Dolphins.

Yesterday all of the international students took a long trip to Kerry where we visited the monks, flying boats, and dolphins. It was a very fun day spent with some of the girls I have become the closest too. 

We started the day at 7:45, which I was almost late for so I THOUGHT I would be fine without breakfast. I was very wrong. We first stopped to see the ruins of an old monastary. 

Here are two of my friends Kirby and Catie. Kirby is a third year from Oregon and Catie is a 3rd year from Texas. 

The front of the monastary.

The back of my friend Colin, who is from Salisbury.

Next we hopped on the bus and took a trip to see the flying boats. 

Inside the plane/boat.

Then we got on a ferry that took us across the Shannon River.

Here is Lauren and I on the ferry. Lauren goes to Rhode Island.

This is Callista who lives in Denver and goes to a christian school there that I can't remember the name of.

Even on the ferry.

This is Tara who goes to USC maybe? ha Somewhere in California.

After our Ferry trip and about a half an hour of taking random photos we got on another boat where we supposed to be on a dolphin watch. It happened to be a perfect day which is so rare for Ireland and we thought we were getting really lucky but it happened to be that the dolphins didn't like the clear sky. The clear skies were worth it though.

He looked like that five minutes after we got on the boat. And stayed like that for the next 2 and half hours. I don't know his name.

After our unsuccessful boat ride and finally eating at 4:30 we took a walk down the beach.

writing.

I am now the newest social opinions writer for the UL focal. I am working on a piece right now that will hopefully be coming out in the next paper we will see how good it ends up being. Another thing you can pray for that me problem with deadlines can be fixed. 

new.

1. College is hard. This week I have spent a lot of my free time studying or doing work either in my room or in the library. I think I knew that it would be this hard but it was definitely new to me. 

2. A grilled cheese maker is new to me in general. We have one and it is fantastic for making any kind of sandwich, including the grilled peanut butter and jelly I am eating now.

3. Extreme time management. I have had to pre plan each one of my days down to the tee of what I have to do. That includes anything from classes I have to attend to when I need to vacuum my room. 

4. The library. I have seldom gone to the library before just to study but these last couple of times I have gone I have really loved it. In my room I get distracted so easily but in the library with my headphones in I can complete tune in to my work.

5. Paying for everything. I am new to college so having to provide for myself and grocery shop is a given but here all of the extra expenses there are I had not bargained for. Like shopping bags, shopping carts, printing things, all of my many school supplies, any club you are in and even when you have already paid for the club and you have already gone you find all of these extra little expenses that you had never heard about.

6. Rude people. In Georgia I would say that everyone is pretty nice but here there is a distinct difference. At home if you are at a restaurant the guy delivering your pizza or the lady serving your food i extremely nice and on most occasions to good care of you, probably only so they can get a good tip, but still it makes for a more pleasant experience. Here those people are rude and short, they don't have time for you, and having to serve you as an inconvenience for them. Which is expected I suppose so you do not tip here at all. It almost makes me think spending the extra few dollars on a tip is worth it.

7. No one really there. I have lots of friends here and I am loving this new experience but when I need someone for a more intimate and personal level talking to them on the computer or phone just doesn't cut it. Lately I have found myself missing home a lot. It isn't too bad but sometimes you just need a hug or someone to just sit close and listen, someone who knows you. And unlike regular college I cannot just go home for the weekend and really experience this. So me missing my family and all of the laughter and love that goes along with it is new to me for sure.

8. Finally what is new to me is my hair. On Sunday afternoon my friends and I were bored and I needed something new to lift my spirits, red hair seemed to be the answer. We went to the store and bought some semi-permanent auburn hair dye and a couple hours later I was officially auburn. The color is a fun, new, not too crazy, and very pretty. It a lot different than what I am used to but what isn't these days. Luckily tho in a few weeks the color will fade and then I can decide what I would like to do next. I am starting to enjoy this auburn look though. Maybe if it was done the right way and not as dark it might be something I could live with. Which the picture is not meant to look emo, it was just taken very late at night for Morgan to see.

missing you.

This week we started school, so keeping myself busy has not been a problem. But in the mist of all my schedule changing, cleaning and schooling I have found myself missing everyone very much. This time of year has always been my favorite. First you have Halloween, then thanksgiving, and then of course Christmas. There is so much family and getting together and just happiness this time of year. So I am very sad that I have to miss most of it. 

Another bummer is that I am getting sick. I think it is just a cold but every morning it has gotten worse. I have had a stuffy nose, my throat hurts, I feel congested, definitely the signs of a cold but still no fun. Tonight I might take some Irish Theraful and go to bed really early, especially since Friday is my busy day.

