Aaron Donohoe

Well I’ve broken my voluntary silence, but another milestone has just been accomplished. I’ve graduated from secondary school – I am no longer a Leaving Cert student per se – although the Leaving Cert is truly upon me, breathing down my neck like a pervert with bad sinus problems.

I’ve truly enjoyed my 6 years at The Donahies. It’s been six years of mixed emotions: mostly happiness, nostalgia, & craic! At times I loved my time there, and other times I just had enough of the place. I’d be lying if I said I won’t miss the place. I will miss it’s corridors, where your shoes would squeak on the polished flooring, I will miss the banter between everyone at the lunch table, I will miss the teachers and how most would go above and beyond to bail you out, I will miss counting the minutes for the bell to null the final class on a Friday to a close, I will miss the craic we would get out of the simplest things, I will miss meeting and greeting everyone in the mornings, & I will miss the cozyness of the school enviroment – as now I’m out on my own

It would be true to say, that this years Leaving Cert year were the laziest in the schools 32 year history, although I would tend to say laid back and relaxed more so than lazy! Although when it comes to the crunch we get things done, we seldom disappoint. The writing will be on the wall in August when we’re opening our results! That moment when I open that gummed envelope will be one of anticipation, anxiety, worry, & relief! Whatever the outcome I’ll know that I’ve done my best. Even though I haven’t prepared as much as I’d liked, I have a feeling that I’ve a fair grasp on things. I react well under pressure, so I should be able to pull some half decent results out of the bag in August and ensure my six years at The Donahies have not gone by in vain.

The six years have flown. First to Third year was filled with getting my bearings, keeping my head down and having a massive culture shock – coming from a Catholic National School into a diverse Secondary School of all Nationalities & Religions, having to manage my own timetable and change classes multiple times per day! Third year seen the Junior Cert – and when I first started blogging on my own domain (!), Transition & Fifth Year seen my lazy streak become apparent, and Sixth year was filled full of worry, nostalgia, work, craic, drinking, driving, exams, maturity & relief!

Suscipere et Finire.

The past week has been absolutely exhausting, easily the busiest week I’ve had this year — tonight is the only night this week I’ve had to relax and not have to worry about anything due or incomplete!

My first hurdle of the week was getting my LCVP portfolio completed, as I actually worked this year I was able to complete it in ample time and focus on some of the finer details such as presentation. Others who had a lackadaisical approach to their portfolio, have been running frantically around trying to meet the deadline which was 4pm this evening. I also had the privilege (!) of being the first one to take my LCVP recorded interview on Thursday morning, which went quite well and only took one take — although it took a while to setup the camera.

I was also granted the privilege of being the 3rd candidate for my French orals which took place on Wednesday. I got through it well, although I thought the examiner was a bit too into it. Instead of giving me a question like “Decrivez vous” (Describe yourself), he asked very specific questions and was a bit sarcastic too. Either way, it’s done and dusted now, no point dwelling on the past. I’ve now got my Irish Oral, French Oral & LCVP portfolio complete, so I’m just about ready for D-day in June. However, I’ve yet to complete my History project

Luckily, I’ve two weeks to get the remainder of my History project done, as well as the mountain of study I’ve to wade through. But for now, I’m relaxing with the laptop, and the Empire of the Sun’s album catching up on my RSS feeds and emails.

I’m a little stressed at the moment, hence why my usual noise on Twitter has been quenched for a while, as my patience is nil and I’m even more irritable then usual. I usually get like this around exam time, it’s natural, everyone handles stress differently. I haven’t snapped at anybody yet, people understand the stress myself and every other students are under. Understandably I’m becoming a bit of a hermit for the next two months – just to put the remaining effort in required to get me through the exams and due to the fact that I’ve so much stuff due in the next week, such as LCVP portfolio due next Friday, LCVP interview on Tuesday, French orals on Wednesday, History project to be submitted for review next Friday, and the jostling of levels to ensure that I can obtain the points required for college. It’s all quite stressful, and it all comes at once.

I’m getting through my study, I’m not doing as much as some. I haven’t the concentration levels to put in 4 hours per night. On a good night I’ll put in 2 good hours – 3 if I have a half day. I’m just reviewing my mock results at the moment, they’re here on the desk beside me. I failed HL Accounting, miserably. I did excellent in English, French, Business & History. I got through Irish okay, and Maths needs work. 7 weeks to pull up my socks. If I don’t it’ll be a lonely day in August when I open that envelope.

