Tumbling Through Ireland

I got dressed and ready and went to the bus. Then, when I stepped out of the elevator I had to turn around to return to my room for all the groceries I promised to bring to coworkers as well as a gift for my supervisor. Then I actually went to the bus, got my very last lunch at Mannings, said goodbye to my sandwich friends and got to work. I knew it would be a sad day but I didn't expect all the kids to beg for me to come back or to bring them home with me to America. They're too sweet. 

Last day of spray painting and the holiday themed table was done before I knew it. My coworker and Swiss friend decided we should do one last spray of 2013... we all did a spray over our hands (with gloves this time lol) and I got to do a second for symmetry. It was really nice seeing our hands on that table before turning out the light and closing this chapter in my story. Gosh that room was where I felt most useful and proud and happy at the clubhouse. Im going to miss it dearly. 

Then I went upstairs and talked to the young people, went downstairs and talked to staff, went upstairs and helped the French boy with his English and before I knew it I had to go. Final goodbyes were so hard and really sad. And my supervisor whom I adore wasnt there...luckily another staff member told me where to find her down the street and I was able to give her the gift. I got her a glass from poland to drink her green tea from. But before I even gave her the gift she bough me a drink in honor of my last night (we were at a pub). I was very grateful for the vodka 7up. I was extremely upset when she had to go.

I walked with my Swiss and French friends and we got dinner at an middle eastern place and after searching we ended up at one of my favorite pubs. It's a real quiet place with a sweet bartender who will make me really cheap but really nice drinks. And I got to learn more about my friends and enjoy our final hours. Now saying goodbye to those 2...that was painful. I love them. I actually love them. 

I got to work with my lunch a little late (aka 3 minutes and like the time I’m supposed to be there rather than 20 minutes early). We were just yapping and eating when my boss comes in with this big beautiful cake with loads of frosting and strawberries. I was shocked. I knew they did this for the last intern but I didn’t expect anything on the penultimate day of my internship. I was really happy but also really sad. It felt so real. They prompted me to give a speech so I made a little thank you off the top of my head. People seem genuinely sad to see me go and I’m super upset to be leaving.

Then I got my card from them and got to work. I went back to opening the tiny frames and gingerly placing the tiny certificates of 64 young people in 64 frames. I worked with one of the guys I’m always around but don’t always talk to. I don’t know if it’s because I’m leaving but he literally opened up to me and told me all about the love of his life and how hard losing her was and how he’s willing to cross an ocean to someday win her back. This whole thing came out I nowhere and I felt so honored that he shared this story with me. We eventually finished and headed upstairs. I watched my French coworker use premiere and added my commentary about the short ad the guys had made about bread. It was fun going into he music room and seeing what recording equipment can do. I really enjoyed it. The day really went quite fast and I had to run to get dinner with my friend.

We met up in the gift shop and walked to an Italian restaurant I’ve seen before and desperately wanted to try. Walked by the French boy on the way and he mussed my hair then kept walking. He makes me laugh. But umm yeah we got to the restaurant and I had a glass of wine and some really delicious ravioli with chicken and then a banoffi dessert. Greatest Italian food in Dublin by far. And there was a live singer who sounded like a cd. I talked and vented and reminisced and gossiped with my friend for ages. We miss our weekend in Spain. Best nightlife of forever. It was really nice being able to talk to her for hours and just enjoy a good dinner.

Had to go home because I had not packed at all and I had a full research paper to write. So I started with packing because my roommate was completely done. It took ages and I almost had a mental breakdown but I resigned myself to making my checked bag overweight so I’m not wearing 4 coats and multiple dresses onto the plane just to save money. I like beating the system but honestly it’s not worth all the hassle. Once I had a quick really patchy Skype with my boyfriend and my mothers permission to pay the fee I made my bag overweight.

Then I stressed, talked to my boyfriend, sought distractions from friends, whined and din sly began my essay. Now at this point my tongue was in severe pain and my mom told me to go to bed and see a doctor in the morning. I resigned myself to having 500/2000 words and 6 hours of sleep.

But I woke up the morning and was super pokey. I was like distributing conditioner (because I stupidly commented on a fb pot how I had a ton left and people flocked to my room) and writing some of the last papers. I lost track of time and ended up running to my bus. No actually I saw it and sprinted. I think some boys laughed at me but forget them I made the bus and felt like a champ.

I got to work and we all talked and ate lunch before starting. Today I decided to do Eco Art…regrets. Haha. Well there were like 10 overly hyper little girls, a tiny kitchen, ingredients to make fudge and spray paint. Should’ve known this would be a disaster from the start. Between the kids being completely unruly and doing whatever they wanted without being patient and listening, to being hit with a strawberry on my white shirt, to watching them pour half a cup of oil into the fugue when the recipe said lightly grease the pan with oil, to trying to get them to spray paint only one at a time and finally getting a direct hit of bright yellow spray paint all over my ring thy my boyfriend gave me on our anniversary…it was chaos.

