reflections

Its all over.

I really can´t believe it already. After reading my friend Regina´s blog note (who I met on a bus in Venice when we discovered we were both from seattle and we both knew Douglas Chavis...random..) about her study abroad experience, i have to agree when she says that we are no longer studying abroad, but rather we have studied abroad. Literally since I came back from Australia, I had the intention of studying abroad again, and for the past 8 years I have spent so much time thinking, talking, and planning this studying abroad experience - and now its finally come to an end!

As you can imagine, this experience carried a lot of expectations when I first departed. Typically most say that their abroad experience more than exceded expectations, but I think it might be more appropriate for me to say that they took my expectations and threw them out the window! My time abroad was completely amazing, but also completely not what I thought it would be. I surprisingly know much more german, (ich werde dic wermissen!), got just a little tooo wet, and made much more lasting friendships than I ever initially thought.

Most also typically say ¨oh it seems like yesterday when I first arrived¨. However for me, I think of the first day I arrived in Galway - and it seems like that was a whole different life for me. I dont know if its the fact that I have changed, or so much in my life has changed, or both, but that girl who first dragged her three giant bags through the rain to her hostel on the first day is not the same as before! Lets just hope that the changes are all for the better - I think they are! I´m much more comfortable in my own skin, happier, and even more confident than before - watch out melanie, I am SO not gonna back down from any argument anymore (if only my ireland experience taught me to be more mature...).

Still, I owe all these learning experiences to the people surrounding me. To all those I met here in Ireland, and to those who I left back in America - you have no idea how much your friendship, support, and love has enhanced my experience abroad. I know I will never ever forget your compassion you gave to me. Even if it was as simple as a small email, text message, or inviting me out - every single time it made my days! I could not have done it without you!

So I leave Ireland with a heavy heart, but also with the determination to come back - I´m already going to start saving again (slowly...but surely!). Caution to all my euro-pals: I will be knocking on your door in a couple of years...and even more caution to my home-town friends because you will be knocking on those doors alongside me!!

Ok so now speaking in present-day terms: I am in Barcelona at the moment - a bit cold at the moment, but still enjoying my time here. Although, admittedly I am tiring very quickly of living out of my backpack - I REALLY just want to throw my clothes all over the place and take a long bubble bath. But tomorrow I already head out to shannon, and spend one last night in Ireland before making the big flight home!

So Barcelona is great - full of sandy beaches, gorgeous views, and Gaudi! I really enjoy the sights here (Las Ramblas, Park Gnuell, Mt. Montjuec, Olympic Stadium) , but enjoy the relaxed lifestyle even more! Staying out late, getting up even later - I could DEFINITELY get used to this! Don´t even get me started on mid-day siestas! ahhhhhh!

Oh yes - AND theres LOADS of shopping....

In fact, I think that´s where I´m headed to now!

Adios mis amigos!


xoxoxoxoxo

Finals Fiasco

It was a cold and stormy morning when I woke up, so I decided against going for a run, which is not like me since today was my very first final exam for NUI Galway! HOWEVER, since my exam was commencing in a hotel in another town, I figured the hour long walk would give me enough fresh air and blood pumping to clear my head. Packing lightly, I packed some water, gum, and a snack in a bag; and of course my most important items: key card, and identification which I placed in my back pocket. I gave them one last look before sliding them in my jeans and taking off! As I strolled out the door I suddenly realized: I forgot pens to write my essay! How stupid of me! So I turned around to grab some pens, but when I reached in my back pocket for my key, I discovered that wasn’t there either! How absent-minded of me – I almost left with all the essential items! I especially would need my identification because with out that I would have had to pay 20 euros and possibly not even allowed to take the test! Luckily Elisa was awake and she let me in the door as I grabbed a few pens. But when I went to look for my ID and key card – they were nowhere be found… I had JUST had them less than 2 minutes ago! I checked my pockets, my purse, under my sheets, in my books, in the refrigerator – I even entertained Elisa’s thought of them being in my shoes and flung off my left boot: NOWHERE! Julia woke up as well and the three of us scoured the entire apartment looking for my identification and key. Nowhere. I was running out of time, so I decided to forget my ID card and rely on my good looks and charm to get me into my test (so you’re now thinking: she’s doomed!). On my taxi ride to the hotel (no more time for walking), I theorized that they must have fallen in the toilet when I went to bathroom, and I flushed it down…either that or it was an evil demon-possessed leprechaun.
Well luckily (ha! luckily…) I managed to get into my test, and didn’t even need to pay the 20 euro fine. And the test didn’t go so bad either – I spent nearly the entire 2 ½ hours writing, finishing with just 5 minutes left. So for the first time the entire day I was able to sit back, cross my legs and breathe. Suddenly, I felt something…and there, tucked in my right shoe – both my ID card and key card lay there…

