I get it, it's Ireland. I know I can't expect to have anyone forecast the weather and it be accurate, but really, it's as bad here as it is in Charleston!! At home I'm used to the fluctuating temperatures and the sporadic showers, but it is ridiculous here too. A few weeks ago I was bundled up in my winter coat, scarf, boots, hat and gloves. I just went out at 7 pm and was hot walking in my jeans and a tee shirt with just my fleece over it. I can't begin to figure it out. I heard that it was close to 30 back in Charleston today. After checking the temperature just now I realized that it was currently 52 in Dublin. It's night time here, day time at home...strange happenings. The thing I really love is that I can't control my heat so it's on in my flat, but it's hot, so I've got the window open. Can we say wasteful?
The forecast shows temps in the 50s for the next week with light rain and clouds. I guarantee it will be raining one minute, sunshine another, cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoons. I think perhaps I should do the weather here in Dublin...hey, it could be my new calling!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The End is Nigh
I have been back and forth over the last few months trying to figure out what exactly I'm doing and where exactly I'm headed. The latest plan was to move to Wales, but things do change and now it seems I'm heading back to South Carolina.
It only just hit me that I'm leaving Dublin in one month. It's crazy to think that I've been here as long as I have been, but it's also crazy to think my time is up. In the short period of time I've spent abroad, I've met some amazing people, visited some beautiful places, and learned an abundance of knowledge, mostly about myself.
Thinking about heading back to Charleston is really exciting for me. I'm ready for the smell of pluff mud, the sunshine on my face, the friends and family that have always meant so much to me. When I was younger my mother gave me a book with a quote inside that I've always enjoyed. It said, "I'm Charleston born and Charleston bred, and when I die, I'll be Charleston dead." I've been proud to be a Charlestonian and those who know me find that quite evident. The thing is, I'm nervous about going home.
I know I haven't been here long enough to adjust to "city" life completely and I know that I've complained along the way, but there are things I'll miss about living in Dublin. I'll miss all the accessible green space. I'll miss the ease of running out the door to grab a coke from the Spar. I'll miss being able to walk everywhere (and I hope not to gain too much weight when I'm not walking as frequently at home!). I'll miss the genuine appreciation Dubliners have for sunshine. I hope not to take it for granted when I return home.
I think I've come to a rather obvious conclusion. No matter where you are, you always miss things about the place you're not. "The grass is always greener on the other side" will be so true when I return...both metaphorically and literally! I'm sad it's coming to an end but I've got one good month to do it up here in Dublin and I plan to make the most of it. I'm going to enjoy this city and the lovely friends I've made, and be all the more thankful for the opportunity I have had.
It only just hit me that I'm leaving Dublin in one month. It's crazy to think that I've been here as long as I have been, but it's also crazy to think my time is up. In the short period of time I've spent abroad, I've met some amazing people, visited some beautiful places, and learned an abundance of knowledge, mostly about myself.
Thinking about heading back to Charleston is really exciting for me. I'm ready for the smell of pluff mud, the sunshine on my face, the friends and family that have always meant so much to me. When I was younger my mother gave me a book with a quote inside that I've always enjoyed. It said, "I'm Charleston born and Charleston bred, and when I die, I'll be Charleston dead." I've been proud to be a Charlestonian and those who know me find that quite evident. The thing is, I'm nervous about going home.
I know I haven't been here long enough to adjust to "city" life completely and I know that I've complained along the way, but there are things I'll miss about living in Dublin. I'll miss all the accessible green space. I'll miss the ease of running out the door to grab a coke from the Spar. I'll miss being able to walk everywhere (and I hope not to gain too much weight when I'm not walking as frequently at home!). I'll miss the genuine appreciation Dubliners have for sunshine. I hope not to take it for granted when I return home.
