June 18

Rachel's going through a baptism of fire.

First real day of work today. Got up at 6am. Turned on my shower to let it warm up for 20 minutes, ironed by clothes while it did. (Yeah that's right mom...) Showered, made my lunch, got ready, and left the apartment at 7:55. Same routine... caught the bus, caught the luas, got to work. We had a busy day today. Most of the day I was working on typing up these artists' biographies to print and mount for next week's launch party. That was about 15 pages of typing, so it took some time. At half-twelve, my boss had a meeting with a socialist workers group, that I got to sit in on. I actually spoke once too, haha. Basically, if I understood the fast, deep Irish correctly, because of the recession the arts programs in Dublin are getting funds cut by the government repeatedly. And considering the constant bailouts for bigger companies in Ireland, as everywhere else, they have a website they are working on about standing up for art group's rights. My company isn't part of this group, but they support what they are doing... just not the way they are doing it. So they are trying to come to a compromise with their websites and what is said, shown, etc.

(That's my desk in the corner, with my red jacket.)

(Another view.)

(This is the meeting room.)

After the meeting, Siohban and I took a lunch break. She went to the cafe next door and ran into some friends that work a few doors down. They invited us to come eat with them. So she came back and got me and we went and had lunch with another youth art's program company, similar to ourselves.

(Member of the other organization.)

(This is Siobhan, my boss.)

(My boss gave me this "Chocolate Mallow Biscuit" from Scotland. It's basically a Malomar.)

When we got back, I had some more work to do. I had to send out the press emails for the launch party, keep typing that stuff up, and work on the signage to post with how to get to the room where the launch is held. I was supposed to work until 4:30, but at 4, Siobhan said I looked knackered (tired) and should just go home. On my way out, I stopped by the spar next door because we really needed dish detergent at home. Oh the joys I endure. Then I took the same route back home.

(I splurged on a treat for myself, too.)

(Amazing street artist I passed on O'Connell street.)

(Stopped to say hey to James Joyce.)

Once I got on my final bus, I gave Jenny a call to see what everyone else was up to. (I was the only one who had to work, everyone else started Monday.) They were at the Comet again, which seems to be our favorite place, watching the World Cup games. So I stopped by on my way home.

(Enthusiasm.)

(Soccer at the Comet.)

I left after about 30 minutes, I was knackered, just as Siobhan had stated. I went back home, had some cereal, and slept for like two hours. Then I went back out with Jenny and Maggie and met back up with the other girls who were at a different pub by that time.

(The light is deceiving. It's like 10. The sun just never goes down, here.)

(England vs. Algeria. I wanted England to win. I kept that to myself... the Irish were very anti-England.)

That was pretty much it for me for the night. I was running on empty. Stayed at the Viscount for a few hours, then turned in while the others stayed out for like two more pubs.

Another day in Dublin.