DAY 475/476/477

Dec 19, 20 & 21

1) Two interesting events to talk about in this blog post. Firstly, my friends and I were recruited to participate in a video- and photo-shoot, over the course of two days. The camera crew got us to pose for various shots, and to basically go about recreating our daily activities at RCSI. We were divided into two groups - one group went filming in the old building (main campus), while the other went to the new building. They had many takes of the same scene, capturing footage from various angles to be edited out later.

2) Our group began our filming near the walkway to the Anatomy Room. We filmed around the area, including the room adjacent to it (Harold Browne Lecture Theatre) but we were under strict instructions not to get footage of the Anatomy Room itself (due to privacy concerns). Next we headed over to the Albert Lecture Theatre for a couple of shoots. Then it was time for lunch! They made sure we were adequately fed by reimbursing our meals throughout the two days.

3) The next couple of areas we filmed were at the National Surgical Training Centre, where we pretended to be surgeons for a day. We tried venipuncture and cannulation, even posing as a maternal delivery team in the mock labour room! On the second day of filming, we filmed a bit at the library, including the Group Study Rooms. And after all this hard work, we found out that the total duration of the filming (which, by the way, is for RCSI's new website) was only two minutes tops! So much hassle for so little in return XD. Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

4) The other event which happened was my GNIB Card Renewal. With the new system in place, the old "GNIB Card" would be replaced with an "IRP (Irish Residence Permit) Card". The only difference is applicants do not get their card immediately like they used to, instead they have to wait around 5-10 working days for the card to arrive by post. Anyway, I went to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to get my card renewed. They specifically write on the letter NOT to come more than 10 minutes before the appointment time, but I decided to rebel and came half an hour earlier.

5) In the end, coming half an hour earlier meant I was the second in line to be served. The whole process took close to an hour, and they handed me my stamped passport as evidence should I need to go travelling and not have my card ready yet. And that's basically everything I have to share in this blog. There is much more coming up though, so do stay tuned for more. Happy holidays, and see you soon. Cheers!

Photoshoot buddies :))

Would you trust us to fix you up? XD

At least I can pose to be one ;)

Food from the Dispensary was the order of the day, and all F.O.C. ^^

One of the filming takes in progress

This is a sneak peak of the new Coffee Doc (called Remedy!)

It reminds me of an underground cafe in a cave

"Remedy"

Tenby represent! #tenbians4lyfe

Granola pot and some cakes for tea 

(They sure knew how to butter us up ^^)

DAY 53

Oct 24

1) Today was a splendid day for exploration, and that was exactly what I did! Got up for my breakfast sandwiches, before preparing to meet my friends Esther and Emma, to do our GNIB registration together. We registered before 9.00am (our scheduled time), but still had to wait for almost three hours to get our card done! Oh well, at least it's all over now and I will only have to worry about it when the card expires next year...

2) After getting our GNIB card, we parted ways. My friends went home while I searched for a popular fish and chips shop called Leo Burdock, which my father highly recommended that I should try out. At a price of €9.70 for the fresh cods and chips, it was on the expensive side, but you certainly pay for what you get. The fish batter was extremely flavorful and crunchy, while the cod itself was extremely flaky and fresh. And those fries; thick-cut and lightly seasoned with salt and vinegar - they were the real deal! The meal actually reminded me of the sea; it was that good.

3) With my hunger satiated, came back home to relax. Then continued preparing for our Principal Seminars until dinner. Whipped up some rice, salad greens and a scotch egg, and voila - dinner was done! Returned to the room to study, and that's how the rest of the night will go. Thank you for reading, and goodnight!

Morning ritual of bread, nutella and peanut butter, 

accompanied with a shot (glass) of milk! XD

 We had our GNIB Card done here

Too bad the van blocked the view...

Graffiti

A left here and straight down is Boojum

 Fresh Cod and Chips

(€9.70)

Bust of James Joyce

 LOVE the red leaves!

 Simple dish for dinner

Yet another scotch egg haha

DAY 52

Oct 23

1) Today was a normal day. Woke up to have breakfast, before continuing yesterday's studies. Around noon, I decided I'd have a long overdue break, so went to Boojum again for lunch. Today I had the beef barbacoa burrito bowl, with extra spicy sauce. Apparently, there's no such thing as spicy here, which is surprising considering Boojum is a Mexican resto. The food tasted great though, no question about that.

2) Went to Tesco Baggot to do the week's groceries. Ended up buying a small Reese's Peanut Buttercup as a treat for myself haha. Then I had to carry my groceries all the way back home. Thankfully, Tesco is really quite near my house, so I didn't mind the walk, or the chilly weather.

3) Had no mood to study in the afternoon, so I prepared my documents for tomorrow's GNIB registration. Basically we have to register with the Garda Police in order to continue studying in Ireland. After a long time, I managed to settle all the documents which I'm bringing tomorrow. Went downstairs to prepare dinner, and here I am, back in my room and typing this out. Time to study now, so I'll end on this note. Thanks for reading, and have a great day. Cheers!

 Beef Barbacoa Burrito Bowl at Boojum (5B's XD)

Voila! Dinner is done!

Scotch egg

 A small treat for myself

DAY 22

Sept 23

1) Today has been a quiet day. Woke up early because me and my friends would finally be able to set up our bank transactions, including my standing orders. Met up at 10.00 a.m. and walked to the bank together. What rotten luck! After filling in ALL my particulars, the machine at the kiosk decided to go out of order. I had to wait again at the next kiosk to redo it all over again. Luckily, only one person was there so I didn't have to wait too long. With all the transactions done, there is only one last thing to do: get my GNIB Card, which is like a study permit card.

2) Next up, I had to buy my 10kg sack of rice. Went to Asia Market to purchase the basmati option for €16.50. Last item to purchase was my vegetable source. Lugged the heavy sack to Dunnes (since I had to pass by anyway) and bought freshly prepared mixed vegetables. Finally, I carried everything home, in preparation for lunch. This afternoon, I cooked rice, steamed my vegetables, fried some mince meat before adding the last of my carbonara sauce into it; and voila! Lunch is served :D

3) I spent the better part of the afternoon going through lecture notes, trying to make head or tail of what I was reading. Next week onwards would be brutal; no more free Thursdays and Fridays, plus the introduction of the Clinical Practice module. Just trying to stay abreast with the lecturer isn't easy. There's just too much to study. So I gave up after a while and listened to songs and had my forty winks. Woke up and felt hungry, so went downstairs to prepare dinner.

4) For dinner, I had a frozen meal (the second of my two frozen dinners that went *SPLAT*). It tasted really good AND was easy to clean: two descriptions to make any college student's day. After that, went to RCSI for archery session. It was my first time, yet I managed to hit the inner circle, thrice! But the recoil took its toll on my left arm, as you can see from the pics below. No pain no gain I guess. There was free pizza after the session, and I duly regained the calories I had just shed. What a perfect way to end the day! As usual, walked back home to type this out. Thanks for reading as always, and goodnight!

Mixed vegetables with minced meat carbonara

What's left of my frying pan :{

Archery session in progress

Trying to act like a pro, although I'm obviously not haha

Those are all mineeeeee :D

Chicken ham dinner, bought at Dunnes for €3.25

Free Pizza!

Everything comes at a price... recoil from the bow haha