#dublin2.0

Well first of all, how is it December? It’s now been 7 weeks since I got here as of yesterday. Time really flies. I really haven’t been the best at keeping up with this (shout out to the fact that I still don’t have Internet in my apartment - soon though, very soon!), but I’ll try to do my best to catch up with what’s been going on since I last wrote. First things first ~ I’ve been working at Ulster Bank (one of the 4 big banks here) for a few weeks now. I found the role through a recruitment agency and at first wasn’t sure how long it would last, but I’ve been temping full time now for the past two weeks. I am working in the reception department, mainly working the switchboard and keeping track of call logs, so although it’s nothing too exciting, it’s been nice to have a steady routine going on and making some money. It’s also been nice to explore some of the city during lunch breaks, especially now with all of the Christmas lights and décor all around the city. Last week was definitely a tough one with it being Thanksgiving and being so far away from home, family, and friends. Maddy, Kieran, Michael, Nichole and I decided to do a Friendsgiving here over the weekend…the American girls had to show the Irish guys a proper Thanksgiving of course. So that was really nice. We substituted the turkey for chicken but it was a delicious and enjoyable meal nonetheless. Also, a couple weeks back, Kieran and I went to see Thomas Rhett here in Dublin. It was very last minute but I was scrolling on Facebook a few days before the concert and saw he was playing and decided it was a must. Tickets were cheap enough and we both had a blast. I wasn’t sure how Kieran would like the country concert scene (although it was literally nothing like it would be in the states), but I’m glad he enjoyed it overall :)

Oh and I guess the most obvious thing I forgot to mention was I finally have my laptop and phone now (shout out to my amazing father for shipping them over)! Of course as soon as it arrived into Ireland it got stuck at customs for a few days due to import taxes (classic) but besides all the hassle, I am finally able to be more connected to my fellow Americans on the other side of the Atlantic...without having to use Kieran or Maddy’s phone. Baby steps.

Now that I have my phone back, I’ll have to post some pictures of the new crib... I’ll do that as soon as possible!!

I had a goodbye dinner recently with my aunt and uncle and they gave me a card with this Gaelic saying on it. It means “(s)he who travels has stories to tell.”

Tonight, I’ll be embarking on my 2nd trip abroad - this time for a year - to Dublin, Ireland. And, this time, I’ll be working instead of “studying.” I’m going through a program called BUNAC, so I’ll have some help with getting settled once I touch down in the Emerald Isle.

Although I still need to sort out and finalize my accommodation and job, I couldn’t be more excited for this journey. Plus, if I learned anything when I was there before, it was that it will all be grand :)

I had thought about working abroad at some point after graduation, but I didn’t really think it would become a reality…or that it would be for a whole year. But then, one day, I decided…if not now, when?

My friend Maddy who I met in my study abroad program is also doing the 12-month work visa so she’ll be my partner in crime and roommate over there. We can’t wait to take on the amazing city we fell in love with together once again!