Days 4 and 5: New Year's Day and Cork

Hello lovely readers (all three of you :) ). I'm sorry it's been so long but internet around here has been hard to come by, and on the rare occasion I do have, I feel that talking to my family takes top priority (strange, I know). But anyway, New Year's Day was basically a resting day for everyone in Dublin, not just the Americans who had stayed out late the night before. Nothing opened until at least noon if it opened at all (and it most likely didn't). I have to admit that I didn't make it up for breakfast; I actually didn't really wake up until 1:45 pm or so... But then I was super productive (haha). After a quick shower, a few of us went to Subway (how American, but there are SOOO many here in Ireland--sort of like Starbucks in New York City) to grab lunch and then we bummed around for a bit. We had an "optional but recommended" talk at 4pm about the formation of the Republic of Ireland, and actually all but one of our group went. The talk was pretty good and definitely informative, but lots of what we were told I (and a few others) had learned at Kilmainham Gaol only a few days before. After the talk, we walked to a restaurant called Alfie's, where we had a brilliant three-course meal (super duper fancy). It was delicious, and I ended up sitting near one of the people in charge (she is super sweet and gorgeous). We talked a bit, and lots of little questions about travelling, cell phones, and other random topics got answered. The entire group left dinner around 8:30 or so (we had been there for almost 2 1/2 hours), and we headed back to the hostel. Funnily enough (despite the fact that Ireland winters are mild), there was serious ice on the bridge crossing the River Liffey, so we had to make our way very slowly (though we managed somewhat quicker than most of the Irish). I got back to the hostel with every intention of going out again, but hanging out in the hostel lounge was much more relaxing, and I had time to pack and get ready to leave the next morning. My plan to go to bed early was (of course) foiled by my desire to talk and listen to others, so I didn't sleep until a little past two. Ugh.
But the next morning (Day 5), I managed to wake up, grab breakfast, finish packing, and get my luggage in plenty of time (that's very unusual for me). By 10:30, we were on the road to CORK!!! And all of us were ecstatic to arrive and actually unpack! The journey took about 4 hours or so (with a thirty minute lunch break in the middle) and was partially longer than usual because of the ice on the roads. We arrived at Deanshall (our accomodations) and were greeted by the Arcadia University representative (Val). Checking in was quite a slow process, but somehow we all managed (even with the news that we wouldn't have internet until Monday). Then Val walked us to the city centre (downtown) and showed us where to buy groceries, cheap linens, etc. We were then on our own, but we could shop! We headed to Penneys (not JC...) to buy sheets, towels, and other random bathroom/bedroom-y things. Next we hit up Dunnes but not for the clothes and shoes (that I will certainly hit up later) but for the grocery store on the ground floor. After buying way too much stuff for one night, we trekked back to Deanshall weighted down with several bags each.
Oh, and Deanshall... The location is excellent-- less than 10 minutes to the city centre and less than 15 to UCC. The rooms are pretty well furnished with a huge desk and large closet, the kitchen is small but reasonably stocked, and there is a common room with cable TV and chairs and couches. There's also a bathroom (YAY) with a small shower and a sink that has a cold spout and a hot spout (very annoying). Deanshall is also very cold. Let's just say I was happy when my room broke 55 degrees (Fahrenheit, don't worry!). I kept the heat on for almost a day straight (even though you're not really supposed to), and the maximum temperature my room has been is about 65, which (believe me) feels warm. Going to sleep that first night really was quite a challenge since I was freezing!! I definitely slept with lots of layers and missed central heating and electric blankets. But all in all, the first day in Cork, although a little rainy and not terribly exciting was good. I'm glad that my flat/apartment is only a three-person with one of my roommates being another American from the Arcadia program. Hopefully, we will never run out of hot water! :)