don't worry. I didn't forget about this!

Bet you all thought that I forgot about his huh? Well don't you worry. I am here.
Lots of things have happened since I last wrote. Well, not really, but enough to write about for sure!

The weekend after my parents left, Isabelle, Brenna, Abby, and I headed off to Doolin, a small town right near the Cliffs of Moher. There are 3 pubs in the entire town, and only like 500 people. So, you can imagine that there is not much to do. But, it was beautiful, and the town was adorable. We stayed at the cutest hostel (another Rainbow hostel...always a winner with us) which was run by a husband and wife. They were so adorable, and Matty, the husband, even set up a nice little slide show of pictures that he had taken over the years, explaining the history of Doolin to us. He was so adorable.

We woke up on Saturday morning and went to the Cliffs. They were beautiful the second time around, and we had a lovely day. We were driven there by Carmel, the wife, and then we walked back to the hostel, stopping at every farm animal we could find. We stopped at an adorable little jam shop called Clare Jams, and each bought ourselves a little jar for the night. It was delicious! I bought Strawberry Champagne (mom's favorite). It was delicious, and I still have some in my fridge!




But Doolin was a pretty sleepy little town, but definitely worth all the scenery. It was beautiful, but all of Ireland is, so you can't really go wrong.


I have been working on lots and lots of papers during the week, so that's pretty boring to report on. But, I did get one of my first and only grades back on a midterm paper and it was an A. So happy about that!

Last Saturday we had a trip sponsored by Arcadia to go to the Aran Islands. It was probably one of the most beautiful places I've been since I've gotten here (a very close second to Dingle). We biked all around the island, once again stopping at every farm animal we saw. It was absolutely gorgeous! But, the best part about it was this part where you got to climb up to the top of a cliff, and there was nothing between you and the edge! You could go right up and sit on the edge of a very, very, very tall cliff and dangle your feet right over. And that is what I did. You can imagine when I told my mom this, she was not very happy with me! But, it was a once in a lifetime deal, and I had to do it! It was incredible! Just look at the pictures! CRAZY!



But, let's get to the good stuff. So, Wednesday was St. Patrick's Day, and I was in Ireland for it. Are you kidding me? Crazy! And it certainly was a fun day at that!

We woke up early and made a delicious breakfast with some friends, including some yummy pancakes, biscuits, bacon (which I burned myself with) and other yummy goodies. It was such a lovely way to start the day! Then we headed down to Shop Street where the parade was going on. Now, you would think that since it is Ireland, they would have the best parade going. Yeah. I thought that too. But this one was a little different, and absolutely not what I expected! Let's just say that there was about 15 minutes between each float and only about 2 of them were Irish themed. There were some belly dancers, star wars characters, and other crazy things that did not make sense at all. Definitely an experience that I will certainly not forget. Then, dressed in green, we headed over to a pub to meet a bunch of people. It was so nice, and we sat outside on the patio because it was just so darn warm! We definitely had the luck of the Irish when it came to weather that day! Then, when we were done there, we headed down to the canal to sit outside and enjoy the sun! It was beautiful! A lovely St. Patrick's Day had by all. I still can't believe I was in Ireland for it! Crazy!



But that's about it for now. I'm knee deep in paper assignments, so I think I should start working on some of those. I am getting a good jump on it though, so that's good!

I promise I'll get better at writing in this!

I miss you all and love you all! Can you believe it's almost April?

got my family fix, and now i'm settled!

Sorry it's been so long, but I have just been so busy because the entire family was here last week! And, let me tell you...it was just what I needed. Now, I am happy as a clam, and ready to finish up my last 2 months here...can you believe it?

I'll try to remember everything we did, but we stopped in so many little towns that I may forget a few. But, I'll try my best.

Mom and Dad arrived on Monday morning. I went to my 10am class, and was planning on meeting them at the hotel right after. So, as I was running to the hotel to get them, I was crossing the bridge into town and I hear someone scream. Initially I was annoyed, thinking to myself, "god I hate when people scream on the street. They are so annoying." Then, I hear it again and make out what the person is saying..."Rocket!" So, I knew that it was my dad! I turned around, and there he was, running towards me on the bridge. It literally was out of a movie. They had arrived so early so they went to look in the Cathedral, but they went in one at a time so they wouldn't miss me if I walked by. Good thing they did that because there I was! Such a perfect way to start the week! Then, we went to a pub downtown and I showed them my favorite meal of all time...vegetable soup, brown bread, and guinness. It was so perfect! Later, we went out to get some fish and chips at what is supposed to be the best fish and chips place around. I had never been there, and was so ready to try it. But, we were a little underwhelmed. It was way too greasy and really not outstanding. But, the atmosphere was great. I could have eaten anywhere. I was just happy to have my family with me! We had a lovely night on the town after dinner, listening to some great live music, then ran off to the hotel for some much needed rest...poor guys were so jet lagged!

