The Emerald Isle

I tired to pack light..but no luck.

My suitcase was 64 lbs and would have had to pay additional money for the flight, but I bribed the guy at curbside check-in with $10 and he let me get away with it. Success.

I couldn't believe that I was leaving for Ireland for 2 months and leaving my family and friends behind. Excited but very nervous I walked through the airport to meet Lindsay and get dinner. We boarded the plane at the last minute & of course, my suitcase didn't fit too well overhead. Luckily, I sat next to a nice Irishman who helped me shove my suitcase on the plane and then drag it down when we landed (and it almost didn't come down). He talked to me about Ireland and about his life and job in Ireland, which included working on his farm at his house and tending to his livestock...where was I going to live again?

We landed the following day in Ireland and realized how nice the Irish were when we stepped into a cab with the friendliest cab driver I've ever encountered. We arrived in Avalon House (our hostel/new home for the next 4 days) after a quick guided tour from the cab around the city. We met up with the Wolfpack: Sylvia, Dennis, Scott, Meredith, Tyler, and Kristin and began our crowded stay at Avalon. After passing out 20 minutes after we sat down, we woke up in the afternoon and went out to the pubs. The first couple of nights we watched the sunrise since our bodies weren't adjusting too well to the time change. It was nice to get to know everyone and learn about each other's lives.

A few days later, we met up with Sylvia's friend, David, who had been in Ireland since January studying at Trinity College. He introduced us to some friends and took us to one of his favorite pubs, Flannery's (which is now one of our favorite pubs). It was fun to see all of the Scottish men in their kilts party and get ready for the soccer match that was taking place that weekend and watch them hit on our friends. It was just grand (in my best Irish accent). Since we hadn't familiarized ourselves with the area during the day, we got lost at night when we were only one block away from our hostel...ended up getting stuck in the pouring rain for about 30 minutes..only to realize the next day that we were so close. Guess that it's our fault for being drunk American's with no sense of direction.

The next night, we went to a nightclub called Palace to dance and drink. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood for beer yet (I wasn't used to the taste of only drinking beer and was missing my vodka waters right about now) and decided to get their pre-mixed drink of VodkaShark, a Redbull mixture with Vodka which wasn't strong or good. I had to leave to watch my sister do her debut show on So You Think You Can Dance so I didn't have as many as everyone else. Joey Skyped with me so I could watch the episode (slow as it may be), and after crying my eyes out with excitement/love/proud feelings for my sister, everyone came back home and ended up staying up until 7:00 AM because of the energy drinks we had all night. I won't be drinking those ever again.

Saturday we walked around the Temple Bar area, Grafton Street, St. Stephen's Green, and toured O'Connell Street and got to know Dublin a little better. Finally familiarizing ourselves with the city, I was feeling like I was in Dublin to stay. That night was the Barcelona/Manchester United soccer game which was so exciting for everyone in the pubs we were at. We ended up going to WoolShed's pub off of O'Connell Street which was absolutely packed with people our age. It was a complete mess and we didn't think we could find a seat, until..Sylvia decided to go up and make friends with a group of Irishmen. We ended up sitting the entire game with them and talking about the differences in America and Ireland for about an hour. We stayed the whole game, got worried after Sylvia disappeared, and I stepped off of a step wrong and twisted my ankle, again. It was a great night and Woolshed's has become one of our favorite pubs to watch sports.

Sunday we moved into another hostel, Barnacles, in the middle of Temple Bar. We added more people to the group and had to stay in different rooms, but at least we got our own showers and I felt like the room was a little bit cleaner. We decided to stay in and got ice cream and relaxed which was nice to wake up the next day not hungover.

Monday morning we finally moved into our apartment! It was so nice to finally have my own room and space to put my stuff. Kristin, Sylvia, and I all got an apartment together and one additional roommate from NY, Erica! We got so lucky that we were living with a girl who was awesome and just like us. We immediately clicked and she has become part of our Auburn group..I really forget that she goes to Brockport.

And then the first official week began...

The last few weeks..