I was like completely freaking out over the ring and I think I out about an hour of freaking out, washing with soap, googling for ways to get spray paint off silver, asking coworkers, putting the ring in oil and being generally upset it was very unpleasant. I tried to remain as professional as possible in front of the kids and I felt bad that I literally dashed to the sink while they spray painted (but I let my coworker take over so it’s not like they were alone). He was an angel for stepping in and helping without being asked by the way.

After that I went upstairs and helped with the certificates again. My boss finished like 4 times as many as I had and is like perfect so I was super jealous. I helped open the frames and put the certificates someone else was cutting into the frames for the showcase. It took ages but was a therapeutic busy work. I enjoyed it.

Then the day was gone in a flash and I headed to Milk and Cookies storytelling night. My one coworker was a sweetheart and dropped me off right there which was super helpful. After getting a little lost I found it and sat with my friends. Love the cookies and the stories. My friend even told one about decapitating snakes in Texas.

We headed home after and talked and I went to my room. Gave out more conditioner and was given bail polish remover to try and get the paint off. I mean now if you look at it in normal light it’s perfectly done. But when you shine a bright iPhone light on it you’re like…oh hey there yellow spray paint. Oh well. Better than nothing I guess. Maybe I’ll take it to an actual jeweler instead of soaking it in weird things like vinegar.

But I spent the rest of the night talking to like 6 people online and catching up with my boyfriend. Meanwhile I wrote the finishing touches on 2 of my assignments. So now I’m done with the 3 minor papers and have only ONE PAPER LEFT until I’m free of work this semester!!! Woo.

My boyfriend fell asleep first for once (meaning I was up obscenely late) and he was super sweet. I can tell he’s really happy about the 4 days left thing too. Can’t believe it. Once my bag is packed (and not overweight) and my research paper is printed and submitted I will be overjoyed. I have made so many plans this week and I don’t know how I can do them all. Meanwhile my tongue hurts and I’m nervous I have an infection from the antibiotics like my friend did. Must remain healthy. So close!!!

I was happy to get my breakfast on the bus and it was a fairly quick trip to work. We all lounged about before going to dublin 15 to see another clubhouse. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful or rude but the presentation literally almost put me to sleep. I was not thrilled. But it did seem like a nice place and it was cool seeing their different ideas and programs.

We got back on our bus and we freed for lunch. Got my usual as well as 2 Santa cupcakes for my Irish family. I only got 2 because I thought there were 2 people…mistakes. But we had lunch and our meeting. But really all people wanted was secret Santa. So we patiently waited until gift time. My boss seemed amused and happy at the massive drinking goblet and candy I bought him from Poland. He knew it was me beacause…Poland. And I got this really cute little box of French Connection products like a spray and exfoliants and they all smelled really nice. They were from my coworker whom I adore and spray paint with. I was really happy about it. My only concern is getting it all home haha.

But the day continued on and I chatted with little girls about Amelia Earhart, spray painted the universe (I made a star) and helped lead young boys one on one, and spent well over an hour making certificates on photoshop for the showcase. Time flew so fast that before I knew it I was getting a call from my Irish family to be picked up. I was super nervous but the second I saw her my fears dissolved. She had glasses just like mine and was so friendly.

She brought me home and I met her 16 and 14 year old daughters. The dancer and the singer. And the massive husky and lab who greeted me and coated me in hair haha. But we all went to dinner and talked for hours over great food. I felt really at home. The mother kept saying I was like an older version of her girls. I felt so welcomed. We all were bursting at the seams after dinner and desert (meanwhile felt so bad with only 2 cupcakes for a family of 4).

We went back home and talked and took pictures and before I knew it I had to go. I wish I could describe how wonderful and sweet and funny and welcoming this little family was. I loved them. Technically we’re related by marriage but they really felt like my family. I love them. I wish it wasn’t the week I was going home that I finally got to meet them. I would’ve liked more time.

I was home and lounging far too soon (really fast 4 hours) and talking to my roommate and boyfriend. I really miss him. I was too exhausted to do much if anything once I got home. I uploaded photos from London but that was really it. I was happy to catch up on my boyfriend’s story and chat with him a little. But we haven’t properly had a long conversation since last week. I wish I wasn’t swamped this week but let’s be honest…last week. Multiple essays. Final chance to see people in this country. Going away events. Packing. I am going I be run ragged until I’m on that plane Saturday morning.

I bought tomato basil soup and say down at a full table of coworkers. I vented about my presentation and one of the women told me to deck her haha. Gotta love some friendly advice.

Then I got to work and took over my boss’s spot for photography since she was out filming. I tried to motivate the little girl who was having concentration issues as well as claiming she was bored. I knew almost immediately the kids would be a handful today. It was only 3 and they were wilding. But I helped motivate the girl and she edited her photos with the help of another intern as well. I was called away to run an errand though. I had to buy coke and chips (potato crisps) as a reward for the boys who were willing to help in the project downstairs painting the wall. So I went to the dollar store and got a massive amount of soda and junk food for €4.

I returned upstairs and some girls walked in at the last 6 minutes of the program so I helped them work on a project from yesterday instead for a little while. I worked with an impossibly quiet girl and tired to make her feel welcome. The three little girls were so cute working together.

