Is this Real Life?!

Wowww! Time here in Dublin is passing faster than I had hoped... I guess the saying that time flies when you are having fun is true. I have not written a blog in well over a month! Since then I have traveled all over Europe and have been living the life that I thought only existed in the movies.  Rome, Paris and London are definitely places I have always dreamed of visiting but never in my wildest imaginations would I believe that I could go to all 3 of these cities in just 3 three weeks.

Rome was everything I have ever dreamed it to be. As I walked the streets with my dress on, gelato in hand and no cares in the world I couldn’t help but feel like Julia Roberts in my favorite film, Eat Pray and Love.  As I returned to the adorable place I was staying at I was overwhelmed with excitement and messaged my mom that I might have just had the greatest day of my life.  I was wrong – it got much better. My boyfriend Nils joined me in exploring Rome for the next two days and those two days were by far the most magnificent of my life. The mixture of sunshine, pizza and strolling the streets of Rome while holding the hand of the greatest guy in the world topped all feelings of joy I have ever felt.  I highly recommend Rome to anyone who wants to travel. Its history was amazing to see and at times didn’t even seem real because it was hard to believe that something could be that old.  To say that I am a fan of Roma is an understatement!

The following week I was off with 3 girlfriends to Paris, France. I have always heard lots of bad things about Paris. I often hear that the people aren’t nice and that it isn’t that great of a place to see but I beg to differ.  As I stood underneath the Eiffel Tower I nearly went into shock. The thought that I could be underneath one of the most monumental structures in the world was hard to fathom.  I just kept asking myself, “is this real life?”  That question pretty much sums up my whole Paris trip. From watching a ballet in the Paris Opera House to walking around in the Louvre and seeing Mona Lisa and going to mass in Notre Dame I felt like life really could not get any better or more unreal. Everyone was so friendly to us and willing to help when we needed it. However, I did get my phone stolen and was very bitter when leaving. If I was ever asked to go back, I wouldn’t. Paris is a great place to go once but after you see all the things worth seeing I don’t think you would want to put in the effort to go a second time. Being in Paris requires you to constantly be on your guard and that can make a vacation quite exhausting.   My time in Paris is still one that I will never forget and cherish.

After Rome and Paris it was then time to switch from Euros to Pounds and head to London, England. The easiest way to describe London is by saying that the entire time I was there I felt like I was in a fairytale.  As a little girl you always try to imagine what the life of a queen or a princess might be like and as I hung around London I felt I had an idea. By visiting the palace of Queen Elizabeth, going to the churches Princess Diana and Kate Middleton got married in and by seeing the palace that Queen Victoria herself grew up in I was seriously in awe.  I went to London with Nils and it was just great. The green grass was covered by a beautiful layer of fall leaves, the wind gave you a chill that made you wear hats, scarves and gloves and the streets were filled with Christmas lights and decorations. Being from Texas I have never had the satisfaction of having a Christmas that the movies show but in London I felt like I could get that. Not only did I get to feel like a princess but I also got to feel like a wizard! I went to the Kings Cross train station and went to the 9 and ¾ platform that takes you to Hogwarts. It is sad to admit but this might have been my favorite part about London.  I also got to go to Abbey Street and take the same picture the Beatles have on their famous album cover. It is quite remarkable that so many people still appear at this site to take a picture that was done so many years ago! All in all London was amazing to say the least and I am so glad to have gone.

Last but not least this weekend I went on a spur of the moment type trip with 3 great friends to Killarney, Ireland. I have got to say that it was awesome to be back in Ireland and be reminded of the beauty that led me to choose to study in Ireland in the first place. In Killarney my three friends and I stayed in a hostel room together that had no heat at all. The weather remained at a constant 32- 37 degrees Fahrenheit and this Texas gal was miserable! However, the next day was well worth it. We all rented bikes for the day and explored the beauty of Killarney. It was hands down one of the most picturesque places I have seen. It was still, quiet and absolutely breathtaking. This was a nice change from all the cities I had visited in the previous 3 weeks.  Enjoying the fresh air while being active was awesome and I couldn’t have had a better time.

Although I am having an absolute blast here on my time abroad, homesickness is just starting to settle in. The bone chilling coldness and absence from the sun has me missing Texas more and more. I am also dying to see my family and friends. Thank God for Facebook and Skype though. However, in the weeks to come I have some things that should keep me occupied. For Thanksgiving I will be in Germany celebrating with my cousin, Jordan Jungman and his wife Jessika Jungman along with my boyfriend, Nils. My thinking is that maybe if Jordan and I are together on this holiday I will miss our family back home in Texas a little less. God knows I will miss my Granny Samples cooking though!

