Good.

I have been back in the States for a little less than a month now, and figured I should wrap up this blog with a few reflections on my time spent abroad. As I pass people I know at Hope and they ask how my time abroad was I usually settle for "good!" And it was. The longer answer is that it was also challenging, stretching, insightful, hard, exciting, strange, funny, and a myriad of other adjectives that still fall short of adaquately describing my 4+ months away.

In an effort to summarize, the following is a list of a few of the things I've learned, come to see differently, or appreciated about Ireland. I'm not sure that they are the most important things, or even how I would determine that yet, but they are things I feel compelled to share.

*Living in a city means walking, often long distances. Walking is great. 45 minutes is not too far to walk to go to the store. It gives you time to think, time to look around, and at times really makes you appreciate cars.

*Creativity and flexibility are important attributes to enjoying life and adapting.

*God is a God of cities, and the people in cities. Just as much as the Great Lakes or the North Coast are God's creation, they are his creation. In fact, even more so because people were made in God's image.

* I can live in a small space. I can live out of the things in a backpack for a week. I can live for four months without a clothes dryer.

*Although I may never have a wonderful sense of direction, with some determination I can use maps and follow directions.

*Things like syrup, sour cream, and muliple varietes of brownie mix are luxuries.

*Not being required to buy textbooks is great, sitting in a library for a few hours to read works just fine.

*God is faithful to his Word.

*There are so many different perspectives of cities, from people living in the same city, and everyones is different and worth hearing.

*Squash is a fun sport.

*Friendships don't all look the same and can have seasons.

*Kids are kids everywhere.

*Europe is great at providing opportunities to experience art and history for little or no charge.

*Often time differences in education, living accomadations, styles of management, etc. cannot be labeled with terms like "good" or "bad" or "better" or "worse."

*Mother Teresa was right when she said "In this life we cannot do great things, we can only do small things with great love."

*Public transportation, especially between cities, is wonderful.

*Want to learn about something? Look. Listen. Ask.

*If someone offers you a cup of tea, accept it.

"No, life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get out of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath... We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?"
-Donald Miller,Through Painted Deserts

Sunset over Giant's Causway. December 2009.

I'll be home for Christmas...

Belfast City Centre

A recent challenge was cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I enjoy cooking a lot and for the most part it was a fun challenge. Yes, a pinch of stress was involved, but my dinner of baked chicken breasts (coated with crackers crumbs), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, homemade crescent rolls, peas, and corn turned out well. Dessert was homemade chocolate chip cookies (an ever-popular request here), but I'd had pumpkin pie with American friends earlier in the day, so I didn't feel like I was missing out. I did miss celebrating the holiday with family, and cheering the Packers onto victory. Hopefully I can enjoy those traditions again next year.

The weather has gotten chilly, and it’s been particularly cold on windy days; to put it into perspective though it is currently 27 degrees Fahrenheit in Cedarville and 50 degrees Fahrenheit in Dublin at the moment. 50 has not been the norm though, more like low 40s, with which wind does feel cold. I’ll admit though, I’ve grown accustomed to more mild temps. It doesn’t snow here which I haven’t been sad about. I’ll enjoy the beauty of the snow back in Michigan, but not trudging through it as I walk long distances has been wonderful.

Looking at the small number of days I have left in Ireland is in a word, bittersweet. The remaining days seem especially short when farewell dinners and lunches, classes, and working on final papers are accounted for. That last one has been especially time consuming… I have half of one essay to write, and another whole one to research and write, plus some editing to do on the one I have “finished.” Turning in these essays is made harder knowing that they will each, respectively, count for 100 percent of my grade in my three classes. I am trying not to let that be too much of a burden, but I am really working towards turning in finished products that I’m pleased with.

With the knowledge of not many days left I am also trying to make the most of all the little things I sometimes fall into the routine of taking for granted. Enjoying the shopper and entertainer lined walk down Grafton Street, all lit up with Christmas lights on my way to class or a library visit. Enjoying conversations with my roommates here. Enjoying using euro and two-euro coins along with bills. Enjoying using public transportation now and then. Enjoying having a tiny room that I can’t make too much of a mess of. Enjoying not having to wear my warmest winter coat. You get the point.

