*insert clever introduction here*

Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome…

How wonderful it is to begin at last. In truth, I am FREAKING OUT. This feels like an exam, except maybe worse, because instead of some unknown educator in twinset and pearls I am examined by my own peers. Ah but I am overreacting. Maybe it’s because I’m too conditioned to everything I write being handed back to me complete with speckles of red pen and a 10 minute long lecture on my errors (in that shout-whisper teachers are so awfully good at, the kind that carries throughout the room.)

On top of all that, I’ve completely forgotten how to be cool, so you’ll have to forgive me.

My name is Valerie (like the song) and I’m from Mayo. Ballina to be exact. Oh Ballina. A town steeped in history and culture, it’s inhabitants do their level best to uphold traditional values and rituals, such as the weekly pilgrimmage to the only local nightclub followed by the trip to Supermacs at 3am to indulge in “a fan a’Canta and a cheeshburger, thanguverrmush.” That’s great and all, but I’ve had cabin fever for like 5 years now. Though I hate to be so excited at the prospect of leaving home, I’m almost hopping with anticipation of the changes college life will bring.

Aha. I’m counting my chickens, as I am wont to do. I have the small matter of the Leaving Cert to get over with before any changes can occur. I just got back my results from the Christmas tests and well, as they say, that put the shkids under me. Not that I’m doing terribly in any of my 7 subjects – English, Irish, Maths, French, History, Art and Music – but I’m going to have to put in some hard slog if I’m to get what I want, which is 475 points to study Journalism in DCU. On the other hand, I could just throw in the towel and head off to Disneyworld and be a princess for the rest of my life, or at least until I get old enough to be demoted to wicked witch. Not hard to spot which one is more appealing.

My little bio on the introduction post describes me thus: From Mayo, has two other people in her history class including the teacher, loves music and singing.
I wonder. Is this enough to entice people to my blog? (My blooooog. What a horrible word, sounds like someone about to be sick, hi wait a minute i just want to go update my blooooooooog) It’s pretty accurate, anyhow. Yes, there is a grand total of two students in my history class and yes, I adore music and singing. I hate to say this as it’s sickeningly cliche, but music is my life. Seriously, it’s true: without music I would have no confidence and no friends and therefore no life. It’s more than just a pastime. This past summer, I travelled to Los Angeles with a bunch of other likeminded freundlings to compete in the World Championships of Performing Arts (look it up!) It was single handedly the most amazing experience of my life. Along with meeting loads of lovely people from many different countries, I came home with two gold medals and one silver in singing and acting and my choral group, Realta, won the status of Senior Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World 2009. It’s a mouthful, but we were/are totally chuffed.

I’m also pretty chuffed with this post, considering it’s taken me three tries to get this far (WordPress is a tricky bastard.) To the other bloggers: I’m very excited to get to know y’all, and also to find out whether I was the only one who basically attacked the computer every day since November to see if I got an email (yes yes lahoooser I am.) This could be the first post of the class of 2009/2010 due to my almost idiotic enthusiasm but I can’t help it, I’m jumping at the chance to flex my scrawny journalistic muscles and possibly reel in a few readers for myself. Wishful thinking? Meh. (Also, the anonymous blogger idea is GOLD. Why didn’t I think of that? *shakes fist at MisterX*) Hope you enjoy the bloooog, even if it is just to have a laugh at my expense. 😛 Here’s to a good year.

Valerie