I was on a twenty-hour journey to the Emerald Isle. Excitement collided with nerves and anxiety as I stared down my fall 2011 semester in Cork, Ireland, my home for four adventure-packed and life-changing months. I cannot help but feel my heart squeeze a tad as I fondly look back upon my abroad experience and all that I discovered about a new place, about the world, and most of all, about myself. 

Ever since I knew what it entailed, I eagerly looked forward to the day that I, too, would spend a semester in another country. Part of the reason I chose USD was their abroad program’s impeccable reputation. After some careful class planning and prayer, Ireland continued to tug on my heart. Before I knew it, my plane touched down on the bright green island.

Blessed with wonderful roommates and a not-too-shabby apartment, Cork did manage to become a home-away-from-home during my stay there. I found that the Irish are a cheerful bunch despite the constant rain, eager to welcome us foreigners to their country. Though I was several thousand miles away from my loved ones, I strengthened some amazing friendships with my USD comrades, other American students, and even our favorite bar manager, Ollie. These friends became a family of sorts as we navigated this once-in-a-lifetime adventure together. Here are a few of the many, many highlights of my Irish escapade:

Read More

#22 a lot of “lasts”

For this memorable moment, I am going to take a break from packing up to recount the happenings of my wonderful last week in Cork. This past week, I completed a lot of “lasts” to finish off my time here abroad in Cork, Ireland. Each night was filled with something special: laid back Monday at the Franciscan Well, dancing Tuesday at Reardens (after our wonderful Christmas party, of course!), Wednesday at The Bailey and Reardens, and Thursday at The Star, The Bailey, and The Old Oak. As much as I love staying in and quieter nights, I will miss the Irish pub scene. Everyone is so lively, and the music always has the power to make you want to move your feet. And, you sure can’t beat the people watching! Bulmers, my favorite cider beer, will be missed as well! 

Thursday was my last official night out here. Sam, Maddie, and Megan, my amazing roomies here and I prepared a hodgepodge dinner by throwing all of our leftovers in a pan of pasta and prepared a giant salad. We played a few games of rummy before blasting our favorite songs as we got ready for the night (there may have been a Backstreet Boys I Want it That Way singalong as well…)

The highlight of the night was my favorite Irish lad, Ollie, spotting us as we eyed the giant line forming outside my favorite night spot in Cork, The Bailey. Wielding his managerial powers, he called me up to the front and let our large group in, free of cover charge! I told him I wanted to say goodbye as I was leaving soon, and he gave me a fabulous Christmas present as my farewell: two shirts that the bar staff were rocking; one Bulmers polo and one “Merry Christmas from the Bailey” V-neck. After inquiring after the rest of my time in his country, he wished me well and said he was sad to see all of us go. That is one Irish friend who sure went above and beyond to make sure we were more than welcome and comfortable! Thanks Ollie, for everything!

After last night’s girls’ night in with Maddie, spent painting our nails, watching Friends with Benefits, eating dark chocolate, applying face masks and de-stressing, I woke up refreshed and ready for my last day in Cork:

• Went to the gym one last time (they just opened a beautiful new cardio room with fancy machines…right when I am leaving of course!)
• Did my last High Intensity Training class- Lisa, I will miss you and all you can do to torture me in the best possible way. I can’t WAIT to discover my abs (post abroad weight loss).
• Ate my last Wholly Grain sandwich (turkey, cranberry, stuffing, goats cheese. YUM!) with Hannah and Maddie
• Made my last walk through the English Market, buying a loaf of my favorite Health Nut bread to bring home to my family (my breakfasts will never be the same!) and a delicious Cork Chester Cake for the plane ride
• Did a last little look around City Center

Tonight I am looking forward to a dinner party with some good friends here, followed by a tearful farewell or two. My suitcases are (almost) packed up and my flight to home departs at 7:30am tomorrow!

Goodbye Cork, it really has been amazing. I am at a loss of words right now and having difficulty explaining just what this experience has meant to me and how it has changed me. What an overwhelming feeling this is! I am so excited to go home but there is a part of me still not ready to leave. I guess that is usually how goodbyes are, huh?

Home. You feel it, you go to it, you love it, you leave it, you find it, you move it, you make it. Home is a funny thing. A word, a comfort, a place. Ever since I left Colorado for college, I have had to call a new room home. It took me ages until I could finally refer to returning to my dorm room at night as “going home”. In fact, I am not sure I did so until my sophomore year in the Vistas! In college, I learned to make my home in two separate places, two separate states, each one 1000 miles from the other. Returning to each brought on a sense of comfort and peace, yet a tinge of sadness for leaving the other behind. Each had a family, each held loved ones that I miss when I leave. Both places are special in their own ways, offering up their own piece to fit the puzzle of my life. 

Here in Ireland, I have had to leave both of these homes thousands of miles behind. I remember my first day here, arriving full of mixed emotions and overriding excitement, not knowing what to do with myself first. I unpacked my clothes, placing them in empty drawers and filling the tiny closet. Shampoo and conditioner went in the corner of my shower, and makeup and face wash on the little shelf above the sink. The next step involved the placement of the picture frames I brought and the stack of photos I had freshly printed off. As I filled my cork board with the smiling faces of my friends and family, I finally began to feel comfortable in my new surroundings.

As my time here in Ireland comes to a close, I realize how much I will actually miss it here. My little box of a room has taken on a personality- her walls are covered with maps, coasters from varying pubs, and sticky notes of quotations and Bible verses. To-do lists and reading lists are scattered on my desk. As I write, a Christmas candle cheerfully flickers in the corner, filling the room with cinnamon scents. 

I have a family here; three unique roommates whom all offer some special quality to this adventure and have each taught me something important and valuable about life. We share an apartment complete with a mom-bed (perfect for movie nights), a kitchen always smelling of olive oil and littered with some sort of cooking utensils, and hallway where our calendars hang, scribbled with important dates and weekend trips around Europe. There is a quote wall overflowing with memories of laughter and a deck of cards ready for a round of rummy. Some days our doors are propped open with suitcases while on others we respect the need for privacy. There is routine, there is comfort, and there is contentment in Apartment 87. During my four months here, Ireland too has become a home. 

…can often be found in our memories. There are moments in our lives, both good and bad, that will forever leave a lasting impression on us. Looking back at this past year, there are so many moments that have taught me a life lesson, shown me a piece of myself, and helped me to grow more and more into the woman God made me to be. As the promise of a new year looms around the corner, it is only fair to give 2011 some credit: it was a big year! 

The next 31 days of December will be filled with remembrance. I will be reflecting on those special moments in my year, no matter how monumental, that have affected me in some way, shape, or form. It is a countdown of the best sort, offering closure on this amazing, adventure-filled year while leading into new beginnings in 2012. Here we go!

#31 Excitement & Possibility

This photo, taken at the Blarney Castle, reminds me of my first few weeks adjusting to the Irish lifestyle in my new surroundings in Cork. It was the beginning of one of the biggest adventures and growing periods in my entire life thus far! When I first saw the castle, I remember my heart pounding with the thrill of finally being in Ireland and acheiving one of my biggest dreams- studying abroad.