Putting One Foot in Front of the Other

It looks like I'm cursed, friends. I broke my only pants belt, I lost my hat, and an earring went missing last night (add in the fact that I'm tired, and you have my reasons I didn't post last night. Very sorry). Also, I found out at orientation that my school is famous for ghosts. There's even a ghost room on campus. So, everything is going SUPER well.

Anyway, I've really been enjoying my time here. My heating was fixed which is a blessing because of all the snow. Yesterday, we started orientation and I was able to tour my campus and learn about what students are like here in Maynooth. My favorite part was the church on campus that is only open on Christmas and Easter, but the study abroad students were allowed to tour. It's Saint Patrick's (obviously) and although I don't like taking pictures in churches, I got a few shots because I so badly wanted to share its beauty with you all (and I knew my father would murder me if I didn't).

It's a beautiful place

It's actually overwhelming. Brought a few girls to tears

I really liked that they had chairs instead of pews

I definitely want to come here for Easter Mass

This one is all for you, Dad

Beautiful stained glass window

I've found a great group of beautiful people (inside and out) that are just tons of fun and very kind. Last night, we all went dancing at The Roost and had a blast. They played older music, like the kind they played at my middle school dances. But, it was still fun! A lot of Saint Mary's girls were there and we kind of stole the dance floor dancing with each other.

Grace and me :)

My friends, Steph and Kayla

Our whole posse

Today, we signed up for classes (I have none on Friday!) and listened to a few lectures (boring stuff really). I'm very excited, because I convinced my room mates that we should make dinner together once or twice a month, and so we'll be having tacos together on Sunday night. Tomorrow, the Saint Mary's girls are traveling to Wicklow Mountains, so it should be an adventure. I'm so glad I get to share my experience with you all this way. I love the comments and they make me so happy that you all care. :) Until tomorrow!

Straight Chillin (It Actually Snowed Today)

I forgot to mention that I went out with the girls last night to one of the bars around the corner. It's a cool little place called The Roost, and on Thursday nights, it's student night. It was really fun!

This picture is mostly per my father's request

This morning my friends Kayla and Lizzie and I all went shopping at the local Tesco (it's like the Walmart of Maynooth). It was here that I learned that these poor Irish kids barely have any good cereal. 90% of the cereal isle was multiple different versions of bran flakes. Bran flakes. The only sugary cereal I could find was Nesquik cereal and Krave. I would have actually purchased the Krave, had it not been 6 euro for a box of cereal. It must be a delicacy.

Who knew Nesquik was a cereal?

Patrick: I know you'd totally splurge for this

I really miss American food. The things I would do for some Jif cereal, blueberry bagels and animal crackers is straight up crazy. But the snacks here are so funny! I found popcorn flavored cookies and bacon flavored Bear in the Big Blue House snacks. I got a lot of strange looks taking pictures of the food, but it was definitely worth sharing.

I'm so incredibly confused, but I like it

I don't think this would be good

Our bags fell apart on the way home, which was sad, but we made it. I was also able to find some gloves, so I'm finally warm. I got them just in time, too, because, even though it was sunny, it kept snowing. There was a dinner tonight for all the international students, and I met some very nice kids from the University of Dayton. We hit it off really well and went for drinks at Brady's (they didn't have a cool sign Dad. Sorry.)

Some of our group

Kayla and me!

My new friend Nick

Our dysfunctional group

Tomorrow is orientation and another night at The Roost. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Making Wishes and Walking On Dead People

Last night was extremely cold, (there's no heat in my room yet). So, shout out to Cullen for being able to pack the fuzzy ND pants he got me for Christmas in to my backpack. Cullen- you da real MVP. The cold night, plus not sleeping for so long, made me incredibly drowsy, and I almost missed my bus today. But, with banana in hand, I was ready to take on the sights.
First, we headed to the Hills of Tara. I'm sure you can guess that it was a very hilly place, and it was also incredibly green. There was a beautiful castle there, though we did not get to go inside.

We did, however, read some of the interesting folklore about the place. Apparently, the land was designed so that the royalty, as they walked around the place, would feel as if they were walking right into the sky, straight into Heaven to see God. Cool, right?

Though my hair was a mess, the view was beautiful

There were many stones there that were believed to have special energies about them. One of which, if you walked around it three times with your hand on top of it, granted you a wish, a wish that apparently always comes true (so, fingers crossed!). 

Making my wish

Fairy trees were also wishing spots, and many leave items like clothing, pictures, pieces of paper, or even just grass woven together on the trees to signify their wish. I only meant to leave a piece of grass, but somehow ended up losing my glove, so double wish? Yeah, yeah, I know: typical Mara doing something stupid within minutes of her first adventure. 

Next, we traveled to Slane Abbey, which was my favorite place of the day. There was the coolest disheveled castle that we climbed in, and I was incredibly grateful that the sun decided to make an appearance for the short time we were up there. There was a beautiful cemetery right next to the castle with a beautiful path.

We were so excited

My beautiful view from the castle

Blurry, but still cute, right?

Cemetery to the left. Castle to the right.

We made a short visit to Mellifont Abbey, where I walked on top of graves and saw where monks used to wash themselves and where they worshiped. 

Friends!

The Abbey

Where the worship happened

Before lunch of fish and chips, we made a quick stop at Monasterboice. Dad and Patrick: you would both be in awe of the crosses that I saw today. I tried to capture pictures for you both so I could share it with you. This huge cross, one of the most beloved and famous crosses in Ireland, was used to explain Bible stories. Adam and Eve, Kane and Abel, all the apostles, so many stories were included. It was simply wonderful.