Life has been a whirlwind up to this point, and I haven't even been writing in my blog since I've been here!

I guess I should start with the last few weeks of college and graduation. I had an amazing last couple of weeks of school. Finals were easy and I tried to savor every moment I could in Auburn before I had to leave. The weekend before finals I went to DC for the O'Boyle wedding which was fun and a nice way to relax before finals started.

The following week was finals week, moving week, and time for my family to come. After frantically packing up my house every day for 4 weeks, I was ready to get my moving truck and begin the process. Of course the moving truck wasn't big enough for all of my things (shocking), so I had to go back and order a new one. After panicking for a moment, I realized that I was going to be able to get everything I needed in the truck. Since there are no boys that are willing to help me because they are all lazy, I asked my yard guy to help put the big things in the truck for me..$40 later, I was good to go.

The next day, Friday, I had my graduation pictures on Samford lawn. It was a bittersweet moment in that I was so excited to finally have my graduation pictures but it really hit me that I was going to be leaving Auburn in a few days. After taking the pictures, I ran home to finish the last little bit of packing before Joe & my family arrived the next day.

Friday night was nothing short of epic and probably one of the most fun nights I've had in Auburn with my friends. Rose, Caroline, and I decided to do our typical Hamilton's for drinks and dinner then out. I was dead set on going to Supper Club for late night drinks and I had never been so I needed to go before I graduated. Needless to say the night didn't end until around 5 AM and the night is a blur/a great success.

Saturday Joe & my family came to Auburn to help me finish moving and for graduation dinner, cookout, and to celebrate. We went to Moe's BBQ for lunch & walked around Auburn before going home to do more packing with the LeMenses and Siti. Saturday night we had a cookout for all the graduates...Rose, Crystal, Kathleen, and I along with our families. It was nice to have everyone catch up and meet for the first time..Gran & Siti (Salt & Pepper) enjoyed talking to each other all night and fell in love with each other.

Sunday was Mother's Day and we all just stayed around the house and moved the rest of my things in the truck for Brian to take back home!

Monday--Graduation day. After sleeping through 10 alarm clocks I finally got out of bed to realize it was the hottest day in Auburn so far. I have never been hotter in my entire life sitting through graduation. The girl in front of me passed out due to the heat along with a ton of people around us. But, it was finally time for me to walk across the stage..I did it! It happened so fast and was such a surreal moment in my life. I couldn't believe that college was coming to an end, and I had finally graduated. It was nice to get to walk with Melissa and was appropriate since we met the first week of college in DZ & remained friends throughout college. I walked by my family (who was sitting unusually close to the front of the stage) and was so happy that I had accomplished something that was so special in my life.

That day was marked with lunch, pictures, and leaving Auburn. I didn't get as emotional leaving Auburn as I thought I would, but it was probably because I was so tired and the moment was so surreal.

Monday night we stayed at my house in Marietta and got ready to make the drive to DC on Tuesday morning! A cool 10 1/2 something hours later, I arrived in DC (around 2 AM) exhausted, with Bella, and more important- to stay. Brian & his brother, Rick, were kind enough to drive my things up to DC with me & help me unload them in my storage unit. I will be thanking them for years to come.

The week in DC was fun and I loved getting to spend time with Joey & have Bella get used to her new life in the city. I went to NYC to visit Rachel & interview for a job (that I didn't get, thank God) and spend some time there. We left DC the following Friday for Connie & Brett's wedding in Macon which was absolutely gorgeous & so much fun. I always enjoy being around Joe's friends from college & getting to be with my family when we get back.

The following Tuesday..I was packed and ready to leave for Ireland!

Living at the Airport

Well- I've been at the airport for 3 hours, going on 4. The joys of flying standby and saving money are not worth it in the long run. A few beers and vodka-waters and I've decided to write about this miserable day.

Today was the last day of classes as an Auburn student. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time to be honest. It was a huge accomplishment (as put so wonderfully by Joe) but at the same time it was completely sad. This chapter of my life is coming to an end and it's not only scary but unknown. My last class in college was Astronomy and I had a test..that I used my phone for. Fitting, especially for me after going out last night. College has been an incredible experience and I'm so sad to see it end.

