Thursday, February 25, 2010

RAG Week: A Reflection

RAG Week is such an interesting concept in Ireland and one that is completely foreign to any, well, foreigners.

For a whole week the school sponsors activities, both at the school and at night clubs/bars... all to raise money for charity. Students drink while walking to class (if they go at all), drink after class in the school's lounge, and then go out that night and drink more. Can you ever imagine an American school sponsoring such an event???

While it would probably not happen because so many more students drive in most American colleges compared to those in Ireland, it is insane the amount of liability they must have to take. This week, though, accumulates most of the school's sponsored activities and they all have alcohol involved. Go Irish! (I guess.)

To be honest, this would be so much fun if it were with my own friends. As much as I love my flatmates and I am getting along with the other Internationals, it simply isn't the same when it isn't accompanied by your best friends from home. The clubs aren't my scene mostly, but with my good friends, I could do it more. Here it is only fun if its all my flatmates or a group of Internationals are going.

This though reflects the hardest part of Ireland for me personally. I am so used to my small school, my good friends, and other great people surrounding me constantly at school. Almost all my classes are filled with people I know and I certainly know all the faculty and staff on a more personal basis. People know me, and I know them.

Here I'm just the American girl that takes Mathematics classes.

People are nice in my classes, but I don't know them. The professors are understanding and great, but they aren't my professors that know me on such a different level.... and I certainly do not know 75% of the student body here.

It would be a little different if my accent, or my professors for that matter, didn't point me out on a regular basis. My Stats professor just loves to ask how things are in America. Today I faced a 15 word spelling test rectifying the differences between Irish spelling and American spelling (including words like center, tires, color, recognize, etc)... and this was in Math class! It is not only slight humiliating, but it also makes me feel like the people in my class think I'm just the little show-off American who thinks she does it better than the Irish.

I'm not here to stand out; I'm here to try to assimilate as best I can, and these professors certainly aren't helping.

Mary I has made me so grateful for Thomas More and my position within the school. We might not have RAG weeks full of sanctioned skipping classes, drinking in the lounge on campus, and nights at the club, but I love it just the same. It is all part of the experience here and just because it is difficult not knowing as many people or having my comforts of my own school isn't to say it is bad.

The experience is wonderful and enlightening in so many ways.
There are some things you just don't realize until you take a step back.

I'm very lucky and certainly very grateful for it all, even the small and different things. I'm sure that feeling will only grow as my experiences here expand further as well.

Phillip and I in the Lounge enjoying our indulgences of RAG Week.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Irish Way

It is easy to get bogged down by the history of a place. We've spent the past month learning about the history of Ireland and we're even taking two classes about it. This past weekend, it was time for some easy and thoughtless fun.

It is wonderful to learn about the heritage, art, architecture, and so on of a place, especially one you are living in for a length of time... but sometimes I feel like I am learning more than the Irish actually know about their own country! My roommates often tell me I'm travelling more places and learning more about Ireland and Europe and they live here. Although I take myself as very fortunate to have the experience, sometimes it is important to just have fun and not worry about the historical side of things.

That is exactly what we did this past weekend.

Instead of travelling somewhere full of art, architecture and history just smacking us in the face, we went somewhere just to have a 'free' day: Cork City. Although I am sure that there is a great historical background behind all the beautiful buildings and such, that is not what we were looking for there. We went to go enjoy the Wildlife Park at Fota (a nearby island) and the downtown atmosphere of Cork.

We were blessed with a beautiful day in Cork. While the rest of the country was getting rain, or even snow, we had 45 degree weather and sunshine all day. We went to Fota Wildlife Park, similar but better than the Cincy Zoo, and had a wonderful time not learning history, but just seeing the sights: animals, the countryside, the sunshine, up close and personal.

After Fota, we spent the afternoon and early evening in Cork City. Instead of paying for an expensive lunch, we enjoyed eats from a local market. Instead of seeking the history of the city, we sat and watched a full street band play while we enjoyed a pint. Instead of eating Irish food, we found a Thai restaurant to add a little spice to our life. This past weekend wasn't about being in Ireland, but rather just simply doing the things we enjoy.

