The Rain

It is raining here, it rains here a lot actually which I was warned about but what I wasn't told is how beautiful it is. You see, in Oregon, my home, when it rains things seem to (die) plants sink to one side, animals hide in corners and unseen crevices. But here, I've been looking out my window all afternoon, the rain almost seems to cause beauty among the trees and grass. It almost brings out the green. Even the clouds are different, not just grew but the shades change through out and complement the lush emerald that cost the entire landscape.

Many of you don't know this but I am a writer. As a creative writing major you'd think I write a lot right? Everyday? Ideas just popping out of my head every second. Ok that last one is true but the rest, writers block is a curse and no matter what people say, everyone gets it. I've been cursed for the past couple of months, my novel has been on hold, and my short stories just don't have the spark I want them to have.
Four hours ago I looked outside and saw this? And I haven't been able to stop writing. Save the reflection of my smiley face tshirt this picture seems flawless right? Ireland at it's most beautiful right here and something snapped, as if this painting of utter beauty tore down the writers block in a Arnold Schwarzenegger kind of way.
As many of you can tell I am doing much better than a few posts ago where I talked about Homesickness. The normality of Ireland is starting to sink in and I can't believe I've been here for nearly four weeks. Soon, it will be time to board a plane and fly back for Christmas only to do it all over again in the Spring. My life kinda rules right now.

Ok, update.

I joined the Archery team (club) this semester and lets just say I've shot before but I didn't know that the form of Archery ran in my blood. there is something almost memorizing when you string the arrow, lock it in place and draw back the string. Power. Sheer and utter power, the strength in your arm quivers as you aim along the slick arrow and fire with all you have. Being one of very few barebows (which are archers who aim along the arrow instead of using the trigger aim) I was also voted in as the First Year Rep. My duties include talking and making friends and reporting back any issues with members.

I also joined the Fencing club and that is me to the left. (just kidding) I wish it was. But I look more floundering and less flawless than they do at the moment. My stance is not as epic as theirs. I also haven't touched a sword yet because of "safety issues" please like a group of young and wild college students would be irresponsible with sharp pointed objects, come on people. But this "marshal art" is truly amazing to do, it is all about honor and stance and being "scarier" that your opponent. I am truly honored to take part in this art form that has been around for hundreds of years.

I also joined the History Society where we will study all the major and historical pubs in Limerick, Galway, Dublin, Cork, Kerry and many other places. Lots of pubs...not enough time. But to be fair we are also going to take part in a reenactment at Bunratty Castle where we will have an traditional feast, with entertainment, wine and costumes!


So life here in Ireland is moving slowly, like the ripples in the Shannon river or like the swans that reside there. Classes are in full motion, travel plans have been arranged and there are many more adventures to be had.

Mightly Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher is one of the largest attractions in Ireland, people travel hundreds of miles just to feast their eyes on the jagged rocky cliffs that make up the western seaboard of County Clare.
Standing 214 high with a magnificent view over the roaring Atlantic Ocean. 

This Saturday, my friends and I piled into a small tour bus and traveled from the City of Limerick to the rushing waves of Galway Bay.

Our trip took us along twisting roads, through fields of green packed with sheep and grazing cattle. Our first stop was to Poulnavrone Dolmen. Known in Gaelic as "the hole of sorrows" The stonework almost looks like a creation similar to Stonehenge in Great Britain. Thought he stones represent a tome, where below hundreds of Irish men were buried. It's a constant reminder of how the Irish lived and died.

After 20 minuets of climbing over stone work dated back to 3000BC we boarded our bus and were off again. After winding through the countryside, past fences called "dry cement" because the fences are made of stones with nothing holding them together the rocks are just piled on top of one another. Soon we reached The Burren which is jagged cliffs made of limestone and fossil Lunar rock formations. After jumping the 200 food drop you climb onto a ledge like the picture shows at the left and look out over the ocean, seeing the white waves beat against rock and stone. The rocks and strange landscape of this place is so unreal that Cromwell said "Not enough wood to hang a man, water to drown him or soil to bury him"

We stopped at a small fishing village named Doolin, famously known for the beer their brew. Here we stopped for lunch and light shopping at the Shaggy Sheep. I wanted ice cream and this is the only one i could fine so I thought what the hey?

Once we reached the Cliffs of Moher, I have to say my heart skipped a beat. They just come out of no where, I mean you know they are there because your guide tells you that they are just over the hill, just out of sight but when you come over the crest of the hill and look out over the impressive view.
To one side the cliffs span out into the ocean sitting high above the crashing waves and to the other side sits a tower. One with an amazing view of the cliffs themselves.

