Cleveland: the other city on Lake Erie

I've been feeling restless these past few weeks. Ever since seeing my friends from Ireland I've had the urge to get up and go somewhere. So I made a short getaway to Cleveland, Ohio to visit one of my good friends from high school. It was nice to get a change in scenery and check out a city that I've never really seen outside of the downtown art district.
My first stop was John Carroll University, where my friend Katie studies biology. The campus was small but pretty, with a gothic-looking admissions building and a brand-new, green quad in the middle of campus. I stayed at her house, which a steal for the amount of space she gets, with her and a few of her friends that were also crashing there. She showed me around campus then we ventured into a different part of town for lunch. Iron Chef Michael Simon just opened a burger place, where I got a spicy pulled pork burger that was TO DIE FOR! Paired with a burbon beer that left a mild aftertaste like Jack Daniels, it was a meal made in heaven.
But the best part of the day came when we went to explore the West Side Market, a giant version of a farmers market that sells cuisine and ingredients from all over the world. It was like a flashback to Barcelona, Spain, the set up and atmosphere were exactly the same. Inside there were butchers, bakers, organic foodists and vendors all calling out prices and displaying their delicious looking goods. Outside there was a covered fresh-fruit market, where I tried something new and purchased some papaya. The texture was a little weird and it was a bit melony for my taste, but when we mixed it with yogurt strawberries and a little soy milk, it made a fantastic smoothy! What I liked most was the food from all over the world: Indian, Mexican, Polish, German...almost any place you could possibly think of.

Outside the West End Market there was a small flea-market with a Carribean feel, different vendors selling rastafarian looking clothing and jewelry filled with color and style. There were steel drums plinking away in the background and a island beat echoing over a stone courtyard with colorful tiles lining the pillars. It was a fascinating place to sit and have a cup of coffee and just absorb everything.
The market itself is nestled in a rather diverse part of town, Ohio City, surrounded by Hungarian bakeries, Greek restaurants and a smaller global market that has packaged goods and foreign beers and wines. To get there, we drove across a really pretty bridge with massive Roman-looking pilars at either entry way, looking as if they were gaurding the bride, which offered a pretty amazing view of Cleveland.
After my little taste of Europe downtown, we drove back cooked a delicious chicken parmesan dinner and hung out with Katie's roommate and friends. Later in the evening we made a mandatory dessert stop at the cheesecake factory, where we sampled, okay demolished, two decadent chocolatey and peanut-buttery cheesecakes washed down with a little Irish coffee. Despite nearly falling into a toxic sugar coma, we headed out for a few drinks in the Conventry area. It was a fanstic and fun getaway that eased my nerves and gave me a little break from my desk job...although yesterday I caught myself looking at plane tickets to random destinations. What to do to shake this feeling...

Vive la friendship

When I left Ireland two months ago, I was on top of the world — filled with the experiences of a lifetime and high on new relationships I'd formed with some amazing people. Of course, when separated by an ocean and a busy schedule, it's hard to keep those relationships alive and well. People who you talked to everyday, shared some of your deepest thoughts and craziest experiences with are no longer accessible every day. Sure there's Facebook and Skype, but it doesn't seem the same.
So it was reassuring and refreshing to see some of my favorite people from Ireland last weekend, a boost in confidence that these new friendships really are the kind that will last for a while. My French friend Clem, his good friend Miles and Jess all visited my hometown Erie for some good ol' American fun! Clem and Miles are about half way through their North American get away, stopping in Erie after seeing Washington, D.C., Philly, Boston, Montreal, Toronto and Niagara Falls. Jess got the weekend off from work, so we decided to meet up for an Ireland reunion — one that will not soon be forgotten.
It started with a majestic lightning storm like none of us had seen before. Pair that with a night of cheap drinking at Sullivan's, a once Irish pub turned urban dance bar, and stop at the tikki bar with a shooter girl running around, and you have an unforgettable night of laughter and new memories to go along with the old ones. We dance and sang our asses off, compared cultures and heard about Clem and Mile's amazing journey through America thus far. My boyfriend and friends from home also came out with us and meshed SO well with everyone, it was like we'd all known each other forever. It was nice to know that I'd picked a good group of people that my old friends approved of and loved.
The next morning, I woke up determined to show my friends all the great things my city had to offer, so we headed out the best place in Erie, Presque Isle. We lounged on the beach as Clem and Miles splashed in the warm, fresh water like young boys. We tossed the frisbee and sat on the beach and watched a storm roll in over the lake, soaking us to the bone, but showcasing our adventurous side. We didn't run for the car or pack up our stuff when the rain fell, just smiled up and the sky and watched the clouds swirl. After the beach we stopped for diner food complete with hot dogs, milk shakes, fries and ice cream. The boys laughed at how "American" Sara's Diner was, red checked tile and all. Our next stop was the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, which was a more educational take on the history of the region. We checked out the view from the top of the TREC tower, an amazing panoramic of the water.
We had a cookout dinner, courtesy of my amazing parents, who welcomed everyone with open arms, smiles and fantastic conversation. The seven of us sat out on my back deck and visited for hours, chatting about travel, life and culture. My parents hit it off with everyone right away, and it was good to see everyone from two different parts of my life coming together. After dinner, my friends and I went up to Family First, a sports recreation center, where we rode the go-karts, squirted each other on bumper boats, watch the French boys struggle in vain to hit a fast-pitch baseball, and play a pathetic round of putt-putt golf. We had such an amazing time, goofing around and laughing like there was no tomorrow.
I was sad to see the weekend end as the Frenchmen boarded the Greyhound to their next stop, Chicago, but I was so grateful to reunite with some of my Irish comrades. It was nice to know that even outside the little bubble of utopia that was Ireland, we still had lost in common, lots to talk about and lots to do. It just proves that everything that I felt abroad was real, and that it can continue in my life back in America...and for that I'm so happy!

Two days in heaven

I've decided to keep the blog going. I might not be in Ireland or traveling Europe anymore, but I am doing a bunch of small trips around home this summer, places elegant and stunning in their own way, so I thought I'd keep sharing my adventures.
I've been going to Allegany State Park in New York since I was a baby. My parents met there, and before them both sides of my family made yearly vacations to the forested wonderland — you can probably say love of the place was built into my DNA. Childhood memories and radiant thoughts flood my mind every time the place comes up in conversation. Every other year I look forward to a week of camping in the woods with no cell phone reception, smelling like campfire smoke and cooking meals on a old-school stove.