So now I really better get good marks on my exams because it’s the only way I can restore my belief (as well as the belief of others) that I truly am an intelligent woman!

Off to the library – I hope I find a spot! It’s good thing I have my ID with me, so I can be allowed inside…now where did it go again…?

Study Week?

Classes ended on thanksgiving, but rather than jump into finals, the Irish like to add a little extra time to study. Hence, study week. However, for most Irish people this is considered ‘time-to-learn-an-entire-semesters-worth-of-knowledge-cause-I-spent-this-entire-year-in-a-pub’ week. So this entire week the library here has become the new hot-spot. And I’m not kidding – lines start to form outside the library at 7:30 am in order to find a place to sit. You also have to show ID when entering! They have bouncers to control the inflow of people – ok no they don’t, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the next time I entered, one would be there – either that or having to pay a cover charge (which you have to admit would make them a TON of money).

But unlike the Irish, my study week has gone a bit differently. Here’s my last week:

Sunday: Dinner and going out in celebration for my friend Robert’s birthday!
Monday: Movie night with the girls
Tuesday: Out for a pint of Paulaner at the bierhaus with pals
Wednesday: sex and the city and ate some delicious potato salad made by my roommate, as well as some daily grocery shopping, town exploring etc.
Thursday: Open day for the campus – this is where I made a fool of myself dancing…BUT on the bright side, Corrib Village apartments asked our flat if they could show our place to new students. Since we agreed, we each got 50 euros cash!! WOO!
Friday: finally settle down to study right? Heck no! I just got 50 euros! Hello Galway Shopping Centre (aka Santaville for the Christmas season).
Also went out to the Kings Head and danced the night away to a cover band – who thought Pearl Jam was from Australia…believe me, I was quick to correct them!
Saturday: out to the markets, then went home for a pizza dinner with my roommates. That’s when I was going to go out, but suddenly the weather took a turn for the worst (100kmh winds and rain – just a little bad) so I decided to cuddle and watch television movies and let Elisa examine my feet to see if I had bad circulation or not… J

So today is Sunday – and the horrible weather has continued onward. So I have spent the ENTIRE day inside – finally forced to study!! So after the world’s longest breakfast, shower, and room-cleaning, I actually managed to take a look at some of my papers. But then shortly after I took some photos…then watched a little TV…did a crossword…and now here I am writing in my blog…

Well lucky for me my first final does not start until Thursday – so this coming week can be my study week right?! Great! Ok study week starts right NOW!

OH I think I hear Julia watching TV in the living room – I wonder what she’s watching…

Until next time!

Xoxoxoxo


Note to all worried parents and people that are reading this that might be my future employers: I really am not that much of a slacker, I am really a hardworking, determined individual. I actually have been studying quite a bit during the day. I even admit to waking up at 7am to get to the packed library! yuk!

Michael Flatley: you would be proud!

In order to have an enriching experience abroad, I believe that its vitally important that one should try to adapt themselves to the culture and lifestyle to the host-country.

Now in Ireland, most have taken the easy route by taking on the traditional act of drinking 2 pints of Guiness before lunchtime...me however, I'm much more daring and bold (and too poor!) for that...

...Which is why I decided to take up Traditional Irish dancing!!

Think Riverdance. Subtract Michael Flatley, then add me. If that doesn't make you laugh, nothing will.

So for the past 2 months, I have been attending traditional irish dance for beginners every wednesday night, learning 1-2-3's, side skips, and jumps. Mostly though I have been flicking my feet around on the floor and having a really good laugh looking at myself. (the pic is me and my original group!!)