I think I've come to a rather obvious conclusion. No matter where you are, you always miss things about the place you're not. "The grass is always greener on the other side" will be so true when I return...both metaphorically and literally! I'm sad it's coming to an end but I've got one good month to do it up here in Dublin and I plan to make the most of it. I'm going to enjoy this city and the lovely friends I've made, and be all the more thankful for the opportunity I have had.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What Happened to the fall, y'all?
Fall is my favorite time of year, or so I thought until I moved to Ireland. It's a different ballgame here. There have been a few reminders of the fall season here in Dublin, but for the most part, I have to say that fall is my favorite time of year in the south (SC, TN, NC, etc), not Ireland.
I always look forward to what the fall brings in Charleston. I enjoy putting my pumpkins and mums out on the porch. I love the football games and tailgating, of course not as much for the sport as for the socializing, but still. I love the leaves changing colors and every year trying to decide when is the best weekend to get to the mountains to see the full effect. I love the fall brews of beers you can find in speciality shops and restaurants. I love that we tend to have great concerts in Charleston in the fall. We can usually count on Widespread Panic coming to town for a weekend. The fair stops in Ladson for a week. The Fall Festivals at churches and schools tend to take place on one Saturday or another. I love the start of oyster roasts (you must follow the "R" month rule for oysters), though I don't eat too many. I love the get togethers for Beaufort Boil (aka Frogmore stew). I love how finally, in the fall, you get a break from the oppressive heat in Charleston. It takes a good while to cool off, but when it finally does in the end of October beginning of November, it's worth the wait. It's so nice to pull out the jeans and sweaters that have been packed away for months. Of course it might be 80 degrees by Christmas, but it's what we are used to. Fall in the south is fantastic.
Fall in Dublin didn't seem to last but a week. The leaves started changing but for the most part, the colored leaves are in the street and the trees are still green. The parks all uprooted the plants that were growing and put down new flowers for the winter months. This is smart of course because you'll have beautiful blooms even through the winter (I'm assuming). There wasn't much decorating taking place for Halloween here until the weekend before it came. People put up their jack-o-lanterns but mostly windows were done up with those plastic peel and stick things. There were a few houses with spider webs or dangling ghosts, etc, but it's not like the decorations you see back home in the neighborhoods in Charleston. Granted, there aren't yards here so people make do I suppose. I was surprised to not see many trick-or-treaters out, but that could be because of where I live.
I think the thing that most surprises me is that BEFORE Halloween even came, Christmas decorations were going up. When Beth and I visited Dun Laoghaire on October 18, the Gresham hotel was already putting their outside decorations on the walls and the main street had up their light display. The main shopping street here, Grafton, has their lights up so it will create a winter wonderland walkway for shoppers. The shops at Kildare Village all had their holiday sales on and the windows all had reindeer cutouts stuck in them. Starbucks is already offering specials on their Christmas blends.
I know that in the states we have Thanksgiving which breaks up the time between Halloween and Christmas, but it's strange to jump from one to another. It's not super cold here yet, but looking at all the Christmas stuff out, you almost think there should be snow on the ground. I'm not sure why I have that in my mind, but it seems it would make more sense to me that way.
I certainly missed my summer in Charleston, even though I know it was ridiculously hot this year, but I've also missed my fall there. All of this of course goes with me missing home in general, because it's what I know. I am looking forward to actually seeing the displays lit here this Christmas and I hope I'll catch some carolers on Grafton Street. I have a feeling the city will be really pretty with all the festive decor.
It's been interesting to go through the last few months here in Dublin as all my previous European travel has taken place in the summer. This past April I came to check out things here in Dublin, but this is my first fall, or lack thereof, and my first winter ever in Europe. It will be nice to see how things are done here and if I'm lucky, I'll get to see some other parts of Europe this winter too.
