06.22.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:07 pm by livies
Currently in the process of packing, probably the first trip i’ll have packed for more than an hour in advance. Come on Boeing 747!
Just back from Dublin after the Irish open source technology conference. Learnt some new stuff, met people i’d only spoken to online, and met some new people. Overall a good few days. Came home reasonably drained and with a stupid amount of Firefox merchandise. The launch party turned out to be good fun in the end.
Managed to squeeze in Dublin zoo a few hours before I left. Glad I went with another animal fiend because the rain didn’t turn either of us off. It was worth getting soaked just to sit in front of a rather large sleeping tiger. It was asleep against the very thick sheet of glass in front of us. Thanks to the downpour the journey home on the train was pretty miserable though, I was freezing and falling asleep.
Debating whether or not to bring the laptop to the states or not. Think I will, purely because it’s a means of contacting home. I’m unfortunately prone to home sickness. I’ve already drilled Niall (who’s travelling with me) on what to do if I get home sick. I usually end up not talking and completely disinterested in where I am. Which doesn’t end well. With enough caffeine and nice weather I should be ok. Still contemplating LA, hostels are cheap and weather is ridiculous (so hot that it’d probably kill me). Guess i’ll decide once I hit SF on wednesday.
2 days to go 
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06.09.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:17 pm by livies
Spent the last two days in Cork at my friends. Had quite a nice time. I think at this stage i’m bbq’d out for a while.
I spent a couple of hours on Saturday just sitting in the drive staring out at the water and talking to people. I’ve said it before but it’s so relaxing down there. No sound but the water and the occasional passing ship.
Spent a bit of Sunday in Fota Wildlife Park checking out all the new arrivals. Baby cheetahs/kangaroos/maras/geese. We went as early as possible to avoid the hoards of screaming children. I got to see one of the keepers picking up one of the Cheetah kittens and putting him into his enclosure Back home now and lounging around in my pj’s most of the day. Bad habits die hard i guess.
2 weeks until yankland \o/
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05.30.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:13 pm by livies
I’ve suddenly remembered why I dislike the summer. The minute I get my holidays life seems to go downhill somewhat. Which should really be impossible considering the year i’ve had. I’m thankful I have San Francisco to look forward to. There’l be enough distractions there to hopefully get me through this summer. This is probably a year to write off anyway. It seems somewhat unfair that a lot of what happened, did happen. But.. such is life I guess.
My greatest friend in the world is finally out of hospital and doing herself proud. Looking forward to catching up on a huge amount of lost time.
Escaping to Cork for a bit of the weekend, catching up with some friends next week. Hopefully all the distractions will continue for the next month. I’d like to keep what’s left of my sanity.
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05.26.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:33 pm by livies
Finished the budget a few hours ago. Guess i’m officially free for a few months. Yay? I’m suddenly reminded of why i’m not a big fan of the summer. It can be quite lonely. People disappearing back home, away for the summer and work. The only nice thing about it is there’s slightly less stress and a bit more freedom. I’m very much looking forward to San Francisco. LUGradio Live will reunite a nice chunk of Skynet for a weekend. It was a good laugh last year, so, very much looking forward to that too. Bring on July I guess.
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05.06.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:47 pm by livies
“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.”
I had one of those days today. A few hours study in the morning, I was then convinced to head down to the river with some friends to sit out in the sun and chat. It was really nice. We sat there for ages with our feet in the water. I hadn’t seen the sun in about a year, so, had forgotten the dangers of sunburn when wearing no sun cream. My shoulders are currently paying for the mistake.
Exams starting on Saturday. The less said about them the better. I’m beginning to dislike my course more with each semester.
My summer is slowly taking shape. So far I have San Francisco/LA lined up. Followed by 2 or 3 days in England for LUGradio Live with a few people from the Computer Society. After that, who knows. Looking forward to seeing my friends in America, although, currently I seem to be more excited about the prospect of being on a 747 for the first time.
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04.09.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:23 pm by livies
The last 2 weeks were possibly the most difficult weeks of my life. In between the panic and sleep deprivation I learnt a few things.
1: There’s really a lot to be said for being alive and happy. Those two things can be seriously under-valued.
2: Never ever be dependent on one person to be happy. Ever.
3: It’s true that when you face a crisis you discover who your true friends are.
4: Bullying is far more serious than some might think. I think i’ll destroy the next person I see needlessly mocking someone.
