Addicted to Downings...

So I made it back home from Spain- just about! Let's not go into detail but in short it involved a locked office containing my passport at 2am, a missed train, a hectic taxi ride, some begging at the bag drop and a full out sprint through Malaga airport!) Anyway, after I made it home it was off to Downings with a few tramps and surfers for the weekend. The weather definitely obliged this weekend and the sun was splitting the rocks- and completely frying a few pasty Irish folk, regardless of us telling them to put more sunscreen or a t-shirt on! *cough*cravis*cough*

Spent most of Saturday on the beach and as the tramps put it, it was as if we flew to Spain for the day. Had some good banter and even went trampolining with the tramps! Can't keep us off those trampolines...even if they're only drawn in the sand.

Unfortunately the tramps had to head home on Saturday evening and they did leave, eventually (2 hours late!) Oh well, if people knew just how great Downings is they wouldn't blame them. But never fear- the tramps will be back in full force soon!!

So that left the surfers for the rest of the weekend. Mike and his brother arrived on Saturday evening and it was a chilled out evening in the house with a few drinks and suprisingly when I say a few I actually mean just a few. Completely unheard off on a surf weekend until now! They more that made up for it on Sunday though... Sunday afternoon, after a BBQ'd breakfast we went rock jumping which was a bit of a, dare i say it...epic fail. The little cave where we normally go rock jumping had seriously silted up over the past couple of years and where there was normally loads of water to jump into, even from 15/20ft, was suddenly only 5-6ft deep :( So it turned into a swim basically. With us trying to drown Crilly numerous times. But alas we failed ;)

So the guys went surfing then on Sunday afternoon and decided to come back to Downings if the rest of us were still there on Sunday evening. Since the weather was so good we got Davis to get time off work and stayed til Monday. The decision was made to go for a few 'sociable' drinks in Martins on Sunday night. So we headed off to the pub at 9ish and were soon joined by a man with a guitar, later found to be named Eamonn. Well, the surf club were excited at the prospect of a sing song in a little irish pub and soon got the guitar going! Met a few of the Downings crowd as well and had the after party lined up in Nialls for when we got kicked out of the pub. And kicked out we were, at 12:45!! Because people wanted to watch the golf and apparently we were being too loud... Grrr. But we hung around for a while before heading to the caravan site, just to make sure they missed us ;)

We partied in Nialls 'til about 5am. There were guitars, harmonicas, spoons and a bodhran as well as some great singers. We also managed to convince Kevin that my name was Jacinta Norris and that my Dad is called Chuck. The surfers found this hilarious. It was even funnier for me because I have met this guy a fair few times before and he still didn't cop on. But I think the funniest quote in relation to the Norris joke would be Crilly. "I never knew your last name- hte Norris family?!?!" Crilly- YOU ARE AN IDIOT!! :P

Twas a good night and I can say that the surfers are all now officially 'Addicted to Downings!'

I'm knackered and can't really be bothered going into detail on the rest of it. There were a few trips to McNutts for food, a swim the next day, a chillout in front of the tv and some more food on the way home before finally getting to Belfast at 12am. Why can't I sum everything up that quickly?

Roll on the next banter filled weekend in Downings.

Until next time,

Jo-cint-aaaaa Norris

Xtremely Good Week!

Hey guys,

Been a while since i've given you all a little look into the world of me so thought i'd let you know what's been going on! Well, clearly i've made it back from Spain alive, just about after my last set! Managed to get ejected in the last few minutes of the last set, then riding back to the dock I managed a lovely faceplant, forgot the sting on those things!!

But Spain was pretty good on the whole. I headed out to a wakeboard camp in Almodovar del Rio for a few days. It's close to Cordoba in the Andalucia region of Spain. The weather was nice, the water was warm and there were some great people at the camp. Spent the first few days chillin in the boat with Leila and Menno with Rob and D coaching. Good banter & Leila stuck some new tricks which was sweet. Me however, after having the set of my life on the Sunday, managed to get worse! But meh, who cares, it was sunny and fun. Was out in the boat with Leila and the guys from Dubai, Steve, Kate and Mel for the last few days which was great craic. Plenty of abuse going back and forth but there were lots of new tricks being landed, as well as the odd...ok, no frequent, faceplant from Kate. How she still went out for every set i'll never know, she took some epic falls. Steve- take a lesson from that! Man up! ;) And stop acting like a teapot!

