The Silent Killer

It was Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week this week. Known as "The Silent Killer" (it has no smell, taste or colour), carbon monoxide can be produced when any fuel is burnt, including oil, gas, wood and coal. Every year people die or are seriously injured from CO poisoning in their homes or rented accommodation. It could be you. But unlike the Lotto, you don't want it to be. So be sure to Remember, Remember, Remember and know the Danger Signs that mean you could be at risk of this deadly gas.

 - Posted by Ciara

Phew! It's been a busy week

Phew! It's been a busy week health what with the Volunteer Fair and World Contraceptive Day on Wednesday, and now we have  World Heart Day and The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge coming up tomorrow.

Did you know that despite the many benefits to both baby and mother, Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world? Or that you’re never too young to start looking after your heart? Well now you do, so start looking after it now! 

And remember, NUIG is a breastfeeding-friendly campus but if you do want a quiet space for you and your baby or to express milk, then the Relaxation Room at the back of Wellness Centre at the back of The Hub / AnBaile Beag  is available for you – for details contact the Wellness centre at 091 494221.

For details on World Heart Day see www.irishheart.ie & www.croi.ie

For more on The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge see www.friendsofbreastfeeding.ie www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingChallengeIreland

-      Posted by Ciara

Galway Sea Monsters!

Tonight a parade of sea monsters will whoosh along the perimeter of the shoreline to arrive at The Galway Bay Hotel at 6.15pm. This menagerie will include a giant sea-spider, a hungry vulture, a sea-weed monster, several mackerel, a pirate boat and the Atlantic Pirates in person.

Starting at 5.15pm at Spanish Arch, the Sea-monsters parade will arrive at Galway Bay Hotel at 6.15pm

Presented by Colours Street Theatre and created by James Fleming especially for Sea2Sky 2012

- Posted by Rab  

Active Travel in Galway - Walking & Cycling

Travelling by car in Galway can be frustrating. Finding parking in town or on campus can be a nightmare! Travelling by bus is generally easier but there is an even more fun – and by far cheaper - way of getting about the city. It is called Active Travelling, which means simply walking or cycling to NUI Galway.  

The benefits are not only financial. Being moderately active for thirty minutes a day can help you to be healthier in body and mind. It's not that difficult. Short bouts of at least 10 minutes can be accumulated. The HSE’s Get Ireland Active campaign explains that ‘being active helps release chemicals in your brain (endorphins), which have a positive effect on your mood, not to mention the benefits to your heart, lungs, muscles and bones.  Getting out and being active is also a great way to manage stress.’ 

Walking with a friend is a good way of catching up and networking.  You can walk all the way from your house to campus or simply get off the bus a stop or two early.

For cyclists, there are plenty of parking places on campus. If you work up a sweat getting into NUIG, there are showers for cyclists now available in the new basement toilets of the Quadrangle Building.

For more details on availability of showers, etc. see Buildings Office

For more on cycling in Galway check out: www.galwaycycling.org

- Posted by Rab  

Take A Risk - Make Friends

Friendship increases your sense of belonging, purpose and self esteem. Some people like lots of friends, others prefer a small group. There are times when you need to relax in the company of others, and times when you need to just chill by yourself.  But it is good to know you have people you can rely on for fun, support, ideas.

It can be intimidating making friends but when you are ready to try here’s a few things you can do:

Say hello: Remember, you are not the only one beginning this new life journey. You are surrounded by people who are attending third level education for the first time. They will welcome a smiling face. Ask how they are doing? What subjects are they interested in? Do they want to go for a coffee? What bus do they get in to town?

Accept invites: to parties and other social events. Don't worry if you don’t know anybody, half the people there won’t know anybody either!

Social Networking: Tweet, blog, facebook and texting are all great ways to engage with new people. You can meet up for a walk, talk, swim in the Galway Bay, flash party or whatever takes your fancy.

Get to lectures early: It will give you an opportunity to have a quick chat, finding out if there is any socializing going on.

Be interested: in what other people are saying. 

- Posted by Rab  

Galway's Latest Porn Movie!