I always look forward to what the fall brings in Charleston. I enjoy putting my pumpkins and mums out on the porch. I love the football games and tailgating, of course not as much for the sport as for the socializing, but still. I love the leaves changing colors and every year trying to decide when is the best weekend to get to the mountains to see the full effect. I love the fall brews of beers you can find in speciality shops and restaurants. I love that we tend to have great concerts in Charleston in the fall. We can usually count on Widespread Panic coming to town for a weekend. The fair stops in Ladson for a week. The Fall Festivals at churches and schools tend to take place on one Saturday or another. I love the start of oyster roasts (you must follow the "R" month rule for oysters), though I don't eat too many. I love the get togethers for Beaufort Boil (aka Frogmore stew). I love how finally, in the fall, you get a break from the oppressive heat in Charleston. It takes a good while to cool off, but when it finally does in the end of October beginning of November, it's worth the wait. It's so nice to pull out the jeans and sweaters that have been packed away for months. Of course it might be 80 degrees by Christmas, but it's what we are used to. Fall in the south is fantastic.
Fall in Dublin didn't seem to last but a week. The leaves started changing but for the most part, the colored leaves are in the street and the trees are still green. The parks all uprooted the plants that were growing and put down new flowers for the winter months. This is smart of course because you'll have beautiful blooms even through the winter (I'm assuming). There wasn't much decorating taking place for Halloween here until the weekend before it came. People put up their jack-o-lanterns but mostly windows were done up with those plastic peel and stick things. There were a few houses with spider webs or dangling ghosts, etc, but it's not like the decorations you see back home in the neighborhoods in Charleston. Granted, there aren't yards here so people make do I suppose. I was surprised to not see many trick-or-treaters out, but that could be because of where I live.
I think the thing that most surprises me is that BEFORE Halloween even came, Christmas decorations were going up. When Beth and I visited Dun Laoghaire on October 18, the Gresham hotel was already putting their outside decorations on the walls and the main street had up their light display. The main shopping street here, Grafton, has their lights up so it will create a winter wonderland walkway for shoppers. The shops at Kildare Village all had their holiday sales on and the windows all had reindeer cutouts stuck in them. Starbucks is already offering specials on their Christmas blends.
I know that in the states we have Thanksgiving which breaks up the time between Halloween and Christmas, but it's strange to jump from one to another. It's not super cold here yet, but looking at all the Christmas stuff out, you almost think there should be snow on the ground. I'm not sure why I have that in my mind, but it seems it would make more sense to me that way.
I certainly missed my summer in Charleston, even though I know it was ridiculously hot this year, but I've also missed my fall there. All of this of course goes with me missing home in general, because it's what I know. I am looking forward to actually seeing the displays lit here this Christmas and I hope I'll catch some carolers on Grafton Street. I have a feeling the city will be really pretty with all the festive decor.
It's been interesting to go through the last few months here in Dublin as all my previous European travel has taken place in the summer. This past April I came to check out things here in Dublin, but this is my first fall, or lack thereof, and my first winter ever in Europe. It will be nice to see how things are done here and if I'm lucky, I'll get to see some other parts of Europe this winter too.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
There's A First Time For Everything
This morning my alarm went off at 6:15 and although I was wide awake, I tried very hard to stay in bed the next 30 minutes while I waited for the water to heat. After turning the alarm off, I went to lie back down and hit my head rather hard against the wall...strike one. I tried to roll over and get comfortable again, but I couldn't seem to doze back off like I normally do, so I pulled myself out of bed.
I had packed everything last night as I always do, but I knew I needed to get showered and pack my toiletries, etc. as well as pull two things out from safe keeping here in my flat. The first thing I needed was my passport and the second thing was my wallet with British pounds. Now, this flat is small, extremely small, and being that I'm a bit OCD about things anyway, there isn't much room for error here when it comes to finding items in the place. I grabbed the purse from the same place it normally rests, and I went to get my passport from the cubby by my bed, but it wasn't there. Sometimes, after just using it, I place it in another cubby on the other side of the bed, so I checked, but had no luck. I remembered pulling it out a few weeks ago to teach a lesson to my tutoring student, so I looked with my lesson plans, but it wasn't there either. After I emptied every purse and cubby in the place and checked both my suitcases, I texted Allan letting him know I was freaking out. My flight was at 10:00 this am, but at almost 7, I hadn't showered and didn't really see the point as no passport meant no travel.
