{Back to School}

It was my last first day of school on Tuesday. It's a surreal feeling being back at IWU after living in Ireland for a semester, becoming a Mrs., and starting a whole new stage of life that involved bills and house work. I have this strange feeling like I don't really belong here anymore. But I guess I expected that once Jordan and I had made our plans last fall. We knew everything was going to change, and change for the better.

The best part about starting school is the season. Fall. And with fall comes pumpkin spice lattes at the bucks. In fact, I think I just might head over there right now to get myself some fall goodness in a cup.

A Whole New World

I have been staying busy here, and already I have experienced things that still seem like a dream. I really cannot believe I am actually in Ireland! It hits me in a new way every time I wake up.

It helps me to process the things that happen here by taking photos, writing things down on paper, talking with the people here, and obviously, blogging. With this I am able to grasp the deeper meaning that I am usually not searching for in my day to day routine in the states.

One practice I have been disciplined enough to do is journaling daily. If not daily, then often. I save my receipts, newspaper clippings, plane stubs, and anything else that falls into my fingertips. I paste these things in my journal, and then I write. At this point it seems silly and forgettable, but ten years from now I will cherish those small pieces of paper and words in a notebook from one of the most memorable times of my life.

This week has been constant with new experiences to write about.


I have visited Dublin. It was nothing like what I expected. It's very compact, yet big and busy. I loved it.



I have been to the famous Temple Bar!



I have started some great relationships, and I have experienced community in a whole new way.



I have been hit with differences in culture, like pureed soups, which is the most common in Ireland. This right here is vegetable soup, but it is definitely not the kind of vegetable soup I was expecting. Very delicious though.

I have received the largest collection of textbooks in one semester that I have ever had. The difference is, I would probably thoroughly enjoy reading all of these.

I have studied Irish History, realizing that the places I was reading about would be places I will be visiting in a few weeks.

I have visited several Cafes in the neighboring towns of Greystones


I have experienced the Dart Train, learning how to do public transportation in a different country.


I have ordered tea, surprised to find that the standard is actually to get your own cute little pot which holds three servings of tea.

Oh yeah, and I visited Bono's house, (actually, the gate in front of his house). The neighborhood is one of the more beautiful places I have been to yet.

Coffee Convos

This week has been a refreshing time for me to catch up with the people I am closest to. Staying up until 5:00am every night has been exhausting, but it is what we do.

Whenever I am home, I am reminded that I have the best friends in the world.








Really though. No one else has what we have.

Time flies.

The first semester of my third year at college is almost over. It seems like it just began. I still feel like there is a lot to do until Christmas break, and honestly, I am becoming more overwhelmed everyday.

This week I have a total of five shifts at the lovely McConn Coffee shop. That is a bunch! Thankfully, I have never had more fun at any job I have ever had. And I finally feel comfortable behind the counter.

Plus, Jordan and I have two shifts together this week :-)



I can't complain. I get to smell like coffee all the time.
The bad part is...I drink way more coffee than I probably should. Like today for example...I have already consumed four shots of espresso, one cuban latte, and one cup of fresh brew. (yikes).

Aside from freshly brewed beans, there are so many other good things the Lord is bringing into my life lately. He has been changing my world, and I love it.

I will share more details later...

At home in the woods

Jordan and I took a study break to hang out with our friends Josh and Shannon. It was our first time seeing their new house - the coziest little place I ever did see, with a winding gravel driveway surrounded by tall trees.

Shannon was a great hostess as always and made coffee and pumpkin cookies for us.









By the way, Josh is a very talented musician, and he recently released his new album. You can find out more about him on his blog, or just check out his music RIGHT HERE.










We were thankful to get away from campus. It's always a good time with those two.

I entertain with coffee and tea.

Without cable television and internet access, I have come to enjoy good conversation with a freshly steeped cup of tea, or brewed cup of joe. A few of my closest friends have already paid a visit to the new house.

It's nice that one of my best friends is also dating my roommate. Jordan and I have loved hanging out with Gabby and Tim. Even though Tim lives in Ft. Wayne, he still takes frequent trips down to Marion. I am glad he has found a beautiful and wonderful woman of God who will hopefully turn into a good friend of my own.









This weekend was spent in good company. Beth came to visit! She is one of my closest friends that I don't get to see enough. I am so thankful for her and all she has done for me in the last two years. We were attached to the hip freshman year of college, and now we are so busy that we have to work to find time to catch up. It was such a relief to spend two whole days with her.


Beth and I hung out one night with our friends Tom and Levi. We all took a trip to Meijer for dinner supplies, and headed back to my house to cook. The house immediately smoked up and we all started to boil. We were sweating bullets. It was tough to make the meal peacefully but we eventually got it done. Burgers, salad, corn on the cob, and sauteed mushrooms & onions. It was surprisingly delicious.












One thing I did learn about myself is that I thoroughly enjoy doing dishes.

My other roommate Devon helped me get them all dried, but I felt accomplished once dinner was finished and the kitchen was sparkling clean.

Later in the night Beth and I went back to buy some International Delight coffee creamers, sugar, paper towels, and salt. It was expensive! The cheapest paper towels were basically $2.00 a roll. Thankfully we could find cheap salt and sugar, but I am not looking forward to spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on groceries for the rest of my life.

I have noticed that since then, I have been super protective of the paper towels. I wouldn't even let Jordan use one to dry his hands.