After Thanksgiving week my lectures come to an end and the dreaded finals begin. I don’t really like thinking about this because it also reminds me that my amazing time abroad must also come to an end but for now, during this time of thanks I will continue to be thankful for the opportunity to participate in this exchange program and the ability to meet all my friends here in Ireland. I know it will be hard to say goodbye to them all but their friendships are ones that I know will last a lifetime and I am VERY THANKFUL for this. I hope all my friends and family back at home have an incredible Thanksgiving and know that I am missing you but will see you soon.  I love you all and thanks for reading.  

Cheers,

Bobbi

Hello all! It has been a month since the last time I posted my latest update on my adventures abroad and I must say that it is quite exciting to reflect on everything that has happened in the last 4 weeks. With having visitors for the last 3 weeks, creating new relationships and exploring new territories I can say with great enthusiasm that this month has been one for the books!

Although I have had an absolute blast this month, the beginning was not too grand. I got super SICK! I mean call my mother at 3 a.m. crying while hovering on the bathroom floor type of sick. Being sick is undoubtedly awful no matter what but when your thousands of miles from home with no Nyquil or a mom to take care of you it really sucks! I went to pharmacies all around Dublin and I swear I could not find any acetaminophens.  So not only was I not feeling well but I also could not reap the one and only good benefit of being sick and that is to sleep for 12 hours a day without feeling guilty or lazy. So while lying on my bathroom floor I realized I should see a doctor. I did the next day and I must say that it was well worth the money. She prescribed me a steroid, 2 antibiotics and 1 over the counter med. Needless to say I felt better soon after. I look at this week of sickness as a sign from God telling me to slow my roll in Dublin and get good rest. Lesson learned!

The next week my good friend Meg Greehey and her father, Doug Greehey visited me! The week spent with them was a blast and much needed. I felt very close to Texas and that is always nice. My friend from France, Pauline and I also did some travelling with the Greehey’s around Ireland and saw some amazing sights like Bunratty Castle and Cliffs of Moher. It was also a cool coincidence that the Irish holiday, Arthurs Day fell on the Thursday while they Greehey’s were here. Arthur was the inventor of Guinness Beer and at 17:59 (1759 is the year he signed the lease) on that Thursday every one raises a pint of Guinness and says “To Arthur”. We celebrated this holiday in the Guinness Warehouse located in Dublin. That will definitely be a day that I will never forget. That night Meg and I pursued the Irish pubs with a few of my girlfriends and needless to say it was great craic! I can’t thank the Greehey’s enough for flying all the way over to hang out with me.Not only this but Meg managed to stuff a warm jacket and two bottles of Nyquil from my mother in her suitcase. I really owe you Meg! I had a blast with you and love you and your family so much!

The next two weeks my boyfriend Nils came to visit! This time instead of him waiting at the airport for me with a flower in hand I got to wait at the airport for him with FOOD in hand!  I can’t even begin to describe how special the two weeks spent with him were. He is the kind of person that makes every situation fun and so you can only imagine the kind of fun we had exploring Ireland together. The first night we ate dinner with 18 of my closest friends and went to the student bar and the next days were spent with him following me to classes. He really enjoyed this seeing how I am taking a German language course and he is from Germany. He sat in the corner of the classroom and still the teacher (who knew he wasn’t in the class) paired him with a girl for group practice. Within the first 3 minutes of being paired with this poor girl I heard him bossing her around and telling her that she was saying the words wrong. That is my German boyfriend for you. I still love him thoughJ.  That following weekend he and I got on a bus and headed to the legendary town of Galway. We stayed there for 2 nights and this is where I had my first hostel experience. I absolutely LOVED it! Nils always made fun of me because he mentioned that every time he stepped away from me for 2 seconds I was already meeting someone new. The hostel environment is incredible because of this and if you are someone who likes to surround yourself with others that travel and have amazing stories, stay in a hostel! From Galway we took a tour to see Burren National Park and Cliffs of Moher. The following day we stayed in Cork and saw the Blarney Castle and got to kiss the Blarney Stone which is supposed to give you “the gift of the gab” which basically means that you get the gift of speaking well. After Cork we headed back home.  The following week we just went to villages near Dublin called Bray and Howth which have scenic cliff walks that leave you speechless. We also went to a pub in Dublin on Thursday that I have been to once before. The pub has an awesome band that plays a mix of modern and Irish music. This was a very relaxing night filled with music and hot chocolate. What could go wrong?! The following day we took a Paddy Wagon Tour to Giants Causeway which is located in Northern Ireland. Here I got to walk across a rope bridge that was a little terrifying, see the gorgeous sights of Giants Causeway and spend an hour of free time in Belfast ( the city the Titanic was built).The next day Nils had to leave and of course I was all kinds of upset. However the bus driver that took Nils to the airport saw Nils give me a kiss goodbye before getting on and while Nils entered the bus and I was crying the bus driver told Nils to turn around a give me another kiss, so he did J. Everyone on the bus was laughing and the bus driver continued to make jokes saying that once he dropped Nils off he could come over and keep me company. This made me laugh and made it easier as the bus drove away. Those two weeks spent with him went by so fast but regardless I had an amazing time. Thanks Nils for coming to see me!

