I had the Best Doughnut in the Universe this weekend

That might sound like an exaggeration. But I can assure you, it realllllly is not. Saturday morning me, Liza, Teal and Zach woke up early and walked to the market in town which is easy on the eyes, ears and nostrils. Music was played, food was sampled and bought and it was such a beautiful day! People had stands with handmade hats, paintings and also fresh cheeses, olives, spices, fruits and vegetables annnnnnnnd doughnuts. Its one man (from New York actually) with a straw hat and chipped tooth (but a lovely smile) who makes the doughnuts right there and sells them for 70 cents (so hard not to buy in bulk) and then sprinkles coco or cinnamon over it. Naturally I couldn't decide, so I asked him what he likes. The conversation went something like this:


Him: Coco or cinnamon?
Me: (drooling) Ummmmm I dunno! What do you like?
Him: What are you gonna give it to me after you buy it?
Me: (laugh and wipe away drool)
Him: How about I give you both?
Me: Booya.


Then I took a bite and almost passed out because of how good it was. It almost falls apart in your fingers, crunchy on the outside, doughy on the inside, and angles fly around inside your mouth and sprinkle love on your taste buds.

Backing up though. Friday I only had one class so I was all done by 10 am so I came home, lounged, and then went to Isabelle and Courtney's house which was filled with Courtney's visiting friends from Trinity. It was SO beautiful outside so me Liza and Zach went to Cladda (I'll be spelling things phonetically to make it easier on both myself and my loyal readers) which is right along the river and has beautiful fields and boats. THEN we went ate dinner at Nimmo which is a cottage right on the river and attached to the Spanish Arches. I had beet risotto with goat cheesh (loves me some goat cheesh) and split a homemade raspberry tart with homemade whipped cream. Also it was the most adorable place ever, next time I go back I'll be sure to take some pictures. Definitely bringing Sarah when she visits in march (!!!) and Mammy (and hopefully Dad and Lizzie) at the end of March. Then went to The Quays which is one of the best pubs which looks like the entire interior was carved out of one giant tree and listened to suuuuch a good band. I think I fell a little bit in love with the bass player.

Saturday night we went to Taffe's to listen to traditional Irish music and since everyone there was so drunk besides Liza and I, the band appreciated how much we were really enjoying the music and they dedicated the next song to us. When they were done, the accordion player and I got to talking, and long story short, Jimmy will be giving me accordion lessons. Also we got to talking to his friend from Australia who has traveled all over the world and sounds like he had a girlfriend in every country. I really seem to be hitting it off with men here over 65.

This morning me and a few people took a bus tour to Cannamara (again, phonetic spelling) and saw the Kylemore Abbey and Garden, saw where The Quiet Man was filmed, saw the beach, lots of sheep, cows, fields, stone walls, mountains, lakes, and pretty much everything that made me want to come here. I'm a sucker for a lovely lookin' landscape (not to mention stone cottages with thatched roofs. Don't even GET me started).

Also, I don't remember if it was over my beet risotto and goat cheese or my homemade tart, but I had a revelation that I should be a food critic. I really think its my calling. Also, since Saturday night I discovered I'm actually kind of really good at cooking. Since then I've made risotto with the help of a bullion cube and with the garlic, onions, peppers and fresh parm I got from the market. And tonight I made Salmon (first I had to google "is it okay to eat brown salmon" but the brown went away when I cooked it...I feel fine so far) with zucchini, garlic, onions and the fresh parm. I'm really discovering hidden talents here (I'm assuming I'll be just as amazing at the accordion and banjo as I am at cooking and making friends with senior citizen males).

Also, I booked a ticket this weekend to Paris! I'm going with a couple of girls here and since I've already been to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and all the other major attractions when Daddy and I spent the day there for my 16th birthday and somehow saw all of those things within a few hours (even walked halfway up the Eiffel tower when we got on the wrong line), while my friends do those things, I'll wander around at flea markets, bakeries, parks and maybe take a train to a neighboring town. We're also planning on spending a day in Normandy and some time at Versailles! I have to make sure I pack light but chic so I blend in while I stomp around the Champs- Elysees.