Happy New Year

I'm in a good humour so I'm going to treat you to some cool pictures

Isn't that so cute? Very suitable I thought seen as I'm obsessed with Penguins.

2007 saw the release of Shrek the Third so I've decided to post a picture of the best animated character EVER! Shrek wouldn't be Shrek without Donkey after all..

The year finished up with the best ever series of Strictly Come Dancing, sadly Gethin didn't win but Alesha was a truly deserving winner!!!
2007 was also the year that I discovered the true magninficence of Fleetwood Mac!!!

The main Padraig Harrington won his first major... the first man in like 60 years to win the British Open!!!! Go Paudi go!!!

Well that's all you're getting. Hope you liked them!!!

Happy New Year

Sal

Quiz...

Boooooooooo ya!!!

We won our quiz!!! We absolutely whooped the other team's ass. The final score was 78-36. The questions were kind of weird though. There's a table quiz at school on Friday- so guess where I'm going!!!

Speaking of school. I went in today- YAY!!!! Though I started to get a bubble of panic in my stomach as I realised just how behind I am... GULP! Maths, Irish and Biology are going to be tough. Not too worried about French, English, Business or Home Ec. I'll be able to catch up on them myself. But the other ones have to be explained to me... and there's so much!!!

I got my first Christmas present today. I got a lovely turqoise dressing gown, a cute purple purse and a penguin poster!!! I'm obsessed with penguins... It's so cute. It's a mammy and daddy penguin and a little fluffy baby penguin... ADORABLE!

Oh my god... this is the exact picture. I was just looking for any picture... but this is it! Isn't it lovely!!!

Laters

Sal

Strictly, Books, Christmas...

I'm very very saddened and also very annoyed. Poor little Gethin got kicked out of Strictly Come Dancing... He so didn't deserve it. That little dweeb of a Matt or should I say Bratt Di Angelo did deserve to get the boot... but NO... stupid Judges decided (except the wonderful Arlene) to save Bratt instead. I mean, Gethin's Argentine Tango was absolutely amazing and the judges were WAY too harsh on his Paso which I thought was amazing!!! As for the judges giving Bratt a perfect score for his so-so waltz... how can they do that when Alesha the best dancer the competition has ever seen has never got a perfect score... it baffles me. Bye bye wonderful Gethin, I'll never forget that wink at the end of your foxtrot. And as for that jive (pictured below) it caused me to get up and start jiving... which isn't exactly good after an operation...

I've read so many books since the last time I posted about books. I'm not going to write about them, there's too many and frankly I'm too tired... I'll just say "Falling For A Dancer" is the best book I've read in years. It's by Deirdre Purcell and there is so many twists and turns... READ IT PEOPLE!!!

"Nothing Bad Ever Happens at Tiffanys" by Marian Keyes

"The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

"The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham

And Finally, "Falling For a Dancer" by Deirdre Purcell.

I've only been back to school for one day, sadly. I'm just too tired... but fortunetly it has allowed me to get all my Christmas shopping done. I love Christmas.

Anyway, I better go find out useless information. I have a quiz tonight.

Laters

Sal

"You cut me open and I- Keep Bleeding Keep Keep..."

Pardon my absence, but the month of November has not been a good one for me. For one thing I have only been to school for half a day so far this month and second of all I have been in hospital for two smelly weeks.


It started out as a simple twinge in my lower right side, I ignored it assuming I had eaten something stupid that affects my crohns. But as the weekend went by it got worse. So on Monday the 5th when we went back to school the pains were alot worse so I had to go home early- thinking I'd feel alot better in the morning.

But on Tuesday I decided I wasn't going to go to school either as the pains were still really bad. So I went to my GP only to be told that it could be an abcess and that I should go to hospital right away. But I didn't go right away, I know they don't feed you in these places so I went back home and had dinner first. Obviously not much happened that night, I think I was finally called out of the waiting room at about 10 that night.

The next day I saw the Prof's SHO (his second in command), he thought they were simply crohn's pains and that when I took my next injection I'd be fine. He was just about to let me home when he got my blood results- which showed unusually high levels of inflammation. They had to keep me in! Later on that day I had an ultrasound- let me tell you, they are pure torture. You have to have a full bladder before you are sent up and then you are left waiting an hour and nearly wetting yourself. Then when they eventually take you they press so hard on your stomach with the probe you think you're bladder is going to burst.- They showed how unhealthy my bowel was but let's face it- we all knew that. The SHO came round after and said that it could be an abcess and put me on antibiotics. He said that the expert radiologist would have to take a look at it the next day.

The next day came and so did the Prof. He brought me news that I just did not want to here. I had to have surgery. I tell you I cried buckets that day. But the nurse came down and consoled me and told me all the benefits I would get from it.

On Monday the 12th, the night before my surgery I was sitting in the hospital cafe with my dad when a song came on the radio. "You cut me open and I/ Keep bleeding, keep keep bleeding". Hmmm that's the last thing I wanted to hear the night before and I will forever associate that song with my operation. GOD DAMN YOU LEONA LEWIS!! Sorry- I'm sure you're a very nice person!

Anyway, as you will know the surgery was the 13th (eeeek) of November. I was bawling me eyes out that morning until they gave me a tablet which I thought was an antacid but turned out to be a relaxant and made me turn all giggly. It was great. I've been told that I was quite hilarious. The last thing I remember before the operation was been moved on to the table and after that everything it blank. I woke up then in the recovery room but the memory is very fuzzy. I know I was in a lot of pain and I was shouting for the mother and the father. Once they got the pain sorted I was sent back to the ward, where appartantly the first thing I said was that the two women in the beds opposite mine were starring at me. Which they probably were because they gawked anytime someone new came into the ward. And I mean gawked- mouths hanging open and everything- God, take a picture it'll last longer!

Tuesday, Wednesday and even some of the Thursday are all fuzzy. I was high on morphine you see. They gave me one of those clicky wrist thingys so that whenever you have pain you just click it and you get a shot of morphine. I just kept falling in and out of sleep for the 2 days.

I got out of the hospital on Tuesday the 20th. They were going to let me out the day before but for some reason I just didn't like the idea of going home when it hadn't been a week since I had the operation so they allowed me to stay for one more night.

Ugh, I'm really tired, I'll write more later

Sal

White Rabbits!

Well, it's the first of November. Probably the most depressing month of the year. I don't know how I've lasted this long but I'm bound to catch a cold or a bug or an infection or something. Even moreso, seen as the Prof has increased my immuno-suppressant injection to every week. which means, sadly, I have to do one in the morning. I made a botch of the last one. I didn't numb the area enough and it hurt like hell.

Sadly, I'm feeling about dodgy so I'm unable to study- which I'm raging about because there was so much I wanted to catch up on over the mid-term and now I know I'm definetly not going to. I've completed all my biology revision but that's it. I've done a small bit on Business and I'm halfway through home ec but I haven't done anything in maths, French, Irish and English. And I have another english essay due. Which is one on the world's most annoying poet Adrienne Rich. She's a feminist and she finds every single reason possible to say that men are dominating women. SHUTP UP WOMAN- we have equal rights now what more do you want? Personally, I think she wants to dominate men which if you ask me is slightly hypocritical!

Yesterday was the day from hell and thanks to it my legs are absolutely aching. I was going to a revision session in Dublin but unfortunetly the DART decides it doesn't want to any further two stops away from mine. So I had to get off and ring Dad for directions and literally run all the way to the college. Where, I met my friend who told me that the session wasn't starting for ANOTHER HALF HOUR. My lungs were hurting me, that's how out of breath I was! Turns out though, that the thing wasn't even that good so it really was a waste of a day.

I did, however, meet up with the mother (who was also doing a course that day) and we did a little bit of shopping. I got my best friend's 18th birthday present. Which was a charm bracelet which cost me 30euro and the stupid shop couldn't even put it in a bloody box! But it is a beautiful bracelet. I hope she likes it seen as she'll be getting it a week after her birthday! I also bought myself a pair of boot-slipper thingys... they are so comfortable you have no idea!

I haven't done cooking for a long time but I made macaroni cheese and ham on Tuesday. It was very nice, however I think there was just a little bit too much cheese sauce in it. But it was very nice. Mam also tried out this recipe to jizz up the potatoes and it's absolutely delicious. You slice your spuds then put some olive oil, garlic and onion salt on the them and you roast them in the oven for about 30-35 minutes. They are GORGEOUS. We're having chicken goujons for dinner tonight. Yummy!

Oh my Aunty is pregnant! I'm so thrilled for her. I think she is 10 weeks now and she is already showing. I bet you it's going to be a boy... if the baby's anything like her husband it'll be two weeks late though! My cousin is about to pop. She is 6 days overdue I think... needless to say it's a boy. Boys are always late!

