Come Visit My College Town!

According to an Oct. 7th article from independenttraveler.com Madison, WI is one of the top 6 favorite college towns. Although I dislike being called a "rabid sports fan" alas, it is sometimes true (especially when I'm yelling and throwing pillows at the TV).

Madison, WI - Perched on an isthmus between two lakes, Madison is a small city well known for its rabid University of Wisconsin sports fans. If you're in town during football season, soak up the energy during a game at the Badgers' 76,000-seat stadium. But even if you're not a sports fan, Madison offers plenty of sights to see, including an art museum (located inside the Civic Center), the State Capitol building, and two buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright: the Unitarian Meeting House and the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Shoppers can hit pedestrian-only State Street for unique stores and sidewalk cafes, or pay a visit to the Saturday morning farmers' market on Capitol Square. Cap off your visit with a leisurely bike ride around Lake Monona or Lake Mendota.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9593731

Not much happening around here. Mom's coming up today for some window-plasticking (which is really good because our gas bill for last month was $90!), lunch, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I've been told that it is kind of scary, so I must take care and warn Moogie. And make certain she doesn't get too frightened. And she'll do the same for me :)

Other than that, not much news. Two papers due Monday and a test on Tuesday. Even though I work and have some classes, Wednesday is a breeze. The only class I HAVE to go to is a movie that is going to be on the test. Depending on when Mom comes, I might go to the other one which is showing the West Wing.

I suppose I should go and shower. With lots of people in the theater, I'd hate to be known as the "stinky girl." :) Lots of love, Christi and Oscar

ANOTHER GALWAY SIGHT TO SEE:

The Bridge Mills is situated just past O'Brien's Bridge, on the banks of the river Corrib. The sight of this picturesque building, with its cut-stone facade (which has been beautifully restored) is truly remarkable. This 430 year old building, stands majestically head and shoulders above other surrounding buildings. The building houses a charming shopping centre with the tiny specialist shops blending in perfectly with the building's impressive historic features. The Bridge Mills celebrates its medieval origins during the summer months with medieval banquets, held nightly, which feature full period dress and entertainment.
Shops and businesses: Basement: Restaurant. Ground Floor: An Gairdín (Florist), Pashas Corner, An Bhrian (Swop Shop), The Source Galway, Corrib Antiques. First Floor: Galway Language Center, Bridge Mill Gallery. Second Floor: KT Business Skills, Alliance Francaise, Galway Zen Dojo, Pitman Training Centre.

Post 401 not so happy

Wanna see what I look like this morning?? This is it, except there's no hairs sticking out every-which-way.
Work is driving me crazy. Rollie hurt his knee at his other job and my boss is on vacation, so now I've got to work lots and lots more. To top it off, my favoritest (dripping sarcasm) co worker is monkeying around this morning (I say is because we couldn't find him when I left). I had to do all my work, plus Rollie's morning run, plus some of my coworker's. I ended up working an hour later than I wanted to. I got 4 1/2 hrs of sleep due to a 1:30AM puppy run that I couldn't fall back asleep after. Grrrrrrrr..... I'm going to fall asleep in class. Again. Probably all three. I can't wait until Ireland, when I finally get a break from work. And my coworker.

It snowed. Not much around here, but enough to make it slippery. I jumped off the back of the truck and slid on the frozen ground, scratching up my elbow on the truck. Luckily I was wearing my jacket which took the brunt of the metal.

I need sleep. Oscar needs breakfast. Lots of love, the both of us.

Gordon Commons - my home away from home

UPDATE @4:15PM:

Awww...look at the Coasties (from the West coast) in their super long, poofy, North Face winter jackets, multiple long-sleeved layers, matching polar tech gloves, hats, and scarves, Ugg boots, and I'm betting thermal underwear. Me, I wear a jacket, tee-shirt, and clogs. And it's only a little bit of snow...a light dusting. Hahahaha---they haven't seen anything yet! And a special thought for the girl talking on her cell in super high-heeled boots walking down Bascom... heels and ice don't mix. She almost beefed it (fell). Although I seem to remember doing the same thing down the same side of the hill.....without the heels.

Another special thought to that little black fuzzball...thanks for the block run after you when I accidentally dropped the leash and you thought it meant that we should run all the way home. With me yelling "Stop!" the whole way.

Top o' the evenin to ya!

It's official. NUI Galway, on the rocky west coast of Ireland has accepted yours truly to come study this Spring in their prestigious university. Hooray! Now comes the hard part - getting everything ready. I've started a list, and it's mind-boggling!! I'd be gone probably Jan 2 until May 19th (at the latest b/c Alissa graduates on the 20th). There's a Easter break in there that I might use to explore the Continent with one of those student travel tours. We'll see what happens there.

I actually started this post yesterday, but I had puppy duty to perform and didn't get back to it until today.

There are some guys in a cherry picker fixing cables on the top stories of the apartment building next door . I wonder how much it would take for them to wash and plastic our second-story windows....

I'll try and put in some Galway stuff with my upcoming posts. With all of this stuff to do, I may sometimes forget. If I do, you can always check out http://www.galway.net/

Hey, guess what?! I'll be there for St. Pat's Day!

Lots of Love, Christi and Oscar (staring at me because he's hungry)



Opened in 1965, the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas is situated on the site of the former county jail (or gaol as it was known) which closed in 1939 and was notorious for its cruel treatment of prisoners. Happily a brighter atmosphere now prevails in this, the largest and possibly the most impressive building in the city. The copper domed roof is visible for miles around and the massive site on which it stands is one of the largest in the city centre. Nearly all of the raw materials used in the building were supplied from the local area and is a fine example of Irish workmanship. Inside the visitor will find the cut-stone and wood carvings and wall paintings, particularly impressive. The style of the building is Hiberno-Romanesque which is unique eleventh century native Irish mode and pre-dates the Norman invasion.