During my first two weeks in Ireland, I learned a lot about myself and a lot about the Irish culture.
-Communication does not exist nearly to the extent that it exists in the American culture. Most of the time I had no idea what was expected of me. That was a really hard adjustment because in my mind, communication is in the top three most important things for a strong relationship to contain.
-There are castles everywhere in Ireland. Driving an hour, you might see 15 castles. I loved coming up with stories as to why they are ruins and are not still thriving today.
-Coming here was a huge leap of faith, so big that I couldn’t even fathom it until I did it. I have to completely rely upon the generosity of strangers.
-I am learning how to let go and let God. I can’t have control here. The whole weekend traveling, meeting people, going out thing is pretty new to me, at least to this extent, and I have to just go with the flow. That is a really good lesson for little miss structured me.
-It is exhausting to be “on” all the time. Since I am always meeting new people or around people I don’t know very well, I am trying to be the best version of myself. After two weeks, that is getting old.
-I really appreciate my home and my family and my fiancé more. I can’t imagine doing this if they weren’t completely supportive.
-Everyone in Ireland seems to have at least two dogs and several cats. I am allergic to cats. I have not stopped having allergies since I got here.
-Irish phrases are a little different than American ones. Some of the most popular phrases include “Thanks a million” and “You’re grand.”
-I have eaten some really good food here. Grania and I brainstormed yesterday about some of the things we’ve cooked, and here a few of the top ones. We’ve had roast leg of lamb with roasted vegetables and garlic mash. We had fresh rocket salad from the garden and lots of bread and olive oil with parsley and salt and pepper. We’ve drunken lots and lots of tea, and I’ve become quite fond of cranberry and orange juice mixed. I’ve eaten Muesli (healthy cereal) nearly every day. We’ve had tortellini with goat cheese and tomato pesto. We also had bacon (which is ham in America) with cabbage and mashed potatoes. We’ve baked fresh fruit flan, caramelized banana tart, and apple tart tartin. I would say I’ve eaten really well.
-If you go an Irish person’s house for the first time and they offer coffee or tea, you have to accept one. Even if you don’t drink it, you should take a cup.
-This summer is much different than any other summer I’ve ever had. I spent six weeks as a missionary in Atlanta. I spent a summer as a missionary in Chicago. I was a camp counselor in Connecticut. None of those experiences come close to being the same as this one. In all those other scenarios, even though I didn’t know anyone before I went, my life was structured and very American. I had a schedule and people directing me as to what to do. I had a set job and expectations. I had a phone every now and again during those summers. Here, I have no phone. I really know no one. And I continue from place to place to know no one. There is no structure, and I am not volunteering with an organization I am familiar with. I do not know that everyone I’m staying with has the same intentions as I do, as I did my other summers. If you’ve never traveled alone for an extended period of time, there is no way you could understand what this is like. I’m saying that out of experience – it is very, very different, and I am doing my best to adjust.
Today I am leaving for County Laois a day early because Grania and Joe decided they’re leaving tonight for a short holiday to Galway. I am both nervous and excited to be in a new location. I think it will be a big adjustment to be on a dairy farm, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
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