Because of work, I only had a few days in paradise this year, but I took advantage of every moment. I gazed at the stars, which seem to shine much brighter without the lights of the city to drown them out, losing myself in the clear sky, interrupted only my the tree canopy. I sat next to the blazing heat of a well-stoked camp fire, making fresh popcorn and mountain pies, snacks one can only find at camp. I soaked my feet in the chilly creek, water that runs down the mountains and keeps the younger cousins hunting for crayfish and splashing in water fights. I smiled in the warm summer rain, which always seems to find us, as it came down in the early afternoon. I talked and caught up with relatives and family friends that I only see at camp, getting to know each other all over again and laughing all the while.
The forest surrounds everything, engulfing us in a quiet, simple atmosphere and shifts me to a relaxed state of being. The creek gurgles and the lake lays out before me like a flat piece of glass that ripples and shimmer in the hazy July heat — the place is simply breathtaking.
I sat in my lawn chair near the crackling fire with a cold beer, of which there is an unending supply at camp, looked at the loving people and gorgeous scenery around me, and thought to myself, "This is the life."

I've got an addiction

Posted this last week for the Collegian, but wanted to put it here too!

For a month I've been going through withdrawal. I'm like an addict with a craving, I've an itch that can't be scratched, a thirst that isn't quenched. No, I'm not strung out on heroin and I'm not jonesing for a cigarette. What I long for is bigger, much more meaningful. It's a place and a feeling I still haven't been able to put into words: Ireland.

For a month, I've been going over everything in my head -- recalling the memories made, lessons learned, friendships fostered and trips traveled, trying to cope with the fact that I'm not in Ireland anymore. For a month I've been struggling to find the words to describe every experience I had while I was abroad, and the only thing I keep repeating to people is, "It was amazing!" Lame, I know, and definitely doesn't do justice to the magnificent culture and people of Ireland. So this is my attempt to encapsulate in words the best experience of my life. Hopefully it will bring me some closure, start weaning me off and easing me back into American life.

I'll start at the beginning. Leaving State College, my family and friends I was a little nervous, yet so excited I couldn't sleep on the six-hour flight across the Atlantic. When my feet stepped onto Irish soil I breathed in the fresh air and boarded a bus to Limerick. Because of the busy orientation schedule and the amount of Guinness I drank, the first week was a blur, a hectic whirlwind of new people, tours and exploration. And although I fell into my routine in Ireland, I never once lost that euphoric feeling of awe and excitement.

I discovered many things about myself:

I can catch a rugby ball and take a tackle with the best.

I can navigate my way through France alone.

I can to make Spanish paella and sangria.

I can make a long-distance relationship work.

I love hot chicken rolls.

I have the same twisted, dark sense of humor that many Irish people posses.

I can shake it like Beyoncé in London clubs with a little liquid confidence in me.

I love my family, but can survive on my own without them holding my hand.

I can forge new and amazing friendships while keeping in touch and cherishing my friends from home.

I can carry two suitcases, a duffel bag and a carry on all at once.

I look sexy in a leather Parisian leather jacket.

I love learning about the world and all the cultures and people that thrive here.

Along with self-discovery came a realization that I had been prioritizing the wrong things in my life. Before my trip abroad, I was stressed about all the wrong things: a future career, making school payments, working three jobs to make the payments. Now, after being introduced to an open-minded, laid back life style where family, friends, having a good time and traveling are at the top of the list, I realize work and money isn't all there is in life. There are people, relationships and experiences that matter much more. Sure, school is important and eventually I'm going to need a big girl job, but right now, without ties and schedules to hold me back, is the perfect time to explore myself and see the world. It's the perfect time to build relationships that are going to last a lifetime and see things that most people can only dream of. People are what make the place. The Irish are the most friendly, laid-back and funny in Europe. If all people were as fun-loving and welcoming as the UL Ladies Rugby team, there would be world peace.

I recently uploaded my final photo album from Europe, my five-month adventure that took me to a whole new place in my life. Seeing those pictures of the Irish countryside seemed to finalize everything, bringing to a close my study abroad experience. Although I hate to see it end, I know what I learned from my time in Ireland, along with the friendships I made and the things I saw, will stick with me forever.

As I finally start my Ireland detox, I hope for a continued smooth transition back to my "real life." But in the back of my mind I know someday soon I will relapse and find myself on a plane to the Emerald Isle, looking once more for the magical feeling of comfort, fun and adventure that only Ireland can give.

- Katie Sullivan

Au Revoir, Montpellier

For the past three days I have been the equivalent of a French bum. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do when I have to go home, work and wake up at a normal hour. I've been lounging on the beaches of the Mediterranean, munching on baguettes with brie and drinking fancy French wine with my Penn State friends in the gorgeous city of Montpellier.
The weather here has made me never want to leave Southern France. Hot, sunny with a warm breeze — weather that gives even my pale self a nice glow. That combined with familiar faces and new places to explore have made for a very chill and relaxing three days, and a very enjoyable end to a savage semester. Thanks to Aubrey, Janelle and Kate for the good times!
Now, off to Paris, where I'm going to meet up with Nick for three days before I fly home to the States :)

A Little Taste of Home

Wexford, Ireland...typically not a very touristy destination when one visits, but all the same filled with interesting things to see, extra friendly people and great places to relax with your buds. Kate and I went home with my friend from the rugby team, Leah, to stay with her family for the week at their home in Wexford, an area famous for their strawberries and home of the former capital of Ireland centuries ago.
There were ruins, castles and cemeteries to explore. There were homemade desserts and steaks to be eaten. There were parents, friends and family to chat with. Not to mention there was a comfortable bed, clean floors and comfortable couches to lounge on. Everything about the weekend was relaxing and we spent most of it in our comfortable sweats sipping tea and chatting around Leah's kitchen island. It seemed like a real taste of Irish life, but it also made me remember my life back home, my family and friends.
With only one week left of my European study abroad experience, this weekend really made me appreciate what's important and what I'm looking forward to the most about coming home. Many thanks to Leah and her mom and dad (Robby and Hazel), for letting us share a lovely weekend at their home!