Laters

Sal

Debs, dEbS, DEBS!

Hi Folks

O mo Dhia! (Sorry- a bit too D4 for my liking- I promise I won't say it again) I have suddenly gotten very excited about the Debs, and yes, I know it's like 10 months away and I know, that I have never seemed very enthusiastic about it, but on Friday the mother and I decided to hit the town and we went into the fabric shop and look at some patterns and I found the nicest dress EVER

The one I like is the one to the very right... isn't it just beautiful... I'm hoping to get it in an emerald green and VERY high heels. And now because I've been looking up dresses, I started looking up hairstyles. I don't want an up-do. They never look good on people who have long faces like I do. So I'm going to choose down and curly. Kind of like Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed when she stands in the middle of the baseball field/pitch/course (whatever they're called) waiting for the hot teacher:

It may look very simple but I couldn't be bothered with all the kirby grips or hair spray... I don't want a headache for the whole night. I can't wait now- shame it's so long away!

The Fancy dress thingy was quite good fun. Although the music was S-H-1-T! There was loads of Skangers there so all the DJ would play was that AWFUL dance music. No Scissor Sisters or ABBA or some good ould Fleetwood Mac- what use is that? Amy Whinehouse was there. NO, seriously I'm serious. Mind you, she's gained alot of weight and she didn't really look like Amy Whinehouse... maybe it wasn't really her!

The father has booked the flights to Switzerland... I can't remember what date he said we're going but I know we're coming back on the 5th of July... I remember that because it's the mother's birthday.

My God, The Panel was pure brilliance last night. Ed Byrne is the funniest chap I have ever seen... mind you so is Colin Murphy. His rant about the surfers was hilarious. Just look it up on YouTube you can guarantee it'll be there! Fair play to Pamela Flood. She was hilarious. Which I so wasn't expecting...

Strictly Come Dancing viewers?!!!!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU VOTED GABBY OUT BEFORE HER GOBSHITE OF A HUSBAND, KENNY! She can do the splits... AND SHE'S HAD TWINS! And what's the craic with Penny been in the bottom two? He dance was brilliant with the whole boots theme. It was feckin' deadly! Isn't Bruno a bit of an eejit though? I mean he should have known better to give Kelly and Brendan 10. I know they were brilliant but they broke the rules and as a judge he should penalise them for that! Len and Arlene were right to eat the crap out of him!

Thankfully Blogger isn't acting up today so I've been able to post all my pictures. And as promised here is the picture of Jinx by Meg Cabot

I'm off to the big smoke tomorrow to do an intensive (3-hours-intensive) revision course on Business because my teacher is the biggest twit you could ever meet!

I have to go study now

Later

Sal

Dancing, Studying and a Series Finale

Dia Dhuit

Oh my God. The series finale of Grey's Anatomy was on Thursday night. Meredith's sister is going to be an intern in Seattle Grace! That is bound to cause havoc... and George didn't pass his intern exams... so he won't have to worry about moving to Mercy West! And as for Burke! You big ould jerk... I know Christina is a bit cold but that was just mean!!! I CANNOT wait for season 4! It's gonna rock!

Strictly Come Dancing is flippin' deadly this year. Alesha is the best... however she is not my favourite. I'll show you who my favourite is.......
It's Gethin Jones... and he is the cutest little thing you could ever see!!! Poor Kate- I think she should just go at this stage- she can't dance to save her life. And as for John? What happened last night? He was so brilliant when he danced the Jive last week and he was in the bottom two! That must have really knocked his confidence because he was terrible last night.

I'm on a mid-term break from school. But that doesn't mean a break from work. I have to study loads because the pre-mocks are looming. Yes, you heard me right- I said PRE mocks. Not only do we have Pre Leaving Cert Exams called the mocks but we also have Pre mocks! Strange, isn't it! Anyway, I only have like 5 pages left to fill in, in my home ec journal and then it is finito. Thank God... I don't think I could look at the feckin' yoke for much longer.

I've just finished another book called Jinx by Meg Cabot. It's absolutely deadly. It's about this girl who has inherited her Great great great great granmothers powers to be a witch, the only problem is she just won't accept them! It's really good, because loads of bad things are always happening to her and there is loads of Cliffhangers... READ IT! (I'd show you a picture but blogger is broken!!!)

Woo, I'm going to a fancy dress party tonight. I cannot wait. I'm being very original and going as a witch. I'm going to wear black skirt, top and shoes and then I have a pair of green tights and a green witches hat that has black lace over it... It's funky! I'm gonna be a funky bitc- I mean witch!

The father absolutely loved his birthday present. He just keeps playing it all the time! Glad those hours I spent uploading songs onto it weren't a waste of time!

Laters

Sal

PS: I'll put that picture up on the next entry (God knows when that'll be though!)

Bored Out Of My N*E*R*Dy little Brains

Dia Dhuit, a chairde!

Poor lil me! I'm not feeling too hectic. All because of a scraping of Jam that I had on some of the mother's delicious soda bread. Yes, Jam! Can you credit that? I feckin' love jam but now I have nothing to put on my bread. Feck it anyway. So I'm stuck at home because I feel too crappy to go near school. You have no idea how bored I am!

Yesterday, however, I was not bored as I went to a college open day. And not just any college- THE COOLEST LITTLE COLLEGE IN IRELAND!!! I'm not revealing what college it is because I have serious paranoia when it comes to the internet. But it is so cool. I'm definetly go to put it as my number one on the CAO.

Yeah! Grey's Anatomy is on tonight. I reckon Richard is going to change his mind and stay on as Chief of Surgery! And what about George? Please don't go George! We love you- you're so cute!!!

C'mon now people who doesn't love George!!! Oh and McDreamy!!! Please don't break poor little Meredith's heart! She can't take much more! She's already a little bit broken. But even if you do break her... you're hot- so I'll forgive you!

The father came back from Portugal on Monday night- It was actually very very very early Tuesday morning so I was tucked up in bed when he finally got home. But he bought me an absolutely beautiful chain. It's mother of pearl and it's in the shape of a tear drop and it has my name written on it beside a rose- It's really pretty. He also bought me a bracelet which is aqua- so it pretty much matches ALL my clothes! He rocks at buying presents!

Nothing left to talk about now, so I'll talk soon- hopefully I'll be feeling a helluva lot better by then!

Laters

Sal

The Debs, Exams and ABBA

Dia Dhuit a chara!

Conas ata tu? Ta me go maith. Gabh mo leithsceal... I mean excuse me. Sorry about that. I'm after writing an Irish essay so I'm thinking as gaeilge at the moment! I still have a French essay. But, you know, it's next to impossible to do French homework after Irish homework (and vice versa) because you're always thinking in the other language. To be quite honest, it's a bit of a pain.

Anyway, wait until I tell you about the goings on in school. We must have the WORST debs committee that our school has ever seen! The tell each other absolutely nothing! And we are the ones who are going to suffer because of it. Two of the 16 members took it upon themselves to hold a vote amongst the year (without consulting the head boy and girl- which I tell you did not go down to well). But you know, I don't trust them one bit. The pair of them want to go to this hotel that is like lightyears away and most of us voted for one that was a lot closer to home but it appears that the lightyears-away-hotel has won out... Such a coincidence that no one saw them counting the votes- I think not.

I had two home ec exams this week and one business exam. The home ec ones were on Carbohydrates and Consumer studies. The business one was on Ratios. I haven't got the results of the home ec ones but I got 92% (highest in the class boo-ya!) in the business one!

I have a load coming up this week, so I really should be studying- but sure how and ever. I have an ecology exam in biology, a lipid exam in Home ec, an insurance exam in business and I also have ANOTHER English essay to hand up. This will be the fourth one this year. We have to write about the poetry of Robert Frost though so it's not so bad. I mean, who couldn't enjoy The Road Not Taken or The Tuft Of Flowers... they are both brilliant.

I hope ye were all watching Strictly Come Dancing on saturday night. It is the only reality show worth watching... Anyway, I was very annoyed with that pig Craig about what he said of Gethin! He had to be the best dancer of the night and all the judges (except Len- wonderful Len) complained about him. Very irritating I have to say! Tricky Dicky aka Brian Capron was a bit wooden though I have to say. And I didn't like Kenny Logan at all... he's a narky git isn't he? I can't wait for the results show tonight... C'mon Gethin!

