A Month Needed

Well it’s been a month.

To be completely honest I consciously made the decision to take a month off of blogging to concentrate on the end of term assignments. I didn’t want to keep making the excuses of having nothing to talk about because of work, so I decided to take a step back for a bit… but now I’m back with a vengeance and since summer is nearly upon us, I’m gearing up for some more adventures!

Gorgeous sunset from the back garden.

To catch up on the last month- yes Mother and Father I am finally filling you in- I wrote a full short film script, completed multiple presentations, hung out with friends and watched Game of Thrones, pigged out on Romanian Easter treats, and got mild pneumonia.

Let’s go back to where I left off. 

The beginning of April, Easter Sunday to be exact.

After a lovely weekend filled with Easter activities it was back to work once Tuesday came rolling around. On the weekend though I was able, yet again, to meet up with one of my friends from Australia. When I left there I thought I wouldn’t get to see these people for five years, and yet I’ve already had so many reunions and so many more to come! Hannah and I only had a short time to catch up so we just walked around Dublin and talked about the past year and a half. Luckily it was a beautiful day and it was good to be out and about just walking around.

Hannah being a cutie.

I have to mention the weather before moving on because it has been so mixed as of late. Now I come from New England, a region in the USA where it’s not abnormal to experience four different seasons in one day. However, in Dublin you can experience a season from one hour to the next! During the last weeks of April I swear there was this one stretch of five days when it hailed every single day. You always have to be prepared around here, BUT May has brought out some incredibly sunny days and I’m finally starting to get in the mood for summer.

Not only did April 21^st mark the date of my best friend’s birthday, but it also was my last day of lectures… possibly the last in my life. 

When I finished my baccalaureate I didn’t feel as though it was all ending since I knew I was going to get my masters, and yet now that I know my education is finally coming to a close, my mind doesn’t quite know how to processes it. Don’t get me wrong, I have two assignments due next week and I still have to write my dissertation over the summer, but the end is tangible and I can’t yet tell whether it’s foreboding or exciting. All I know is that it’s coming and I should take it in stride.  

My friends Cormuck, Kieran, and JC

The end of April came and just as I was getting excited to travel to Edinburgh to visit Steph and Chris before my final study period started. I had spent the last week hanging out with friends, and just generally enjoying the last week of classes, however it went downhill quickly.

I got sick. 

At first I brushed it off as nothing more than a common cold- something that I could easily handle while traveling.  Boy was I was wrong. 

I went to the doctor’s before my flight on Thursday for a follow up and unfortunately my results came back with mild pneumonia. This meant no Edinburgh for me.

I had been looking forward to this for months and now I had to cancel at the last minute. Not only was this going to be the last opportunity to see Steph before she heads back to Australia, but it was going to be my first time back in Scotland for nearly 9 years! My parents told me to chin up though, and I like to believe everything happens for a reason.

Before I end the update here, I want to make a shoutout to my Grandmother for her 88^th Birthday and also to my Mom for Mother’s day.

Love you both to the moon and back!

I guess that’s all for now so see ya next week!

xx Kim

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Song: Ain't No Sunshine

Artist: Bill Withers

Easter Rising Centenary Event

I wish I elaborate on more amazing adventures, but honestly my life has been pretty mundane over the course of the past week. Not that mundane is bad in any way, shape, or form, but just in that I haven’t done much.

Between all the work that I was doing I managed to sneak out and join the Easter festivities in town. This year it was the 100^th Anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland so there was a three-day celebration honoring the events that happened a century past.

 At Trinity I was able to hear some live music from the Trinitones- the all male student society singers which gave me major yearning to be back at Wheaton College hearing the Gentlemen Callers again. And then I was lucky enough to hear the Trinity College Céilí Band playing some trad- traditional Irish music- before hearing the 1916 Proclamation read in both English and Irish.

Photo courtesy of The Irish Times

There’s still so much about Ireland that I have yet to discover. Not only is this the place I know live, but I have rich family history in this country so I really should open a book and to start to learn about my past.

Saturday night I went to a friends 22 Birthday and once again managed to stay up well into Easter Sunday. My sleep patterns are really suffering.

On Tuesday I went to Lisa’s to hang out and also get her old bike! So excited to be riding once again!

Other than that I was very ill on Thursday and Friday- symptoms including lightheadedness and a fever, yet somehow managed to get quite a bit of work done.

Here’s hoping that I’ll be able to get out more next week!

