July 7th...
Travel Tip #1:
When traveling to another country it is vital that one acquires a converter for all of his/her electronic equipment, due to the variations in voltage power.
You may be thinking to yourself that you were already aware of that fact. My response to those of you who were previously aware, is that I blame you for keeping that useful secret from me. What am I blaming you for exactly? Well, let me tell you.
So, about four days after I arrived in Jyvaskyla, Finland, the summer school organized a dinner for all of us. I knew that some of the girls were going to change into nicer clothes for the event, so in keeping with that I thought I would also doll up a bit. I put on some makeup, changed my clothes, and was going to attempt to maybe add a little curl to my hair. I plugged in my curling iron, waited a few minutes, and attempted to style my hair. Naturally, the first section of hair I intended to curl under would be the small section of bangs that I like to swoop over my forehead. So I gathered my bangs, wound them through my curling iron, and.....POOF!!....no more bangs. I removed my curling iron to find my hair fried off inside of it.
At this point I try to cover up the results of my lack of knowledge on various voltage power outlets, by pulling my hair back completely or doing my own variation of the "comb-over". Either way, it gives me a little chuckle each time I think about it. Lesson learned!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...
July 5th...
Today was part two of our weekend trip and we spent it at a traditional Korean folk village in Yong-in City. This village consisted of more than 260 houses from the digfferent regions and the living culture of the later Joseon Dynasty. We walked through numerous gardens and crop fields, as well as various workshops and commoners' houses. In addition to that we watched a traditional music and dance performance, an acrobatics and tightrope show, and a traditional wedding. I absolutely loved being able to witness traditional South Korean
history. This was what I had envisioned I would learn about in coming to Korea, even though the city is very modernized now. My roommate is from Seoul, and she talked with me about her experiences visiting her grandparents in their traditional home when she was a child. She remembered it being very uncomfortable compared to what she was used to, and today's experience reminded her of that time in her life. And while her memory of living in the traditional homes were unpleasant, she appreciated acknowledging the roots of her culture.
Today was part two of our weekend trip and we spent it at a traditional Korean folk village in Yong-in City. This village consisted of more than 260 houses from the digfferent regions and the living culture of the later Joseon Dynasty. We walked through numerous gardens and crop fields, as well as various workshops and commoners' houses. In addition to that we watched a traditional music and dance performance, an acrobatics and tightrope show, and a traditional wedding. I absolutely loved being able to witness traditional South Korean
history. This was what I had envisioned I would learn about in coming to Korea, even though the city is very modernized now. My roommate is from Seoul, and she talked with me about her experiences visiting her grandparents in their traditional home when she was a child. She remembered it being very uncomfortable compared to what she was used to, and today's experience reminded her of that time in her life. And while her memory of living in the traditional homes were unpleasant, she appreciated acknowledging the roots of her culture. There was also a giant mound of stones tied together by thick ropes, which was considered to be a place for prayers and wishes to come true. Tradition stands that if you write your wish on a piece of clothlike paper and tie it to the stones that it will come true. I happen to like making wishes...(I've made the exact same wish on every star, every 11:11, every lucky penny since I was a little girl)...so we'll see if this one makes it come true...
The only part about the trip that I can't honestly say I was excited about...was breakfast. The menu was fish soup, rice, kimchi, squid, radish, and seaweed. While I do appreciate the level of health consciousness in this country, I certainly would have loved a big stack of pancakes and syrup! :) Heck...just an apple would have been okay...is that too much to ask!? :)
Not My Typical 4th of July!
July 4th...
Well first of all let me begin by wishing a belated "Happy 4th of July" to all of you back home in the lovely United States of America! This day marks the best day of the entire summer. Granted, so much of the meaning of our celebrations are far less rooted in our country's history than they probably should be. If I were back home, my day would have began with the Firecracker 5K, followed by judging a "Cutest Baby Contest" and "Dog Show", then eating funnel cake and walking around the arts and crafts booths at Lincoln Park near Kiddieland. This year I believe the fireworks show was cancelled for the first time due to the economic situation, but in years past I always watched the wonderful show put on by Pittsburg Parks and Recreation. For about two weeks prior to the 4th, my neighborhood typically sounds like a war zone with extraneous amounts of fireworks being shot off both day and night in the streets around my home. Regardless of how silly or frivolous some of the events have become, it is all encompassed within a celebration that is so highly-valued in our nation's history. This year, being out of the States for the first time on Independence Day, I recognize it's value even more.
Needless to say that this year I didn't run any races, bake any apple pies, or watch any fireworks...but I kept the memory of this say in 1776 close to my heart. Hanyang University planned a trip for the summer school students to Everland Amusement Park, home of the T-Express (the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world). It reminded me of pictures I have seem of Disneyland! I felt just like a little kid with a great big smile on my face, and I loved every bit of it! We took a bus on a "safari" and saw all kinds of wild animals, and I was able to learn most of the names of those animals in Korean. That evening we stayed at YangJi Resort in the mountains and were treated to a barbeque. Don't confuse this barbeque with what we know of back home, which typically consists of burgers, hot dogs, and all kinds of fried things. Instead, there was pork and rice to make lettuce wraps, served with the traditional kimchi, which is served at every meal. To top it all off, we said cheers with Soju...a typical drink similar to Vodka. There are eight of us here whom represent the USA, and we toasted to the celebration of our independence as well as our ability to study freely here in South Korea. It's amazing at how far our nation has come and I feel so blessed and proud to be a part of it. I would have shot off some fireworks to truly commemorate the moment, but I imagine that I would have been deported. At least it would have made for a heck of a front page story in the friendly Morning Sun :)
Well first of all let me begin by wishing a belated "Happy 4th of July" to all of you back home in the lovely United States of America! This day marks the best day of the entire summer. Granted, so much of the meaning of our celebrations are far less rooted in our country's history than they probably should be. If I were back home, my day would have began with the Firecracker 5K, followed by judging a "Cutest Baby Contest" and "Dog Show", then eating funnel cake and walking around the arts and crafts booths at Lincoln Park near Kiddieland. This year I believe the fireworks show was cancelled for the first time due to the economic situation, but in years past I always watched the wonderful show put on by Pittsburg Parks and Recreation. For about two weeks prior to the 4th, my neighborhood typically sounds like a war zone with extraneous amounts of fireworks being shot off both day and night in the streets around my home. Regardless of how silly or frivolous some of the events have become, it is all encompassed within a celebration that is so highly-valued in our nation's history. This year, being out of the States for the first time on Independence Day, I recognize it's value even more.
Needless to say that this year I didn't run any races, bake any apple pies, or watch any fireworks...but I kept the memory of this say in 1776 close to my heart. Hanyang University planned a trip for the summer school students to Everland Amusement Park, home of the T-Express (the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world). It reminded me of pictures I have seem of Disneyland! I felt just like a little kid with a great big smile on my face, and I loved every bit of it! We took a bus on a "safari" and saw all kinds of wild animals, and I was able to learn most of the names of those animals in Korean. That evening we stayed at YangJi Resort in the mountains and were treated to a barbeque. Don't confuse this barbeque with what we know of back home, which typically consists of burgers, hot dogs, and all kinds of fried things. Instead, there was pork and rice to make lettuce wraps, served with the traditional kimchi, which is served at every meal. To top it all off, we said cheers with Soju...a typical drink similar to Vodka. There are eight of us here whom represent the USA, and we toasted to the celebration of our independence as well as our ability to study freely here in South Korea. It's amazing at how far our nation has come and I feel so blessed and proud to be a part of it. I would have shot off some fireworks to truly commemorate the moment, but I imagine that I would have been deported. At least it would have made for a heck of a front page story in the friendly Morning Sun :)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Rap is My New Workout
July 3rd...