‘Anam an diabhail!’ is the latest DVD featuring Juicy Lucy, County Galway’s very own porn star. The film begins with Juicy Lucy standing beside a brown pool in the middle of a bog. She is wearing a rubber suit and a pair of goggles, ready to go bog snorkeling. In dives our intrepid heroine only to emerge moments later as naked as Aphrodite. However, whereas the Goddess of Love stepped ashore wearing a suntan and a smile, Juicy Lucy emerges from her muddy pond pale skinned and dripping long tendrils of bog weed. In this state of strangely erotic déshabille, she declares in a shocked yet naughty voice: ‘Anam an diabhail! Tá mo chuid éadaí tar éis titim glan uaim!’        

The plot thickens when a young visiting biologist and a sheep stroll by. The camera zooms in on the biologist’s face as sudden squalls of hope, lust, fear, delight and guilt billow and toss across his noble visage. The most powerful expression though is one of deep confusion. The researcher’s eyes dart right and left in spasms of indecision as he tries to choose between sheep and naked bog snorkeler. Finally, the youth grins. Yes, he has decided to shag both saucy ewe and Juicy Lucy!

Later on in the movie we see Juicy Lucy on a building site. She is wearing a boiler suit and a hard hat. She trips, falls in a concrete mixer, clambers out naked - except for some globules of cement – and declares: ‘Anam an diabhail!’ Up comes a young builder; confusion distorts his face; camera swings between the equally enticing attractions of Juicy Lucy and the cement mixer. Finally, the builder makes up his mind. Throwing aside all his clothing (as well as numerous EU health and safety regulations) he and Lucy climb into the mixer and set to as the contraption slowly spins round and round…

As it stands this film is a delightful introduction to both the Irish language and human anatomy. The trouble – with all due respect to Juicy Lucy and her companions – is that a number of Galway’s less experienced lads and lassies regard the film as a primer on how to get it on. In fact it has been scientifically proven that building site nudity should be strictly reserved for people who have already built up a strong and loving relationship.

Asking a first time date if he or she will take her clothes off in a building site is not the best way to begin a relationship. On the plus side you may just be seen as goofy, but if you press the point you could be seen as desperate, psychotic or just plain sad.

Furthermore, contrary to the (ample and pleasant) evidence of ‘Anam an diabhail!’ bog weed, sheep wool and cement mixers are not prophylactics – they may be pleasurable but they will not prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are a far safer choice and they have the added advantage of being easier to carry around than farm animals, building equipment and damp flora.

Another problem with porn is that men and boys become so focused on seeing sex  -whether consensual or forced - as an achievement in itself that they not only damage themselves and the women and girls around them, but they miss out on all the fun stuff involved in relationships.

And there is so much wonderful stuff connected to relationships and sex; all that learning about each other,  nervous dates, silly jokes, going around in a positive buzz and humming tunes, treating each other with love and respect .

For more get along to the Porn debate tonight 27^th September being hosted by Lit & Deb Soc

Venue: Kirwan LectureHall  near main entrance of concourse. Time 7pm

For more on Woman’s rights contact FemSoc

Related article: Rape and Alcohol 

- Posted by Rab  

Assertiveness Training - Free classes

Assertiveness Training

with Nicola Williams

A 6 week course. Booking Required

Do you sometimes find yourself behaving passively or aggressively? Do you find it hard to say no, to express your true thoughts or to ask for what you want? Do you find it difficult to keep your cool or to deal with others who have lost theirs? If you answer, “Yes” to any of these, then this could be the course for you. Learn the skills of assertiveness in a fun and informal environment for some serious improvement to the above!

Thursdays starting 27/09/12 (6 week course)

Venue: AM205

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Check out Nicola’s Bliss blog 

- Posted by Rab  

Meet The Fabulous Rizky Bizz Crew!

Today the fabulous risky bizzness crew will be out and about with their health promotion stall in the Bailey Allen Hall from  1pm to 4pm.  Now’s your chance to meet us and find out about all the work we’re doing in the Wellness centre to promote resilience and a healthy mind, body & soul. 