Then the projects switched and it was time for coding. The group of 3 insanely talented boys strolled in and I observed as they worked on coding an app and added my artistic feedback. We had lots of fun talking about all sorts of things (like my major and questions thy had about preposterous situations).

It was soon time to go and I ran into one of the boys on the bus. Thank goodness I did because he was not supposed to be on the 13. He got on the wrong bus oops.

But in city center he got out (after telling me about his hopes and dreams of MIT and Google) and I got off the bus on a whim. I decided to got to Carols gifts and buy presents for the last members of my family who were on my mind. It took a long time and bugging a bunch of people who work there for help but I accomplished my goal.

I went home to make dinner and it was a shit show. Our kitchen was immaculate last week and is now teeming with disgusting flies that move so slowly you can hit them like baseballs. Bleh. Thinking about them makes my skin crawl. So I went to make pasta… Got freaked out by a fly, spilled water trying to put it in the kettle, and most notably…when I wet to put salt into the nearly boiling water the massive container of it exploded when the lid popped off and about a cup of salt poured into the pot… My roommate and I couldn’t help but dissolve into laughter because STRUGGLE BUS at its finest. It was hilarious. Eventually I recovered and managed to make myself a halfway decent dinner.

We then watched gossip girl episodes that had me screaming with nervousness. No one tries I kill off my favorite character and gets away with it! Yeah it was an emotional few hours. Then I got to Skype my mommy which was really lovely and I set to work on one of my numerous papers. Meanwhile I was talking to my boyfriend and pondering more study abroad. We talked for a while and I simultaneously got the majority of the paper done (only a Q and A type thing). I appreciate that he’s honest with me about he feels and that’s he really misses me right now. I miss him too and seeing him again seems so close.

When we got the key deposit back we spent a little time on wifi looking up places to go today. I demanded food because the lovely pack of pretzels from my boyfriend's care package could not sustain my hunger. We went to a little cafe and I got this hugeee baguette with ham and cheese. I was pleasantly full afterwards. Meanwhile a swarm of pigeons descended upon the food scraps on the table next to us. That was our cue to leave...and apparently go to my friend's favorite cookie shop. I was unable to get cookies because the smell made me feel ill. But they got a bunch and promised to break me off scraps later.

We then took the Tube to try and find the store that the Queen buys her tea from...turns out Google Maps once again was a complete failure. Luckily a woman from Vermont knew exactly which bus we needed and told us how to get there. Really strang but extremely helpful. I was happy to see all of the different tea selections in the place and I ended up buying apple flavored black tea. Too many people to stay there for much longer so we decided to get back onto the Tube and go to Westminster. 

At this point my camp friend who lives in London said she was finally free to meet up! So I told her we'd wait by the Abbey for her. While we waited we were full on tourists who unabashedly took phonebooth pictures and statue photos and scenery photos. It was great fun and then out of nowhere I was being hugged by my camp friend. I have missed her. I know I only last saw her a month ago but I have no clue if or when we'll meet again after this.

We walked to the Christmas markets and she talked with my 2 friends a bit. I was able to get Bratwurst and hot chocolate with Baileys so I was very happy. Then we decided to walk to Tower Bridge...15 minutes she said. Well if you add an hour to then that's about right. It was a very very painful walk with our heavy bags and weary feet. Oh well. We eventually made it to see London and Tower bridge at the sunset. It was actually really gorgeous. I guess things happen for a reason.

Then we took the Tube to Covent Garden, got dinner (paella and mashed potatoes for me because that's a totally normal meal...), and I ended up buying something. Gah I didn't want to spend more money. I actively had to go to an ATM to take out money to make this purchase. But I think it will be appreciated by the recipient. 

We had to go after that to catch our flight. The Tube was abysmally crowded and saying goodbye to my camp friend was really upsetting. But we got to the airport in good time and I was able to talk to my boyfriend on the wifi for a bit. Then, we got onto the plane and I made friends with a mother who took care of me and didn't want me to hurt my neck sleeping like a weirdo as the plane landed. She was really sweet. 

My friend was hell bent on going to the pub nearby. Now I’ve become quite skilled at gauging time in Europe and I knew the second I ordered that I was not going to have enough time. And of course when the food rolled out while I stood to leave (about 40 minutes after id ordered it) I had to literally scar that delicious chicken and mushroom pie like there was no tomorrow. Ugh it was so so good and I wish I didn’t have to swallow it like a snake but I had a show to see. Matinees are tricky and I wanted to be settled in my seat and not hopping over people before lights went down. And I made it.

I got to get to chat with this cute little old lady with the most proper English accent I’ve ever heard. She told me stories and I told her stories and we bonded over theatre love. Both before the play and at intermission she was like my best friend in the world. Was sad to say goodbye after the show.

So…the show…Billy Elliot. This is my 3rd time seeing it but I think I’ve grown enough to appreciate more than I ever could’ve at 15. Well… Where to even begin? I cried. Multiple times. I cited even at parts I didn’t think I should’ve cried at. But it was perfect. I love seeing the different interpretations of characters even if the blocking and set is the same. And omg I always forget how incredible watching people do ballet is. It took my breath away. But the people really brought it to life and I was just so happy watching it. I also heard harmonies I’m not familiar with that I’m now obsessed with. I just really loved it. One of my favorite experiences in Europe all semester.

