Color.

During the past couple days, our group has been touring all over Northern Ireland. The places that we have seen are like nothing that I have seen before. My family and I have traveled all over and seen everything from mountains to beaches and cities to old historic towns. I can't look back at my many past vacations to different beautiful islands and say that they didn't take my breath away, but there is something about Ireland and it's coast that is in a completely different category of beauty. God truly is an incredible artist and have been given the privilege to live in view of one of, in my opinion, one of His greatest masterpieces. I am blessed.

This week we have seen and experienced all different outlooks of Ireland. The beauty as well as it's depressing history that still effects it's people, but I have definitely taken note of a commonality. COLOR. Since I have been here there hasn't been a place that I have seen that isn't full of color. At times, the color part of nature or representational of the country's history. After looking through my photos this became overly evident. Whether it's the rich green fields that carpet the island, the flowers in one of the world's most impressive rose gardens, the vibrant turquoise that surrounds the country, or even the colorful Peace Wall that separates the Protestants and the Catholics, Ireland is definitely not black and white in any way.

Here's a recap of the past couple days...

DAY 4.

After spending the morning getting oriented and more accustomed to Ireland, we went to an award winning rose garden that wasn't too far from our manor. It was absolutely beautiful and once again it was filled with color. There were all different types of roses spread out over green fields. Gazebos, bridges, and archways also filled the land. The pictures does do the garden (or really anything in Ireland justice)

This pink flower was HUGE! It was about the size of our hands when they were open. The details and vibrance of flowers amazes me. 

SO incredibly thankful for these two sweet friends!! I am so beyond blessed to have been give the opportunity to spend the semester in Ireland with two of my best friends.

(^Me, Allison and Brian^)

Never a dull moment!

(^Garrett, Nick, Allison, Sara, and Brian^)

DAY 5.

Saturday was a great, but long, day. Billy wanted to show us a few of his favorite places in Ireland. The day included driving along the coast, eating the best fish and chips I have had for lunch, walking across a rope bridge to an island with an incredible view, hiking down to Giant's Causeway, and jumping into the 50 degree ocean. It was by far my favorite day I have spent in Ireland so far. Too many incredible, breathtaking views to count.

The rope bridge that we crossed that led to a small island. 

My view from sitting on the edge of the island.

Next we journeyed to Giant's Causeway. The rock formations were absolutely amazing to me... they aren't sure how exactly they got this way, but they think it might have something to do with an earthquake and an ice storm. 

(^Allison and I^)

We ended the day by jumping in the 50 degree ocean water. Billy called it "perky lake." Haha! If you want to watch our literally "cool" jump here is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9lcPCmzH0s&feature=youtu.be

The group of us who jumped in!

DAY 6.

Sunday began with attending Christ Church. We will be matched up with a Friendship Family from the church (basically a host family) and will attend this church every other week. After church, I thoroughly enjoyed talking to a couple Irish families. It was funny to hear some of the questions that they had. For example, a family that travels to the states at least once each year asked what I thought of Applebee's. They told me that Applebee's was one of their favorite places to eat in the US. They also raved about how lucky I was to live close to an Olive Garden because they love their breadsticks... hilarious, but who can blame them for loving their breadsticks?! 

Billy took us to where he grew up after we ate lunch. He also explained the problems that are a part of Ireland's past and present. The country has a large problem with the separation of Protestants and Catholics. For years, the Protestants (the people who want Ireland to remain connected with Great Britain) and the Catholics (those who want to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland) have been involved in many disputes and shooting. Today, things have gotten a lot better, but a wall still separates the two groups of people who still feel so strongly about the situation. It is a very touchy subject among most Irish because it is so personal due to the many deaths/murders that have occurred because of it. The wall is called The Peace Wall.

While visiting the peace wall, I couldn't help but think about how the wall is not just built based on one issue among the Irish people, but man. All of us have walls of some form that are built inside of us towards something or someone, but one "wall" doesn't lead to a wall like this being built. The Peace Wall was not built because of one wall, but many walls. It was not one person's individual "wall" that made it necessary to separate the people of Ireland. The countries walls gradually were compiled together and grew into a big one. The country has a long way to go to reach a good place, but things are defiantly improving as Billy pointed out to us. There are now 12 mixed group school which is huge. 

Visitors from all over the world write messages of hope for a country that needs peace and lack of separation.

The Peace Wall

DAY 7.

Today, we honestly didn't do a whole lot. We had speaker who came to talk with us about his sculpting and paintings which was interesting. He actually told us a story about when he met Prince Charles of Whales... crazy, huh?! Besides that we enjoyed our last day without classes (at this point I have to remind myself what classes actually are) and some of us went into the city tonight. We walked around Queen's University and explored the town. Before heading back to the manor we tried some of Maude's famous Honeycomb icecream that was absolutely wonderful.

