Day 8: First Day of Classes

So the first day of classes... My first class (Metric Spaces and Topology) was at 9 am in the Western Gateway Building. I figured that twenty minutes was more than enough time to get from my room to my class. Yeah, I was really wrong. First of all, this building is both new enough and far enough off campus that it isn't on most campus maps-- that was problem number one. Then, after I found a map that actually showed the building, I had no idea how to get there. About 8:57, when I was not lost, but not where I was supposed to be, I realized that I was still at least 10 minutes from my desired destination; I also realized that I'd just walked a huge loop around one part of campus, which clearly didn't bring me any closer to the Western Gateway Building. Anyway, long walk and story short, I made it to class, and I was only ten minutes late (oops). So I walk in to the class, and I'm the only girl, which is fine, so I sit in the back (mostly because I'm late) and begin taking notes. It's nothing exciting, only analysis. I found out later that the guys in that class all thought that I'd walked into the wrong class and was just too embarrassed to leave. But then, the guy sitting next to me saw me taking notes and paying attention and was really confused... Very amusing. Maybe when I show up again, they'll think I'm in the right class. After that, I hurried to the International Education Office to get my UCC Student ID (finally!). That took until about 10:25, so I considered attending a class on Greek history, but I really hate being late, especially in an hour long class. It's probably a good thing too, because the door into that classroom (I later found out) opens right into the front of the room. So no sneaking in for me. After talking to a few other people getting IDs, I headed back to the Western Gateway Building (but this time I knew where it was!!) to talk to someone in the Math Department about taking modules. I got the information of the head of the department, and then waited around the building to see if the tutorial for Metric Spaces and Topology was meeting (it wasn't!). So I trekked back to my room, where I discovered that we finally had internet!!!! I could then email the head of the math department before going shoe shopping with Bridget and Emily. Sadly, I didn't buy too much-- a mini fan, cute bag, stapler-- as there aren't really any shoes in my size :( But oh well, I'll keep looking! After our few hour shopping excursion, we came back to Deanshall and each went our separate ways. I had an email from the head of the math department telling me that I was already supposed to have applied to take math modules, so there was a chance that I wouldn't be able to take any while I was here. That stressed me out a bit, not because I really want to take math, but because next year would be so much more work if I didn't take math this term. But anyway, I cooked a quick dinner and then met up with other Arcadia kids to go to an Intro to Irish History module, which was far away, also on the completely other side of campus (like WGB) but on the other side of the river. The class was pretty interesting, and I'm excited about next week's! But after class, the real fun begins! Tuesday is the second biggest going out night in Cork (after Thursday), so I went to a friend's apartment, and we hung out and drank a bit (this was about 9:30 or so). We stayed in her flat until at least midnight and then headed out to the clubs! It was freezing out, and Irish girls don't take coats to clubs (so they don't have to pay to check them), so I was recommended to leave my coat behind. Let's just say that I'm really glad I didn't. It was soooooooo cold, and the club we planned to go to (which was right around the corner) was too packed, so we continued into the city centre. Sadly, everywhere was really busy (first big night out of the term), so we didn't get in anywhere :( But! About eight of us got Hillbilly's, which is kind of like KFC, and then headed back to Deanshall to eat it and warm up. So we chatted for a bit and then I headed to bed because I had class at ten the next morning. Overall, the first real day was a bit hectic but excellent!