I thought the Finnish language was difficult to learn... but it compares nothing to Korean! At least the Finnish alphabet has Roman Numerals, which resembled some familiarity. Korean language is completely beyond anything that I have ever known. At the beginning of the week I was feeling pretty good about it. I had mastered all 14 consonants and 10 vowels. How hard could it be, right? Well, now there are dipthongs and consonant blends and structural rules that I like to say "don't play fair" because there is no rule to it. I find myself just writing, and rewriting, and rewriting again...just to feel as though I'm back at the beginning. Yesterday after class I decided to do my homework outside a little shop on campus. There was an elderly lady working the shop whom I typically smile and nod at. She came out to my table, said something to me in Korean, took all my homework, and then read through each part with me! First of all, I was just excited that she could actually pronounce the words I'd written (I can at least copy correctly!), but second of all...how nice it was for her to help this completely unaware foreigner. I decided to stop
by again today, and she came out again just like yesterday. I think she likes me :) And I think I'll make our visits a habit...
by again today, and she came out again just like yesterday. I think she likes me :) And I think I'll make our visits a habit...Last night I met up with some of the other summer school participants and went to a local restaurant for chicken and beer (soju). I thought to myself...chicken! Yay! Food that isn't spicy that I can eat! ...Wrong! The ratio of chicken to water I consumed was about 1:10. Clearly, everything here is spicy. Except for my bananas, thank goodness there's no sort of red pepperish like seasoning anywhere near them! Oh, and they served the chicken with a big pair of scissors to cut it. Not a knife and fork. Scissors! The picture to the right is of one of the girls cutting the chicken.
Afterwards we went to a karaoke club with Mingu, a native of Seoul. It was amazing! It wasn't like the karaoke bars I'm used to going to. It consisted of multiple small rooms for groups to reserve and have all to themselves. There were probably ten of us there and we had a blast. It 
was definitely a multicultural experience, listening to songs in Chinese, Korean, and English. I will proudly admit that I sang my heart out to Queen, Aerosmith, N*Sync, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and...Eminem. One of the guys came across "Lose Yourself" in the books, and jokingly dared me to perform it. Well, I'm always up for a challenge and I just so happen to listen to that song everytime I run (it's fast-paced!), so I accepted that challenge...and I'm not gonna lie, I did pretty darn well! I barely missed a word. I had the whole crowd going too...it was the highlight of my day for sure! I have definitely developed a newfound respect for rap...as it is completely exhausting! When do they breathe?! I was panting afterwards, but I got a standing ovation! I'm thinking of taking my new act to the streets here in South Korea...maybe make a little extra spending money. Who knows where I could go from there...this could be big. :)
was definitely a multicultural experience, listening to songs in Chinese, Korean, and English. I will proudly admit that I sang my heart out to Queen, Aerosmith, N*Sync, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and...Eminem. One of the guys came across "Lose Yourself" in the books, and jokingly dared me to perform it. Well, I'm always up for a challenge and I just so happen to listen to that song everytime I run (it's fast-paced!), so I accepted that challenge...and I'm not gonna lie, I did pretty darn well! I barely missed a word. I had the whole crowd going too...it was the highlight of my day for sure! I have definitely developed a newfound respect for rap...as it is completely exhausting! When do they breathe?! I was panting afterwards, but I got a standing ovation! I'm thinking of taking my new act to the streets here in South Korea...maybe make a little extra spending money. Who knows where I could go from there...this could be big. :)Monday, June 29, 2009
Special Moments
June 30th...
Last night brought me something very unique and unexpected. Let me begin by telling you the main purpose of my coming to Korea. My aspirations for participating in this summer school program involve gaining an understanding of what it feels like to be in the minority; the feeling of walking down the street and not fitting in with my surroundings. I have had small accounts of that feeling when I lived in Louisiana and worked at a school that was predominantly African-American and Hispanic. I remember the kids questioning why I talked the way I did; they thought I sounded funny. That experience however, was merely looking different on the outside. I still spoke the language; I still felt comfortable and self-assured. At this point, I want to live in a society that is completely different than anything I have ever known, and discover how well I will adapt.
I am certainly acquiring that feeling. I have briefly described the accounts of the first couple of days that I was here, in which I had nobody to speak to and no way to find out how to live here. Since then I have met some of the students here, all of whom speak english at least at the beginner level. I'm slowly figuring out how things work and how to go about a routine. I have gone from a person who usually knows how to figure things out on her own, to one that sits back and observes others first before acting. I want to make sure that I follow cultural standards in the way they interact with one another both verbally and inverbally, so that I may be a polite guest while I am here. In Jyvaskyla I completely immersed myself within the group of the international students I went to class with, and didn't really take a lot of time to just "be" in Finland, and observe what it would be like to just live there. In South Korea, I am taking a different approach. I want to simply "be" and discover how others regard me as well as how well I am able to adjust to a culture that is so diverse.
Ola Joseph, an author and speaker from Nigeria, once said, "Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness". Last night after dinner I sat down at a bench in an area in which many people pass. I brought a book and just read for awhile. During that time I had a Korean guy, a couple years younger than I, approach me and talk with me about why I am here. He began to tell me that he is getting ready to graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering because that is what his parents wanted for him, so that he could make a lot of money in his career. He confessed that what he has come to love is teaching, because he finds so much fulfillment in that, because He feels like he would be better able to serve God in doing something he loved. That lead to a great discussion about God and what it means for us to follow His will in our daily lives. It was just an amazing conversation, because I did not expect to have one such as that in Korea...not randomly. Then, maybe 30 minutes later, two middle-aged women approached me and gave me a complement, simply because they thought I seemed nice. I invited them to sit down next to me. Upon doing so, they saw the cross that I wear around my neck. (I recently purchased a small Celtic cross in Ireland) They asked if I was Christian and I proudly said, yes. After that their faces lit up with excitement, and we had somewhat of a similar conversation as I had with the other guy. They stayed maybe 15 minutes, as their english was somewhat limited, and told me how happy they were to meet me. I felt just the same.
I don't know how to explain these random encounters, except to know that God brought me so much comfort and hope because of them. Our world is very large, but through Him we are really brought together as one.
Last night brought me something very unique and unexpected. Let me begin by telling you the main purpose of my coming to Korea. My aspirations for participating in this summer school program involve gaining an understanding of what it feels like to be in the minority; the feeling of walking down the street and not fitting in with my surroundings. I have had small accounts of that feeling when I lived in Louisiana and worked at a school that was predominantly African-American and Hispanic. I remember the kids questioning why I talked the way I did; they thought I sounded funny. That experience however, was merely looking different on the outside. I still spoke the language; I still felt comfortable and self-assured. At this point, I want to live in a society that is completely different than anything I have ever known, and discover how well I will adapt.
I am certainly acquiring that feeling. I have briefly described the accounts of the first couple of days that I was here, in which I had nobody to speak to and no way to find out how to live here. Since then I have met some of the students here, all of whom speak english at least at the beginner level. I'm slowly figuring out how things work and how to go about a routine. I have gone from a person who usually knows how to figure things out on her own, to one that sits back and observes others first before acting. I want to make sure that I follow cultural standards in the way they interact with one another both verbally and inverbally, so that I may be a polite guest while I am here. In Jyvaskyla I completely immersed myself within the group of the international students I went to class with, and didn't really take a lot of time to just "be" in Finland, and observe what it would be like to just live there. In South Korea, I am taking a different approach. I want to simply "be" and discover how others regard me as well as how well I am able to adjust to a culture that is so diverse.
Ola Joseph, an author and speaker from Nigeria, once said, "Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness". Last night after dinner I sat down at a bench in an area in which many people pass. I brought a book and just read for awhile. During that time I had a Korean guy, a couple years younger than I, approach me and talk with me about why I am here. He began to tell me that he is getting ready to graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering because that is what his parents wanted for him, so that he could make a lot of money in his career. He confessed that what he has come to love is teaching, because he finds so much fulfillment in that, because He feels like he would be better able to serve God in doing something he loved. That lead to a great discussion about God and what it means for us to follow His will in our daily lives. It was just an amazing conversation, because I did not expect to have one such as that in Korea...not randomly. Then, maybe 30 minutes later, two middle-aged women approached me and gave me a complement, simply because they thought I seemed nice. I invited them to sit down next to me. Upon doing so, they saw the cross that I wear around my neck. (I recently purchased a small Celtic cross in Ireland) They asked if I was Christian and I proudly said, yes. After that their faces lit up with excitement, and we had somewhat of a similar conversation as I had with the other guy. They stayed maybe 15 minutes, as their english was somewhat limited, and told me how happy they were to meet me. I felt just the same.
I don't know how to explain these random encounters, except to know that God brought me so much comfort and hope because of them. Our world is very large, but through Him we are really brought together as one.
What About Recess?!
June 29th...