However, I didn't think that I would be sharing this good laugh with anyone else - until I found out that we were going to preform in front of an audience! So my group and I last week actually put a routine to "Lord of the Dance". But it was actually a really great experience - I managed not to forget much and had fun!

So naturally when our instructor asked our group if we wanted to preform again for high-school students on open day (where they come to the University to check things out - dancers included I guess...) - I agreed! One good way to end the semester right?

My roommate Julia and I (she was also in the class) went to the preformance hall a bit early, hoping to see our 12 other dancers and go over our routine a couple times before going on stage. However, instead of 12 girls - there was just one other girl! Our instructor didn't even show up! Luckily, the hip-hop instructor was there and we went to her for advice. But instead of solving our problem, she said to us "ok I've got your music - you know what you are doing right? Cause youre on next!"

So about 2 minutes later, there I was: standing in front of about 150 uniform-wearing, 17 year olds, with two other girls on my side,no practice, waiting for our music to change and start out with our 1-2-3's!

as you can guess, about 30 seconds later, we all three had forgotten the rest of our routine and were simply dancing in circles, wildly kicking our feet around. It wasn't going too bad - they didn't know we were messing up so maybe we could trick them into thinking we were actually doing alright.

That was until the girl in the middle, holding our hands, fell flat on her butt, pulling Julia and I down! Luckily we both manged to stay on our feet and continue to step around. But that definitely didn't stop the laughter and jeeringfrom our audience - and actually from the three of us as well! We finished shortly after by throwing up our hands, with giggles on our faces. We were rushed off stage almost immediately while the more advanced hip-hop dancers ran on to make a recovery.

Julia and I left the stage with damaged pride (and the other girl with a damaged butt), but also with large smiles on our faces! Julia turned to me and said she would never forget this experience she had with me - and its true. I think I will always think of Julia as someone I could publicly make a fool with anyday!

So I think that that in order to have an enriching experience abroad, one must make a complete fool of themselves, and most importantly have someone to share that experience (and hopefully a good laugh) with!

until next time!

xoxoxoxoxo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day, and so far I have single-handedly put a turkey in the oven! Ok so that sounds like nothing, but there has been a lot of work to get to this point. First, I had to walk 20 minutes in the rain each day to the store this entire week in order to get prepared, walking from store to store to store to find the right things (you wouldn’t believe the confused looks I got when I asked for fried onion bits – cross green-bean casserole off the list!) My greatest trip was the one that required me to walk back home with a 10 kilo sack of potatoes on my back! So I really have a great “back when I was your age...” story to tell when I’m 80.

So what am I thankful for? Well one thing for sure: today is my last day of classes! Although I am glad not have to sit through boring lectures, the ending of class simply signifies that exams will be coming up – and in the Irish school system, the most critical part of any class. One of my classes, 100% of the grade comes straight from the final. In all of them, it is certainly needed in order to pass the class. So instead of being able to enjoy the rest of my days free and careless, I’m about to become a slave to my textbooks. In fact, I plan on getting up early to go to the library starting tomorrow! My roommate Julia will be there at 9am – I think I might need a little time to recover from my soon-to-be amazing holiday feast! I’ve got it all: the turkey, the mashed potatoes (which BETTER be good!), stuffing, gravy, green beans, I even made my own cranberry sauce! However, my favourite part of all is missing: the pumpkin pie! They have no canned pumpkin here – I guess you just can’t have it all can you? HOWEVER, I did buy whipped cream for dessert – now that I am surely thankful for J

Here are some other things I am thankful for:

1. Wellies
2. My new athletics team sweatshirt – I got it on Tuesday, and it’s the only thing I wear now (mainly because all my other clothes are dirty!!)
3. Sex and the City girl’s nights: friends, sex, wine, and chocolate – what more could you want? (to mom and dad and other family members: I’m just joking!)
4. Digestive cookies – name sounds like something grandmas and constipated people would eat – but they are so not that – and even if they were I would still love them!
5. Crappy instant coffee (makes me appreciate espresso SO much more)
6. The castle along the ol’ corrib river, and the Salthill cceanside – two best places to go on a run – best views I think I have ever witnessed
7. The Saturday market – where I get the best apples and hummus EVER (oh yeah, and super good doughnuts too!)
8. Sunday morning runs with Annelies, my little therapist here in Ireland (maybe its those awesome views – but man I can get emotional when I run!)
9. SKYPE! A bit hard to explain, but all you need to know is that you need to have it
10. NUI Galway – its lovely charm thus giving it the ability to attract old but rad celebrities. It just sounds so cool to say “I go to school with Martin Sheen”