And, on a completely unrelated note. I’ve also happily discovered House thanks to my friend. I’m counting on utilising as much time as I can watching it.
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03.31.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:11 pm by livies
It’s that time of year again, placement returns. I’m too tired to go into any detail so i’ll make this short. I’m in a psychiatric rehab day centre. Its actually quite nice. Work is easy, and its a lovely place. The people are lovely. As far as placements usually go, it’s almost relaxing.
Clubs & Societies Ball on Thursday, should be good fun, especially after a week of placement. Better find a dress though.
Room _finally_ organised. As a result I have regained some of my sanity. Despite obtaining a pretty awful flu in the last week, I seem to be much happier now that I have some structure to my weeks again.
Two weeks placement in the neo-natal unit starting the 14th.
To be continued….
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03.12.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:50 pm by livies
Home. Great fun. First time in Germany, CeBIT was an experience in itself. I managed to keep my wonderful tradition going - just when I thought i’d gotten rid of any illess. Bang. Gastroenteritis on my second night in Germany. Several others caught it aswell so I wasn’t the only unlucky one. I’m officially able to eat again though. I’m also back overdosing on vitamins. I knew forgetting them in Germany would end badly. Several people have asked me to relive what happened in Germany or asked what I liked best etc etc. I actually don’t have the energy just yet to even think about it. CeBIT was great, Germany was good. You’ll find out more when I care enough to recount it.
Its scaring me slightly how quickly the year is progressing. Easter break next week. Then i’m on placement for a month. Then exams. And thats it. I’m done with 2nd year. For once i’m really looking forward to the summer. Not quite sure why yet.
Psychiatric placement for first 2 weeks of placement- they’re going to _hate_ me. I know nothing about that kind of nursing. Nothing.
Have a lot of my friends home at the moment - nice to have them around again. Another home soon enough too.
P.S - My CT scan results came back fine. Nothing I can’t live with.
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02.23.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:34 pm by livies
Absolutely nothing exciting has been happening, most of what’s to follow will explain why.
“Health is not valued until sickness comes.” I’m more enclined to agree with that now than I would have before Christmas. I did finally get my cat scan. I was hooked up to an iv of dye to highlight my blood vessels in the scan. I thought I was fairly prepared when they told me ‘you’ll feel a bit warm for a short while’. How uncomfortable could that be? The ‘bit warm’, felt like my hands had caught fire and it slowly spread. Strangest and worst feeling i’ve encountered in a long time. Other than that, it was pretty routine. I was in and out in 20 minutes. Now for the longest part, waiting the 1-2 weeks for my doctor to call. I haven’t thought about the results once, i’m either too afraid to think about it or genuinely believe i’m fine.
The slight cold I was developing in my last post managed to transform itself into full blown tonsillitis. 3 nights without sleep, a very tearful visit to the doctor and yet another course of antibiotics later, I got rid of it. I never wish to experience pain like that again.
Germany is booked. On the 5th of March ten of us are off to Hannover for CeBIT. \o/
I’m almost officially ‘old’. Less than 10 days until I can finally say goodbye to the ‘teen’ on the end of my age. And I also have my best friend home for my birthday, she’s been away for almost 8 months and she’s moving back to ireland next week 
So, a summary of 2008 so far, in two months - two trips to the doctor, two courses of antibiotics, an x-ray, a CAT scan, 11 cold sores, and several colds. I’ve started taking a lot of vitamins to try and ward off anything else that would like to mess with my immune system. I think I may be somewhat broken.
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02.02.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:46 pm by livies
Back in college. Week 1 going well enough. Modules all good and somewhat interesting, except of course ‘research’, which is the ‘ throw myself out the window’ variety of boring . That said, I wasn’t expecting it to be any different.
Was back up in Dublin last weekend. Good to get away from the house for a while. Had a great time, met up with a nice few people. I’ll be heading back up next thursday for a conference in the Coombe so another weekend in Dublin in store.
Sick, yet again. \o/ I’ve yet to manage an entire week without catching something. Nurofen, my friend, is working wonders as always. Although, for tomorrow I have a wonderful day of sitting in the great, very cold, outdoors planned. MBUL are holding a race in Kilaloe and i’ve volunteered to do timekeeping. I’ve been warned to wear many layers. For once I may follow this advice.
Skynet trip to CeBIT, Germany. 1st week of march. Never been to Germany and i’ll be there the week of my birthday. Quite looking forward to it.
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