We’ll be easy to spot. Simply look for a gathering of the most fabulous and healthy looking individuals in the Bailey Allen Hall and that will be us.

As well as chatting and handing out leaflets we’ll also be signing up more Health Connect Volunteers. The first batch of volunteers have now completed their training, and the second batch will be going into the Training Pit any day now.

We’ll also be handing out contraceptives to mark World Contraceptive Day – we would appreciate it if you could refrain from using them until after you have left our stall…

See you  all soon!

For more on contraception see thinkcontraception.ie

Related article:  Health Connect Volunteers 

- Posted by Rab  

Free Food today!

There will be free organic vegetables available between 12pm and 2:00pm today at the NUI Galway organic garden on Distillery Road.  For details on how to get there check out the map on the Organic Gardening Society page. Enjoy!


Related Link: Food Is Fun 

- Posted by Rab

Art Classes at NUI Galway

The wonderful artist Marina Wild will teach painting and drawing classes at NUI Galway. These classes are open to staff, students and the general public.  

The next term starts the week of October 1, 2012.

Venue: Art Room, upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway
Duration: eight weeks. All levels. All are welcome.

Tuesdays 1-2pm
Wednesdays 1-2pm
Wednesdays 5.30-7pm
Thursdays 5.30-7pm

Lunchtime classes: 55 euro for eight weeks

Evening classes: 80 euro for eight weeks

For further information/to book a place, please e-mail marina@marinawild.com For more see www.marinawild.com

Mermaids by Marina Wild for Pirates, Dragons & Moon Monsters

- Posted by Rab  

Moving Mindfully - Free Classes

Moving Mindfully

with Marese Cregg & Florence Abrams

Bring your mind and body into balance by practicing gentle yoga postures with controlled breathing and meditation. Develop a mind-body-spirit centred practice by breathing mindfully during slow movements and

experience your body as a vehicle for self discovery through observation and attention.

Learn to develop and to tune into your internal awareness. Wear loose comfortable clothing.

Booking required. Maximum 15 people per class. There are two classes. Classes are free.

An eight week course of classes on Wednesdays, beginning tonight September 26^th. Time: 4:30 – 6:00pm.  Venue ‘The Space’ Aras na Mac Léinn

A six week course of classes on Mondays, beginning October 1^st Mondays

Time 5:30—7:00pm Venue: Art Gallery, Quad

To Book E-mail: cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie

- Posted by Rab  

Living Life To The Full - Free Classes

Living Life to the Full

The AWARE Free Life Skills Programme “Living Life to the Full” will take place over 6 weeks starting on Thursday 18th of October and running until Thursday 22nd November. This FREE course takes place 5pm-6.30pm in AC201 on the Concourse.

Students wishing to enrol can email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie or sign up in the SU office

Be happier, sleep better, do more and feel more confident!

Sessions include:

• Why do I feel so bad? This enjoyable interactive session introduces the 5 areas approach and shows that what you think and do influences how you feel!
• I Can’t be bothered doing anything. We’ve all said this to ourselves when we’re feeling down. This session encourages you to start doing things which can make you feel better.
• Why does everything always go wrong? This session teaches you to recognise and control your unhelpful thinking patterns. It encourages you to challenge your negative thoughts and replace them with more helpful ones.
• I’m not good enough. We’re not born with doubts like these! Things others have said creep into our heads and we begin to believe them. Re-build your self-confidence and learn to like yourself again!
• How to fix almost everything. Everything is achievable if broken down into small enough steps. This session introduces a 5 step plan to help you tackle problems and make positive changes in your life!
• The things you do that mess you up. This session helps you to identify things such as drinking, comfort eating or spending money which may make you feel better initially but which may lead to problems over time.
• Are you strong enough to keep your temper? This session helps you to recognise what winds you up and teaches you how to control your anger and improve your happiness and relationships.
• 10 things you can to do feel happier straight away. This last session sums everything up and shows you some simple things that you can build into your everyday life to help you feel happier, fitter and more positive.

·         More information check out Living Life To TheFull

- Posted by Rab