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Come By the Hills

Okay, so I'm just gonna start out with the super incredibly exciting news- I'M GOING TO SPEND NEXT SPRING SEMESTER IN NORTHERN IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!    
I found this wonderful fact out for sure last Wednesday, and I got the official email to day:
Isn't it preeeetttyyy? 

I applied for it earlier this semester and then had to be approved by my own college and then the college in Northern Ireland. Now, studying in any country would be freaking amazing, but Ireland is especially exciting for me. Not because I have long lost ancestors there- I mean, I might; my family is a conglomeration of a handful of European countries, plus Jewish and Native American. We got around. So, for all I know, there could be some Irish Freeman family that I'm related to, but that's not really why this is so wonderful. 

I have been enchanted with Ireland since I was a little kid. I saw pictures, and I though, Oh, my goodness! That's where the fairies are! I was positive that if someplace like that actually existed in the world, then there had to still be fairytales and magic and princes and castles around, too, and from then on I knew I wanted to go there. As I've gotten older, even though my thoughts haven't been quite so childlike, I am still completely- I have to use this word again, because it's perfect- enchanted. I can't even express what Ireland, even before I've stepped foot there, means to me. It brings with it a sense of wonder at the beauty of the world. I have come to love the music and the stories, and am slowly learning the history, and I might even have a chance to learn the language! (though, thankfully, everyone speaks English.) There is just SO much that I love about the country and culture just from researching it. 

History seems to be everywhere, too, which for a history major like me, is thrilling. There are monuments and museums, and natural wonders that have been there for centuries upon centuries; there are CASTLES, like big stone bricks and towers and halls and winding staircases. While I no longer fully expect to see an elf or a handsome prince coming out from behind one of those walls, it certainly wouldn't be out of place. But they are pieces of history yet also pieces of myths and legends, the type of thing that fairytales are made of. They combine the solid historical fact to the captivating and magical, both objects of fact and fiction, and that is just so wonderful.  

Also, seriously. Accents. I may just die of happiness being surrounded by a bunch of people with Irish accents. Here is a completely random clip of one of my favorite actors, Colin Morgan from one of my favorite shows, Merlin, who has such an accent.  He doesn't know it yet, but we're getting married. ; ) 

Hehe, yes. Merlin. Anyway! 

So I am incredibly psyched about this. I have always wanted to travel, and I've always, always, wanted Ireland to be my first stop. I haven't ever been there, I don't have any solid connections there, but I feel like I have to go there. Even if I hadn't gotten this opportunity, I would be looking for a way to get there. I'm so thrilled that I actually have plans in place. 

I will leave you now- I could gush about my excitement and what I'm excited about for quite a while, believe me. First, though, I shall leave you with a song, to which I can actually reply "coming soon" to now, sung be another delightful Irishman, Damien McGinty. 


Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 10, 2013 at 5:58 PM

    Congratulations! You are going to have an amazing time. I know you'll be surrounded by the accents, but maybe you'll get a glimpse of the wee folk, too.

    ReplyDelete

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