Spent this Sunday afternoon hiking Sugar Loaf Mountain and walking around Dublin Bay with a bunch of fellow Purdue students. Fiona, Paul, and Ciara (who are all from Ireland) all studied at Purdue for a time and graciously asked those from Purdue who came to study here to join them this afternoon. Morgan, Leeza, Andrea, Halie, Conner, and I are all went a long and got to see a magnificent view from the top of the mountain of the coast, the countryside, and toward where our school is set. On the way up among the many things we got to talking about, we talked about Purdue traditions we all love (like fountain runs) , how football was starting today back home (and that we would be missing out on the tailgating), and how at least here in Ireland we won't ever have our eyelashes freeze on the way to class. I'm reminded all the time of how special it is and what it means be a Boilermaker.
After tripping and almost falling on the way down the mountain, we made our way to Dun Laoghaire, where we chatted over coffee out near the pier. (I cherish so much getting to learn more about others' lives and noting the neat differences in each of us, even those from the same country and even state.)
Off the pier, I got to see my first seal in person today (which may have been more exciting to me than most people)!! Here, I also got to walk down and put my feet into the ocean. I don't know what it is, but being in, or even seeing, the ocean on the other side of the world is one of the most amazing feelings. Just taking in each day and each new moment gratefully.
After tripping and almost falling on the way down the mountain, we made our way to Dun Laoghaire, where we chatted over coffee out near the pier. (I cherish so much getting to learn more about others' lives and noting the neat differences in each of us, even those from the same country and even state.)
Off the pier, I got to see my first seal in person today (which may have been more exciting to me than most people)!! Here, I also got to walk down and put my feet into the ocean. I don't know what it is, but being in, or even seeing, the ocean on the other side of the world is one of the most amazing feelings. Just taking in each day and each new moment gratefully.