It is so easy to guilt yourself into living the 'Irish way' here. Trust me, we are taking full advantage of getting to know my Irish roommates and living like the Irish, but to live live the Irish does not mean learning all the history. If anything, the Irish are best at having a good time. This past weekend, we just had a good time. Animals, shopping, food and music certainly encompass a great deal of the things that Phillip and I enjoy. Really, we only lacked our family and friends doing it all with us.

So this past weekend I didn't learn how Cork City came about, who built certain churches or what the pre-historical meaning was behind artistic pieces. Instead, we just had a good time, really doing it the Irish way.

Us with my favorite animal, zebras, at Fota Wildlife Park!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Fish & Chips With Some Good Craic

As promised, here is part two of my top ten lists:

TOP TEN THINGS I COULD NOT GET USED TO IN IRELAND

1. Driving On The Left: Okay, so I'm not driving, but it is a very strange thing when you see a car moving along the road and no one is on the right side of the car. By now I've gotten used to the traffic part of it all, especially being sure to look the correct way before crossing the street, but the sight of a person only on the left still throws me off.

2. The Vocab: Sure, some of it is fun, but a lot of it is just confusing. Sometimes my roommates with say they had some good crack last night.... and they don't mean crack cocaine, but craic or a good time. I was worried for a bit my roommates were doing some hardcore drugs. :) Other stuff is minor, biscuits are scones here, cookies are biscuits, chips are crisps, and fries are chips. It certainly does take effort sometimes to decipher what the Irish are talking about.

3. Lack Of Certain Foods: It isn't anything major, but we are missing the small things from home. There isn't ANY Hershey's Chocolate, the peanut butter is only mediocre, and we certainly would never be able to find chili here (or at least the good kind). There are few Pepsi products and it isn't worth even looking for our proper American breakfast meats. It isn't even like I eat any of these things on a regular basis, but when you don't have it, you want it even more. Luckily, our families have supplied us with chili and peanut butter, so we still have some tastes from home. We just have to be sure to be careful if we offer 3-Ways to anyone.

4. My Accent Pointing Me Out: We rarely go a day without someone new asking us 'Where are you from?' It is quite evident that I am NOT Irish and as my roommate likes to call it, I apparently have a strong American Twang. [Twang does not mean southern twang though... just an American accent.] It isn't such a bother most of the time, but it can become a nuisance to have to explain why I'm here. Also, my Stats Professor just loves to point me out in class and ask how things in America are.

5. Being Ignorant of US News: It is so difficult for us to keep up on the happenings in the States. The news here is brief and mostly British, and we find it hard to find the time to read up on the Internet here. We aren't bombarded with radio news ever and there certainly aren't any American newspapers in school. Even the small stories, like how the Cats are doing this year in basketball, are difficult to keep up on.

6. The Water & Electricity:
I'm not sure if it is just my apartment complex, or if it is all of Ireland, but this stuff is crazy! Light switches are either outside of rooms, or in the most inconvenient spots possible. Almost all sinks have two faucets, one hot and one cold. Even if there was just one, it is impossible to have warm water; it is either scalding or freezing. Maybe I'm just spoiled, but I am looking forward to American electricity and water.

7. Communion At Mass:
Phillip and I have taken up going to mass very regularly here, but no matter how small or large the mass is, Communion is always a disaster. There is very little order to approach the alter and then once you do, every lines up surrounding the base as the priests walk back and forth administering the Host. It is a chaotic mess that I'm certain words cannot fully describe.

8. Copyright Laws: Now that we are in a different country, our computers and Internet recognize it, so we have no chance of watching anything that is posted on an American website. All major stations (ABC, NBC, CBS), Hulu, and more have tons of copyright laws which make it illegal and impossible for us to watch any kind of clip, show, or news broadcast that occurred in the States.