I bought a tshirt and waited for my friends. I thought my phone wasn’t working but upon asking for help from a sweet theatre worker I got a response. They told me to wait at home. So wait I did. You know waiting for hours for people is cool I guess…not. But I’ve got wifi and the incredible post-show happiness so I’m doing grand.

They rolled in after an hour of me chilling on the couch and we went to grab some dinner. Our friend took us to this really cute Italian restaurant her internship took her out to celebrate at last year. I got some before chunk handmade pasta and garlic bread that was out of this world. Good Italian food makes me the happiest.

We then returned to winter wonderland. It was annoying being herded into one entrance with hundreds of people. But we got a great view of the Ferris wheel. We walked for a bit. OMG…baileys hot chocolate is heaven!!!! Meanwhile the person next to is tried to get a hot drink and ended up getting caught with counterfeit money. We were enraptured by this scene. But we continued on. Then I went to the stands and caved and bought my boyfriend an anniversary present. I just couldn’t pass it up. Then we walked home and admired the pretty lights.

We went home before going out and I took a little half nap. Their friend showed up and they got ready. I pulled myself out of bed and we walked…and walked and walked and walked (the reason for all this walking was that we missed the last train). So the club we tried to go to was around where we live…which happens to be the most affluent area in London. Couldn’t get into the club she wanted so we went across the street…OMG. Now I’ve been around a lot of wealthy people in my life but I never expected to see people in rich looking and expensive dresses at a bar. Literally it was like going to the country club with people in high school…but a bar! I was wearing a nice dress from the theatre earlier but I still felt out of place and underdressed. It was crazy. We ordered drinks and mine came on this really pretty girly martini glass. We went to the club downstairs. I was just gingerly sipping the glass and not really dancing when the girl who brought us there accidentally hit me and spilled the entire gin-filled drink all over my hair, dress, bra and winter coat. I might as well have been wearing a gin perfume. I quickly scurried/stomped away to the bar to get all the napkins I could find. I was frustrated. But the girl came over within 10 minutes and handed me the money I paid for that drink with to buy a replacement as an apology. I appreciated that unlike the last time I was covered in a drink that the person was polite enough to offer a new one. I was a bit frustrated because it was literally 80% of my drink so I used the money and some of my own to buy a really yummy looking raspberry cocktail. Real raspberries in it made it unmatchably delicious.

This is where the night got even more interesting…a group of men in tuxedos were standing nearby. One of them strikes up a conversation with me at the bar because he thought I was putting things in my purse. I explained that I was using the napkins to soak up gin from my coat. This lead to a long conversation about him growing up in canada briefly, returning to London, becoming a pilot as a teenager, studying eat European history, knowing the elite of London, being a member of a Gentlemans club (the rich people in tuxedos kind…not the call girl kind haha). He told me about the type of suits English gentlemen wear at different times of the day. And introduced me to all of his wealthy friends. He even got me a drink and walked me and all my friends home at the end of the night. A proper gentleman. It was like a fairy tale or odd storybook kinda thing. I found it to be an enlightening and novel experience.

I got up and looked over all my material. I was stressed out because is everything too vague and I know he has an unattainable high standard for work. But I walked to my final anyway. I asked him questions before it started and at first he was like NO… But for some reason he’s find of me so he was like fineeeee what’s your question.

Took nearly the full time and used all 9 pages to write out 3 3page essays. I felt like what I had to say was valid but I don’t think he will find it to be earth shatteringly inspirational. Oh well.

Then I got myself a hot chicken baguette as a reward, chilled in my room, caught a cab to the airport, got a strawberry milkshake and hopped a plane to London.

We landed and for the first time since Italy I felt a sense of confidence and familiarity. I wasn’t scared like I usually am in the first night. I know this area. I’m happy when I’m here. And it was all okay.

We got these really awesome crepes for dinner (and as a person who has come to loathe crepes that’s saying a lot). The only negative aspect of that meal was that the 3 of us shared this crepe with Belgian chocolate, pears and pecans. Sounds lovely. Tasted immaculate. But one of my friends had an active cold sore and we didn’t even remember until after. So I’m praying will all of my might that I won’t get oral herpes for the rest of my life over a dessert crepe. (I know I sound like a paranoid hypochondriac but I extensively google researched, talked to my loved ones about it and cried a little). I just keep telling myself it’ll be okay.

We took the tube, checked in, climbed a zillion stairs to the room, went to the bank and then we went to Winter Wonderland. It was BEAUTIFUL. It was so perfect and festive and everything you could ever want to see. They had shops and German food and rides and everything. I was so upset that we only had an hour because I could’ve spent ages just walking around smiling like a fool. It was gorgeous. But the time came and literally the clock stuck 10 and all the vendors aggressively closed their stalls for the day. I’ve never seen such an efficient process and mildly alarming mass exodus.

