So this is it. I’ve been planning this trip since I set foot on Costa Rican soil over 3 years ago. I am going abroad!! I’ll be living in Limerick, Ireland, for almost four months. I honestly thought the day would never come. I just finished taking organic chemistry at Christian Brothers University a few weeks ago-it almost DESTROYED my life (just ask Michael Castellarin). Nevertheless, I survived, and as I sit here amongst the piles of clothes and last minute to-do lists, I can’t help but miss Rhodes and the people that have become my family. I’ll admit, I’m pretty nervous about going abroad. I chose my abroad program knowing that I would not know anyone else going on the same program. That’s a scary thought!! I want to study in a place where I don’t know anyone initially, though. I want to be uncomfortable; I want to push the envelope, to explore, to learn. I’ve become all too comfortable with my life and routine at Rhodes. I am no longer the bewildered freshman, or even the stressed-out sophomore. I have come to call Memphis my home, and Rhodes my playground. I don’t want to settle for a comfortable life, however. It’s time to change things up a bit!
I leave Little Rock bright and early Monday morning, and (hopefully) I’ll be in New York that evening. From there, I’ll meet up with other study abroaders and head out on an overnight flight to the Shannon airport. We are expected to arrive on the Emerald Isle around 5:30 am Tuesday. I’m not sure how I feel about the trans-Atlantic flight. I’ve been on several before, but something about going 600 mph high above a gigantic ocean just doesn’t sit too well with me…
I’ve been reading up on some Irish history and culture, and I came across an Irish blessing that I really liked:
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And rains fall upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Well, that’s all for now. Hopefully I’ll be able to write more when I get settled into my townhouse in Limerick. Until then, I wish you all well!
I'm going to miss you so much! You'll have so much fun though..like a ridiculous amount... perhaps measured in newtons, or something... while I'm here taking Logic and sweating buckets in the Memphis heat, no big deal... :)
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