Since Nils’ departure yesterday I have had the pleasure of having a lazy day with my roomie Mary and her medicine friends. They are all lovely people who had me laughing non- stop and made me very thankful for what I have going on here in Dublin. Today I went on a day trip with 7 good friends to Dun Laoghaire ( the town the girl is staying in P.S. I Love You). It is a cute little village on the seaside with an outdoor market every weekend for things such as veggies, meats, jewelry, clothes, and children’s toys.  The town looks like it came from a movie and I couldn’t help but feel extremely happy to be there.

So that is my story, for now at least. In the weeks to come I will be taking my first quizzes for classes so please say a little prayer for me! I will also be looking forward to my trip to Rome that will take place at the end of the month.  Thank you to all that read my blog! Until next time!

Cheers,

Bobbi

Holy moly! Have I really been in Dublin for two weeks? I seriously just had to look at a calendar to realize this. Time has done what it usually does and just whipped right by me without even asking for my permission. Time... it is such a little rebel! Nevertheless I am thankful for what my time in Dublin has brought me thus far. Two weeks is all it took to make me fall head over hills for the exquisite country of Ireland. Its bright green grass, extravagant castles and never ending seas make it easy to love. However, it is not just the beautiful sights that have made me adore every moment spent in Ireland. The friends I have made here have really made the difference.

My first couple of days here were all pretty much a blur with running to the stores to shop for essentials, setting up bank accounts, figuring out the campus layout, getting my school schedule perfected and attending international student events. However, these first days were the days I met lots of my friends and from places all across the world. So far I have made friends with people from Switzerland, Chile, France, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Canada, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Ireland and naturally the United States. This has been by far my favorite part. The University of College Dublin has accepted 4,000 international students this year and from over 120 countries. This is amazing and quite a learning experience that has taught me more in two weeks than any class ever has! For example: I now know how to say cheers in about 4 different languages! How cool is that?!

Seriously I am really just blown away with the experiences I am gaining here. When I signed up for this exchange, I knew that I would learn a lot and have great experiences but my expectations have been exceeded to the max. Every day more than one thing is learned and to me that is what it is all about. It is so cool to talk about the differences amongst all our countries and witness all of these cultures being mixed. My mom once told me that she went to a seminar for work and they told her that you are most like the 5 people you hang out with the most. If this is the case, it should be interesting to see what I am like at the end of this exchange. I would be a mix of French, Irish, Chile, German and American and I would not prefer to have it any other way.

Aside from making the best of friends here in Ireland I have also been super blessed with AMAZING roommates. There is Ryan who is from Ireland and a 3rd year studying Chemistry, Mary who  is from Ireland and is a 1st year studying Medicine and Elliot who is from Iowa and is a 3rd year studying Biomedical Engineering. Not only are they super smart but they are three of the nicest people you will ever meet. The atmosphere in this dorm is absolutely incredible. We all talk in our kitchen everyday for hours and laugh until it hurts. It is the perfect mix and exactly the kind of people that I need to not make me feel homesick. We are a family and I love them all already!

Since I am fortunate enough to have Irish roommates I have really gotten to hear some of the crazy Irish slang and have even caught myself  saying lots of the words. Here is a little list of things they say that is different.

Irish Slang:
Shifting= Making out
What is the craic= What's up?
They are good craic= they are good fun
Nickers& Trousers= pants
Bogger= a person from the country
Taking the piss= making fun of ( slagging off)

Words that are said A LOT:
Proper
Grand
Lovely
Posh


Now that you know a little about how the Irish talk, I will now enlighten you on their way of life.