I started my first day of class today at Hanyang University! I signed up for Korean Language class in hopes that I could acquire a few skills to get around Seoul a little better during the month that I am here. There were about 15 people in the class, and then the teacher brought us all out individually for a test in Korean to determine the level we already attained. I was the first one to take my exam. It pretty much consisted of this: I walked into the room and smiled at her, she said something in Korean...I smiled at her again...she said something else in Korean...I smiled at her once more...then she wrote down "Beginner 1", and sent me on my way! I'm pretty much starting from the bottom up and am really excited to start learning a new language.
Well, that excitement started to fizzle a little bit after 4 hours of trying to memorize the vowels...their sounds and variations, how to write them and understand them...wow, it was mentally exhausting! I felt like a little kid again, trying to learn the alphabet. I tried to keep myself in the mindset that I did this when I was young, learning my letters for the first time...and I was only 4 or 5 years old. Clearly, as a 24-year old, I must have an extended capacity to understand this! Well...it's just not that simple! Part of me does enjoy being in that position again, like a little kindergartener...except that we don't get milk breaks or recess. I'm going to learn how to ask for that in Korean.
I started my first day of class today at Hanyang University! I signed up for Korean Language class in hopes that I could acquire a few skills to get around Seoul a little better during the month that I am here. There were about 15 people in the class, and then the teacher brought us all out individually for a test in Korean to determine the level we already attained. I was the first one to take my exam. It pretty much consisted of this: I walked into the room and smiled at her, she said something in Korean...I smiled at her again...she said something else in Korean...I smiled at her once more...then she wrote down "Beginner 1", and sent me on my way! I'm pretty much starting from the bottom up and am really excited to start learning a new language.
Well, that excitement started to fizzle a little bit after 4 hours of trying to memorize the vowels...their sounds and variations, how to write them and understand them...wow, it was mentally exhausting! I felt like a little kid again, trying to learn the alphabet. I tried to keep myself in the mindset that I did this when I was young, learning my letters for the first time...and I was only 4 or 5 years old. Clearly, as a 24-year old, I must have an extended capacity to understand this! Well...it's just not that simple! Part of me does enjoy being in that position again, like a little kindergartener...except that we don't get milk breaks or recess. I'm going to learn how to ask for that in Korean.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Random Memories
June 27th...
It's about 8:45pm in South Korea (6:45am-Saturday-back home)...and I just went for a little walk around Hanyang University. School hasn't yet begun, so I'm still just sort of hanging out by myself until everyone arrives and I meet people that I can talk to. It's been pretty quiet so far, clearly due to the language barrier, but I am enjoying it. It gives me a lot of time to just reflect. In doing so, I remembered a couple things that I thought I could throw in my blog...
I've been wearing the same Claddagh ring since I was 17-years old. It was slightly too big for my finger (as in, it would fly off if I waved my hand too hard), and it had a blue stone in the heart of 
the ring. It cost about $11, but it was the only jewelry I wore on my hands. For those who may not know, the claddagh ring has been a part of Irish tradition since the 17th century. The ring itself is made up of a heart clasped in two hands with a crown on top. The meaning of the three parts of the ring are that the heart means love, the hands mean friendship, and the crown means loyalty; it symbolizes overall faith, trust, fidelity, and commitment. To sum it up, I loved my ring and I am rarely ever without it. Then, two days prior to leaving Jyvaskyla, I leave my ring on the sink in the library. I returned to the library maybe five minutes later, but it was closed. The next day, it was gone. I felt so distraught. Silly as it may be I know, but I was very attached. Then it hit me...I was to be going to Ireland two days from then...I can get an authentic ring there! I still missed my ring, but it was a good time to lose it. So I dragged Tracey into every jewelry shop in Dublin (literally), looking at the same rings over and over. They had some absolutely beautiful rings, but I'm a simple gal...and when I found my plain, silver ring, I was completely satisfied. It was a happy day to have my ring back on my finger where it belongs!
the ring. It cost about $11, but it was the only jewelry I wore on my hands. For those who may not know, the claddagh ring has been a part of Irish tradition since the 17th century. The ring itself is made up of a heart clasped in two hands with a crown on top. The meaning of the three parts of the ring are that the heart means love, the hands mean friendship, and the crown means loyalty; it symbolizes overall faith, trust, fidelity, and commitment. To sum it up, I loved my ring and I am rarely ever without it. Then, two days prior to leaving Jyvaskyla, I leave my ring on the sink in the library. I returned to the library maybe five minutes later, but it was closed. The next day, it was gone. I felt so distraught. Silly as it may be I know, but I was very attached. Then it hit me...I was to be going to Ireland two days from then...I can get an authentic ring there! I still missed my ring, but it was a good time to lose it. So I dragged Tracey into every jewelry shop in Dublin (literally), looking at the same rings over and over. They had some absolutely beautiful rings, but I'm a simple gal...and when I found my plain, silver ring, I was completely satisfied. It was a happy day to have my ring back on my finger where it belongs!
Secondly, I left out something very important about Finland: strawberries. Truly, these are the most delicious strawberries I have ever eaten. They just melt in your mouth. For the first time, I could say that I wouldn't even want chocolate on my strawberries...and for a girl who loves chocolate on anything, that's really saying something about their natural flavor. I mean, wow, they were really fabulous!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Testing the Waters...
June 26th...(for real this time) 
Another funny story? Well, I learned how to say "thank you" in Korean. To me, that is one of the most important words to learn in a new language because it shows you are polite. I was so excited to use it today too! There's a man who works at the front desk of my dorm building, who always opens the door for me as I go in and out. So this time, as he smiled and opened the door, I politely nodded my head and said "thank you" in Korean. His response was: "I don't speak English". I felt like such a fool! Apparently I need to work on my pronunciation!
I finally got cash today! Apparently there is only one ATM machine on campus that will accept global credit cards, and it took me 2 hours to find it....but I finally have KRW! I really enjoy saying that I have 30,000 in my wallet...although it only converts to about $30. Still...it sounds a bit nicer right?!
I walked all over today and explored my territory, get this....without getting lost! As in...not at all, not once! Man, yall would be so proud of me! Anyone who knows me at all would believe this to be incredible! One thing I just assumed is that this experience would be like Finland, with people meeeting me and taking me where I need to go for the first time so I could get my bearings straight. I assumed wrong again! So what I decided to do as I'm getting around, is taking pictures of the street signs or popular buildings I pass...just in case I need to use them for reference when I return back home, or in case I need some help from others. I know where my limitations are, and I just have to do my best with what I know and embrace the fact that it's all up to me.
Another funny story? Well, I learned how to say "thank you" in Korean. To me, that is one of the most important words to learn in a new language because it shows you are polite. I was so excited to use it today too! There's a man who works at the front desk of my dorm building, who always opens the door for me as I go in and out. So this time, as he smiled and opened the door, I politely nodded my head and said "thank you" in Korean. His response was: "I don't speak English". I felt like such a fool! Apparently I need to work on my pronunciation!I finally got cash today! Apparently there is only one ATM machine on campus that will accept global credit cards, and it took me 2 hours to find it....but I finally have KRW! I really enjoy saying that I have 30,000 in my wallet...although it only converts to about $30. Still...it sounds a bit nicer right?!
I walked all over today and explored my territory, get this....without getting lost! As in...not at all, not once! Man, yall would be so proud of me! Anyone who knows me at all would believe this to be incredible! One thing I just assumed is that this experience would be like Finland, with people meeeting me and taking me where I need to go for the first time so I could get my bearings straight. I assumed wrong again! So what I decided to do as I'm getting around, is taking pictures of the street signs or popular buildings I pass...just in case I need to use them for reference when I return back home, or in case I need some help from others. I know where my limitations are, and I just have to do my best with what I know and embrace the fact that it's all up to me.
What Day Is It??
June 25... (I think, maybe it's the 26th) My days are all mixed up!
You know how I was talking about how I have to adjust more than I ever imagined? The thing is...I like that. I'm excited by it; intrigued even, because I'm going to have to really exert myself in order to really be immersed in this new culture. That is what I came here to do. I know that I could stay here a month and only go to class, then retreat to my dorm and stay in my comfort zone. But that is not me. I'm going to put my best efforts into getting out there and feeling what it's like to be in the minority. In Finland I felt that somewhat, but I had a close group of International students to be with. Right now, I am here along with only my own resources to get me by. I am just walking along and becoming familiar with the campus, and just experiencing the moment. I am truly in a new place and part of a new culture. Even just walking along campus feels so much different.