Should I Stay or Should I Go

Today I talked to Emily, one of my best friends from home for the first time in a long time, and as much I've been dreading leaving Ireland, all my new friends (especially Michelle Claffey and the UL LR ladies (: ), and my bum-like lifestyle, our catch up session made me realize how much I have to look forward too when I return to the States. Between job prospects, visiting with old friends, playing rugby, sitting down for home-cooked family dinners, and getting back to the Pennsylvania region, I've got a lot to be excited about.
Although I plan on returning to my mediocre jobs as a professional ice maker and dish bitch, I'm making other plans for bigger and better things for the upcoming semesters. With loads of jobs in the writing field being advertised and encouraged through Penn State's College of Communications, I think I will have many opportunities to pick up writing gigs next semester. I'm also excited and a little nervous about my new position at the Daily Collegian this summer. As the new Copy Desk Chief, I'm in charge of the headlines and cutlines that make the paper, and looking over the final edit before the paper is printed. It's a lot more responsibility than my former reporting jobs, but I'm thrilled with the challenge. It should make for great experience, not to mention it will look amazing on my real job resume. Also I'm excited to hang out with my friends for the summer!
When I return I know I'm going to miss Ireland like crazy, but the one thing that is going to make my transition to the States a little easier is rugby. I hope to play at PSU, and although I haven't heard back from the coach yet, I want to take part in summer training session and hopefully a touch team. Not only will it remind me of Ireland, it will hopefully whip my fat ass back into shape. The guinness and hot chicken rolls have not been kind to me this semester!
But most importantly, I'm excited to see my family, boyfriend and friends again. My experiences abroad have been amazing and it was one the best things I've ever done, but I can't wait to get home and share it with everyone! I'm already planning a date with my boy, a meal with my parents, a bar crawl with my buddies and a girls night when I get back to the 814 I call home.
I'm sad that my time in Ireland is coming to an end, but really it's the beginning — the beginning of a new chapter, a new start and a new attitude to take back to my old life.

The Final Countdown

Three weeks left until I leave Europe and only two until I leave Ireland. Finals begin tomorrow and people are starting to leave. The end is near and I do not like it one bit.
I'm excited to see my family and friends back in the States and I'm pumped to get back to Penn State, but I don't want to leave Ireland at all. Lucky for me I'm living up my last few weeks of the most amazing semester away I could have possibly imagined. Spain and Portugal were a nice vacation from vacation, getting back to my friends in Limerick was awesome, and the parties we are throwing to celebrate the end of this amazing experience are record breaking.
I ventured to Spain with three of my friends, soaking up the sun and a lot of sangria along the way. We laid on the beach, we napped in parks and chilled at bars. The relaxation was brilliant, but the cultural experience was even better. I learned how to cook and serve tapas, a Spanish tradition much like appetizers, eight or nine dishes are served and shared among a group of friends. I also got to participate in a Spanish cooking class, making the best seafood paella I've ever had. I can't wait to cook the dish for my friends and family back home.

After our many meals we watched some of the coolest and sexiest dancing I've ever seen — flamenco. The band and the couple that danced on stage drew me in completely with their rhythmic beat, sultry stares and smokey voices. I found myself crushing hard core on the dark, scruffy man in tight pants and admiring the strong steps and smooth movements of the dark-eyed woman moving with him to the music. It made me wish my rhythm extended past shimmying my hips awkwardly whenever a bumping song comes on. Yes, Spanish culture and weather was nice vacation from the much chillier, much less musically sexy Ireland.
Next was Portugal, a country was more impoverished, yet equally as beautiful as any other country in Europe. The ancient walls of the streets were covered in graffiti and the people of Porto were old and jaded looking. The architecture was amazing and the seaside and riverside were gorgeous, but all the while there was a sad sense of better days, days long gone. We took a boat cruise along the water and sampled the famous Port wine of the region. It was a little to sweet for my taste, but I can understand what all the hype was about, the wine itself was lavish in color and flavor, tickling my tongue with fruity and flowery flavors. Two friends from Limerick flew in for a tour of Croft wine cellars, where we sampled wine and chocolate and snapped some beautiful photos. Although I enjoyed our time there, I was definitely ready to come back to Ireland.

So I made sure my return was just an extension of my study week vacation. I watched a few rugby matches and had our first going away gathering for a few of the Canadians I've grown to love! It was a good night out downtown in Limerick and although it's going to suck saying goodbye, I know that the goodbyes will only be good memories of the last few weeks we all have together!

P.S. On a rugby note, I won the best newcomer award! Hopefully the Penn State team will have me in the fall :)

Celebrating the end of Classes

This is the last week of class at UL. It's hard to believe just 13 weeks ago I arrived in Ireland, wide-eyed with my North Face jacket and rain boots, and now it's almost time for me, who now rocks a new leather jacket and a pair of stylish black heels, to leave. Just around the time where I feel completely at home, comfortable and assimilated into the culture, I have to start sorting through clothes and purchases I've accumulated, decided what will make the final cut to go back to the States. Over the past few days I've truly had the most fun and done more stuff with all of my friends.
Sunday I watched the Munster match at one of the girls from the rugby teams house. Monday I got to meet up and share a drink with some of the other international students I haven't seen in too long. Tuesday I had my first musical experience at UL when I joined a friend at "Phantom of the Music," a musical troop that performed songs from more than 10 of the most popular musicals of all time. Wednesday was the day I proved to the world I do have a little bit of rhythm during my Irish dance recital. I also got to watch my friends show off their skills on the the tin whistle, sean-nos singing, bang the bodrhan (a hand-made Irish drum), and dance. After the recital, which gave me flash backs to elementary and middle school, I cooked a fabulous meal with my friends after which we tanked a bottle of tequila and went out and danced. Needless to say, it was a good night. Tonight is Lady Gaga night at one of the dance clubs downtown and Friday holds a beach party at Stables, our favorite on campus pub. Saturday, with any luck from the volcano gods, I will leave for Spain and Portugal. Let the good times roll.
These little things, these everyday activities are what make me love this place. I feel at home here and I will miss it when I leave. But knowing that I'm really and truly making the most of my last few weeks in Ireland makes me feel slightly better about boarding that flight back to America.