9. Mary I:
Although this has been a good experience, I cannot wait to go back to my small classes that lack adult students. My lectures here are huge, especially my math ones and they each have at least 7 very vocal Adult students. Because they do not have night classes here, all student, traditional or adult, are in the same classes. Plus, the school is over twice the size in population of TMC, so it has been quite the jump! People here do think I'm crazy when I say its a big school though.

10. The Exchange Rate: It has been getting better, but I still feel like I'm losing money here. It is hard to tell whether the cost of living is more expensive here in general, but it certainly costs us more with the exchange rate. It is painful to look at our bank accounts here after we get large sums of money transferred over. It currently is about $1.45 to 1 Euro, and it will be even worse when we go to the UK.

All in all though, it is good to be able to appreciate the different things here. Some things are better, some things are worse, but it is all just how it is. It is all about the experience, and that certainly is what I'm getting here.

My Roommates (or flatmates as they would call it) on Mardi Gras (or Pancake Tuesday) having a night of great craic!

Monday, February 15, 2010

One-Fourth Down; Three-Fourths To Go

I cannot believe that a quarter of my time abroad is already over. This past month has certainly flown by and I only expect the next three to go just as quickly. In just these few weeks, I've learned a lot about myself, my own culture, and the culture of Ireland/Europe. Because of that, here are my:

TOP TEN THINGS I COULD GET USED TO IN IRELAND

1. Walking Everywhere: It is so nice to live in a city where walking is possible. Sure, I guess you could attempt to walk at home, but you certainly wouldn't get very far. Here I walk at least 4 miles every day, and that is just to and from school twice each day. After four months, I'm going to have some killer legs.

2. The Vocab: Sure it is different, but it is fun too! To have the chance to say things like 'Oh, its just a brilliant day' or 'That was a gorgeous milkshake' and my personal favorite 'Well it was just such a posh neighborhood'. Everything here is lovely, brilliant, gorgeous, and posh. You can say that which suits your fancy.

3. Less Televised Advertising: Forget about commercial breaks every ten minutes. The only shows that do them even every fifteen minutes are the American shows, and those are only about 3 minutes long. European shows wait until the top or the bottom of the hour to have about five minutes of commercials.... and if you're a sports fan here, there will be no interruptions for your intense viewing of rugby or whichever sport preferred.

4. The Kindness Of The Irish: People here are just so nice, it is almost unreal. My roommates have been so accommodating, my classmates have warmed up to me, and anyone on the street is willing to stop to help you out. Maybe they are just nosy, but if it is to my benefit, then so be it!

5. Ease Of Travel: Whether stying in the Republic of Ireland or travelling outside the country, travel is not only inexpensive, its easy! The bus systems are easy to navigate, Ryan Air has extremely cheap rates, and hostels are easy to book as well. Other than traveling in Ireland, I'm also going to London, Paris, Brussels, and Liverpool too!

6. The Scenery: Maybe you just don't appreciate the views of your motherland because it is familiar, but it is so beautiful here! Most days you could go out and it would be difficult to take a bad picture. We've been blessed with beautiful weather so far, making it all the better too!

7. Going To A Big, Beautiful Church: No matter which church you go to here in Limerick, the churches are old and gorgeous. I'm going to the Redemptorist's Church just down the road, but they are all lovely. While going to a big church at home is an option, it usually is not such a convenient one as it is here.

8. The Vault Channel: This television channel is everything a music fan of the 80s, 90s, and now could want. There are tons of throwback music videos, paired with some of today's hits, all mixed in with marathons of your favorite divas: Madonna, Tina Turner, and the like. Also, you can always count on 'Livin on a Prayer' to be on during the 1 o'clock hour.

9. Having A Kitchen In Student Housing
: Making our own food here has been so wonderful. We're not restricted to a cafeteria with sub-par food. Instead, I have an oven, a range, and a microwave for all my cooking needs. It may be a small kitchen, but its been great to be able to make my own food.