I'm listening to ABBA at the moment... one of the best pop bands EVER! I don't care if people think they're cheesy all they're songs make you feel so happy and giddy! ABBA ROCK!!! My favourite songs have to be Gimme Gimme Gimme and Lay All Your Love On Me. I've even seen the musical Mamma Mia... it's absolutely brilliant too... I just wanted to jump on the stage and dance along with the cast!!!

I've finally finished another book... I know I know, it took me ages but I've been a busy little bee (Buzz buzz) over the past month with school and all. But I just finished Shall We Tell The President by the brilliant Jeffrey Archer... I tell you, my heart was in my mouth towards the end of the book.... what a cracker!!!

By the way, you should really read Kane and Abel and The Prodigal Daughter first. Them books are just as good... if not better!

The father is going 50 on the 24th of this month, so this week was the perfect oppurtunity to buy his pressie because he's golfing in Portugal for the week (he's back tomorrow). Anyway, the mother, the sister and I bought him an MP3 player. I put all the songs on it on Friday night. It's full with Leonard Cohen and Coldplay and Queen and believe it or not my Dad even likes some of The Killers songs so they went on it too!

Anyway, I've gotta go do my French homework

Laters

Sal

So long see you honey/ you can't buy me with your money...

Chilling with Fleetwood Mac

Hey Peeps

I'm taking a much earned break from the study (only about half an hour) and I'm chilling with the wonderful music of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac in the backround. You know I've only recently discovered this album and it's absolutely AMAZING. Believe it or not (creid no na creid- I never really stop studying do I? Thats Irish by the way for all you non-culchies) I'm listening to it on vinyl... seeing as my Dad doesn't have it on CD. They have the best drummer ever!!! Except for his freaky eyes- scary!

School News- Well, I got my Home Ec test on Protein back... and guess what? I got the highest in the class... and they've all been doing it for so much longer than me! Haha! I got 95%! A1 people! I also had a maths test on the geometry of the circle and I got 85%. Which was what the feminist jackass who thinks women can't do maths got too! Ha in your Face Jackass!!!! Besides it's a teacher who teaches us maths... so what does that say? Huh? Huh? HUH?!!!!

I still haven't finished anymore books! WHAT? I have been very busy you know. I should really be studying right now. I have a biology test, a home ec test, a french test and a business test coming up. Plus I have to write two essays. One in English (I'm going to write about the Guilford Four- the title we were given was My Take on Recent History) and I have to write an Irish one (the title we were given for that was Ni failtuil an tir seo nios mo- It's not a welcoming country anymore... I so do not agree with this! Ireland rocks!)

Healthwise I haven't felt as good in a long long long long time... it makes a nice change. I'm eating like an elephant and I've kept up my weight which is deadly buzz!

I went to Seussical The Musical on Saturday night (my friend was in it) and it was absolutely brilliant. The songs are so catchy. I recommend you go see it. And little chaps can watch it too.

Anyway, I better go do some work!

Laters

Sal

College, CAO... Blah, blah blah

Salut!

Ok, I'm looking forward to college and all (of course I am- I'm a N*E*R*D) but I'm starting to get a little tired of hearing the words "CAO", "Degree", "Leaving Certificate", "Points"... It gets a bit tiring... the thing is... I have to put up with it for another 10 months AT LEAST! I already know what I want to do. I want to study Financial Services in a college that shall remain nameless. I can't wait! I'm going to live on-campus... I'll be all alone in the big smoke!

I'm a big eeeejit. I forget to tell ye about the last book I finished. I just been so busy lately- BUZZ BUZZ. Anyway, It was The Other Side of The Story by Marian Keyes. It was a really funny book and my favourite character had to be Gemma. The e-mails she sends to her friend in America are class Marian Keyes.

Yesterday, I was at a careers exhibition in the RDS. I got loads of prospectuses (or is it prospectii? Prospectuses just doesn't sound right does it?). Anyway, is it just me or do the colleges make them as heavy as the possible? My poor shoulder was killing me from carrying the bag around so then I just held it in my hand and now I have a pulled muscle in my arm... OUCH!

The father has already booked our holiday for next JUNE. I kid you not! We are going to Switzerland... but even better than that... we're staying in a CHALET! It'll be the ultimate Swiss experience. I can't wait. Plus, there is a St Bernard museum and a Donkey Sanctuary and I love them both. There is also LOADS of health and wellness spas! Can't wait!

Anyway, I better go

Laters

Sal

Broadband Baby!

The time has come and we have finally got broadband. "What took you so long?" I hear you cry... Well I live in the back arse of nowhere so it took a long time for the signal to finally reach us. But now it does and I can use youtube and I can download music and do educational lessons online. It's deadly buzz!

School is hectic, to say the least. I'm going to a career's exhibition tomorrow... which is kind of pointless for me seen as I already know exactly where I'm going. But it's a easy day... so I'm going.
I had another Home Economics test and I got 88%. I was very pleased. I also got a B1 on my English essay which I'm delighted with. My old english teacher NEVER gave anyone more than a C... the scabby cow. I'm not sad to see the back of her I can tell you! I also got 95% in an Irish test. Always good in Irish... one of the harder subjects at school. Oh and I got 80% in a French verb test, which again I am quite happy with. I think that is all the results covered!
I have another TWO English essays due. One for Friday and another for Friday two weeks. The former is an essay on Philip Larkin and the latter is one that you have to use your imagination for. The titles we were given were really crap but I think I'm going to do the one about the reaons why we shouldn't take life too seriously. So if that one is only Ok... you can imagine what the other ones are like.

I went to a surprise 50th birthday party on Saturday night avec ma tante (sorry I had French last two classes) with my aunt. I felt kind of awkward though because I knew a grand total of 5 people at it. But the buffet was lovely! Don't get me started on those crusty rolls... mmmmm!

I don't know what's gotten into me these days but I have the appetite of an elephant. And I don't mean a baby elephant... I mean a rather large fully grown fat ass elephant! I'm not complaining though... I've wanted to be able to eat like this for the last two years!! Speaking of which this time two years ago... on this date EXACTLY, I nearly died from acute steroid induced pancreatitis. I don't really remember much though (thankfully) it is all a morphine-induced fog!

Prefect duty is as dull as dishwater! So I'm not going to go into that!

A bientot

Sal

Busy Bee... BUZZ BUZZ!!!

Bonjour Mes Amis

Isn't it a wonderful day? And what a fantastic month September is...

"Why" I hear you ask "Is she in such a good humour?".

Well if you had given me the chance I would have told you. But I think the reasons are slightly obvious... me being a nerd and all. SCHOOL IS BACK! And I'm feeling fan-dabby-dozy in everyway possible. No messing- School is seriously good for my health. I'm eating like a horse these days and I couldn't name the last day I got a head ache *Sal touches wood*

I'm studying every night until I go to bed... which is just the way I like my day. I've already written one english essay and I have another one due. I've had THREE tests and Two up and coming ones. I'm dying for a test in Biology, but seen as we are no where near finishing the topic we are currently on, it is not to be.

I've had two tests in Home Ec. I got and A1 in the first one and I have yet to receive the result of the second one. But I'm not sure if it will be quite so good because I didn't really know about what was going to be on the test. (I was in hospital that day!) I had a maths test on the applications of differential calculus... I got a D1... but believe it or not I am quite please. That test was rock, and I mean boulder like rock, solid!! I actually got one of the higher results in the class.

Anyway, me being the busy bee (buzz buzz) that I am... this is only a flying visit... so I gotta go do some homework

Buzz

Sal

Irish Farmhouse Olympics

Well, the prefect course turned out to be quite… interesting- But in an intriguing kind of way. I expected it to be all dull, dull, dull. Well actually the mornings were mind-numbingly dull but the afternoons I have to say got rather interesting.
On Monday afternoon, we were split into six groups. My team name was the Spacers. We had to build something that we could all fit into (which was 12 people) out of bamboo sticks, selotape, newspapers, crepe paper and blocks of wood. Seen as I am a N*E*R*D with no imagination (with building, not with writing essays and that) and no practical skills whatsoever I was a completely useless asset to the team. But it seemed that all my fellow team mates were the same as I, for what we made resembled a rather large cardboard box that had been shredded by a cat. Whereas some of the other teams built a pirate ship, a tepee hut and a phone booth… we were most certainly lacking anything even remotely resembling imagination. Needless to say our team won nothing.
Tuesday afternoon, was much better…We did the IRISH FARMHOUSE OLYMPICS! I was on a different team and we were called The Rockers (much better name). However, I was still a useless asset to the team because we needed muscle and frankly my muscles are null and void, me being anaemic and all that. We done several events… they were great.

1. The Hay Race: This was one of the races/events I was useless in… we had to push a big bitching bail of hay all the way to the other side of a field (in pairs of course, one person would never push a bail of way on their tod!) and all the way back (which- may I add was slightly uphill). I found it very difficult and it took me about 5 minutes to get my breath back.

