The 'F' Word

Familiarity.

It's both a blessing and a curse here, and nonetheless something that is unavoidable.

When going somewhere new and strange, it is hard to not resort to seeing everything in terms of how you've seen things before. Each place, each person, each object, being reduced down to familiar things.

So far in Ireland, this rings true.

The curse of it is that familiarity makes it difficult to experience the pure essence of it all. Walking down the streets, houses aren't simply Irish houses, but building which maintain a certain sense of a place I've been before. Classmates aren't simply who they are, but act and look just like someone I know from home.

This approach to things robs it of it's individuality.

At the same time though, it gives a sense of comfort here. When it really hits me that I'm in Ireland, those are the times that familiar images become more numerous.

Yesterday, it really hit me. As I traveled through the countryside of Ireland to visit Dublin, everything could be reduced down. The flat farmland made me think of driving through Ohio with Emily as we traveled up to see Billy. The rolling hills in the background reminded me of traveling through Kentucky and Tennessee to go to Florida on family vacation. As we stood on top of the Guinness Storehouse in Gravity Bar, the city looked like Newport or Covington. Government buildings bear images reminiscent of the State Capitol, the Courthouse, and others. People on the streets look like those I know.

Most things are not seen as they simply are.

It is interesting because I've yet to be reminded of close objects or people. No house makes me think of my house. No person looks or acts like my parents, my siblings, my close friends and family members. Those people maintain their individuality at home and abroad. By knowing their real personalities and looks, both in and out, it makes them irreplaceable and unfindable within these European limits.

At the same time, those are the things and people I miss most from home. If familiarity brings a sense of comfort, why am I not comforted by similar images and experiences of these things? I think it is because no matter how much time I spend here, how many great experiences I have, or how much I learn, this place will never be home to me.

Yesterday Phillip and I had a great time in the city of Dublin, roaming around, finding monuments, churches, and other important places. We had three perfectly poured Guinnesses between the two of us, ate horse at a street market, and stumbled upon a Trad Fest. We ate traditional Irish food for dinner and saw a full moon. It as a wonderful day trip and we want to visit the city again before we go home, but it is good enough at that: a mini-vacation. I'd never want to stay in Dublin, Limerick, or any other part of of Europe. It doesn't keep my family, my friends, even my dog close enough to me.

They say home is where the heart is. Although my heart is here, having the time of my life and living on my own, my heart is also at home too. I plan on enjoying these next four months, but I will most certainly return home.


Phillip and I at Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse overlooking Dublin.

Happy Birthday Dad!

This one's to you Dad. Miss you, love you, and wish I were there to celebrate with you and the family :)

Scandolous Scholastics

I'll be honest, I don't know how the Irish do it.

This school thing is so different than home, it boggles my mind. Sure, I expected things to be a bit different and to struggle in certain areas, but the places where the strict and lax are different are so befuddling it amazes me.

At Orientation, we were told we had two weeks to decide on four or five classes to take. During these two weeks, we were to sit in on any and all classes we were interested in until we decided. While it is a good idea to allow your International Students to decide what to take after seeing what the class is going to be like, its also extremely stressful. Although there is little to no homework for most classes, just figuring out the lecture times and places is a headache. No class is at the same time each time it is held, and often the room changes too. For example, Irish Heritage is a 3 on Mondays, 1 on Wednesdays, and 10 on Fridays and is held in three different rooms as well. It makes me wonder how anyone keeps their schedule straight!

In addition to lectures, where interaction and discussion should be kept to a bare minimum, some classes have tutorials. The tutorials become essential because no class is under 60 people. Even my math classes (which is maths here), there are over 60 people, a class size which could be considered small. Mary Immaculate is not a big college by any means and when we talk to students, they complain, or at least comment, on the small size (of about 3000 students). Thomas More is less than half the size of this, so this is quite the jump for me. Double the people and at least double the class size (if not more), its quite overwhelming.

If you think, though, that keeping the class schedule would be the most draining, you're wrong. It is the accent and vocabulary of the Irish professors. Although it is the same technical language, it becomes very exhausting constantly deciphering lectures. Often times lecturers go too fast for their own students, much less an International Student. (I am so thankful that I speak English though! I don't know how the other European Internationals are doing it!)

Needless to say, once a class day is over, I'm beat. Staying in for the night is often the only option I can take at that point. The Irish think otherwise though. The average Irish student in Limerick goes out Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday night! Yes, that is three schools nights each week. Some people don't even stop there. They go out the other nights of the week as well.