As for my travels--I'm sitting at the airport waiting for a flight to DC for my interview. I hate flying standby but chose to suck it up. Now I'm dealing with tornados and high winds to distract me. Mom flew to NYC to move Melanie out and I'm completely miserable at the airport.

Here's to 3 more vodka-waters and a "good" flight...

Some Auburn Love

Random pictures in and around the Loveliest Village on the Plains

Toomers Corner

Rose, Bella, & I at Toomers

Sky Bar--WAR EAGLE

After winning!

Brianna and I on game day!

Girlfriends

Auburn Love.

In front of Samford

My favorite place in Auburn

DC, Charleston, & 3 weeks to Graduation!

DC, Charleston, Graduation..I don't know which one has been the most stressful/exciting.

I was in DC a few weeks ago to visit and had a random job interview. Even though it was the first interview I've ever had, I got the second interview which I will have next week! At least I know I can impress someone to get a second interview..until they get to know me.

After a quick stop in Columbia at USC, Rose, Caroline, Kelly, and I went to Charleston this past weekend to visit Rose's cousin. I haven't been to Charleston since I was a child, and I absolutely loved it. The beautiful homes, beaches, and old town charm was enough to make any girl want to go back again. Victoria, Rose's cousin, lives in an older home but was amazing--I think we all agreed that we would love to live there. After a quick visit to the beach, we went out to a great dinner and a night out at Torch (the popular S & M hardcore dance club)..clearly not our scene. Since the bars close around 1:30 in Charleston, we decided to go for some late night fun at The Southern Belle..thats all I can say about that. We toured the city Friday and Saturday and enjoyed looking at the beautiful old homes in the area.

Today, I received my placement information about my internship in Ireland. I'm a little discouraged at the fact that I have to wear a suit everyday and I'm marketing for an IT company..but I'm going to try to make the best out of it. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I'll be able to write and say that I actually enjoy the position.

After ordering my graduation announcements and cap & gown, the reality that I am actually graduating is starting to set in. As of today, I only have 2 weeks of class left and 3 weeks left of college. Its not that I'm scared to start my life, just sad to leave Auburn and the life that I've built here. I keep telling myself that the next couple of months will be so exciting and my life will completely change come August. I can't wait to see what the future will hold!

The Beginning

FINALLY! After talking about making a blog for months, I decided to sit down and do it! Since all of my friends are so creative and have the most amazing and inspiring websites, I have a little anxiety over beginning to document my life. I'd like to think I'm spontaneous and carefree and hope to reflect it in my writing!

On May 24th, I will be boarding a plane to Dublin, Ireland for 8 weeks! This blog is to document the weeks leading up to my trip, my time spent in Europe, and the period after I return, in which I'll be moving to Washington, DC.

I cannot begin this blog without saying that I am concentrated on enjoying my last couple of weeks in Auburn as a college student. Over the last 4 years, I have fallen in love with the town, college, and the people of Auburn. The love for a small southern town is only understood by those who have lived it. My heart will always be here, and I plan to visit often during football season.

In addition to enjoying my time left at Auburn, I am also counting the days until I move to DC. The city is the perfect fast-paced lifestyle that I have craved since moving to Auburn. Being from Atlanta, it was hard to get used to the slow southern feel Alabama had to offer. After enjoying every moment here, I can safely say I am ready for the sounds of cars, the traffic (yes, I just said that), and the people DC has to offer. Of course I cannot go without mentioning one of the perks of moving to the city..the boyfriend. I can't wait to be in the same city as him & it will finally be great to live a "normal" life.

During the next couple of weeks I'll be traveling to DC, Charleston, and Florida all before I leave the country. I plan on writing as much as possible as a reminder of my love of preparing for trips and to document my last few weeks as a college student.

I hope you enjoy the places I travel, my interpretation of different cultures, and my view of the world.