SUMMER 2011; A Brief Overview.

With my exams having just started yesterday, I can assure you that I am already well and truly exhausted.  Like many bloggers, my time is currently limited and I'm finding it difficult to squeeze in posts.  This overload of academia (ugh) leaves me fantasising about the long summer days to come, and the hours I can fill doing pretty much whatever I please.
Here are a few of my ideas:

Working at Office;

I just found out on Wednesday that I got a job at Office on Grafton St., which of course I am very pleased about.  Obviously it means I won't get to see my family as much as I would have liked, but my job is only part-time which means that I'll hopefully still have time to pop down to Cork and visit them.  My first shift is this Sunday from 12-3.

Spain with Peter;
This year I really wanted a relaxing holiday, and Spain sounds absolutely perfect.  I'll hopefully be staying in the Costa Brava area which is quite close to Barcelona.

Moving into my first apartment;

Though I'm still hunting for the perfect apartment or house with two of my friends, I'm really excited at the prospect of moving in in the next month or two.  I can't believe I'm actually old enough to be looking at properties!

Taking driving lessons;
I'm a pretty good driver, but I feel that I should take some lessons before I attempt the big test.  It would be great if I could pass my test this summer before all these disgusting new rules start applying to me (my provisional license runs out in August.)

My little car

Going to a lot of gigs;

If you're a regular reader, you know by now how much I love live music.  This summer, I hope to go to a good few concerts.  This will begin with Sufjan Stevens (I love him) on May 18th- the tickets were my year anniversary present from Peter, and I cannot wait.

I'll also be playing in Forbidden Fruit festival on the Sunday with Trinity Orchestra which I'm really excited about.

Reading lots of books;

I'm usually a huge bookworm, but this year I really haven't gotten the chance to be.  First on my list?  Finish Brighton Rock.  I'll continue from there, I have volumes of unread books to enjoy.

Clearing out my wardrobe;
I have so many things in my wardrobe which I never wear.  Most of it is quite good quality however, so I'll be donating it to charity.

Spending time with my friends;

Many of my close friends live in Cork, and I don't get to see them as much as I would like.  Hopefully this summer I can have people to stay all the time, as I will have a spare room in my apartment.  I'm really looking forward to catching up and having a few good nights out.

I'm really looking forward to summer, even if it is comprised of a lot of relaxing, with a couple of nice things here and there.  It will be a refreshing break after eight months of college.  
Roll on May 16th!

OSCAR Fingal O'Flahertie Wills WILDE; The Festival.

Call me a clichéd literature enthusiast, but Oscar Wilde has always been exceptionally highly ranked as far as my writers of preference go.  An author who, in my opinion, can travel with one from early childhood to the depths of old age, Wilde's aestheticism, artistic characteristics, sheer talent and wit are just the tip of the iceberg as far as my captivation goes.  The first book of Wilde's I ever picked up was a collection of his short stories given to me by my grandparents as a small child, and it is safe to say that I never looked back.  Not for one moment.  One of my best purchases of recent years was 'The Collected Works of Oscar Wilde' which sits beautifully upon my book shelf, and is certainly a staple item to my library.

Of course it is not only my love for Wilde which has inspired me to write this post, but also the fact that I am currently a student in the University to which Wilde is an alumnus.  Amazing?  I think so too.  Because I'm only in first year, everything about Trinity is still so majestically new to me.  The campus is still in possession of all it's awe and wonder, some of which is possibly lost for second, third or fourth years.  Needless to say, I was both awestruck and overjoyed to discover that Trinity had an entire festival dedicated to such an icon.

Tonight, Rupert Everett will open the festival, and this will be followed by 'The Trials of Oscar Wilde', both in the GMB, and both of which I hope to attend.  Players Theatre will be showing "Jack and Algernon", "The Importance of Being Earnest", "The Happy Prince" and "Lady Wilde" all week, and these performances will be complimented by Wilde readings, debates and nights out.  I, for one, simply cannot wait for the festivities to get into full swing; it is certainly fitting to organise such a tribute to one of the most crucial advocates of English literature.  Enjoy!