Thinking about it, I’ve only got 3 weeks of classes left. Considering next week I finish up this term on Friday evening, and don’t return until the 21st of April means that there is only a month until I graduate on the 21st of May -  discount a week for preparations for the graduation and it leaves just 3 weeks of formal classes left. When things are put into that perspective — time is definitely on the line.

What I wouldn’t give to be in Transition Year again.

I’ve been mentally planning this post for quite a while. I haven’t had the chance to write it, as recently I’ve been so busy with Leaving Cert related bits and pieces. Quite simply, it’s become priority and has pretty much consumed a large portion (if not all) of my free time. Blogging & online time has gone out the window, I’m still active on Twitter thanks to the laptop and iPhone and frequent mini-breaks. Whereas my school-day used to end at 3:50pm, with an hour or two of homework/study at home and having the evening to myself seems like quite a luxury now. My school-day now extends to 7:00/7:30pm with After School Study (A.S.S.), and an hour or two (maybe three) afterwards to finish any homework or study.

I’m pacing myself at present, as I don’t want to burn out with regards energy and motivation. It’s getting testing, especially with my schools theory’s of motivation. Most of us in the class received phone calls home saying that we weren’t trying hard enough and that we’ll fail etc. and that we should be doing more study and trying harder. Well, I regret to inform them that for the most part we are putting the effort in, doing the required study, homework and giving it a fair bash. Whether the Christmas results reflect that or not is a different story. Upon my return home it’s usually food, back to the books, check email, shower, and have an hour or two to myself before heading to bed. Pretty dull!

I have to admit, my results weren’t the best, I wouldn’t have a song and dance over them, but I don’t think they reflect the amount of work which I am putting in. I admit that I am a lazy bastard, I’d much prefer to sit on my arse and do feck all, but I’ve drummed into my head that I’ve only 4 months left – 4 months left of school, 4 months left of studying many subjects which I despise, 4 months of the Irish education system (it isn’t the worst I suppose). From herein, there’ll be no partaying (heavily!), no slacking and just getting the head down. Just to remind myself – 4 MONTHS!

Coupled with the pressure of studying, is the pressure of the CAO and other various forms of multiple uses. I’ve already filled my CAO out, I’ve partially completed my courses – I’m stilling mulling quite a few of them over. Presently I’m hoping for either Enterprise Computer or Business Information Systems in either DCU or NCI. I’ve various other forms to fill out for many other courses (just to have a backup) and of course I’ve yet to forfeit the fee for having the pleasure of sitting the Leaving Cert.

I suppose I’m just having a moan about the Leaving Cert and school in general, I’ll thank myself for completing it someday. I should savour these days, the days of having everything handed to me on a plate by teachers, the craic we have with the teachers (especially with Pete & Mick) and just having the safety net of knowing what I’m doing every September, I’ve done the same thing every year for the 14 years of my school career – a life sentence!

Today was my first day back after a week or so off dying with a chest infection, and man flu. Had to go in today to pay off the first installment for Debs tickets (not for another year though!), and I thought I had missed way too much, plus I’m nearly recovered – I’m rarely coughing up my lungs now!

Anyway, morning was okayish. Had an early lunch due to last class before lunch being a free and the year head turning a blind eye to going home. Returned well fueled in the afternoon, which was when things started to really piss me off.

English, as I was absent and out of contact due to being bedridden I couldn’t get the previous nights homework. I usually would in other circumstances, but in this case I hadn’t. The teacher also kept badgering on, trying to make a show of me and others. By the end of the class I went from being quite happy and jolly to wanting to stick a screwdriver into the side of the old bags head.

Rest of classes weren’t great, but weren’t too bad – I would have settled with just jumping on the bonnet of their cars as revenge. Accounting was poxy though, it was last class, a free as teacher was away with the GAA team and just as we were to leave BIFF* walks in forces us to do work we had done previous. He fucks off after five minutes…we leave anyway.

