The Official "Unofficial" Sport

Hurling: it is the sport of ancient Gaelic origin, played for over 3000 years! Today in Ireland there is still no professional league, so players are unpaid "amateurs".  This does not deter many, however, and the game remains a fixture of life.  We were very lucky to experience a match of the fastest field game around at the local Waterford stadium. As a first time spectator, I hadn't a clue what the rules were or what was going on. So I made my own observations and will compare them to when I learn Hurling in the weeks to come. Stay tuned to new coming posts to see what I learn about Hurling, and if my initial observations were true!

• brutal
• no pads
• fast fast FAST
• hit the ball in the "field goal" or soccer goal
• why two categories on scoreboard?
• can't hold ball in hand
• can hit ball with stick, like baseball
• no names on jerseys 
• can balance ball on Hurley
• WE WON! 

TK adventures: Waterford Style

Waterford County holds so much within it! We toured the local school, Waterford Crystal, a Famine Ship, Soors College, and the JFK memorial all before nightfall: Tom Keith does not stop. Coffee and Scones at the local Friary school began our day: so so delicious, as only the Irish do. It was amazing to see the pride the teachers and students take in their school. Waterford Crystal was our next stop. The tour was mind-blowing! All the master cutters, who apprentice for 10 years, worked from memory! We got to see the entire process that goes into creating the crystal clamored for around the world. The beauty in each piece was unreal. After this tour, we proceeded onto a tour of a Famine Ship. This ship was used to transport people to a "new world" and "fresh start" during the famines in Ireland. Packed to the brim, the ship was vial with disease and hunger: I couldn't imagine a month long journey on it. Soors College followed, and we enjoyed a delicious traditional meal. Again, we were struck by the Irish hospitality and how welcoming everyone was! The food did not disappoint, and we practically rolled out of there and on to the JFK memorial.  It was quite interesting to see how revered this American president is in the Irish culture. TK was so excited, he even took a little fall in his excitement to get just the right picture! Waterford, via the TK experience, was one to remember.

Rugby: My Style

Mud, screams, laughs, tackles: Mercyhurst girls took on rugby this evening!  18 girls who have never played rugby before are now obsessed with the game. We had an amazing time learning the ins and outs of this national sport. Throwing the ball backwards, the proper way to tackle, rules, and scoring: we learned it all! The two difficulties we had were throwing backwards and the idea that a tackle does NOT stop the play or cause a change possession. I have gained a new respect for the rough-and-tumble players of rugby and admire the strength and strategy it takes to play. Below I will list what rules I picked-up from our trainer session.

Rugby "Sara Style"
1. You MUST throw the ball backwards (to a person behind you)
2. Tackling does not stop the play
3. You can run as far as you can with the ball
4. Communication is key with teammates
5. You must move together
6. The more mud the better

Berlin

New language, new culture, new city: Hello Berlin! We just got home from our "spring break" in Germany!  The experience was surreal. We toured the sites, experienced the culture, and just soaked up as much as we could in the short amount of time we were there. Walking where Hitler did, seeing the SS Headquarters, and even a concentration camp: I was blown away by the history and past of the city. Arriving in Germany, the first shock came in the language barrier. Living in Ireland, I never realized how fortunate I was to be studying in a country that speaks English (be it their own version, but English at least). I must admit, I found the German language quite ugly. I felt like they were screaming or angry at me! The stunningly beautiful looks of the German people and the city of Berlin, however, made up for the ugly abrasive language. Everywhere I looked I found myself gawking at something (or someone) beautiful! As a fashion major, I also found myself drooling over the European style and snapping mental pictures of outfits and silhouettes I want to recreate back home. In between exploring the streets and trying our hand at the train system, we went on a historical "journey" that took us from the Berlin wall and SS buildings to the Teirgarten statues and Berlin Dom. Everywhere seemed to be dripping with history and almost raw with the not-so-distant occurrences of the past that took place within the borders. The Berlin Wall made a huge impact on me: the sheer desperation to breach it and gain a better life in West Germany could be felt just by looking at it. Touring the Checkpoint Charlie museum also opened my eyes to this desperation and events that occurred here. The East Side Gallery was also an amazing experience. It is the longest stretch of wall still standing, and it is pure artwork. The graffiti and paintings represent the past, present, and hope for the future: breathtakingly beautiful, it depicts the raw emotions of the German people. The East side gallery took us to a new and trendy part of Berlin: Mühlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Here we explored till we couldn't walk anymore: ducking into cafes and boutiques, it was a wonderfully "posh" place and a place of pure happiness for me. Again, just watching the people and experiencing the real culture...I will never forget it. Overall, the entire experience was unforgettable and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore the history of such a prominent country and walk the streets of such a hip culture. 