There is no way I can keep up with that, mentally, physically, or financially. Going out here usually doesn't mean just going to a pub either. It means pre-gaming in an apartment until late, usually leaving no earlier than 11, and then going to one of the many dance clubs until the early hours of the morning. Kudos to them for being able to go out until 3am and then get up for a 9am class in the morning (sometimes)! I certainly cannot and probably will not do it.

Thankfully after three exhausting days of class and no nights of going out, I've decided what I'll be taking this semester. I've decided on two mathematics courses: Introduction to Statistics and Abstract Algebra. My other two courses are Gaelic (Irish Language) and Irish Heritage: Art and Architecture. I'm glad to have this part of the semester over with. Now I just need to make it all official.


Aftermath of a party Sunday: A Broken Glass in the Stairwell of Phillip's Apartment. (Its still there, three days later.)

Stamina

I think that one word describes the attitude, personality, and demeanor of the Irish: Stamina. In everything they do, they give it their all and stick with it... and when I say everything and always, I mean it.

For example, just a few days after we arrived, it was evident that although I am a fast walker in the States, I'm actually rather slow in Europe. Phillip and I would walk the streets to not only have peers needing to get around us, but elderly folk as well. Its probably due to the fact that they actually walk a good portion of their time rather than driving from place to place but even still.

Everything seems like a race here.

That was especially evident when we went to Mass yesterday. Never in my life have I been to a Sunday mass that was 30 minutes flat. Fumbling over my words to say the prayers and keep up, it was quite the experience. The whole mass was at full throttle, and only the four Americans seemed to be lagging behind. The mass we went to lacked music and some structure but not humor. I think my favorite quote of the mass was the opening lines of the homily.

"Well that was the good news; now for the bad. There will be a second collection today after the Euchurist."

That is not to say that the Irish lack reverence. They seem to take religion pretty seriously here. We've yet to visit a church, at any time of the day, that did not have a handful of people praying and reflecting within. So its not to say they do it right or wrong over here, its just different.

Stamina in sports and nightlife is a big thing too. We experienced our first Rugby game at a Pub friday evening. This was no run-of-the-mill game, but a big one. Munster was playing in the Championship Series of Rugby and it was the first round. Rubgy is defintely the most intense sport I've ever watched, both in action and with the fans. The game was held in Limerick City's stadium and when it was time for important field kicks, a deafening silence fell across the city and throughout every pub; a kind a seriousness that would never be seen at home.

...and the people at the pubs are just as serious about their drinking and social life. Sure, the stereotype of the Irish is that they drink til they can't walk, but its all too true. Pubs are filled with not only college students, but an older crowd as well. We went to Dolans Saturday evening, and the youth was NOT the majority there. This pub was packed wall-to-wall with people of all ages. It was quite the sight to see.

Beyond the people, even the weather has stamina. Sure, I know that inanimate objects cannot really portray such characteristics, but seriously. We were (luckily) blessed with very beautiful, warm, and abnormal weather for our first few days. Finally when it cooled down, a thick fog lay across the city. This is not Cincinnati River Valley fog though. It began Friday night around 10pm and hung around until Sunday morning, meaning our entire Saturday was filled with wandering through the thick fog, unable to see more than 25 yards ahead of you. It certainly didn't stop us though. Saturday we went to the Milk Market in the morning for our weekly groceries, King James' Castle, The Hunt Museum (of Art), The Limerick Museum, and St. Mary's (Anglican) Cathedral. It was a full day of tourist attractions which ended with a night at the local pub famous for nightly traditional music.

It is interesting that the weather has settled to its norm. Last week was a very abnormal week for myself, and the weather spoke to that. Now that I'm settling in, starting school (although the system is completely different) and getting comfortable with my surroundings, the weather is following suit.

A Growing Love

It is evident after three days in Ireland that the Irish live a very different lifestyle than in the States

I'm not going to lie; the first day here was probably the biggest culture shock I've ever had in my life. Now, granted, I have not been to many places outside of my home country, but still... it was hard.

First of all, Irish people have a very different attitude about things. Sexuality, separations of the sexes, and likewise is not a big issue. Phillip was placed with three female roommates and no one saw the problem whatsoever. Although things have been settled and the situation is fine now, it is still not something that would be encountered at home. Even at state schools there is a separation between the sexes somewhat.

Also, it seems that the Irish are much more friendly and personable people. I don't mean to hate on the Americans, but the Irish are always willing to help out. From our very first day, each Irish person we've encountered has been nice and helpful. The nicest one we've interacted with was Ron, our maintenance man in our apartment complex. He brought us free Ethernet cables, extra light bulbs, and the instructions for living at City Campus, as well of a few tips of his own. Ron was our shining light on our first day (which, by the way, was awful and seemed never-ending).

