Dublin's fair city

This is my last weekend in Dublin until the grand St. Patty's Day March 17th! Such a hard concept to wrap my head around, but my main reason for studying abroad in Europe (as opposed to Africa which we all know I'm obsessed with) was to travel to my heart's desire! & That's exactly what I'm doing :) I only have class Monday through Wednesday, so my travels begin on Thursday mornings and I fly back either on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings.  This Thursday I will be off to PARIS!!! Don't worry, a beautiful Paris blog will be up shortly after I return on Monday.











It was a good weekend to be in Dublin because Temple Bar Trad Fest was going on.  Temple Bar is the touristy, expensive part of Dublin, but I love it nonetheless.  & TRAD MUSIC (traditional Irish music, like folk music with banjo's and accordions) is sweet, sweet music in my ears.  I have found my new love, and I could listen to trad music all night!  I actually only went out one night to hear trad music because every pub was disgustingly packed, but it was such a fun way to experience the culture and laugh and sing with the locals.  I am now determined to learn how to play the banjo before I graduate college!

During the day, festivities were just as grand, and on Saturday I took an Irish dance lesson from a professional Irish dancer!  It was a brilliant time, and I'm convinced I'm a natural. I'll be doing a project on Irish dancing for my Irish Language & Culture class, so now I feel like I have an insider's perspective!

I was wandering this weekend and came across Dublin Castle, and what a sight it was!  I decided to stop in for a tour, and it was a beautiful time.  I spoke Spanish AND Irish with my tour guide, my teachers would be so proud!  Whenever I'm on a tour, I find myself fascinated and enthralled within a world that used to be.  I literally transport my mind back to the place's height of popularity, and imagine myself in the midst of it's reign.  Dancing in the ballroom of the Dublin Castle, praying in its stunning chapel, and dining in the grand hall.  My imagination really gets the best of my sometimes, but I'm not complaining!

I've been trying to spend more time alone, because that's the best time I can focus on my relationship with the Lord.  Being without fellowship is a struggle, but the Lord has been faithful and by my side in every waking moment.  I love being alone and having Him as my constant companion to travel the world with, He really is the best travel guide!  I'm learning to trust Him more and more everyday, and I am so thankful for His infinite presence.


I probably won't post until after Paris, so au revoir!! I speak absolutely no French, but skyped with my brother so he could teach me some basic phrases.  Wish me luck friends, talk to you soon xxo!

tap dancing pigeons

Choosing Ireland as a study abroad option was a safe bet in my mind. They speak English, they must be similar to Americans.  IGNORANCE. The culture is rich to the core here (no offense America, you're a melting pot though!) and I'm learning how I always take the simple things for granted in the U.S. Here's some fun facts and lessons I've learned in the past two weeks:

1. "Good craic" (pronounced crack) does not mean that the pub sells drugs. It means good FUN is had there, and everyone has a good time...preferably not involving drugs.

2.  Cars drive on the opposite side of the road, but no worries! Look down and you'll see  "look left" or "look right" painted on the ground so you know which way to look if a car is coming.

3.  Hot water? Not always...

4. Washer and dryer in your flat? Not really...our washer is broken (there's a repairman in the kitchen right now...yes our washer is in the kitchen) and nobody uses dryers here, to conserve energy. Drying racks it is! & For us, wash our cloths in the sink with soap!

5.  You will run into people everywhere, sidewalks are narrow. Don't take it personally when someone shoves you.

6. GET WALKING SHOES. You walk everywhere. A 20 minute walk to school is nothing, you walk 45 minutes to shop and it's still normal.

7. Pigeons tap dance on my roof. It's like a show every time I step in the bathroom.

8. A 70 is actually an A here, so don't freak out when you get a 60 on your first essay.

9.  Well, I'm learning to cook. I cooked rice, eggs, and even boiled vegetables! I don't blame my mom for never teaching me, I was a brat and refused to learn. Now I'm stuck learning at age 20 in a foreign country, definitely an adventure..

10.  Heated ROOM? Only when it wants to work

11.  Drinking is social, not to get drunk.  Drunk Americans are extremely obvious in a pub.

12.  Americans talk louder than any one else. Lower your voice!

13.  Accepting a drink from a guy is code for "I'll go home with you." Glad my friend learned that lesson for me! Awkward when you deny him.

14.  Men are more attractive with Irish accents. & Yes, I am dating a nice Irish man I met at a pub. Hehe(;

15.  When you picture Ireland and you imagine rolling fields of green, it really IS like that in the country side!!!

16. Grocery stores don't give you bags for free...so either fork up another euro for a bag or remember your backpack!

17. You'll be cold outside, but you walk so much you'll start to sweat and then really regret wearing three layers once you get inside.

18. If you're lost, ask for help. Irish people love lost Americans!

19. Dogs aren't on leashes, apparently they're more trained in Dublin than America?

20.  Don't be surprised when a car drives on the sidewalk. Cars park half on the sidewalk and half on the street, so always be on the lookout for a car about to hit you...


Incase you didn't know...I love love love it here, and I'm learning more everyday as my journey continues!

dia dhuit!!!

Well, I'm studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland until mid April....so
I decided to start a blog mainly so I can look back and reminisce about the best days of my life, but also so ya'll can keep up with my travels and humbly be envious of my adventures!(; I may also be sharing personal stories, thoughts, struggles, and joys, so this may double as a somewhat journal/diary.





It's safe to say I'm obsessed with Ireland, and it's exactly what I imagined.  Dublin is very city-like, and cathedrals dot the streets like grocery stores.  I'm in awe by all the majestic churches hovering over the city streets, and I am yet to attend a service at one of them! (On my list of things to do before I leave, along with hundreds of other touristy adventures..)






I'm having the time of my life here, and am so blessed to have been given this opportunity.  Pubs are the main attraction here in Dublin, and everywhere in Ireland, and drinking is simply a part of the culture.  This has taken some getting used to, considering I don't drink in the  US, but it is legal here! It's a sticky balance to maintain, and alcohol is expensive so it's tough to be immersed in the culture and remember your budget.  Going out for drinks is a daily experience here; I'm trying to slim it down to one or two nights a week though!

The people are absurdly helpful and friendly here, as well. In the many a times I've been lost, strangers have been overwhelmingly helpful in helping me find my way again.  The accents are amazing, and there's different dialects depending on the county the person is from, but generally people are easy to understand.  I'm learning to speak Irish (technically Gaelic but nobody here ever calls it that), and it is the hardest language I could imagine learning.  Dia dhuit is pronounced gia gwich, and means hello! How a "dh" makes a "gw" sound I do not understand...yet! I love surprising Irish people I meet at pubs and introducing myself in Irish.  It's a dying language so not everyone speaks it, but they're always impressed!

I just arrived back in Dublin from a weekend trip to Galway, which was about a 2 1/2 hour train ride to the west coast.  We toured the famous Cliffs of Moher, and I was stunned by the Lord's craftsmanship!  It somewhat reminded me of the Grand Canyon, but a lot greener!  Galway was a quaint town compared to Dublin, and I loved being by the ocean...reminding me of home sweet home in California! I stayed in my first hostel and was extremely impressed by the place!  Luckily I had a private room with five other friends so I felt comfortable, and there was a nice kitchen and hangout areas to relax in.  My first experience was definitely a success, but now my expectations are set high....

I have much more to say, especially about my classes (yeah...can you believe I have to go to school in the midst of all this?!) but I will catch you up tomorrow.  It's been a long weekend and it is now nap time/homework time eventually...