I'm so sorry for ignoring you, dear blog! Time here is just flying by so fast and I hardly realize that the week has passed until it's well into the next week. It feels like I posted here maybe two days ago, max! I'm reaching the mid-point of the trip and feel so torn about missing home and never wanting to leave this country. I want to see my family, friends, and Andy SO badly and yet I know it will be immensely difficult to leave here. I'm trying to savor every moment without clouding it with homesickness, but it gets hard. I am learning SO much about myself, my world, and my God while I'm here and I can't help but wonder how different life will be when I get back. It will be an entirely new adventure, separate from my adventure here. All I know is that this has already been a life-changing experience and it will NOT be the last time I travel abroad.

A quick re-cap of the field trips of the past week and then weekend trip I just got back from. Tuesday we went to Dublin! We toured a museum and then visited Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. It was really cool getting to view such an important piece of history in person. Although, the experience was slightly tainted with the 8 euro entry fee and being rushed through the exhibit in maybe 10-12 minutes by the surrounding  (pushing and shoving) tourists. I actually enjoyed seeing The Long Room more than the Book of Kells. I was heartbroken to hear that photography was prohibited because it really was breathtaking the amount of books in that room. OLD books. I walked up the stairs and instantly thought of Beauty and Beast when Belle discovers the library. It was overwhelming and very, very impressive. As for Dublin itself, I felt kind of "meh" about it. I'm glad I can say "I've been to Dublin," but I can't help it being a small town girl; I was quite happy to get back to Waterford at the end of the day.

Thursday we traveled to Cashel to tour the Rock of Cashel and then the Hore Abbey. The Rock of Cashel was really interesting and beautiful. But, at this point, guided tours were becoming a little tiring. There's distinct feeling of being herded like cattle. The Hore Abbey was one of my absolute favorite parts of the trip! It was just beautiful. An old Abbey in ruin that the photo class was free to roam about by ourselves. It was raining (of course) and we had to hike and climb walls to get there, but it was so worth it. I just about died when my camera battery gave up on me not five minutes after we arrived. After asking around the group for a spare battery, I took it as a sign from God that I was supposed to just enjoy this moment not hidden behind a lens (and also bring spare batteries... whoops). So I did. And it was amazing.

Taylor, Meghan, Kristin, and I (and another group of four girls that we split the hostel with) spent the weekend in Lisdoovarna. The thought of traveling across the country without Mike or Howard was fairly intimidating but we survived! One of the many things study abroad teaches you is how capable you really are. Taking on the bus system of Ireland was a challenge, but a real learning experience. Some buses stick to the schedule and some buses don't. Some buses smell and have food smooshed into the seats and others are super clean. Some bus drivers will drop you off right in front of your hostel and some bus drivers will make you miss your connection and you will be stranded in a strange city for 5 hours. My first time staying a hostel was great! Eight girls and one bathroom isn't exactly 5-star living but everything went smoothly and we had a great time. We took a cab to Doolin to see the Cliffs of Moher (aka The Cliffs of Insanity from Princess Bride) and they were just spectacular! We had an hour-long cruise that went right up to the cliffs (or, as close as you could get). The water here, you guys. It is just insane. SO BLUE. A deep, rich blue. It was an amazing afternoon! I HAVE to go back again sometime in my life. It is an requirement.

Today was a long day of traveling, but not as bad as the first since all of our buses were right on schedule! Once I got back home I finished up some photo homework, unpacked, and cleaned my room. Sorry for the lack of photos in the post but I just have soooo many to go through before posting them. I'm thinking of doing an all photo post tomorrow?

I WILL post tomorrow. I PROMISE. :)

Beir bua!