Riders To The Sea – Synge

The Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher are beautiful and cannot be described in words. It was a feeling of awe-ness and wonder that came about me as I biked the biggest island and leaned over the cliffs. It was absolutely amazing. The Aran Islands are the setting for Synge’s Riders To The Sea. This play shows the suffering of Ireland’s past, including the natural hardships. One could easily connect this play to the experiences while biking around the Islands. It was beautiful, but dangerous at the same time. Throughout this short play, images of the Aran Islands, the power and dominance of the sea, are depicted. One can easily relate to the hardships that were bestowed upon those who lived there, as well as the beauty and understanding of why they did. I hate leaving those Islands, Dungarvan, and Ireland. Leaving is going to be so bitter-sweet for me. I will always feel as if I have a home in Ireland now and I thank Ireland for making it so.

Woolf – In One’s Own Room

“Life for both sexes—and I look at them, shouldering their way along the pavement—is arduous, difficult, a perpetual struggle. It calls for gigantic courage and strength. More than anything, perhaps, creatures of illusion that we are, it calls for confidence in oneself”

Virginia Woolf identifies with men in their “quest for confidence”, and she speaks of the importance of confidence in creating art (Sparknotes.com). Because women lacked confidence in her time, they didn’t provide equal the talent as the men. However, women are courageous and continue to write during that time. Therefore women are portrayed as brave, strong, and noble.

Women have always been and will forever be valiant. Equality among all as intelligent human beings is a must for society to flourish and I am very proud to be a woman and know so many outstanding women. As I sat in classes over the past college years and have experienced intelligent conversations with the best of them, it has never passed me that intelligence is equally distributed between the sexes. It was ignorance and arrogance that blinded humanity, even in Woolf’s time. I am very appreciative of the courage that women, throughout all decades, have sustained to accomplish so many wonders…against all odds.

Leaving a Second Home

As my trip in Ireland is drawing to a close, I feel almost as if I can’t leave it. A part of me will be left behind; a part of home, understanding, love, friendship, warmth, and strength. Ireland has helped me heal, helped me feel at home, helped me gain strength. In the story of Eveline from The Dubliners by James Joyce, she is conflicted when leaving home and eventually can’t leave because it is the only thing she ever knew. Now to tie this into my life, we must disregard the abuse she was suffering and other elements in her life. However, I feel her angst. I feel like this journey, Ireland, has always been part of everything I have ever known, felt, believed in. I feel as if I couldn’t leave if I had a choice and no responsibilities at home in America. I will miss Ireland, for it truly has become a second home and I will always feel as if part of me remains.

'Be'

Many poets try to just 'be.' Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, Sept. 3 1802 is a poem, by William Wordsworth, that shows how to just be. To 'be' is simple enough, but extremely difficult at the same time. To 'be' is to relax the soul, to listen to nature, to enjoy life. It means to see the beauty in the rugged, to hear the birds sing in the city, and connect to the spirit of life. Wordsworth wrote the Westminster Bridge poem because he was passing over it one morning before the factories roared-up and the people started to bustle. He was surprised that London could look like that; without the smog and the people, it was as if the city now had a soul, something that couldn’t go unnoticed. The city just ‘was.’ The air was clear, the beauty doubtless. It was as if time had stopped and the heart of the city was pounding softly, until people woke up again and the dirt and dust accumulated.

One day, at 3pm, I was sitting on steps in a small park overlooking Dungarvan’s bay. The sun was warming on my strength, heart, and face. Sitting on the cold Earth, balancing the spring breeze as the tide is out and yet the boats are buoyed. The water and rocks are clear and the beauty of the land is green when near. A haze fell upon the latter land, almost as in a picture. Cars were hushed as nature belted. The smell was salty and the air crisp as the wind moved time and tide. The feelings of calmness, peacefulness, security, and home came to me as I breathed in the scent, the strength, the warmth, the crispness, the growing of the world. The sound laid still as the nature flailed. It was amazing to just, ‘be.’

