SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Cork'n'Blarney

Yesterday we took a trip to some of the southern parts of Ireland with Shane and Niamh. Shane was turning in his thesis (yay!) at UCC, so Niamh showed us around the campus. We snooped in the engineering department, sat in an empty classroom, and drank hot chocolate in the student center to get our fill of school for the year. I'd say it was sufficient.

We walked into the town of Cork, checking out the shops and the dense collection of architecture. The pain of seeing more beautiful clothes that we can neither buy nor carry wretches a larger hole in our hearts each day. We pull through, dreaming of the thrift store binge pursuant to our return. It looks like this.

Anyway, I tried Prawn and cocktail potato chips for the first time and they were pretty good. Liz and I also fulfilled our dream of romping around in an Irish meadow, as our next stop on the day trip was Blarney. While I was initially suspicious of the entry fee and the souvenir shop, Blarney was so worth it. It was a perfect, clear day to enjoy the extensive grounds and gardens. And after exploring the castle, we each took our turn kissing the Blarney stone. Legend dictates that smoochers of the stone become blessed with the gift of eloquence. (You can find a more in-depth explanation here.) I wasn't aware that the stone was situated so precariously over a gaping hole in the castle. Any poor bloke who slips through the crack in his effort to reach the stone would certainly tumble to his death without any witty last words.

We stopped for some food on the way home and then we napped, a growing hobby of ours. So far today we're just taking it easy, since the weather is grey and Liz is sick with a sore throat. I told her its because she sleeps with her mouth wide open (see picture below) and I bet that's why it gets dry and germs and stuff get in there. Feel better, dude, and I'll make you soup after I post embarrassing photos of you sleeping.

Luv to the friends & fam,
Alexis