Why Pursue a Degree in Ireland

After writing another guest post for the UCC International Blog, I realized I've never reflected on my degree and move to Ireland here on SEDiva. With the closing of last term and the finishing of a million projects, and with the new year and the arrival of a million more projects, I've been thinking a lot about my decisions to go back to school and to move to Ireland to do it. Last semester was a whirlwind, and it wasn't often easy. A lot of the difficulties came from culture shock and homesickness, a lot came from the drama of academia, and a lot came from the everyday drama of friendships and relationships. Most of these problems we experience no matter where we are or what we are doing. Some of these arise simply from being l'ingénue in a foreign country.

As an American, I'm often asked, why study music at University College Cork? That seems like a stupid question. A more serious one might be: why on earth move to a foreign country to get a degree at all? University is daunting enough as it is, no matter if we're pursuing our first, second, or eight degree. Choosing to go to college is a massive decision and almost always represents a turning point of some kind in our lives, a conscious decision to change in some way. Why make the already awkward transition even scarier by adding learn-about-and-assimilate-to-a-new-culture-a-thousand-miles-from-friends-and-family to the mix? Are you insane?

Moving countries is admittedly a terrifying thought, and I am unable to report that it is actually easy, so I apologize. It's a hard thing to do and a hard decision to make. It involves a lot of legally, visa-y, goverment-y things I would never have thought of before. New friends must be made, new grading systems must be learned, and in the case of an American musician, new theories and words for already known concepts must be learned (but that's a story for another post). But sitting here almost six months later, I have to say I'm finally glad I did it. We can build our lives in any way we want to, really. Where doesn't seem to be really as important as how, so make the most of wherever you are. Nowhere can be better than "here". It's the only place we'll ever really be.

Revisiting that Bucket List

It's around that time of the year again when everyone makes lists: New Years Resolution lists, bucket lists, goals for [insert year here], etc. Hey, look at that! I just made a list, too. It gets to the point where it's ridiculous, almost painful to watch as blog after blog and person after person makes more New Year's Resolution lists. But then again, there are just as many people and blogs despairing of  the Resolutions fad, so I don't want to join that crowd either.

I realize that I am writing this list rather late. But it's also getting to that time of January when the excitement and resolution of all these glorious resolutions is starting to fade. Perhaps by writing about it now, I can inspire someone to stick with it, just a little longer. :)

Let's take a tally of how I did on last year's New Year's Resolutions (I'm a little scared...):

1) Read 40 books 
For a few years, I've kept track of the number of books I read every year with Goodreads' yearly reading challenge. In 2013, I unfortunately kept pushing my book count down further and further until it down to 25. I only read 18. Oops.

2) Move 
Well, I think I can check that one off the list! Woohoo.

3) Get a raise of at least $5000 a year
And this one is just a sad memory now that I'm in graduate school....

 4) Dance 
I actually did get back into my own dance for a while, and even in Ireland I was dancing a bit. But the craziness of my schedule forced me to make some cuts, and dance was unfortunately something that went.

5) Write a book 
Um... does the blog count?


Last year on the blog I also made a bucket list.

1) Run a 10K
I ran a couple of 5Ks, which technically adds up to 10...

2) Learn to surf
Nope!

3) Travel to London, Paris, Germany, and Scotland
I actually did make it to London (sorry I haven't posted about it yet!)
Germany and Scotland are still on the agenda for 2014!

4) Head to the beach with the ladies
Mission accomplished, but I'm actually just realized with the wedding and moving, I never posted about it!

5) Attend an Irish Trad festival
Check! My third, actually

6) Host a family reunion
Like I think I said a while ago, I never hosted one, but over the summer we had a couple, so I consider this a success anyway.

7) Beach reunion with the Irish lads
Unfortunately, we were never able to do this.


Looking back is sometimes a little daunting because you don't want to see what it is you failed at. And looking ahead is always daunting because not only do you not want to set yourself up for failure but you also don't want to underestimate yourself. We never know what kind of year lies ahead of us, so sometimes making New Years Resolutions seems a little silly. The world could pummel us with good or bad fortune, and we might very easily be treading water by next year.

Though I did manage to achieve some of my goals from 2013 (accidentally, I assure you), I am honestly glad to see the year end. It was adventurous, interesting, and joyful; but it was equally challenging, difficult, and frightening. It's good to see a chapter close, and it's really good to be excited for a new one.

So as I make these resolutions now, I write them with a grain of salt. Who knows what the year holds in store for me, but a little bit of a challenge never hurt anyone.

1) Write my Higher Diploma dissertation and graduate

2) Run a 10K

3) Travel to Scotland and Germany

4) Learn to drive a manual car

5) Get a dream job

6) Play a Chopin Nocturne

7) Compose more

8) Write more (a book? Not sure about that one.... this time the blog does count!)

And most importantly:
9) Make more time for my friendships and relationships

10) Keep myself

Happy New Year!
SE

Caps 'n' Snow

Snow frolicking

The other night, big D took my brother and I to the Washington Capitals hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes. With perfect timing, the snow started falling as we were leaving for the ice hockey game and it didn't stop until the next day. A good ole snowfall while I m still in the USA!

Warming up

Gettin' my American fix tonight

Unfortunately, the Caps lost in overtime, but it was a fantastic game and a great time with my boys. 

He never wants to take pictures with me.... lol

As we left, the snow was sticking in Washington, DC, which is pretty impressive for our southerly nation's capital. Super gorgeous, I couldn't stop with the pictures, to the annoyance of my male company. 

Happy Snow Day, DC!

Red, White, and Blue, Puppy Christmas

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. As my mother says, the Christmas season lasts until January 6th (but as our tree tends to stay up infinitely longer than that, I think Christmas might last longer, too). 

With the holiday season, many things happen. And things like blogs, school essays, obligatory phone calls, exercise, get thrown to the wayside. With the New Year, all those things kind of pile up in the back of your mind again until you're so stressed you're wondering how you thought holiday shopping was stressful. 

Here we are, landed safely in 2014. We can follow the mode of all the other blogs in a couple of days with some New Year's Resolutions, but for today, I'd love to share some Christmas memories with all of you. 

I landed in Virginia around 10 o'clock on Friday, December 20th, and immediately hopped in the biggest pick-up truck I could find. Home sweet home! 

Christmas flew by with family, friends, and my adorable puppy Angus. It was his first Christmas with us, since last year he was a Christmas present. So I am unable to control the picture taking. 

Brother with puppy

Sister with puppy

Another sister with puppy

Grandmother with puppy

Me with puppy xx

Besides puppy photoshoots, I've gotten to see a bunch of my friends. Me and the bestie met up for some Christmas Eve dining in some fancy clothing. 

Christmas Day was an all around success, with a lovely gifts exchanged, some yummy food cooked, and some tasty bubbly popped. It was a lovely week in Virginia! 

My brother wouldn't let me give him a Christmas kiss

My sister was a little perturbed at having to wait

My sister and I enjoy the scent of brother's new Abercrombie.

Angus' new scarf

Wishing you every blessing over the holiday season and New Year!!