The End

Goodbye Cork! Jaywalking with the Irish has come to an end and I was truly disappointed with the Monagan's. Their decision to return to America is understandable but somehow it was not a satisfying end for a story which promised so much at the beginning. I strongly believe they will return some day as Cork seemed to be the perfect match for them. Maybe when they retire or the children are grown up.

It is virtually bad fortune. After all they have been through they finally managed to complete the home they have always dreamt of and then this misfortune. I wish them luck for the future and may the force be with them!

Presentation day

Finally, after a period of delays we had our presentation of the chapters 7, 8 and 9. Unfortunately, our third member Anja couldn't come because she visited her relatives in Bosnia. Nevertheless, Maja and I split her part and tried to represent her honourably. I've learnt a lot new and interesting about Ireland: the potato famine, the education system and the Celtic mythology. I believe after hearing all presentations we will be almost experts in Irish culture. The only thing missing is the first-hand experience itself. Maybe the next holiday destination... Ireland, we're coming!

Jaywalking-Part 1

Jaywalking with the Irish is a book written by David Monagan, an American Journalist.

My great passion is travelling and I am dreaming since my childhood to emigrate myself. This is also the reason why I study languages- it brings me a step closer to this ongoing desire.

The topic of this semester are expats- what is also the story of Monagan's life-changing decision to migrate to Ireland.

I have never read a book of an expat before and my expectations were high. Therefore I wasn't surprised that I absolutely loved the book; I read the first few chapters in a row. Though the language is quite difficult for it is full of Irishisms, the plot and Monagan's gift for capturing descriptions couldn't stop me to read on further. Maybe there are to many information (about Irish history, tradition etc.) that I would like to know more about and I wish I had some background knowledge because checking them out would take an eternity (or it would be really boring to put the book down at every other page to Google the topic).

Soon my group will have its presentation and I guess I'll learn a lot new about the Irish.

I have found an interesting article about the book with a short biography of David Monagan on this site:

http://www.emigrant.ie/article.asp?iCategoryID=49&iArticleID=40276

Expats

This semester we are reading David Monagan's book Jaywalking with the Irish because of the theme expats. We are going to have presentations of each chapter and learn about Ireland and its culture. Wish you all a good start!