We walked home and got to get gifts along the way. After we went to go to the clubs that my friend wanted to but we literally couldn’t find them. So we went into a random sports bar for what we thought would be 20 minutes…2 hours later give or take we walked out having made friends with the French bartender. My one friend was in love hahah.

Getting to a bus that would take us home was suchhhhh a struggle. We couldn’t figure out which bus went near where we lived. Or which direction they were going. So like half an hour later we found out where to go but had to wait. And of course there was an overly friendly drunk who wanted to talk to us and everyone who’d acknowledge him. And he was on our bus. He wasn’t too bad though and the trip was fairly quick.

For some obscene reason I wanted to look cute today so I wore one of my favorite skirts…Thursday is spray painting. Sooooo of course by the end of that I had some neon orange and pink forever on my skirt. But I got to work one on one with a girl who has attention problems and I tried to do my best to entertain her. Meanwhile her cousin was working with my coworker on a table that looked like the universe. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. The tutorial really paid off.

That was pretty much the excitement of the day I wish I could say that the next program was equally entertaining but….literally did nothing for 2 hours. I mean I talked to the interns and wished he notre dame kids goodbye forever but…that was really all I did. I asked to leave like 20 minutes early because I felt useless and wanted to study for my final.

Took 2 busses and then I got a burger because the kitchen flies terrify me. This burger was yummy and enabled me to run into people baking cookies. They gave me one of the Nutella filled bites of heaven.

I actually studied. I was anxious as anything, frustrated I needed to share a book (until my roommate managed to get one of our classmates for me), taking fb breaks to talk to my boyfriend and read his story as a treat, and more studying.

But I got to work and talked with coworkers before gradin upstairs for Eco Art. The Notre Dame girl told me it was her last day so I decided to sit in on the project and maybe make a doll myself…that didn’t happen. I sewed the eyes an clothes on several dolls for the kids in the group and got to chat with everyone. This new group of girls joined and they love Pretty Little Liars and thought I was like the coolest ever for sharing that interest.

After cleaning up that project one of the girls begged me to make them hot chocolate since they’re not allowed to touch the kettle. I did. Little did I know I need a chair I reach the hot chocolate hidden in a cupboard above the fridge. They really hide that from the girls haha

Then I went upstairs and no one seemed to need my help and I had half an hour before I needed to leave for my film presentation anyway. So I worked on my script (which ended up being 2 double sided pages). Over the course of the day I kept myself updated with the group chat on Facebook where the girl who’d been drunk kept asking if she could make slides. My roommate and I said no. And I’m sorry if that seems mean but I didn’t trust her to not screw it up. Literally she broke my trust when she stood us up to go drinking and she wasn’t touching the immaculate PowerPoint my roommate spent hours grooming to perfection. So already the drunk girl was in a pissy mood.

I finished up with the notes and told my boss I had to go. Earlier I told her the whole dramatic situation with the group so she wished me luck and said at the end of the day defend yourself.

Took the bus back and had just enough time to stop at the bathroom and eat a cookie my roommate brought me before sitting down for class. Of course everyone was present except our other group member. She strolled in during the middle of someone else’s presentation in sweats… I’ve never seen someone look less professional for a group presentation. I wrote her a note during class saying that I pray she takes this seriously and she got angry. Literally I’m enraged at this point.

The other 2 groups went and even though their pitches lacked a bit if originality the people were engaging and I enjoyed hearing their ideas. When it was our turn my roommate nervously read from the slides and introduced everything, then I went and gave a rundown of the plot and even though I was nervous I tried to come off as engaging as possible (gave it everything I had to keep people interested because I really felt connected to the story I created), and last the girl spent her much shorter time talking about things that had already been said and ACTUALLY made UNDERHANDED JABS at my roommate and I for not letting her make slides. I think my roommate and I looked literally ghost pale when she ran her mouth. But by some miracle my professor either didn’t hear her or us used to her acting like a bitch in class every week so he didnt think it was abnormal.

He loved it. My professor actually loved it. Thank goodness. After class I went to talk to him because I was worried about my grade on this project and in the class. He told me I was a great presenter and that unofficially we did fantastic and he loved it. Tiny mention of a hint of tension in the group but I think he’s just ignoring that. He knows how much I care about doing well and he said some nice things. I feel relieved.

After I may have vented a bit and my roommate and I went to the campus bar for dinner and celebratory drinks. We did not invite the other girl. I really hope things aren’t awkward in London this weekend but right now I don’t care.

Then we went home and marathoned Gossip Girl and I talked to my boyfriend. He was very supportive. We also freaked out over only 11 days until our reunion. We were sappier than usual when we talked about being home together. I’m so excited I can’t handle it.

I decided to eat my 2 yogurt plus biscuit crumbles on the bus. OMG Irish yogurt is the tastiest thing ever. I’d be much more inclined to include this in my diet back home if it tasted as fresh and natural as this stuff.

When I got to work I went to the staff meeting and gave my coworkers this dark chocolate and peanuts pieces of chocolate as a gift from Poland. They all asked for something jokingly so I hope this pleased them.