Another thing, apparently there's a new influenza floating around...Influenza A? It's something that foreigners are bringing to the country. Maybe my brother, Pat knows something about this. Well, because of that, I have to check my temperature twice daily and report to the doctor every morning for seven days. Since they won't know for sure if I don't have Influenza A, I have to wear a face mask while I'm in class with other Korean students. So next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday...I'll have to wear a mask for seven hours each day. It kind of makes me feel like the little sick kid who nobody is allowed to play with! It's just all part of the new experience, so I will obey my instruction and wear the mask as I am told.
You know how I was talking about how I have to adjust more than I ever imagined? The thing is...I like that. I'm excited by it; intrigued even, because I'm going to have to really exert myself in order to really be immersed in this new culture. That is what I came here to do. I know that I could stay here a month and only go to class, then retreat to my dorm and stay in my comfort zone. But that is not me. I'm going to put my best efforts into getting out there and feeling what it's like to be in the minority. In Finland I felt that somewhat, but I had a close group of International students to be with. Right now, I am here along with only my own resources to get me by. I am just walking along and becoming familiar with the campus, and just experiencing the moment. I am truly in a new place and part of a new culture. Even just walking along campus feels so much different.
Another thing, apparently there's a new influenza floating around...Influenza A? It's something that foreigners are bringing to the country. Maybe my brother, Pat knows something about this. Well, because of that, I have to check my temperature twice daily and report to the doctor every morning for seven days. Since they won't know for sure if I don't have Influenza A, I have to wear a face mask while I'm in class with other Korean students. So next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday...I'll have to wear a mask for seven hours each day. It kind of makes me feel like the little sick kid who nobody is allowed to play with! It's just all part of the new experience, so I will obey my instruction and wear the mask as I am told.
Cheap Bananas!
June 24th...
Well, my first day started off a bit rocky to say the least. I was about two hours away from arrival in Seoul when I started feeling sick to my stomach. So, I'm in a plane 37,000 feet in the air, I haven't slept in 2 nights, and I think I'm going to vomit. A few moments later I was doing just that in the nasty airplane toilets. Believe me folks, it was one of my finest moments. So badly I just wished I could curl up in a bed and go to sleep! But...Seoul was coming, like it or not, and they are just beginning their day. Perk up, Allison!
Well, my first day started off a bit rocky to say the least. I was about two hours away from arrival in Seoul when I started feeling sick to my stomach. So, I'm in a plane 37,000 feet in the air, I haven't slept in 2 nights, and I think I'm going to vomit. A few moments later I was doing just that in the nasty airplane toilets. Believe me folks, it was one of my finest moments. So badly I just wished I could curl up in a bed and go to sleep! But...Seoul was coming, like it or not, and they are just beginning their day. Perk up, Allison!
I arrived at my dorm, and I live on the 7th floor again, with an amazing view of the mountains! The tutor who picked me up from the airport walked with me to a nearby grocery store and I was very pleased to buy 5 bananas for only 1500KRW! That's just over $1, and about 3 times less than Finland! Woohoo! I love bananas! Maybe this really will work out...I thought I was in culture shock while I was in Finland, trying to read labels and street signs, etc. HA! Culture shock?! THAT was culture shock?! That is absolutely nothing compared to being here! If there isn't a picture of something underneath a sign or label, then I am clueless. Reading street signs, building names, or....anything, is completely beyond my abilities at this point...as a girl with no experience in the Korean language. Finland, while different than what I am used to, is still European and therefore something I could find somewhat familiar. The people pretty much all looked the same as I did, and I had a pretty good chance that most of them could speak even a little english. Well, I certainly don't have that anymore, not on the surface anyways. I guess I just assumed that many people here would at least know some english, or just enough so that I could get around. I assumed wrong! I wandered around for an hour and a half yesterday just trying to get to the library. I walked around with a small black and white map, asking others for help by pointing to the picture. They were so very friendly, although we couldn't understand each other well. Two of them even asked to take a picture with me. I don't know if that's a good thing or not...but I smile, laugh, and nod and go on my way! The whole saying..."just smile and nod" really does go a long way here!
Darned Seagulls
June 23rd...1:45pm...
I am currently in my plane and on my way to Frankfurt, Germany. I have about a 2 1/2 hour ride there, before an 11 hour flight to Seoul. Leaving Helsinki today was hard. It's not necessarily hard to leave Finland, but rather the people and the memories I am leaving with it. I spent the last 3 days in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, and I greatly enjoyed it. This was probably due to the fact that there were lots of tourists and therefore lots of joyful, friendly faces! I am so glad I was able to experience Finland, because it allowed me to adjust to a culture with which I was not previously familiar. The way of life is just much different than I am accustomed to, and it wouldn't be something that necessarily I would enjoy adapting to for a great length of time. I found that the Finnish people I interacted with were very hospitable and polite, and I'm very appreciative of all the help I received during my stay!
Picture 1: Dad - I promised you I'd try a real German beer while I was there...so here you go! I confess that I gave it away after about 3 sips, but I did try it!
Picture 2: Here's Germany for you!
Want a funny story? Well, I thought it was funny anyway...Tracey doesn't agree. You can decide. So, Helsinki is right on the Bay of Finland and has a beautiful harbour. Our first morning there, we went to a local kioski and grabbed a pulla (an amazing Finnish pastry) and a kahvi (coffee). It was such a beautiful day so we decided to sit on the steps right near the bay and enjoy our breakfast. Just then, a seagull came right beside us and began to squawk. Tracey was really uncomfortable with that, but I just laughed it off. After all, I don't live by the water back home and I always love to see seagulls when I'm near the coast! Then out of nowhere, a whole flock of seagulls came flying up in our faces and literally stole the pulla out of Tracey's hand! I had never seen anything like it! Darn birds....they a nasty, vicious little creatures. Poor Tracey, apparently she had some logic in being afraid of those birds. But, it does make for a good story :)
Really, our whole week and a half together made for a good story. I never would have imagined it would be so much fun. I'm pretty sure that living with our Couchsurfer host in Ireland morphed us into even quirkier individuals than we already were, so I offer a forewarning when I come back to Kansas if I'm slightly more random and ridiculous than usual!
Now I'm about halfway to Seoul, South Korea; a land that is far different than what I've experienced. Everything I thought about regarding wanting a true minority experience is about to dawn on me. Even just waiting at my gate today in the airport - I felt like I stood out. I can't wait to see what happens in about seven hours when I get off the plane. Y'all will be proud of me - I actually made arrangements to have a tutor at the university pick me up and take me to Hanyang University, as opposed to me wandering around a city of 10 million people with no idea where to go. (I know my family is nodding their heads in approval right now). Your logic wears off on me once in awhile I suppose. There's no turning back now. Here I come, South Korea!
Want a funny story? Well, I thought it was funny anyway...Tracey doesn't agree. You can decide. So, Helsinki is right on the Bay of Finland and has a beautiful harbour. Our first morning there, we went to a local kioski and grabbed a pulla (an amazing Finnish pastry) and a kahvi (coffee). It was such a beautiful day so we decided to sit on the steps right near the bay and enjoy our breakfast. Just then, a seagull came right beside us and began to squawk. Tracey was really uncomfortable with that, but I just laughed it off. After all, I don't live by the water back home and I always love to see seagulls when I'm near the coast! Then out of nowhere, a whole flock of seagulls came flying up in our faces and literally stole the pulla out of Tracey's hand! I had never seen anything like it! Darn birds....they a nasty, vicious little creatures. Poor Tracey, apparently she had some logic in being afraid of those birds. But, it does make for a good story :)
Really, our whole week and a half together made for a good story. I never would have imagined it would be so much fun. I'm pretty sure that living with our Couchsurfer host in Ireland morphed us into even quirkier individuals than we already were, so I offer a forewarning when I come back to Kansas if I'm slightly more random and ridiculous than usual!
Now I'm about halfway to Seoul, South Korea; a land that is far different than what I've experienced. Everything I thought about regarding wanting a true minority experience is about to dawn on me. Even just waiting at my gate today in the airport - I felt like I stood out. I can't wait to see what happens in about seven hours when I get off the plane. Y'all will be proud of me - I actually made arrangements to have a tutor at the university pick me up and take me to Hanyang University, as opposed to me wandering around a city of 10 million people with no idea where to go. (I know my family is nodding their heads in approval right now). Your logic wears off on me once in awhile I suppose. There's no turning back now. Here I come, South Korea!
