Swing of Things

Now that I've gotten into the swing of things here are some gifs that I think perfectly sum up my life thus far.

When my roommate Rebecca feels like there is an awkward silence (even if it's not awkward).



Whenever I leave for a weekend trip



When someone says they think the  washer or dryer is working, so you put your clothes in and then they get locked inside.



Whenever someone tries to take a picture of me while on an excursion or at a party.




My response when someone asks me why I chose to study abroad here.



Trying to finish the food you just paid way too much for before it expires.



How I feel in my 5-7pm lectures, no offense to the professors--it's late and I'm usually hungry.



When I wake up sick right before two clarinet lessons and an ensemble rehearsal.



When my parents ask why I bought the new clothes in my Facebook photos.



When people scream outside your window at 3AM because they just got back from a night out.



My roommate, Marilyne's reaction when I ask her how to use the can opener...AGAIN.



Every single time I spend money on groceries.



When TESCO changes their policy that non-Europeans have to show their passport to buy alcohol and all you have is your driver's license.



When I think about all the work that needs to be done on my thesis.



When trying to figure out what to do after studying abroad AND graduation.



When I think of all the essays I have to write.



When I Skype one of my friends from home and they ask how my life is.



When a professor says a paper is due in January, but international students have to turn it in in December.



When you get top honors on a geology lab that was crazy hard.



When the parents bring up the countdown to my return to the states.

love always,

The Roomies

I'll be completely honest here, one of the things I was the most nervous about with coming over to Ireland with out knowing anyone else was who am I going to live with. Except for freshmen year at Converse, you choose who you live with. Which of course means, I picked my best friends to live with and I was lucky enough to switch rooms as a freshman to live with my best friends. Now I was relying completely on luck for good roommates. We didn't even fill out a survey on cleanliness, study preferences, or anything. The only thing I asked for was the option of a same sex suite versus co-ed living.

Freshmen Roommates

Sophomore and Junior Year Roommates



Senior Year Roommates

 On September 1st when I was allowed to move in to Deanshall, I partly hoped that I would be the first to move in so I could settle in before the awkward welcomes began while also hoping there would be someone there so I wouldn't be completely alone in this new place the first night. When I walked in to my apartment the room key for the bedroom across from mine was hanging in the door meaning the resident had checked in, I heard a language I thought to be French coming from one closed bedroom door and the hum of a hairdryer from another. But other than soft sounds from closed bedrooms and food in the fridge it was a uneventful first day. For the first few days I tried to keep my bedroom door propped open as much as I could, pulling on the advice Converse CA's tell freshmen upon moving in. Sadly no meetings happened and no one else followed my lead of open doors. This was followed by lonely meals eaten in my bedroom, until finally my roommate Rebecca started eating in the kitchen and I joined her. And finally around the second or third week we all had gotten over the initial awkwardness.

 

 

Next door to me I have fellow American and Southerner, Elaine. Rachel, who isn't pictured above, resides across from me but lives not too far away and so is home Friday through Monday. Then we have Marilyne, from Strasbourg, France, who is the real cook in the apartment. And lastly, Rebecca from Newcastle or party city in England. Since getting past the awkwardness we have celebrated together with decorations and cakes Rebecca's 24th birthday, Elaine's 21st, and will soon celebrate Marilyne's 22nd.

 

These ladies are hilarious, supportive, and I can now say very good friends. As my days left in Ireland become fewer and fewer, I count my blessings at having people who I not only get along living with but that get along well enough that we actually want to hang out outside of bumping into each other in the kitchen. So thank you to whoever keeps sending me all this good luck!