(^Allison, me, and Chelsea^)

After living in Ireland for a week, it is funny to think about the differences in the meanings of words or the usage of words that aren't common in America as well as the differences in culture. Here are a few examples:
- pants are underwear... If we want to complement someone's "pants" we should call them trousers so they aren't offended
- grocery carts are trolleys
- holding up a backwards peace sign is like giving the middle finger
- everything is "wee" not small,
- instead of being called "college students" they are called "university students" or "uni's"
- tea is served at least 4 times a day in the manor
- a popular cookie is called a "Digestive" (odd I know)
- Lay's potato chips are called Walkers here and have flavors such as Smokey Bacon, Prawn Cocktail, Roasted Chicken, Steak and Onion, and the only one that I like... Bacon Cheddar
- the fish and chips are incredible here and the fries are called chips
- TJ Maxx is TK Maxx here

Well, that is enough for now... It has been amazing to already see God growing our relationships as a group. His creation is wonderful and I still wake up each morning thinking "I'm in Ireland!"

Hope you are all having a great week at home.

Miss you all,
Sarah

Safe and Sound.

After traveling for 18 hours and being awake for 35 I am officially safe and sound, moved in, and rested. After being here for a full day, I still have to pinch myself to assure that this is actually real. Ireland is gorgeous. It's not as pretty as any picture I had seen, but prettier. I wish y'all could all be here to see, experience and enjoy it with me.

Now to recap the last 3 days...

DAY 1.

At the airport in NW Arkansas packed and ready to go! 

Final goodbyes to my parents before heading to security and my gate. 

Off to Atlanta to meet up with the rest of the group!!

After landing in Atlanta, we were reunited! Missed these 2 a lot over the summer! Can't wait to spend the semester with them and the rest of the group here in Ireland!

(^in the Atlanta airport with Allison and Brian^)

About to concur our 8 hour flight to Dublin! Here's to no sleep, movies, and airplane food!

These 3 wonderful girls are also my roomies for the semester (:

(^on the plane with Allison, Melissa, and Chelsea^)

Plane Dinner. I don't think there is a way to word a caption to make it seem any better than it was. Moral of the story: eat a bigger meal before long flights.

DAY 2.

It was actually day 2, but it sure felt like day 1 still... LONG day and the 6 hour time change was messing with me... it's still weird to think that I am about to go to bed and y'all at home just ate dinner. It will take some getting used to that's for sure! 

After hours in the air we finally got a peek of Ireland! This was my first view of my home for the next 3 months. At this point, I was absolutely exhausted. Sleeping and airplanes defiantly aren't a match made in heaven. I think I fell asleep for maybe 5 minutes and that's probably even pushing it, but I was in Ireland so my exhaustion wasn't an issue at this point. Luckily all 25 of us had our luggage make it to Dublin as well. From here, we got on a bus and traveled about 2 hours to Belfast. In Belfast, we were picked up and transported to our home for the next 3 months, Lakeside Manor.

After unpacking and getting organized in our room (I'll post pictures soon) at the manor we headed to Scrabo Castle. Here we could see a great view of the city we will be living in this semester. It was so windy! And no... we still hadn't slept at this point. 30 hours and going strong (or maybe it was just adrenaline)!! 

After arriving back at the manner we ate Irish fish and chips for dinner, showered and headed to bed around 9 our time. I'm pretty sure I have never fallen asleep faster... I slept like a rock.

DAY 3.

Day 3 began with waking up rested, having a team meeting, and eating lunch. It was so exciting to wake up here and get ready to spend our first 24 hours here!! We are all definatly still in as Billy (one of our leaders) called it the "honeymoon phase" and it is so apparent. Constantly today I found my saying, thinking, or hearing others talk about how cool and different everything is. I am thoroughly amazed and have enjoyed every second so far.

After lunch, several of us went on a bike ride. It was SO weird to ride on the "wrong side of the road," but was so fun to get to explore some of Belfast and the neighborhood surrounding the manor! 

(^Melissa and I with our bikes^)

(^Brandon, Allison, and Brian before our bike ride^)

We went to dinner at Billy's favorite pizza place in Ireland. It was called Pizza Express, but don't let the name fool you. When he told us the name of the restaurant we all kinda looked at him doubtfully, but it was quite good! 

After dinner we walked around downtown Belfast for a bit and saw the City Hall (above) which had a statue of Queen Victoria in front of it. The building was extremely impressive. So many details that it was hard to feel like you completely grasped the building to it's fullest.

We also saw the Titanic memorial. This is actually the 100th anniversity of it sinking so there is quite a bit of things around town that have to do with the Titanic in some way.

We spent the rest of the night at the manor playing Smash Mario Brothers and Risk, eating ice-cream, and drinking tea. 

Well, I think y'all are caught up of what went on the past 3 days! It is still so hard for me to actually believe that I am finally here! I already feel that God has great plans for our group here in Ireland! I can't wait to experience more of this wonderful city and tell you guys all about it! 

~ Sarah (: