I know it has been quite some time since my last email!
I have been very busy in Ireland the past few weeks! As you know I have settled in my dorm room in Greystones and I really am enjoying my roommates! We went on a "roommate date" in Dublin for the annual culture night. We saw some Filipino and Belly dancing, street performers, mimes and a man in a leopard leotard that did the limbo under a flaming stick. Dublin at night seems very lively because the streets are packed and everyone is eager to have a good time!
Two weeks ago, our Contemporary Ireland professor came for 10 days to teach his course. We had been corresponding with him and I had written several papers for him already but we finally got to hear lectures and he also took us to see many historic sites in Dublin. Knowing that I had a personal interest in Irish History and Culture, he went out of his way to buy me some books to read and he and I were able to discuss them before he left. The cool thing about Taylor is that the professors are completely invested in the students. This is not just in terms of academics, they are also concerned about the type of people that we are going to become and want to do their best to help us achieve our goals and feed our interests. Dr. Maloney knew that I was not satisfied with the basic information that we were being given and gave me the opportunity to take it a step further by reading the books and discussing the implications with him. I am really glad that I got to do that too!
We have also had two youth groups nights now at the church down the road. The first night, eleven students showed up and the second night we had the same but picked up a few and dropped a few. I think this is great! Only 3 of the students come to church so it is a good thing that they are bringing their friends. We have had fun playing games and having good chats. One of the parents even came up to me and thanked me for the effort I had put in and invited me over for lunch. I am so grateful to be a part of this community in a way that I hadn't expected. I am going to be sad leaving Ireland and sad to leave the kids that I have already connected with after only two weeks!
The most exciting thing that has happened over the past 2 weeks was PARENT'S WEEK! My mommy came all the way from Chicago to spend a week with me. I was so eager to show her everything that I had already discovered and even have a few adventures of our own. My mother and I pride ourselves on having an excellent sense of direction, but can you believe we walked the wrong way down a street for about half an hour?!?! This is certainly not Kelli and Maggie behaviour. Truth be told, we enjoyed each other's company so much that it did not matter where we were headed, we just loved being together. Of course we went shopping in Dublin.... twice. My mom got a new pair of shoes which she swears are the comfiest shoes she has ever owned (I haven't heard that one before) and she also bought several scarves. Make sure to compliment her on her new style! Taylor University did an excellent job balancing planned activity with free time which made the trip more relaxing. My favorite part was shopping with my mom. My second favorite thing was going to the National Concert hall to see the Ronan Collins Showband! I do not think many of the other students enjoyed it, but my mommy and I sang our hearts out and danced from our seats. They sang all the songs that my Daddy sings at home for us and we knew all the words! They sang Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, familiar oldies and other old show band like stuff. It was really fun! A band called the Tremeloes also played. They were an English Rock band and they all came out in leather pants and vests and the crowd loved it! Being the mother and daughter we are, after the show we went to talk to the band. They loved the "Mom from the Windy City" and of course her daughter. They were eager to take pictures with us and all of the other parents and students thought that we somehow knew the band. It was very funny. My mommy also got to meet my friends and hang out with the other parents. I am sure she will tell you all about it in person! I am so grateful that she was able to come! We had a blast.
Next weekend I am going to Paris for my fall break. I made all the travel plans and I am so excited! I will of course update everyone on that trip as well!
I am already half way done with the semester. Crazy! Soon I will be back in Chicago and I am not going to lie, I miss home. Leaving Ireland will still be home but having my mom here reminded me of everything I am missing!
Please keep on staying in touch! Thank you to everyone who has sent me letters! You should be getting some back any day now!
My mommy and I in front of the Irish Sea!
The man in the leopard leotard doing the limbo!
Us in front of the round tower at Glendalough
Mommy and the guitarist of the Tremeloes! They loved her!
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