Yesterday we signed up for clubs in the Arena. I was able to sign up for three even though I wanted to sign up for a million. I am part of the outdoor pursuits club, which gives me free access to the climbing wall and we do a lot of climbing, caving, and hiking all around Ireland so I am very excited about that. Second I joined the volleyball club which I hoping to be able to do the more advanced group. With the volleyball club they have tournaments all the time and the BIG tournament at the end of the semester is actually being held in Limerick so that will be exciting. Also I signed up for the Christian Union, hoping to find some more people to really connect with here in Ireland. Speaking of that I met a guy yesterday. Just as friends of course but he seemed like a really great person. He was collecting money so that him and a group of guys could go to South Africa and build houses. We started talking and got on the subject of doing mission work and I just thought it was really cool to meet someone like that. But the weirdest part of all was how much he looked like Jackson. Ha when i went to go meet my friends they were all like doesn't your Jackson-friend look just like that? It was quite funny. But there have been a few people that  have seen here. Like the other day I was walking and I could have sworn I saw Brent Pentenburg. ha 

 

Classes Begin

So today I had my first classes and it was very confusing. Because of the fact that I am a study abroad student I get to pick and choose my modules (classes). This is a very good thing but also hard to fit in everything. I had a mandatory meeting at 10 for my outdoor adventures class but I also had journalism from 9-11. My lecturer told me I couldn't leave for the meeting so I missed it. Therefore I may not be able to get into the class. NOT GOOD. So I have to try and decide what other classes I might can take in its place. The classes I am taking are journalistic writing, outdoor adventures, irish language, irish folklore, and irish music and dance. We will see how the semester goes I guess. 

Contact

Here is my address and number if anyone needs it:

21-5 Holly

Dromroe Village

Castletroy

Limerick, Ireland

770-884-4909

353-868 59 1118

NEW

So more importantly than anything going on in Ireland, yesterday at 12:51 pm baby Sophie was born. I haven't gotten to talk to Erin a lot about her but I know she was about 5 lbs. and beautiful! I can't wait to finally see her.

Also here in Ireland I have been doing a lot of meeting people and the last two days I have been in orientation, which hasn't been a lot of fun.

Adventure!

Yesterday was beautiful outside for a while so after my run I decided to go out to one of the trails that I found. It was the most beautiful experience. It made me really appreciate my decision to come to Ireland. I spent almost two hours walking around campus taking pictures and listening to my ipod. Yesterday my playlist really meant a lot to me so I am leaving you all my perfect day playlist as well.

This really doesn't even compare to how beautiful the sky is here when it is not raining.

The perfect climbing tree.

1. Love Remains the Same- Gavin Rossdale

2. Invincible- Ok Go

3. Time is Running Out- Muse

4. I'll Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie

5. If I Ever Leave This World Alive- Flogging Molly

6. World Spins Madly On- The Wheepies

7. Im In Peace- Justin Nozuka

8. Be Back Soon- Justin Nozuka

9. Breathless- Corrine Bailey Rae

10. Warm Whispers- Missy Higgens

walking tour!

Shannon River and Limerick City.

Slit Hole in the Castle where they shot arrows out. King John's Castle was originally not for just residing purposes but for the army.

Limerick Streets

It was cold and rainy... 

Beautiful View

The Shannon River.

Yesterday we had our API Orientation and walking tour of Limerick. It was a very fun day and helped me to feel a little more hopeful about being in Ireland. At our orientation I learned all about the classes I will take and such, nothing really eventful. Although I had been very concerned about not fitting in with the older kids but now I am called the baby and everyone is very nice to me and helpful. 

First in our walking tour we went to King John's Castle. It was beautiful to actually see a castle even though parts of it had be

en refurbished for tourist

Me in the stocks.

.

This is Rocky from my group standing in front of part of the castle.

Unfortunately, my camera died at this point so I got no pictures of our other destinations. Next we went to St. Mary's Cathedral. It was so beautiful. There were so many beautiful sculptures and paintings that were almost breathtaking. Plus the architecture of the building was incredible. But what I loved the most was the stained-glass windows.

The Hunt Museum was also very interesting. My two favorite places where the weapons and the jewelry. I kept thinking about the people that had used them before and what their story was. Also the crucifix room was quite interesting. There are so many different views of God and Jesus. Out of all of the sculptures and paintings no two where the same.

For the rest of the day we went to different stores and just walked around the Limerick shopping area. I was able to buy bathroom rugs thankfully and close hangers were given to me free. 

Then finally at night my whole API group went to the pub on campus for all the students. It was fun although there were not a lot of people there yet because school doesn't start till monday. I was able to meet several very nice Irish folk, who all loved my southern accent.... even though I never thought I had one.