Hobbies............

Sibylla

Hi ladies, I'm thinking of taking on some new hobbies to unwind after work and college. I find I'm very busy lately and would like to make more time for myself. Apart from the gym and taking classes there I find it difficult to stick to a new club, What are your hobbies? What clubs, organisations do you enjoy being a part of and do you enjoy them enough to fit them in every week?

Blush_01

I'm in Macra and I absolutely love it.

At the moment I'm working on part of a project for this weekend, we have a big two-day event planned and it's coming together nicely - there won't be much sleeping, but there'll be a lot of fun involved. I've made some good acquaintences and friends through the organisation, it helped me to get my current job, I've had weekends away, taken part in competitions for different things, helped to organise charity events and a function for over 400 people, and we have plans for lots of other things over the next few months, including assisting with a massive international celebration this summer.

People think the organisation is just for farmers, but while there are a lot of members who are either directly or indirectly involved in agriculture (both as farmers and in other related industries) there are also a lot of members who have no connection to farming.

The beauty of Macra is that you can get as involved as you want, or as your timetable will allow - if you only want to go to social events and meetings, that's cool. If you want to get involved on committees for different things, that's excellent. There are a number of tiers to the organisation - club, county and national level - and the structure is very transparent.

I can genuinely say Macra has given me more than I ever put in, and the membership for your first year is only €20 - anyone who joins now gets 18 months membership iirc. Bargain!!

Augmerson

I am learning to play the Harmonica. I do 3 Blind Mice really well and that is about it right now.

Maple

My hobbies include yoga, singing lessons and a night class in Italian. Also a massive rugby fan and have a Leinster season ticket the past couple of years so love going to all the games.

German lessons, running...
after my next exam is over I want to attend a meditation course and dancing lessons
I'd love to fit in pilates somewhere as well

and learning something like russian or a scandinavian language

Chuchoter

I'm horrendous at keeping up things long term. I get really, really into stuff for about a year or two and become really good and then I just get bored. So far I've got through Japanese, bass guitar, several sports (never was quite as good at those :P) and singing. The only constant would be writing, I don't know if that counts.

Aishae

i do jewellery making and make greeting cards and alter things (like an old photo frame or give a bathroom rack a new painted lease of life) - all self taught. youtube is a handy teacher too! you can do classes on the cards annd jewellery though.

Dilynnio

crayolastereo wrote: »

I'm horrendous at keeping up things long term. I get really, really into stuff for about a year or two and become really good and then I just get bored. So far I've got through Japanese, bass guitar, several sports (never was quite as good at those :P) and singing. The only constant would be writing, I don't know if that counts.

Are you a gemini?

I am exactly the same...........I have a garage full of sports equipment.....from roller skates to skiis to horse riding gear!

I start something and give it up just as quick.

Take your time and decide what you enjoy....dont rush into buying stuff unless you are really into it.......unlike me who bought a horse! (BTW he went to a great home)

I am also trying to find something to get into and most importantly to stick with!

Aishae

not exactly a hobby - aqua aerobics! the only excersise i ever kept up - cos i love it
its more a 'thing' than a hobby. lol

rainbow kirby

Running is my main hobby these days, though I did martial arts for 12 years when I was younger. I'd like to get into yoga or pilates too, I'd like to swim more, and I'd also like to learn a foreign language. So much I want to do, so little time! :eek:

Acoshla

I like quite unsociable hobbies, jewellery making, reading, photography (which is great for getting you walking) and baking.

I wanted to start doing night classes in new things in winter, but I did one two years ago and ended up being really sick for the whole winter, I had already paid my money so I was dragging myself to the class every week, it was hell, so I can't see myself signing up for anything again any time soon....except I'll be starting to actually teach classes soon, only one day things so I can't get sick of them and bail!

Faith

I also have unsociable hobbies. I've gotten into baking in a big way recently. I absolutely love it, and at the moment I'm baking 2-3 times a week. It's great, and you have something tasty to show from your efforts.

Acoshla

Faith wrote: »

I also have unsociable hobbies. I've gotten into baking in a big way recently. I absolutely love it, and at the moment I'm baking 2-3 times a week. It's great, and you have something tasty to show from your efforts.

The only problem I find with it as a hobby is that I eat the results I try now to eat one slice/piece of whatever, give the boyfriend some and then give the rest away, or else I'd eat all of it.

