, I find myself wanting to cling to some of the familiar ways of saying things. I am surprised by this because I've been in the country about 10 months. It seems like I should be thinking in the Irish dialect, not the American one. Maybe it is related to stress levels.

In addition to the speech sound production differences, there are word choice differences. For example, I call a "bin" a trash can or garbage can. Recently, I gave materials to someone and she brought them back because I certainly couldn't have intended them for her because the vocabulary items weren't words that she would use. They were American made sheets. It seems to me that 1) they can cross out the American term and put in the Irish one, 2) the children can't read yet so it isn't crucial what is written above the picture to match and 3) they can modify the activity to fit their needs.

However, these word choices have caused me to ponder assimilation and the acculturation process. There is a part of me that doesn't want to assimilate to the Irish ways. Some American phrases and ways are more comfortable to me, some I like better. There are also some Irish ways that I like better. Why can't I keep the best of both? Besides, why do I have to do all the adapting? My head says because I moved to the foreign country. However, it seems like people should be able to have a little flexibility and learn multiple vocabulary words for the same item. I did when I lived in the States. I do now. Why can't others? Why can't the process be more cultural sharing instead of the emigrants fully assimilating into the new culture and leaving the old culture behind? I know this is the same issue as in the States.

I do think that here in Ireland, the country is going through more growing pains than back home. The Irish seem to be surprised that people would move TO the country instead of away from it. That is because of the long history of economic struggles. I also think that there is a more cohesive national identity here. People have an idea of what it means to "be Irish." There are more shared experiences here. For example, a majority of the country is Catholic. They are culturally Catholic if not by faith/practicing religion. With being culturally Catholic, there are certain shared experiences like first communion, confirmation, etc. Because I have not shared these experiences, I actually feel more isolated lately than I did earlier in the year. This is because the topics of conversation relate to the Catholic or Irish cultures. Since I didn't grow up in either one, I don't understand or relate to the conversation.

Some people are very curious about the culture and things about where I came from, others joke about my dialect, and others just continue on their conversations that functionally exclude me because I don't share the background. Now, I don't think that they are intending to exclude me. I think that the national culture here is just so strong that they forget that I don't share it. That isn't a bad thing. In a lot of ways, I am in awe of it since the U.S. doesn't seem to have that. Maybe that is because we have more immigration and acculturation, less full assimilation...

Would I get enough points?

Shortly after I started working in Ireland, one of my mates told me that she had wanted to be a dentist but didn't have enough points for it so she had to do something else. I didn't understand at all and am still confused by this process.

My mate explained that when in secondary school, you take an exam. Your score on the exam determines what career you can have. Apparently, there is a point value for different majors in college. So, if you get a certain score, you can be a teacher. If you get a higher score, you can be a dentist or doctor. Recently, I met some nursing students. One commented that she wanted to be a speech therapist but didn't have enough points. So, in theory, speech therapists are "smarter" than nurses in Ireland.

The idea of a points system in order to determine what career someone can have is very strange to me. What if someone has a bad test? Besides, how can a test measure your competency in a given career? Or even your potential of competency? There is so much more to competency than cognitive ability. I would also really like to know how they determined the scores needed for certain professions. Who decided that a nurse didn't need as many points as a speech therapist who didn't need to be as "smart" as a doctor or dentist? Also, what happens if someone wants a profession that takes fewer points. Are they "allowed" to have that profession?

This system also makes me wonder, what would I have scored and what profession would I have today if I had been raised in Ireland or if the U.S. had a similar system?

OK, the disclaimer: I obviously still don't understand the test/point system. I am going to try to research it more but the above is how it was explained by multiple people to me.

Guest Writer Edition

Hey Everybody, John here, I thought I would write a quick entry on some observations I've made during the Dublin to London commute. First off is the ubiquitous 'Cheers'

I don't think I've ever encountered a word that has so many different meanings. Not only does it have the obvious usage for when people toast with their pints of bitters but many others. It is often used as 'thank you' for small things. It is also common as 'your welcome' when somebody else uses 'cheers' to thank you for some menial task. (They are English after all and thank you for every little thing.) Perhaps they are saying 'thank you' for the thanks. Most people will end a conversation with a 'cheers' too. I find it a hard word to use properly and never feel very confident with it unless I have a pint in my hand. It feels like there are often too many 'cheers' at the end of a phone conversation.

plastic bags

Like in most of Europe, in Dublin if you want a plastic bag to put your purchases in, you have to pay a government fee of 15 cents. Paper bags are free. So when people go grocery shopping, they usually bring their own bags. It makes sense to bring your own because the bags at the grocery store are small and not very strong. My Lands End canvas bags work very well to carry my groceries in. I usually only take one, though, because if I manage to fill it full, it gets really heavy and that is all I can carry home from the grocery store.

Today John and I bought 2 picture frames to frame a collage of our pictures from various vacations. Since the frames were too big to fit in the store's paper bags, the saleslady asked if we wanted a plastic bag but reminded us that she would have to charge the government levy. Now, these bags were the size of big target bags. They cost 15 cents each. She also only charged me for one but used two. The little grocery bags at the grocery store are also 15 cents and are about 1/3 the size. I wonder why they are the same price. The huge bags are a far better value than the grocery store bags. However, the big bags ripped as we continued shopping. Pesky sharp corners on picture frames.

quizzes

In Ireland and the UK, quizzes appear to be very popular. The last two trainings I was on, they used the quiz format to test our recall of information. Pubs also have them on a pretty regular basis. Some pubs that is. Here is how they work.
1. Get into teams of about 4 people.
2. Either one team or all teams are asked a question.
3. If all teams are asked, each team writes their response down on a piece of paper. Usually about 10 questions are asked at a time in this format. The papers are then collected, scored, and answers given.
4. If each team is asked a question, the team members confer and then a spokeperson gives the team answer. If they get it wrong, usually another team can try to answer for fewer points.
5. There seem to be at least 5 round of questions per quiz. If the teams are writing down answers, there seem to be many more. Basically, they can go on for hours with a break in the middle (these are the ones at the pubs).
6. A variety of questions are asked during the quiz on a variety of topics but usually there is a theme. For example, the one at the pub I went to had a lot of Irish history and geography.
7. People really get into the quizzes and quibble over points and correctness of the responses.
8. Oh, there is an official "quizmaster" who asks all the questions. Usually at least one person (not quizmaster) is the judge.