Maturing

Oftentimes, one finds themselves trying to blend in with others, to conform. Some people, often young adults, are trying to find their place in the world. When they come into a new group of friends or schoolmates, they fib their stories in order to fit in. Every human knows that one lie may easily lead into another. A righteous person would not mean for it to snowball up, but sometimes a story may get away from us. I remember fibbing when I was little, "Oh no, that's not my bike with a banana seat. I'm just borrowing it from the little girl down the street." Often, it's the shy, timid youth that haven't found their right place in society yet that feel the need to be embarrassed about what they're doing or who they really are. My memory was just embarrassment about a bike, but many others, I remember and still see today, were embarrassed, or even upset, at how unique, how smart, how shy, how poor, etc they were.

All of these memories of my own experiences, as well as my experiences of others growing up, were a sudden reality and hit when I read The Playboy of the Western World. It was a fantastic play to read and hits a lot of elements in society, good and bad. For example, the fact that the village and in the shebeen were happy to hear a story, because it seemed like a good story, when Christy killed his father. This disrupted me greatly; I was so confused at how so many people would be okay with Christy killing anybody, let alone his own father. This can be compared with the end of the play. Yes readers, I am going to spoil it for you...but please read it anyway! When the town sees Christy attempt to actually kill his father, they are going to hang him. It became reality because they saw it and thus it was wrong; however, it was okay before because it was just a good story.

Going right along with my experiences of people maturing and coming into terms with who they are and who they want to be as they find their own place in the world, The Playboy of the Western World showed the same reality. Christy built his own story up and it snowballed until it spun out of control and became lies that were eventually unraveled until he was left where he began, with nothing. In his head, telling the fib made him get the girl, center of attention for the crowds, and gain self-dignity and confidence. However, it was all torn away from him because of the lies.

This story has multiple aspects of it and many messages can be taken away. However, the biggest one, which many won't grasp until they are mature and old enough to look back upon experiences, is that to be yourself is the best possible way to find your place in the world. By pretending "it's not your bike" or that you killed someone, you're just digging yourself a hole that will need climbing out of. It is better and easier to be who you really are...inside and out.

Feelings Into Words

Poetry could never capture the feeling of Ireland. Words can’t express it, but poetry and songs are close as they amplify the feelings. It’s more than the cliché of sheep and greens, it’s a feeling deeply embedded in the heart that is calling for me to fly and be free.

Poets, as well as anybody that has ever lived or visited Ireland I can assume, would know of this feeling, this freedom, associated with Ireland. It's a glorious feeling, full of calmness, adventure, loving, and hope. It can't be described into words the feeling I got from watching a bird soar over the open, green fields as the sun is setting. The little black bird with grey speckles fly towards the earth, leveling out as he weaved in-between the grass, bushes, and trees. Up to the sky he fly, soaring across the sun dimming sky. It was beautiful and breathtaking, but something that is seen and felt every day in Ireland.

Ode to the West Wind and To a Skylark, by Shelly, were both trying to capture the wondrous, beautiful world into words to express and share. Shelly was looking for a muse, for an inspiration, and this desire to really write effective poetry that could connect the feeling from nature to his poetry. Shelly was looking for the right words and struggling with that, as anyone would in trying to capture such wonders and experiences from nature. This is how I feel as I try to express the feelings of Ireland's total awe-striking powers.

"Grab It and Let It Go"

"Grab it and let it go" is the saying that my Mom would quote, and still does often, when my sisters or I are getting annoyed or upset. The motion of grabbing it and letting go is as to grab something out of the air, clench your fist, breathe in, and let it go by just opening up your hand while breathing out. I reminds me of meditation and is probably used as such. My mom didn't want us fretting over something we had no control over or have it grow into a grudge or more anger. Holding grudges can lead to people, relationships, friendships, or even oneself to change.