2. Tug-a-war: I’m not going to bother explaining this because if you don’t know what tug-a-war is you should be ashamed of yourself. Anyway, our team won both rounds and it is the reason why my arms are crying out in pain!

3. Balance thingy: I didn’t participate in this event because after the tug-a-war I had stars in my eyes from the strain (I’m not used to using that much energy) But anyway, the jist of it was the whole team had to stand on a really big see saw and try to keep it balanced. Our team lost (obviously because they were missing me. Not.).

4. The Welly Toss: In case you are a townie and are unfamiliar with a welly… they are more commonly known as Wellington boots and are of high fashion among farmers when they go out to round up the sheep. Anyway, there was four points (1,2,3,4) and we had to throw four wellies as far as we could so there was an opportunity to get 16 points… I got five.

5. The Wheelbarrow Race: But not as you know it. This was definitely the best event of the day. And it was the only event that I was actually useful in! My light-weightedness came in very handy. I had to sit in a wheelbarrow while my friend pushing me BLINDFOLDED. I had to guide her over a plank of wood and around several baskets and then I had to get a jug of water off the last basket and go all the way back and pour the water into the bucket. I did fall out… but only once… and we were the only pair that didn’t cheat!

6. Untitled: It was cool.. There were two really long pieces of wood with loads of rope connected to them. We had to put a foot on each piece of wood and the whole team had to try beat the other team to the other side of the field. It’s very difficult because if one person doesn’t lift their foot then the wood won’t move.

So, what has the Irish Farmhouse Olympics have to do with perfecting I hear you cry… I have no idea… but it was great craic. Our team didn’t win any medals though…

Well, I have to go into the hospital in the morning. It’s quite a busy day healthwise. I have to do my injection before I go, then I have the Iron infusion at 9am at the hospital and then I have an appointment later on! I’m never going to get out of the place!

We finally went out for dinner with voucher the sister and I bought for the mother and the father’s wedding anniversary. My starter was my favourite part of the meal. I had garlic mushrooms and they were sitting in melted butter… they were just delicious. I also had scampi for my main course and ice cream for dessert. Yummy.

Laters

Sal

Karaoke Queen

That's right people, I performed at a Karaoke. And even better than that, as far as I know I didn't make a fool of myself. Do you know, I hadn't even planned on going to a karaoke... in fact I didn't even know there was going to be one. But when we got there I had an incredible urge to just sing my heart out. So when one of my friends got up I built up the courage to do it too. I sang "Love Is All Around" the Wet Wet Wet song. Amazingly I think I can actually sing because when I sang "I feel it in my fingers..." I could hear my friends saying "Oh my God!!! I didn't know Sal could sing!!!" Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled with myself to find this hidden talent that I've always wanted.

I'm going out to dinner tonight with the folks and the sister. I would be looking forward to it only I'm not really feeling the may west and when I don't eat my dinner they are going to be quizzing me up and constantly asking me am I alright. I think it was the chocolate bar I had last night that's left me feeling dodgy... I don't eat that much chocolate so I'm not used to it.

I got myself sunburned yesterday. And before you get all high and mighty and start lecturing me I had SPF50 on! I'm obviously just extremely bad at putting it on. Anyway, I have a big red patch on my right hand and also some on my neck and upper arms... I know- I'm an idiot.

Man, I'm tired

Laters

Sal

In My N*E*R*Dy Element!

Paradise, pure paradise. What a fantastic week I have had… such a jam packed, exciting week. Full to the brim with wonderful activities based in the wonderful Dublin City. How I love… LEARNING! Yes, that’s right, I had a fun-filled week of learning (If you are reading this and thinking I’m being sarcastic you’re very much mistaken). I was quite literally in my N*E*R*Dy element. I have been going to grinds in the buzzing Dublin City every day this week and it was great! I loved every minute of it. I can now actually talk Irish and understand what I’m saying- which, let me tell you is nothing short of a miracle and I also understand trigonometry- which, is also nothing short of a miracle.

I had Irish class first and it was great- we done Oral (Us Irish are tested on how well we speak the language and the exam is called the Oral) It’s amazing I can say:

I play the drums
Seinm na drumai
I love reading books
Is aoibheann liom ag leamh an leabhair

What’s even more unbelievable is that I now understand how to write answers on stories that make absolutely no sense whatsoever- miraculous!!! I’m still hopeless at Aural (listening to a tape exam and answering questions on it) but sure, I can work on that!

Maths was feckin’ deadly too. I understand algebra (miracle), Geometry (miracle), differentiation (not actually a miracle I love differentiation) and trigonometry (MIRACLE- that feckin crap is mind boggling) and he also taught is something that my own maths teacher hasn’t taught me yet which is Probability… let me tell, it’s great craic altogether! I might actually understand how betting odds work now!

And I loved being in the big smoke aka fair city aka Dublin! What a buzzing hopping place it is. Everyone has takeaway coffees in their hands and is rushing to whatever office they work in… I hope I can do that someday- except it won’t be takeaway coffee (ugh) it’ll be takeaway tea and on the hot days I’ll take some cups from a café and fill them up with water so I’ll stick look cool with my takeaway beverage but I won’t be dying of the heat! Smart thinking!

The only thing I hated about was most of the other students in the places had these AWFUL, DREADFUL, MIND BLOWINGLY IRRITATING, D4 (Dublin 4) accents. It’s all “loike” (like) and “so random”. SHUT UP! You’re so annoying!! And all the girls look the same… seriously you’d want to see them. Long blonde/brown hair (never any other colour) It’s back combed, then hair sprayed and they constantly run their fingers through their hair. They wear grey fatman tracksuits and roll them up about ten times at the waist and get this- they wear them with ugg boots?! The tops are all different styles but they are all by Abercrombie and Fitch- you’d never seen any of them in Penney’s finest! All the guys play Rogbi (Rubgy) and there hair is styled like that dude that was in high school musical. They either wear “rogbi” shirts, Fred Perry stripey jumpers or Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts and the essential footwear for D4 guys “Dubes”. They are the black shoes with white soles in case you’re wondering. Us country folk wouldn’t be caught dead in them!

Anyway, in other news, I received a letter from the new principal of our school. I have to go into frickin’ school on Monday AND Tuesday… not to learn anything interesting like Biology or English but to go on a freakin’ Prefect course… I didn’t even know you needed to go on a course to be a prefect. Two bloody days which will be probably incredibly boring after my exhilarating week in Dublin… Oh joy…

Anyhoo, I’m very tired after all my learning so I’ll love ya and leave ya!

Sal

PS: Ahem… no offence to any D4s!!!

Places To Go People To See

Well, since my sister came home from her holidays I’ve been thinking about all the places I would love to visit. They are in no particular order because I want to go to all these places the same

Transylvania- Romania: And no I’m not some kind of freak who is obsessed with Dracula or blood or anything. But I was watching a programme on TV the other night called No Frontiers… it’s an Irish travel programme. Anyway, they were in Transylvania and it looks like such a cool city. It’s real medieval looking and everything and when I do get there eventually I’ll be heading straight for Bran Castle- the supposed home of Dracula.


Washington DC: No I don’t like George W Bush (in fact I severely dislike the man) but I would love to visit DC… I mean, the place must be so steeped in history. With all the presidential memorials and everything. The first place I’d go here, would be the Lincoln memorial.

Bologna- Italy: Ok, I’m going to admit… the reason why I’m so enamoured with this place is because one of John Grisham’s books were set in it (N*E*R*D). The way he described it made it seem like such a beautiful city and then I saw it in a travel brochure and it looked even better. Besides, who wouldn’t want to go to the home of spaghetti Bolognese? Yummy!!!

Brussels- Belgium: I’ve heard a lot of people talk about how beautiful this city is and from pictures and that, it really does look amazing. Plus it’s the headquarters of the EU, loads of interesting places to see there.

Luxembourg: Don’t ask me why I really want to go here but I always have… so some day I will definitely go there… even if it’s only a weekend.

New York: Ok, what shopoholic woman wouldn’t want to go here? It is the home of shopping… But it’s not all shallow reasons that I want to go to New York for. It is also the home of Wall Street and I’m kind of amazed by the 1929 Wall Street Crash! Plus there is the Statue Of Liberty and all the real touristy stuff that I would LOVE! Fifth Avenue- Here I Come!!!