 

 

 

Two Weeks

After returning from London, API took students to the Everyman Theater across the river and we saw a play called "Defender of the Faith." This play was set during the time of the Irish Independence fight and was not a play I would recommend for small children. Though having a rather depressing end, the acting and sets were amazing!
 The next day, API left with other study abroad programs to explore the Ring of Kerry for the whole weekend. And explore we did! We walked through caves that would have made my geology professors jump for joy, saw the site where the first transatlantic cable from Newfoundland to the United States was successful in transmitting a message, almost got blown away at the summit of a mountain that overlooked the town and ocean, and learned about one of the oldest monastic sites in Ireland-Skellig Islands. We also learned about Gaelic Football, danced Ceili dances, and participated in a sing song.

  

 

Also anybody that knows me and my roommate Grace, knows that we love the movie "Leap Year" with Amy Adams. And I told her I wanted to study abroad in Ireland by us watching that movie. Well, I totally saw the castle that was used in the movie. The three pictures I've shown above from my Ring of Kerry trip doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all that we saw. So if you are interested in seeing more and check out my Facebook album, unoriginally titled, "Senior Year."

 



Weekend Trips

When at Converse, weekends were my chance to catch up on all the homework, studying, and practicing I missed during the week. However, that is most definitely not the case here in Ireland. After my first hike, the following weekend I went again with UCCMC to Sugar Loaf Mountain. This place had amazing views and we reached the summit just as it began to rain.

 

 The following weekend my fellow American roommate, Elaine, turned the big 21! And we celebrated with a Ke$ha themed party on Friday and I then somehow managed to wake up at 7am for a Cliffs of Moher trip.

 

 

 

 

 

Cliffs of Moher are as beautiful or more so in person as in pictures. But I've kind of found that most places in Ireland are that way. Pictures just don't do the sites justice. Also don't tell, but the pictures are from the other side of the fence. Such a rebel! This trip was followed up by a three day trip to London with the program, API, that I am studying abroad with. After a 9AM call and a large latte in the airport, a group of us began the trip with loads of laughter regarding Fungi the Dolphin of Dingle. And while everybody slept on the flight over, I read about Sean O Riada, one of the greatest composers that is credited for really giving Irish music an identity on the world music forum.

Abbey Road



 

And unlike my last trip to London, this trip had lovely weather. Only rained on our bus ride to Heathrow Airport to leave. Also, who would have thought that my history professor would be on the same flight back.

 

 

Expanding the Family

If you look back at some posts from last year, you would see that Big Sis/Lil Sis was a very prominent event. I not only have an amazing Big Sis and an incredibly talented art major for a Twin. This past fall I took three Littles as my own, as well as adopted my two best friends' Littles. This brought my grand total of Little Sisters up to 7!

From left to right the Littles: Jessica, India, Ketta, Emily, Kayla, Takia, and Caitlin

From left to right the Bigs: Molly, Grace, and me

 

Well in case you thought that wasn't a large enough family, I apparently felt the same. In the spring term of last year Converse's Delta Omicron, music honor fraternity, took new initiates and created a big/little setup. So I gained my lovely DO littles, Sanuja and Lydia. And in the spring we also had many girls transfer in to Converse, so I welcomed an additional sister to the family, Mary Katherine.

 

Have you lost count yet? Try having to remember who all you have to send postcards to and buy gifts for. It is insane! We have also adopted into our family Tia, India's freshman year roommate, and Darby, Kayla's freshman year roommate, I am musical Big to Anna Grace, and we have an honorary member, Callie, who is not a Converse student but definitely has a place in my heart. Before I give you a final headcount, even from across the pond my family expanded. Meet the newest addition, Morgan! A most precious transfer student, who is actually a Pink Panther, but belongs to our Red Devil clan.

DO Littles and me



Mary Katherine

Anna Grace, me, Kayla, and Darby

Tia and I on the right during orientation

 

 



(left to right) Morgan, Caitlin, Emily, and India for our Facetime Reveal
 



 When I entered as a freshman at Converse College and they told me that sisterhood was the number one component of the school, I did not expect that it would take me from only child status to someone who has a Big Sis, a twin, and *drum roll* 15 Little Sisters! And you know it is serious when my mother asks about each one. Can't wait to be reunited with my ever growing family in January.

 

Love always,