I really like the relaxed feel of classes here. Maybe it's because I'm taking courses that will transfer as electives and aren't specifically for my major, but the lack of work throughout the weeks I could get used to.
I'm slowly starting to talk to more people in class. Especially when it's a boy I give myself a little pat on the back. I've realized when I went to college, I was in such a shut down mode with all the death in my life at the time, I was really shut off from others in class. That has carried as a habit that I am determine to break in Ireland.
Dancing class is by far my favorite. I can't wait to get back and show you all my new river dance skills. My teacher is out of her mind but just hilarious and so entertaining. Our class is all Americans constantly rolling on the floor laughing yet trying so hard to get these impossibly bouncy steps.
I'm also in a relationship marketing course. The first day my professor said, "guys relationship marketing isn't a thing. Companies don't care about you, they care about your money." I knew the class was off to a great start. He reminds me of an Irish McFarren for those of you who would know that reference.
Anyway, I'm waiting for the flood waters when all the work will catch up with me and I'll be overwhelmed, but so far that hasn't happened.
SOCIAL LIFE:
haha I love that I made this a heading, not sure why.
The roommates and I are getting along swimmingly. My favorite is our nights together all cooking, talking about our days and then razzing each other. It's the simple things in life. I thought Morgan how to knit can you tell?
I just said goodbye to my friend Laura from Germany who I met in Bollycotton. She is done with her job and will go back to school. Cool to have friends all around the world, but the goodbyes are weird.
On Sunday I went to Grace Church and afterward they had a hangout for the "young adults" group called "unplugged". Of course, I went, I mean the name alone drew me in :). We ended up walking to a restaurant/bar that had great food and lots of arcades and games and such. I taught some Africans, Brazilians, and Indians how to play shuffleboard (thank you Westminster Woods). It was great craic. (see below for definition.)
CHURCH UPDATE:
I find myself every other week going to both churches. They really are just so different. I can't help going to Trinity Presbyterian because it feels so intimate. The people's eyes light up when they see me and there's so much fellowship after the service. The sermons on the other hand are a bit harder to sit through. Sometimes I feel like churches like this (10 degrees off that focus on our actions rather than the simple gospel) are the reason people don't want to be involved in "religion". But then again the Presbyterians have fellowship, community, and family down.
Anyway, I might be going on an "unplugged" weekend retreat so I'll keep you updated.
lol I'm sorry that name just gets me, and the fact that I'm in a "young adults" group. I can't help but put it in air quotes.
EVERYDAY LIFE:
I'm loving Cork a lot, the size of the city is just right. Having a car would make it almost perfect, and then all of you here.
This weekend I'll travel to Sevilla Spain to see my friend Taylor! I'm super stoked. And on the way I'll see my friend Kristina who lives in Dublin. It's my first trip outside of Ireland.
This past Saturday I went to the small farmers market to grab some veggies for the upcoming week. I love the human connection of farmers markets. After, I went to the next door to a farm to table cafe where I enjoyed an Irish breakfast while reading the Irish farmers new paper. I can't remember the last time I read a news paper, but it just felt right.
GETTING INVOLVED
I really wanted to get involved in service here in Cork and so I started helping at a homeless help station. Cork honestly does an amazing job with their homeless. Because they are going through a housing crisis, the numbers are really high. However, every night at least one different organization has a tent set up passing out hot food, toiletries, first aid, and clothing.
This week I went and got to work at the tea and coffee station. It was a blast. Mary, the regular wasn't really keen on someone in her space, but I used my American efficiency when the station got busy to make up for it. I started to realize, efficiency isn't the point. Standing their take your time stirring the sugar till is dissolves and asking them how much milk they want is the opportunity to make them feel like people who's opinion and tea matters.
I met so many wonderful humans who I'll be able to pass on my way to school and now know their names. I just love how much they love their tea. They always wanted tea, where in the States people would definitely not see that as a priority at a homeless stand. Towards the end I asked someone If I should not open the new milk since we were about to close She said "If someone walks milk in their tea of course open it!" I love that and need to change my mindset.
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| Fencing Club |
Last week I went to boxing club. As some of you know I did a few boxing classes at a gym in Manhattan and LOVED it. Irish boxing was no different. It was an absolute blast. The class was of course mostly guys but I still felt right at home. I felt so powerful and strong knowing all the different punches and keeping up with the class.
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| Trampoline club |
This to me is why we should work out, not for aesthetic, or to show others on social media, but so that we can walk 17 miles at a national park and know how to throw a punch, to be strong and keep up with others and it kill it! Who cares if your arms look bigger if muscle is under there!
SPIRITUAL LIFE:
Last week I was really down about how many nights I would fall asleep to a screen. My mind wouldn't even start to slow down until 1 am. I woke up feeling guilty and frustrated. At church the pastor talked about the lies in our head are just not how God thinks of us. God started to explain that he really didn't care and wasn't disappointed in me. And you know what, I haven't even been on Netflix or YouTube since. I also checked out Harry Potter at the library to help with that.
Do you feel this, that around 2-5 pm you're really down, bored, annoyed, and restless? Honestly any day I don't have something during that time I feel that. Always have and it's extremely frustrating. Especially if i'm home alone. I'm realizing I need to for sure live with tons of people, if thats my own kids, someone else's kids, a gaggle of homeless people, I don't care, it's not good for me to be alone.
FAVORITE MOMENTS:
- Watching impractical jokers with my roommates and crying from laughing too hard.
- Chatting with Jesus walking through the magical Killarney National Park
- Killing it in boxing class
- Meeting Adam, a homeless man who told me I could be his Eve ;)
JUST IRISH THINGS
- "Craic" (pronounced crack) is a word they use constantly which means good fun. "Oh yes theres good craic at our homeless stand" hmmmmmmmmm sounds a bit off from my American brain just sayin.
- "Ya know" they use this constantly "i'm going to the farmers market, ya know"
- Lots of self tanner, I mean HELLO
- Guinness, as mentioned before tastes like beef
- Friendly old men
- Cheers (not just Irish I know)
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- I talked to Asa finally and he seems like he's doing really well! His hair looks awful but he was in great spirits. Keep praying that he finds a friend there who is devoted to Jesus and shows him a relationship with Jesus with his type of personality.
- That I would have more grace with myself
- For an Irish friend
- Boldness and obedience in spiritual conversations with others
- That the literal light of Jesus would shine through me while helping the homeless
PRAYERS ANSWERED FROM LAST TIME:
- I did find something to get involved in, the homeless and it gets me very involved with the local community so praise Jesus
- My roommates and I are getting to know each other on a deeper level wahoo!
- Asa is in fact doing well
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