The poem, A Poison Tree by William Blake, describes the process of anger and its possible repercussions if held in. It was written in 1794, during the romanticism era of writing. This poem has a great moral about not holding anger within or it will consume you.

I was angry with my friend,

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe,

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine

And into my garden stole

When the night had veil'd the pole:

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

The speaker expressed his anger and was relieved of it. However, he did not with his foe, which led to his anger and hatred growing. He 'watered' this anger and allowed it to keep growing. He thought about it constantly and his anguish and fury overtook him. He was like the apple that grew from the tree. He was sweet and innocent on the outside, putting on a face and smiling for the public. On the inside though, he was poisoned. The foe took the apple and died. The speaker shows no remorse although it is assumed that the speaker killed the foe. The speaker's anger grew like a tree...and a poisonous apple sprouted from it. This could happen to anybody that holds anger and strife within. Thus, it is best to not hold one's feelings in and "grab it and let it go."

The Irish Tongue

The Irish language is beautiful and fluent. It is spoken only in the smallest, Gaeltacht, communities here. They are far and few between in this wondrous country. These communities attempt to keep the Irish language alive. I was honored to attend two Gaelic language classes as part of an Irish Culture Seminar and was able to further appreciate the Irish culture through the Irish tongue. It was beautiful to listen to and very difficult for me to speak. In the second language class, I saw a film about a poet, Michael Hartnett. It was beautiful listening to Irish poetry and it is no wonder why so many excellent pieces of writing have come out of this wondrous country.

William Butler Yeats has a great poem, To Ireland in the Coming Times, it is eloquent and beautiful to read. "While still I may, I write for you...The love I lived, the dream I knew." The Irish language is beautiful, and although Yeats writes in the English language here, he was very appreciative of his homeland. Also, his descriptions of the Ireland, in general, are amazing. They aid in my wanting to live here longer!

Starting New

As the first four weeks of classes came to a close, I was elated to have a break. However, now that the second half is starting, I have become more or less saddened. For one, it means that my trip is more than halfway over. Ireland has been amazing to me and I respect it and am very grateful for all that has been bestowed upon me. I have grown so much in not only knowing myself, but in appreciating various cultures as well.

For a class, I am reading Early Poems by William Butler Yeats. I personally despise many poems in general and have a hard time paying attention to them to actually finish them, let alone understand them. However, many of Yeats' poems aren't too bad and in fact, I have found some that I can gear towards my life. For example, Ephemera, is very close to how my past love and I feel. I understand him...and the circumstances, his reasoning, and that we just weren't meant to be. My true love awaits. This, in more or less words, is very close to what was told to me

I'm reading my heart and asking myself to follow it. This too is the start of something new as I slowly step out of an old relationship and out of a life phase, even as good as it was, and into the unknown that I am so desperately afraid of. I have recently changed many plans for my future; all in the hope of deciding something right in the process of starting new.

Being in Ireland has taught me many things. As the second half of my adventure and journey starts, I look forward to the scary unknown, that dream and feeling of wanting to do something more and helpful with my life, and starting a new phase...in Ireland, in my courses, and in my life.

Paris

Caption: Eiffel Tower at night on the hour. No idea who's in the picture.

"Paris holds the key to your heart..." - Anastasia. A week in Paris for Easter break sounds phenomenal to many, including me! It was full of adventure and fun; as well as further heartbreak and healing. The days were packed full, but were heartfelt and true. The general feeling of love and relaxation never strayed...even in the smelly, dirty metro stations.

We arrived as a group on Sunday to an Ibis Hotel. My roommate and I were set in a smaller than most room in the back corner of a hallway. We had been warned that most Paris rooms were small, but our room was barely manageable and we often tripped over each other when entering and exiting the room. However, it was Paris, and we didn't mind.

