I know some people wanted to hear about our 21st Birthday. One of the best things about being a twin is you're never alone on your birthday and when my sister says "Happy Birthday!" I can respond with "You too."
I think we were more excited to be spending our birthday together than we were spending our 21st in Ireland. The allure of turning 21 in the States is somehow lost here because, well, we have been going out and drinking all semester. Don't get me wrong, we had a great night - went out to dinner, then to our favorite pub - BUT all the worry associated with turning 21 isn't needed. By all accounts, it was a tame night.
Tuesday May 7th was my sister and my roommate's last final, so we went out that night as well. Really, it was our last night out as a large group since most of my friends went to Belfast this weekend. On Wednesday we went to The Galway Aquarium as something to get us out of the apartments. That aquarium was more fun than aquariums should have any right to be. Lots of large touch tanks - we got to hold starfish, hermit crabs, a massive spider crab (as seen below), and we got to pet sting rays and sand sharks. We spent a few hours there easy . . . then went to a fish and chips shop for lunch . . .
The crab seemed really hairy at first . . then I realized it was just mossy . . .
Thursday I spent hanging around town with my friends. They left for Belfast early Friday morning and are getting back late tonight (er . . .EARLY Monday morning), only a few hours before my sister and I leave.
Then I started packing. a large part of me is devastated that I'm leaving. I have no regrets from my time in Ireland, but if I could, I'd easily spend another week traveling and seeing everything I was unable too.
I miss my family. I miss my dogs, my boyfriend. I miss American Chinese food, and Noodles, Target, Walmart, and driving my car. There is so much I miss and I cant wait to be back. The flip side is, there is also much I'm going to miss when I leave Galway. The people, my friends, the pubs, (NOT) the rain, our fish and chips shop, black currant as a "normal" flavor. All the little things that have become familiar will be left behind.
Where from here?
I don't know how I've changed. Its a gradual thing, I guess. My diction and the way I speak has changed, the way I see myself, the way I see my country and how I relate to the world is different. My relationships have developed for the better, I think.
And yet.
Its hard to tell how much I've changed until I get back. My study abroad advisers both here and in America say that "culture shock" is sometimes more drastic when returning home, because you aren't expecting the differences, not expecting change. Its hard to anticipate I guess. I know I have my family and friends to keep me busy, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous to be returning home.
Excited, but nervous - where do I go from here? what did I take away from this experience? The adventure of a lifetime - possibly. Definitely one of the most profound experiences in my life to date. I was lucky enough to study abroad. Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. Is it hard? Without a doubt. Is it worth it? 100% yes.
My last post will be a few days after I return to the states. I'll probably have something to say by then. For now, I'm off to go scrub out the fridge, and clean the bathroom.
No matter the country, chores still have to be done.
♥C
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