Irish Way of Life:
1. They drink a lot. There is a student bar in the middle of campus and students have the opportunity to go in between classes and enjoy a pint.
2. Not very many students have cars.
3. They are very relaxed on time and are not planners.
4. Many of them curse very often.
5. Their 3 meals are breakfast, dinner and tea instead of breakfast, lunch and then dinner.
6. Most students go home every weekend.
7. There seems to be a divide between city people and country people
8. Soccer, Hurling and Rugby are huge here.
9. They like their potatoes.
10. Many students talk during the lecture.
11. No girls carry backpacks
12. Fake tans are the thing and many girls wear insane amounts of makeup
13. More young people smoke here.
14. Every one knows everyone in Ireland.
15. They blame everything on the English.

Now that you are a little more educated on the Irish I guess I can inform you on my education and how classes are going. I am taking four classes. Three agriculture related courses and 1 German course. The German is my favorite by far and very challenging. I love all my classes and could not have gotten a better schedule because I only have class on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so I plan on traveling a lot! I already booked a flight to Rome for November 1st and still plan to go to France, Spain, the UK and Greece.

Words can't explain how excited I am for these trips or how happy I am here in Ireland. Thank you to those of you who are constantly checking in and making me feel loved and missed while I am thousands of miles away.  I love you all!

Cheers, Sante, Prost, and Slainte.
Bobbi

The last time I wrote I was nervous and just starting my two week journey in Germany. I had not seen Nils yet and had no idea of what to expect. Now, almost two weeks later I have a flood of emotions and experiences. It does not feel like it has just been two weeks because it has been jam packed with a whole new way of life. I will try to give you a summary of these beautiful weeks but I am certain that words will not give my time here in Germany justice.

When I arrived to the Dusseldorf airport in Germany I was seriously shaking with the excitement of seeing my boyfriend. I waited at the baggage claim for what seemed to be forever and then made my way towards the exit (where Nils told me to meet him). When I walked out I was searching for Nils and I immediately saw him coming towards me with a huge grin on his face and a sunflower in hand. It was the perfect moment and the one I had been waiting for, for months. That day was exhausting and we didn’t do much because I was so tired. However, I did get to see his university and have lunch with a few of his friends and two of the other German students who studied at A&M last spring. I also rode on a train and subway for the first time and had a realization that even the smallest of things are different in Germany. I was actually quite frustrated the first day and was left feeling hopeless. I had broken Nils’ shower door, was confused by the toilets and was just really in shock that I was in another country when just the day before I was in Texas.

Ever since that first day in Germany, the time has just flown! I have learned something new each and every day and have had the opportunity to see some of the most breathtaking sights one could ever see. These last two weeks have been a dream come true. With meeting Nils’ family and friends, reuniting with the German students who studied at Texas A&M last spring, exploring Nils’ hometown, taking day trips to Aachen, Duelmen, Cologne and the Netherlands, vacationing in Berlin for a week and last but not least spending time with my incredible boyfriend who went out of his way to make sure my time in Germany was perfect.

Since I can’t tell you EVERYTHING about my trip to Germany, seeing that it would take well over twenty pages I will just create a list of things I have learned. Here we go!

THINGS I LEARNED IN GERMANY:

1.       Toilets in Germany are different…

2.       Germany is SOOOO green!

3.       They recycle in Germany… like a lot.

4.       Germans are planners.

5.       Pretty much everyone can speak English.

6.       Texas public transportation systems SUCK!

7.       Germany has lots of graffiti within the city.

8.       People dress up every single day. I really miss my Nike shorts!

9.       If you do not like potatoes, sausage, bread or noodles, you’re screwed in Germany.

10.   Want to see a church? Go to Europe! They will take your breath away.

11.   Want to fall asleep in church? Go to Europe! There are no young people and the church music is dark and not refreshing for the soul in the slightest bit.

12.   It is hard to find a public restroom that you do not have to pay to use.

13.   Germany is a friendly atmosphere for homosexuals.

14.   Every German wears house shoes.

15.   Converse are in style.

16.   Germans like to drink!

17.   You must have a bike in Germany.

18.   Lots of people smoke in Germany.

19.   Yard=Garden for the Germans.

20.   Air condition is not necessary for survival everywhere. ( I have not had air condition for 15 days)

 

So you get the gist. I have learned a lot, seen a lot and lived a very different life these last two weeks. It has been a whirlwind but I have enjoyed every moment of the ride.

…

Now I am in my dormitory at the University of Dublin and all I can say is that it has been a long day. Today is the day that it hit me that I am really doing this. I am really studying in another country for a semester and it feels like it is my freshman year of college all over again. I am entering a whole new world full of unfamiliar faces and places.