10. The Pay Per Hour: Not that I'm not actually working here, but if I were I would be making some bank. Don't leave tips for your waitresses or bartenders. They make upwards of ten euros an hour. I'm not entirely sure what the minimum wage is here, but students are making enough money one day on the weekend to fund an entire week of partying, so certainly pay is pretty good around here.

[Tune in later this week for another top ten list!]

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Watching the Super Bowl last Sunday was such a different experience from Ireland. The commentary was done by a British broadcaster and two Americans who are involved in football but are ultimately washed up in the game. The pre-game show was used to explain the sport and you should just forget about seeing traditional American commercials during the game. The commentary only continued in between plays to explain what was going on and what the two Americans thought of the teams and the plays the were using. Phillip and I had two of our American friends over to watch the game as we enjoyed chili dip, chips, pizza, and American beer.

Yet, it certainly was not the American experience. I actually appreciated the theatrics of the half-time show and the other little bits of the American version we got to see on TV. We had to try to YouTube commercials between plays and for the most part, failed miserably. Now I have to catch up on my commericals between classes and during some free time at night, battling with the slow Internet at City Campus.

But really, I can't complain too much. We had a great time trying to Americanize the non-American way of showing the game. It is not even like I'm a huge football fan, but the Super Bowl is ours at home. We eat more food than Thanksgiving, look forward to the commericals more than the game, and spend half the time talking to friends and the other half yelling at the TV.

It makes me miss America. I've never heard our national anthem on TV before and felt so patriotic. I could've cried just seeing a bald eagle as patriotic songs were sung. It was touching as both teams held their ground and their hearts through it all.

I've never really appreciated the show our sports are rather than the game they derive from. You just don't realize it for the most part, or you do realize it and you find it to be a nuisance.

We don't talk religion and we certainly do not talk politics with the Irish, and yet it is interesting to see how affected they are in their everyday lives by America. Its so interesting to hear their opinions on the average American, even though it may often be offensive.

Most opinions I've heard from my professors involved guns and how we go around shooting each other all the time. When was the last time you and your friends took a gun out to just play around and shoot each other? It seems like they think violence terrorizes each street corner.

The youth mainly focus on our media. They know all of our celebrities. They watch all of our shows. They see all of our movies. [Trust me though, you would too if your only other option was Irish TV and movies.] It is even to the point where my roommate said she can easily understand my accent because she watches TV so frequently.

Ultimately though, it makes me miss the States, in a good way. When we were leaving, it was time to leave. I was sick of politics, the American way, and the media. Yet now I crave to know what is going on without having to try to find out. It makes me appreciate our country and the way it all just is there.

In three and a half months, when I return, I not only will have the wonderful experience I've gained here under my belt, but also a new found appreciation for our country, our politics, our way of living. Being here does make me proud to be an American.

Go Saints! I was glad to see them win and I'm pretty certain pouring Gatorade on your coach after a big win is just an American Tradition! :)

And When You Dream, Dream Big

Its true... I really am living the dream here. Sure, that seems cliche and all, but reflecting back, it couldn't actually be more true.

After traveling to France the summer after my sophomore year of high school, I promised myself that I was going to spend a semester abroad in college. Yet as time went on, school plans changed and before I knew it I was stuck. With an education major declared, it seemed that it would be impossible to spend an entire semester abroad, if any time at all. My four years were set and I just accepted it.

Then something happened. Something that completely changed my life and got me back onto the path of my dreams and what I wanted. My long-term boyfriend and I broke up. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... big deal. But seriously, it completely changed the path I was taking, and it has all been for the better.

After much thinking, I changed my major a little, dropping education. Being only a mathematics major and already having more credits than I should, suddenly studying abroad became an option again. Yet, Ireland wasn't the place I wanted to go. Sure it was cheaper and easier, but it had been done before at Thomas More. It was France I wanted to go to. To return to France for an entire semester was my dream, at the time.

As months passed and details weren't set, the dream of France began to fade and be replaced by Ireland. It was not something I took easily at first. Sure, Ireland seemed like a great compilation prize, but wasn't what I really thought I wanted.