Paris is an hour ahead of Ireland and thus six hours ahead of the United States' east coast, specifically home in Pennsylvania. I didn't take my computer with me for a fear of something happening to it, so I never talked to anybody at home all week. This helped a bit in starting to get over my recent heartache, but sucked at the same time (complicated things, I know). However, I was in Paris and was perfectly okay without technology, something new to my generation. Just on Sunday, we visited the Eiffel Tower, ate amazing chocolate and banana crepes, walked the Seine River, and visited the outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was a fantastic night to start off the week in Paris.

The Louvre Museum was on Monday. The pyramid in the movie, The DiVinci Code, was the first thing I noticed, but everything inside the Museum was amazing. The Mona Lisa painting was packed with tourists but a few pictures were taken as I stood on my tippy-toes and hoped I was pointing the camera the right direction over the mass crowd. Afterwards, a couple of my friends and I walked to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It was over 280 steps and definitely winded us! It was an amazing view from the top and I could see in every direction of Paris...or so it seemed. That same day, we toured the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was breathtaking, and sat at a street cafe and drank Bailey's Hot Chocolate as we "people-watched." It was a great day, however, that night beat it!

As a giant group, we paraded to a traditional French dinner in the Latin Quarter. The food and was amazing, but the atmosphere, entertainment and our group as company was incredible! The restaurant hires two musicians and they were fantastic and hilarious! As they sang, danced, and played their instruments, we attempted to eat. They were so entertaining; we stayed well over an hour after finishing our meals. The man who sang and played the guitar would make some of us randomly sing and dance with him. It was an amazing night in Paris!

On Tuesday, we visited the D'Orsay Museum. It was very nice and I appreciated all of the artwork. Breaking away from the group for lunch, a few friends and I ate sandwiches in a park. The whole group eventually found its way to Montmartre and saw Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur. The Montmartre area was gorgeous and I enjoyed going very much! That night, a few friends and I enjoyed going out for a nice dinner and then some amazing ice cream!

My plans on Wednesday were messed up, but my friends and I easily recovered. We had meant to visit Versailles that day; but due to the RER workers being on strike, we had to leave it for Thursday. The Opera, the bell of Notre Dame, and a Vietnamese dinner occupied my Wednesday and it was a great day with some of my friends. At the bell tower of Notre Dame, my friends and I took "Quasimodo" pictures as we laughed hysterically.

Versailles on Friday was beautiful and its gardens can't be expressed in words. They were amazing and huge! The Queen's Hamlet was my favorite part of the palace grounds. It was no wonder why Marie Antoinette was hated so much! "The people have no food." "Then let them eat cake." This being one of her most infamous quotes is an example of her lifestyle and connection to her people. It was ridiculous how much she had and did not need. On the plus side, it was amazing to tour and easy to appreciate the beauty and wonders of Versailles.

Friday morning brought most of us back to our home in Ireland, and it truly felt like being home again! We flew back with only around 15 students, considering some went on weekend adventures. However, the few that were going home felt that instant home welcoming as we were bused around the bend that opened up upon the bay. It was beautiful and I feel even more grateful to be in Ireland and from Ireland.

So Paris was amazing and intense. It was everything that people had said and more. The Parisians were even nice, contrary to what many had warned me. The Eiffel Tower was immaculate at night and the Mona Lisa's smile was as odd as ever. It was a wonderful experience to be in Paris for a week and I was very lucky to have had the opportunity.

Fairy Tales

"Fairy tales" may come true; but until they do, women are strong enough to continue as they find their own way. When they're scared the most, that's when they find the strength.

When I was little, Disney movies were always a family favorite. The "fairy tale" and the "happily ever after" themes were displayed in everything from television shows to movies to oral traditions being spoken for night-time stories. What Disney fails to show children, is that women can be perfectly fine without a strong relationship for most of their lives. I believe that men and women complement each other. I believe that Disney movies show girls how to be strong; however, at the same time, show them that love happens quickly. As a young woman, I have fallen in love and seen it taken away in one fell swoop. This trip was made much harder due to this recent heartbreak.

