I title this blog the Beginning because it is the Beginning of a New Me. I am sorry that it took me awhile to post this but I was having to much fun soul searching that this wasn't my first priority. So here is the last list of my 2 weeks in Ireland.
June 12: Last classes of Archaeology with the brilliant and passionate Sam Moore. Those classes were very informative and I learned so much about the Irish warrior, the "Celt." We also got to learn a little about Ceili Dancing and heard more of the traditional Irish music, it was truly wonderful.
June 13: The most memorable part of this day was setting sail on the boat "Rose of Innesfree" It was a calm ride on Loch Gill the scenery was breathtaking. Surrounding me was of course the calm clear blue water and then the green hillsides, it might sound generic but as we made our way down the Loch it was if the hills were telling a story about themselves, where they came from and where they plan to go it was just beautiful. I hope you can imagine the beauty, it's pretty much anything you want it to be.
June 14: We visited Galway city and to tell you the truth I barely visited much of the city but I sat down with Stephanie at a lovely cafe and we pretty much talked about life for the remaining time we were there. It might seem like a waste of a day but Steph and I learned so much about each other and about ourselves and that kinda of a conversation is never a waste of time.
June 15: Sam Moore took us to Ceide fields which was pretty much a formation of neolithic rocks in a circle that was used as the foundation of a house, it was truly remarkable to see how the ancient human beings built their empires. Also, we got an amazing view of a cliff side that overlook the ocean again it was another breathtaking site.
June 16: The visit to Derry city was quite emotional, once we starting walking the streets in that Northern Ireland city it was as if we stepped into a completely different world. That atmosphere had more tension but after we had our tour of the Troubles in the Bogside of Derry I finally realized why the tension was there and then it finally float away when I got to discuss the reason for the troubles with our remarkable tour guide. After I saw how passionate the tour guide was about his town I almost had to cry after hearing his stories and what he went through during The Troubles. I will never forget that tour, it was the best of them all.
June 17: LAST FULL DAY!!!! This day was pretty much a revision of what happened the last 2 weeks and I realized this whole trip was a time to soul search and learn how a different country views life and that helped me view my life and where its going. I was told that studying abroad will change you for the rest of your life, but this trip to change who I am I will always stay the same but I will admit that it helped me to be comfortable with who I am and I should be proud of that. Therefore I found out with the help of my awesome professor Sylvia and new life long friends that I am the ballsy and brash of the group..........true dat!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
This and this and that and this!
I have to say the most memorable moments I had so far in Ireland has to be the times when I'm not in class and I'm actually out with the locals and learning more about the people I am with in Sligo. So, instead of giving you a step by step of what I did each day I'm going to give you a quick list of the important things I have done so far.
June 4th: Learning about the Famine of Ireland then discussing it over a pint a beer with locals at a pub.
June 5th: Visiting the grave of a very famous poet, W.B. Yeats. Celebrating my good friend Stephanies 20th Birthday, and it is a birthday I'm sure she will never forget ;)
June 6th: Doing our literature presentations and different significant sights around Sligo. Then chilling out with my girls and learning their stories.
June 7th: LEARNING HOW TO PLAY THE BODRAN DRUM WITH PETER!!! This was the day when I FINALLY realized that this trip was getting better because I was engaged with the Irish culture. Thank you Peter, I will never forget a beat again! WHOOP!
June 8th: Best literature class ever because we actually got to perform poetry and put on scenes of the play. I got to act out a scene with Stephanie and Mara, not going to lie but I totally forgot what the play was called right now but all I know is that we did awesome and got the class interested in what we performed, that's all that matters right? Also, I HAD THE BEST NIGHT EVER! Went to the pub called Shooting the Crows and had some drinks with my fellow mates and got to listen to a band called "No Crows" (it's ironic I know) and I have to say that was the best night I have had yet on this trip. Because I got to chat to the locals and FINALLY listen to traditional Irish music and learned stories of the locals!
June 9th: Learning about the myths of Ireland, NEATO! Also, just had a wonderful evening of learning more about my fellow mates. Love you all guys!!
June 10th: WENT TO DUBLIN AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! <- That was called sarcasm. I won't lie I did not have a great time in Dublin and two words can explain why, TOURISTS EVERYWHERE!
June 11th: Just have to say this was the first day that we actually got to relax, it's insane I know! But I got to do a seed-weed bath with Steph that made our skin silky and smooth. Anna, Steph and I went to a Gaelic Football game which was very interesting but fun.......GO DRUMECLIFF! The highlight of the day has to be when we went horseback riding and I fell off my horse in the most graceful way possible. It's hard to explain since some of you where not there to witness it but my horse Patrene (moonshine) decided to lay in the sand and gracefully went down and laid on his side. It was confusing but I am fine and was calm about the whole thing and I will never forget how a horse named Moonshine fell over on his side just for a good time....typical.