The highlight of my last weekend, which was spent up North, was a trip to the Contennential Market in Belfast. I consider my self an appreciator of markets. I take delight in soaking in the atmosphere, perusing the goods, interacting occasionally with the vendors, partaking in samples that are offered to me, and making a purchase here and there. I have come to love the market that takes place on Thursdays near by apartment, and also frequent the Farmer’s Market in Holland, Michigan when I’m at college (and it’s in season). That said, I think the Belfast Market is my favorite of all. It’s only out during the Christmas season (a few weeks leading up to Christmas). It is very international, and the main focus is cuisine, but there are also booths selling things like sweaters, or candles, or jewelry. Last weekend I went both Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and between the two visits enjoyed dried fruit (the usual pineapple, but also lemon, watermelon, and strawberries), a caramel-filled crepe, churros (Spanish donuts) covered with powdered sugar, a macaroon, and very rich hot chocolate made from beans grown by the vendor’s daughter.

The market is in the city centre of Belfast, right next to the Belfast Eye (or Wheel) depending which you prefer. Phil took me on the Ferris Wheel Thursday night and I loved seeing the city all lit up. We then walked to Victoria Square which was this fancy shopping centre, with tons of stories. After walking up tons of spiral-y staircases you have another amazing view, although I was a bit too dizzy to enjoy it fully. With everything decorated for Christmas, it was impossible not to smile.

The bus I rode back to Dublin last weekend was stopped by some Garda officers at the Northern Ireland-Ireland border. This has happened a few times before, and I’ve just shown by passport or college ID and Garda registration card. The officer last weekend, after inspecting my registration card, informed me that I would need to register again soon. I answered and I was leaving to go home in a couple weeks. I smiled to myself, not only thinking about how thankful I am NOT to have to re-register to stay in Ireland (once was enough, thanks!), but also thinking about HOME. What a lovely word. I really am so looking forward to being back in the States. Four months, even a busy, challenging, interesting, and enjoyable four months, is a long time to be away. It’ll be so good to be home, I smile everytime I hear "I'll be home for Christmas" drifting out of the stores on Grafton Street. In the meantime, I’m off to enjoy my final weeks in Ireland! At the moment, that means hanging my laundry up to dry…

Galway.

The weekend before Thanksgiving Phil and I took a trip to the West Coast of Ireland. On Friday he got the bus down to Dublin bright and early and after quick breakfast we got the bus. It was supposed to be a two hour and forty-five minute journey. It wasn’t. Instead due to massive flooding in the area it took over four hours and involved taking many back roads. If we had heard the news of the flooding in the West sooner, we likely wouldn’t have taken the trip so maybe it’s a good thing we were ignorant of it. Some of the roads we ended up on were in pretty bad shape, my camera was stowed away underneath unfortunately so it’s not documented, but it was quite an adventure. When we made it to Snoozles (great name isn’t it?), the youth hostel we stayed in, the lady asked where we’d arrived from and after hearing Dublin she was told us she was surprised we’d made it at all.

The weather wasn’t too bad our first day in Galway. We enjoyed a picnic lunch we had packed (note the frugality of traveling college students) and poked around the city, walking the streets, checking out an indoor market and doing some Christmas shopping. We also booked and purchased tickets for the Aran Islands (for a bus to the ferry and for the ferry itself) a place I was really looking forward to seeing. That evening we ate at a restaurant/pub called Busker Brownes where I had my first fish and chips (I’m generally not a big fish fan, but it was tasty) and then went to another small place for dessert.

Friday night was my first negative experience in a hostel. We were staying in a ten person dorm. As we were coming in for the night, pretty early due to our plans to rise early the next day, four of our roommates dropped off their bags and said hello. They were Irish, probably around age 24 or so. Our other two roommates were a girl (I’m not sure where she was from) and a guy that seemed to be from France and they were both in bed. After tucking in for the night early we were all awoken around 3:30 AM by lights being turned on and shouting. The Irish guys had returned. They were extremely loud and rude and generally unpleasant (think the worst Ireland has to offer …). They opened windows (freezing!) and ate awful smelling food. I was actually a little scared when they first came in and were so rowdy. Thankfully they mellowed a bit after a while (which at the time felt like forever) and I ended up getting a little sleep.

Saturday we got up to a downpour of rain with lots of wind. After the free hostel breakfast we headed to the tourist office to find that the ferry to Inis Mor (the island we had booked for) was the only one going. Since we had paid for our tickets we put on a brave face and decided it would be an adventure. An hour long bus ride to the ferry docks later we were told by a worker that the ferry may not be running back in the evening. Because Phil had a commitment for Sunday plus we’d reserved our hostel we couldn’t chance getting stuck on the island. Not being able to make it to the islands was really disappointing, especially at the time. It was a reminder to me that things don’t always go as planned, and flexibility is essential on trips. We got straight back onto the bus, and an hour later we were back in Galway. We did get a full refund on the tickets which we were thankful for.