Have no fear; things have improved dramatically since Monday.

On Monday, I was so overwhelmed and was so unsure of what I've gotten myself in to. My cellphone wasn't working, our Internet wasn't working, and things just seemed to be going wrong all day. All I wanted to do was peacefully move into my apartment, get some fish and chips, and enjoy the Irish way of life.... and that is certainly not what happened.

Today, just a few days later, things have gotten so much better. With a stocked refrigerator of food, beer, and wine, a kitchen that is actually workable with all the utensils, and some familiarity with the city, I'm feeling so much more confident with the rest of my semester here. I've still yet to get roommates, but that is okay with me thus far. I'm still moving into my own room and getting used to the Irish way of things. (Everything has several buttons and switches just to get it running...) Roommates, and friends for that matter, will come with time.

Everyone says the first week is the hardest, and I think that is definitely true. These past few days, even thus far, have certainly had ups and downs each day. Yet, each day also gets a little bit better. Just in these three days, I've begun to feel confident with the city and apartment layout, and I do not feel like a tourist.

I only expect things to improve. Today was a wonderful day of exploration and acclamation into the city. We found our church(which, by the way, is absolutely beautiful), we found our school, and we officially became short term immigrants by registering with the Garda (police). Tomorrow will be a day of running errands and exploring some more and Friday we get to meet the other 28 International Students who are beginning at Mary I this semester. I'm very much looking forward to meeting them and finding people here who can relate to what we're going through.

Things are looking up for us and we are beginning to enjoy each minute of it, although that was not the case originally. Because of our misfortune, as well as negative outlook on Monday, it took until our second day to finally go to the Pub and have our first Guinness here. As everyone says, it is better here than at home. :) We went to Glen's Tavern in the heart of Limerick and paid four euros each for our official welcome to Ireland.

We loved it and we're beginning to love Ireland too.

An Ambiguous Inquiry

"Are you excited?" is the ambiguous question of the week.

Don't get me wrong, I want to talk about my upcoming trip to Ireland and my feelings about it. Plus, it is nice to know that family and friends are concerned and excited for me. Yet, at this point, I don't exactly know how to answer that question.

Of course I am excited, but what kind of excited is it?

I remember going to a chastity talk in high school and the speaker said "Is it pizza love or people love?" I feel like this is that kind of situation. Clearly this entire trip is more exciting than any single and exclusive event in my life thus far, but this also is not a vacation; it is going to be my lifestyle for a significant portion of time. By the time I get back from Ireland, I will have spent about 1.61% of my entire life there. [Yes, I did the calculations... no need to make fun.]

While that seems like a small portion, its rather large when you consider the majority of my life has been spent at home not being old enough to do such a thing. Emotions don't just stop at excited for this one. With four days left until departure, the emotions surrounding the trip are difficult to label. I'm not only excited or nervous or anxious, but all of this and more wrapped in one.

So am I excited? Of course. But I'm everything else too.

Regardless of my emotions, this trip is coming whether I'm ready for it or not. With four days are left and counting, I'm all packed and as ready as I'll every be. Taking along the good wishes, care and love from home, I'm off on my own for four months.

To all my family and friends, I leave you with an Irish Blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.



May you have peace, love, and health until I return May 18th.

Breakaway

Leaving home isn't ever easy. That's for certain.

Yet leaving home also isn't something that is new to me. In high school, most summers were marked by leaving home for several weeks to experience new people, places, and things without my family and closest friends. Each experience is preceded with intense emotions, tears, and the chaos of needing to spend quality time with every person that means the most to me. The day of departure seems to be the hardest day of your life, leaving behind everything that is familiar and comforting to go to strange and new situations. The first and hardest day passes and reality sets in. All is better and life in this new place goes on.

Assuredly there are times of homesickness or distress, but ultimately, each experience has been fruitful beyond measure, forming myself into a better and more full person. Thankful for the experiences, the memories, and the new friends, my time there is over. In the end, returning home is always just as hard as it was leaving in the first place.

This trip shall be no different.

I've already got the feelings of anxiety, the times of crying, and a chaotic schedule of seeing all my family and friends prior to my departure. I've gone through this before; my family has gone through this before. Despite this, my time in Ireland will be unlike any of my other trips.

Four months is a long time to be away from home; in fact, it is the longest I've ever been away. No chaperones, no one to answer to. This trip is about me and I get to plan the entire thing. For the first time in my life, I'm truly on my own.

I've got twelve days to come to terms with that.
Twelve days until I'm a full-fledged adult in a different country.
Twelve days until I breakaway.