"I'm a little teapot!"

Although i think Steve and Mel had an excuse. The day before they flew to Xtreme they were in a pretty nasty car crash in Dubai. Seriously, how they wakeboarded I don't know. They were really, really lucky. Glad you're ok guys!

The Spain-Switzerland match was on when I was over there and Maria, the owner of the bar on the campsite had promised us a free bottle of wine to share between everyone in the bar for every goal Spain won by. Given there were three of us in the bar to start with this was looking like a pretty good deal! So we were all painted up in Spanish colours looking forward to a few free drinks. We were only missing one thing... any goals from Spain. It was a sad day- Spain lost. But we made the most of it anyway! After Steve spending all afternoon on his own in the bar to make sure it stayed open until Leila, D and I got back from our afternoon sets we certainly weren't going to waste it just because Spain didn't win! So after many (many many many) beers and a few rounds of suspicous (but free) shots we finally called it a night, well in the bar anyway. Party continued in D and Georges cabin and at some point the dock.... it's a little bit hazy but it was a good night anyway! For the most part.

Spain was great this time around. Was a little worried about going back on my own as the last time I did I was the only person staying on site and there wasn't much craic. This time was the complete opposite! Cheers to all the guys there who made it such good craic, the dutch- Leila and Menno and the Dubai guys, Steve & Kate and Mel as well as the english who's names I forget! Oops! Was great meeting you all! Hope you're all up for September- two weeks this time since Mel's coming all the way from Oz! ;) And of course cheers to Rob and D for coaching and Clare for her superior driving skills! Just remember- A.B.C. for driving in Spain...... Anyone But Claire!! ;)

the dock at Xtreme Gene

So in summary Spain was great. Really missed some people not being there though. Next time 42! We'll make it there someday! :)

J xx

Happy Birthday!

Just a little blog to say Happy Birthday to my best friend :) Hope you had a really really great day with the little munchkin. I hope you have the best year with her, you deserve it after everything that's happened.

I wish I could have been there today! Your present will have to keep for a while yet. I'll keep it safe 'til then...

Happy Birthday x

J xx

Goodbye QUB...almost!

I thought a post was a little overdue but I haven't really being doing that much with my life to warrant one. So what's being going on recently... Well, I had my last exam at uni...ever! Well, I say 'ever' but really I mean until I go back to do some other random degree instead of getting a job. But for now, exams are over. Usually the end of exams is accompanied by immense drinking sessions and days of lazing around doing nothing. Unfortunately we don't get this luxury as MSc students, we still have a lovely thesis to research and write over the summer. People may laugh at me for having to spend summer at uni but lets be honest- they're all just jealous. This means my time at QUB is almost over... slightly sad about that. Four years has been pretty epic here, especially the last two. Thanks to everyone who's made it that much better. Best year, ever. You know who you are.

Especially the lovely tramps. Who, even though the academic year is over, have not let this minor detail affect them and are continuing with our random Adventures! It changed to a Wednesday this week and was a pretty chilled out evening. Started out with Cat, Rob, Sarah and me headin to Crawfordsburn for a while and just chillin on the beach. Colum joined us eventually after having to ring for directions and getting lost even though he lives in Ards. So after that it was off to Ruby Palace and after we had realllly over stayed our welcome there it was down to Ballyholme til the sun went down. The sun was out, the water was nice (or cold according to the rest of them), the food was good and it was nice to see the tramps (even if some of them bailed- poor show Sharkey). Although I don't think i'd go back there with anyone again, especially Crawfordsburn. It's definitely a place to go with just some music, climb round the rocks and hide from the world.

Heading to Muckno tomorrow for their Open Day, a whole day of 'arms straight, knees bent' ... I can hardly wait. Ah no, it should be good but won't be anywhere near as good as last year. There'll be people missing this year who should be there :(

It's Wobsies birthday coming up soon so we're heading to Dublin next weekend for some trampy times. And then straight from Dublin to the airport, cause i'm off to Spain Sunday morning for a few days. Looking forward to getting away to the sun and finally getting back on the water for a while but it's a pity that there aren't a few more people going. I'll be sure to update you all of goings on on that trip!