The rest of Saturday we walked around Galway more. We found a cool outdoor market where we bought the most delicious hot greasy donuts from an Irish, Italian singing donut maker. We ate a tasty pizza lunch and walked along the river. We got caught in several downpours during the day, but embraced the wetness as part of the adventure. We had a delicious leisurely dinner at a nice hotel, and then for dessert went to a really cool restaurant called Mustard. It had been recommended to us for its location which turned out to be gorgeous. It was right along the river, and inside the restaurant there were these huge water wheels behind a glass wall. We enjoyed a scrumptious apple pie with cinnamon and fresh cream, and a warm brownie with ice cream. Some how we managed to walk back to our hostel, where we were able to switch rooms, and enjoyed a good night’s sleep. The next morning we got a 6.30 AM bus and were back in Dublin in time for church at 11:00.

Phil and I both agreed we enjoyed the slower pace of Galway (compared to Belfast or especially Dublin) and the charm of the downtown area, it actually reminded me a bit of an Irish Holland, Michigan. It was fun to see a new part of Ireland, to brave the wetness, and to have a relaxing weekend getaway. Hope you’re making the best of your own unexpected adventures, whatever those may be!

One of the indoor markets in Galway

Carrick-a-Rede

To experience real wind, I recommend making a trip to the North Coast of Ireland and crossing this rope bridge.

Wins and Losses

Let’s start with the losses. My first Irish basketball match was a week ago. It was in Belfast at the University of Ulster Jordanstown. I was wondering what the logistics of match would be like, mainly because people are generally more laid back about sports here. The team (not the one I train but just one I’d been invited to play with) made the journey in about two and a half hours. When we got there we were given jerseys to put on, with numbers and everything. After some warm ups, with the typical upbeat music, the match started on time. Things were more organized than I thought. The referees weren’t very official though, just some guys from one of the men’s basketball team at the university. Our team was pretty rubbish. At halftime we were down by about six, and later on in the third quarter we were down by fifteen. We made a comeback though, and ended up taking the game into overtime. Overtime was not very long because the court was needed for some other sport, and we ended up losing by one. Although the end of the game did have some of the intensity and tension typical of what I’m used to in close games, the team didn’t seem all that gutted afterwards. I was glad I went and played though, it really was more interesting than I’m making it sound.

The other losses I’ve experienced these past few weeks have only been as a spectator. The club rugby team Phil occasionally plays for got beaten pretty badly… (something like 60-3). Then this past Wednesday his club football (aka soccer) team, who unlike the rugby team are really good, lost a closer match 6-4. Although it required braving chilly temperatures I enjoyed watching both. It has been interesting watching different sports (neither rugby nor soccer are things I’d watch at home) here, and just soaking in what the atmosphere surrounding sports is like here.

My recent “wins” have not really been literal wins, just exciting or fun things. One night a few weeks ago there was a reception for the visiting students of the English department. The reception was basically a chance for students to chat with each other and the professors. There was wine and “nibbles” at the reception. The “nibbles” turned out to be catered and extremely fancy. They were brought around on trays by well-dressed gentlemen. My favorite was the chicken and mango pastries. Speaking of food (I know, surprise surprise) I tried Irish stew for the first time at a restaurant the other week. It was made with Murphy’s (which is a rival of Guinness) and was so flavorful and delicious. I’d heard stews were a mixed bag, but this one was delicious, with tender beef and soft but not too soft potatoes and carrots and onion – a good hearty November meal.

I was back North again this past week for my reading week (meaning no classes), and the weekend following. Yes, I did do a bit of reading at Queen’s Library, but let’s just say that as usual I am not working too far ahead of deadlines. I also registered for classes back at Hope, and have my housing for the spring all sorted. Both of these were things that I was relieved to figure out and have set, and both were surprisingly hassle-free (or maybe I’ve just become accustomed to more complicated, bureaucratic systems here).

Something that I enjoy on the weekends I spend up North is attending Phil’s church. All of the sermons are preached very well and are quite thought-provoking and challenging. Over the course of the weeks I have attended both Old Testament and New Testament, familiar and unfamiliar passages have been covered and hearing the Word of God has been a huge source of encouragement. That said, I do have to confess that yesterday’s service was one of the few times that I have been tripped up by the accents here. The sermon was about Isaiah’s vision of God from Isaiah 6 and it starts by mentioning it as the year King Uzziah died. The word Isaiah is spoken quite differently than in the States, so that couple with its’ similarity to Uzziah proved a bit confusing.

