A Bid Farewell

    When we were flying in to Ireland, and just driving through the roads & hills, there is so much to see. Even though I have been up and down the coasts of Ireland, I still think there is more to explore. I know I have mentioned the scenery here in many blogs, but I genuinely cannot get enough of it. When you are on a plane, flying in, you are at a different perspective, and really obtain the beauty of Ireland. Leaving here, on this upcoming Saturday, will be sad. I won't see all the green of the rolling hills, and the fields filled with sheep and cows. However, I do miss my family greatly, so it is a bittersweet moment for me.

    Anyways, I think I am so lucky to see how the land looks in different perspectives, and be able to enjoy it! The ocean was a big part of the scenery here. I have been able to visit different beaches around Ireland, and take nice pictures. On the plane, to see the land meeting the ocean and vice versa, it was just beautiful. The ocean surrounds Ireland, but I think it adds to the beauty, and flying away from it will be sad and nostalgic. "Postscript" by Heaney describes the beauty of the water:

"And the light are working off each other

So that the ocean on one side is wild

With foam and glitter, and inland among stones"

                                           

   These past 2 months I will forever be grateful and never forget!

Difference of Beliefs

    

    Today, we took a trip to the Garda station and to court. Just to check things out and see what these places are like compared to America. Also, going back to when we took the trip to Belfast, we learned about the troubles. These troubles were lightly mentioned at the station regarding guns and the IRA. What we have learned is that the troubles have much more to do and are deeper than religion. While that may be the case, religion is part of it, but not the whole issue. The line from Heaney's "The Other Side", 

"my ear swallowing

his fabulous, biblical dismissal,

that tongue of chosen people."

    I feel like this line depicts the fact that there is more than one way to take the bible and how to believe it. There were different sides involving Protestants and Catholics, and killings that involved that as well. I just think that this line also says that there is some form of higher power around, but it just is what one chooses to believe. Going to present day, these troubles in Northern Ireland are still very real today, and the feelings of society are still present. The man that gave us the tour of the Garda station brought it up.

A Musical Evening

     Last night we went to a musical performance. The audience was packed. There were so many people there. The music was Irish, so I did not know what I was listening too. However, the people around us really got into the music and enjoyed it a lot. It was cool to see the instruments the performers played, and they had really good voices. It was nice to see how everyone there was so full of joy. I mean that because they were so open to sing, where as in America I have never been to a place, like that, where we would sing. I think they are more open-minded here lol.

    I came to a realization. In the short story, "A Painful Case" by James Joyce, Mr. Duffy was an isolated man that did not like much. He did not like to be around much people, including family, and kept to himself. Mr. Duffy stuck to the same routine everyday. However, the story mentioned that, "Hid liking for Mozart's music brought him sometimes to an opera or a concert: these were the only dissipations of his life." Mr. Duffy found joy in going to listen to music, even though he felt lonely and was grinch like. So if someone like him likes music, I can see why these joyous people, that filled the stands, loved the music as well. I think that music is a form of therapy for some. 

A Day to Celebrate

    

    Today is Dr. Reed's birthday! We had a little surprise party for him. He is very appreciated around here, and we were all so happy to celebrate him! We had some great homemade food, and were able to chat with one another. There were other people there that know Dr. Reed and came to celebrate with him, and that is just wonderful! Wonderful to know the impact he has! He is also a very wise man, and funny!

    At the beginning of Dr. Reed's class, learning poetry was tough for me. This is because I do not like it. I just can't analyze works in that way. The only way I can is if the meaning is very obvious, like "Scaffolding" by Heaney. Other than that I am pretty much hopeless. I also am not a fan of poetry because I like to read fiction books and what not. Basically, what I am trying to say is that Dr. Reed helped me understand poetry a little bit better! In class, he goes into depth with them, and explores multiple ideas behind the meanings of a piece. I am not saying that I have a new found love for poetry, but I am more "open" to it. Overall, Dr. Reed was able to make an important impact on me. I am grateful for that!

The Bright Side of Bad Weather

     Coming to Ireland, I knew that the weather would not be that great. I knew that this was more of a
cloudy, rainy, cold area, but I was ok with that. I was here for the experience. When it rains back in Erie, it is dreadful, but I also do not care for the rain that much. Being in Ireland, I think I have a new perspective. I look at the rain as beautiful, even though it does not bring a happy feeling. I do not love the fact that it makes my clothes wet, shoes dirty, and my hair gets messed up, but I think that it opens up the land here.

    I am able to see the fields, hills, mountains, beaches in a new perspective. Yes, we all love the sun, but the rain could potentially be just as good. Maybe not as fun, but it is definitely interesting. I like the rain, I just do not like to be in it. It adds life to the Earth. Though, I will admit, I do not like it to be cloudy for days on end because I do like the sun on my face. But, coming to Ireland I get to experience a different way of life. The Irish have gone through this type of weather for a very long time, and they are able to make do. The the clouds and rain can be looked at as bad, gloomy days, I think they could also be looked at as a new outlook on life, whatever that may be, maybe a gift.

"A Gift of Rain" - Heaney

    "Cloudburst and steady downpour now

    for days.

                    Still mammal,

    straw-footed on the mud,

    he begins to sense weather

    by his skin."

The Freeness of Ireland

    Looking back on the time I have spent in Ireland. I can say that there are a lot of adventures I have been on, or still could take. I mean I was able to explore the West, Dublin & the North, and even Cork. I like the time I have spent here, and though it is coming to a close, I feel I have seen more of the world than I imagined I would. Being here, I felt free. I am able to do as I choose, to an extent, and I am not judged. I have been able to explore parts of Ireland and gain knowledge, sites, and so many opportunities. I am able to freely take adventurous walks and just be in my own mind with my air pods in. I do not know exactly why I feel so much better doing that here than in the States. I just feel that in Ireland it is a foreign land to me, and I never know what to expect to encounter!

    I can buy what I want, go where I want, talk to who I want. Not to say that I can't do that in the States, but I feel I have more free will because I am in a different country. I really do like it here. The nature is beautiful, and I just get a sense of peace. There is structures here that America does not necessarily capture. I am of age to drink here too! I just like how it is here, and I will be sad to leave it, but I do feel the sense of excitement to go home to my family and friends. Like Yeats's "The Song of Wandering Aengus" states:

    "Though I am old with wandering

    Through hollow lands and hilly lands..."

    To me, I want to become old and still be able to wonder what is going to be around the corner. 

Dublin Adventures

  

  Monday the 14th of April, Grace S and I took a trip to Dublin. My good friend from home, Emerald, was on a trip through Europe for her spring break. She just happened to stop in Dublin for the day, and I could not miss the chance to see her, because I have not seen her in a while. We met up for a bit and then we all went our separate ways. Even though I have been to Dublin before, I think I liked this time better because I was on my own schedule!

    As we went our separate ways, Grace and I walked up and down a lot of streets to shop. On most streets, there were horses pulling carriages full of people taking a tour of the city. I have always been amazed of horses. They are such strong creatures and are used for many purposes. I used to ride horses when I was younger, they are a lot of work. I stopped riding, but wish I did not do that, but I guess that's life.

    These horses in Dublin are constantly pulling carriages and working all day every day. I do hope that these horses get treated well, but something tells me they may not. Walking in Dublin seeing the horses, I always just was astonished by them, and stopped and stared. Heaney's poem, "Night-Piece" describes horses, and the lines that stuck with me were:

"A sponge lip drawn off each separate tooth.

Opalescent haunch,

Muscle and hoof..."

    Me personally, I took these lines as describing a beautiful creature and it's qualities!