Belfast City CentreA 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…
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…
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