The next day, in come Jenna and Brian, driving on the left side of the road, into the hotel! The family was all together! So happy! The girls did some shopping, while the boys found a pub for a much needed pint. It was perfect. That night, my family treated me and my roommates to a much needed home cooked meal. We made mini meatloafs and it was the first time my Irish roommates had ever had it! How cute! They loved them! It was so nice to have a nice family dinner, and let my parents see who I am living with..and Abby too, of course! After our bellies were full, we headed to a pub that does Irish set dancing on Tuesdays. All of my friends were there, so my family was able to meet them as well! It was just so perfect!

The next day, we began our journey into the motherland. We started off through Connemara, looking at all the beautiful sights along the way. We stopped literally at every beautiful thing we saw to take a picture of it. Eventually, after stopping in a small town for lunch, we made it to Westport...honestly the cutest town in all of Ireland. We had a delicious Italian dinner, then headed to the famous pub Matt Malloy's, owned by the guy in the Chieftans. This was literally the most perfect Irish pub I have ever seen. It was full of old men and women just having the time of their lives and being so happy. When they found out that my birthday was the next day, and I would be turning 21 at midnight, they were so excited! They sang to me, danced with me, circled around me, and just made it the best night ever! Everyone was so happy to celebrate my birthday and I could not have asked to ring in my day any other way!

The next day we headed off to our next destination...Sligo. The girls, again went shopping, while the men went off to have a pint. Then, my lovely family threw me a little birthday party in the hotel room! It was so nice. I'm so happy that they were there for my birthday! Then, we headed off to a new pub, where the music was great and the guinness was better! The next morning, we woke up early to go find W.B. Yeats' grave...one of the prides of Ireland. It was a little underwhelming, but still so cool for this little English major. Very very nice. Then we headed off to our next destination, Ballyvaughn, but not without some car trouble along the way. Basically, the entire bottom of the car fell off. Not good. But, Dad and Brian saved the day, and after a few hours delay, we were back on the left side of the road in our new car...which happened to be a standard. scary.

But, we made it to Ballyvaughn, and I swear, we were the only people in the entire town. It is so small, with only one hotel open at the time. So, we cozied ourselves up in there and had a DELICIOUS meal there, right in front of the fireplace. We took it easy that night, and we were all in bed early, sleeping like little babies!

Then, it was Saturday and headed off the the Cliffs of Moher. For those of you that don't know...the Cliffs of Insanity from the classic movie "The Princess Bride" was filmed here. Obviously I was in heaven. They were gorgeous, and we were so lucky to have such a nice day! Mom did well, even with her extreme fear of heights. I was proud!

Then we headed back into Galway, just in time for the market. My family got to experience the heaven that is the doughnut, and they agreed that they were the best things ever created by human hands. We also got my favorite crepe, sharing it among the five of us! Heaven. Then, I was given my big ol' birthday present...the most beautiful ring ever created. I am honestly so in love. You all have to see it. You will die, I'm telling you. It's a GORGEOUS cameo ring, and is just the most perfect thing on my finger. I am obsessed. Then, that night we went out to a fabulous traditional Irish dinner, then headed off to another pub. Dad, of course got up to sing with the band (big surprise) and everyone LOVED him, of course! What better place to sing Elvis than in an Irish pub!

The next morning, Jenna and Brian headed off to Dublin, so we said our goodbyes. Mom, Dad, and I had one last day in Galway, seeing all the things we didn't get to see. It was lovely. Then, we had a nice little Italian dinner, and headed back to the hotel, where we didn't move because we were so exhausted! I can't blame us! We had such a busy week!

Then, the next morning, they headed off to the bus station, and our perfect vacation had ended. But, it was everything I could have asked for and more! Everyone was so happy, and it was so nice to have the family back together again!

Also, just so I don't have to do a whole new post about this...my beautiful roommate Abby threw me and my other friend a surprise birthday party last night! So sweet of her! It was so much fun! Such a perfect time!

But, that's enough for now. This was a long one. Love you guys! I miss you!