Life on the Greener Side: Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

I remember what I was doing right now, 2 weeks ago. Some people can’t even remember what they did yesterday, but I remember this because it was a big day for me. 2 weeks ago I was in an airplane on my way to Detroit from Chicago. There was a man sitting next to me and we were both frustrated because the plane was delayed 2 hours… but I could not keep my eyes open to save my life. If we had been falling from the sky to our deaths, I probably would not wake up. I was that exhausted. That day was a long one to say the least. I was up from 7AM to 10AM Irish time (2AM to 5AM American time). One thing I learned this past semester is that traveling is hard work. It makes you tired, sick, and being crabby just comes with the package sometimes.

I did not know what to expect when I came home, just like I didn’t know what to expect when I went to Ireland… just had a flashback to that first day in Ireland. My first Guinness in the old man side of the Roost before we had our first meal in Ireland which was Chinese, lovely. This sounds silly in my head now, but before I went I had only tried to imagine what the semester would be like two times. I came up with a vision of being in the country and the college being kind of secluded. It was next to many fields of sheep and if you went for a run down the country road you would run into some old Irish men with their canes. Don’t ask me why I thought of this. But this vision was anything but reality. Maynooth was a good size town, small but a good size. There were things to do and places to see on a sunny day. It was a bus or train ride away from the city and there were many more people than the old Irish men, although there was a fair share of those... I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.

More about being home… I’m still trying to get settled in; my room is coming together slowly but surely. I do wish so badly that I could go back to Ireland even if it’s just to visit, but being home has its high and low points. Some highlights of being home thus far:

Being greeted with pizza rolls

Finding that my 3 year old cousin cut her hair while I was babysitting

Seeing my family at the Tiger’s game and grad parties

The Lumineers concert

Reuniting with all my friends and catching up

Spending time with the fam

My newfound love for working out

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I had an Irish Bucket List. I just wanted to say that I crossed off all of them besides going to a rugby/hurling game. That’s pretty good if you ask me.

Some things I’d just like to mention... I now like some fish, getting back behind the wheel was a breeze, and these past five months have been the best months of my life. Although my bed is the best bed in the entire world, it is quite depressing coming home because sometimes all I want to do is just take the 66 bus into Dublin and walk around St. Stephens Green or sit in a pub and listen to Irish people talk. I never took those things for granted, but I wish so badly that I could just have some of those moments back. Home is usually a good place to be though.

As I am writing this, it is midnight thirty and I’m in a nightgown having a no pants party, in such a good mood, and it’s thunder storming outside… a perfect moment.

So I’m going to answer these questions for everyone who wants to know because I get it all the time…

Q: What was your favorite place you visited in Ireland?
A: I loved Dublin because I love the city life, but Dingle is tied as well. Dingle is so cute and quaint, and the Ring of Kerry is stunning. I went there with my family and we had such a great time seeing all of the sheep and just goofing around.

AND

Q: What did you love most about Ireland in general?
A: I don’t mind the weather but I loved how laid back the culture is. If my class started at 9 I would start making tea at 9 and then go to class. I even turned in one of my final essays 2 weeks after the due date because everything is just so relaxed. I also loved the people. We met some of the friendliest, nicest Irish people. We had many conversations with old Irish men in pubs.

In the past 2 weeks when people have asked how Ireland was and if I liked it I feel like whatever I say doesn’t express how I feel about this past semester. Like I said, it was the best few months of my life so far. Although I lost a few Irish phones, got the worst haircut, destroyed my feet from walking everywhere, and slipped and fell down a muddy hill in the rain, I also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, visited 6 other countries, made the most amazing friends, went to an Irish ball, went surfing in Portugal, went to the driving range in Maynooth, celebrated beer with Germans, had the best Guinness in Howth, found my new favorite store (Jack Wills), went on a 4 hour walk and met up with my best friend in Barcelona, kissed the Blarney Stone, got free "bubbly" and had the best birthday in Dublin, and even found the Geraldine Castle where my ancestors are supposedly from. These are only a few memories… when people ask how Ireland was, I could probably talk about it for hours.

All I can really say to people who are in college who have not studied abroad and are able to, do it. Those who are not a little scared and nervous by the thought of moving to another country for a few weeks/months are not normal. Everyone has second thoughts, but it is 1 million percent worth it. My advice is don’t let anything hold you back, just go somewhere, and have the time of your life. Say yes, don’t have regrets, and travel and go on adventures while you are young. It sounds so cheesy, but when you are young you don't really know how good you have it until it's over so we may as well take advantage of it.

To all those who I have become friends with while abroad...

Thank you for making my time in Europe the best time of my life. I did not get a chance to say goodbye to all of you, but every one of you added something different to my experience. Ireland has yet to see the last of me so I will see you all again, hopefully quite soon! Thank you so much for everything, come visit Michigan! xo miss you already.

I am falling asleep and am about to be dreaming, and there would be plenty of funny things running through my head, but I will spare you.

Goodnight American hicks and Good Morning Ireland.

Much love to the place which has become my second home, xoxo.

(Some of my favorite photos)