pancakes come only once

For the Irish, pancakes come only once a year. They're not the fluffy, bready pancakes of home--in fact, they look at you a little funny if you even suggest that pancakes should be that consistency--but thin and mooshy, kind of like crepes (in keeping with that analogy, it should also be mentioned that the favored way of eating them is either with lemon and sugar or nutella).

Last night, around six, Barby and I got a call from Andy inviting us up for pancakes--he and Ross were apparently in charge of producing pancakes for a majority of the inhabitants of the apartment. Knowing better, I went upstairs prepared to make them myself--these guys have trouble boiling water, let alone making pancakes. After some demonstration pancakes (and an argument over how much oil should be used in the production of said pancakes--Ross was trying to use a half an inch of oil to fry them in), Ross took over the job. Shortly after, I left for rehearsal, but was again invited upstairs to watch 'Desperate Housewives' after I got back from rehearsal.

Now, Desperate Housewives was pretty big at home for a long time, but I never bothered watching it. For some reason, all of Ireland is in love with this show--as it airs every Tuesday night at 10 PM, we are now routinely let out of rehearsal early so that people can make it home in time to watch, and every Tuesday night, all five guys (and several of the others who sort of live there) show up to watch it together. It is indeed a sight to see.

Today has been pretty uneventful thus far, but then again, the day has barely started here. I have one class left to attend this week (in an hour and a half) before I am free for the weekend, which is a very cheering thought. I've been to the gym the past two days, and while I could go right after class, I think I'm going to opt to take a break for a day--there's always tomorrow morning, which is now free thanks to some quick thinking on my behalf (Thursday morning fiddle is now Tuesday morning fiddle, right before our lesson, to make it easier on everyone).

I don't have anything planned for tonight beyond Ash Wednesday service, but tomorrow I'm probably going to go out with the guys upstairs. If you couldn't tell, I've been spending a lot more time with them as of late, now that we've finally gotten to know each other. Ross and Andy both routinely ask about violin and orchestra (I get the feeling they haven't been very exposed to it at all) and say that they might come to the concert in March. Kevin and I, on the other hand, routinely have conversations focusing on the political goings on at home--I think he's been keeping track of it better than I have, which is kind of sad. If we're not talking politics, we're talking food--Kevin cooks for himself (and on occasion, the guys). He's been giving me some good tips on where to find the best deals on produce and meat in the English market, which has been very helpful.

and thus ends another week...

Another week, another post (uh-oh, times in between posts are beginning to increase again).

Not terribly much has happened this week--I didn't go out to any of the pubs for sessions during my efforts to stave off another Irish cold. Monday consisted of a delightfully fun Sean-Nos class (where we learned a couple of English language songs) and a trip to the gym to try and sweat out the cold. Having over worked myself the day before, I contented myself to read in between my 30 minute fiddle class and orchestra rehearsal. Wednesday was 'Turkey' day in Arab Music class (really interesting) followed by some complicated bodhran-ing. Once again, I met Amy and Tovah for tune-swap at 9:30 AM on Thursday, and pretty much did nothing but read until Saturday, at which point I printed out a couple of resumes and applied for a job at two cafes in the area.

This week's meal is a casserole I sort of made up on the fly in the grocery store--chicken, rice, carrots, onions, peas, mushrooms, and cheese. I think.

My trip to Rome approaches even as I type this. Oh, and I've scheduled a lesson for Saturday next (was supposed to be this Wednesday, but I decided I'd like to go to church for Ash Wednesday, and thus, the lesson was moved). What else? Right, I went to church this morning--another baptism (Rosa, daughter of Aoife--try pronouncing that one--and Peter).