Allan called and I asked him to check his bookbag since he was here a few weeks ago and we had discussed taking my passport with us when we visited Northern Ireland. I didn't think we took it with us that day, but low and behold, Allan found my passport in his bag, in Cardiff! I was quite stressed at this point but Allan said to get to the airport with my id and the copy of my passport Mrs. Poole always said to keep when traveling. I took a quick shower but didn't do hair or makeup, just ran out the door and took a 25 euro cab to the airport.
I asked the guy at Aer Aran if I could use what I had to travel to immigration at Cardiff airport and get my passport, but surprise surprise, he said no. If I were an Irish citizen then I wouldn't need a passport, but as a US citizen I couldn't go anywhere without it.
Over at the Aer Lingus desk (that's who my flight was booked with originally) I had two options, cancel and get about 66 euro back or change my flight for an additional 100 euro. I stepped aside and called Allan back to get his opinion and so we decided to change my flight to next weekend. This means I'll fly to Cardiff on November 10 and return to Dublin on the 14 (the anniversary of Daddy's death). Then I'll be in Dublin for a week and the following Thursday, November 24th, fly back to Cardiff for Thanksgiving.
I feel pretty good about having a copy of my passport should anything happen with the mail since Allan's sending my actual passport to me via post, but it's still rather stressful. I guess it is also a great comfort that Beth works for passport services and if I need anything, she could more than likely take care of it for me. It's just disappointing that I'll be here in Dublin this weekend when I planned to visit Allan. There is a first time for everything and other than losing luggage, wallets, cameras, etc, I've not had this travel experience so I suppose I'll now just scratch this one of the list and hope it doesn't happen again!
I had packed everything last night as I always do, but I knew I needed to get showered and pack my toiletries, etc. as well as pull two things out from safe keeping here in my flat. The first thing I needed was my passport and the second thing was my wallet with British pounds. Now, this flat is small, extremely small, and being that I'm a bit OCD about things anyway, there isn't much room for error here when it comes to finding items in the place. I grabbed the purse from the same place it normally rests, and I went to get my passport from the cubby by my bed, but it wasn't there. Sometimes, after just using it, I place it in another cubby on the other side of the bed, so I checked, but had no luck. I remembered pulling it out a few weeks ago to teach a lesson to my tutoring student, so I looked with my lesson plans, but it wasn't there either. After I emptied every purse and cubby in the place and checked both my suitcases, I texted Allan letting him know I was freaking out. My flight was at 10:00 this am, but at almost 7, I hadn't showered and didn't really see the point as no passport meant no travel.
Allan called and I asked him to check his bookbag since he was here a few weeks ago and we had discussed taking my passport with us when we visited Northern Ireland. I didn't think we took it with us that day, but low and behold, Allan found my passport in his bag, in Cardiff! I was quite stressed at this point but Allan said to get to the airport with my id and the copy of my passport Mrs. Poole always said to keep when traveling. I took a quick shower but didn't do hair or makeup, just ran out the door and took a 25 euro cab to the airport.
I asked the guy at Aer Aran if I could use what I had to travel to immigration at Cardiff airport and get my passport, but surprise surprise, he said no. If I were an Irish citizen then I wouldn't need a passport, but as a US citizen I couldn't go anywhere without it.
Over at the Aer Lingus desk (that's who my flight was booked with originally) I had two options, cancel and get about 66 euro back or change my flight for an additional 100 euro. I stepped aside and called Allan back to get his opinion and so we decided to change my flight to next weekend. This means I'll fly to Cardiff on November 10 and return to Dublin on the 14 (the anniversary of Daddy's death). Then I'll be in Dublin for a week and the following Thursday, November 24th, fly back to Cardiff for Thanksgiving.
