Learning to Love Nature

I didn't get the chance to tell you all, but last night I asked the girls if we should have a group dinner and they agreed! So, Emily insisted on cooking the meal herself, to improve her cooking skills, and we had a delicious meal of pasta with chicken and white wine sauce, with ice cream for dessert. It was very yummy, and I had a great time getting to know the girls even better.

Me, Dee, Emily and Grace enjoying our first home made meal

This morning, we headed to Glendalough Monastery and the Wicklow Mountains. It was founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin, and it's truly amazing how much is still intact. As we walked on, there was a rock we had to touch, that was supposed to cleanse us from our sins before entering. Inside, there were many graves, old and new. I think I found my favorite one though...I miss you tons, Cullen!

Our first view

I know it's the last name, but I was still really excited

The tower

We were lucky to have such a beautiful day

Saint Kevin's cross, though, was a lot of fun. If a girl could hug it and have her fingers touch, she would get a husband. So, I'm going to be a cat lady when I grow up (but maybe with dogs instead, because ew cats).

Forever alone. I know my parents are thrilled

Then, we all went on a hike through the woods to see the two lakes and the mountains on the grounds. It was very cold, but we got through it just having a great time and laughing.

Group photo (because we don't have selfie sticks...yet)

Our gorgeous view

Me and Kayla

The wind was very strong today!

Me, Dee, and the scenery

My artsy duck shot

Dramatic, I know

Afterwards, we traveled to Powerscourt house and gardens. This place had it all. It was a hotel, a restaurant, it had shops, it had a museum, it had huge gardens, it had a castle. When I imagine Heaven, I think it'll be something like this. We had lunch before exploring, and I was treated to Spanish chicken and potatoes, with fruit salad and a cookie. I couldn't finish it, but it was delicious.

We rushed to eat, and then walked around the grounds. The initial backyard was our view for lunch, and being able to walk around it was incredibly fun. Kayla even did a few cartwheels.

The front

Our view while we ate

Heaven

Once we went exploring, we, of course, took advantage of every photo opportunity, and had a total blast hamming it up. I won't post every photo, (because that'd be over 300...) but I'll show you the cool stuff, and some close ups for Dad.

Obviously, for Dad and Patrick

The colors are so bright here

One of many fountains

At the bottom of the steps

In the Japanese garden

The castle

All of us (minus Kayla) at the top of the castle

The view from the top of the castle

Grace, Emily, Steph, Kayla, Me and Dee just outside the castle

You can see most of the grounds here

We have that wind blown look

I had to take a selfie

A beautiful view

Whatchya think, Dad?

Posin

Once we got back to the college, six of us, (Me, Kayla, Steph, Grace, Emily and Dee) decided that we would all travel around Europe together. We all agreed six was a good number, any bigger would be a hassle, and immediately booked a trip to Scotland for February 27-March 1st. We're beginning to plan our spring break and all our other weekend get aways, and it's all very exciting.

After a bit of planning, I asked the girls if they would like to join me for mass at Saint Mary's down the road, which is how I found out all of my new friends are Catholic (I'm one happy girl!) I took pictures when I visited there yesterday, since I knew this is where I will be going to mass while I'm here. 

The altar. There are wings with seats on the side

The back

Irish mass was only a little different than home. First of all, there's no singing at all. Secondly, they spoke so fast I could barely understand what they were saying. They also, instead of "Lord, hear our prayer," the leader will say, "Lord, hear us" and we are to answer back, "Hear us graciously." We were in and out of there within 35 minutes. Not bad, right?

Saint Bridgette's feast day is tomorrow, and, to celebrate, all of the Saint Mary's girls are going to a festival for her. It'll be a fun filled day, and I can't wait to show you all!