But most importantly I am thankful for you who is reading this (unless you are some creepy internet stalker – then go away I am really not thankful for you). Whenever I hear that people are reading my blog and wanting to know how I am doing, or sending me a message (or skyping me – you get extra points!) - it truly makes my day! I know that I would not have survived this experience without the support of my friends and family – both back in the US and here in Ireland.

Although wine, chocolate, and sex does help (again family: joking!)

Off to baste the bird!

Until next time

xoxoxoxoxoxo


the result: look at my wonderful turkey! yum!!!

Finding Family in Edinburgh

It is so very sad - school is coming to an end - but that means crunch time: exams are in just two weeks, research papers are due after this weekend, and the library is now becoming the new late night place to hang out - even celebs like Martin Sheen have been spotted here.

However that didn't stop me from putting away my books for the weekend to go travel once more! So last weekend I took a short plane trip (and cheap - only 6 euros total!) to Scotland. I traveled with my friend Bianca, and another fella named Patrick, whom I honestly didn't even really know until we met up to catch the flight together!

The three of us started our adventure when we arrived in Edinburgh (safely this time! no close-crash incidents!) late on Saturday night. We checked into our hostel - which we discovered was a 38 mixed bedroom dorm - aka a giant room with a bunch of beds. Not wanting to really spend much time there, we quickly put our stuff away and went out on the town. We ended up on the grassmarket street, which is lined with pubs, nightclubs and lively atmosphere. Our first drink was at a place called the Three Sisters (which reminded me of my sisters! ahh!) - and despite the negative degree weather, there were people outside barbecuing and having drinks! From then on we hopped from bar to bar, usually ending up in the places that offered free shooters or free entrance! Finally we made our way back to our lovely room to have a good nights sleep - along with the other 30 plus people.

After a somewhat restless sleep (one of those 38 people decided it would be an excellent idea to play Counting Crows songs on the piano....) we got up early to start our 'culture' day. We walked all around the Royal Mile street from the parliament house, all the way up to the castle. On our way we encountered many fun people and things. We took photos with Scotsman dressed in their full attire, sampled fudge, learned all about whiskey (which we all discovered is a drink we don't really prefer), and took amazing photos of the enormous castle on the hill. Finally we ended up for dinner at a place called SNAX - where we got some amazing grilled paninis and chips - for cheap too! We walked everywhere and saw so much! It was a great and exhausting day!

So then we found a new hostel to stay in (the other one just wasn't quite our style!) - and this time it was with just 14 people - they were all americans who were also studying in Ireland (Cork) as well, so we got along with them quite well. We decided to just go out for a movie night, and saw The Departed - a movie coincidentally about Irish gangs in Boston. Martin Sheen was in it! He died though - but next time I see him I'll have to congratulate him on an impressive death scene, even if it was just him falling off a building...(sorry to ruin it for those who haven't seen it!)

So on our way home, Patrick could not stop singing 'we are family' song - over and over. Before we knew it, Bianca and I caught on and we were all singing together! For the rest of the weekend, this became our theme song and at any moment if any would start the song, we would all join in! We started our own little family for the weekend!

The next day however, our family grew! We were joined by our three friends Judith (not my roommate Judith, but another one!), Robert, and Florian (aka Flo). They had been in Glasgow and the highlands earlier that week (they didn't see Nessy however...). But before we met up with them, our little family explored the oceanside and took a tour of the Brittania (the royal ship) and also went to the Museum of Modern Art (which was surprisingly one of my favorite things - really interesting!). It wasn't until about 5 until we met up with the others, so we had an early dinner at SNAX (I love this place) and I even got to try some HAGGIS (minced meat cooked inside a lambs stomach) for free! It was ok...An old Scottish man next to me told me its made from a three-legged bird, and right now since its hunting season for them, its the best time to have some...;) lets just say I got my moneys worth!