Wasn’t the first day back I imagined. I was irritable, still sick, and had a throbbing headache. But tomorrow I’ve a day off to spend at the FÁS Higher Opportunities thingy in the RDS. Dunno why they gave us the day off, but who’s to complain?

Also, I’ll be changing the theme once more, the present one was uploaded by mistake so the intended one will go online whenever.

*BIFF – Vice Principal, stands for Big Ignorant Fat Fuck.

The great thing about being the Senior, is the Juniors in some way idolise you. Now I’m not talking about worship, I’m talking about respect – something which is lacking between peers in Dublin Secondary Schools to be frank. Although this years batch of First years seem to be more tame then last years, whom I had the misfortune of having to take charge of on more than one occasion – lets just say it turned me to drink!

One thing is though, they are lippy little fucks! When I was a first year, I used to be quiet, reserved, and didn’t give any lip. These, as soon as you try to restore some order they give you a mouthful of abuse! Of course it’s usually resolved with lifting one off the ground and putting him into a bin ‘carefully placing him elsewhere’. Not that I condone bullying, or violence!

But it’s good to be back I must admit. It’s nice to restore some order and routine back into my life, which during the summer involved lots of staying up until the wee hours, sleeping late, and just being a waste of space in town, or at a friends house (I tried to get a summer job – to no avail).

Going back felt like nothing changed, there was some surrealism as when we goto class we sit in the same places we always sit, the teachers continue from exactly the point from where we left off, but there has been some changes such as classes starting and finishing 5 minutes early, some new teachers (new English, religion, careers & French teachers for my subjects).

Also, to my surprise, the teachers haven’t been badgering on constantly about the Leaving Cert – Study Study Study – your life ends here and so on. They’ve been acknowledging it, saying what we’ve to expect on the paper but nothing yet about study structure or anything. But I suppose we haven’t yet started anything. The first week is more to orientate and to get yourself sorted out.

I’ve also learned that some teachers read this blog on a regular basis – so I’ll have to be on my best behaviour and keep my tongue in my cheek

Yes the rat race has begun – officially! Today was my first day back as a 6th year, the final rum in my publically funded education – following this we’re released into the real world to fend for ourselves – be it in work, college or being on of those free loaders who want to go travelling for a year! Despite the occasion it was a normal day – albeit a half one!

The first official day back was last Tuesday, although it was just to get timetables and the ‘speech’ – basically it’s the most predictable talk about how important this year is and so on…like everyone hasn’t been saying that to us already!

Anyway, it’s good to be back – into some routine! The only downside is having to get up early in the morning…

It’s the Irish Syndrome to complain about a holiday when you get back to head straight for the nearest bar for ‘proper’ pint of Guinness – no more of that limp wristed fairy juice they pump you with over in Spain! But I will deviate slightly from expectations! So why am I showboating so much about the holiday well – forseeable this will be my last holiday away with the family and my last abroad holiday for atleast a year! So I’m savouring it!

Anyway, had a great flight over – Airline food was actually edible, got in on time and got bags nice and early before catching a coach to the appartment. Checked in and by that time it was 10 o’clock so went for Italian meal at a nearby restaurant.

The next few days were a blur of monotonus relaxation poolside of trapsing through the array of shops – all selling the same cheap tat. Although the only places where you could get quality goods was on the Spanish equivilant of Grafton Street. The only splurges which I had were on my obligatory Hugo Boss and a fancy Casio watch which set me back €130 – but as the sales woman said ‘you pay for quality’, to my response was I don’t want to pay that much! But she twisted my arm and I endulged!

Another source of tat is the numerous illegitimate stalls, which if you show any sign of interest will not let up until they part you with your money – I learned that hard way with a stall owner, when returning to the apartment I glanced at a stall with fake-poorly imitated watches and handbags. I displayed a morsel of interest in a watch to which the guy wanted €45, to which I responded I wasn’t interested. A mini-arguement ensued when I wanted to leave and he kept throwing prices at me for this watch. Eventually I gave him €20 for the watch – just to get him out of my face! And don’t just think this is an isolated business tactic, it’s plagued all around Spain – just bear in mind none of them are there to serve you, they’re there to rip you off!

