Potluck Sundays

After all of the excitement of yesterday, today was a nice, easy day. I slept in a little late (because I was up so late last night making my blog!), bought some ingredients for my potluck dishes, then read a book while I baked cookies and fudge. It was very relaxing and nice to have time to think to myself without tons of people around.

At 5:30, Miriam, Jackie, and I walked over to Alice and Courtney's apartment with our dessert dishes. Alice made this delicious chicken and potato stew and biscuits, so we really had quite a grand little feast. It was so wonderful to have real, homemade food again! Normally, I just buy whatever is cheapest at the store--so my meals tend to be pasta, sandwiches, cereal, or random microwavable things. I brought home a bunch of leftovers with me, so I can continue to enjoy some pie and stew tomorrow!

Next week we're going to host the dinner at Jackie and Miriam's place (which is in the same apartment complex as my flat), but we haven't decided what the theme will be yet. So far, suggestions have included:

• Taco night
• Irish food night
• Italian food night
• Dessert bar
• Chinese food night (there's one right across the street from my flat)

We've still got lots of Sundays left, though, so we should be able to get through them all. Also, we want to start inviting Irish people, and most of the Irish people we know have never had macaroni and cheese. I volunteered to make it sometime and they're all going to have to try it! One of the guys who lives with Alice and Courtney has never had grilled cheese, either. I could go for some comfort food like that!

I made a wonderful discovery at the grocery store today--they DO have hot dogs here! I couldn't find them for the past two weeks and have been eating sausages instead. But oh no, they're hidden away in the top shelf of the farthest aisle, and I'm totally getting some tomorrow. I can't wait to have more excuses to eat ketchup!

Besides that, nothing else really happened today. I am officially wearing my last pair of underwear and socks, and really all of my other clothes are dirty too. Unfortunately, the washing machine is still broken... I'm either going to have to buy some clothes tomorrow or find a laundromat. I guess there's one across the street, but it's 9 euro per load ($13.50). Amanda, one of my American suitemates, says she'll go together with me if we go to the laundromat; we'd each pay half (I guess the machines are big enough for all of our laundry together). It's probably going to come down to that. I just want some clean clothes--and a working washer!

I have to get ready for classes tomorrow, so for now I'll say good night!