Watch Out Cork, There is Another Mainah in Town!!

Ashley has arrived! I guess you can never truly appreciate your home life until you leave it for a period of time. Thats how it was for me at least. My sister has come at a perfect time, and we have planned a jam packed week for her.
Yesterday we went to the Fota Wildlife park. It was easy enough to get to, just a quick bus ride and then hopping onto the train plus I had heard great things about it. When we woke up it was cold and dark outside but, as I have become accustom to, the weather quickly changed and thankfully that afternoon and it ended up being a gorgeous day! The park was really amazing and I recommend it to any Cork visitors. Most of the animals were allow to roam free. It was amazing because, we were able to sit and have lunch with a peacock to one side of us and a group of lemurs to the other. We spent a few hours just walking around the park looking at the different animals. I think Ashley had a great time, even though the trip may have resulted in a new paranoia of birds for her. I got a great laugh early on in the day when I told her to go stand next to one of the free range birds walking around. She replied with "What if it attacks me" I assured her she was being ridiculous when out of now where the bird began to chase her. I ended up getting a great action shot and a huge laugh, I'm sure Ashley doesn't appreciate the picture as much as I do but she'll come around! haha!
As for my classes things are starting to wind down. I gave one of my presentations on Tuesday and I think it went well, I only have one more to go. Instructors are now trying to prepare us for final exams. I have also finally been able to wrap up all the applications I have to various schools at home. This summer I am finishing my degree at SMCC with the last two classes I need and then transferring to either Thomas College, University of Southern Maine or Saint Joseph's College for accounting. Applying from so far away has been a challenge but I did most of the preparation before I left, which helped a lot.
The weather is getting nicer and there is a buzz around campus that can only come with an approaching break. I am look forward to Spring break and my trips to Galway, Dublin, and Scotland! I will be sure to post all about them :)

April? Already?!

I cannot believe that it is already April! I know that I keep saying this but time is going by so fast and I know this month in particular will probably be the fastest! My assessments last week went really well. I'm glad to have them over and done with. This week I have one presentation in Marketing, its tomorrow morning and I am slightly nervous but I think that my group has done a really nice job. More exciting however, is the fact that my sister is coming tomorrow! I am beyond thrilled. I really need to see a familiar face. I have made a lot of good friends here, but there is nothing like family when you need them! She will be staying until next Wednesday, so she definitely will have time to really see Cork. It will be great. Eden Hall allows you to have guests so she will be staying in my room with me rather than at a hostel or B&B which will help her save some money.
Things do seem to be quite a bit more money here. As long as you can budget though, the scholarship is plenty to cover for food, laundry and such.I was actually contacted by someone who is interviewing for the Mitchell scholarship this month. Now THAT is exciting! I remember how nervous I was and then when I was named a recipient I was ecstatic but even more uneasy because I had no idea what to expect. This got me thinking, for any people interested in the scholarship I am going to do a post about what I wish I had known and tips. I know that I would have found that interesting and although no one can prepare you for an experience like this, it helps to hear from another student when there are so many unknowns.