Today as I completed the mile journey with my two suitcases from the bus stop to the residence check in, I came across local freshmen who were checking in with their parents and moving all their belongings into their dorm. There were tears shed from saying goodbye and I couldn’t help but think of how far I have come since my freshman year at A&M when I was daunted with the task of telling my own family bye as well. I remember balling as I said goodbye, knowing that they were a whole 3 1/2 hours away. I thought that was hard but now I am in another country moving into a dorm by myself and with my family being across the ocean. I had no one to help carry my luggage, buy my groceries, make sure my dorm looked cute or assure that I had everything that was needed. I arrived to a dorm that had no toilet paper, towels, sheets, bed spreads, hangers, bowls/plates, or food. I had no car to go get this stuff and didn’t know where the bus stop was and when asking a local, I couldn’t understand them because of the thick Irish accent. I was seriously alone in another country and didn’t know a soul and that is the experience I came here for. Although frustrating at times, growing up is inevitable and I can’t think of a better way to do it than by spending a semester abroad in the gorgeous city of Dublin. The campus is beautiful and the people are lovely.

 I have met one of my roommates, Elliot who is from Iowa but attending Syracuse in New York and he is GREAT! He really knows what I am going through and we have been counting on each other to get through the day.  Our other two roommates’, 1 more boy and girl should be arriving sometime this week! This week will be an exciting one for sure. I am feeling quite overwhelmed with things that must be done before classes start Monday but I am truly excited to see what this semester has in store. I will be sure to keep you all updated the best that I can.

Cheers,

Bobbi

This blog was created to keep all those interested in my journey abroad, included and up to date on my life. Since I will not be in the United States for several months this is a way to make sure that none of you forget about me! I must warn you that I am not an English major and am not the best writer but nonetheless you can still peak into my life when thinking about me. I hope you enjoy J

This trip has already proved to be guided by God. I truly feel his presence and know that he will be the one leading me through the good and the bad times during this magnificent journey. It first started with him placing a fellow Aggie, Katlin Wanke on the same flight as me and in the seat right next to me when heading to New York. Right before I had seen her I had to say goodbye to my mom and was very choked up, knowing I would not see her for 5 months. Katlin was able to calm me and gave me comfort when I really needed it. I not only thank Katlin but God for having my back and placing Katlin in that moment.

After arriving in New York I had to go to a terminal on the other side of JFK airport. By the time I arrived for Check in I was drenched in sweat and worn out. I felt gross and irritated and the fact that a 7 hour flight stood between me and Dublin, Ireland did not make it any better. However, as I boarded the plane and got settled in my seat I began talking to the woman next to me. She was Scottish but married an Italian and then moved to New York for his sake. She had lived in Dublin for 5 years and while I was asleep she filled out two whole pages on tips for me while living in Ireland. This woman was 58 and very motherly towards me so the notes included grocery stores to shop at, neighborhoods to avoid and places that are always looking for part time employees. When telling her that I was from Texas she about died! She is in love with the Bush family and donates money yearly to the George Bush Library which is actually located at my university, Texas A&M. She stole my heart right then and there. Needless to say we grew very close during those 7 hours on a plane. She helped me when I got very sick on the plane and told me stories when I grew bored. This woman was a blessing and I am so thankful to have met her. Even though I had only known her for 7 hours saying goodbye was hard. As we went our separate ways she hugged me tightly and gave me a big kiss on the cheek. I have her address and plan to mail her constant updates on my time spent abroad.

So, now I am here on the last leg of my trip. I will be in Germany for two weeks and will spend this time with my boyfriend, Nils whom I met while he was studying engineering as an exchange student at A&M during the Spring of 2013. Words can’t describe how excited I am to be reunited with him. The last time I saw him was a month and a half ago at the San Antonio Airport and I was balling like a baby, not wanting to say goodbye. However, I was lucky enough to have him stay with my family in Devine for three weeks prior to that and cherished every moment of it. I am thrilled to now have the opportunity to meet Nils’ family and friends and can say my stomach is full of butterflies with the thought of seeing him again. God is so good. I also can’t fail to mention that I will also have the privilege of seeing the 3 other German students who participated in the exchange with Nils at A&M. I became super close with Caroline, Christian and David as well and consider them the best of friends.

All in all I seriously cannot believe that I am actually doing this. I have been working incredibly hard for more than six months to ensure that this trip is nothing short of miraculous. I have looked forward to August 19^th for so long and it is finally here and so my journey begins. I left the life I knew and loved in the United States to broaden that life and make it full, full of knowledge, love, opportunity and experiences. So here I am and I could not be more ready because I know that God has a plan. He has proved this to me throughout my entire life and I pray that by his grace he will guide me through this adventure and give me the strength to last 5 months without my family, the courage to always be myself and the faith to know that I AM HERE FOR A REASON.

Much love,

Bobbi

Written on 8/19/13