I thought that I had found love. I was ready to wait for him and stay with him forever. I was mistaken, dear readers. This love I had found was only one way. To him, I became just a friend and he broke my heart in the nicest way he could. He has taken my crying and my pain right along with his and has actually helped me a bit in attempting to accept this new phase of my life. I know I was in love and I know my heart was broken. However, I know that I am strong and I know that I need to find myself again.

Disney should teach girls this: to be a strong-willed women who know that the man of their life may or may not come in the prime of their lives, that women need to find themselves and discover who they want to be in life before they are ready for marriage, and that rediscovering themselves after a heartbreak doesn't always have to be as grim, painful, and upsetting as it seems to be. The story behind Disney movies is that women need to be strong and that they will find love. The fact that the love happens to princesses and when they are young, is just a "fairy tale." I will always love the Disney classics, I will always follow my heart as it has told me so many times to do, and I will always look for the right man in my life. One day, maybe Disney will show off a woman that doesn't find a man; although upsetting, it may not be as bad as it sounds in the long run. Girls would at least know that it is okay and that they themselves will move on. I know this from my own experience, no matter how hard I am hurting, but others may not.

To be broken-hearted in Ireland is truly a blessing. The daily activities keep my mind off of it and its beauty has helped in my recovery. It helps to feel relaxed and on a bit of vacation. It has been almost a week since things ended for me and my past love. However, I feel better every day...and I hope every woman in the same situation will as well. Although I am scared for my future and bawling over my past, right now I am strong and know that I am blessed to be in such a gorgeous country away from the pain.

This blog may seem random, but I have looked back to Disney movies, the classics, since I was little as a comfort and I have listen to their songs for strength. These movies are more than just child entertainment, they are inspirational.

This is what I now know: I'm like...
90% sure I would have married him
85% sure that it would have lasted if we tried
70% sure that I will be able to be friends with him still because i need him in my life...I think
90% sure that I will love again
50% sure that I won't cry tonight
80% sure that in a couple weeks time I will only cry randomly
75% sure that I will think of him often and for months
90% sure that I will be able to date again within a year
90% sure that I'm getting stronger every day
80% sure that I will return home and cry all over again
90% sure that I would have made him so happy if he had given us a chance
90% sure that I know he did what he had to do
95% sure that I understand him
90% sure that he got scared after he told me he wanted to marry me
90% sure that I will find love again and move on.
85% sure that I will continue to learn more about myself and my inner-strength from this
100% sure that I will never regret falling in love with him.

Anastasia: "Journey to the Past"

"Heart don't fail me now
Courage don't desert me
Don't turn back now that we're here
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear
Or how a road can seem so seem so vast
On a journey to the past

Somewhere down this road
I know some one's waiting
Years of dreams just can't be wrong
Arms will open wide
I'll be safe and wanted
Finally home where I belong
Well starting now, I'm learning fast
On this journey to the past

Home, love, family
There was once a time
I must have had them too
Home, love, family
I will never be complete until I find you

One step at a time
One hope then another
Who knows where this road may go
Back to who I was
Onto find my future
Things my heart still needs to know
Yes, let this be a sign
Let this road be mine
Let it lead me to my past
And bring me home
At Last"

Dublin

Seven o'clock in the morning on a Friday morning, to college students, is mad early. Like tired little school children we boarded a very small bus, where we had exactly the right amount of seats. Barely enough room to sit, let alone to stretch our legs we drove the 3.5 hours north to Dublin. Upon arrival, we toured the city slightly. The tourist center was our first stop where I picked up my "Dublin Pass" that my mom had bought for me. We, as a full group, toured the outside of Dublin Castle, The Parliament building, and the National Museum of Ireland - Archeology.