Eruptions

Erupting volcanoes may be the best thing that has ever happened to me. Although these volcanoes may be stranding thousands of people from traveling, going home or on vacation, I wouldn't mind if the thing kept gushing ash and lava into the atmosphere if it meant I got to spend more time in Ireland. Yes, it may interfere with my travel plans to Spain next weekend, but in the large scheme of things it probably isn't that big of a deal. If the volcano keeps spewing, flights keep getting cancelled and before you know it I get to spend an extra few weeks in the country that has taken over my heart. Not to sound cheesy, but if the volcano erupted forever I wouldn't be sad.
Other people may disagree. My cousins, for example, came to visit the homeland for a week, taking time off from their very important jobs in D.C. to throw back a few pints and sing some jig dancing songs. Now they are stranded in the Dublin Airport waiting for a flight that will most likely be delayed another day due to the ash that is swirling around the atmosphere, with the potential to take out the engines of a 747 jet liner.
Meteorologists say that rain will help the ash dissipate, but for two weeks now, there has not been a single drop, spray or mist from the sky. It has been sunny and warm and from the looks of today has no signs of stopping. Who would have thought that when we 'needed' rain in Ireland it wouldn't happen. Rain or no rain, this volcano looks like its going to be reeking havoc in Europe for a while.

We Are the Champions!

This morning I woke up with a swollen knee, a stiff neck and a bruise on my thigh the size of Texas. My body says, "please stop!" but my newfound love of rugby has my gut saying, "bring on the pain!" For the past two days the UL Ladies Rugby team toughed in out through four matches, coming out on top and the Intervarsity Tournament Champions, completely undefeated in the spring season! My body has been tackled, cleated, stepped on and bounced off the ground, but watching my teammates hold up the championship cup makes all the pain worth while. Hearing our coach say she was proud of us was worth all the nights of training on a muddy pitch in the rain. Playing rugby for UL has rekindled my desire for competition, hard work and new experiences, all of which I hope to take back with me to PSU.
Wednesday and Thursdays games showcased how much hard work and effort every single girl put in this season. We won all of our matched by at least 20 points and won the championship 48-0. Our play was the best it has been all season. Everything I've learned throughout the season was clicking and I noticed a serious improvement in my play, my confidence finally starting to build with advice and encouragement from my teammates. I could feel myself hitting harder, carrying the ball longer and having a better mental grasp on the plays and what was going on.
If I end up in State College this summer, which I really hope happens, I think I'm going to drop by a few summer workouts with the Penn State team and see how I do. Hopefully, my Penn State experience will be as amazing and the girls and cool as they were during my time with UL rugby! This really has been my favorite part of my Irish experience so far!!

Baguettes, brie and Gaga naps

Two weeks have flown by and spring break has come and gone. I've now traveled to Paris, the city of love and public display of affection; Nice, a city so beautiful and homey I could stay there for a month and not want to leave; and Monaco, a country with fast cars and a casino that took my gambling money in a matter of minutes. I've also come to realize how my relationships with people abroad are truly genuine and are the best part of the whole thing.
I will start from the beginning. I was frazzled and stressed from having written five mid-term papers and running around trying to turn them in before the deadline. I was in need of a stiff drink and some sunshine. I left Limerick with my three friends Friday for Paris, and in my rush to pack and hurry out the door, realized I forgot a jacket. This small mistake ended up to be the best thing that happened to me during my week of mid-term hell. We arrive in Paris to chilly and damp weather, not a ray of sunshine to be had and on top of it our hostel was less than ideal. The "Young and Happy" hostel was more like the "Old and Shitty." Luckily for me, that was the only lacking during my Parisian jaunt. The four of us met my friend Jess' triplet, Jenn, and her friend Lucy Friday night. We sat for three hours at a small creperie, drinking strong French wine and eating the best crepes I've ever had in my life, like we'd all known each other forever. That combined with the nicest French guy who served us made it a good start to our trip. The next day we did the Champs Elysse, Arc de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower and met up with three of my good friends from PSU to celebrate at 21st birthday!! I also bought a SWEEEEEET leather jacket to replace my stolen North Face (RIP :[ ) and my forgotten jacket at UL. I look like a total bad ass and I think it's my favorite piece of clothing I've ever bought! Sunday I went, or rather was dragged, to Palm Sunday mass. To my surprise I was not smited (smote?) with a bolt of lightning when I stepped through the doors of Notre Dame Cathedral, which was pretty cool.
We spent Sunday night/Monday morning in the airport for our 6 a.m. flight to Nice. Everything went well and before I knew it we were cruising next to the gorgeous coast on the way to our hostel, which was the coolest place I've stayed at so far. Nice activities included, sitting on the beach, eating baguettes smothered in brie, strolling through the market everyday for antiques, flowers and fresh fruit, and laughing inappropriately in the Museum of Modern Art. It was also a place where I realized the friendships I've formed in Ireland are going to last a long time. We've only known each other ten weeks, but if feels like I've known these people forever. Traveling with someone, being with them for seven days straight under sometimes stressful situations allows me to know them on totally different levels, and when you click with those people it's even better.
The turquoise blue water, warm sun, palm trees, good friends and fine wine was an absolute privilege an much needed vacation from my vacation.