Aishae

ah baking isnt that unsociable - when you give out the results to people theyre pretty pleased!

Acoshla

Aishae wrote: »

ah baking isnt that unsociable - when you give out the results to people theyre pretty pleased!

Yeah but...the whole baking bit is generally done alone in the kitchen for at least a few hours...?

Faith

I bake alone, certainly. I'm happy to have someone sitting at the counter talking to me, but I don't want them trying to help me generally. But I do give most of my baked stuff away. I made a chocolate cake just there and I'm giving half of it to my parents because they're going away, and I'll give more to whoever wants it.

I just like trying new recipes at the moment, and for some reason, eating it afterwards isn't that much of a concern. Usually I take 1 or 2 to see what it tastes like and that's it.

GiftofGab

Pick up tag rugby, a great social sport in the outdoors that's played with both boys and girls on the same team

Acoshla

Faith wrote: »

I bake alone, certainly. I'm happy to have someone sitting at the counter talking to me, but I don't want them trying to help me generally. But I do give most of my baked stuff away. I made a chocolate cake just there and I'm giving half of it to my parents because they're going away, and I'll give more to whoever wants it.

I just like trying new recipes at the moment, and for some reason, eating it afterwards isn't that much of a concern. Usually I take 1 or 2 to see what it tastes like and that's it.

Yeah see I don't have many friends/family nearby to take them, so eating them is generally a dangerous option! It's a lovely hobby though isn't it? And if anyone is interested in it pretty much anyone can do it at home and it's very cheap to do.

Aishae

oh i know that i mean 'in a way' its social - cos you get to share the results

Kya1976

Eating
Baking
Reading
Walking my dogs

RacoonQueen

bluewolf wrote: »

a scandinavian language

Norwegian, learn Norwegian with me.

Aishae

does boards.ie surfing count as a hobby?! :pac:

reading is another good one. not just novels but also info books. good way to continue education - but in an enjoyable way

Faith

Spadina wrote: »

Yeah see I don't have many friends/family nearby to take them, so eating them is generally a dangerous option! It's a lovely hobby though isn't it? And if anyone is interested in it pretty much anyone can do it at home and it's very cheap to do.

I adore it. It's so satisfying, and it makes me feel creative .

Joey the lips

My dad is a chef. He said the best hobby is baking. Because you lean to bake and you make friends with your creations and the postive feedback fills you with happy hormones...

A bit like love i imagine.

RacoonQueen

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Norwegian, learn Norwegian with me.

ok!

i wouldnt mind that actually

CK2010

Recently its been mainly jogging/walking and woodturning, but i also like to knit when i get time and i watch football too but thats not really a hobby as such, more a pastime i guess!
i like to cook too. i actually read more about how to do it than actually doing it though, like reading recipes and stuff! once i start though its great fun and relaxing, and obviously its not a hobby that goes to waste!

i dont do any social activities really apart from maybe when i bring people along to matches or when i cook for someone in particular!

Sibylla

Thanks for all the replies, some good ideas. I quite like the idea of social hobbies as I feel it would keep me motivated to keep at it.

liliq

I'd second the person who said tag rugby!
Loads of fun, and played in loads of places and loads of levels, so you don't have to be really fit or anything!

Chuchoter

Dilynnio wrote: »

Are you a gemini?

I am exactly the same...........I have a garage full of sports equipment.....from roller skates to skiis to horse riding gear!

I start something and give it up just as quick.

Take your time and decide what you enjoy....dont rush into buying stuff unless you are really into it.......unlike me who bought a horse! (BTW he went to a great home)

I am also trying to find something to get into and most importantly to stick with!

No I'm a cancer! The reason I generally give up stuff is a combination of being bored and pressure/competition,especially with sports. I like things when its like lets all be crap at this together and come when we feel like it, then people start entering us in leagues and stuff:eek:

lil'bug

i really need to start baking again I used to love it.
I used to be into classic cars in a big way but its an expensive hobby

Acoshla

lil'bug wrote: »

i really need to start baking again I used to love it.
I used to be into classic cars in a big way but its an expensive hobby

My boyfriend has a '65 Mustang so I feed that hobby through him, get to drive it for freeeee

Lia_lia

I don't really have time for hobbies these days Between work and college.