Xx kim

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Throwback time

Hootie & The Blowfish

Drowning

Jinxed

The inevitable has happened.

I’m finally sick.

Oh Spring...

Up until I came back from Australia I was always known as the ‘sick one.’ In year six, I missed a grand total of 49 school days and if I didn’t have good grades I would have been held back due to my multiple absences. However, I’ve only had minor illnesses since coming to Ireland but I think I finally jinxed myself…. I also blame spring allergens…. A runny nose and congestion won't hold be back though since I've a busy weekend ahead of me.

 Starting out last Wednesday, myself and a few friends went out to celebrate our friend Alan’s 22 birthday. Da Baby is growing up so fast.

We all returned to Whelan’s for their silent disco night, and although the tunes weren’t as banging as the last time, the good company made up for it. I also met a Canadian that lives about an hour away from Montreal, and so we talked about our favourite spots. It was my first time talking to someone about some place other than Boston.

The Bleeding Horse for Alan

My weekend was spent doing uni work and naught much else, but it was nonetheless a very much needed relaxing weekend.

Last night, Tuesday, a few of us got together and had a karaoke night because why not? At these events I usually have a drink or two to really let loose, but I must say it was a nice break to just hang out and have a good time.

It still amazes me to think that I’ve only known these people for about five months because it’s hard to imagine a life before knowing everyone.

Xx Kim

……

I have no idea where the time has gone, but I’m happy to say that some reunions are quickly approaching!

Maxi and Jana are coming back in March, and also my friend Steph from Australia is joining me for Paddy’s Day! I can’t wait to be the ultimate tourist! At the end of April Steph and I are joining our friend Chris for a weekend in Edinburgh, it’s been over 8 years since I have traveled there and I know we’re going to have amazing adventures!

New Year, New You? Meh.

I’ve learned a long time ago that resolutions do not have to be made on the start of the New Year. What is so special about this particular day? For me it’s always been a halfway point rather than a new beginning- school and whatnot. Furthermore, if I am making any resolutions, I always make sure to make them realistic.

In the past I have done:

• ·      Make new friends and keep better contact with the old
• ·      Graduate
• ·      Smile or laugh everyday
• ·      Take time for myself

New Year's Eve Crew

·       

Although I have had varying success, for the most part I am happy with what I accomplished. This year I want to take more photos- I apologize in advance to all my friends- and I would like to get my MA.

This year I got to spend it with new friends, and am excited to see what 2016 will hold.

Now that that’s out of the way, it is time to backtrack.

The beginning of the feast.

Christmas Eve was spent making my very first mince pies- as Chris’ mother said, “rustic but delicious”- and trying to do some last minute shopping. We ended up going out to spoons for the night where I got to met all of his old secondary friends and they were all so lovely. We stayed out in town way longer than intended and I hate to admit I was a little hungover from the night before- although not as bad as Chris ;)

Christmas day was spent doing absolutely nothing besides enjoying family time and watching Love Actually, and the Queen’s speech. At the end of the night the entire family ended up playing a few games and it was all just so relaxing.

For Boxing Day, Chris, his brother Michael, and myself decided to go ice skating while their parents braved the crowds to take advantage of sales. Being from a place ice skating is second nature, I was surprised at how rusty I was at it. And boy, what a difference it makes to have your own skates. I asked at the counter how often they sharpened them and was appalled that the answer was every two weeks!

Rushmere Country Park

The next day was my Birthday and I was surprised upon receiving more gifts from Chris and his family. We went out for a walk a nature park and then I went out to dinner with Michael, Chris, and Sara- a girl whom I met Christmas Eve. A few of Michael’s friends showed up later on and treated us with a few jäger bombs. I went home at a decent time and had a wonderful night sleep.

Monday was my last day in England and the entire family and myself went for a long, but rather enjoyable, walk around the Tring reservoirs which showcased the incredible English countryside. I was able to see some canal boats and a few swans before I packed up and flew back to Ireland.

Bulbourne

Tring Reservoir.

One of the many canal boats

It was a strange sensation stepping back on Irish ground.

I felt as if I was coming home, and as I opened my door to my apartment I felt like I could breath and relax again.

I am so lucky to be where I am, and maybe this year’s resolution should be to try and cherish every moment I am here.

Xx kim

PS

I would also like to dedicate this entry to the man that nicknamed me "the blueberry-eyed baby." You were such a big part of my life and graced this earth for the past nine decades with smiles and perseverance. I'm glad you are no longer in pain

 <3