Paris- France: I’ve been to Paris already but it was on a school exchange and it was only for one day. The French teachers sucked and the only place they brought us to was the Eiffel Tower and we were only allowed to go up to the first floor. The rest of the time we just walked around the city. We didn’t go to the Arc de Triumphe, Notre Dame (which I was really annoyed about- it looks amazing), Sacre Cour, the Louvre. Mind you, there is so much in Paris I could be talking all day… but when I was there previously I saw none of it. You’ve probably guessed but I would be heading straight for Notre Dame.

Niagara Falls- Canada: Know nothing about the location of it in Canada… but I’ve seen so many pictures and it looks amazing. I’d be first in line for the maid of the mist- that’s the name of the boat right? Anyway, my aunt went there for her honeymoon and she stayed in the hotel overlooking it and she said it was amazing! They also went on the helicopter but I’d be too chicken for that!

Stratford-Upon-Avon- England: The home of Shakespeare. And YES I do like Shakespeare and I’m not going to be ashamed of it. My English teacher went there last year and she said it was magnificent and really really interesting. I would love to go to his house and the globe theatre.

South of France: Don’t know where, don’t care really. But I’d imagine it would be a lovely holiday. Nice and relaxing. Mind you, I wouldn’t be there for the wine seen as I can’t drink.

Well there you go, I’m sure there are hundreds of other places I would love to visit, but those ten are the main ones.

Bon Voyage

Sal

Juicy Holiday Gossip

Well, the sister arrived back from her holiers today… remember I said there was some bitching? Well I got all the juicy gossip from her today. All the bitchy stuff came from the one girl. Apparantly she called one of the other girls a whore! I mean that’s a bit much, isn’t it? And another night my sister wasn’t feeling the may west so her and another friend went back to the apartment at about half 3 and six o’ clock in the morning the cow comes in with some fella and shouts in at the sister and the other girl to get up… hello? My sister was feeling a bit funny from all that sunshine… she needed sleep. Anyway, I have to say I’ve always hated the girl… to put it bluntly she thinks she is IT! Well let me tell you she isn’t… she is as thick as a ditch and as for her looks her eyes are too far apart and her chin sticks out! But she thinks she’s gorgeous. But do you know what’s hilarious… her suitcase got left behind and won’t arrive in Ireland until Monday and she says to my sister, nearly crying “My straightener and my curling thongs and my MAKE-UP are in there, what am I going to do?”… I kid you not… she really is that shallow. Eh put moose in your hair and make up is bad for your skin anyway!

The sister did have a good time otherwise. All the girls were annoyed the cow, so don’t go thinking my sister is a trouble maker because she is anything but. Anyway, she got me pressies… one of which I’m wearing right now. It’s an aqua/turquoise necklace with a big massive pendant. It’s so pretty. She also got me a trinket box with really pretty flowers and a little snow globe with a donkey in it. (I’m not sure if I’ve ever informed that ever since I saw Shrek I’ve kind of been obsessed with donkeys). She also got the obligatory magnet and deck of cards (I say obligatory because a magnet and a deck of cards are something everyone in out family buys when we go away on holidays.)

I have no other news, so I’m going to tell you about another loony bin patient that I had to share a ward with. Her name was Gemma… she was freaky. The day I was admitted into hospital in May of last year, I didn’t get a bed in a ward until half twelve at night. So I was moved up and I assumed all the patients in the room were asleep. But anyway, the nurse who was asking me the usual questions about what belongings I had brought with me and all that went away for a second and next thing I know this woman with scary bugly eyes and jam jar glasses is standing at the foot of my bed asking me what was wrong with me and then went on to tell me everything that was wrong with her. I think it was the next night then, I awoke with shock and two o’ clock in the morning to a blood curdling scream… I don’t know what was wrong with her or what the nurses were doing but to be frank (and this might sound a little cold) I don’t really want to know! One day I was sitting on my bed waiting for dad or mam to come in to visit and she asked me to go to the bloody shop for her- Hello? I’m sick too and I was hooked up to an IV and do you know how hard those yokes are to push around? The wheels are always wonky… So from then on I avoided all eye contact and if I thought she was going to speak to me I pretended to fall asleep. And then at six in the morning another day, she put her walkman on and started listening to the radio and the next thing I hear, very out of key I must add, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when times are grey, you’ll never know dear, how much I love you. So please don’t take my sunshine away” AT SIX O’ CLOCK IN THE MORNING!!! But as far as I’m concerned she should have been put in a room on her own. It’s a bit ridiculous, like there was 5 other patients (including me) in the room who were sick and needed there sleep. So there you go… next time I’ll tell you about the ex-convict who made me cry.

Oh I realise I haven’t updated you on the Faye/Rowdy situation. Well, it looks like things are back on in the puppy love stakes. Faye goes up faithfully to him every day. They still have some issues you know. But I’m sure they’ll bark and growl about it and get everything sorted out. Rowdy just has to realise that Faye takes her career as a messer very seriously and she just wasn’t prepared to have pups and that’s why she got spayed. He’ll come round to the idea eventually… wait and see.

Laters

Sal

PS: Faye seems to have stopped stealing Rowdy’s bones, so that is a step in the right direction!!!

This Time Next Year- A N*E*R*D's dream

Hello everybody

Well the air waves are full of the terms "point race", "A1s", "the maximum 600 points" and "CAO". And I can't help but wonder what I'll be thinking at this time next year... the idea of studying non-stop for a whole 9 months is nothing short of a dream for a N*E*R*D like me. I'll be learning new stuff... you can't get much more exciting than that.

Another thing I got enormous pleasure out of was reading the exam supplements that came with the papers today and highlighting the college courses that I want to do next year- *sighs* it was amazing! And I wait with very excited (probably over the top) anticipation for my revision course next week- plus it's in the city and there are a lot of shops there (See as well as being a N*E*R*D I can be a bit of a ditz too) For a bogger like me (did I ever tell ye I live in back of beyonds?) going to the city every day FOR A WHOLE WEEK is nothing short of an adventure.

Anyway, back to the leaving cert results. The mother and I are very proud of my cousin L , as like me she has been very sick over the past two years and she managed to score an amazing 500 points. That gives me great inspiration to think that I could do the same regardless of the time I've missed. A very good friend of mine H got 430 which is really really good and gets her into the college course she wants but she was DISAPPOINTED. I'm telling you I wasted no time in telling her that she done fantastic like I knew she would. You kicked A$$ H!!!

So bring on the leaving cert. For a N*E*R*D like me this is going to be quite an enjoyable challenge. Go on maths teacher- try and confuse with probability, but I'm telling you now- It won't work. Go on Irish teacher- try and confuse with those lame a$$ Irish stories that make no sense. Go on French teacher- try and confuse me with--- Actually even if I say so myself I'm quite good at french and it would be hard to confuse me anyway! (I'm sorry, even I admit I sound slightly arrogant there- ah well) My head is going to stuck in books until June 2008! BRING-IT-ON!!!!

In other news (sorry I must apologise for my obvious ranting above!) I have finished an absolutely fan-daby-dozy book by John Grisham called "The Innocent Man". It is the true story about a guy who was wrongly convicted of murder in the state of Oklahoma and is sentenced to the death penalty despite the state's against having no substance! I don't use this term loosely but this book is a MUST-READ!

I'm very very happy with myself... I bought two new books yesterday- by the one the only the fantastic, the absolutely freakin' amazing Jeffrey Archer! They are called "Shall We Tell The President" and "As The Crow Flies". The latter has like 700 glorious pages and the writing is tiny- I wait with bated breath!

The sister is back from her sunny holiday in Crete (Pure misery if you ask me- give me snow anyday!!!) She better have bought me something nice! Anyway, she went with her friends and I believe there was some bitchy behavior... interesting... I can't wait to hear about it!

Laters

Sal

My Aunt's Fiance Pole Dancing

I kid you not. I went to dinner with my Aunt S and her husband L and my other aunt J and her fiance E. It was a very good night and by the end of it by cheeks were killing me from laughing at E. He is so funny. L, J and E drank 3 bottles of wine between the three of them and it went straight to E's head.

It was some girl's birthday in the restaurant and after her friends finished singing happy birthday to her E ran down to her to ask her what ages he was. And when he came back to the table he started telling us (not very quietly) that she looked quite hardy for 26. Then he started trying to sing Italian songs (because we were in an Italian restaurant)- Poor dude hasn't a note in his head. Then when we were walking back to the car he starts Pole dancing... it was quite funny actually.

Anyway, the meal was lovely. I had deep fried brie for starters- One word Yummy! Then I had taglitelli di Casa... it's taglitelli with bacon, mushrooms and spinach with a creamy sauce. It was nice, but only nice. Then for dessert, I had the most delicious, most yummiest profiterols I had in a long time.