When I was younger I was into sports and stuff. But never team sports, except rowing. I did gymnastics for about 9 or 10 years. Did ballet/other dance for about 7 years. Karate for 6 years. Then I did rowing for about 5 years. I've always swam a lot, but never competitively. I used to go surfing. Haven't been in ages though! That was fun.

Still go to the gym/run/swim all the time. Like to keep active.

I also like photography. And painting. Never stopped painting/drawing when I was a kid.

I love cooking. My Mother is chef and my Dad is a wonderful cook. They always encouraged myself and my siblings to cook growing up. Never have time to now though...I always eat at work!

Semele

Oh God, I'm terrible at keeping up things I start! I'm all full of enthusiam for a while then completely lose interest. Last week I bought a set of drawing pencils annd acrylic paints because I used to love art (haven't done a thing for 8 years, since A-level). Obviously immediately forgot I'd bought them till I found them in the bag this morning. My latest idea is taking up camogie again, just for exercise and to keep up a bit of Irishness now I live in London. Haven't played that since I was 11, but still, in my head I both love it and am great at it!

For the last 2 years in a row I've registered for Irish lessons in the Hammersmith Irish Centre, and paid in advance. First year I went twice, last year I went once:o I let myself miss one too many then I'm too embarrassed to go back. At the same time last year I registered for 6weeks flamenco classes with a friend (also paid in advance!), went once, couldn't make the next one due to work...and never went back!

Writing this has actually mortified me now. Maybe I should just add up the cost of all these pointless endeavours and remind myself of that next time I get a bright idea! I'm stuck doing shift work as well for potentially the next year so signing up for anything concrete is probably not wise.

Edgedinblue

I'm the same as most people here, start something with great enthusiasm and buy everything needed for it. then stop after a month or so.

Since i was smaller ive tried karate, kickboxing,skating, creative writing, poetry classes, guitar lessons, rugby, basketball, gaa, archery and arty stuff. Ive only kept the art going, had to since i went to art college :P kept archery going through college, and would love to start up again in the summer.

At the minute myself and a couple girls have started up Roller Derby in galway! its brilliant, you dont have to be fit (it helps) and you dont have to know how to skate. its great fun and am loving it! used to always skate when i was smaller, so its nice to get back to something i always done growing up.

MsJenjers

I play music - piano, flute and just getting started on guitar too! Keeps me busy and happy! I like to do a bit of art every now and again but that's kind of seldom as I don't always have the time for it.

Kaffy

Edgedinblue wrote: »

At the minute myself and a couple girls have started up Roller Derby in galway! its brilliant, you dont have to be fit (it helps) and you dont have to know how to skate. its great fun and am loving it! used to always skate when i was smaller, so its nice to get back to something i always done growing up.

Where is the Roller Derby in Galway ?:eek: sounds like so much fun

Clare Bear

Blush_01 wrote: »

I'm in Macra and I absolutely love it.

At the moment I'm working on part of a project for this weekend, we have a big two-day event planned and it's coming together nicely - there won't be much sleeping, but there'll be a lot of fun involved. I've made some good acquaintences and friends through the organisation, it helped me to get my current job, I've had weekends away, taken part in competitions for different things, helped to organise charity events and a function for over 400 people, and we have plans for lots of other things over the next few months, including assisting with a massive international celebration this summer.

People think the organisation is just for farmers, but while there are a lot of members who are either directly or indirectly involved in agriculture (both as farmers and in other related industries) there are also a lot of members who have no connection to farming.

The beauty of Macra is that you can get as involved as you want, or as your timetable will allow - if you only want to go to social events and meetings, that's cool. If you want to get involved on committees for different things, that's excellent. There are a number of tiers to the organisation - club, county and national level - and the structure is very transparent.

I can genuinely say Macra has given me more than I ever put in, and the membership for your first year is only €20 - anyone who joins now gets 18 months membership iirc. Bargain!!

Ah Macra is great!! You really sold it there too! Which club are you in?

Azureus

I used to be really into ballet/all dance really, and kept it up 3-5 times a week. Then college got hard / a full time job took over the dedication I used to be able to give it.
Would love to take it up again but its hard to find classes for adults in my area that arent for beginners.

Other than that I play a little bit of guitar, I read a lot, and the boyfriends given me a really strong interest in cooking (which I never thought would happen a couple of years ago!) so at least once a week I spend a few hours experimenting with something new. I often invite people up to try out the results with a bottle of wine so adds a social aspect to it (although friends can be the harshest critics! :P ).

