A Box of Chocolates

atop the cliffs of moher (go vikings)

Life is and is not like a box of chocolates. On one hand, I knew that I'd miss my friends, but I did not know that I would miss them this much. On the flip side of the coin, I had an idea of what to expect from my experience in Ireland, but I did not expect this much fun so fast.

Truth is, the box of chocolates gives you a list of which chocolates are where, but despite knowing this, you're still some times skeptical of the ones you've never tried. Why is this?

Not sure really.

Like I said, I knew missing my friends and family would be an unavoidable emotion, but of course it was not strong enough to deter me from leaving the states. Just because something is known, like the list the box of chocolates gives you, it does not mean I'll jump right in...I already know. I'll be a bit skeptical, but in the end, I'll probably go for the unknown anyway...like I did with the study abroad experience. My friends and family are without a doubt the most important people in my life. Grateful is a word not strong enough to describe my ability to talk with them still. If I could not talk to my friends, this experience would be much more difficult.

And let me be clear: I am lucky, happy, grateful, excited, curious, and everything in between about my time in Ireland. So far the experience has been better than I expected. I made a great group of friends quickly, which is something I'm thankful for because in the end, we all feel the same: grateful, but still missing home. We go out, we stay in, we eat together, we are a unit that feels the same way about this experience. And it is comforting to know that other people are in the same boat.

for gods sake, just look at this for a moment

The Cliffs of Moher are the perfect example of how incredible this experience has already been. I found it quite unfortunate that many people at the Cliffs were on their phones. There is no doubt that I was a victim of this myself, but all I did was take pictures. I talked with my friends, chatted about how amazing the place was amongst other various things, but for the most part I was silent, taking in what I could. And taking it all in is actually impossible because the sheer might of these cliffs is simply indescribable.
I've seen pictures and videos of it before, having some idea of what to expect, but being there was a totally different feeling. It was spiritual. I could feel some presence there with us all, you know? Don't know if it was a God or...yeah, I just don't know what it was, but there was certainly a higher power there. That's something pictures cannot do; pictures cannot make you feel that way. Only experience can...

So let me clear about this box of chocolates...
Just because you know the list of where each flavor is does not mean it's easy to choose. I just think it's brave to choose the ones you don't know. While choosing the unknown can sometimes make you cringe for a second (like missing my friends & family), you know that you'll save the best ones for last (my experience in Ireland and the eventual reunion back home). Nothing about the choice takes away from the experience, it IS the experience.

stay tuned...

(soundtrack to this blog: Static Age by Misfits)

Know Your Surroundings

one of the two Limerick bus services

Today was the first day I did something alone. I believe that in order to acquaint yourself with another country or city so that you feel comfortable, you need to get your own bearings first.

With the help of our API hosts, Maria and Gerard, I had some idea of how the bus system worked here. In my life, public transportation was never a thing. The only time I ever took a bus regularly was in elementary school (shoutout Barkhamsted Elementary) and even then my father drove me to school often. High school was another story - I lived only 5 minutes away and rode my moped there. Yes, my moped... Eventually I bought a car so the worries of travel were no more.

Now that I'm in a different country and have no car, public transportation is the only way. I'm not complaining...majorities of people in the world use it. It's just not something that I'm accustomed too. The way I see it is if I can figure out how to navigate the surrounding area all by myself, there will never be an instance where I am stuck...because I know how to handle.

Today I took the bus to the city of Limerick for some shopping. I had to grab some food, clothes, and bed linens. I found out shortly after arriving, to my ignorant surprise, that the bed linens they provided me needed to be returned. Shopping around the city is extremely easy here, just like it would be in any city because everything is so close. After roughly 1 hour of shopping, it was time to return home. But since I was walking all over the place with blind glee, not taking in my surroundings, I kind of lost the location for the bus stop. No worries, though, I was up for the challenge.

Sure, I could have easily asked a local for directions, but determination is a strong emotion. If I couldn't find my way back, how am I supposed to live here for four months? I walked around for another half hour, maybe more, until I found the bus stop. The bus was even there waiting...just for me, haha.

Simply put, immersing yourself in another culture is great craic (look it up). Talking to and meeting new people is always an interesting experience - one I greatly look forward too. And it is always great to have help, really. However, doing things by your self tends to be harder so if I can do that, then I should be able to do anything around here.

To be comfortable...take a deep breath, examine your surroundings, and get a feel, because if you don't know where you are, how the hell are you supposed to know where you're going?

stay tuned...

I'm Here

Dromroe Village...where I'll be living

Don't forget that I'm actually studying abroad in Ireland...and I have arrived.

After a rather bumpy flight, one I was shockingly able to sleep on, I walked through customs, picked up my bags, and met my fellow classmates. It's actually quite interesting - they're from all over the country and go to different schools. We got UNH, Texas States, Colorado State, some others, and finally, little old Saint Michael's College represented by none other than my self.

the API kids...at 7 a.m.

Now that I'm here and relatively settled in (if 8hrs in a new country constitutes "settled in"), I feel good. I feel like this is a place I can call home for a few months, and I can say it with confidence.

First off, Saint Michaels...you're doing it wrong. I'm in a six-person suite, which admittedly sounds tight, but it does not feel so. Each room living space is a single and it rivals any traditional hotel room - I have storage upon storage for clothes, a huge study desk, a radiator that actually WORKS, and most importantly, my own damn bathroom. I'm still surprised these are my accommodations. I don't feel like a student per say, but a visitor. Now this is a huge university, so you're likely going to find some better housing, but I didn't expect this. My favorite part about the room, however, is my view. When I wake up, I'll be staring directly at a beautiful river and on the other side, the university campus extends.

The first day is always special. Every one is jet lagged, but every one is excited. Every one is nervous, but every one is ready to have fun. We went to Limerick briefly to grab some essentials and upon my first viewing of the city I was actually reminded of Burlington, just a larger version. Maybe that's just because Burlington is what I know and admittedly still where I want to be, or maybe it's just true. Either way, it feels like home. And home is where I want to be.

This week will consist of a routine, mundane, but surely important orientation period. But when we aren't in orientation, we will be exploring Limerick's castles and hidden treasures, which I look forward too. Castles have always been of serious interest to me and Ireland is known for its array, Limerick being home to most of them actually.

In time, I'll have a lot more to talk about, but for now, just remember that change is good and comes in many different forms. I'm embracing it now and will continue to do so.

(Ethan Allen folks, I miss you all)

stay tuned...