The start of the beginning...getting to Irealand

So I know I have been lagging on the updates but I have been without computer for the last week since my arrival into Dublin and my quick departure across the pond to Paris. So let me catch you up from the start...
LEAVING SAN DIEGO (DEC. 29, 2008)
After what seemed a restless night from constantly fighting with my eyelids to stay shut and my mind to stop racing, I awake to the blaring of my alarm and head out of the house with my parents to the San Diego airport for my 8 a.m. flight. I suddenly feel relieved to be flying (on time) to Chicago for my connecting flight into Dublin when we witness crowds of people hours delayed to fly into Denver. Considering it's the Monday morning after the Chargers won the playoff spot to Denver I'm sure no incoming flights from sunny So Cal were very welcome (Poor sports!). Check in went smoothly considering United Airlines had no idea what to do with me since they couldn't access my work visa and verify my extended stay was legal. When the check in lady finally decided it would just be another person's problem and after about six attempts to get both my suitcases under 50pounds, I was golden. Then, after tearful goodbyes I made my way through security, turning around every five steps to wave goodbye to the two people standing behind me who looked more nervous than I was but tried to hide it. After the last familiar face disappeared from below the escalator I found my gate and waited for my flight to Chicago, both relieved to be flying there instead of Denver but at the same time putting all my luck into the hope that once I landed I'd be able to leave...
CHICAGO
After landing in Chicago around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, I was amazed of the scenery outside the airplane window. This was not the airport I had seen on the news the week before even the one my parents were almost eaten alive in and trapped for hours by the outside weathering conditions. No, this place was sunny. Warm even. Not a drop of ice, snow or even fearful cloud in the sky. What were people talking about?? It was like Chicago got relocated to California and I went in some crazy black hole and ended up back in SD. Yes, I got lucky(....so lucky indeed that the weather gods decided to come back and haunt me almost exactly a week later: i.e. see entry "Planes, Trains and multiple automobile HELL") After a three hour layover I boarded my sever hour flight and within an hour of taking off I instantly wished I could dose myself in Tylenol PM.
DUBLIN (DEC. 30, 2008)
I landed into the Dublin airport just before 8 a.m. "Irish time" and wanted nothing more than to sleep my way through the new year. The term jet lag doesn't even compare to
the massive throbbing in my head, pain in my back and irritated attitude I had. After convincing immigration I wasn't a threat and my work visa really was legitimate, I stumbled to baggage claim. Now, I'd like to think that I'm a pretty optimistic person but somehow all my good luck so far was kinda creeping me out and I was convinced it would come crumbling down here at baggage claim. Then within minutes I see my big pink and blue suitcases come plopping down the "luggage-go-round" and felt more relief. So far only my lack of sleep and one busted zipper handle that somehow got broken off during the flight seemed to be against me. Too lucky. I made my way to the airport shuttle and within 20 minutes I was in the city.
THE NEVER ENDING DAY (DEC. 30...still)
Since the shuttle didn't stop at my exact location (that would have just been eerie lucky) I was attempting to memorize its every direction and street turn once we past my hostel so I would be able to retrace the buses direction. Of course in a city with no street signs, cobblestone sidewalks and streets appearing in every direction out of no where you can see how my ability to find my way was difficult. Now add two 50 pound suitcases, one fifteen pound backpacking bag, one computer bag and a really bad lack of sleep it becomes even easier to get lost. And so it began. It only took me about 20 minutes to realize I was walking in circles and had no idea where to go, yet was so close I knew I was right near my hostel. And when I say circles I mean that by the third time I passed the same bum I thought he was about to throw his begging money at me to get off my stubbornness and get a taxi. I avoided eye contact the third time just in case euros went flying. Finally, a sweet elderly woman who I'm sure felt beyond bad for me helped look at my map and explained exactly where I needed to go. She was so thoughtful in fact that she gave me the most scenic route around the large university which falls almost in the center of Dublin, Trinity College. By the time I was about to make the next cobblestone turn my arms gave out and I opted to flagging down a taxi. I was over being "that person" who looks so out of place and brought WAY to much stuff with them. Now in good-old-Ireland most taxis will only pick you up at a taxi rank and waving your arms frantically like in New York City will only get you honks and more weird stares. After getting a taxi to help me out I was not surprised to find that I paid him 4.80 Euro to only take me around the corner! No joke. So after finally arriving I was so excited to climb into a hostel bed and nap my life away. But no. It was now just before 10 a.m. and I had to wait until 2 p.m. to get a room. So I hauled my luggage into the storage room and moped my way out into the city in hopes of staying awake until I could have my room to sleep. Many coffee's later, one castle, a cathedral, a thousand wrong turns and a medieval Dublin experience later I found my way back to my hostel for bed. By this time I had to be at the bus station at 5 a.m. the following morning to make my flight to Paris to meet up with friends for the new year. With this on my mind of course I was not able to sleep for more than a combined two hours and by 3:30 a.m. I was up and getting ready for my departure out of this Irish land and into a country I wouldn't be able to talk my way out of a bag....