Another thing which ripped me off was the amusement machines, such as grabbers, and various other point and shoot thingys. There was one which was a 3 pixel ‘snake’ going across a line of 7 pixels. You initially stopped it and then another ‘snake’ started above the one you just stopped and you had to match them. This went on until before the marker for ‘minimum prize’ when the snake reduced to 2 pixels and speeds increased. When you reached the mimimum prize mark you had the option of taking it or continueing for a maximum prize which was a Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, or iPod Touch. So I treid this 5 times and got to just before the maximum marker where just after the mimimum marker the snake reduced to 1 pixel. On the last line on many attempts when I hit the stop button the snake would stop momentarilty on the point (where I would have won a DS, PSP or iPod) but would suddenly skip so I would leave empty handed. I noticed this on the first attempt and four more later backed this up!

But aside from the local ‘Del Boy’ ripping you off, Spain is a great country – which I really enjoyed. The locals are warm and welcoming – it’s just a little intimidating when you’ve a guy screaming at you and you haven’t a fiddlers about what he’s talking about! We even met a few Irish & English people who we got on exceptionally well with. We even had a pet in the apartment – a Gecko I named Eddy!

All in all it was a fantastic holiday, it’s nice to get away, but it’s even better to be back home – with proper food, drink, a proper bed and more imporantly a propwer QWERTY keyboard!

The only downside was the fact I had to go in for a meeting in school on Tuesday morning, but I didn’t get back until 1am this morning which made me a day late! So I’m taking today to relax, recouperate and get some supplies before heading back to the grind on Thursday morning!

Well after thousands of leaving cert students have been gnawing in anticipation at the bit in anticipation over getting their results all come to end this morning when the results were handed out. Some were ecstatic with their overly joyous outcome and I’m sure some slipped away quietly having not achieved what they wanted.

Although luckily everyone I know who patiently awaiting their results did exceptionally well. Some got way better results then they thought, especially Mark Walsh who got an astounding 510 points out of a maximum 600! Congrats Mark!

So I’ll expect to be invited into town this evening to share in the celebratory occasion – and rightly so, they should get absolutely ‘Gee-Eyed‘ (excuse the expression) as the stress in the run upto the exams as well as during them I’m sure is immense.

Unfortunately, I won’t be celebrating this year. I’ve to wait for another year before I can truly celebrate. Come September my epic journey to ‘The Leaving’ will begin – I’m not nervous, more eager. I kind of do and don’t want to leave school – I do want to get into college/work to start my life as I want, doing something I enjoy, I don’t want to leave so many friends (although remaining in contact and going for the obligatory pint in Doyles will suffice!), I like the childish, immature craic we have in class and I’ll really miss the teachers and tutors who have been great craic over the years – so come August 28th I’ll be savouring everything and anything!

Have a drink from me guys

It is with great relief that I can say that I’m a free man for three months! I finished up for the last time on Thursday with Business – both History & Business exams went very well in my opinion, came out of both of them after an hour and a bit really happy with what I submitted.

Of course, here I am whining about a few summer assessment exams, while there are Leaving Cert students nationwide who are pulling their hair out and cramming those last bits in! I have a few friends who are doing the Leaving Cert this year, although they are grand on the facade, they are pretty stressed and worried. I’ve only done my Junior Cert a few years ago, and found you calm down after the first exam – although it could be a different story with the Leaving Cert, as unlike the Junior Cert you’ve to study for it!

As soon as I was finished, I was ushered into work by ‘the boss‘. He had bought two new coaches and had no one to help move them, although I haven’t a license for a bus, I have got one for a car. So my job was to drop him to the dealer to pick up the first bus, and follow him to our depot, then do the same for the second one. I felt very honoured, as not everyone is allowed to drive Steve’s classic S-Class Merc!

I’m presently waiting for a few call backs on job applications, I’ve put a few fingers in some pies, as I want to make some money this summer. I now own more vehicles then I did last summer, so that means more expense. I also have the burden of Car Insurance, increases in Petrol prices (although I’m considering getting a Diesel) and I’ve to pay more for my hosting as I’m presently moving all my websites onto a new hosting account – a master reseller account.

Also, you may note I’m somewhat getting into this Twitter thing. I’m presently experimenting on some services and plugins for Twitter, such as Twitterfone and Twitterfox. There are more, but I’ve either dumped them or haven’t yet tried them, I have intentions on doing a review on them shortly.