I feel pretty good about having a copy of my passport should anything happen with the mail since Allan's sending my actual passport to me via post, but it's still rather stressful. I guess it is also a great comfort that Beth works for passport services and if I need anything, she could more than likely take care of it for me. It's just disappointing that I'll be here in Dublin this weekend when I planned to visit Allan. There is a first time for everything and other than losing luggage, wallets, cameras, etc, I've not had this travel experience so I suppose I'll now just scratch this one of the list and hope it doesn't happen again!
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Little Things
For the past few days, probably more like the past week and a half, I've had some issues I've been sharing with my American friends here that have made living in Dublin less desirable. The more I speak with my American friends, the more I miss home. It didn't hit me until this weekend exactly what was happening, but it makes complete sense now. I should have known all along that I was going through the phases of culture shock.
Most of my American friends here showed up in Ireland about the same time, in June of 2011. We all settled in rather easily and have, for the most part, enjoyed our time traveling when we could and getting to know Dublin when we were here. We had our issues with establishing bank accounts, figuring out the water heating systems for our flats, adjusting to using the euro, etc, but nothing seemed to really phase us.
It wasn't until the last week or two that I've noticed a lot more complaining about things here in Dublin. I think it was exactly two weeks ago that a friend called and said she needed to vent...which I do often so I felt I should definitely be there for her. She was frustrated with a lot of things, but it seemed to me like the majority of her frustrations stemmed from being abroad and having to deal with issues or make decisions here..it wouldn't be as difficult a task if she were home.
This past weekend, I felt I HAD to get out of Dublin. Dublin was causing me to be in a funk and since we had a bank holiday on Monday, most of my friends were out of town anyway. I checked in with another American friend in Cork and made the decision to go down and stay with her and her husband. I got on the train Saturday morning and arrived just after lunch time. She picked me up from the train station and walked the short distance to her flat, which was huge by Irish standards. My flat would fit inside hers twice or more. I was shocked. By no means was the place extravagant, but just the interior space made me jealous! She and her husband also had a full size kitchen with a "full" size refrigerator (bigger than mine anyway). She had a pantry and a full size dish washer! She had two sofas and space for a rather large coffee table. She had a bedroom which was larger than my whole flat with full length mirrors (oh how I miss a mirror when I'm getting dressed). Her bathroom wasn't gigantic but served it's purpose AND you didn't have to heat the water! I was shocked, really, at just how large the place was and when I found out the rent, I was even more shocked. I think she told me they paid somewhere between 800 and 900 euro for the place, maybe just a bit more. I pay 575 euro for my shoebox so I was amazed and the cost difference between Dublin and Cork, although this has been another topic of discussion lately.
We headed out for a short walk through the town to get groceries and ended up back at her flat that afternoon to watch some American football. It's interesting to me because NEVER in my life have I really cared about football. I have done the tailgating and dressed the school colors, I've even gone in games and cheered on the teams, but I've never really paid much attention to what was going on. I knew when the ball had been fumbled, recovered or when we made a touchdown, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. I can't say I really care now but I will say that there is amazing comfort in watching American football with fellow Americans here in Ireland. It brings a huge smile on my face to be able to sit down in front of a game. I'll never really look at football the same way again. I think I've really learned about the comradery it creates.
Throughout the course of the day, my friend and her husband and I shared, with even more Americans we met out later, all the things we missed or the things we were aggravated by here. We did sound like a bunch of whining children at times, but it was nice to be able to share all that with people that understood. I think the biggest thing we discussed was the lack of efficiency. Nothing is done quickly here and when it is done, it's not completed with much effort. I think back to my microwave breaking when Mom was here in August. I think it took almost three weeks for my landlord to bring a new one.
