Beach life is the best life.

I decided that I am going to change the day that I post my blogs… it’s just so hard to sit down and write when I’m getting ready for the weekend. I am going to do my best to post either on Sunday’s or Monday’s from now on! I am currently writing this post sitting on a bench in front of the lake on campus, listening to some tunes and enjoying the 60 degree weather… so nice compared to the cold and snowy weather back at home!

Lake at UCD.

School: My classes have been really great and interesting so far, and I can’t wait to apply what I have learned here to my classes back in Ames. The weirdest part of school for me is that there are hardly any assignments. I just turned in my first assignment of the semester last Thursday which is quite different from ISU where I had an assignment like every week! This week I will be working on two assignments that are both due on Friday, 1 March. Then I have an exam the next week, and then the midterm break! It’s hard to believe that we are almost halfway done with classes.

Tourist Fun: Last Saturday, Ellen and I went on a trip with the International Student Society to Causey Farm and Newgrange. The farm was SO awesome. We got to bake, milk a cow, herd some sheep and I got to feed a got on my knee! This trip reminded me of home which was greatly appreciated. I feel like Ireland isn’t that different from the US, but the atmosphere of farm life was sorely missed and appreciated. Then we went to Newgrange which is a Neolithic burial and ritual site and is 500 years older than the pyramids of Giza. This mound was situated and built so that the sunlight at the Winter Solstice shines all the way to the back of the mound. We were able to experience what it is like during the winter solstice, and it was breathtaking. The entire mound is in darkness until the sliver of light from the sun slowly hits the back wall of the mound, and then it slowly disappears. The whole event only lasts a few minutes, but it is spectacular. On Sunday, Ellen, Ciara and I went to Dun Laoghaire for the market and ice cream! It was loads of fun getting to walk around and enjoy some great food! On Monday night, my friend and I went to Dicey’s to go dancing! We went pretty early compared to most students, but we had a great time and left just as it was starting to get super busy. This past weekend, Ellen and I met Ellen’s cousin Deanna and her family in Dublin, and then we went on to stay in their house in Blackrock, a coastal village that is close to the Northern Ireland border. Our stay was so relaxing, and we really enjoyed getting to stay in a house for the first time in about 6 weeks. The beach front access was also pretty sweet. We had so much fun there and are super excited to go back for the entire weekend towards the end of the semester!

Fed a goat on my knee at Causey Farm!

Something New: This week’s something new has got to be the Fusion Ball. The Fusion Ball was hosted by a variety of societies including the International Student Society. We met several other international students, ate loads of amazing new dishes and danced the night away. It was so fun getting to experience a variety of different cultures in one event. As the event was in a castle and everyone was in fancy dress, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Fusion Ball with new friends!

What I've Learned This Week: On this fine, sunny afternoon, I am trying to master the art of relaxation. There are currently about 20 different sea birds walking and flying past me, and I am trying not to freak. They keep gawking at me, begging for food… SO not cool. But on a more serious note, this past week, I have learned the importance of being thankful for the spiritual gifts that God has given me. This past weekend I was struggling with doubt and thoughts of not being good enough for a position I am applying for, but after reflection and reading in my Bible, I was reminded of the hope that we have in Jesus. None of us are perfect, but Jesus loves us anyways and his love for us erases those imperfections. We are all equipped with different spiritual gifts that help the church to function as one body, and we should celebrate those differences. A few weeks ago, my pastor at City Church was reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 which talks about needing many gifts to function as one cohesive unit. This passage encouraged and empowered me and I used the newfound confidence to apply for the position! God loves all of us with an unconditional love and has equipped each of us with our own unique gifts… how AMAZING!! So thankful for all that God has taught me during this experience, and I cannot wait to see what else He has in store for my life.

*Weekly Tea Trivia: Iced tea was invented in America, and is the most consumed “prepared tea type” in America.

Cheers,

Anna