During the meeting I tried to come up with the entire concept for my film pitch group project. Let me say right now I’m pissed off about this assignment. I have to work in a group of 3 and we are graded as a whole. And one person gives no craps about the class and I feel will screw us all over. Like yeah she’s my friend but I have no faith in her. Sorry not sorry. So, I spent time they were talking about something I didn’t understand or need to hear working on creating a loose plot for my story. But before long the meeting was over (a Christmas miracle it was only a little over an hour) and the interns had another meeting.

A man came to talk to u about the history of youth work…he was by far one of the most interesting and skilled “lecturers” I’ve listened to in college. He had so much life experience and he not only told us about the history…he was the history. There are so many things I learned about how the youth in Ireland were viewed and treated from WWI to the present. Some things i heard were terrifying and saddening but I now have something I can write about with a passion. I took pages on pages of notes and I actually kinda look forward to writing this research paper.

Then I went downstairs and was given chicken noodle soup a coworker made for the office. Perfect. Really really tasty too. Probably the best I’ve had.

Then we got started working and the French boy and I were sent on a mission to get computer wipes, screws and hand sanitizer. He joked around with me the entire time. He makes me laugh.

When we got back I hopped into the spray painting and got settled. I love that program the most I think. It’s really cool and I got to do my own spray work today. I did Australia and Russia on this atlas in crazy colors.

After making toast, I headed upstairs and was set to do tasks to spruce up the space, be an assistant, take photos off the wall and collage them. I ended up staying late by accident.

Took the bus home, made dinner and worked with my roommate on our film pitch. So here’s the distribution of work: I came up with the entire concept, my roommate made a really nice PowerPoint and actually edited images to make it look professional and our other friend got shitfaced drunk and screwed us over. I am really close to this girl and we are going to London this weekend but I want to throttle her. I also am trying so hard to not throw her under the bus to my professor because she doesn’t deserve any credit from work thy my roommate and I did alone. Presentations are tomorrow and if she messes us up I will not go down without a fight. Just so much rage.

Luckily I got to Skype with my boyfriend and he calmed me down. It always is soothing to just see him and hear his voice. And there was this one moment where I felt like he was really actually real and right there and it made me incredibly happy. One single moment where the 12 days until I see him felt actually real and attainable. 12 days… I really cannot even fathom that as my reality but it’s true. I smiled a lot during that hour or so. He makes me really happy when he’s in such good spirits.

I chilled until I really had to get up and ready because of the 8:55 pickup time for out tour. I dawdled and got dressed and repealed my bag so I could prepare all my fragile purchases for the plane in the evening…and I hear “the bus is here!!!” Well I thought it was coming nearly 15 minutes later so I darted to get to the bathroom and steal a fee minutes to get ready. I ended up running, tossing my bag into a locker, juggling a box of tissues, 2 yogurts, a spoon and my purse & got into the bus. My bus/van was not the same one all of my friends were directed to so I sat with a group of strangers.

I got to know the 5 girls from Indiana a little bit on the way to the Salt Mines tour. It was cool hearing about their study abroad in London and the gorgeous manor house they live in.

Eventually I was reunited with my friends. And we all headed down this winding staircase with 64 flights of stairs. That was only the beginning. We got to descend deeper and deeper into the earth as we walked through the salt mines. There were 4 salt chapels that we passed. One of them was this massive and gorgeous wide open room with salt chandeliers and salt statues. Thy actually still hold Mass there. And there was a really lifelike salt statue of Pope John Paul II. Apparently he visited the salt mines repeatedly and one of the miners made the sculpture in remembrance. There was also a portion of the tour where we were told we could lick the walls…I had to. It was really delicious salt and I thought it was cool they let you do that. And since I have heavy duty antibiotics in my system I was like “eh why not.” The whole tour was really cool. Also, I really loved the salt lakes. They were gorgeous and one had music playing and a lights show.

The gift shop in the mines was also very choice. I hope my family doesn’t tease me for buying salt. I feel no shame. That stuff rocks.

The last impression I had of the mines was terrifying…we took these sketchy and tiny and generally unsafe looking elevators up a really far distance. I think something like over 13 massive levels… Oh I was scared for my life in that thing. But we survived.

We got back to our bus/vans and I got in with my friends this time. I asked the driver if he could drop us off in the Jewish Quarter (mostly because I did not want to walk the fairly long distance from the hostel only to need to go back at the end of the day anyway). He actually agreed! Also, I feel like I started a movement because the other 2 couples traveling got out too.

We walked around a bit and then were desperate to find food. We ended up going to this place we were told to find that was literally a window in the middle of this marketplace that served foot long sandwiches with bread on one side and covered in… Well in my case I got the traditional so: ham, cheese, pickles and mayo. It was fantastic. Then we found a little bakery and I got this giant chocolate nut cookie.

We walked around to look at the main synagogue and then headed across the bridge. We saw the Schindler Factory. It had the pictures of all of the people he saved on the wall and it was really cool to see it in real life.

We tried to find the remains of the ghetto wall but we were indexes suck. We found the outline but not something that resembled a wall. We walked alone where it once stood then crosse back over the river.