And straight back for a weekend in Donegal with some tramps and surfers! Going to be an interesting few weeks! If i survive all that i'll let you's know how I get on!

J xx

Scientists and Crocodiles

So as a scientist I thought I would share something with you all. Not actual science (as I am still trying to forget anything to do with that after yesterdays exam), but along those lines...kinda. Ok, so not really but it has Scientist in the title so I say it counts!

The Scientist, one of Coldplays better known songs, is my absolute favourite song for a couple of reasons. I never really listened to it for a long time but it's definitely hit the top spot on my most played list in the past couple of years. I just saw a clip of them performing the song in Phoenix Park last September and remembering it made me smile a little so I thought i'd share with the world (or rather the lone person who might actually be reading this).

I wish I could go back to that concert in Phoenix Park.

I wish I could go back to the start xx

So here we go, exam season 2010 is just starting for me. Oh the joy. About to head for a 3 hourexam in Environmental Management & Conservation Biology. What's that I hear you ask? Am I not doing an MSc in Aquaculture & Fisheries? Why yes, yes I am. If you can figure out why I am doing an exam from a different freakin course please go right ahead... I believe this will be the definition of 'epic fail.'

Not just summer on the inside!!

So today it was not just summer on the inside but was actually summer! It was meant to start with a quick trip to Muckno cause there were people from a french tourist board coming down to the club. So there at 10.30am, leaving at 12 and in the library by 1.30pm....


Well that was the plan. As usual it didn't work out exactly like I planned. And by 'exactly' i mean at all. I say it every time I go to Muckno and i'll say it again, that place is a complete black hole for time!! 'I'll just go for an hour...' Five hours later i'm still there. But today it was different. Because today was summer. It's so rare for summer to be on a weekend day (it's usually on a Wednesday in this country) that I decided to make the most of it. And seriously, who would turn down a day at the lake it looks like this...

NOT ME!!

So anyway, had a quick run, was a fun set even though I didn't really land much. So fun that it deserves a smiley face :) Oh and almost landed that hs3, had the handle and everything. Boo-urns. Although I did throw a pretty good tantrum after. I realise that will probably make no sense to most of you but oh well!

The only downside to the day was the bird/mutant bug/UFO that decided to hit my windscreen on the way down the M1 and put a friggin crack in it :( Although the picture has one good side- look at the awesome blue sky!!

It was a pure beaut day. Fact. And I will land that bloody 3 soon.

xx

P.S. I found the driver for that little car ;) I'll keep it safe for you!

Like the Wheels on the Bus...

Ever have one of those days where you spend all day thinking about things you shouldn't? Things just going round and round in your head until it all blurs together and you can't think straight anymore? Well that's been me today. It's actually been more for a while but today was a record I think. Now this is a bad thing for loads of reasons but it's really bad given that I have an exam on Monday. Just to make that worse I got told last week that all the stuff I have been learning is irrelevant because i'm going to be an exam from a different course. Gotta love QUB!

Ugh. Back to the books. Fun times.

"New Album" ... eh, no actually.

Just been to Tescos and was amused by the sticker on Joshua Radins album 'Simple Times.' Apparently his album is new... i thought this too, last year! The guy's been around for a while, why are Tescos always so behind the times? Regardless of Tescos slowness it is a really great album. Great music for chilling out on a beach in Crawfordsburn or Donegal as I have done manys a time. So if you haven't listened to it before now, go and do it now. He's written some great lyrics and the music is awesome too. Enjoy!


"It's a brand new day,
For the first time in such a long, long time,
I know, i'll be ok."

It might even be true. I'll let you know someday.

xx




Brand New Day- Joshua Radin

Some kind of magic
Happens late at night
When the moon smiles down at me
And bathes me in its light.

I fell asleep beneath you
In the tall blades of grass.
When I woke the world was new.
I never had to ask.

