Update #3

SCHOOL UPDATE:

Well I’m for sure still trying to understand the Irish school system. It’s practically free here and my fellow Americans and I are continually frustrated in our price of tuition back home. However, I talked to Abigail an Irish student from two of my classes and she gave me some new insight. She said because college is so accessibly two things happen. First, a college degree doesn’t have as much weight, meaning you either have to pursue higher education which does cost a lot of money or you’ll go into more service jobs. And secondly, people didn’t work as hard to get in to college and for scholarships so they don’t really care about being there or working hard. This is not everyone of course, but is the reality for the average student. It gave me an appreciation that a college degree in the States does set you apart and I won’t have to pursue more education in order to get a really good job. 

Right now I’m writing an essay for professional ethics on how sweat shops are not ethically permissible. I’m really enjoying this class and the very diverse topics were are covering. We talk from sweat shops, selling your kidneys, implicit bias, to affirmative action. All things that spark my interest for sure. In my relationship marketing course I’m working on a group project for a satire on marketing. We decided our project would be poking fun of instagram influencers promoting products and how most of their reviews are fake. And lastly, I’m working on writing the coding for a website for my computer coding class. It’s proving very difficult but I find myself working on it for hours as the time whizzes by, I find it quite fascinating. 

post survivor watching 

SOCIAL LIFE:

The roommates and I are still getting along and having lots of craic (remember that means fun). We now have two “roomie” shows we watch together. The Masked Singer (celebrities who’s identity is hidden and sing) and Survivor (which somehow I had never seen). This weekend is the jazz festival in Cork so I think some of Chelsea's friends from home and Morgan and I will be out on the town probably Saturday. Morgan and I are looking for somewhere to go this weekend since we have our one day off the entire semester. Thanks to my group project I think I have an in for an Irish friend, and also boxing class. Most of the boys avoid me but I met one who was willing to chat as we slapped each others shoulders. 

the beautiful veggies from the farmers market 

SPIRITUAL LIFE:

I’m still involved in the two churches trying to meet more people and plug in. Last Sunday at Grace Church I met a missionary (Colin) who works with a ministry called Seamen's ministry. Basically Cork is a large port for all the trading ships. When the ships come in, he goes on board and passes out SIM cards, hats, and bibles. He welcomes the many nations represented on board and links them to Cork. Some of these people haven’t been to church in 7 months. He said a big movement right now is missionaries boarding these ships and planting churches in the middle of the ocean. Very cool. I’m going to knit some hats that he can pass out. I love when Jesus shows me a way to use my hobby for him. 

At Trinity Church last week we had a church meeting about the budget and future plans. I felt like I was back at Heartland, the church I grew up in. I found myself infatuated with their balance sheets thanks to accounting class. Seemed like no one else was interested in the 10 page budget report…. It was a sweet reminder that this church, which by the way has been around since 1860!!! Is small but so connected. One man, Harry, has been there for 22 years and obviously knows the other 30 members extremely well. He choked up talking about how the church is small but it's all about really getting to know each other. Their main concern was how to let the community and visitors to Cork know they are a functioning church. 

This week at Grace church a friend came with me and we had a delightful conversation with a Canadian, Indian, two Frenchmen, and an African, what a beautiful world. We made plans to make Indian food, crepes, and sliders all together. Praise Jesus for the design he made in this family of faith. 

STORY TIME:

So last week a homeless man was stabbed to death, Timmy. We aren’t sure why but I got to see another side of this community. Last Tuesday they had a moment of silence for him and a time to grieve. I saw the huge man who is never sober balling his eyes out for his friend. This is a tight community who looks out for each other. Apparently, people are being paid to rob the homeless here. Many of them fear for their lives right now and aren’t as visible on the streets anymore. It’s still beautiful to see the community here who welcomes them with open arms. Someone was saying that a woman who used to help the homeless find housing, is now homeless herself. unbelievable. I find that the middle aged Irish here skip the introductions and formality of meeting you and just start talking to you like they’ve known you forever, but you may never exchange names.

FIRST HOSPITAL VISIT OF MY LIFE:

Ok here's my story. On Wednesday and Thursday my teeth were really really hurting but I thought maybe it was because of the cold so I carried on. On Friday I woke up to a fat lip and a bit of a swollen face, still in pain I tried lots of home remedies and lots of Web MD research, to no avail. On Saturday I woke up to this face (below) hahaha yikes, and also extreme pain around my nose and my teeth. My roommate told me I had to go to the doctor. We ended up going to ER and waiting for 5 hours. I finally saw a doctor. They honestly have no idea what's going on but we think maybe an infection in my sinus. Today I woke up still with swelling but feeling better. Hopefully the antibiotics kick in and I get my face back. 

Don't worry I'm saving these photos forever

VEGAN?

These really are just my ramblings. So, basically I haven’t bought meat the entire time I’ve been in Ireland. When I eat out I might order something with meat. And I’ve finally convinced myself to go dairy free again. Recently I watched the documentary “Game Changers” about athletes who are vegan. All I’m saying is they have great arguments and it makes since to me. I watched this Bible project video and they made a really good point about how the in original design humans were vegan, then after the fall they ate animals. I’m not saying it’s a sin to eat animals, I’m just saying it makes me think a lot... 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Complete healing for face
• Deeper friendships at church
• A moment a day I stop and smile that I'm here

ANSWERED PRAYERS:

• Irish friends!
• Spiritual conversations 
• Church community 
• I went back to all my written down prayers from last semester praising him for his provision for Ireland. So beautiful to see how many prayers I had already thanked him for He is answering that way I wanted him to. 

Here's a great video of Niall Horan explaining some Irish slang. 

*Viewers discretion. 

It's hilarious and explains my struggle with the "english" spoken here.