All were fascinating and I of course took a million pictures again, except inside Parliament. It was illegal to take photographs there, BUT...yes a big BUT...there was this bookshelf that held records. It was wooden and large with two glass compartments separated with a wooden piece, about two inches wide, and from the top to the bottom. The same wooden piece was also at either end of the enclosed bookshelf as well. So picture the doors as three wooded pieces and two glass in-between on the front of the enclosed bookshelf. The middle compartment swung outward to open! Our guide showed us that long ago, there would have been a hidden gun in this compartment! What geniuses back then just to have a hidden compartment there! I told my friend that I "wanted it," and used that phrase for a lot of things on this trip!

By early Saturday, many of us had gotten our bearings. We did things again as a group in the morning. We entered Christ Church first. The main attraction for me was the basement, dungeons. There are apparently wedding receptions in this part of the church. It also housed exhibits, like the skeleton of a cat in an attempt to catch a mouse. Both creatures died while stuck, and both skeletons remained intact. It really was a beautiful and amazing church.

We saw other things as a group that day including the Ha'penny Bridge, the Molly Malone statue, and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. In our own small groups, I visited the Writer's Museum. My roommate and friend at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Katie Rissetto, had me promise to visit the James Joyce Museum or house. I had currently read his, The Dubliners. The best one of those options was a good 8 miles out of town and had no way to get to it. So out of practicality, not out of failing at the task set before me, I decided not to go to anything James Joyce. However, I read about him at the Writer's Museum.

On Sunday, my small group and I visited the Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Storehouse. It was amazing to see the similarities between the American's prison system and the Irish's. It was a learning experience, especially since I am a criminal justice major. All together this trip was amazing and I can't wait to explore it again someday!

Exploring

I am exploring some more! What else would anybody want to do? It all started with a short visit to Cork last weekend and, for the sake of this post, has momentarily ended last night with a play. I can't wait for my Dublin adventure to start bright and early tomorrow morning!

I visited Cork the other day with some friends. The town's center was nice and had many shops and boutiques. We visited St. Finn's Church, a gorgeous church with intense architecture. It was closed, but the outside held wonders. I hope to visit Cork again before my trip ends and intend to revisit St. Finn's.

Heading back to the center of town for some light shopping and lunch, we crossed a beautiful, little river. There was a small waterfall where the dark and light water mixed. It looked amazing and as we were shooting our photographs stories from repeat visitors circulated. Apparently, a swan almost met his end at the waterfall the other day, but miraculously flew off.

My group and I then at lunch at a pub. It was nice and was ocean themed with stories and plaques of fishing expeditions and sailing trips. The pub also had live fish in tanks around the restaurant, even including the bathroom! The owner and his staff, as well as the fish, were very friendly and the food was good!

On Tuesday, I participated with some members from Mercyhurst College in a cleanup of an old cemetery. After getting lost, which I didn't mind due to the nice weather, we walked/ran to the cemetery. After a bunch of full garbage bags and the brush taken to the back, we successfully left.
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Wednesday was filled with origami in class, errands, an Irish heritage lesson by Tom, one of our regular guides and now a good friend (I would love to adopt him as a grandfather, as I'm sure many would want as well), and a play by the Dungarvan Theater Club. We learned many things during Tom's lectures: the Kennedy family's history with Ireland, the break-up of Ireland into counties, fun facts and stories about Ireland, and much more. Tom's knowledge seems to have no boundaries and his tales (in a grandfather tone) are humorous and enjoyable. The plays, yes two, performed by the Dungarvan Theater Club were entertaining. They both were tied together and illustrated a young poet who couldn't be with his love and thus joined the army in Ireland in WWI. He died in combat and the woman he loved died pregnant in an alley. However, they ended up together and loving each other in the afterlife. It was an odd play with a lot of narration, but was enjoyable.

Many things happen each day here in Ireland and it always is beautiful and fun! The other day while taking a nice country walk, I got to see brand new lambs (the mom of course hated my group being in the same mile of them)! They were adorable! Today, we played with chalk outside with one of my professor's children! Everyone was traced and had "Shreks" made out of them! Every day brings something new and I will keep exploring as I live the next 7 weeks here!