I would love to take a language course but I work shift and its hard to find stuff that fits with my schedule.

Have been thinking of joining the Order of Malta / St Johns Ambulance for a while now too. Must get around to that.

Acoshla

Edgedinblue wrote: »

At the minute myself and a couple girls have started up Roller Derby in galway! its brilliant, you dont have to be fit (it helps) and you dont have to know how to skate. its great fun and am loving it! used to always skate when i was smaller, so its nice to get back to something i always done growing up.

Friends of mine used to do roller derby in Canada, it was so cool! They're outfits used to be great to put together

panda100

All the baking on this thread makes me think we should have a LL come dine with me

Aishae

panda100 wrote: »

All the baking on this thread makes me think we should have a LL come dine with me

well if anyone needs a food guinnea pig im there! cant boil water myself (jk - not that bad!)
but i love good food
appreciate a well baked cookie
love spicy stuff

its a grand hobby cos you can just do it by making fancy dinners - if youve time anyway!

Acoshla

panda100 wrote: »

All the baking on this thread makes me think we should have a LL come dine with me

I can bake to beat the band but can only cook ok, but was actually planning my Come Dine With Me menu earlier on! I would offer a choice of desserts to make up for my savoury skills

panda100

Have to admit I am curious about Macra, how exactly do you get involved in Dublin? I always thought it was a country thing?

I spend a lot of my free time doing political stuff. I like helping out in local campaigns and attempting to make the world a bit of a better place. I've met lots of great friends being involved in various campaign groups.
I've also been learning Irish sign language for the last couple of years, which has been mega interesting to learn and helped me get my latest job too!

Sibylla

panda100 wrote: »

Have to admit I am curious about Macra, how exactly do you get involved in Dublin? I always thought it was a country thing?

I spend a lot of my free time doing political stuff. I like helping out in local campaigns and attempting to make the world a bit of a better place. I've met lots of great friends being involved in various campaign groups.
I've also been learning Irish sign language for the last couple of years, which has been mega interesting to learn and helped me get my latest job too!

Panda I'm interested in getting involved in campaigns etc, Could you mention the organisations you are involved with or suggest some? Thanks!

Geansai Rua

I play Ladies GAA football, attempting to learn the guitar and drums, also do a little bit of photography..

But between college and work, I mainly just play football.
Only started back this year after 3 years injured! Tough, but good for keeping fit and having a laugh1

chocgirl

It's running for me mainly, oh and I do a pilates class as well and occassionally show up in the gym but I hate that.

I really regret not keeping up my hobbies from when I was younger though. I'm really interested in doing a dance class again but fear I'd be laughed at and would love to have more sociable interests now that work isn't as demanding timewise as it was before.

Just wondering about the language classes, where do people do them? Is it a big commitment and good fun?

chocgirl

chocgirl wrote: »

It's running for me mainly, oh and I do a pilates class as well and occassionally show up in the gym but I hate that.

I really regret not keeping up my hobbies from when I was younger though. I'm really interested in doing a dance class again but fear I'd be laughed at and would love to have more sociable interests now that work isn't as demanding timewise as it was before.

Just wondering about the language classes, where do people do them? Is it a big commitment and good fun?

Brilliant fun, everyone in my class gets on well and has a laugh and the teacher is lovely and relaxed too and we've covered loads
it's 3-3.5 hours every tuesday night for me (with a coffee break) so yeah it's a commitment and you wouldnt want to miss a class. But I love it
I do german in the goethe institut, I suppose if I wanted to learn norwegian or something it would be another language school

As for dance class I'm going to use my voucher for one in a month or so total beginner and I dont care

cdaly_

DIY would be my main hobby. I do all my own fixing and feel so ashamed if I have to call in a tradesman...

Latest hobby/interest is welding. I actually went to classes for that. Well worth it.

Azureus wrote: »

Have been thinking of joining the Order of Malta / St Johns Ambulance for a while now too. Must get around to that.

Do it! Do it now! It's one of those things where 'a while now' becomes years and years. Just think of all those free gigs you'll get to go to...

rainbow kirby wrote: »

So much I want to do, so little time! :eek:

Watching a programme about Dervla Murphy she said something like 'so many books to read, so little time' but she's around 80. You have no excuse.