Cheers 'ol Buddy!
June 22nd...
11:50am...
I am currently on a ferry in Helsinki and on my way to Suomanlinna - a sea fortress on an island that was build after WWII. It's about 18 C and perfectly sunny and peaceful. Today is my last day with Tracey, and the finale to our week and a half long traveling adventure. It's really kind of funny how things worked out. Tracey and I are two very different people, but yet, we work. We like to describe ourselves by our two destinations, in the fact that I am Ireland and she is Finland. I love to talk to everyone (sometimes too much) and 
make friends with random strangers, while she prefers to have her bubble and be content. In the beginning, I don't think either of us knew how exactly our trip together would go; however, the moment that we entered Derek's funhouse house in Ireland, I knew that this was going to be an exciting adventure! We spent 10 days just doing whatever we wanted to do, exploring completely unknown territory just as we desired. Just like it's always been my dream to see Ireland, it's been one of her dreams to see Finland. Bless her heart, I dragged her to every single monument, church, sculpture, and landmark of any sort ALL over Dublin...and she just smiled and followed along. Actually, she would find it on the map and guide me...because we all know how poorly I am with directions. Then during Helsinki, I was able to do the same for her, and it was a blast! So to my Canadian friend (who seriously needs to learn to pronounce her words correctly! :), I can't wait to see you again one day! (If our luck runs right...we have until June 18, 2010). Cheers! (And stay out of the tabloids!) :)
make friends with random strangers, while she prefers to have her bubble and be content. In the beginning, I don't think either of us knew how exactly our trip together would go; however, the moment that we entered Derek's funhouse house in Ireland, I knew that this was going to be an exciting adventure! We spent 10 days just doing whatever we wanted to do, exploring completely unknown territory just as we desired. Just like it's always been my dream to see Ireland, it's been one of her dreams to see Finland. Bless her heart, I dragged her to every single monument, church, sculpture, and landmark of any sort ALL over Dublin...and she just smiled and followed along. Actually, she would find it on the map and guide me...because we all know how poorly I am with directions. Then during Helsinki, I was able to do the same for her, and it was a blast! So to my Canadian friend (who seriously needs to learn to pronounce her words correctly! :), I can't wait to see you again one day! (If our luck runs right...we have until June 18, 2010). Cheers! (And stay out of the tabloids!) :)Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Good Crack!
June 19th...
Today is our last day in Ireland. I cannot believe how fast it has gone and how much we have been able to do and see. Today we took the DART rail along the northern part of the coast and visited the Malahide Castle and the Howth Peninsula. Yesterday we mostly enjoyed all the beautiful green scenery of the country, which I was completely amazed with. But of course Ireland has so much beauty still left to offer! We took a hike right along the cliffs of the peninsula. The cliffs were still many beautiful shades of green, except this time it was in contrast with the blue color of the water. I could not ask for more...except to have my family with me. There have been so many times I have really wished that you all could experience just what I am experiencing. I know how much you would love it. If I could transport you all here beside me then I would do it in a heartbeat! Maybe the leprechauns can.... :) This is a trip that we have all talked about as far back as I can remember, and it just blows my mind that this dream has come true. 
There are so many moments when I thought about how much my dad would especially love to be here, because of the history. Walking through Killmanhaim Gaol, standing at the GPO or The Gresham, and doing research in the National Library are things I know he would love. I think about how much everyone would love the gorgeous countryside, the beautiful wild flowers, or even simply the cobblestone streets, the Georgian homes, or some traditional Irish music in a local pub. Everyone here is just s proud of their heritage and they all have a different story to tell. Each one of them, when they realized that I had Irish ancestry, said to me, "Welcome home". That's exactly what I have felt this entire trip. Home. God bless it. It's been a good "crack"! (Translation...good time)
There are so many moments when I thought about how much my dad would especially love to be here, because of the history. Walking through Killmanhaim Gaol, standing at the GPO or The Gresham, and doing research in the National Library are things I know he would love. I think about how much everyone would love the gorgeous countryside, the beautiful wild flowers, or even simply the cobblestone streets, the Georgian homes, or some traditional Irish music in a local pub. Everyone here is just s proud of their heritage and they all have a different story to tell. Each one of them, when they realized that I had Irish ancestry, said to me, "Welcome home". That's exactly what I have felt this entire trip. Home. God bless it. It's been a good "crack"! (Translation...good time)Ireland Is So GREEN!!
June 18th...
Today was perfect! We went on the Wild Wicklow Tour, which took us from Dublin through Wicklow County where we visited so many beautiful places! We made our first stop at Dun Laoghire harbour and walked along the sandy beaches. I collected a few seashells to bring home to my mom, but it's highly likely that they will be confiscated when I arrive to Australia. Apparently they are very particular about bio hazardous material entering their country...but that's definitely not going to stop me from trying!
(Photo from Dun Laoghire Harbour)
Today was perfect! We went on the Wild Wicklow Tour, which took us from Dublin through Wicklow County where we visited so many beautiful places! We made our first stop at Dun Laoghire harbour and walked along the sandy beaches. I collected a few seashells to bring home to my mom, but it's highly likely that they will be confiscated when I arrive to Australia. Apparently they are very particular about bio hazardous material entering their country...but that's definitely not going to stop me from trying!(Photo from Dun Laoghire Harbour)
Then we drove out to the countryside, which was even better than I expected! Wow - it was so green! It was absolutely breathtaking!! I have never seen anything like it! The pictures 
I show you won't even do it justice, but it can give a glimpse into the extraordinary nature I was a part of for a few moments. The bus stopped high up on the hills and the air was so crisp...and windy! I chose probably THE worst outfit to wear today, which was a very flowy skirt. I had a heck of a time keeping it from flying over my head, and surprisingly enough, with Tracey's help I was successful at doing so the entire day! Then as we stepped back onto the bus, the driver gave us all a shot of Jameson's Irish Whiskey - the best whiskey in all of Ireland. Personally I detest the taste of any and all whiskey, but as disgusting as it was, I can understand its charm...although I never intend on drinking it again. Sorry again Ireland...we're 0-2 on the alcohol.
After we were "liquored up", we moved on to Killiney and explored more beautiful countryside. The grass was just so short and so soft. I just laid down and thanked God for the beautiful nature and the fact that I am able to experience it. Lastly, we made our final stop to Glendalough, which was what I was really excited to see. It is famous for its 6th century monastery and old Celtic cross tombstones. Standing on that ground was so peaceful. I felt like I was just in a dream...you know that feeling when you see something for the first time...something that you though you would only see in pictures? And how amazing and
invigorating it is to actually see it with your very own eyes? That's how I have felt every moment of this trip. I feel as though at any moment I am going to wake up
and this will all have been a dream. But it isn't. Believe me, I've pinched my arm a few times and the result is the same...I really am here, and I'm so grateful.
I show you won't even do it justice, but it can give a glimpse into the extraordinary nature I was a part of for a few moments. The bus stopped high up on the hills and the air was so crisp...and windy! I chose probably THE worst outfit to wear today, which was a very flowy skirt. I had a heck of a time keeping it from flying over my head, and surprisingly enough, with Tracey's help I was successful at doing so the entire day! Then as we stepped back onto the bus, the driver gave us all a shot of Jameson's Irish Whiskey - the best whiskey in all of Ireland. Personally I detest the taste of any and all whiskey, but as disgusting as it was, I can understand its charm...although I never intend on drinking it again. Sorry again Ireland...we're 0-2 on the alcohol.After we were "liquored up", we moved on to Killiney and explored more beautiful countryside. The grass was just so short and so soft. I just laid down and thanked God for the beautiful nature and the fact that I am able to experience it. Lastly, we made our final stop to Glendalough, which was what I was really excited to see. It is famous for its 6th century monastery and old Celtic cross tombstones. Standing on that ground was so peaceful. I felt like I was just in a dream...you know that feeling when you see something for the first time...something that you though you would only see in pictures? And how amazing and
invigorating it is to actually see it with your very own eyes? That's how I have felt every moment of this trip. I feel as though at any moment I am going to wake up
and this will all have been a dream. But it isn't. Believe me, I've pinched my arm a few times and the result is the same...I really am here, and I'm so grateful.A City of Unique Charm
June 16th...
7:30pm...
