What Is This Feeling?

So, freshman year of college, during orientation, after all the ice breakers and team builders and tours and academic meetings, there's always a feeling of "okay, what do I do now..." Freshman year, I didn't have a blog to write in when I had that feeling, but this time, I do!

I packed my lunch, packed my school bag, got all dressed, charged all my electronic accessories, and now I'm sitting on my bed wondering what exactly I should do next. It's the first day of class, around noon, and I don't have class til 3. Shoot. I do have a few errands to run- go grab a notebook, check in with the international office at Trinity, set up my TCD email, and find my class, but that certainly won't take three hours!

As I sit here, I am listening to the bells of Christ Church (or St. Pat's Cathedral... I haven't learned to distinguish between the two yet, but I'm within a 10 minute walking distance of each), and still marveling in the place I am temporarily living. As my friend Kate, who is at Oxford for the year, says: I still geek out when I think about how old this place is. I feel like I keep saying that... but I went to the oldest pub in Ireland for lunch yesterday, which was built in 1182. That's crazy! 1182!

I'm excited to be learning more about Irish history while I'm here. I picked up a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses the other day, and as I read it and he mentions places in Dublin, I make a mental note to visit them. I also can't wait to make it to Kilmainham Jail, which is not too far from me at all, and learn about Irish patriots who spent time there.

In the words of Adam Sandler as Billy Madison... "Back to school, Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight. Oh! Back to school... back to school... back to school."

Happy First Day of School!
Love,
Julia