Yet, now that I'm here I couldn't be more thankful I didn't go to France for a semester. Instead of going with a group of Kentucky students, I only know one person here. Instead of living with Americans, I live with three beautiful and wonderful Irish girls. Instead of having my weeks planned for me, I get to fly by the seat of my pants and do what I want. Instead of having to travel and plan trips by myself, I get to do it all with Phillip. What more could a girl ask? I get to live completely on my own in a different country and enjoy every minute of it.

Sometimes it takes time to become thankful for the experiences you have in your life. I couldn't be more thankful for that life changing event, for the France trip falling through, and for Ireland working out so wonderfully. Everything does happen for a reason.

Now I'll get to see more of Europe than I ever planned on this trip. We've already been to Dublin to drink a perfectly poured Guinness and Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. We have trips to London, Paris, Brussels, and Liverpool planned and so many other adventures ahead of us that we don't even know about yet. We hope to travel all around Ireland and make it up to Belfast as well.

So how can I not say that I really am living the dream? I get to be the luckiest person I know for four months as I travel, live, and experience it all here. Its all about dreaming big though and letting change happen. It all ends up being for the better, you just have to give it time to show.


Phillip and I atop Blarney Castle overlooking beautiful Ireland.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Opposite Side

Have you ever walked on the opposite side of the road than you normally do?

Today I did just that on my way to school. Walking on the other side of a road you travel frequently changes the perspective of what you see. As you begin on the opposite side, you wonder why you decided to do this, to stray from the norm. Yet as you go on, your mind changes bit. You pay attention to different things than normal; you notice new things, gain a greater appreciation for the old, and can more accurately describe the side you normally go on. Afterwards you think, well maybe walking on the other side of the road every once in awhile may not be a bad idea.

I feel like that is just what I am doing here in Ireland, walking on the other side of the road.

When I arrived here, I was ready to go home. This new and different experience seemed like it wasn't weighing up to what I thought it was going to be. Why did I decide to do this, to stray from the norm? I was in a new school, a new city, a different country, and across an ocean. How did I ever think that was a good idea?

Yet, as time has gone on, be only a little over two weeks, Ive started to gain a greater appreciation for the experience.

The new school, Mary Immaculate, makes me appreciate Thomas More, the role it plays in my life, and the role I play within it. The faculty, staff, and students are more than I could ever need in a school and I love it. Sometimes you don't realize how lucky you are until you don't have it anymore. I miss it some days, but it is a good kind of miss.

The new city, Limerick, makes me appreciate the Tri-State. With so much to do, besides just going to a pub or a club, it hard to imagine that I've ever had trouble finding something to do there. The new country makes me love my own more. When I send mail, writing USA on the address lines gives me a sense of pride. Ireland is great, but the USA is greater [especially if you like to own guns, which is quite the hot topic here].

I've also been able to appreciate new experiences. Things as simple as having to walk everywhere are a nice stray from the norm of the tri-state area. There's only foot traffic for me here, and its rather nice. Phillip and I also make all of our meals ourselves, a nice change from TMC cafeteria food. Living with three Irish girls helps expand my vocabulary, my knowledge of culture, and, all in all, they're just three great people. Best of all though, I can REALLY appreciate the ease of travel here. Hopping over to Dublin, London, Brussels, or France doesn't take a whole lot here.

Mostly though, it has given me an outside perspective of my own life at home. In a conversation with my roommates, I often find myself having to more accurately describe things, explaining what the meaning of one word at home may be in comparison to what it means here. Some terms end up being confusing and our concepts of things like dating, school, and life in general are not the same.

Just because we call something normal at home, doesn't mean it actually is. It doesn't make it right or wrong; its all just different. I don't mind living a different life here though, walking on the other side of the road.

In the end, some of my thoughts, perspectives,and opinions will have certainly changed. Maybe change isn't the right word though. A better word would be growth. My thoughts, perspectives, and opinions will have grown.

...and ultimately, when its all over a few months from now, I think I'll try to walk on the other side of the road a bit more frequently.