That night we were lucky to discover that we had the entire room to ourselves! We also discovered that the next day was Patricks birthday! So of course we celebrated, and at midnight we sang happy birthday as loud as we could in the bar! And of course followed by 'we are family...'

We had to leave the next day sadly, but before we left I was determined to climb to a place called Arthurs Seat, which was just the top of a hill. However, we all decided to hike up together. It started out a bit cold and rainy, but in the end the sun cleared up just as we made it to the top! We had an incredible 360 degree view of the city and beyond! Absolutely beautiful! It was a great way to end the trip, and boosted our moods for heading back to Ireland.

Just before we left however, we retired into a Starbucks - the first one I have been to since Berlin!! It was quite an amazing starbucks - with giant windows facing the castle. So I sat and slowly enjoyed my tall soy latte while staring out towards Edinburgh city. Oh and of course - we stopped one more time at SNAX to grab a bite to eat!

When we arrived back in the Airport, Judith Robert and Flo all got a bus ride back early, while Bianca, Patrick and I had to wait for our busline (we bought tickets already for a different bus line) - so our little family was re-united once more! We of course sang our little song again while waiting for the bus! We were a crazy family for sure - but also a fun one!

So now back in Galway, I have just one more month left before heading back home! Time has truly flown by, but I am enjoying every minute of it! The people I have met here have been just incredible, and I think I will be mostly sad to leave them. But its good to know that no matter what: 'We are family!!!'

xoxoxo

my family: Judith, Robert, flu, Patrick and Bianca (and of course me in the middle - where else would I put myself huh?!)

Best Week Ever?

Ever since I got back from Italy, life here in Ireland has been wonderful, for a number of reasons:

1. The weather - although a bit frosty, the sun shines everyday and my feet are wonderfully and happily dry! Pictured is my daily walk from Corrib Village to School - b-e-a-utiful!

2. Parties - from halloween, to athletics club, to even my roommate Elisa's surprise party - there has just been a lot of fun and exciting events with new-found friends.

3. Martin Sheen - did I tell you I go to school with Martin Sheen? Yeah and I saw him! Its funny- I am about as far as you can get from hollywood, yet this is pretty much the only time I see a celebrity.

4. School - I actually am ahead of the game and getting a lot of work done!

ok so everything was going great - until came thursday. I decided to go out with friends to an 80/90's dance club, and happily broke a sweat to Phil Collins and Micheal Jackson! Rad!
However I must have crossed the 'borderline' (ok I don't even know if that song is 80s or not..) because I woke up the next morning feeling extremely worn out, tired and out of money. However I managed to drag myself out of bed, and even decided to treat myself to a coffee at the espresso stand (spending more money - I don't know what goes through my head sometimes). I ordered what I usually got back home - a grande drip - thinking nothing of it. However, having only dranken instant-can-this-really-be-called-coffee coffee practically since I have been here, the real stuff hit me like a ton of bricks. I vibrated my way through the next 5 hours of classtime, feeling sick to my stomach. To make matters worse - I got a group assignment back - which we failed (ok not quite, but pretty much). A 44 out of 100 (which is like a C in Ireland). But hey - if I blurred my eyes, those 4 look quite a lot like 9's.....

So here I was: failed paper in shaking hand, but also feeling like I could sleep for hours. My best week ever has come to an end - right?

well, maybe worse days were coming, but it didn't stop me from feeling extremely happy. My entreprenuership teacher told us that we can't be afraid of failures - maybe he said that to make us feel better about our grades to come - but I surely took it to heart at that moment. I realised that sometimes we make wrong choices: even if they are as minor as staying out too late while listening to cheesy music, drinking too much coffee, and failing school (ok that might not be as minor..). But this time I wasn't going to dig myself into a deeper hole by dwelling on it - but rather I was going to just be happy with what I have - like great friends and fun!

Ok sorry for that 'Full House' moment - that 80/90s stuff must have hit me harder than I thought!

off to Edinburgh today - lets hope my stomach can handle the haggis!

xoxoxo

Vanessa (who is pretty much best friends with Martin Sheen)