Sunday morning came around and my friend made an amazing breakfast for us...pancakes on a griddle (I don't even have a whisk in my flat!), sausage and bacon, yogurt and fresh berries and coffee/tea (which of course is a staple within any Irish household). The best part was that she had syrup from America. She and her husband have been in Ireland longer than the rest of my friends and they brought a good deal with them when they moved over, but they've also had friends send things to them from home so they keep some goodies stored. When I left, I even got a handful of tootsie rolls and a snack size back of Cheez-its, an "American parting gift." I said that morning before heading back to Dublin that I missed home even more after staying with them. They are just a great couple and talented in so many ways; talking about all they did back in the states really made me miss being there.
As soon as I arrived back in Dublin I texted an American neighbor and friend and asked if he wanted to split a pizza so I picked one up on the way home and we sat in my tiny flat eating, and this time, he listened to me vent. He has said many times before "It's Ireland" when describing things that go wrong here. I felt bad for unloading my frustrations out on him, but I think we are all used to it, especially right now. That got me to thinking though. Why is it that all of a sudden we are all so miserable?
That's when it hit me, culture shock. Even though Ireland has been really rather easy to adjust to, we have all been in the first stage, the Honeymoon phase, the past few months. This phase, just as it sounds, is the easy part. It is when the excitement about being in a new place is enough to keep you motivated and let the little things not bother you so much. It's when the move to a new place seems romantic, but like all honeymoon phases, it ends. Wikipedia even says that it usually lasts about three months, give or take a little. Well, the end of June to the end of October is four months right? It's time for us to move on the the next phase.
This one is a bit more difficult. The next phase is the Negotiation phase. It's when all the differences between the old and new culture become apparant and it's in this phase that things really start to bother you. The excitement goes away and frustration and annoyance set in. Wikipedia even says that during this phase, people often suffer from insomnia. Is that why I keep waking up at 3 or 4 and never getting myself back to sleep? I was up from 3-9 this am and then after reading over half of a novel and completing it, fell back asleep, only to wake up at 2:30 pm! I'm lucky today was a bank holiday and I had the luxery of doing so. All those annoyances must have been on my mind and keeping me awake though, as they have been. Why do I have to wait 30 minutes before I have warm water to shower? Why does a jar of American peanut butter cost 6 euro and a pint of beer cost the same? Why do I have to live in a tiny little shoebox but pay a fortune for it? Why do they not have dryers here? Why don't the buses come on time? Why can't I find Bisquick? Why are eggs not refrigerated? Why is baking soda called soda bicarbonate? Why is cilantro called corriander? Why can't things be easy? Why is the quality of life so different? My neighbor's response of course would be, "It's Ireland." It's not that it's Ireland though, it's just that it's different. It's just not America.
Lucky for all of us, this too shall pass. Our frustrations will give way to the next phase, the Adjustment phase. It's in the adjustment phase, which takes place after 6-12 months of being in a new place, that one "grows accustomed to the new culture." You get used to the way things are done in the new culture and what to expect in many situations. It should be much less aggravating when things go differntly than they would back home. The new culture begins to make sense, even though you never thought it would.
Finally, the last phase of culture shock sets in, the Mastery Stage. Many people aren't in a new culture long enough to experience it, but this is when you finally feel comfortable in the new culture. You may still do things the way you would have back home, but you are more comfortable in the new culture. It is often referred to as the "Biculturalism phase" for this reason.
One thing I remember from when my good friend moved to DC for a few years was how she acted when she came back to Charleston, and I know that this will happen to all of us when we go home if we stay away long enough. After you've become comfortable in the new culture and you move back to wherever it was you came from to start with, you often deal with reverse culture shock. In the same way that you went through the four stages abroad, you'll have difficulties adjusting to the way of life back home. This is not something I look forward to as I know it can be quite difficult, but despite all the hardships I have faced or will face, I am happy that I'm going home for Christmas in exactly 49 days! I just hope I'll be able to muster up the strength to return to Europe after the new year , and when that time comes, that I'll have a new, more positive outlook!