East Side Gallery

Berlin Dom

Easter in Ireland

No baskets, no colored eggs, no girls dolled-up in dresses and hats: Easter in Ireland is quite different from the one back home. Common ground is found, however, in the chocolate eggs and sweets. Cadbury is everywhere here, so I am in heaven. The Irish do not do the "American Tradition" of creating and hiding baskets, nor do they color eggs- when we asked some locals if they did these things, they looked at us like we were crazy! Asking us what we did with the eggs once colored, and how it worked exactly...they said the closest thing they do is hiding a few eggs around the house for a "hunt": another commonality, children DO participate in Easter egg hunts! On Easter day, we had to refrain ourselves from jumping in the children's hunt because we so missed the festivities going on at home! Easter here in Ireland though provided us a chance to create new tradition and experience something new, and that we did.  After attending mass, complete with a beautiful choir and flowers, we headed out for a hike. Our lovely "Easter Hike" took us to the top of Collagan Woods, overlooking all of Waterford county...it was beautiful. The rain didn't bother us a bit, it was actually quite lovely.We then explored the river and tromped around till we found a tree worthy of our initials. Here, we carved our names into the wood: now we will forever be in Ireland. Our hike ended at the ocean, windy and pouring rain...but still breathtaking! Back home, we gathered our resources and created an Easter dinner for our entire townhouse "family"- it was perfect. We may not have been home for the holiday, and everyone was missing there families, but we made the best of it and got to create our own special "Irish Easter". I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.

our initials

Little Things

I'm not one for guided tours. I've never been one to jump on the tour bus or follow a guide around with pamphlets and headsets on (sorry if that is your cup of tea- to each his own!).  I'm all about jumping into the culture, exploring on foot, and seeing where it all takes you. We ventured to Lismore with the wonderful Tom Keith a few weeks ago.  TK is the greatest, however, I find my mind wondering as he imparts his historical knowledge upon us. Lismore was amazing: castles and churches, all beautiful! My favorite part, however, came as we were exploring a church. TK was going on about the history and all,  when a traditional band started playing in the corner. Rehearsing for something, they sounded amazing.  Guitar, drum, and pipe: this is the traditional Irish music I swoon over. I found myself drawn away from the group, and just sitting there entransed. I can't remember the name of the church, the history behind it or within it, but I will forever remember the sound of the band and the pure joy I found in it.  These tiny moments, all the little things of this nature, are what make this Irish experience my own and one I will never forget.

Poetry and a Fire

Wool socks, tea, blanket, and a fire: this is how I will be spending the rest of my day. It is FREEZING outside. Wind, rain, and hail complete the package of a not-so-delightful day.  Regretfully, I have "turned to the books" and began some much needed class readings.  As much as I hate to admit it, however, I'm actually enjoying this "me-time" and the required poems of Seamus Heaney!  Heaney is a welcome change to Yeats, in my opinion.  Yeats tended to paint a stark and negative picture of Ireland, especially in Dubliners.  Heaney, on the other hand, celebrates Irish land and tradition in a way I can truly follow and appreciate.  Blackberry Picking and Digging express the Irish past and present in a beautiful way.  Curled up by the fire, I'm loving Heaney...be proud Dr. Reed!