( I had written this last week but did not have a chance to put it up until now )

Today is one of my last days in this beautiful country. Not forever that is, because I know I am coming back someday if not soon. But it is one of my last days in Dodder 8C, living in Maynooth, where I celebrated my 20^th birthday, and where I met some really, really great people. I think I should be doing something to make the most of my time here tonight, but sitting here in my disastrous room trying to pack, I cannot bring myself to leave it until someone drags me away. I can’t help but reflect on my time here and think about my favorite memories and how much I am going to miss every single person I became friends with.

One phrase I always believed to be true is “your experiences make you who you are” and ever since I have been in Ireland, I take that to heart more and more every day. I have learned so many lessons and have realized how important it is to just enjoy life without any distractions. I have always been a fan of quotes and lyrics and at points in my life I’ve used them to get me through certain things, but I have also realized how much of a distraction they are from actually living. I mean, why not use your own thoughts to power through your struggles instead of using someone else’s every chance you get? Pinterest is definitely to blame… Maybe it’s all a part of growing up and changing. I mean, everyone changes, some for good and some for bad. But by distracting yourself with social media all the time and not taking initiative to go experience the world, I almost feel like that’s a sin. Leisure time is important don’t get me wrong, but doing something, making mistakes, and experiencing new things… that is living life. What’s the point of living on earth if we don’t take advantage of it?

I've met some really great people while traveling. In Portugal, I talked with an Australian traveling around Europe by himself about what we wanted to do in life and where we saw ourselves in a few years. I was never one to have a set plan on what I wanted to do too far in the future. I’m just a go with the flow type of gal. I don’t know what I want for my future entirely, but I know what I don’t want. Anyway, while talking and looking out over the peaceful water in Lagos, I gained a whole new perspective on life. It is such a precious gift wasted so often. I could go on and on about what I think about life now, but that’d just be boring. SOOO to sum it up…

Make mistakes

Fall in love

Eat

Say yes

Work hard

Step out of your comfort zone

Pray

Let loose

and most of all, Travel.

Because you only have one life, you might as well live it while you can.

Onto other things… a few weeks ago I went to the Aran Islands in Ireland with the whole Saint Mary’s group. It was our last trip with the group, including Roberta and Eugene! Pretty crazy to think about… The first night we stayed in Doolan which is smaller than my hometown in Michigan, apparently it is possible. We went to a pub that night which seemed to be where everyone from nearby came to hang out. We ran into a stag party (a bachelor party) who was very entertaining seeing as they had been there since 3 in the afternoon and it was about 8 by the time we walked in the door. They were very friendly, some even a little too friendly. They had live music there and one of the men taught me how to play the spoons!  Madison learned as well and we picked it up pretty fast… I don’t think it’s too hard to do. The next morning we found them in our pockets, oops! She had the little spoons which means she was more advanced, she’s so talented! We met people from Marshall, Michigan, The Netherlands, and France, so many international people in one little town.

In the morning we headed on a 2 hour very wavy ferry ride to the islands. It was a little long for my liking. All 20 something of us stayed in one hostel and made all of our meals. It was always a big production because groups would switch off cooking food for everyone. That is a lot of people. Now I know how the Duggars feel. There were not a whole lot of activities to do on the island that we were on because it is so small. The Supermacs wasn’t even open which means it’s a pretty deserted place.

We had no obligations; we were free to do whatever we wanted! We rode bikes around the island, explored some ruins, walked around the beach, sat on the side of the road while soaking up the sun and thinking about life, and celebrated LE’s 21^st birthday and sat on the floor of the pub while everyone was in a line swaying back and forth singing Rock the Boat. It was quite entertaining. While exploring, LE and I came across a few statues of Jesus and Mary and stopped at them to say a prayer. It was pretty unreal because as you knelt down, you were looking over a beautiful Irish countryside, it almost looked fake. There was lot of hanging out in each other’s rooms and making videos which for some were eventually added on the Book. Overall, it was a splendid time! On our way back to Maynooth we stopped at the Cliffs of Moher which I was super excited about because I didn't think I would have time to see them while I was in Ireland. They were gorgeous, even better than I remembered! Roberta (our Saint Mary’s leader of the pack) did a great job, even though we did not see her pretty much the whole time. The weather held up for the most part, the food was delicious, and I could not have asked to spend it with better people! It was an awesome little holiday weekend :).