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I'M HEEEEERRRRREEEE

Hello all! So, you know how I was counting down to Ireland... well, I'm there now! Well, here now. IT'S GORGEOUS!!! I just had a week of orientation and stuff, and then this past Monday I had my first week of classes- which ended Wednesday afternoon! I have a four day weekend all semester long, and I don't think I could be any happier about that- hello traveling.

It has been.... amazing. And that's only after ten days.  I can't describe how thrilled and blessed I feel to have this opportunity. Now, I'm gonna warn you now, this post is not going to be short.

I'm not going to lie, when I realized last Saturday that I was leaving in a day, I was so overwhelmed that I was somewhere between crying for joy and throwing up. This didn't subside until I well into the flight- something else I've never done, flying. I was excited but at the same time sad to leave my family and underneath it all I was a nervous wreck. I did all I could- followed my instructions and silently prayed for calm.


 The view as we descended was spectacular, and I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures. It was totally stunning though.  I found out shortly before landing that I'd actually been sitting next to another International Ulster student the entire time. We were both relieved we had someone to share our feelings of excitement and exhaustion and support in the clueless-American department.  We got off the plane, met some other students, then onto the bus and headed to our new home; I was totally "knockered," as the Irish say. I had a little heart attack when I thought my power converter died on me, but other than that move-in went smoothly, and I passed out from 6-7:30, then 7:30-3AM, then made a shopping list, then 3:30-8. It was a weird little schedule that first night. 

The next couple of days I had orientation meetings and we went into the town of Coleraine to do some shopping. I also tried my first Guinness- not terrible, I just don't think I'm really a beer person. The town in adorable, though; I love the town center: 
The streets! I love them.

Then on Friday, we went to visit Derry~Londonderry. I also love that city, because they have a WALL, like a wall from the 1600s surrounding an inner part of the city. IT'S GORGEOUS and I got to go on top of it! We went to a really informative couple of museums about Bloody Sunday and then the Apprentice Boys of Derry (*shakes fist* Darn you Lundy the Traitor!). Then there was a building that looked like a church but wasn't, but was still stunning. It had some artifacts inside- that I was unfortunately unable to photograph- from the SEVENTEENTH CENTURY! There was armor and a desk and a sword! I was nerding out big time. Like, having minor spaz attacks from the amount of history I was surrounded by. GAH!  There was also a really snazzy bridge, that I admittedly don't know the story behind, but it was cool. The city itself is beautiful, too. 

You have no idea how thrilled I was

not a church, but still pretty awesome. 

It was a stupendous day in a lovely city. Then there was Saturday. OH MY GOSH, SATURDAY.  Know where we went Saturday. THE GIANT'S-FREAKING-CAUSEWAY THAT'S WHERE! And you know where we stopped on the way? AT A CASTLE, GUYS! WE STOPPED AT A CASTLE. If I was freaking out about Derry, I was going absolutely mental on Saturday. 

The castle was Dunluce Castle, right along the coast of Northern Ireland, and it is one of the most stunning things... I was in heaven. It was so beautiful. Have you ever had something you've wanted to do/see all your life? Well seeing a castle was one of mine, and I got to do it. I got to go and almost slip and die in the ocean and take pictures, and touch these walls that have been standing for AGES and all I could do was stare and imagine what the lives of the people who lived there were like. I... I think there was a very real possibility of my crying. It was one of those things that absolutely touch your soul. Or mine, anyway. I was able to physically touch a piece of the history I so adore. 

HOW

FREAKING

GORGEOUS

IS

THIS?!?
And what's better? That wasn't all. The Giant's Causeway is something unlike anything I've ever seen in my life. The wind is crazy- I was seriously concerned I was going to die, because the wind was so strong it was pushing me, and the waves that would have broken my fall also would have broken my body. But it was so worth it. It's... it's strange and beautiful, and, like the castle, touched me in my soul. I'm blown away that things so incredible can exist in this world. I... I can't even really describe it. FOR REAL THOUGH LOOK AT THIS!!!

GAH! 
GAAAH!  
GAAAAAH! 


FOR REAL THOUGH

LIKE, WHAT?!?!

AND THEN THE HILLS BEHIND IT! 

AND NONE OF IT IS EVEN PHOTOSHOPPED. THIS IS ALL REAL! 

Don't know this guy but I admire his gumption. That wind and those waves... but he's got the right idea. 

The walk back up- red trail. I'm so B.A. guys. And this place. Okay, mostly this place. I was dying. 

HOLY FREAKING GUACAMOLE,  THIS PLACE!!!


IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. Then classes started- still getting used to the style and the size and stuff. But it should be a really great semester- Irish history, Irish politics, and Irish literature and culture. I'm pretty psyched. I've gone out a couple times since then, met some really wonderful people here at the University, tried some new and exciting foods and drinks- Kopparberg Cider is stupendous, as is honeycomb ice cream. I also walked to one of the lovely little port towns, which was lovely, though the weather changes every 20 minutes or so, which can be unfortunate if one is on an hour or so long walk.

OH! And I just went shopping and I made a few pretty exciting purchases:
Doctor Who nerds, this is for you. Well, that, and COOKIES & CREAM KIT KAT? Yes please! 



So, I mean, Ireland's alright. I think I'll be able to survive it  ; ). But for real, how stunning? I have waited most of my life for this, and Ireland is certainly not disappointing. I'm loving the land and the people, and I'm looking forward to my time here. :) Well, all for now. I'll keep you posted on my adventures!


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