And surprise surprise, Tiger Woods won the US PGA championship. I knew he was going to win on Friday when he started surging forward. Once he starts like that there is no stopping him. Don't get me wrong though. I love the guy. He has a beautiful smile and those eyes... dreamy... eh hem... anyway!

I finished The Testament. What a good book. John Grisham painted an amazing picture of the Pantanal in Brazil and the suffering of Dengue Fever. And I just detested the Phelan heirs- they were so arrogant. Only a really good author can bring out a hatred like that... I've moved on to another John Grisham now called The Innocent Man... I shall let you know what I think- mind you I wasn't feeling to hectic today so I've been too tired to read.

Anyhoo, that's all peeps

Laters

Sal the N*E*R*D

Swimming

I went swimming yesterday and man am I unfit... well who could blame me I mean I have been in and out of hospital for the past two years. But I swear, I only swam for a half and hour and when I got out to get into the jacuzzi (which was WAY too hot) my legs felt like jelly... the unset jelly kind. I could barely walk!

You have no idea how bored I am right now. I really think I'm just going to have to whip out the school books and do some more studying and just not tell the mother. I mean I have to Transport and Gas Exchange in Plants in Biology still, so maybe I'll work on that- Could be fun. I also still have to finish Management In The 21st Century in Business... I'm not going to lie to you- that is boring. I don't think I've ever told you about my incredibly boring and dull Business teacher. God he is irritating. When he talks his voice never changes, it never goes up and it never goes down... do you know incredibly, mind-blowingly boring that is when you have to listen to it for an hour and ten minutes three feckin' times a week? And at the end of the year HE was giving out to US because usually he has 13 chapters finished by the end of the year and instead he only had 10... well maybe if you didn't keep going back to Entrepreneurs to talk about your God Richard Branson this wouldn't happen- man he is an idiot!

Seen as nothing (besides me going swimming has happened, I think I'll tell you about some of the patients that have been in my various wards in the hospital) For my very first visit there was this absolutely stark, raving MAD woman. Every morning she done herself up to the last using a mirror that had lights around it- c'mon who brings a mirror to the hospital? And why bother putting make-up when your still wearing your PJs? Now this woman who was about 60 my uncle came into visit who was 37 at the time and after he left she started talking about how much she fancied him? and I mean- why tell me? Then another day she put bloody Art Garfunkel in the DVD player and turned it up really loud and started dancing around the ward to it- I kid you not! But what really bugged about the old hag was that she told the nurses that I hadn't eaten a scrap WHEN IT WAS NONE OF HER BUSINESS!!!! Besides, I hadn't even been diagnosed at this stage therefore I wasn't getting any treatment... so how the hell would I be able to eat anything... stupid cow. Besides all that she was a flippin hypochondriac and anytime someone new would come into the ward she always had something ten times worse than them. Who actually gets satisfaction out of saying they're sicker than someone else? Weird- it's beyond me.

Anyway, I've got myself all angry thinking about that old hag... so I'm going to read some John Grisham and then, possibly study!!!

Later

Sal

My Favourite Books!!!

Well, nothing that interesting has happened since yesterday so I've decided to blog about my favourite books... brace yourself- this could take a while!

Meg Cabot

She has to be my favourite author. She is just hilarious. I don't think I haven't enjoyed any of her books. They are all outrageously funny!

Avalon High has to be one of my favourites. It's based around the story of Merlin and it is absolutely feckin' brilliant. It would not normally be the type of book I read but this was just deadly!
Her series of books called Mediator are brilliant too. It's about this girl who can see and talk to the dead (BTW: It was around before that series Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt) and she helps them to get to the afterlife. It is so exciting... and how could you not love Jesse?

Missing- Another absolutely fantastic series. About a girl who was struck by lightning and gets the power to find missing children. It's thrilling. You have to read the whole series but the last book is really good.
Her adult books are really really good too. And full of humour. My favourite has to be Every Boy's Got One. It is very funny and is done in diary format. Her other adult series Queen of Babble and also the Heather Wells mystery series are brilliant too.

She also done stories based in the late 19th century. They are romance stories and really leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. They're called Nicola and the Viscount and Victoria and the Rogue. I prefer the former but both of them are very very good!

Jeffrey Archer This man is a pure genious. I just love his books. He has an amazing way of writing and he just gets you totally sucked in. The first book of his that I read is Kane and Abel. It's about two men... one is a Polish Immigrant and the other is a Boston Millionaire. It spans 60 years and is just such a good story. I highly recommend it... there's a nice twist in the end!
My favourite one of his books is called Sons Of Fortune... it's about two twins who are separated at birth. There is so much twists and turns in this book I just thought it was amazing. I could not put it down for a second!

Marian Keyes

The best Irish author EVER! Feck James Joyce this women is far more entertaining then him. You should read her blog It is funny beyond belief!

My favourite book of hers is Rachel's Holiday. It is about a women who has become addicted to drugs and her experience in rehab. Although it is about a serious topic, Marian Keyes manages to make it very feckin' funny!

Anybody Out There- God this book is sad. I'm not going to give anything away but just read because it is really really good.

Last Chance Saloon- another very sad book about a guy who is diagnosed with cancer and how him and his two friends cope. Even though the story is terribly sad, again Marian Keyes manages to be funny!

Dawn Cairns

Sadly this woman seems to only have written two books. the first of which was absolutely amazing and scary too. It's about a stalker ex-boyfriend. You can't get better than that. It's called Tulips, Chips and Mayonnaise... cool title, huh?

Nicholas Sparks

Who knew a man could write such fantastically sad romance? he is the author of The Notebook so if you've seen this film, you'll know what I mean.

My favourite book of his is called The Guardian. It's about a woman who's husband has died and he bought her a puppy before he died. It gets scary in parts and tear-worthy at the end!!!
Jaysus, don't get me started on how sad At First Sight was... I nearly bawled me eyes out when I finished it. Just read it people.... *sniffs*

John Grisham

Another genius! I absolutely loved The Broker. It's about a guy who knows stuff that the CIA don't want him to know and after he's released from prison he is sent to Italy. I'm crap at explaining... but seriously read it... it's really good!

That's All For Now

Sal

All On My Lonesome!!!

'Sup?

I can't believe in my last post I did not mention the highly enjoyable Karaoke where many people made complete fools of themselves. Sure, they're great craic altogether aren't they? The only time I got up to sing was with 4 other friends of mine to sing Happy Birthday to another one of my friends and at that I hid behind them so no one could see me! So there is no photographic evidence... hehehe...

Anyway the reason why I'm all on my lonesome ownsome these days is because my sister has only gone and headed off to Crete and the father is on a feckin' golfing binge and the mother is busy working and keeping me in the luxury I'm accostomed to! And now I've completely caught up on my Home Ec and I've promised the mother that I'd take a break so I've got nothing to keep me occupied.

Actually, that is not strictly true because I've become completely addicted to Grey's Anatomy... and what a programme it is... have you seen Dr. Shepard hubba-hubba! He is one dishy dude! And little George is so cute too... but I swear to God I want to strangle that Alex creep, he is pure horrid!

Book Update time. I've read 2 more books. What About Me by Kate Figes- Snore... to be perfectly honest I have no idea why I bothered reading it until the very end but anyway. The next one is Cleopatra Kelly by Ken McCoy- It was deceptively brilliant... It's based over the 40s, 50s and 60s. I wasn't expecting it too be as good as it was.
At the moment I'm reading a fantastic, amazingly brilliant John Grisham called The Testament. The first 50 pages could make a fantastic book. I'm addicted to it!!! I have another one coming up called The Innocent Man. It's based on a true story.

Great sporting weekend- the final Major of the year started yesterday so I'll be addicted to it. I reckon it's going to be a British man! I don't like him but I think it could be Paul Casey- we shall see!

Anyway, I'm gonna eat some pizza!

Sal

Music and Stuff...

Hello!

I haven't written a lot lately because I've been busy listening to albums and stuff. In the summer I have gotten four new albums.
Infinity on High- Fall Out Boy
It Won't Be Soon Before Long- Maroon 5
My December- Kelly Clarkson
This Is The Life- Amy McDonald
Not a lot I know... I usually buy loads... but if I recall I spent six weeks trapped to a machine and I don't trust the internet to deliver stuff to my door and not steal money from my parents' credit cards!
I've also been listening to my MP3 a lot too. Catching up on all the songs that I put on it that I never remember doing. The best ones are:
Rhythm of My Heart- Rod Stewart, that song is a cracker. A real hands-swaying-in-the-air kind of song. Poor brilliance.
Love Is All Around- Wet Wet Wet, strange that it's another Scotsman... they are fantastic singers do you know that? Real gravelly and all that. Such a catchy song! I seem to love songs that are on Hugh Grant Movie soundtracks. Like, this one is on Four Weddings And A Funeral (Cool film!!!) which leads me on to-
When You Say Nothing At All- Ronan Keating, I don't care how cheesy ye all think it is I LOVE IT. And it's on the Notting Hill soundtrack which is also a deadly film!