Faith wrote: »

I bake alone, certainly. I'm happy to have someone sitting at the counter talking to me, but I don't want them trying to help me generally.

My wife bakes alone but she's quite happy to have me on hand to 'grease that baking tin', 'cut out some greaseproof paper', 'wash that bowl' etc. Well worth it for the end result though!

Aishae wrote: »

but also info books. good way to continue education - but in an enjoyable way

I love reading technical books. I'm probably the only person in my family who will read the manual for a new device.

Semele wrote: »

For the last 2 years in a row I've registered for Irish lessons in the Hammersmith Irish Centre, and paid in advance. First year I went twice, last year I went once:o I let myself miss one too many then I'm too embarrassed to go back. At the same time last year I registered for 6weeks flamenco classes with a friend (also paid in advance!), went once, couldn't make the next one due to work...and never went back!

Go back. They won't kill you or anything. I've fallen victim to 'too embarassed' myself at times in the past but it's only my loss, they won't mind..

panda100

Sibylla wrote: »

Panda I'm interested in getting involved in campaigns etc, Could you mention the organisations you are involved with or suggest some? Thanks!

I've just moved up from Cork but was very active in the Corks womens right to choose group. It really depends on what interest you. Some groups that spring to mind are Residents against racism, the Irish anti-war movement, Climate change Ireland,.....the list is endless.

At the moment I am trying to set up a new organisation similar to the 'compassion in care' group in the UK. I've been working in the care sector for the last five years and have seen this sector deteriorate rapidly, with the expansion of private home care companies,budget cutbacks and an industry that is dangerously un-regulated. With an ageing population it is paramount we empower those needing home care services to speak out, and it is something that was spurred on in me by the recent Primetime programme on the issue. If you would like to get involved with that, you are more than welcome

Two good sites for sussing out whats going on is the listing page on indymedia, http://www.indymedia.ie/events&type_id=5, and, http://www.volunteeringireland.ie

chocgirl wrote: »

Just wondering about the language classes, where do people do them? Is it a big commitment and good fun?

+1 to everything Bluewolf said.

Language classes are a bit of a commitment but they do have massive benefits. My sign language classes has an exam at the end of them each term so it is a bit of a commitment as you have to put in a bit of study each week. However, I know there are courses I could have done that had no exam and were a lot more relaxed work wise. You just need to look around for the evening class that suits you. There is a an evening course book you can buy in Easons that has a full list of all language classes in the city.
There's 3 other girls on my course at the moment and we've all gotten to know each other really well. We got together for a night out a few weeks ago and have met for coffee a good few times to practice our ISL. On top of that you get to learn a new language that will open a whole new world to you, for me it was meeting lots of new people in the deaf community.

Aishae

panda100 wrote: »

There's 3 other girls on my course at the moment and we've all gotten to know each other really well. We got together for a night out a few weeks ago and have met for coffee a good few times to practice our ISL. On top of that you get to learn a new language that will open a whole new world to you, for me it was meeting lots of new people in the deaf community.

oh ISL - i know enough to get by but i'm quite crappy at it as i dont use it. im deaf but rely on the fingerspelling - i learnt it when i was 2 as mam is deaf too - and more people seem to know the fingerspelling than full ISL so i never saw the point in learning full isl. even my old boss knew fingerspelling - as he had worked at the NAD in the past! but when i went to college there were other people there who were born deaf (i wasnt born deaf myself) and i wanted to be able to communicate with them so i started on ISL classes but didnt learn much cos the classes were so haphazard in my college. you basically ended up learning how to say your name by the time another term with new teachers came. who taught the same thing. but i still got enough. i think its useful to have.
but if you wanted anything that would be most useful in the daily sense - its fingerspelling all the way. honestly, im amazed how many know that (but not full ISL) and it really helps me. i think its because theres only 26 letters in the alphabet so its easy to pick up and you dont even need classes just google IRISH fingerspelling and away you go. even youtube might be of help.

that said - if ou fancy learning the full ISL, the country needs more interpreters.

by the way if anyone is wondering how i order a coffee in a coffee shop - i flippin ask for it! lol. i can speak. thought id better add that.

ciara95

I love baking and eating. Ive really gotten into twitter lately. Its nice getting your thoughts out there, and you can chat with people with the same interests. I would love to make a Tumblr soon aswell.