Final Post

So I'm sitting here among my half packed/cleaned room on the very last night of my stay in Ireland. I just had my last "Plassey Dinner". Today I had my last lunch at Delish, my last trip into the city, my last busride on BusEireann, and potentially my last Irish rain (that's debatable...it will most likely rain tomorrow morning as I wait for the bus, because thats what happens in Ireland)....It was a day full of lasts. My last goodbyes happened early early early in the morning...Those were the worst and I'm out of tears now.

I'm pretty sad and maybe even a little depressed to be leaving. For the past week, with all the goodbyes and such, I've had moments of happiness to moments of just sitting in my room crying my eyes out. Its been a bipolar time in my life. But, at the same time I find it hard to be sad. I've had such an amazing 5 months here, I've done so many things I didn't know I would be able to do, and met so many new people as well as several seemingly life long friends. Saying goodbye to these people was one of more difficult things I've had to do, especially saying goodbye to the Canadians since they live on the other side of the continent. Even saying goodbye to the girls who live on the east coast (which is just about everyone else) was hard. Now I won't be able to walk across the village to hang out with MK or open my door and yell to Sarah or give a call and make a Stables date with someone. But the way I've tried to make myself see it is if you're truly good friends, you will see each other. And I believe we will.

I've been able to travel more in the last 5 months of my life than ever before. I had a chance to revisit places I've seen before as well as explore new and exciting places. My favorite for the trip would have to be Denmark. I can't wait to get back there and see what else that country has to offer. That country just felt like home. I felt very welcome and a strong sense of belonging there. It was very strange, but in a good way. I've also had the opportunity to see Norway (beautiful) and Scotland, which is another place I've always wanted to visit. I also got back to London which was lovely.

IRELAND: probably one of the greatest countries on this planet. You couldn't ask for nicer people or a more beautiful and diverse place. When I first flew over Ireland back in January, the sights were completely unbelievable. That sense of amazement still hasn't worn off even after all of these months. I go to a new place and my jaw still drops at how gorgeous it is. The people are some of the friendliest and happiest of people (although I think the Danes may have them beat on that...). Everywhere I went, if I had a question, they were always willing to help. This country is full of wonderful people. It is also a very laid back country. This was difficult to get used to at first coming from the "GO GO GO" "Everything right here, right now" sense of mind of America. But having gotten used to it, I think it will be very strange to go back to the rushed way of life. Why do we always rush anyway? I think the Irish have it right...slow down, lay back, and have a Guinness, things will work out. Overall, I could definitely see myself living in this country at some point in my life. In fact, I would love to live in this country for a long time.

This whole experience has been the best thing to happen in my life thus far and it is by far the absolute BEST decision I have EVER made. I'm incredibly happy that I did not go to Dublin and got accepted to Limerick instead. Limerick is a lovely little city and I'm sure I've enjoyed myself more here than I would have in Dublin. Funny how things work out, eh? I'm just incredibly fortunate to have been able to experience this and live here. I think I've changed a little bit, but in a good way. I have a greater appreciation for where I'm from and how lucky I truly am. You don't realize the little things you take from granted everyday (i.e. walking to the post I wondered why they didn't just have drop boxes like we have (that is very minute but you get the point)). Being thrown into this type of situation forces you to adapt and change, but it is definitely in a good way. It helps you to grow, which I think I have. If anyone reading this is thinking about studying abroad or doing an exchange or anything, DO IT!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how much these 5 months have impacted my life. It is the MOST fun I have had in my life. If you don't do it, in the future you might regret it. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss out on. Who knows when/if you'll be able to live in another country in your life?

On that note, I will end my blog. I have once again been bitten by the "travel bug" and plan to do a lot more traveling in the near future. I have so many more places I need to see. The world is a big place, and I need to explore it...Not just want to, NEED to. Ireland, you will be greatly missed. Before coming here, I just had a strange obsession with this country. Now I have a deep love for it.

Also, thanks Mom and Dad for letting me come and helping to finance it!!! Glad you saw this as an adventure too! I'm really glad you guys and Elissa got to come visit!!! Can't wait to see you (and EVERYONEEEEE else) when I get home..

Slan Eire! (There were accents over some letters...but the computer wouldn't let me do that...)

Rapid Update

This is for you Mom, because you've been telling me I have to update since I haven't recently. The overviews will be breif otherwise this would be ridiculously long...

I don't really know where I left off, but I'm pretty sure I haven't mentioned Scotland yet. So we'll start there. Scotland is beautiful. I stayed in Glasgow but visited Edinborough and the Midlands. Edinborough is a wonderful and beautiful old city. We did a 3 hour walking tour (FREE!!!) that explained the history and everything of many of the places. It was fantastic. I highly recommend it if you ever visit the city. The highlands were gorgeous. We saw several lochs and giant mountains. We found Nessy in Loch Ness and tried to bring her back to live in the Shannon River but Ryan Air has pretty strict carry on weights and Nessy was a bit too large. And I saw Scottish Highland Cattle so my trip was complete.

Spring break took me to Norway and Denmark. Norway was lovely. Oslo was really expensive...FYI, never eat a the hardrock cafe in Oslo. 1. it was the cheapest place we could find to eat and 2. we spent 90 euro on chicken fajitas, a soda, and nachos. so that puts it into perspective for you. We saw a ballet at the new opera house. Front and center and it was amazing.

Denmark is my new love. I loved everything about that country: the people, the places, the history. Everything was fantastic. I visited the Copenhagen zoo, so maybe in the future I'll have a place of employment there :). That would be ideal (that is if I can't find work in Ireland). Denmark is now one of my top 1-3 favorite countries.

I did a horse riding trek throught the mountains of Dingle. It was gorgeous. The way to see Ireland is on horseback, I'm convinced. You get some amazing views and you're right smack in the middle of some amazing nature.

Recently (as in yesterday) visited Derry in Northern Ireland. What a strange place that is. Its very different from the rest of Ireland. So divided...so strange. Anyway, Giant's Causeway was stunning...the structure and geology was really cool. Derry was a neat town, I would have liked to explore it a little more, but I guess I'll just have to return to do it.

My family visited and I'm so glad they did. I think everyone had a great time and I loved travelling with them. I'm glad my sister and Dad got to Europe for the first time and I think Ireland was a great place to start. It was wonderful travelling with my mom again in Europe...Brings back memories hahaha.

So that's all I can write right now since I have to get going and finish planning my finals horahs around Ireland...heading back to Galway to explore that more (since St. Patty's day got in the way of exploration last time) and then heading back to Kilarney National Park to do another horse trek through there.

Only 6 more days in Ireland... and thats all I'll say on that because I'm not ready to accept it yet...