Well I am sitting in the Temple Bar area outside of Haagan-Daaz, treating myself to two scoops of ice cream after what I just ate. One thing we were told to try here is the Traditional Irish Breakfast, complete with sausage, bacon, beans, tomato, fried egg, and black and white pudding. We came to find that the bacon is nearly raw and the black and white pudding is....animal blood. Yes. Animal blood. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever tasted. I ate blood. End of story.
Today was a lovely day though! We walked along the River Liffey, which is actually the most polluted river in all of Ireland. We took the boardwalk down to Dublin 8, nearly all the way outside of the city. We stopped at the National Museum at Collins Barracks and then took a stroll through Phoenix Park. As we went looking for our next destination, we found ourselves in what would be considered Dublin's slums. Eventually we found the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Nearly an hour later we went to Killmainham Gaol, which was established in the 1700's. It was also the place where many of the men involved in the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. We took a tour, which led us through all the wings of the gaol. It was breathtaking in its own way and maybe one of my favorite places we've visited thus far. It was nearly epic, standing in the courtyard of the gaol, knowing how many men once lived exactly where I stood just 100 years
ago. When people arrived there, they received a blanket and a candle for warmth, and they lived 15 per cell. There was a Catholic chapel built by a 17-year old boy who was arrested for stealing a food cart, and eventually died there. It was such a solemn experience. The history is what makes this city so unique. There isn't anything about this city that modern architects or designers would consider beautiful. Walking along the city streets, the buildings are all cracked, the railings all have chipped and discolored paint, but to me it is absolutely charming. I admire and appreciate it because it shows that people have lived there. They have fought there. Standing on the steps of the General Post Office, the same steps Pearse read the Irish Proclamation - the first building to be seized in the Easter Rising. It still has bullet holes in the building. It hasn't been covered up. It's antiquated, and it shows. It gives the city a story and a sense of pride and character, which is what makes it truly beautiful.
7:30pm...
Well I am sitting in the Temple Bar area outside of Haagan-Daaz, treating myself to two scoops of ice cream after what I just ate. One thing we were told to try here is the Traditional Irish Breakfast, complete with sausage, bacon, beans, tomato, fried egg, and black and white pudding. We came to find that the bacon is nearly raw and the black and white pudding is....animal blood. Yes. Animal blood. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever tasted. I ate blood. End of story.
Today was a lovely day though! We walked along the River Liffey, which is actually the most polluted river in all of Ireland. We took the boardwalk down to Dublin 8, nearly all the way outside of the city. We stopped at the National Museum at Collins Barracks and then took a stroll through Phoenix Park. As we went looking for our next destination, we found ourselves in what would be considered Dublin's slums. Eventually we found the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Nearly an hour later we went to Killmainham Gaol, which was established in the 1700's. It was also the place where many of the men involved in the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. We took a tour, which led us through all the wings of the gaol. It was breathtaking in its own way and maybe one of my favorite places we've visited thus far. It was nearly epic, standing in the courtyard of the gaol, knowing how many men once lived exactly where I stood just 100 years
ago. When people arrived there, they received a blanket and a candle for warmth, and they lived 15 per cell. There was a Catholic chapel built by a 17-year old boy who was arrested for stealing a food cart, and eventually died there. It was such a solemn experience. The history is what makes this city so unique. There isn't anything about this city that modern architects or designers would consider beautiful. Walking along the city streets, the buildings are all cracked, the railings all have chipped and discolored paint, but to me it is absolutely charming. I admire and appreciate it because it shows that people have lived there. They have fought there. Standing on the steps of the General Post Office, the same steps Pearse read the Irish Proclamation - the first building to be seized in the Easter Rising. It still has bullet holes in the building. It hasn't been covered up. It's antiquated, and it shows. It gives the city a story and a sense of pride and character, which is what makes it truly beautiful. A True Irish Experience
June 15th...
We went on a tour today! It was wonderful to actually learn the history of all the main buildings, sculptures, and events that led to the Ireland that is today. I now feel less like a typical tourist and more like part of the city. We walked into a bar in the Temple Bar district and sat with a bunch of middle-aged men and women from New Castle, England. They just invited us to pull up a chair, try some Guinness, and watch the local Irish band. It was just the type of experience I wanted. I couldn't believe I was in downtown Dublin at a local bar, listening to a band play "Oh Danny Boy" live. The one complaint I do have...is one that will probably get me banned from Ireland forever...which is the Guinness. I have one word for this beer, and that is: icky. It was absolutely disgusting! Moving on...
Tracey and I developed a new mission for our lives...which is to be Ice Cream Connoisseurs. We've sampled many delicious flavors and brands over the past month, and thought we should
make a hobby of it. I imagine that we'll probably use the money we save by living in Derek's playhouse, and spend it on ice cream. That's how I like to spend my money personally. So today, we tried "gelato" at a local ice cream parlor. I got two scoops of course, which were chocolate and nutella, and I was very excited to review this delicassy. We decided that it was definitely too pricey and the scoops were far too small... and thus we are continuing on our mission to find the best the world can offer!
We went on a tour today! It was wonderful to actually learn the history of all the main buildings, sculptures, and events that led to the Ireland that is today. I now feel less like a typical tourist and more like part of the city. We walked into a bar in the Temple Bar district and sat with a bunch of middle-aged men and women from New Castle, England. They just invited us to pull up a chair, try some Guinness, and watch the local Irish band. It was just the type of experience I wanted. I couldn't believe I was in downtown Dublin at a local bar, listening to a band play "Oh Danny Boy" live. The one complaint I do have...is one that will probably get me banned from Ireland forever...which is the Guinness. I have one word for this beer, and that is: icky. It was absolutely disgusting! Moving on...
Tracey and I developed a new mission for our lives...which is to be Ice Cream Connoisseurs. We've sampled many delicious flavors and brands over the past month, and thought we should
make a hobby of it. I imagine that we'll probably use the money we save by living in Derek's playhouse, and spend it on ice cream. That's how I like to spend my money personally. So today, we tried "gelato" at a local ice cream parlor. I got two scoops of course, which were chocolate and nutella, and I was very excited to review this delicassy. We decided that it was definitely too pricey and the scoops were far too small... and thus we are continuing on our mission to find the best the world can offer!Lots of Laughs!!
June 13th...Words cannot explain. Okay, so I'm in Dublin. That's the first bit of excitement. Well, in making plans for this trip I registered on couchsurfing.org so that we could find a place to stay for free. I figured that it would be too good to be true, but it would be the only way I could afford to come to Ireland. I ended up getting just a few positive responses, and I chose for us to stay with a man named Derek, who lived in a small cottage near the City Centre. He'd emailed me directions to his house, so Tracey and I took an AirCoach there after we got off our plane. Walking up to his door, we were both a bit nervous, now knowing what we were getting ourselves into. We knocked on the door....and no answer. We both just looked at each other, having no idea what to do. We didn't have a phone and we didn't want to walk with our heavy
luggage to find one. So Tracey sat with our luggage at a nearby bus stop and I went searching for a phone to use. I was feeling really discouraged. Reality started to set in and I thought I'd been so foolish for thinking that this would actually work. Then I heard, "Are you from Kansas?". I looked up and there he was on his bike. I felt so relieved!!Derek, Tracey, and I walked up to his nice little home, and words cannot describe what we saw. I'm going to do my best to provide an accurate description, but I guarantee you still won't be able to grasp it all. It was like a completely disheveled playhouse, with masks, crazy hats, and other random things on the shelves and walls. He had pictures of himself and other random images hanging randomly, the couch took up the entire living room, and everything was just completely random. His bathroom had "Ken" Barbie dolls, walnut oil, and a suit of armor. Yes, you read that correctly! I could keep going for hours writing about what we first saw and that would barely scratch the surface! Most people would probably think to themselves..."What have I gotten myself into? I cannot stay here for a whole week!" On the contrary, Tracey and I instantly felt completely comfortable. While his house may be a bit eccentric, Derek has such a genuine kindness that is very comforting. That night we had a dance party, complete with dress up, dolls, and a disco ball. I haven't laughed so hard and so long for a long time!
Our First Day in Dublin!
June 14th...
2:00pm...