Well, there you have it plain and simple. I hope you enjoyed the experiences that I briefly explained even though you won't truly understand it because you were not there. So, without further a do here is a taste of Ireland in my point of view, enjoy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AOp9c5DRzc
June 4th: Learning about the Famine of Ireland then discussing it over a pint a beer with locals at a pub.
June 5th: Visiting the grave of a very famous poet, W.B. Yeats. Celebrating my good friend Stephanies 20th Birthday, and it is a birthday I'm sure she will never forget ;)
June 6th: Doing our literature presentations and different significant sights around Sligo. Then chilling out with my girls and learning their stories.
June 7th: LEARNING HOW TO PLAY THE BODRAN DRUM WITH PETER!!! This was the day when I FINALLY realized that this trip was getting better because I was engaged with the Irish culture. Thank you Peter, I will never forget a beat again! WHOOP!
June 8th: Best literature class ever because we actually got to perform poetry and put on scenes of the play. I got to act out a scene with Stephanie and Mara, not going to lie but I totally forgot what the play was called right now but all I know is that we did awesome and got the class interested in what we performed, that's all that matters right? Also, I HAD THE BEST NIGHT EVER! Went to the pub called Shooting the Crows and had some drinks with my fellow mates and got to listen to a band called "No Crows" (it's ironic I know) and I have to say that was the best night I have had yet on this trip. Because I got to chat to the locals and FINALLY listen to traditional Irish music and learned stories of the locals!
June 9th: Learning about the myths of Ireland, NEATO! Also, just had a wonderful evening of learning more about my fellow mates. Love you all guys!!
June 10th: WENT TO DUBLIN AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! <- That was called sarcasm. I won't lie I did not have a great time in Dublin and two words can explain why, TOURISTS EVERYWHERE!
June 11th: Just have to say this was the first day that we actually got to relax, it's insane I know! But I got to do a seed-weed bath with Steph that made our skin silky and smooth. Anna, Steph and I went to a Gaelic Football game which was very interesting but fun.......GO DRUMECLIFF! The highlight of the day has to be when we went horseback riding and I fell off my horse in the most graceful way possible. It's hard to explain since some of you where not there to witness it but my horse Patrene (moonshine) decided to lay in the sand and gracefully went down and laid on his side. It was confusing but I am fine and was calm about the whole thing and I will never forget how a horse named Moonshine fell over on his side just for a good time....typical.
Well, there you have it plain and simple. I hope you enjoyed the experiences that I briefly explained even though you won't truly understand it because you were not there. So, without further a do here is a taste of Ireland in my point of view, enjoy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AOp9c5DRzc
Thursday, June 9, 2011
(con)
Blarg I still don't understand how to use this thing but this is my continuation to my last post. I won't lie though I truly dislike blogging about my experiences in Ireland because how can you explain to someone the feelings you had on a trip when you couldn't even emotionally share the same feelings with the person you are telling your experience at? The answer is you can't explain it because they were not there so they won't get the same feeling you get when you tell them the stories. Experiences can never be comprehended in words. That was my negative comment but I am going to continue to the positives because I believe you must start with the cons and end with the pros. Also, I am super tired right now so I am going to continue this tomorrow but seriously this country is the most beautiful country I have ever been in so far in my life, I never want to leave!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
WHHOOOOP
I am well aware that I haven't blogged in awhile but that doesn't mean I am not having the time of my life. Sitting on the bus ride over to St Angelas was like watching a movie. Looking out the window I can see miles and miles of country side greener than I could ever imagine, in was unreal. I was more excited than I thought the first few days but oddly yesterday I was actually a wee bit depressed just because I was missing my love ones and I pretty much felt like I was in a glass bubble because I wasn't having the expereince I was looking for. I wanted to have more time to be with locals and listen to their stories, I didn't want to sit in a class room for 2 hours. Don't get me wrong it was extremely informative but sitting there for so long and being talked at isn't going to engage me to learn, being out and having conversations with the Irish people is engaging and informative. So, gladly we are going to be out in Sligo town more often and we can be with the people.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Dream is About to Begin
It seriously just hit me right before I started this blog, OMG I'M GOING TO IRELAND TOMORROW!!! I'm not so sure if we are allowed to scream on this blog but I'm sorry I'm too EXCITED not to use CAPS! AHHHHHHHHHHH I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! After reading the itinerary once we are in Ireland, I know I will have an amazing time in Ireland with my fellow MATES. I can't wait to go to a Football game and learn how to step dance and really get in touch with the Irish culture, the whole two weeks being there is going to be breath taking. I have this feeling that once we get to an area with a huge hill top looking over the valley and the sea shore, I am going to shout out "I'M FINALLY HOME!" Because that is how it's going to feel when I breath in that Irish breeze!
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