Observations of an Au Pair

    Its been over 4 months since I left Canada, and time has just flown by! Before leaving, so many ppl told me that it would take a good 6 months to really settle in, yet I was pretty much settled after only 2 or 3 weeks. I keep getting told that I've settled in so nicely, and I can't wrap my head around why it would take someone 6 months to settle in? What are you spose to do with all that time? You can't sit on your ass and let time fly by without you -you need to get out and explore this beautiful country!! Since arriving, I have learned how to drive on Irish roads and now it's like 2nd nature...believe me, I was scared shitless of driving on the left, on the opposite side of the car AND having to deal with multi-lane round-a-bouts! Pretty sure when I get home I will have to remind myself..stay on the right Kayla, stay on the right!! I've also met a whole bunch of awesome new people, I now have friends from ALL over the world -Spain, Austria, France, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary to name a few. It's pretty neat that when we go out we are like the United Nations all at one table! I've also travelled around alot of Southern Ireland. I've pretty much covered all the nearby towns & attractions...I guess that means I'm off to a good start!! Heres a map of Southern Ireland to give you an idea of where I've all been so far!

    There are definitely some observations that I've made during my time here. For one, the 1st time I was in the supermarket, I realized all the eggs were on the shelf next to all the other baking ingredients, not in the fridge like back home. At first I thought my god..someone has put all the eggs in the wrong isle! After asking my hostmom I realized that here in Ireland, eggs are never refridgerated. I wonder why back in Canada we refridgerate them? Does it make them last longer? Does it make them taste different? ...I mean, if you think about it, a chickens ass isn't refridgerated, so why then, do we refridgerate them in stores and in our homes?? ...Just a thought!

 Another thing -both countries speak English yes..but they may as well be different languages! I remember when I first arrived, having to concentrate on what others were saying so that I could understand them. And now, I rarely notice an accent! I myself have not developed an Irish accent, I doubt I will to be honest! I have however picked up a few Irish words -mostly for ease of conversation! To give you an idea, heres a list of some of the different words off the top of my head:

Trunk of the car = the boot

Zebra crossing = pedestrian crosswalk

Jumper = sweater

Grande = good/great
Petrol= gasoline

Lashing = pouring (lots of rain)

Garda = police

Fire Brigade = Fire station/truck

Poof = ottoman

Post = mail

Eiran = linen closet

Bobble = hair elastic
Trousers= pants

Fringe = bangs

Tellie = T.V.

That gas! = Thats hilarious

I could go on and on...but you get the idea! Basically before I caught on to what people were trying to ask me, we would have to repeat what they said and then translate. I've caught on for the most part but every now and then your like "K...what?!" hahaha

    Anyways...enough rambling! Last wknd, I finally made it to the Cork Gaol. The first time I went, I drove in circles trying to find the entrance. I could find the exit alright, but the entrance...not a chance! It would probably help if there were actual streets signs...just puttin' that out there! :P

   The gaol (prison) was pretty neat. I got an audio headset so that during my tour I could hear sound effects and feel like I was actually in the prison during that time period. The gaol opened in 1824 and closed in 1923. It was then used as a broadcast studio for radio until the 1950's when it was abandoned. It reopened in 1993 as a tourist attraction and has been open ever since. There are wax figurines in different cells, and it tells the story of what prison life was like back then. Children as young as 7yrs old were imprisoned all for stealing a loaf of bread, or some warm clothing. They were then whipped and held in cells. Hard to imagine right?

I also ran my 1st mini-marathon this month in the small town of Cloyne! It was lashing down rain so we all looked like we'd just stepped out of the shower before we had even begun, but it was fun! There were close to 1000 participants, so a small crowd but good overall! I ran it in 32mins but have no idea what place I came in!

I am now a legal resident of Ireland! Not citizen of course, but resident! My Immigration card finally arrived meaning I won't be kicked out of the country anymore! Horray! I think it'll be a good souvinour in the future when I look back on my time here!

I ran my 2nd mini-marathon this past wknd as well. 2 within 3 weeks of eachother! This one was up in Cork City and we had over 12,000 runners! Amazing atmosphere! I ran for the Marie Keating foundation which is for breast cancer awareness. I'm really enjoying doing these mini-marathons, they can be so much fun and great exercise!

Speaking of exercise, I have registered for 2 fitness classes here at the local college in Midleton. I began circuit training on Monday nights as well as Pilates on thursday nights. Both classes are loads of fun, hardwork but definitely worth it!

Thats all for now folks, check back soon for more updates!

I love you all. Missing you in Ireland...
XOXO

K