Then to the other side you will see the cliffs reach out over the water touching the sky and clouds. By far one of the most beautiful places i have seen and worth the 20 euros I spend on the day tour. :)

 As for me you might ask. The homesickness has gone down for what reason is still unclear. Maybe it's because I am finally started to settle in, my room feels like home and my though everything is still so new I feel as if I do belong here instead of feeling like an outsider. This isn't to say that the homesickness won't come back in waves but for now I am going to enjoy my time here and not think about the future. Weather I decide to stay a year or a semester I will not regret traveling and studying abroad.

Homesickness

According to a online dictionary homesick is defined as "depressed or melancholy at being away from home and family."

Well we can all relate to this can't we? Weather you were at summer camp or off to your first year at college there is always a sinking pain in your stomach longing for home and family. You miss your friends, your classmates and even your significant other, if you have one.However, I think homesickness is far more than just "melancholy at being away from home."

It is day 8 here, 4:00pm on a beautiful sunny day in Limerick Ireland and the homesickness creature has been digging it's claws into me all week. Though, I miss my family and (let's call him J) there is something else I miss, that sinking feeling in my chest isn't longing for my mom or my cat (Tommy) it is longing for familiarity.

What everyone doesn't tell you about Ireland is the harsh effects culture shocks can be to a Type A, full blooded A/B student attending a private university back in the states. Sure I like the laid back classes, sure I enjoy the peaceful walks back and forth in pouring rain, sure I relish in miscommunication...scratch that...no I really don't. I feel like I'm being pulled in to many directions, that facts are not the same throughout the system, and even that poeple are giving me the wrong information.

Yesterday was a perfect example. I traveled into the city of Limerick by bus because we needed to go to the Garda (Police station) to get VISA cards so we may remain in Ireland for the semester and in my case, a whole year. Now the directions we recived brought us to the Garda station but not after almost missing our stop, requesting directions from a native who spoke very little english and only to end up in the wrong place. After some walking and searching we reached our destination.

I feel as if America babies students too much, you know what I mean, shuttling them everywhere not letting them do things until their "of age" but Ireland just kind of tossing you into the city street and yells "don't get hit!" I miss home, but I really really miss the way of life over there. Things made since! And if you had a question it was answered, not pushed off to another person...then another...and then another.

And just another point I want to add to this rant is allergies. I am suffering from a huge allergy attack at the moment the whole nine yards. Stuffy nose, sore throat, lots and lots of sleep...it's horrible. And the medication is different! Which is fine, but no one seems to know what can help me? I say "I have allergies, do you have anything for sore throats or stuffy noses?" And they look at me like I'm from a different planet with cats falling out of my ears. DON'T YOU PEOPLE GET ALLERGIES!

So there you have it...not enough communication...no allergy medication and I want to go home...

The City of Limerick

One thing people don't tell you about going abroad is how important the little things are. Like shampoo. Yes, you think oh just run to walmart, or winco and grab a cheap bottle, or for those who liek to spend lots of money on really expencive stuff you go to a brand man store. But what do you do in a different country? Where the locals raise their eyebrows at the name "walmart."
I ran out of shampoo, yes so thank god we went to Limerick that day. First we piled onto a large travel bus and drove into the city and was dropped off right in the city center.

(Heading down the street to the Milk Market)

Limerick is not like Portland, or Vancouver, there are no tall buildings overlooking the people, or men walking in suits. The buildings show their character in each crease and slanted brink that was placed with a caring hand instead of a building crew. Tiny cars line the streets and people usually walk everywhere since all you need is in close walking distance. 

OUr first stop was Penny's, yes it's close to what you image, JC Penny's, though it has amazing prices! We as study abroad students have to provide sheets and pillow cases while here so nearly 900 students filled the stacks picking out their favorite color sheets and pillow cases, of course, I got mix matching ones. :P

 After our Penny's adventure we made our way to the milk market, much like the local farmers market, only more amazing! It's held in a huge tent near the Shannon River and you will find hand made bread, freshly picked apples and fish heads the size of your torso!

While walking back from the milk market, I saw a stand with a bunch of apples and asked the guy how much they were. He turned to me with a chuckle and says "for you, five for 2 euros" I pause for a moment, mmm freshly picked apples, for 2 euros, not bad. :) My roommate, lets call him H for conventional reasons turns to him and asks  how much for the bananas? "seven for 2 euros." What! Why did I have to pay more? So I turn on my charming smile and say, "Not fair H, you get more than me, even though I'm prettier." The apple banana man begins to roar with laughter and H is laughing as well. "For that comment little lady you get free bananas!" People, it pays to laugh at yourself!  Especially if you and they get a kick out of it.