We looked at the castle and fire breathing dragon sculpture. We then headed back to Old Town and took photos of the Christmas market and church in the daylight. We got to go inside the church and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautifully vibrant and ornate church before. I could’ve sat and stared for ages.

We had to continue on to get to our hostel and flight. I made a brief out stop to get more chocolate covered strawberries and do a last second of shopping. But we got back to the hostel and called a cab to the airport. We got to the airport and saw our flight was pushed back half an hour so in total we were nearly 3 hours early. Oops. Also oops there was no one in our section and the stores were tiny and closed. I chatted with the lady working at the one store that was open, got advice on chocolates to buy my coworkers and eventually chatted with her until I got a sandwich. For a cold sandwich it was actually surprisingly good. Not complaining.

About an hour before our flight was scheduled to depart I witnessed social psychology in action. I have never seen a more apparent example of mob mentality than when my friends started the line for the plane (keep in mind no one called boarding and it was actually an hour away). People sprinted to stand in line for probably about 40 minutes all because one person moved. It was hilarious and also disturbing. I sat in the line and chatted with a nice woman behind me.

Eventually (after waiting inside then waiting outside in rain) I got onto the plane. We thought we’d have a spacious row but that flight attendant ruined it by probably having the largest person possible sit between me and my friend when there were about 4 other open seats exactly like ours. Shoot.

For some reason sleep didn’t happen on this flight. That’s really abnormal for me. It’s probably the sinus pressure and running nose. And this really sucks because I was breathing easily before the plane took off. I feel like I went back in time to a few days ago and my health status then. But luckily the landing on this one was smoother and less painful.

We got to the airport and it took ages to find a place to get hot chocolate. It took foreverrrrr for the bus to come. Then we walked a and walked and I went to my apartment. Even though it was midnight I was starving so I made spaghetti.

I got to talk I my boyfriend a little before going to bed. We have this weird opposite way of handling time and distance. For me: I sobbed the whole month leading up to leaving and it was much harder in the beginning than now. But for him: it doesn’t seem so hard at the beginning but as time goes on it gets worse. So it probablyyyyy wasn’t the best idea when I decided to candidly ask him how he would feel if I did another semester abroad. I’m like fully aware my family would laugh at that before promptly saying no…but the thought crossed my mind. I’ve met about 5 people who are either on their second study abroad or preparing for the next one. It’s also more of a thought for me because I will have an extra semester of just credits I need to fill. I’m going to be nearly done with my major after next semester. And I know people going to Italy in the fall… I mean it’s just a dream that I think I’m having because I’m not ready for the adventure to end. But rain or shine I will be on the plane to America in 13 days. I am so so happy to go home and see my family and even if I was doing a year abroad I know I would desperately need to go home for a month for Christmas.

I am so grateful for this semester and everything I have done and seen. I know it’s wrong to ask for anything else. I’ve had the time of my life. And it was perfect. I had the adventure and the family and boyfriend to support me. And I have people who make me really look forward to being home. I guess it’s just a personal thing that when I adapt to new places and situations in my life that they become my reality. I know I will feel perfect when I’m home too.

But I told my boyfriend that regardless I will be home very soon and need to make up months of missed affection and cuddles. I’m really happy thinking about that.

Went to the kitchen and made friends with some guys who apparently are on their 5th trip to Poland. Guess there’s no way I’m going to see even half of what there is to see here. I was very yappy this morning. They found me humerus rather than annoying I hope. Meanwhile I had 2 yogurts for medicine and some bread. Eventually my friends woke up and looked at me like I was crazy for barely sleeping. My body does what it wants sometimes.

Then we got dressed to go to Auschwitz-Birkenau for 6 hours. When we left I was not feeling very well…little did I know the physical and emotional toll the day would really take. It all started on the drive over when they had us watch a video about the holocaust . I have never seen images like the ones I did in that video. I cannot get the image of this little starved dead baby that they were examining out of my head. I see it when I close my eyes. I literally felt sick before we stepped out of the van.

From there it was only more depressing and painful and sickening. We saw the gates of Auschwitz and walked around the barracks. We saw how they cleaned and slept and the places they were tortured and killed. The little room in the prison barrack where as punishment people had to stand all night or where the window was so small people were piled in and suffocated. It was too terrible to let it. But we went to a room…full of 7,000 pounds of their hair. Their actual hair. I was done after that. My brain shut down and I couldn’t fully let it in. It’s too much to take in. I cannot even fathom that millions of innocent people lived and died in the same place I was standing.

We walked to the gas chambers and the crematorium. I couldn’t even let my eyes linger. I wanted to get out immediately. After that, they gave us a break and drove us to Birkenau. When we rolled up I didn’t want to leave the car. This is the image I expected at the first camp…the rows upon rows of barracks.

They took us to the platform where the families were separated. They showed us the tiny car they crammed everyone into. And the remains of the barracks. I have no idea how 700 people slept in that tiny terrible place. They brought us to the remains of the 5 crematoriums and showed us the monuments made by all the countries in remembrance. We then saw a final wash house and left. I left and didn’t want to look back. I hope the world never forgets what happened there…they deserved so much more from life.