I've been very busy catching up on my Home Ec ick uck. I completely finished Food Science and Nutrition... Have to admit seen as I'm a N*E*R*D that I found Vitamins and Minerals extremely interesting. I also completed Food Commodities... Not so interesting... had to learn about the manufacture of cheese and flour. Just made me hungry to be honest.

You might find this hard to believe but prior to my illness I wasn't so much a N*E*R*D as the studious type. For some reason when I got sick I became very determined when it came to school and also very (you've guessed it) N*E*R*Dy!!!

Smeh, that's all for now!

Laters

Sal

Home Ec Ick Uck

Hi peeps!

Remember all the way back in April when I chucked in the accounting and took up Home Economics at school? Well now I'm playing catch up during my summer holidays!!!! I worked mightily hard today and I managed to cover Lipids, butter, cream and yoghurt. I also managed to learn off the 10 essential amino acids... let me tell you it's not easy. I came up with a sentence to help me remember which is:

Very Late Lucy Is Terribly Messy Today Panicing At Hedgehogs

Now I didn't say it had to make sense or anything- just something to help me remember these feckers...

Valine
Lysine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Tryptrophan
Methionine
Threonine
Phenylalanine
Arginine
Histidine

Phew! I can assure I wasn't looking at any paper... that all came from my memory. You can probably understand though why I'm so freakin' tired!
I must confess though... me being the nerd that I am. I have started doing some revision in other school subjects DURING MY SUMMER HOLIDAYS. I am now officially a fully fledged N*E*R*D I mean, what kind of freak studies DURING THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS? Me... that's who! It's not my fault I have a love of learning. Who wouldn't want to know about Diffusion and Osmosis in Biology or Human Resource Management in Business Studies.
And to add to my N*E*R*Diness I am doing an intensive revision course in higher level maths and Irish the week before school starts back!

In health news... the old Nerdy Girl is back baby! I haven't eaten so much since I was 14 years old... when I was a stone heavier than I am now... If I keep going the way I'm going I'll be back to that weight again... but I don't mind... I was a stout healthy country nerdy girl. Also I have Energy? Do you know how weird that is... when for so so long I couldn't drag my A$$ off the sofa but now I'm buzzing with so much energy I have no idea what to do with myself? So I clean the kitchen for the mother and I help make the dinner and I clean my room and I bring the dog for a walk... it's so weird... who would have thought being normal could feel so weird! But I have an appointment with The Prof on Friday... so I won't go jumping to any conclusions just yet... but I certainly do feel better.

The sister passed her driving test on Thursday and it was only her second time... so fair play to ya sister!

Ya know the way I'm always yabbering on about books and telling ye what I've been reading and whether I liked it or not? Well due to recent releases I want to make one thing clear I HATE HARRY POTTER!!!!!!! So do not be expecting me to tell ye what I think of the last book. I've got two John Grisham's coming up- now they are good books. I'll be telling ye all about them.

Can you believe it? After like 58 days of non-stop icky ucky crappy rain the sun has come through the clouds and is shining. It's amazing and the Irish have gone mad. Slipping on their t-shirts, slapping on their hats and most importantly of all slopping on the sun cream (factor 15 at least please). After all, do you really want to look like a leather purse? I personally prefer to be on the inside looking out when it comes to the sun. My pale Irish Cailin skin is not suited to the burning rays of the sun (plus the medication I'm on cause it to be ten times worse then it should be). I prefer to look like a milk bottle anyhoo.

Laters

Sal

PS: Just heard this fan-dabby-dozy song called "Mr Rock'n'Roll" by Amy McDonald... highly recommend ye all listen to it!

Goodbye Tube!

Thank God! Tomorrow I shall be saying goodbye to my NG Tube. It will have been up my nose for 6 weeks. I don't think I could stick it a day longer. Mind you I'm not going to complain too much... it has done the job it was supposed to do... In fact it done way more than what my doctors were expecting! I have gained a stone and I no longer look like a ghost! Yes I know, I know I have to be the only person who is happy about gaining weight.

Well, as I have been stuck on this tube feed I haven't really been up to much. Just cooking really and my friend has been coming down to keep me company and watch films. The odd time I go out with the mother or the father for a drive but that's about it... it gets boring stuck in the house.

The Mother and the Father will have been married for 25 years tomorrow! The sister and I put our money together and bought them a dinner for two and we also made a huge card with a picture of them at their wedding on it. It looks class!

For some odd reason I was looking at old photographs... let me tell you- I was a BIG baby! But I came across picture of our holiday in Scotland. What a country!!! It was so good. We even saw the Loch Ness Monster... here let me show you!

We stayed in Fort William for a week... it is such a cute little town at the foot of Ben Nevis. We even went on to the cable cars up one of the mountains in the Nevis Range. Then I read in the paper the next week that one of the cable cars fell- never again!!! But the funniest story was when the father and I went go-karting and I crashed at full speed right into the tyres... I was stunned and my neck was killing me let me tell you!

I hope you all were watching The Open Championship! What a day! I don't care what anyone says- Golf is exciting! I'm very proud of Padraig Harrington! You'll never beat the Irish!!! I have to say, after watching the press conference with Sergio Garcia, I was very disappointing. He was very bitter and wasn't at all gracious in his defeat!

Anyway, I have to go hook up to my tube for one last time!!!

Laters,

Sal

House Arrest

I'm very sorry for not having written in quite a while... but the past few weeks have been quite hectic to say the least. I've been to Rome and I've been in hospital so as you can imagine I haven't had the oppurtunity to post!!!

Anyway, Rome was just amazing. We went everywhere. We were at the Papal Audience in St Peters Square when the German guy jumped at the Pope. We also went to the Vatican Museums (the Sistine Chapel is amazing, but even more amazing is the Gallery Of Maps), the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St Peters Basillica, San Maria Maggiore Basillica, San Maria deli Angli Basillica, the Trevi Fountain (it's so pretty, and yes I did throw my coin in- because I have to go back there!) and I pretty sure there's more.
My God! The food was just out of this world... seriously you have not tasted pizza until you have had a pizza in an Italian Ristorante. I also had Cannelloni, ravioli stuffed with cheese with tomato sauce, fettuchine alla papalina and the ice cream- it is the most delicious, most creamy ice cream. I had it twice a day EVERY DAY!
The only problem I had was that it was 27 degrees and that was far too hot- for me anyway. WHAT? I'm an Irish girl I'm used to really cold weather. So if I go back- No make that WHEN I go back it'll be in March or September.

But no sooner was I back from Rome, when I had to go to the hospital. I was weak and tired and my back was just aching. So anyway, I ended up spending 2 and half weeks in there... on a tube feed... which I'm still on at home and will be for at least another week. It's crap because I'm not allowed eat anything and it's getting worse everyday because the tube feed is making me so well that I want to eat more and more! My poor arms are in bits after all the blood tests and the canullas (Lines for IV drips).
Next week I have to go for a bone density scan (DXA Scan) and a blood test... I may wear gloves to keep my hands warm because I'll be damned if they are coming near the veins on arms. I couldn't straighten my arm for over a week after the last one!

I've read loads of books and watched loads of films during my stay in hospital. So here's what I think of each.
Size 14 is not Fat Either- Meg Cabot- It was really good- slightly gruesome. But it was full of Meg Cabot's trademark humour!
All I Want Is You- Martina Reilly- This book was really really nice. It was a light story (which I wanted because I was stuck in such a depressing place).
Set Up- Liz Allen- This book was brilliant, it was so full of twists and turns that I was not expecting. Great crime writer.
Marshmallows for Breakfast- Goomson- Can't remember the author's first name. but like Martina Reilly's book this was a nice light story.
The Guardian- Nicholas Sparks- I was not expecting this book to be near as good as it was. I thought it was just another love story but it turns into a scary stalking story. Fantastic!
If You Could See Me Now- Cecilia Ahern- I can understand why this book wasn't as popular as her first too because the storyline wouldn't be to everyone's taste but I have to say I quite enjoyed it.
The Last Juror- John Grisham- One word- Excellent

Currently I'm reading At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks. It's good but not near as good as The Notebook or The Guardian.