Spring Break Pleaseeeeee

Spring break cannot come soon enough. I need to rest, mentally and physically. My body is rebelling against me and I need a break from training and papers and traveling for a week to just rest. Sit on the beach on my ass with my sunglasses and a beer and just rest in the sun. Between class, rugby and all five of my papers due this week, I'm pleading with God to just let it be break already!
All the work I haven't had to do this semester has finally come full circle, and is biting me in the ass. Hard. I've got five papers, a presentation and blogs due this week, all of which I'm struggling to concentrate on because I haven't had to write a paper in 12 weeks. It's frustrating to struggle at something last semester I was a pro at pulling off. I'm distracted by the thought of the beaches of France and roaming the streets of Spain in the springtime. I guess after being pampered with easy lectures and tutorials for the last eight weeks, Ireland is showing me what the school system is truly made of. It's time to buck up and start writing, suck it up and quite whining about my work, which I probably could have spread out over the last few weeks. Although to my credit, I did have a lot going on.
First of all, it was St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, so of course I had to go to Dublin to watch the parade. It made for a long day — up at 6 a.m. to catch the bus and start the festivities, back at 4 a.m. passed out on the bus from celebrating. Enough said.
Second, UL ladies rugby had our League Final against the monstrous girls of University College Cork. Although they outweighed us by a few hundred pounds and were out to avenger their prior 22-0 loss from us earlier this season, we scrapped it out and come out on top. It was a close match, tied at the end of regulation 12-12. The tie was a motivating slap in the face for our team, a team that'd only allowed one try scored on us all season. We kicked it into high gear and dominated the 20 minute overtime, winning by a score of 24-17. Watching my teammates hold up that plaque made me feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that I haven't felt in a while. The brutal game and tough play was worth it.
But Playing 100 minutes of rugby was hard on my body, and I'm sure the celebration we had the night after didn't make things much better. I came back that weekend with an aching body and dead on my feet. There wasn't much time to lay around because I had to start all my essays Sunday.
Third, focusing and writing is also a challenge when Rag Week is going on right outside your window. Rag Week, in theory, is a charity week, where portions of money spend on alcohol and concert tickets bought on campus go to a charity of the day. I fully support this tradition, where people can get drunk for a moral and just cause and blow off classes for a week with the understanding of many professors. It's hard to have fun at Rag Week though when you're sick and have five papers to write.
I guess it's the universes' way of telling me to take better care of myself and quite being a procrastinator.

The Sullivans Come to Ireland

It's been about two weeks since I've last written, not because I don't enjoy sharing my little escapades, but simply because I had zero time to sit at my computer and dabble. My parents, brother and boyfriend arrived March 6 for a week of Irish living in the countryside. We rented a cottage in Ardpatrick, a tiny village about 40 kilometers from Limerick. Alice and Michael O'Neil's cottage was a 400-year old structure with a coal stove and a kitchen that I picture when I think of my "grown up house." It is part of a three building estate, complete with farmland, cows, horses, chickens and three of the sweetest dogs I've ever met. The landscape was magnificent, nestled in the hilly terrain in between the ruins of fortified houses and old castles. The only thing that could have been better was the heating — I could literally see my breath as I walked through the house. With electricity being so expensive in Ireland, everything is turned off until the last possible moment and fuel is used in moderation. So with a few extra layers and a stoked coal stove, we called the spacious cottage home for a week.
It made for a good base to travel from, and travel we did. Mom, Dad, Taylor, Nick and I went to Cork, Dublin, Galway and Kilarney, along with a few smaller stops along the way, catching sites like the Blarney Castle, Kilarney National Park and the original Claddagh ring store. We saw old friar hangouts and neo-gothic churches that are scattered throughout the Irish towns and country side. My family also got to see the UL Rugby team and myself play a winning match against Galway; mom was horrified and dad was impressed. We also at at some of the best pubs I've been to so far, with meals like savory Irish stew, bangers and mash, all washed down with sips of Irish coffee creamy Guinness.
Speaking of the black gold, I think my family discovered the best place in Ireland to have a pint and a conversation. The Village Inn, a small pub which my parents stumbled upon during a walk became the keystone to my families stay. It all started when my parents took a walk down the winding roads after we settled in last Saturday. They found the Inn situated in the middle of a town whose school house is home to just five students. They strolled through the front door to find the place packed with people in suits and dresses — yes, my mom and dad had just crashed a wake. They were invited in to join in the celebration of an O'Sullivan whose ashes had been laid to rest that day. They had so much fun in the afternoon they brought us back for more that evening. The owner, Nuala, was welcoming and friendly, inviting us back every night and finally to a sing song Friday event, where village members all over the age of 60 serenaded the tiny pub with traditional Irish music, the inflection and tone of the songs reflecting Irelands sorry, joy and history. That night in Nuala's bar truly made the entire week for my family and I.
On a less tradition, but just as fun note, we celebrated my brother Taylor's 19th birthday. Vodka, Bailey's, tequila, wine and Guinness make for an eventful and entertaining birthday celebration. We capped the week off in Dublin with a night out on the town. I'd say the Sullivan clan did a good job this week in celebrating our Irish roots, and also surviving driving on the other side of the road (with only a few near death experiences.) Slainte!

The City of Hookers, Hash and Houses Where People Hid

I survived my weekend getaway to Brussels and Amsterdam, although there were a few close calls thanks to the obscene amount of people riding very fast on bikes. I went with the expectations of a dirty, trashy, sex-crazed city where the locals were always high and looking to sell sex and drugs, but in reality Amsterdam was one of the cleanest, most intriguingly gorgeous cities I've ever seen. The combination of history, architecture and local surprises (along with the sexed up Red Light District) made the city fun and extremely entertaining.
I laughed out loud when we accidently ran into the Red Light District for the first time...I was walking along minding my own business when I look up from the cobbled road to see an ancient, overweight, lingerie-wearing prostitute posing scandalously in a window, tempting us to come closer with a "come hither" wiggle of her finger. Although I had been expecting it, it still blew my mind and gave all six of us a good laugh. We walked through shops that sold obscenely hilarious toys, museums dedicated solely to the history of marijuana and by theaters advertising the "Best Live Show in Town!" Clearly it was every 20-something's dream city.
But outside the small area that makes up Sin City, Amsterdam was one of the coolest and classiest places I've been, with loads of museums, art galleries, historical monuments and beautiful markets filled with anything and everything you could imagine. We visited the Anne Frank House and Museum (my personal favorite), the Van Gogh Art Museum, the Tulip Museum and found a flea market that sold everything from freshly made crepes to hand-carved antiques. The more intellectual side of the city made for a nice variety and balance for the wild night life and shady dealings of the RLD. I felt like I got to experience two completely different atmospheres and cities in one trip, which is one of the best things about Amsterdam, the variety of things there are to explore.
Traveling there was half of the adventure. My group left Limerick Thursday night by train to Dublin, where we stayed in a nice hostel and listened to a traditional band at a pub next door. We woke up early Friday to catch a flight to Brussels, where after exploring, gorging ourselves on Belgian Waffles and taking pictures of a peeing statue, we finally boarded a bus to Amsterdam. We celebrated my friend Matt's 22nd birthday by going out to Royalties night club where we got our groove on to some crazy European techno music. We were exhausted and ready to come home Sunday night, but the trip to, from and through Amsterdam was definitely a highlight of my European experience so far. And I made it the whole weekend without getting arrested or killed by crazy bike-riders, which is always a good thing :)

