Consistent Inconsistency

To the best of my ability, I will post the highlights of the past week. There were lots of fun moments, but the week was shadowed by a sort of exhaustion at the lack of structure in the program as well as anxiety and a deep longing to be back at Taylor.

I woke up this morning and decided that I would be content. I will embrace the consistency of the inconsistent. You know, sometimes you really just have to consciously decide some things, even if you don't feel like it. Like choosing to love God  when you don't feel it. Because love is not just a feeling.

Well, Lindsey, its about time to snap out of your self-pity party and realize the beauty around you. Maybe the program and Ireland are not what I expected, maybe there are frustrations along the way, maybe change and separation will ALWAYS be uncomfortable for me, but sometimes I think I just need a literal slap in the face. Would someone please do me the honor?

WABAM! 

Thanks for that.

God painted a beautiful sunset for us on Valentine's Day.

We had a pick-a-date (or polygadate as they are called since we only have 5 guys on the trip) and the theme was awkward prom night. My roommates are the two on either side of me. Corrie and Kayla were nerds, Hannah on the far left was a cowgirl, and I was a hippie.

That's me on the right corner getting flipped by Will. I got scared in the middle of it and thus landed on my knees. Oops. Hehe.

 

Me and Bailey

St. Stephen's Green in Dublin

More St. Stephen's Green

We went to this creepy natural history museum. There were hundreds of ancient stuffed, once-living animals. BLEGH.

The Rhubarb Cafe. Highly recommended--paninis are rockin'.

Cool kid playing the accordion in Dublin

Profound thoughts from a homeless woman

Christ Church Cathedral

Today we went into Dublin to see an Evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral. The Cathedral was built almost 1000 years ago. It was beautiful, but unfortunately no pictures were allowed inside. I was extremely tempted to sneak a few! The service consisted of an ethereal choir singing prayers and such. Interspersed between were a few Scripture readings.

In the basement of the cathedral is a crypt and, currently, an exhibition of ancient Bibles.

Somehow, I was accidentally left in the crypt. I couldn't find anyone in my group for eight or so minutes, and so I asked the guard if he had seen any students walk out (especially one with distinctly red hair) and he said yes, they had left about ten minutes ago. Oh dear. Although I had every intention of staying in the crypt until they realized they had left me, I decided to ask the guard where the fish and chips place was where we were going to afterwards. Thankfully, it was just across the street, and I met them on the way out (they had come back to look for me.) Hmm. Crypt Alone...a horror sequel to Home Alone, perhaps?

Cake

 (Please pardon the unnatural length of this post. Teehee.)

I am an introvert by nature. I must have time, perhaps more than others, to be by myself to think and grow. At the same time, I get attached to people very quickly (I miss my wing dearly!) and love being with people. I have decided that the real fun of being anywhere, including Ireland, is getting to know people. In the case of Ireland, these are people who watch rugby instead of football. People with wonderful accents. People with interests and passions similar and different from my own. People with new experiences and stories.

Beautiful landscape, ancient sites, green hills, churning oceans... all of it is icing on the cake.

But if I ever leave part of a piece of cake uneaten, it is the icing. I look forward to participating in the community here, even more so than seeing castles.

Oh yes. Pretty deep metaphor, huh? ;)

That said, I was delighted to be invited for coffee/tea after church yesterday. Seven of us TU students nibbled on biscuits at a church member's house and we had a nice chat. One of the most surprising instances was running into their monster dog named Strauss. Yup, that's him, looking up at me and deciding whether or not to devour me :P


Afterwards, Monty, the pastor and also one of our professors, invited us for lunch. We happily accepted the invite, and the invitation was extended to include watching a rugby match: Ireland vs. Wales. It was quite riveting, especially when I knew what was going on. Unfortunately, Ireland lost. :(

All in all, Sunday was brilliant! Skype dates with my birthday girl roomie (which I had been looking forward to all day!!!!!!) and Jordyn and Dee and parents just ended the evening with a bang of happiness!

Dublin Castle

Kelsey, Alex, and I took the DART to Dublin and visited Dublin Castle. We stopped in Quizno's first to grab a sandwich and water. I am increasingly appreciative of the availability of free water in the US. There's none of that here! Usually at least 1 euro for a bottle. Also, most places do not have free restrooms. You can only go if you have purchased something. Tricksy, tricksy they are!

flowers +part of the castle in the background

 

Any readers of The Hunger Games? Check out the sign I found.

 

Being silly and tourist-y in a tourist shop

Dublinia Gardens. The name Dublin was named after a "black pool" in this garden. Thus, Dublin literally means "black pool."

 

Seeing the small church on the castle grounds was my favorite.

The four people depicted on the bottom are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, four of Jesus' disciples.

Seaside Semester

One Irish highlight of the day was drinking a lovely dark hot chocolate at a shop called The Happy Pear! The Happy Pear is quite notorious 'round here and for ISP students as having the best hot chocolate in the world. I would definitely say it ranks pretty high! They use fantastical Belgian chocolate. Mmhmm.

I also went on a nice little stroll along the Irish sea, resting just a couple minutes away from the house.

A Dublin Scavenger Hunt

Today we embarked on a 6 hour scavenger hunt in Dublin! Among other sights, we saw a statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a rock, the national library of Ireland, a small film set, Trinity College, and a leprechaun! We ended up winning "most cheesy group name." We were The Boffin Bunch. "Boffin" is slang here for "nerd." Also note the Brady Bunch reference.

Anyway, I've decided it's almost impossible to take a bad picture in Ireland. This is Trinity College.

You know those posters "Keep calm and carry on"? Check out the Irish version...

Here's the leprechaun I told you about!

Everything...EVERYTHING is green in Ireland! They have green flowers for goodness' sake!