To end the night we had a dance party, held in one of the many pubs on campus called the Stables. We learned irish dancing, well we tried to learn it. It's a lot harder than it looks, you have to stand on your toes a lot and lets say the next morning my ankles were killing me!! :)

Here what we all thought we looked like! haha Not ready, once the students were done teaching us we sat back and enjoyed their end of the evening performance. Though, everyone's bellies were full of ale but that time so there is a lot of giggling.

Living with Roommates

Day 4 at the University of Limerick and things are kicking off.
Yesterday was new student orientation and let me just say there was a lot of info and very little questioned answered. Funny how that works. We were given a tour of campus and shown where the main offices are located, though the classroom numbering system is terribly confusing. One of my classes Intro to Lit. Theory is in room CSG01...yeah...so if I understand correctly CS is the Computer Science building, G is ground floor and 01 is the room number. :) Not too hard...until you get to the main building where there are A,B,C,D,E block all connected with long hallways and there is the G (ground) floor an O floor and an M floor, then comes 1,2 and 3. haha I know right! Still confusing.

So after orientation we gathered together and was introduced to some traditional Irish music and dance which really got my into the spirit. I have decided to take Intro to traditional Irish music and dance class which will teach me how to play the penny whistle and another Irish flutes. :)

(My roommates and I on the living bridge)

Not all of my roommates have arrived though, now there are four of us which is really nice. The flat is at least not so empty anymore. I am happy to report that two Irish lads will be filling up the rest of the space this weekend. I am very excited to be the only American in my flat, mainly because I can really emurse myself into the three different cultures that make up my flat. And it is really fun to be the only one representing my country, the last couple of nights we've all be trying to learn about each other. My two french roommates don't speak very good English so its all about acting out what we are trying to say. :)

Ireland at Last

Greetings from the Emerald Isle! It is 11:30am, sunny skies and a high of freezing! I have to say, like Oregon, the sun might be out but the wind is a blowing and it's cold. But that is ok! Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, I was trying to describe Oregon to one of my roommates and I told him that Ireland is about 10 shades greener than Oregon.

(View outside my dorm room)

We arrived at 7am yesterday, unloaded the plane, went through customs and piled on a bus full of fellow UL (University of Limerick) students and began out 30 min drive from Shannon to Limerick.
once we arrived the driving dropped off each student at their village (apartment) and yes I was last. My village Cappavilla, is on the far side of campus with an amazing view into the green country side.

The irish are very kind and funny. I have to say I haven't meant a group of people more willing to laugh at themselves. They don't care what they look like, or if they are making fools of themselves, they just have fun. There is no pressure here, just laid back and fun tales to hear.

(Court Yard in the middle of the main building)

The campus is large, I might invest in a bike of some kind, for those rainy days when I don't have to get drenched. I am very glad that it wasn't raining when we arrive and that for the past two days I've been enjoying the sunshine.

So far two of my roommates have arrived, one is from New Zealand and the other is from France. Not only are they polite and eager to learn more about America, they are excited to share about their home as well. I've learned a lot about both countries. I cooked dinner last night, pasta noodles and sauce, nothing special since we are limited on what we can cook because we don't have much food to begin with. But I was glad to have dinner and a gathering to meet everyone that I will be living with.

Today marks day two, and I am very excited, I hope to travel into the town of Limerick today, or just stay home and catch up on sleep, the time change is a little bit of a challenge. But the wait was well worth it! Ireland is beautiful!

Sleep well America! Let another day begin!

8 hours to go

The final hours are here and I can't wait! 8 hours until I get up, load the car with two suit cases and go to the airport.
Today has been all about packing, getting last minute things together and making sure my bags are under 50 pounds! Can you believe that! If your bag is over 50 pounds it would cost $200!!! So it's easier to bring to suit cases and pay $100! Why make us pay more for our bags! Come on I'm going over there for an entire year!

Well I guess that have to make money somehow. So the final count, two large suit cases (45 pounds each) a 20 pound carry on backpack and a violin...yep! That is all I need for an entire year to live. I can't believe the day is finally here! It's going to be great.

The plan of attack today. A fellow pacific student and I will board our plane at 7am, fly to New Jersey, 5 hour lay over and then board another plane to fly over to Ireland. Lad in Shannon Ireland and then we will be there! 24 hours later I will be across the big pound and ready to start my adventure!

Wish us luck! In another day I will be in my new dorm room!!!