It's a brand new day.
The sun is shinning.
It's a brand new day.
For the first time in such a long, long timeI know I'll be okay.

Most kind of stories
Save the best part for last.
And most stories have a hero who finds
You make your past your past.
Yeah, you make your past your past.

It's a brand new day.
The sun is shinning.
It's a brand new day.
For the first time in such a long, long time
I know I'll be okay.

This cycle never ends.
Gotta fall in order to mend.

It's a brand new day.
It's a brand new day.
For the first time in such a long, long timeI know I'll be okay.

It starts...

Hello there bloggers, non-bloggers and all you other people NOT sitting on a cushion!! (i'll give a cookie to anyone who can name the film i've robbed that quote from?)

Well it has happened. I have succumbed to peer pressure. These surfers really are a bad influence! Imagine encouraging someone to start a blog the week before exams! How inconsiderate of them, really! Or they know how close to insanity I am having to look at pictures of and books about all manner of things in the grand old oceans, in which case all i can say it 'Thank You!!' So Gina and Cravis, it will be on your heads if I fail my exams but at least my sanity is still (somewhat) intact! A large proportion was lost when I joined the Surf Club this year but what remains is safe...for a while anyway.

So as this is my first venture into the blogging world I thought i'd give you a few highlights from the past few months in the world of me.

First of all (because I think they'd kill me if it wasn't first) is Surf Club. After always wanting to learn how to surf I decided to join QUB Surf Club. And it was the best decision ever because, in the words of Gina McCune, "Surf Club has become my absolute favourite" (well, my joint favourite with the Tramps!). I soon realised that Surf Club came with a 'surfing optional' clause which may sound bad but has just made us a more rounded group of amazing athletes! Why limit ourselves to just surfing trips when we could also be amazingly awesome at ice-skating, acting like kids in Indiana Land, skateboarding and wakeboarding. In fact in recent months there has been very little (some would say none at all) surfing involved in QUB Surf Club! But regardless of that fact they are a great group of people, again the word 'favourite' will be used.


One of my fellow surfers, GinaG suggested I use this blog to record all the times I shout at JJ, but I figured I would never stop and I don't know if the world could take that much blogging so I shall limit myself to one insult/joke/telling off etc per surf club related post.
"There was five in the bed and the little one said...Get out James."

On an aside, Rachel Davis is very annoying. Learn some patience woman!!

I fear I would never stop writing about the awesomeness of the surf club so I shall leave it there...for now. No doubt there will be many fun filled posts about them in the future.


And of course there is the Tramps- also known as QUB Trampoline Club. Ah it's been a great 3 years guys! Well...i think it has! So many memories, not all of them completely clear though. Varsities, ISTO's, SSTO's and of course Bouncy Balls and random nights out. The less said about these the better I think, but a quick rundown includes certain tramps relieving themselves in fireplaces, being propositioned by random Scottish Poles, ALOT of random drunkeness, 'tryingo to sleepo'...ah well, there's alot. But it's all good because when things get bad we'll all just remember to chillax...... Thanks Sharkey!! ;) Although one of the best nights has to be the antics following our wonderfully well attended AGM. To start it was straight to the Eg and I would like to say whoever thought of 6 shots for £6 was pure evil. And when Colum Miskelly tells you to leave your dignity at home- listen! Some people didn't and they quickly checked their dignity in with their coats...a wise plan. Of course, given that it was a tramp night we eventually moved to the tramps home, Rain. And... well, it was no doubt the messiest night of the tramp year and maybe the less said the better but it was an epic ending.

Ah Trampy Adventure Fridays also rock. There shall be entire blogs about them too so I shall leave it for another time.


This has been a very long post and I don't think I have actually said anything.... Oh well, i'll make the rest of it really quick. Went to QUB for three years, graduated with an honours degree in Marine Biology. Like to wakeboard at Muckno and wakeboarders are great people.


If you got this far I have to congratulate you because even I don't know what i've said and I don't have much intention of going back to find out. No doubt now I have put everyone off ever reading my blog again so now I can write whatever the heck I want- I suppose that takes the pressure off!!

Back to the books.... I hate fish.
Probably should have realised this sooner.