I Just Got Slapped in the Face By My Planner

Yesterday I sat down and looked at my planner, my syllabi and my travel goals and realized I had a hell of a lot of organizing to do. Between mid-terms, internship deadlines, flight bookings and spring break searches, I think the rest of my week before a trip to Amsterdam will be spent huddled around my computer writing, checking times, prices and information about everything.
With my tutorial sessions underway, I've received all of the dates for my mid-terms, presentations and papers that are due before final exams. This stresses me out, because up to this point there has been absolutely no school work to do. It's all lumped up in the next three weeks. With the majority of my grades based on these assignments, I have to be sure and put in all my effort to do well and impress the professors. A lot of them should be pretty straight forward and a little shorter papers than I'm used to which is a good thing, but the amount of weight they carry are just important, so I need to dig in my heels and focus.
Another thing I'm starting to worry about is internships. Out of the five I've applied for so far I've only had one offer and haven't heard back from a few. So I'm searching frantically through Penn State to see if I can find more options. There are a few more deadlines for internships in Pittsburgh and Philly that I need to make sure I finish and send in by the deadline. I'd like to have more options to choose from, and that means applying for more positions. This could be a problem simply because of how much I'm going to have to pay in postage!
The final thing on my mind is what to do about spring break. My friends and I would love to go to Greece, bask in the sunshine and hopefully gaze upon gorgeous men with sexy accents. Unfortunately, this is going to involve a lot of planning on our part, and it's going to be tough to get six different girls to agree on anything. The good thing is, I already have money set aside for this excursion, so I feel like it will be my chance to splurge and not worry about how this will effect my monetary situation for the rest of my stay in Ireland.
Thanks for listening to my gripes about life...I guess I'm lucky to be stressed over school and traveling Europe rather than my health or a family matter. This little complaining fest has put things into perspective for me. I love when I write things down and they make more sense. Now, off to my To Do List!

Pip Pip Cheerio!

It's Friday and that means I'm off to the land of tea and crumpets, ancient queens and stuffy men in tall black hats. But what I'm looking for in London is more that just the stereotypical tourist experience, I want to see the real thing, the place that at one time was the of the world. After the London Eye, fish and chips and a look at Big Ben, I want to delve into the history and intrigue that makes up one of the most interesting cities I plan to visit.
A city as old as London has lot's to offer and the historic site are the ones I'm most pumped to see. After hearing some of the hot-spots from a few friends that have been there before this is my top three to-see list: The Tower of London, where King Henry and multiple wives beheaded; the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's plays were brought to life for royalty and peasants; Trafalgar Square, a memorial to the English defeating the French in some battle.
I also want to know the current relationship between the Irish and the British. In Ireland, it seems as if people still have some pent up bitterness against the British. I don't know how long feelings like this last, but I guess we had the same situation in America after our own revolution, with tense relations until well after the Civil War. I'd like to see the dynamic in England, what they think about the Irish and if there are any wise-cracks about the country or the people.
Most of all I'm just excited to have an adventure and meet up with a few of my good friends from PENN STATE!!! Plus I think I'm finally staring to shake the cold that's been plaguing me all week :)
If you have any good travel tips for London, leave a comment!

The 814 Comes to Dublin

Nothing beats exploring a new country with some of your best friends. This weekend I hit the largest city in Ireland with two girls that I've been friends with for a long time, which made the experience that more meaningful and fun. Katie, Susannah and I went out dancing, shopping, site seeing and of course eating our way through the streets of Dublin. We got to see some amazing and beautiful parks and architecture, sample the best pub food I've had in Ireland so far and get our free pint of Guinness at the end of touring the way-cool Guinness Factory.
I had so much fun with my girls, but for the first time since I've been to Ireland I felt a little twinge of homesickness. Don't get me wrong, I miss my family, friends and boyfriend a lot, but I haven't felt that need to go home. Walking through the streets up Dublin was like walking through a small town and it made me want to walk through the streets of my hometown. That combined with seeing my old friends and not having my other half on Valentine's Day made me realize how much everyone and everything back in the States means to me. That, along with having a cold and wishing my mom and dad were there to make me soup and make sure I felt okay, was a good reminder of all that I have to come home to after this amazing experience comes to an end.
Much love to everyone back home :)

UL-62, DCU-0

Yesterday was my first rugby match and it was AWESOME! The day involved team bonding, kicking Dublin City University's ass and of course celebrating and drinking on the bus ride home afterward...my kind of day!
I boarded the bus with the team and chatted with the girls on the way up, trying to get some last minute advice and praying to God I didn't get absolutely obliterated on the field. We stepped off the bus, into the locker room and suited up in our school colors, maroon and navy blue. After a quick warm up I found out I'd be the first girl subbed in, which ended up being sooner than I expected — one of the girls injured her hand 25 minutes into the game. Coach called out, "American Katie, you're in!" So I stripped off my Nittany Lion hoodie and ran out onto the pitch.
There were no major plays on my part, but I did get a few good tackles and hits on the DCU girls, and more importantly I didn't "fuck the ball away" (my new favorite Irish term for turnover.) The best part was finally seeing all the parts of the game come together out on the playing field. Everything I've been learning for the past two weeks finally clicked and I saw all the parts of the team working as one unit...it was so cool! Along with battle comes battle scars, and my legs are living proof. I'm covering in bruises, cut on both legs and I'm pretty sure even after a shower there's still enough mud on me to plant a garden.
Since we were celebrating and sore, we decided to stop and get a few drinks for the bus ride home. Drinking on a bus allows two things to happen: people, with the help of alcohol and tight quarters, open up more easily, and you learn of traditional Irish songs because everybody, once again with the help of alcohol, sings at the top of their lungs. I learned that one of my teammates can open beer bottles with her teeth and that Jesus Can't Play Rugby.
It's official, rugby is my kind of sport.

