The Craic...(aka What's been going on...)

So of all the weeks to slack off on blogging this week probably wasn't the best to choose, but I was working a lot and the internet in the flat wasn't working most of the time so yeah...Anyways I didn't go to work on tuesday because my supervisor was sick which wasn't too bad except that i need to make up those hours now but oh well i figure it out. Tuesday night I went to meditation with the girls again and then we continued our tuesday tradition of following meditation up with going out for a drink. We got/shared a pitcher of a drink called frilly tutu-weird ordering it but it was really tasty! The irony of going to meditation then drinking isn't lost on any of us, and I think we're just finding peace in all sorts of ways...

Wednesday was somewhat uneventful just work, oh and a delicious family meal of stuffed tortelini and veggies. Oh and we play phase 10 which seems to be a new tradition...

Thursday I worked and while I was at the youth club I got a first hand look at the increased tension and ongoing conflict between kids in the fountain and kids from outside of it. It just made me realize how much different their lives were because as they were standing at a streetcorner arguing with other kids, I went back to the flat, made dinner and played phase 10. Quite a contrast... Oh and i booked my and drea's rooms for spring break so I don't have to sleep on a park bench!

Today started early as I had to be on a bus to dungiven at 8am (which is late considering i was going to take a 7am bus!) from there my supervisor picked me up and we headed to a conference in belfast! It actually wasn't too bad and I got some booklets that might be helpful in writing my research papers so that worked out well. Plus we stopped at a roadside restaurant and I had this delicious tomato, mozerella cheese, and suite onion wrap. And on my way home I stopped and got a carmel machiatto from the starbucks in the mall and it was the perfect friday afternoon snack! After doing a little window shopping I made it back to the flat ready to relax! Oh which reminds me to mention that due to recent events including the interception of a 300lb bomb (which I heard might have been on its way to derry/londonderry) there has definately been an increase in police visibility. Prior to the killings the only police i had seen were outside bars as they were closing, however they were checking cars when I got a ride home last night, and today as I walked back along strand rd. I passed three police officers. I should probably point out that unlike the cops in the U.S. being friendly is not part of their image. They are very serious looking as they stand there tightly gripping their m16s! And yet in a way its kinda comforting to know that they are out there keeping us safe.

As for this weekend...we'll probably go out tonight and tommorrow is our day in donegal! It should be fun, and Karen and ben are coming up from belfast for it so it'll be a little more than just the derry group!

Oh and in case anyone was wondering St. Patty's day is going to be low key because its normally crazy (and not necessarily in a good way) but with recent events and increased tension we all just want to celebrate in the flat!

Still loving N.I.!
Katie :)

P.S. More pictures coming soon!