Today was another instance of struggling to understand. I went to the North inner-city of Dublin with Edel, a lady that works for YouthBank, to get some interviews with some of the young people involved. The purpose of one of the interviews was to write an article for the website and the purpose of the other (more of a survey format) was to get information about a new program they are starting with managing money. The first was with two girls, fifteen year olds, who were new to being involved with YouthBank. They both had too-cool-for-school attitudes about them and were pretty hard to try to ask questions to, particularly because of their rapid chatter which often wasn’t directed at me. I got through it though, and can hopefully write a decent article out of it. My other interviewee was a 23 year old guy. He is a college student (at a college in Dublin I’ve never heard of and was friendly, but a bit shy. I liked getting to hear from people from a completely different part of Dublin. It's good to get a broader perspective of the young people in Dublin, as the demographic that attend Trinity aren't particularly representative of the city as a whole.

Time has been passing extra quickly, and as I glance at my quickly filling planner I’m realizing that I need to make sure to savor my remaining days and weeks in Ireland. I have a feeling they’ll be gone as fast as my bowls of honeycomb ice cream are.

Noticing the now

The past few days I've found myself thinking about life back in the States more frequently. Thinking about sprawling out in a comfortable booth in the Kletz, devouring a basket full of cheese fries with two of my best friends. Thinking about spending my Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mid-mornings in Dimnet Chapel, light streaming into the stained glass windows. Thinking about being back home with a big bowl of chilli, watching the Packers game with my family. It's easy, at times, to want to be somewhere else.

Then, today riding the bus from Belfast back down to Dublin, a trip I've grown accustomed to over the past weeks, I found myself looking at the lush rolling sheep-speckled green fields with sheep with a renewed appreciation. I found myself taking in the beauty of the countryside, surveying the rows of houses as we passed through Banbridge, looking at the different styles of architecture, the different expressions on billboards, looking at everything with a new interest.

Although perhaps overused, the expressions "love where you are" and "bloom where you're planted" have behind them an important truth. As obvious as it seems, you can't be in two places at once. When you choose to commit to the place you're in (regardless of whether you feel like being there) it suddenly takes on a new meaning.

With so many fewer hours of class time here than at Hope, I’ve found some activities to involve myself in that add a bit of structure to my week. One is a weekly Bible study at a church just down the street from my flat. There are usually about eight or nine of us -a few more males than females, all Irish except for me, and all either college students or recently out of school. Over tea and biscuits we talk about life, study the book of Luke and pray.

Another more recent activity is getting involved with volunteering. Initially I wanted to work with kids in some capacity, but due to the need for extensive applications or extended periods of time commitment these options were a bit tricky to work out. Instead I ended up volunteering with YouthBank. YouthBank is part of the Irish Youth Foundation and it works to let youth (usually 13-20 year olds) help allocate donated money into specific projects in their communities. I’m going to be working with the communication side of things, basically conducting interviews and writing articles for the organization.

I have also begun to delve into the extensive reading lists for my classes with a bit more urgency as essay deadlines approach. The essay title lists from which students are required to choose an essay come out at the end of this week. Once I am able to choose a title working intentionally should become easier. My most interesting read as of late has been Voltaire’s Candide for my Enlightenment class.

I celebrated Halloween by watching a rugby match in the afternoon (it didn’t even rain!) and then watching a fireworks display in the evening, and making and consuming chocolate and marsh mellow covered apples and other treats. Oh, and observing some...um interesting costumes. Christmas is the next major holiday approaching here (Thanksgiving is not celebrated) and decorations have been appearing. Merry beginning of November?

Paris in Pictures

A tiny glimpse into my trip to Paris... (click on an image to enlarge it)

(from top: 1. with Phil outside of the Louvre, 2. a bridge near Notre Dame, 3. the cathedral, 4. the Eiffel Tower- one of Paris' most important attractions, 5. crepes- another of Paris' most important attractions, and finally, 6.the most bored child in the Musee D'Orsay)

The above were just a few highlights... I will try to post a link to a more complete album some time in the future for those of you dying to see the hundred or so pictures snapped of the Eiffel Tower.

Thanks for following and happy studying, travelling, working, dreaming of summer, or whatever else this week finds you doing!
Oh, and can you believe it's nearly November?