Back to Dublin

So after letting a place, finding a job and getting all settled in Cork, I'm moving to Dublin. I went to see a chiropractic office there and I really like the people that worked there and how the head chiro. runs the clinic. I really like Cork but a job in my field is a job in my field. I hope to start next monday, providing my paperwork goes through.

The chiropractic association here is a pain in the ass. They wanted 4 references (2 personal and 2 professional) which I had prepared already before coming here. However, 3 of my references were sent through e-mail and were not signed so the assocation said that they would not accpet them. I asked if they were going to talk to my references and they said yes. I told them that my references were going to say that they typed everything in my letter but that wasn't good enough for them. Then I asked if my references could fax them a signed paper but they said it had to be the orginal and it had to be signed in pen. Then I asked if they could send an electronic signature but that was also turned down. Urgh. Then, I asked if they could process my application for now and if they didn't receive my letters within a couple of weeks, they could cancel my insurance and I wouldn't practice anyways.....they said no again. When I got fed up with them, I asked if there was another liability insurance company with whom I could sign up with without going through the assocaition and they said no again. Haha. Finally, I asked if I could change my personal references to people who were here in Ireland. She told me that they had to have known me for 4 years and that they couldn't be my friends....but she said it in a way that made it seem like that was not possible since I just got to Ireland. Thank god for Trina and Brian. They each wrote a reference letter for me and they wrote that they are my colleuges and classmates for the past 4 years. The assocaition can had fun trying to prove that they are not my friends. I am still waiting for one more reference from Canada. Hopefully, it comes in time.

On the more fun side of things...on thursday, I went to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone! The stone is situated at the top of the castle and to kiss it, you have to lie upsidedown and hang over the edge of the wall. Don't worry, there are bars there and a guard to make sure nothing happens to you. The view from the top of the castle was pretty nice. Also, within the grounds of the castle, were wishing steps. These were interesting because you had to make a wish and then walk down and back up the stairs, with your eyes closed!! The guy who had done it just before Su and I told us to be careful cause he nearly broke his neck! So we took it very slowly when we went down. The only problem is that you are so concentrated on not trying to kill yourself that you forget to keep your wish in mind. I hope it works!!

Today, I went to a wildlife park with Su and Angie, two fellow Canadians. There animals roam free here without cages. We saw penguins, giraffes, flamingos, monkeys, zebras and many more fuzzy animals.

Another funny thing, there Irish have some phrases that they repeat over and over again. Hrere are some: that's brilliant! that's grand! thanks a million! They also call a car trunk and boot, and vaccuuming is called hoovering.

Hope to take a trip tomorrow. I feel like going hiking and I have the day off. Will let you know where I end up. Ciao for now.