Settling Into Life In Cork

 First Day of Class! 

 SCHOOL UPDATE: 

I have officially started classes. My orientation consisted of three days learning about all the ways to get involved on campus through tons of sports, clubs, and volunteer opportunities, as well as which pubs would be hosting the "freshers week" parties. A far cry from the K-State orientation where the dean of students broke down how much it would cost you each time you skipped class and the overly enthusiastic student senate members explaining how you should get to know your professors while mumbling over the fact that yes indeed there are parties at K-state and yes indeed these upstanding resume booster humans do know a curse word or two. While in Cork, no one was hiding the f word or really any other "un-diplomatic" thing to say.

It was refreshingly honest.

The feel on campus is much more relaxed than at K-state. Tuition is virtually free here so there is far less hustle and bustle to keep grades up for scholarships. I think it makes for a happier campus. Teachers are relaxed typically only seeing students once a week. The first week was me going to classes ready for the fire-hydrant and surprisingly met with a 5 minute introduction then class being dismissed.

The classes I'm taking are...

Relationship Marketing

Family Entrepreneurship

Professional Ethics

Computer Programming for Business

Traditional Irish Singing

Irish Step Dancing

So far my favorite course has been my professional ethics course. I haven't taken a philosophy course since high school and I had no idea how much I would miss the thought provoking readings and the anxiety inducing class discussions. I'm really excited for the singing and dancing classes but don't have anything to report as of now.

 SOCIAL LIFE: 

I have two roommates, Morgan and Chelsea. Morgan is from Wisconsin and Chelsea is from California. They are both wonderful people who are very easy to live with. I was a bit bummed to figure out that my entire apartment complex is Americans. However, it is a bit nice to come home to some familiarity. Our apartment is right across from the train station, which means it's about 2 miles away from school. I'm averaging 6 miles a day, for this Kansas girl who drives everywhere I'm constantly checking my daily steps and always blown away.

 Morgan on the left and Chelsea on the right 

I'm slowly meeting people on campus and at church but find it difficult to break into the four year established friend groups of the local Irish. They are friendly on their own but understandably aren't always looking for the foreigner who will leave in 4 months. There are about 5000 international students here and about 15,000 Irish students. They are used to international students and the campus sounds and looks very diverse which makes for an entertaining campus walk.

 CHURCH UPDATE 

I have found two little churches in walking distance. One is called Grace Church "real church, real people" (not sure what that's all about) and the other is Trinity Presbyterian. The first week I stumbled into Trinity 45 minutes early after finding the church I intended to go to wasn't there anymore. While waiting for the service to start I met the elders? of the church, or the behind the scenes type people, Harry, Anna, Stephen to name a few were so warm and welcoming. The church is held in a beautiful, old church, however there were probably only 30 people in attendance.

They share their pastor with another church which he travels between. I asked, and they said they don't merge churches because so many churches have been closed down they don't want more to, however each church doesn't have enough money to hire their own pastor, so they share.

I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the voices when we started to sing to only one piano to those old hymns I sang at my church growing up. It actually brought me to tears it was so beautiful. After church they were having a soup get together which of course I stayed for.

The next week I went to Grace Church. This church was much more charismatic and Pentecostal which I really liked. They were much more open to the Holy Spirit and His guidance. This church is very diverse in congregation, not so much leadership (as is often the case). The congregation is welcoming but not as intimate.

The next week I decided to just go to both.

 Shots from Campus 

 EVERYDAY LIFE 

I've gotten into the rhythm of class, gym and cooking for myself. I'm obsessed with the local English Market that has fresh local produce, fish and meat. I take my own containers and am like a little kid at a candy shop that I don't have to use plastic.

I cook almost every meal, typically a huge pot of something Indian or Thai and eat it for a week. Though last time I went to the English Market I got fresh caught salmon from none other than Ballycotton and it was divine!

 The Quad on Campus 

 SPIRITUAL LIFE 

As some of you know I've struggled a bit in college. High school to college transition is huge especially from Trinity. I'm daily learning so much about myself and how to be a healhty individual. SO much of our childhood is our parents fostering a healthy life. When you're on your own you realize how much they did and pushed you to do. "Go outside and get fresh air", "eat this healthy dinner", "come spend time with family and don't be on your phone", without this forced healthy life you start to realize how important those small nudges are.

Anyway all that to say Jesus and I are becoming good friends again. I think I had got really wrapped up in goals and making myself doing things like waking up at 5:30 to read my bible for two hours, but then I would fall asleep and my joy and friendship with Jesus wasn't really there. Without any pressure here, or really anyone knowing what I'm doing, I'm realizing that I do just want to spend time with him. Each day is different. The pressure on myself is slowly lifting that I can never disappoint God.

 A beautiful sunny day in Ireland means all the students on the lawn getting sunburned 

 FAVORITE MOMENTS 

My favorite moments here have been witnessing believers from around the world basking in his glory.

Witnessing his stunning creation and being alone to sing of his praises.

Cooking for myself

Playing cards with my roommates

Facetiming with family and friends back home and seeing how wonderful reuniting with them will be

All the exotic fashion here

 PRAYER 

• I would love prayer for my brother Asa who is currently at officer candidate training. That he would lean on Jesus because that's literally all he has. That in the quiet of the night he would hear God's whispers of encouragement that he can in fact do this.
• Prayer that My roommates and I would continue to grow in our relationships together and get to know each other on a deeper level
• Prayer for a picking something to get involved in (they all seem to be at the same time) and that it would be fulfilling and help me connect to the local community
• Prayer that I would make an Irish friend!
• Prayer for continual rejuvenation

I figured only those who really care would have read all the way down to this point to see the prayer requests.

Thank you