St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland was amazing! We participated in a flag raising ceremony, Catholic mass, a parade, and Irish fun! I brought up the gifts at mass. The church was gorgeous! And although most of it was in Irish, we could still easily follow along. It was a great experience to be part of such a beautiful mass service on such an important day in their country!

The parade was beautiful and reminded me of movies. My group and I were honored to be in the parade right behind the Mayor! Once we reached the stage, we were welcomed up on it to watch the rest of the parade! I even saw the elderly, that I had visited last Friday, dancing and singing on their float!

We were then escorted to a wonderful lunch at the town's Sailing Club! It was a traditional Irish meal with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and ham! It was delicious! We followed it up with a drink to St. Patrick! Although, we all arrived back home by 11pm, it was a great day and night; one that will be remembered forever!

Lismore Castle

Castles, not princesses, were my thing growing up. In books and movies, a castle always became center stage to me. I used to imagine, not that I was royal, but that I could live in such a wondrous place filled with adventure inside and peaceful grounds out. A place where I could read a book on a giant landscaped field or sit in the gardens and write short stories. My fabricated tales almost always included a castle and even though I had never visited a one until this weekend, I knew I would feel more peaceful there than anywhere. I used to joke around with my friends that I was born in the wrong era. I could always picture myself ballroom dancing (after I learn to of course) in those heavy dresses and relaxing on castle grounds all day...but then again, couldn't everybody?

Today my group visited Lismore Castle! It was amazing and I had every emotion and feeling I had ever dreamt of! I felt so relaxed, yet had time for small wanderings and picture opportunity adventures. The Castle was beautiful and we went on a perfect day! It was high tea in the Castle and for a small price we listened to its history while sipping delicious Irish tea with a butler on call! I had a blast, as I'm sure the whole group did! We then paraded around the Castle grounds and took a ton of pictures! The feeling that I got from just being on the Castle property was indescribable and breathtaking. I wish to go back there on my own time to just sit and read.

Twirling, yes twirling, was my favorite "Kodak" moment of the day. Not only fun, this move is a winner of hearts and fantastic photo opportunities of smiling faces and relaxing times. We spent all day at the Castle, taking pictures mostly. I absolutely loved it!

Connections

The United States is connected to Ireland in multiple ways; people and their heritage, the countryside, and of course potatoes are just a few. The second we arrived in Dublin airport, we were overcome by welcome. Town officials met us with great care and were eager to share their beautiful land, experiences, and well love with us. We felt very welcomed as we traveled to where we call 'home' now and continue to feel so as we become settled in. The first few days of our trip were hectic and eventful, but wonderful! Between pictures, ceremonies and moving in, my group and I have enjoyed it all.

I love the fact that the countryside reminds me of the small town I grew up in. Although Ireland's countryside is more gorgeous and green, the small towns in the United States would merge well with it. The cows and horses on the hills, the green trees and grass, the smell of openness, calmness and belonging. I felt right at home the second I arrived here in Ireland and would like to thank all of Ireland and the town officials for making it so.

As we were touring the other day we saw an array of wonders; fresh markets, beautiful boats in the harbor, beaches, playgrounds, old castle-like churches, cobblestone walkways, a little town square and the list can go on and on. I took over 700 pictures in one day of just walking around this amazingly beautiful town. One caught my eye, 3 flags. It shows the connection between the United States and Ireland, as well as with other countries. This shared bond helped this trip happen and gave me the feeling of safety, security, love and home.

This small town even has a Subway and a McDonalds; an American past-time! Although I have tried to save money and eat in, the pub food is extraordinary here! However, I have eaten at the Subway, which is just as good the United States' and I have enjoyed the ice cream from McDonalds. The food, although slightly more cooked than most Americans', is amazing but has its comparisons. A sausage has a lot of chicken in it, a burger is a meatloaf, potatoes come with almost every meal, the salmon is the best I've ever had, the sweet chili sauce is to die for (one can dip almost anything in it - like ranch with Americans) and the list continues.