We got into the van and tried to sleep off the images. I don’t think they’ll ever leave my mind.

Then we sat at the hostel for a whole and decided we needed food since we didn’t have much to eat. We went to a traditional polish restaurant that was hidden down an alley, through a building, into a plaza, down stairs and in a basement. Worth it. Probably the greatest veal I will ever eat in my whole life.

Next, we walked around and tried to find the Christmas markets. And a couple hours later with arms full of gifts if call it a success.

We chilled at the hostel after the day and I talked to my boyfriend. I really missed him and could’ve used him to lean on today. But he misses me too and I can’t believe that literally this time in 2 weeks he can actually hug me again. I want that. I’m ready for my home and loved ones.

I was so upset that I jut started wandering in the direction of film class. I ran I to my professor who told me I looked very ill and excused me from class. He directed me to the program lead and I got a little upset because I felt so ill and the center was closed. She sent me to the doctor across the road.

I chatted with people in the waiting room and was eventually told by the doctor that I had a sinus infection and given medication. Oh joy. So much looking forward to flying in a couple hours.

I picked up medicine, bought tissues and printed my boarding passes before crawling into bed for a few moments of rest. But that felt far too short and my hunger encouraged me to get up and go to the campus pub for a burger. Mmmm such good burgers. Then I had to take my half eaten burger with me to meet my friends and catch the bus to the airport.

We checked in and exchanged euros for polish money…OMG greatest exchange rate ever.

We got on the plane and I was sitting directly next to a new born and in front of a toddler. Add the extreme sinus pain and that was my 3 hour flight in a nutshell. I couldn’t hear out of my left ear for hours after that flight. But I made it to krakow.

We were very confused because for some reason we forgot in Poland the main language is not English… Struggle shuttle. But we got directions for the bus, talked to other people from the Ireland flight and took a cab to the hostel from the bus drop.

First impression: sketchy ass place in a sketchy alleyway up a sketchy staircase… But then we opened the door to the most beautiful hostel I have seen. It’s called Mosquito and the halls are bright orange and immaculately clean. Free wifi, free breakfast, free food and drinking events…umm perfection. I felt loads better.

They gave us a really thorough run down of tourist attractions, booking tickets to Auschwitz and of course food. We promptly dropped off our stuff and went to get things from the supermarket and perogies. OMG. The greatest little meat and cheese and I don’t even know what dumplings. Pity I really couldn’t taste them because of my sinus nonsense. But I enjoyed the texture haha.

Then we ran to the hostel to catch the bar crawl. We put stuff away and got ready to go. Krakow is gorgeous. I loved walking around at night. We went to a bar and I made fast friends with the bartender. He gave me free things. But it’s nice talking to new people even if the language barrier is a challenge. We ended up losing out group and we went to try and find them at whatever club they were at. We walked down the street and somehow ended up at a tasting and got mulled wine and some free shots. It was a cute little place and they told me this story about three sister vodkas. I don’t even know. But eventually we did end up finding the club (my genius method for this was to show them the hostel sticker and ask is this the place we get in for free…it worked!!). We danced a bit and talked to some weird guys. There was a chase down the street and joking around but eventually my one friend and I went home.

I took the bus and a little boy kept turning around to look at me. He was adorable. I got to hte bakery and got a soup and slice of apple pie in honor of the holiday only I was celebrating. I went to work and exchanged some serious and some joking "happy thanksgiving!"s. It was nice. My French friend told me I looked pretty. 

I got to work after eating and talking about the environment and animals. I helped out with spray paint art again and it's absolutely one of my favorite programs. Only one boy showed up today but he did an amazing job spray-painting tweety bird and daffy duck . It took a long time but all the effort paid off. 

Then I had some tea and the cool tech kid tried to teach me how to use Illustrator. I was interrupted and told to take a huge pile of photos with wire, take all the wire hangers off and tape them in the hallway downstairs. I did everything but physically tape them myself. I had to get one of the guys to help me because i was neither tall enough nor feeling well enough to complete the task. But we got it done and the pictures lining the upper edge of the hallway looked really cool.

I got to joke around with coworkers a bit before walking back with the French boy. Talking was nice and he was in great spirits today but...I enjoy sitting on the bus haha (sorry if that makes me super lazy). I walked until our paths went different ways, made a brief run through a gift shop and caught a bus that I needed to sprint down the road to catch.

I got home and headed upstairs to my friend's Thanksgiving party. It was so many people I really enjoy spending time with and sadly do not get to see enough with work. And there was turkey, potatoes, green beans, stuffing, veggies, fried rice, cranberry sauce, brownies and apple pie. I enjoyed being silly and taking pictures and chatting for hours. Also the food was the greatest. The guy who hosted it cooks incredibly well. And I lingered after most people left and helped clean up. Talking to just a couple people with music from the 1930s playing in teh background was really nice.

Had to leave so my friends could borrow my ID for the night. I went to my room and like half watched the new Starkid show with my roommate but also caught up on things and took a shower. I was not even coherent by the time I tried to talk to my boyfriend. I fell asleep on my phone haha.