How did this happen? How am I here, in Ireland? Wow! I just feel so very lucky! So on Sunday, Tracey and I walked to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland. It's a very traditional Anglican church, which reminded me very much of the Catholic church. It was built in the 17th century. I am fascinated by history and tradition, so simply being there left me a bit awestruck. There was a choir full of males ranging from age 8 to mid-20's. The young boys sang just so beautifully! We are going to walk around the city for a couple more hours and then attend mass at St. Mary's church near Derek's house. One thing I am really appreciating is the universality of the Catholic church. No matter where I go I seem to find a church in which I come together with other believers, just the same as I always have back home. This is great!
(St Mary's Church) 
(St. Patrick's Cathedral)
5:00pm...
Here I am, kneeling in front of the altar at St. Mary's Church, and I feel like I am home. I believe that we are here to find and fulfill God's will for us in our lives, and that way may be unique for each individual. With God in our hearts, we are always at peace. The celebration of the mass is something I greatly missed. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I walked through the doors of the church and smelled the faint fragrance of incense. I feel like me. I feel like this is where I belong. Everything I have known my whole life is coming back to me and it brings tears to my eyes. I know we all struggle at times wondering how we should fulfill God's will. I feel so blessed to know so many people with various Christian denominations that are living their lives to serve God. My family and closest friends have served as beautiful role models of living Christian lives. I hope that in some way I have been a role model for them as well, as I strive to live my life in a manner pleasing to God. His love is so much stronger than I could ever really imagine. I know that I have struggled in determining the exact path I should follow, or denomination to claim, but I have never lost my faith in what is most important to all of us - which is serving God.
11:30pm...
We came home after a very satisfying first day, ready to go to sleep....but that is not what we did. We opened the door to our temporary home to find Derek standing in red pants, red shoes, a red hula shirt, and a huge white fuzzy hat that resembled an old Tina Turner wig. He found a movie for us to watch that was a foreign animated film...two hours long! Oh dear...what a way to end the day!
2:00pm...
How did this happen? How am I here, in Ireland? Wow! I just feel so very lucky! So on Sunday, Tracey and I walked to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland. It's a very traditional Anglican church, which reminded me very much of the Catholic church. It was built in the 17th century. I am fascinated by history and tradition, so simply being there left me a bit awestruck. There was a choir full of males ranging from age 8 to mid-20's. The young boys sang just so beautifully! We are going to walk around the city for a couple more hours and then attend mass at St. Mary's church near Derek's house. One thing I am really appreciating is the universality of the Catholic church. No matter where I go I seem to find a church in which I come together with other believers, just the same as I always have back home. This is great!
(St Mary's Church) 
(St. Patrick's Cathedral)5:00pm...
Here I am, kneeling in front of the altar at St. Mary's Church, and I feel like I am home. I believe that we are here to find and fulfill God's will for us in our lives, and that way may be unique for each individual. With God in our hearts, we are always at peace. The celebration of the mass is something I greatly missed. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I walked through the doors of the church and smelled the faint fragrance of incense. I feel like me. I feel like this is where I belong. Everything I have known my whole life is coming back to me and it brings tears to my eyes. I know we all struggle at times wondering how we should fulfill God's will. I feel so blessed to know so many people with various Christian denominations that are living their lives to serve God. My family and closest friends have served as beautiful role models of living Christian lives. I hope that in some way I have been a role model for them as well, as I strive to live my life in a manner pleasing to God. His love is so much stronger than I could ever really imagine. I know that I have struggled in determining the exact path I should follow, or denomination to claim, but I have never lost my faith in what is most important to all of us - which is serving God.
11:30pm...
We came home after a very satisfying first day, ready to go to sleep....but that is not what we did. We opened the door to our temporary home to find Derek standing in red pants, red shoes, a red hula shirt, and a huge white fuzzy hat that resembled an old Tina Turner wig. He found a movie for us to watch that was a foreign animated film...two hours long! Oh dear...what a way to end the day!
Feels Like Home
June 20th...
11:45am...
I was without internet during my time in Ireland, but I kept a regular journal so that everyone could share the experience with me. What I am about to write is a summary of my personal, overall experience and growth process on the day I left Ireland. Following this summary, I am writing about my thoughts and feelings for each day...
When I considered writing in my blog about my trip to Ireland, I was going to approach it in the same manner I always do, detailing the ins and outs of each day's adventure one by one. I happen to like detail, so I will likely cover that as well. However, what I feel as though I experienced on this journey is far greater than any single event. This week has been one of the most intense, yet refreshing and exhilarating experiences I've ever had. It goes far beyond visiting old historical sites and castles, even beyond walking barefoot throughout the countryside. The most captivating aspect of this trip was a kind of rediscovery about myself - where I came from, my culture, and how I was raised - the roots of my unique identity. I am not just talking about the fact that I am Irish. I have fair skin, red hair, and green eyes, which makes it easy to remember. Beyond that, I rediscovered how much I love my roots as an Irish Catholic. I remembered how I once identified myself. There was a Catholic Church near the place where I stayed in Dublin, called St. Mary's. The day after we arrived, Tracey and I attended mass. When I walked into that church, the first one I had visited in a long time, I had but one thought - It felt like coming home. All throughout mass I felt such peace with myself. It felt like everything was coming together like a puzzle designed just for me; as though my whole summer was centered around my being here, at this moment, in this church. I thought about how I wanted to receive communion, but knew that I had so much on my heart I wanted to share beforehand...so I just sat through mass and enjoyed the moment.
Afterwards I thought I would ask the priest if there was any time he would be available to talk with me this week, and to my surprise, he said he would talk with me about it right then. So we sat together and I told him all about how I have thought and felt over the past several months. I told him about how I left the Church because I wanted to pursue a closer, personal relationship with God that I felt I couldn't do in the Catholic Church. To my surprise again, he told me that he was glad for me that I did, because it indicated how strong my desire is to know God and serve His will. I don't necessarily think that a person's denomination is the indicator of how strong their love is for God, and it is certainly not in my capacity to judge anyone but myself. I know that I have become a much stronger Christian in the past few months, and I am so thankful to have such amazing role models in my life.
I believe that all of those moments led me here, on this day, the feast of Corpus Christi. Upon hearing my confession, the priest went to the altar and brought me communion. My eyes filled with tears in awe of how truly amazing God's love really is. I feel so blessed to know that no matter where life leads me, He will always be with me. He will always be my strength and my purpose. I feel at home in the Catholic Church. It is where my heart is. It's like having an old friend; the one in which it seems as though no matter how much time may pass without seeing each other, when you finally do see each other again, it's as though no time has passed at all.
Sometimes it takes losing something to realize how much it means to you. In a similar way, I think about how this relates to my decision to become a teacher. I had always known since I was seven years old that I wanted to be a teacher. That became part of my identity and I never considered contemplating anything else. Then, two years into college - out of the blue, I realize that I have so many other options before me. I became convinced that I didn't want to be a teacher, and I researched everything else out there to find what I really wanted to do, and I chose accounting. I was all fired up about it too, and I know I could have done a good job. But was my heart in it? I remember a defining moment when my brother, Brian asked me one day, "Allie, are you okay with not identifying yourself with teaching?" That hit me. I wasn't. After one day of attending accounting classes, I walked over to the Department of Education and told them I wanted to come back. Ever since then I know that I am meant to work in a school. It took leaving to realize that and gain that strength.
That's where I feel I am now. I left the Catholic Church in pursuit of knowing God and following His will for me. It took leaving to realize just how much I am a part of the Church, and how much the Church is a part of me. It's how I have come to know God my whole life. I think that is his main purpose for all of us - to know Him and serve Him; to believe and have faith. I have spent my whole life raised on that ambition and I am so grateful for that. We all have our own unique identities in Him and we have to follow our own hearts to seek His will for us...and this is me following my heart.
11:45am...
I was without internet during my time in Ireland, but I kept a regular journal so that everyone could share the experience with me. What I am about to write is a summary of my personal, overall experience and growth process on the day I left Ireland. Following this summary, I am writing about my thoughts and feelings for each day...
