If I could, I'd ask the world to dance

The great thing about working in a bar is being totally sleep deprived during the week.
Well, it's not so bad. It gives me an excuse to over-indulge on caffeine [today: Bewley's, then Harbourmaster].

Being in the cloakroom isn't that bad--apparently, gay boys & lesbians adore me dearly and they love my glasses.

And the staff of the bar itself is interesting--as in, nice. China, Latvia, India, Lithuania, Poland, Ireland, Scotland, Colombia. The reactions of people are interesting--as in, curious--when they realise where I'm from. Of course, they assume I'm studying here. When I explain that I'm not, that I'm working for an educational charity, they wonder why the hell I'm not living in America.

I don't even know where to begin in response to that, so I stick to the easiest answer, which is that I love what I'm doing here. Then I tell them a bit about AIESEC and the subject is dropped.

The reaction that I like the most is the surprise, like I'm certifiable for leaving America--not The United States, but America. That, in and of itself, drives me up the wall. To not have a continental identity--since being called American without being from the US seems to be Enemy Mistake No. One. The opportunities that are perceived.

People tend to completely overlook the advantages of being an EU citizen. Being able to move and work anywhere, at the drop of a hat. The fluidity of borders. I fully acknowledge that the States is a diverse, expansive country--but it's still not living and moving between countries. Often, travelling from one area to the next can feel like it, but the fun of moving from one coast to another is not so great as from one country to the next.

I'm not sure. It's interesting. The response like I'm insane to ever live outside my borders--like considering another country is not an option because it is so ridiculous. It certainly is something different to come from a place that is both ridiculed heavily, while idealised at the same time. The most frustrating part is the idealisation. Because the culture is everywhere, because so much money is made from its promotion, but those funds aren't shared. The popular culture doesn't appropriately represent anyone. What is known as American is exploited from communities and a society that are further damaged by the image promoted and indulged.

But I suppose that is true of anywhere. Many of the problems are found elsewhere--but somehow the US has managed to maintain a PR scheme of epic proportions.

This, I'm sure, all sounds horrible. It's difficult to articulate the thoughts that emerge about home and the reactions to it.

so, can you get down?

So. A month, huh? Well then.

1. We got part-time jobs. Break for the Border--anyone who knows how my Paddy's Day went will surely snicker at this one. :) It is absolutely lovely. The staff has people from all corners of the world: India, Poland, Colombia, Ireland, Romania, US, Lithuania, Latvia, China.

Tonight will be American Frat Party night. It is very interesting to see what Irish youth thinks of American frats. Not to mention the boys who show up in American football pads AND jerseys. You know, instead of JUST the jersey, which would, potentially, allow for better partying, which an American would think of first and foremost. Eh.


2. Called Rachel today to tell her happy birthday. Hopefully she can come to Dublin and we could spend some beautiful holidays together and tear the city apart. Christmas with Rachel in Dublin sounds like heaven. :)

After speaking to Rachel, I called Nob and talked to him a bit while he was at work. Potentially, Barcelona looks like a key location after the holidays end and for New Years. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Within the last week, I've spokent to my sister, brother, mother and father. I don't even know where to begin explaining how it feels to hear all these voices again. Just nice. Absolutely lovely. Skype-out is my hero.


3. Recruitment is wrapping up. I am a bit nervous, but it seems like better news comes through every day. The good thing is that it seems none of us are willing to roll over. Instead, I think we all fight pretty dirty.


4. The library surely is my best friend here in Dublin. Have finished Atonement by Ian McEwan, The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, and a few others within the last month.

Currently, am reading Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. After that, it will be some Noam Chomsky, then Peter Senge.

Not sure where I'll get the time to do that, but this weekend I will diagram my life and my upcoming weeks. I will rock it out, I promise.


5. Life in general isn't bad. It is picking up. Things are less stressful now that I have a part-time job, which means definite means for money. Although I do have money, at this point I cannot access it for reasons that make me think Irish banking is absolutely no fun. I am hoping that they will mail me my stupid ATM card soon and I'll be able to withdraw all my monies and swim through them in the bedroom at home, a la Uncle Scrooge.


6. Trainees. FOUR. I spoke today with Alex for quite a bit--he seems like he is going to be more than a ton of fun.

It's going back to my AIESEC roots--the thing that made me excited in the first place. It's like returning to an old friend.


7. Overall, I'm so glad to be here. Of course, there are problems at current, but everything gets better every day.