Who knew I'd actually like cemeteries?

Such a beautiful way to explain the Bible

Dad: aren't you loving this?

Patrick: You'd love this design work

Our last trip was to Boyne Valley, (Yes, family. I said Boyne. I got excited, too.) There was a beautiful tomb there, called Newgrange, where, for seventeen minutes on the winter solstice, a beam of light would shine in. Five thousand years ago, this is how the people celebrated the death of a year and the birth of a new one. Truly amazing. (Grandma: it totally reminded me of the Aztecs in Mexico from spring break!)

The only way in and out. The swirls were made
by people 5,000 years ago to symbolize earth
and fertility

The whole grand tomb. Like a hobbit home, right?

Nothing is really planned for tomorrow. The girls and I plan on getting our Irish phones and maybe buying some more food, but it'll kind of be a chill day. I really hope to go exploring and discover my new home. I miss my family and friends so much, but I love that I'm able to talk to them so easily. Until tomorrow, ya'll!

Look Ma, I'm Adulting!

I got smacked in the face with real life today. But, first, let's talk about that plane ride.

Although the guy in front of me felt that he had every right to practically lay on top of me, it was one of the best plane rides I've ever had. I didn't get sick at all, and I felt like a total princess when my meal was brought to me and I was asked, "Red or White?" (Sorry, Mom!) Oh and, OF COURSE, the hostess, while looking at my meal ticket said to me, "Huh, that's funny. It says your name is Irish." When I told her that it was, she had a look that cried, "I'm impressed, but I pity you." I didn't blame her. I wasn't ready for the whole name thing to start this early.

These potatoes were the best part of the meal, besides the chicken. And don't worry, I didn't drink all that wine. But, I did take it with me! (Sorry again, Mom).

I watched Alien while I ate, which wasn't the best idea...but then I was able to take a short nap before landing in Dublin. So, thank you, Grandma Kay for booking me a fantastic flight!

I was able to watch the sunrise before I landed.

After a long wait, in customs (Thank you again to my grandparents. Without the experience of traveling with you guys, I would have been so lost and scared in the airport), the rest of the SMC crew and I boarded a bus to Maynooth. Driving through the city, all I could think is that I've never seen a greener place in my life. There were horses EVERYWHERE, and the cutest little houses. I was able to snap a picture of my library as we passed by on the way to the apartments.

My gigantic library.

I was the first one to sign in and get my room key, and instantly felt more comfortable being where I was. All my fear just went away, and I was only focused on settling in and making a home for myself (and calling my family to show them where I was). Though the bathroom light could be a bit brighter, and I wish I had plugs near my bed and mirror, I'm very happy for the room I have. There's a great window that looks out on to the soccer fields, so maybe I can catch a game or two while I study ;). After unpacking a bit, I realized, "Oh crap. I don't even have toilet paper. I have to buy everything, like an adult does. CRAP."

Luckily, we were all headed to the store. Which is when I found out that I have to bring my own shopping bags (or in my case, my backpack, laundry bag, and large cloth bag Santa gave me). We took a nice walk through campus and I was shown most of the academic buildings. Dad and Patrick: you two would be in love with this campus. The architecture has me weak at the knees. I'll obviously post more pictures throughout my trip, but here's a first look.

Dad: Don't you love this lamp post?!

One of the academic buildings that's incredibly beautiful.

In the checkout, I met a guy who met his girlfriend, a fellow smick, three years ago while she was studying abroad. I think I freaked him out a little by being so happy about his love story. When I got back, I immediately put sheets on my bed, hung up my dresses, put things in drawers, toilet paper in the bathroom, and made my empty space a home.

Nicely unpacked clothes in my open closet.

My cute new sheets on my bed bolted to the wall.

Where I'll watch soccer games! (And study).

Where I get to keep my things.

After a little bit of rest, in which I got to call my daddy, all of the Saint Mary's students were welcomed at The Gatehouse (conveniently located right next to Maynooth Castle). I had a delicious Penne Carbonara, and was able to chat with some new girls.

The only thing I ate today

Now, after talking with my family, I can finally sleep! Tomorrow I'll be heading out to explore Ireland with the rest of my peers. I can't wait to show you all!

And I'm Off

Well, today's the day! I'm very blessed to have been able to have said goodbye to everyone that I did. Ally took me out for a classic American meal at McDonalds, and it was awesome. I spent ten fun filled days in Memphis with Patrick and his family (and I got to see the King!) I went to Lansing and had dinner with my hilarious godmother, uncle and cousins, and saw Blue Man Group and went shopping with my grandparents. I was very afraid I wouldn't be able to see them, but, luckily, I was able to go back and spend more time with my other grandparents and cousins. I said goodbye to my Heather today, and though it was a short visit, it meant a lot to me. Of course, I spent lots of time with my mom, dad and siblings, and my mom made me my favorite meals before I left (because she is the ultimate mom).

Last night, as all good travelers do, I had a mental breakdown while I packed everything last minute. Yet, like everyone kept telling me, everything is fine. Obviously, I cried when my godmother called to say goodbye, and harder when I finally said goodbye to my family. I'll miss everyone more than they understand, and I will always be thinking of them.

I'm praying for a safe flight, (fingers crossed I don't get sick!) and I'm getting more and more jitters as I sit here. 

But, quoting Up, "Adventure is out there!" This is the trip of a lifetime, and I'm very grateful for it. Thank you to everyone making it possible, especially my mother who did everything for me because I'm lazy and ignorant. When you read my next post, I'll be across the pond!