When I considered writing in my blog about my trip to Ireland, I was going to approach it in the same manner I always do, detailing the ins and outs of each day's adventure one by one. I happen to like detail, so I will likely cover that as well. However, what I feel as though I experienced on this journey is far greater than any single event. This week has been one of the most intense, yet refreshing and exhilarating experiences I've ever had. It goes far beyond visiting old historical sites and castles, even beyond walking barefoot throughout the countryside. The most captivating aspect of this trip was a kind of rediscovery about myself - where I came from, my culture, and how I was raised - the roots of my unique identity. I am not just talking about the fact that I am Irish. I have fair skin, red hair, and green eyes, which makes it easy to remember. Beyond that, I rediscovered how much I love my roots as an Irish Catholic. I remembered how I once identified myself. There was a Catholic Church near the place where I stayed in Dublin, called St. Mary's. The day after we arrived, Tracey and I attended mass. When I walked into that church, the first one I had visited in a long time, I had but one thought - It felt like coming home. All throughout mass I felt such peace with myself. It felt like everything was coming together like a puzzle designed just for me; as though my whole summer was centered around my being here, at this moment, in this church. I thought about how I wanted to receive communion, but knew that I had so much on my heart I wanted to share beforehand...so I just sat through mass and enjoyed the moment.
Afterwards I thought I would ask the priest if there was any time he would be available to talk with me this week, and to my surprise, he said he would talk with me about it right then. So we sat together and I told him all about how I have thought and felt over the past several months. I told him about how I left the Church because I wanted to pursue a closer, personal relationship with God that I felt I couldn't do in the Catholic Church. To my surprise again, he told me that he was glad for me that I did, because it indicated how strong my desire is to know God and serve His will. I don't necessarily think that a person's denomination is the indicator of how strong their love is for God, and it is certainly not in my capacity to judge anyone but myself. I know that I have become a much stronger Christian in the past few months, and I am so thankful to have such amazing role models in my life.
I believe that all of those moments led me here, on this day, the feast of Corpus Christi. Upon hearing my confession, the priest went to the altar and brought me communion. My eyes filled with tears in awe of how truly amazing God's love really is. I feel so blessed to know that no matter where life leads me, He will always be with me. He will always be my strength and my purpose. I feel at home in the Catholic Church. It is where my heart is. It's like having an old friend; the one in which it seems as though no matter how much time may pass without seeing each other, when you finally do see each other again, it's as though no time has passed at all.
Sometimes it takes losing something to realize how much it means to you. In a similar way, I think about how this relates to my decision to become a teacher. I had always known since I was seven years old that I wanted to be a teacher. That became part of my identity and I never considered contemplating anything else. Then, two years into college - out of the blue, I realize that I have so many other options before me. I became convinced that I didn't want to be a teacher, and I researched everything else out there to find what I really wanted to do, and I chose accounting. I was all fired up about it too, and I know I could have done a good job. But was my heart in it? I remember a defining moment when my brother, Brian asked me one day, "Allie, are you okay with not identifying yourself with teaching?" That hit me. I wasn't. After one day of attending accounting classes, I walked over to the Department of Education and told them I wanted to come back. Ever since then I know that I am meant to work in a school. It took leaving to realize that and gain that strength.
That's where I feel I am now. I left the Catholic Church in pursuit of knowing God and following His will for me. It took leaving to realize just how much I am a part of the Church, and how much the Church is a part of me. It's how I have come to know God my whole life. I think that is his main purpose for all of us - to know Him and serve Him; to believe and have faith. I have spent my whole life raised on that ambition and I am so grateful for that. We all have our own unique identities in Him and we have to follow our own hearts to seek His will for us...and this is me following my heart.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
June 13th...
2:45pm...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! I wanted to let you know I am thinking about you, thousands of feet in the air and on the way to where our ancestors originated from. I'll be sure to drink a pint of "the black stuff" for you!
This is surreal. I am currently flying in a big, green plane with a shamrock on the side, and it is taking me to a place that I have dreamed of seeing since I was a little girl. It's a place that I never thought I'd actually get to see with my own eyes. In two hours, I will be in Dublin, Ireland. This can't really be happening. I would ask the man sitting next to me to pinch my arm so that I wake up, but I don't anticipate that going too well. So to save myself from another strange look (you think I'd be used to them after being in Finland a month), I'll just continue dreaming.
When I made my plans for the summer, this trip was not included even in my wildest dreams. I have about 11 days between my study abroad in Jyvaskyla and Seoul, and I would have been perfectly content staying in Finland during that time. A few weeks ago I had heard some of my friends here talking about how cheap it would be to fly to London from Finland using a discount airline that flies only to and from selective locations. I thought I'd give it a looksie and discovered that it was in fact as cheap as they described. I began to deliberate this idea and talk with others about it. In doing so, I convinced a girl from Canada named Tracey that we should really take advantage of this opportunity together. After all, to fly to the UK from North America is way beyond my financial means. Over a week of going over and over the costs (the Jack Lemmon side of me was coming out again), we decided that we were going to do it! England here we come! We sat down at computers right next to each other, chose our flight, and just as we were getting ready to press "confirm", I told her I wanted to check one thing first. I looked at another site and found that we could fly to Dublin for the same price. I kind of looked at her from the corner of my eye and made this suggestion, hoping she'd feel the same way. She just looked at me with wide eyes and we said, "Let's do it. We're going to Ireland!".
Ever since that moment I have talked endlessly to these people here about how excited I am. My family ancestry is very important to me; an interest that was inspired by my dad. So much research has been done to learn about the Keegan's that originally landed at Ellis Island many years ago, and the fact that I am only moments away from the land they originated from is overwhelming. Ireland is where my roots began and the Irish traditions are what I was raised upon, which is why this trip and this moment holds so much meaning. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now and I'm truly grateful for all the people back home who have supported me and continue to support me while I take part in this journey. Even though I don't have you here to share this with, knowing you are all back home and you care is what heightens all of these moments.
3:20pm...
I am completely exhausted, but I can't sleep! I stayed awake with my summer school friends until 3am, and then took a "taksi" at 5am. I am running on pure adrenaline and excitement! Can't this plane go any faster?! I think I'm going to make a request to the pilot...
1:46 (Dublin time)
A thought just occurred to me...I'm going to experience darkness tonight! Woohoo!
2:45pm...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! I wanted to let you know I am thinking about you, thousands of feet in the air and on the way to where our ancestors originated from. I'll be sure to drink a pint of "the black stuff" for you!
This is surreal. I am currently flying in a big, green plane with a shamrock on the side, and it is taking me to a place that I have dreamed of seeing since I was a little girl. It's a place that I never thought I'd actually get to see with my own eyes. In two hours, I will be in Dublin, Ireland. This can't really be happening. I would ask the man sitting next to me to pinch my arm so that I wake up, but I don't anticipate that going too well. So to save myself from another strange look (you think I'd be used to them after being in Finland a month), I'll just continue dreaming.
When I made my plans for the summer, this trip was not included even in my wildest dreams. I have about 11 days between my study abroad in Jyvaskyla and Seoul, and I would have been perfectly content staying in Finland during that time. A few weeks ago I had heard some of my friends here talking about how cheap it would be to fly to London from Finland using a discount airline that flies only to and from selective locations. I thought I'd give it a looksie and discovered that it was in fact as cheap as they described. I began to deliberate this idea and talk with others about it. In doing so, I convinced a girl from Canada named Tracey that we should really take advantage of this opportunity together. After all, to fly to the UK from North America is way beyond my financial means. Over a week of going over and over the costs (the Jack Lemmon side of me was coming out again), we decided that we were going to do it! England here we come! We sat down at computers right next to each other, chose our flight, and just as we were getting ready to press "confirm", I told her I wanted to check one thing first. I looked at another site and found that we could fly to Dublin for the same price. I kind of looked at her from the corner of my eye and made this suggestion, hoping she'd feel the same way. She just looked at me with wide eyes and we said, "Let's do it. We're going to Ireland!".
Ever since that moment I have talked endlessly to these people here about how excited I am. My family ancestry is very important to me; an interest that was inspired by my dad. So much research has been done to learn about the Keegan's that originally landed at Ellis Island many years ago, and the fact that I am only moments away from the land they originated from is overwhelming. Ireland is where my roots began and the Irish traditions are what I was raised upon, which is why this trip and this moment holds so much meaning. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now and I'm truly grateful for all the people back home who have supported me and continue to support me while I take part in this journey. Even though I don't have you here to share this with, knowing you are all back home and you care is what heightens all of these moments.
3:20pm...
I am completely exhausted, but I can't sleep! I stayed awake with my summer school friends until 3am, and then took a "taksi" at 5am. I am running on pure adrenaline and excitement! Can't this plane go any faster?! I think I'm going to make a request to the pilot...
1:46 (Dublin time)
A thought just occurred to me...I'm going to experience darkness tonight! Woohoo!
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