Most of my American friends here showed up in Ireland about the same time, in June of 2011. We all settled in rather easily and have, for the most part, enjoyed our time traveling when we could and getting to know Dublin when we were here. We had our issues with establishing bank accounts, figuring out the water heating systems for our flats, adjusting to using the euro, etc, but nothing seemed to really phase us.
It wasn't until the last week or two that I've noticed a lot more complaining about things here in Dublin. I think it was exactly two weeks ago that a friend called and said she needed to vent...which I do often so I felt I should definitely be there for her. She was frustrated with a lot of things, but it seemed to me like the majority of her frustrations stemmed from being abroad and having to deal with issues or make decisions here..it wouldn't be as difficult a task if she were home.
This past weekend, I felt I HAD to get out of Dublin. Dublin was causing me to be in a funk and since we had a bank holiday on Monday, most of my friends were out of town anyway. I checked in with another American friend in Cork and made the decision to go down and stay with her and her husband. I got on the train Saturday morning and arrived just after lunch time. She picked me up from the train station and walked the short distance to her flat, which was huge by Irish standards. My flat would fit inside hers twice or more. I was shocked. By no means was the place extravagant, but just the interior space made me jealous! She and her husband also had a full size kitchen with a "full" size refrigerator (bigger than mine anyway). She had a pantry and a full size dish washer! She had two sofas and space for a rather large coffee table. She had a bedroom which was larger than my whole flat with full length mirrors (oh how I miss a mirror when I'm getting dressed). Her bathroom wasn't gigantic but served it's purpose AND you didn't have to heat the water! I was shocked, really, at just how large the place was and when I found out the rent, I was even more shocked. I think she told me they paid somewhere between 800 and 900 euro for the place, maybe just a bit more. I pay 575 euro for my shoebox so I was amazed and the cost difference between Dublin and Cork, although this has been another topic of discussion lately.
We headed out for a short walk through the town to get groceries and ended up back at her flat that afternoon to watch some American football. It's interesting to me because NEVER in my life have I really cared about football. I have done the tailgating and dressed the school colors, I've even gone in games and cheered on the teams, but I've never really paid much attention to what was going on. I knew when the ball had been fumbled, recovered or when we made a touchdown, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. I can't say I really care now but I will say that there is amazing comfort in watching American football with fellow Americans here in Ireland. It brings a huge smile on my face to be able to sit down in front of a game. I'll never really look at football the same way again. I think I've really learned about the comradery it creates.
Throughout the course of the day, my friend and her husband and I shared, with even more Americans we met out later, all the things we missed or the things we were aggravated by here. We did sound like a bunch of whining children at times, but it was nice to be able to share all that with people that understood. I think the biggest thing we discussed was the lack of efficiency. Nothing is done quickly here and when it is done, it's not completed with much effort. I think back to my microwave breaking when Mom was here in August. I think it took almost three weeks for my landlord to bring a new one.
Sunday morning came around and my friend made an amazing breakfast for us...pancakes on a griddle (I don't even have a whisk in my flat!), sausage and bacon, yogurt and fresh berries and coffee/tea (which of course is a staple within any Irish household). The best part was that she had syrup from America. She and her husband have been in Ireland longer than the rest of my friends and they brought a good deal with them when they moved over, but they've also had friends send things to them from home so they keep some goodies stored. When I left, I even got a handful of tootsie rolls and a snack size back of Cheez-its, an "American parting gift." I said that morning before heading back to Dublin that I missed home even more after staying with them. They are just a great couple and talented in so many ways; talking about all they did back in the states really made me miss being there.