Having similarities along with new experiences has helped the transition from the United States to a foreign country become much more smoother for me. I feel at home, and no not because there is a McDonalds. I can't wait to see more of Ireland as I spend the next two months here! Every day brings new adventures and feelings and I can't wait to go out and explore some more!

The Elderly

Did you ever notice that the elderly come and go and it's not until you have laid a foundation and a connection with one that you finally realize they could be gone at any second? I found this out today. I volunteered at a nursing home this morning and was welcomed graciously. I enjoyed dancing and singing, eating fish and custard, playing pool and listening to their stories. Their wonderful tales of Ireland accompanied their tales of hardships. One woman in particular told of her only son committing suicide, her husband dying this past year, her hip replacement, her one blind eye, and a series of strokes she lived through. She told me about all of her troubles while we were dancing to a merry tune. The fact that such sadness could come out during a time of joy was upsetting. I was having so much fun with this new group of people, who were trying to teach me how to dance (something I failed horribly at), that I completely forgot they all had tales of hardship, love, glory, pain, and happiness to share. Also, they could leave this world at any moment; some big, some small, some in shape, some with health problems, some older, some in pain, some in love, some forgotten already.

It reminds me of a short story in the Dubliners by James Joyce. It was entitled The Sisters and told of a young boy who lost an old friend. This tale expressed how one might deal with the feelings involved with death and how until a specific event happens, it feels like the deceased are still alive. One may also have to just wait for them to pass. Watching the elderly today, some more active than others, showed me that some would be gone in an average of a few years time. This was an unsettling encounter being that I barely knew my grandparents but felt a connection with this Irish group instantly.

My grandfather didn't pass away until I was in 8th grade. I wish I had known then what I know now. I wish that I had taken advantage of his time on Earth and listened to him more, enjoyed him more, "hung out" with him more. I wish that I had been more considerate and caring instead of my "I just want to get out of here and meet up with my friends" attitude. I took for granted my one grandparent that was left on Earth. I feel absolutely horrible knowing that I could have learned so much from him. Now don't get me wrong, I loved my grandfather. However, I didn't take the time out for him like I should have. I know that many don't realize what they have until it's gone. However in my case, it wasn't until I grew up that I realized that I was honored to have a grandfather that loved to dance, loved to sing, loved to watch horse races, loved our heritage, loved to tell stories, loved to play games, loved to live. I know many people don't appreciate most things until time has passed or they have gotten older; however, I was very appreciative of many things while growing up. I did fail to see what I should have seen all along; my grandfather could have taught me about life.

As I horribly attempted to dance with the elderly today, I made a vow to learn. This vow was made in honor of my grandfather, my boyfriend (who yes, loves ballroom dancing), and myself. I want to experience and learn from the best and the oldest and I plan to return to the nursing home here in Ireland. I met wonderful, outgoing people who not only encouraged me to join in, but also helped me see what I had been missing all along.

Going Home

I am an American college student in Ireland. For the next 10 weeks, I will study and travel in a hope to experience not only part of my personal history, but gain a better understanding of the world. I also hope to gain good experiences to broaden my horizons and be able to attempt (for I will only be able to skim the surface in giving it justice) to describe Ireland's beauty and promises to those at home in America.

Home is described in many ways. Home could be where one lives and has family, the country and patriotism one feels, or in my case, the link between my ancestors and myself.

One reason I chose 'Going Home' as the title of my Blog was to emphasize my heritage and express my particular thoughts and emotions of traveling to such an amazing country. Ireland is a part of my ancestors and therefore myself. I am yearning to investigate my heritage and find out more about my history. I came to Ireland knowing that not only will this gorgeous country be my home for the next 10 weeks, but it has always been my home. This trip will hopefully help me find what I am looking for; part of my past, my present, and my future.