Limerick, You're A Lady

Today was a day of exploration in the foggy and chilly, yet still intriguing, city of Limerick. My roommate Michelle and I ventured out after a late breakfast with two of my friends from Penn State to check out the sites and sounds of the former "Stab City."
Not very long ago Limerick had a pretty nasty reputation as being one of the more violent and shady places to go in Ireland, but in the past decade has cleaned up its act and has a lot of really cool stuff to see. Although some parts of town are covered in graffiti and look a little sketchy, there are a lot of things about the city that make it just as beautiful as any other in Ireland.
First there's the Medieval District, which is home to King John's Castle, St. John's Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral, all of which were somber and breath-taking. I'm not one to go in churches unless forced or stabbed in the side with a feeling of catholic guilt, but I willingly went in to check out St. John's. It was dim and silent, but the combination of architecture, stain glass and high ceilings gave me chills and made me wonder quietly in awe. The altar was a carefully carved depiction of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son and the arching supports in the ceiling looked like perfectly fitting ribs of a boat's haul. Maybe I'll go to a mass here to see if I can rekindle my love for Catholicism...haha.
We did get a good look at King John's Castle from the outside, but a tour of the castle and museum was eight euro, so we decided to wait for a discount day. Instead we went to the Limerick Museum which was located right next door. The place was full of cool historical documents and artifacts from the past four centuries. I got to see some old school jewelry, flags and paintings that tell the story of Limerick's evolution. It was a pretty cool place. We walked past St. Mary's Cathedral, but it was starting to get dark so we didn't have time to go inside, we'll have to save that for another day.
But I think my favorite part of the day was wondering through the Milk Market, a small flea/farmers market with all kinds things, from fresh fruit and veggies to old books and Guinness signs. I got some groceries for cheap, and sipped hot chocolate while sorting through old editions of Lord of the Rings and French Literature books. There were award-winning jam makers and people selling plants and flowers. Really really cool stuff.
As much as people saw to avoid "Stab City" I've found a lot of Limerick that makes it delve a little deeper in my heart and make me not want to leave. But my adventure for tomorrow is out of town, a hiking trip with the Outdoor Pursuits Club! Wish me and my new hiking boots luck :)

Hurt So Good

I woke up this morning with a kink in my neck and my legs quaking with fatigue, my arms dead at my side, and my back feeling like a thousand horses had trampled me the previous day.
I love that feeling.
Yesterday was my first rugby practice, and I as I expected, my body is in revolt after a long-missed physical beating. Although I'm in pain and every muscle in my body aches, I can't help but smile and go back for more, which I did today...twice. The feeling of sprints, drills and muscle memory reflex exercises in a team setting had me grinning from ear to ear and brought back the old high-school feeling of being in shape. Not to mention how fun running around in the mud and hitting people is with a bunch of really friendly and helpful teammates.
Coach had me tryout at forward, a line of eight stronger, more built players that clear the way for the backs, a group of seven smaller and faster players. I wasn't really sure of the theory behind what was going on in the drills, but I started to get a physical grasp on what the position entails; a lot of tackling, lifting and some ball carrying. I also tried to soak up the calls, what all the code words are and their meaning, although there are so many I think it will take me more than a few weeks to get everything straight. A few rugby terms so you can impress Americans who don't know to much about the sport:

Ruck - the area and players surrounding a tackled player, all trying to get the ball

Scrum - happens after a stoppage in play i.e. a penalty. This is when the players line up, interlock and try and push the opposition back while trying to get possession of the ball

Lift- hoisting a player into the air to try and gain possession off a throw-in.

The team is one of the best college teams in Ireland, and have won the inter-college tournament for the past two years, so I'm really excited to get a chance to play with them. Hopefully I play well enough in practice over the next week to make it to the next match in dublin. Even if I don't get to play I think playing rugby (one of the most popular sports in Ireland) will be a great opportunity to interact with more Irish people and also learn more about the culture and ways of the Irish. I may just need to airlift my chiropractor and massage therapist here to do it.

Galway Girl

Just got back from the International Society's weekend excursion to some of the most beautiful places in Ireland, including the Cliff's of Moher, Kylemore Abbey and the city of Galway.
I left UL early Saturday morning with two bus-fulls of fellow students on our way to Galway, a western city situated right along the coast of Galway Bay. After a few hours of gorgeous scenery we stopped at the coastal town of Lahinch, where we walked up to the Atlantic and watched surfers brave the chilly water to catch a few waves. I learned that for about six weeks out of the year, western Ireland has some of the best surfing in the world, and surfers from all over the globe come to ride. The stop made for some great pictures and gave us a chance to see the ocean, a first for many of the students on the trip. After boarding the bus for a another few hours we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I've ever seen. The view was breath taking and the refreshing breeze blew the smell of the ocean right into your face. It's absolutely a must see if you ever visit Ireland.
We arrived in Galway around dinner time Saturday, and after grabbing ourselves a quick bite to eat, about eight of us settled down in the corner of a popular pub, Taafee's for some traditional Irish music and a few pints of "black gold." The locals, especially the men, were super friendly and chatty. It seems the the men get better and better looking the longer I'm here...which leads me to the highlight of the night. A Munster rugby player walked in the door trying to be low key in a sweater in jeans. But the Irish love their rugby players and he was immediately recognized and the entire pub started singing the Munster fight song.
It wasn't just the great pub scene that made Galway so lovely, it was the tiny artisan shops and the many stores offering Claddagh jewelry that made the university town see more quaint and enjoyable than the louder, more urbanized Limerick. All I purchased there were postcards, but if I had bucks to spend, I would have gotten one of the plentiful handmade sweaters or rings.
Our whole group stayed at a hostel called Sleep Zone. I was a little nervous when I found out we were staying at one, since I've never slept at a hostel before. But this place was top shelf, clean bedding, rooms, bathrooms, and locks for everything. I felt completely secure and I think the hostel may be cleaner and quieter than my accommodations at UL haha! After a decent night's rest we got up, had breakfast at a small cafe and boarded the bus to Kylemore Abbey.
The Abbey, which is situated and the foot of a mountain and in front of a sapphire-blue lake, looks like a medieval castle but was in fact built in the 1860s by the Henry family. The Catholic church somehow got their hands on the property, as the church usually finds a way to do, after World War One, and the building has served as the mother ship for the nuns ever since. The Abbey is also an international boarding school, with a neo-gothic cathedral and a beautiful garden on the property.
All in all, the trip was a great way to start my country-wide travels. Some of the classic sights mixed in with some that many people don't get to see. Check out my Facebook page for pictures!

