The land of the Bodhran...

This is what I have been attempting to master. It is called an Irish Bodhran, and yes it is a drum. You can play with different sticks, but the bodhran stays the same. My teacher has been pressing me to learn in faster because we are leaving in a few short weeks for the states. Right now, I am trying to do a succession of three even notes called a triplet..... at about a million miles an hour. It's not working. Help!!! My hands don't move that fast!!
Here's an example of how fast it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMI4X8OOMOg&feature=related
And if that doesn't look too hard, then why don't you come out here and give it a try. ;)

Shrimp on the barbie?

So........ today we had dinner with an Australian family!! It was............... an experience! There was also an American family who is living here for 2 years. Well, lets just say that the Aussie mom, who is pretty young and can relate to me really well, is the most lovely person ever! She is so funny and outgoing, but sweet and nice too! She made it easy for everyone to talk to each other and get along. The dad is from New Zealand and they have two kids, who are adorable. I love their little Aussie accents!! That is definitely going to be the next accent that I work on. Anyways, then the American family showed up, and I ended up being really squashed by my mom and the American dad. Well the dad is quite a character, but then............... my grandparents showed up. Not that that's a bad thing, of course! I love my grandparents, but when they figured out that this American was a raging Liberal, the sparks began to fly. I quickly relocated myself to talk quietly to the Mums, while my parents and grandparents took on this other guy in a political debate. I tried to just ignore the shouting, i mean loud remarks. But the evening ended well, i suppose, we all went back to our house for ice cream, and are planning to meet up again at dance camp, and the Aussie mom has made a plan to go walking with me along the cove. There's something she wants to show me, but I'm still not sure what. I guess i'll find out! But yes, I really feel as if I have some friends now, even if their kids are all younger (there are 5 kids total in the 2 families) The evening was quite pleasant, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. I'm just glad I stayed out of the politics. For a minute, when I was squished between the liberals and the republicans, I felt almost like a shrimp on the barbie ;)

Thursday blues and blahs (and hats)

Well, having been back from Dublin for a few days, I thought I was due for a new post. I'm really terrible about posting every day. Anyways, yes, back in Galway, my home for the time being. I haven't been doing a whole lot except exploring some more of the city, and reading the wheel of time series. I know, sounds kinda boring. You're probably thinking "what? you're in IRELAND and you're aren't doing anything???? Well my answer is: yes. I'm in Ireland but my dad has to work to whole week. We can see things in Galway, and go around a little bit, but we have to stay here and do normal things until the weekend. Then we tour around the country! So really, It's pretty normal. Mostly I'm just soaking up the culture. Even though I'm not seeing all the exciting monuments and tourist attractions, I'm still learning about what a cool country Ireland is from the other side. Anyways, my accent has reached a blockage, and I can't get it over this proverbial roadblock. My family are the only people I ever talk to, as we haven't made many friends here, and they keep on talking in their American accents!! So it's their fault. Back on subject, we are going to finish some chores at home (yes, I still have chores. And leftover math. yuck) then we are going to find some "charity shops" which are basically thrift stores. It's too expensive here to buy anything from the real stores!! Except "Tesco" which is like Wal mart. and Those clothes are not exactly something you would want to wear, unless you're a baby or a man. AND I am determined to find a hat. For race week, you know. I want a hat like from that scene in "My Fair Lady" where they go to the races and everyone's in black and white. But all the hats in the department stores or boutiques are at LEAST 50 euro. for a HAT???? sheesh my SHOES don't even cost that much, and I wear them almost every day. And if you know about the current exchange rate, then you're looking at 60 to 65 dollars there. For a fancy hat, that you could probably make. (there was even a HEADBAND for 40 euro!! insane!!) I know I'm overdue for pictures, but my dad is the one who knows how to work the fancy camera he has, so I have to get them from him. Sorry. but i do have 5 weeks left. Anyways, this was a pointless ordinary post, nothing exciting. Oh well, life's not all sugar and roses. Or whatever.