One week left...

Hey everyone! Today was an OKAY day...we woke up early and went to a local elementary school to observe a classroom. We only had about an hour and a half there and it was kind of a bummer because we only got to stay in the classroom for about 25 minutes. The principal was really nice, but talked a lot. When we finally got to the classroom I was shocked to see that the classes only had about 12 students on average. Our teacher was really nice and was telling us about the process of becoming a teacher...they are so lucky, it only takes them 3 years and then they can get their own class! The lesson that we got to observe was an Irish lesson so we were really confused the whole time, but it was fun to see how excited they were. I think it is really great they are learning Irish so early. The one major difference I noticed when comparing their classes to ours was that even though their school was labeled as a "disadvantaged" school it did not seem like it at all. I think the reasoning for this is simply because the majority of the kids are Irish. The US is such a multicultural place, you can often see a difference between the disadvantaged schools and those that are not. 

After our observations we went on a walking tour of Limerick...it was interesting, but to be honest we have walked around Limerick more than enough. It was hard too because we had a semi big group and our tour guide was a small man with a small voice so I don't think people got much out of it. After the walking tour we went to the bank and to get more postcards :) Just to give you guys an idea of how bad the exchange rate is I gave them 184 USD and got 122 Euros :( it really is sad, but in the end so worth it. 

We went to Fennessy's tonight and were mildly disappointed. Live, traditional music doesn't start til NEXT Thursday of course haha so we decided to go to Dolan's to listen to music and have a drink. We are back now and I'm going to read then head to bed. We only have 2 more full days in Limerick and it was funny because we were trying to decide what to do after classes and all we could think of was to NOT walk around Limerick. We are officially done here, we have seen it all :) ON TO DUBLIN! 

I am really excited to get home. We are even thinking that 5 days in Dublin might be a bit much. I just keep hearing that it is a great place, but just like any other city. I will be spending more money there (ugh) simply because we will be in a hotel and have to buy our own meals. I guess there is a plus to that--I will be eating better! I'm glad we aren't staying in a hostel...Jury's Inn should be nice :) 

Well that was today! GOODNIGHT!

P.S. I just skyped with my brothers and shelby and it was so funny because it was delayed on their side like 3 minutes hahahaha! Gosh I miss them all so much! Especially my brotherssssss...and my mommmmy and dadddy. Can't wait to be home!