Oh, Sleep, How I Miss You

A full-night's rest is a rare and elusive sleep here at UL. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights are always a party, so students are out in full force having a good time, singing and rabble rousing outside my window. Unfortunately for me, I'm a light sleeper and my walls are about as thick as a fashion model's pinky finger.
The first week was good, and after two straight days of traveling and walking around campus not even a nuclear explosion could have woken me, but that all changed when the Irish students moved back. That, in combination with excitement about upcoming trips and late nights at the pub dancing and drinking, my sleep schedule has been knocked off it's axis.
What I don't get during the night, I try to make up for during the day in between classes. It's more quiet in the housing complexes during class hours than at night, so while other people are off learning, I'm getting my much needed beauty sleep. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to indulge in these glorious treats because our class tutorials start in two weeks, adding another five hours throughout the week that I won't be able to nap.
Maybe this is a good thing, the time I could spend sleeping will allow me to have more time to get out and explore the campus and city. On the other hand, I hope I don't burn myself from a lack of sleep.

Already Booked

I've only been in Ireland for 9 days and I already have six trips booked for the rest of my stay! I've already got plans to visit Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, County Cork, Dublin, London and a unknown destination for spring break (hopefully somewhere warm.) I'm starting to realize my trip is going to fly by, and although the days in class may feel long, my time in Ireland isn't going to be enough to see all that I want to see.
I joined the International Student Society, a club that offers trips around Ireland and Northern Ireland for student-friendly prices, and through my study abroad office at the University, we get two trips included in our tuition, which will help stretch my spending Euro as far as it will go.
My friends and I are boarding a bus Saturday morning for the smaller, more traditional town of Galway. A friend of mine from PSU studied there last year and said it was definitely a must-see while in Ireland. Lucky for me, one of my Irish roommates hales from the town and has been telling me all of the best pubs to visit and places to go. It should make for some good photos as well, give me a chance to see how talented I am with the scenery shots.
It should be good craic! (pronounced "crack" ... the Irish word for fun, not the illegal substance)

Sporting Hub of Ireland

A note about the Irish and their sport...they absolutely love it, especially around Limerick. From my discussions with students and other people around the school it seems that Limerick is the sporting capital of Ireland.
The University's gym/pool/workout facility is by far the newest and nicest building on campus, and is home the the countries first 50 meter swimming pool. The turf field by my housing village is never empty, whether it's students practicing soccer or local helmet-clad children playing a hurling match. I even saw a soccer match between two teams of mentally challenged players, which was neat to see. Boy, girl, young, old, able or disabled, everyone seems to talk their sports seriously.
Rugby is the sport of choice around campus, with a very talented University of Limerick team, and an even more popular Munster team playing within the city walls. The pubs get packed when matches are on, and just like Sundays in America, everyone walks around with their favorite team's jersey on, and flaunting their colors. It's fun to watch and even more interesting to learn the rules of a sport that is just taking off in America. Although Penn State is home to both women and men's rugby national champions, I have yet to see a game. When I get back to the States I'm going to take by re-ignited passion for watching new sports to the Penn State rugby matches.

Fashion Fopaux

Ireland has made me realize how unfashionable I am, not matter what country I'm in. The girls here are the definition of trendy complete with edgy haircuts, healed boots, tight leggings and mini-skirts. Here, my favorite sweatpants are not only unfashionable, but disrespectful to wear to class. Here when I go to a bar, my jeans are frowned upon even if they are really cute. American girls are easily spotted in their North Face jackets and jeans with rain boots, not leather boots the the Irish like to wear.
So I'm taking a step out of my comfort zone and heading to town soon with a few of my American companions to give ourselves and Irish makeover, leggings, skirts and all. We are heading to the clothing stores with a drive to become equals in the eyes of the Irish woman. I'm leaving my hoodies behind for cute accessories and a new outlook on fashion.
When I return to the States, I will be so stylish they'll ask me to pose for Vogue. Well, that's a stretch, but I can always hope ;)

Scheduling Sucks In Ireland Too

Well I guess no matter what school you go to, scheduling is a pain in the ass no matter what. I just spent three hours attempting to put together a schedule that fits and that will help achieve my goal of finishing at least one of my minors up while I'm over here.
The system is very different from the one we use in the states. Here they offer two hours a week for each class taken, with a possibility of a tutorial or lab, or both as well. Luckily most of the English and history classes I signed up to take don't require a lab and only one hour of tutorial, as opposed to my friend Jess, who has two lectures, two labs and two tutorials for some of her health science classes. Unfortunately, many of the lectures are split into two different hours, on different days on different buildings, making it hard to juggle five classes and the tutorials that go along with them.
After a lot of tweaking and switching, I think I've finally found a combination that works, but if not the University gives us two weeks to change our schedules around before we finalize anything. They seems to give the international students a lot of freedom in choosing classes and are very accommodating, so hopefully if I have any trouble they can help me out!!

Peace out Erie, Hello Eire

Well it's the end of my first week in Limerick, Ireland and so far I've loved almost every minute of it! I flew out of Pittsburgh with two other girls from Penn State, our nerves and butterflies eased with a few drinks from the airport bar. Good thing we stopped drinking though, because after our hour-long flight from Pittsburgh to Boston, we had to literally sprint across the Boston Airport to catch our flight with Aer Lingus to Shannon, Ireland. Although we just made it on the plane, our luggage didn't. Our first few days in a new country were accompanied by the scent of three ripe travelers who'd left their shampoo and towels in their luggage.
Aside from my lost luggage, which I finally got back Wednesday night, the trip has gone smoothly. I'm meeting tons of new people from all over the United States as well as Europe. We've befriended some very cool French students who are eager to share a laugh and a pint. Everyone is very friendly and willing to make an effort to talk with you, just like freshman year of college all over again, everyone in the same boat. There have been multiple outings with other students to the pub to either just hang out or even watch a rugby match. No matter where you're from or if you like beer or not, almost everyone seems to enjoy sipping on dark and creamy Guinness straight from the tap.
When students aren't at the pub, they seems to be spending a lot of time in town. The city of Limerick is a bustling place filled modern shops and old stone churches, bordering the river Shannon. Tomorrow we are taking a bus tour of the entire city, hopefully finding out some of the most enticing destinations and pubs, of which there are plenty to choose from! On my "Sites to See" so far are: St. John's Castle, the rugby stadium and a pub with traditional Irish music...let's see how many I can check off tomorrow!