City Love

Well, Dublin continues to amaze and intrigue me every day. Our flat hasn’t had internet yet, which is why this post is a little delayed, but I’m pretty sure that it’s the only flaw of the apartment.
I live in an amazing building about 10 minutes from Trinity, 5 minutes from Grafton Street, and 3 minutes from The Gaiety Theatre. I have two roommates, Kristen and Nam, and we have two bedrooms. I am sharing the room with Kristen (who also goes to PC) that has its own bathroom and WALK-IN CLOSET, and Nam has his own room and a bathroom across the hall. My mom doesn’t think I’m going to want to come home… she may be right. I have had an absolutely amazing time so far!
I have, of course, been taking part in the pub life of Ireland- with other students in my program, we have been out in Temple Bar, to the Guinness Factory, and to a club on the River Liffey. Tonight was our first sort of roommate bonding night, where we hung out (without being attached to technology, what else could we do?!) and got to know each other. We also all happened to take some decent naps- I think jet lag finally hit!
During the day we were out and about on our own doing errands and getting ourselves all situated in the apartment, getting little necessary items as well as food shopping. I discovered a cool market with my friend Julia, and found my way over to the bank to change money all by myself. I am starting to feel like a true Dubliner- I know my way around based on landmarks. We have learned that no one in Dublin really knows too many street names, but they can still usually give you pretty good directions anyway.
Tomorrow is my first day at Trinity—I can’t wait. We walked over to campus tonight to find where we have to be in the morning, and walked around the student union, since we’re students now!!
This has honestly been so much fun already. The people in my program are a lot of fun, and I am so happy here! I definitely had mixed emotions about the whole experience, but I think it’s because I was focusing on leaving. I was leaving PC, I was leaving home, I’ll be missing birthdays and a very big anniversary for my parents, I was leaving my friends (especially seniors), and I just kept thinking about the negative- the hole in my life where PC and my American life would usually be. I hadn’t focused on the positive: I AM LIVING IN IRELAND.
I get to live in Dublin for close to six months. I am really out on my own—no meal plan to rely on, not even a place like Slavin to go grab food at- I either pay a lot for a quick sandwich or cook for myself! I LOVE to cook, so I’m actually really looking forward to that, but it also seems a little daunting. I also really love to bake, and I’m already planning my first project. Nam’s 21st birthday is next week, and I’m going to make him a cake! Baking with different measuring utensils and Celsius temperatures on the oven should be a challenge… but I think it’s one I can meet.

Overall, I’m really happy here, if you couldn’t tell already ☺. Come visit! Dublin is an incredible city with amazing history. I’m excited to be able to do typical touristy things in Dublin this weekend and to learn more about Irish history. Have a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Julia