Hey 21, you crept up on me there!

(um, yes, this is what happened on my birthday! Origami!)The big 2-1 happened this week... needless to say I was very excited about turning 21 and celebrating in Ireland, but it seems like just yesterday that I was in high school dreaming of these days. I had a fantastic day, I had to go to work but the ladies brought me a delicious caterpillar chocolate cake which we enjoyed during our tea break, they then treated me to lunch, and after work I met a few friends for a couple pints around the city before returning home to be brought into a dark kitchen and surprised with another cake! The day came and went very quickly, just as my time in Ireland has. With celebrating a birthday and knowing that my time abroad is coming to an end, this past week was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but a good one. I don't want to leave Ireland, I feel like it's too soon to leave, but yet, I'm really looking forward to my three weeks of travels. I'm also getting very excited to return to the states, visit my family and friends and have another Maine summer. In addition to all those feelings, I've been thinking a lot about being 21, a senior in college next year, and the "real life" just around the corner. Phew, lots of emotions come with that! Of course I don't let myself get lost in all that mumble-jumbo-I'm keeping in the present, going one day at a time!

It's amazing to think that I'm only in Dublin for less than a week before I head of on my European adventure! This past weekend I spent the warm days in Dublin-visiting the food market, Merrian Square, Grafton St

the Botanical Gardens

Glasnevin Cemetery (the burial cite of many famous and celebrated Irish figures i.e Daniel O'Connell)

and the Famine Statues

It was a busy weekend but well worth it. This week is also my last week at my placement with the National Women's Council. I'll be sad to leave the great ladies of the council, I'm so glad to have been able to meet and work with such determined women.

Friday we have a farewell lunch on Friday and then Elizabeth, Nick, Lauren and I are off to Budapest and from there Elizabeth and I are off to travel Croatia, Vienna, Italy and England!

Maine came to Ireland!

Mom finally made it to Ireland!!!

I anxiously awaited their arrival at the airport and was never so happy to see them! I knew that they were going to love Ireland and I couldn't wait to have them here. We got all squared away with the rental car company and began the adventure! Of course they were mentally prepared for the left-hand driving, but it takes come physical practice. Needless to say Bob was a fantastic driver and quickly conquered his fears! I brought them back to DCU, they napped and I made them brunch. In the afternoon they checked into their guest house and we were off to the city. It was great to show them Dublin, although they were both overwhelmed. The city was bustling because of St. Patrick's Day. In addition to the 3 million people who live in Dublin, there was an extra million. We walked around and ended up in Fitzgerald's for their first pint of Guinness paired with delicious fish and chips. Exhausted we all retired to the guest house.

Friday morning we were full-fledge tourists and took the "hop on, hop off" bus tours. It was excellent! We rode on the top of the double-decker bus and went to the National Gallery, Dublin Castle, Christ Church and the Guinness Factory. It was a jammed packed itineracy but nonetheless exciting! We even saw the wild deer in Phoenix Park and shared lots of laughs.

I was sad to see them leave on saturday but I was due to start my internship and they had a lovely stone cottage waiting for them in Dingle. Luckily, I met them on Friday evening in Tralee. I arranged a train, they picked me up, and we headed out for a fun filled evening with the locals. We stopped at a tiny, quaint, empty pub for dinner on our way to Dingle. Once we arrived in Dingle we went into a few pubs (Dick Macks and the Dingle Pub) both of which they frequented the week prior. We had a fun filled evening with pints, drunks, and live music. What else could I ask for?

Saturday morning we sad bye to the cottage and walked to the Slea Head for photos. On our way there we were surrounded by pastures filled with little lambs frolicking around. We were lucky enough to see a lamb who was born just a minute before we arrived, and the ewe was cleaning her off. Haven't seen that in a while! I could tell that Mom was missing her flock!

We drove out of Dingle and on our way we stopped to pick up a girl hitch-hiking. We had seen her in the pub on Friday night. She was from Lithuania and living in Ireland on the WOOF program. We dropped her off at a restaurant where she was looking for a job and we made our way up to Killarney. In Killarney we had lunch at McKenzie's Cafe and spent the day in the National Park touring the Muckross House

it's beautiful gardens, a lovely waterfall and the beginning of the Ring of Kerry. I spent the day falling in love with Ireland, again.

On Sunday we visited Muckross Castle and made our way back to Dublin. Once again, back at Egan's House we settled down with some Tullemore Dew and then made our way to Porterhouse North for our last pints together.

I was very sad to see them off Monday morning, but we all swore that we will return together. We had such a lovely time and I longed for our past family vacations. I hope that one day we can share Ireland with Ben and Patricia, Josh and Anne, and Meghan and Camden! ( I miss you all so much!)