2015

I had such an amazing 2014 which definitely went above and beyond anything I could have imagined. So I found it really hard to make new years resolutions this year. Though this may be for the best, because after about the first month, I forget what my new years resolutions are, it felt strange entering the new year with what seemed like no goals. I definitely have goals for 2015, like have an amazing senior year, be in graduate school in August, learn as much as I can, and continue traveling.

So far 2015 holds high hope for being even better then 2014. I was reunited with my roommates and best friends Molly and Megan. And these two ladies, planned for me to meet my newest Little in person for dinner. Morgan, my Little, took me to Greenville for dinner and gelato as a way of distracting me from the surprise welcome home party that was getting set up in my apartment on campus. Almost 20 of m favorite people were crammed into the apartment where we ate chips and played Cards Against Humanities. I felt so loved and was so appreciative. The next day I felt even more love when Grace, my best friend and roommate from last year, surprised me with a visit to Converse on the night of the winter ball.

 

 

I've just started working at the school that I will be completing my student teaching at, and it has been both terrifying and exciting. Before starting the practicum, I felt completely unprepared for student teaching and even though I don't think I've done amazing every day so far and won't at any point feel this way, I definitely feel prepared to take on this chapter of my life. I mean who wouldn't feel this way if there was a three flavor coffee kiosk in the library across the hall from the band room?

 

Even though I am quite content not getting on a plane for a while, and can have an amazing year stateside, I cannot wait to see what this year has to hold in all aspects of life.

 

love always,

 

 



Just a Vacation

One of my dear new friends that I met while studying abroad, Anna, liked to joke that Darien and I (Americans studying for just a semester in Cork) were not there for academic reasons but just on a vacation because of the amount of traveling we did. And while I understand her point, please know that I have written more essays in these four months than in the past three years of my undergrad career. But here is a run down of the "mini-vacations" that took place before my arrival stateside.

A "mini-vacation" that just meant some exciting events right at home in Cork city, Cork Guinness-sponsored Jazz Festival. Musicians of all ages had taken over every pub, club, and restaurant in Cork city. And there are many of those! Even though I only went out for one night of the weekend-filled event due to assignments, I had an absolute blast rocking out to traditional jazz ensembles, rock bands, and a brass band.

Two weeks later, on November 1st API took a day trip to Kinsale. Even though it chose to poor down rain in stereotypical Irish fashion that day, our group braved the freezing weather to explore Charles Fort, the most intact star-shaped fort in England, and then do some shopping around town. Even though much of our day was spent traveling and only spent three hours in Kinsale, it was by far one of the quaintest towns I visited and I would love to go back. Also there is a super cute shop owner who spoke to me and my friend about our travels and where to go for probably 30 minutes.

The next weekend, in part with my introduction geology fieldtrip, I traveled to three beaches within a half hour of Cork city to study their makeup. I accidently, slept through 13 alarms, on Saturday and so missed my assigned field trip but thankfully my professor was nice enough to let me join in Sunday with the diploma seeking students. This gave me an opportunity to meet people outside of my class and we found a fossil!!

The next weekend, I traveled yet again to Dublin this time with some girlfriends for a relaxing weekend. For this weekend, we participated in a musical pub crawl with two traditional musicians leading. I would highly recommend this hilarious tour that is filled with interesting and educational information on the music of Ireland.

November 21st and 22nd was spent traveling to Dingle. Dingle, a beach town, about four hours away from Cork is a small town with renowned fame for Fungi the Dingle Dolphin. Don't believe me? Check out his website!! One of my best friends gained from being abroad, Darien, and I participated in "turtle time" that weekend bringing only our almost exploding backpacks. And it would not have been complete, if we didn't spend an hour freezing on a boat circling the ocean as Fungi jumped around.

One of my most extensive times spent traveling away from Cork, was when my Ireland and Rome history course spent five days in Rome. This trip wasn't all fun and no play though, during this trip all the monuments that were presented were done by students. My partner, John, and I presented on St. John's Lateran. This church is the apostolic church of Roman Catholicism, even being the main seat of the Pope, unlike the more popularly known St. Peter's Basilica. During this trip, I made friends with all my fellow students, but in particular 4 Americans and one Irish. These ladies and I spent most of the trip doubled over, whether in laughter or in pain from too much pasta, pizza, or gelato, we will never know. (Also met a South Carolinian in our favorite gelato shop--knew she was from SC by her accent)

Another "turtle time" weekend, Darien and I traveled up to Dublin to catch a bus tour to Newgrange. Newgrange is one of the most prolific stone age passage tomb's in Ireland with the main tomb being only about 19 meter's long. Even for someone not as much of a history buff as Darien, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ancient cultures of Ireland and the world that would have lived during the building of these passage tombs.

One of my most nerve-wracking trips was when Darien and I ventured to Belfast in Northern Ireland in conjunction with Newgrange. Even in the south of Ireland, one hears stories of how strict Northern Ireland is run and that the bordered used to be patrolled, stops are still made to check visas, etc. And of course, it would be after about an hour on the bus that I realize I left my passport in my closet. We stopped in Dublin for two nights in order to catch the tou to Newgrange and a Paddywagon tour to Belfast and let's just say after a night spent at one of the best jam sessions in Dublin
 we went back to our 22 girl dorm hostel room to sleep. Never do it--there are bound to be crazies. After pulling an all-nighter we toured Newgrange, then ventured through the ghetto in Dublin to our next hostel. Once across the border with no problems, I saw the Dark Hedges that were used in the filming of Game of Thrones, walked across the Carrick-a-rope bridge, Giants Causeway, and then did some exploring of beautiful Belfast city and its Christmas market.

 

 

Even with all the scary talk, Belfast was a beautiful and welcoming city that I would definitely venture back to but in warmer weather.

My last trip with Darien and other API friends was to Galway and the Aran Islands. In Galway, we got to experience the Christmas market and craft market and then took an hour long bus ride and forty-five minute ferry ride to the largest of the Aran Islands. There, ignoring the rain, the four of us hiked around the island exploring all it had to offer and just enjoying our last weekend in Ireland.

My final weekend abroad, my roommate and best friend Rebecca and I took a two-day trip to Paris. I let it slip that it was on the top of my bucket list to go to Paris but my mother and I were unable to make it happen. For 19 euro each way, this trip was a lot more affordable than trying to make it there in August. Rebecca and I saw a lot and did a lot in two days--including sleeping A LOT!!!

 

I had such an amazing 2014! Thanks to all those who helped me travel and grow as a person and who experienced the travel with me.