Now onto the films I watched
Sleepless In Seattle- I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.
Turner and Hooch which was so funny.
The Last Kiss because Zach Braff starred in it I was expecting it to be brilliant but it wasn't great.
Erin Brokovich- I've never been a fan of Julia Roberts but I have to say this film was just brilliant.
Save The Last Dance- Absolutely brilliant- Loved the dancing!
The Notebook- A bit different to the book but absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking!
John Tucker Must Die- Crap
The Shawshank Redemption- What I twist in the end. I have to say I did not see it coming. Morgan Freeman is absolutely brilliant.
Prime- I really like this film. Meryl Streep is great (as usual)
Dream Girls- Ok why did Jennifer Hudson get Best Supporting actress at the Oscars, I think it's fairly obvious that she had the lead in that film.
The Pursuit of Happyness- So cute and heartwarming.
Hoodwinked- I love the hyperactive squirrel and the bunny is so funny too! A great twist on Little Red Riding Hood
What Women Want- Mel Gibson, a comic genius, this film is hilarious.

I'm watching Live Earth at the moment. Toni Collette is singing- who knew that she could? No one decent has been on yet. I tell you what concert was good and that was Princess Diana's. Rod Stewart was amazing especially when he sang Sailing and Take That rocked!

Anyway, I have to go- not that I'm going anyway where, I'm under house arrest because of the tube feed! But I'll be killed if I stay on the internet any longer.

Laters

Sal

No More School...

Well I finished fifth year on Thursday... but no one else in my year did. I just don't feel well enough to go in anymore. My friends aren't finished school until 31st May.
Anyway, we had the annual awards ceremony on Thursday and I won 3 things! Go me! I got a student merit award, a plaque for the quiz team and I am a prefect for sixth year. The mother and the father are very proud of me. The ceremony was very sad though because our school Principal is finishing up this year and there was several presentations made to him and he got a standing ovation... I was nearly crying... it was so sad. Another reason to be sad is my friend in sixth year was graduating that day and I'm going to really miss her! She was hilarious.

I went for a blood test on Wednesday... and it didn't hurt! YAY! I'd had the phlebotimist loads of times before when I had been in the hospital and she is really nice... so I was delighted when I saw her. But I rang my nurse on Friday and there is no improvement in my protein or iron- but at least they haven't disimproved either!

I've no more news

Later

Sal

Music

I don't have anything new to talk about so I've decided to talk about some of my favourites bands and songs. I have strange taste to say the least... I like anything from rock to country to cheesy pop.

Sheryl Crow
I absolutely love Sheryl Crow... I'm surprised my Greatist Hits CD still works I've listened to it that often. My favourites have to be "All I Wanna Do" (reminds me of my childhood- I was only 4 when it was released), "Change (Would Do You Good)" (The guitar in this song is brilliant) and "If It Makes You Happy"... nothing needs to be said about that song.

The Boomtown Rats
I have to mention Sir Bob and his fantastic punk rock band. I only need mention one song which is "I don't like Mondays"- I'm sure you have all heard of it.

The Killers
I LOVE The Killers... I was supposed to be going to their concert last year in November with 2 of my friends. We were all set to go and then it was announced that the show was cancelled because Brandon had the flu... needless to say I was gutted. I don't care what anyone says though... "Sam's Town" is way better than "Hot Fuss". My favourite song is "Read My Mind" and I also love "Why Do I Keep Counting". "Mr. Brightside", it goes without saying that this song is class.

The Corrs
A mixture of traditional Irish and pop... I only admitted to liking The Corrs last year when I got their Greatest Hits. Their best songs in my opinion are "Breathless", "Angel" and "Dreams". There is a brilliant cover of Thin Lizzy's "Old Town" on the greatest hits too.

Johnny Cash
Not much needs to said about Johnny Cash. After the release of "Walk The Line" everyone has heard of him. He has some classics though. My personal favourite though is a duet with June Carter "Long-Legged Guitar Picking Man"- absolutely excellent. But I also love "Ring Of Fire" and "The Highway Man". I hated his last album though...

Green Day
I was very impressed with their duet with U2 for "The Saints are Coming". I don't care what any die hards say "American Idiot" has way better songs that any they had previously released. "Holiday" being the best and "Extraordinary Girl" not too far behind. I do love "When I Come Around" though.

Katie Melua
This girl has the most amazing voice I have ever heard. "The Closest Thing To Crazy" is just an absolutely beautiful song and I have to say I really love "Nine Million Bicycles" too.

Kelly Clarkson
I went to Kelly Clarkson's concert with my cousin. It was good... but very short. I love her version of "A Moment Like This" (such a cheesy soppy song but I love it!) "Since U Been Gone" because you can head-bang to it and the feel-good "Walk Away". I don't know what to make of her latest offering at all... the music just sounds all over the place.

FAVOURITE SONGS

"Don't Look Back in Anger"- Oasis
"You're Still The One"- Shania Twain
"Bolero"- Ravel
"When You Say Nothing At All"- Ronan Keating (No- I am not ashamed to admit it- I adore this song!)
"Just Like Heaven"- The Cure sang it first but Katie Melua's version is far better.
"Let's Dance"- Paula Flynn (yes- the David Bowie song- it is huge in Ireland at the moment)
"Let It Be"- The Beatles
"Every Breath You Take"- The Police
"Somebody To Love"- Queen
"Sunday Girl"- Blondie
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"- Cyndi Lauper
"Dance, Dance"- Fall Out Boy
"Lay All Your Love On Me"- ABBA
"In The Ghetto"- Elvis Presley

Well there you go,

Laters

Sal

A Week At School

Well I still didn't manage a full week... I stayed at home on Tuesday... but that's because I had to rest for Wednesday.

On Monday our English class had a debate. The motion was "Reality TV is a good thing"... which is so not- it's a load of crap... But anyway- it was quite... hilarious actually because neither members of the team had a clue how to do debate and they just made jokes instead. Anyway... the opposition won.
On Tuesday as I said I stayed at home... I pretty much read all day. I finished Marian Keye's book "Watermelon"... excellent book... Again I recommend it to all. Since then I have read "The Wedding Girl" by Madeline Wickham a.k.a Sophie Kinsella... I was pleasantly surprised by this book... I was expecting it to be your average predictable chick lit but there was a very unexpected twist in the end. Then I read "The Princess Diaries In Love" it's volume 7 1/2 so it is only a small book... only people who like The Princess Diaries will like this book... luckily I love The Princess Diaries. Now I'm reading Missing 5: Missing You by Meg Cabot- I've only just started it though so I haven't formed an opinion on it yet.
Anyway- back to Tuesday. We got a delivery from Argos... we are turning the landing upstairs into a lounge... it looks great now... we got a 3 corner sofa that turns into a bed and an armchair without arms that turns into a bed and we got a coffee table and a mat and TV for the corner. Very cool!
Wednesday- Well on Wednesday I done my cookery assignment for obesity. I made creamy chicken and mushroom with brown rice- the brown rice is my key ingredient because it has no calories because it is high in fibre! Go me! Anyway- everything went fine and it tasted absolutely delicious! I also had biology on Wednesday- best subject ever! We finished learning about Osmosis and we are now learning Transport, Food Storage and Gas Exchange in Flowering Plants... it may not sound interesting but we have an excellent teacher and she makes everything sound fascinating (or maybe it's just because I'm a nerd)!
Thursday- to be honest I really had to drag myself out of bed this morning. Being anaemic and all I was extremely tired after working hard on Wednesday... but I managed... but I had crappy business first class. Don't get me wrong it's not that I hate business (that would be stupid seen as I want that type of career) it's the teacher... he has the most boring voice on the planet... his tone never rises and it never falls... it's just boring. The man couldn't motivate a mouse to eat cheese. Then I had French and the teacher wasn't it- FREE CLASS!!! So like the nerd that I am I took the oppurtunity to catch up on home ec! We got to go home at 3 instead of half 3 because the new principal (I'm afraid of this woman!) wanted to meet the teachers.
If I had to drag myself out of the bed on Thursday I had to be taken out of it with a JCB yesterday morning. But I managed. And I'm glad I did because I had biology and home ec for my first 4 classes. In English we are studying a really great poet called John Montague so far we have done 2 of his poems "The Locket" and "The Cage". Read them- they are very good. When I got home from school, first off I hid from my sister who is having some serious PMT and needs a bar of chocolate quick! So I went upstairs to read (in our cool new lounge). Then I had pizza for dinner- yummy and then I watched "The Jungle Book"- I forgot just how brilliant that film is!

See I'm the King of the Swingers
Oh the Jungle VIP

I have to go do a lot of studying now because I have summer exams coming up and the teachers are promising that they are going to be long and hard... they are so evil! I have to study maths the most... trigonometry is a real problem for me!

Laters

Sal