As soon as I arrived back in Dublin I texted an American neighbor and friend and asked if he wanted to split a pizza so I picked one up on the way home and we sat in my tiny flat eating, and this time, he listened to me vent. He has said many times before "It's Ireland" when describing things that go wrong here. I felt bad for unloading my frustrations out on him, but I think we are all used to it, especially right now. That got me to thinking though. Why is it that all of a sudden we are all so miserable?
That's when it hit me, culture shock. Even though Ireland has been really rather easy to adjust to, we have all been in the first stage, the Honeymoon phase, the past few months. This phase, just as it sounds, is the easy part. It is when the excitement about being in a new place is enough to keep you motivated and let the little things not bother you so much. It's when the move to a new place seems romantic, but like all honeymoon phases, it ends. Wikipedia even says that it usually lasts about three months, give or take a little. Well, the end of June to the end of October is four months right? It's time for us to move on the the next phase.
This one is a bit more difficult. The next phase is the Negotiation phase. It's when all the differences between the old and new culture become apparant and it's in this phase that things really start to bother you. The excitement goes away and frustration and annoyance set in. Wikipedia even says that during this phase, people often suffer from insomnia. Is that why I keep waking up at 3 or 4 and never getting myself back to sleep? I was up from 3-9 this am and then after reading over half of a novel and completing it, fell back asleep, only to wake up at 2:30 pm! I'm lucky today was a bank holiday and I had the luxery of doing so. All those annoyances must have been on my mind and keeping me awake though, as they have been. Why do I have to wait 30 minutes before I have warm water to shower? Why does a jar of American peanut butter cost 6 euro and a pint of beer cost the same? Why do I have to live in a tiny little shoebox but pay a fortune for it? Why do they not have dryers here? Why don't the buses come on time? Why can't I find Bisquick? Why are eggs not refrigerated? Why is baking soda called soda bicarbonate? Why is cilantro called corriander? Why can't things be easy? Why is the quality of life so different? My neighbor's response of course would be, "It's Ireland." It's not that it's Ireland though, it's just that it's different. It's just not America.
Lucky for all of us, this too shall pass. Our frustrations will give way to the next phase, the Adjustment phase. It's in the adjustment phase, which takes place after 6-12 months of being in a new place, that one "grows accustomed to the new culture." You get used to the way things are done in the new culture and what to expect in many situations. It should be much less aggravating when things go differntly than they would back home. The new culture begins to make sense, even though you never thought it would.
Finally, the last phase of culture shock sets in, the Mastery Stage. Many people aren't in a new culture long enough to experience it, but this is when you finally feel comfortable in the new culture. You may still do things the way you would have back home, but you are more comfortable in the new culture. It is often referred to as the "Biculturalism phase" for this reason.
One thing I remember from when my good friend moved to DC for a few years was how she acted when she came back to Charleston, and I know that this will happen to all of us when we go home if we stay away long enough. After you've become comfortable in the new culture and you move back to wherever it was you came from to start with, you often deal with reverse culture shock. In the same way that you went through the four stages abroad, you'll have difficulties adjusting to the way of life back home. This is not something I look forward to as I know it can be quite difficult, but despite all the hardships I have faced or will face, I am happy that I'm going home for Christmas in exactly 49 days! I just hope I'll be able to muster up the strength to return to Europe after the new year , and when that time comes, that I'll have a new, more positive outlook!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Checking In
I realized earlier that it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted and as this blog is really a way for me to remember my time abroad, I need to be more consistent in writing. Nothing too terribly exciting has taken place in the last few weeks, but thinking back, I have had a few good times and quite a few laughs.
Two weeks ago Allan was in town and he and I ventured up to Northern Ireland for my first time which means I've now been to all the British Isles. We took a bus tour up to see Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and hike along the cliffs and we also went to Giant's Causeway to see the hexagon shaped stones there. We did make it into Belfast for about an hour, but in that short time I didn't see anything that impressed me. We went in a beautiful pub where I found signs posted everywhere saying "No team attire allowed." I thought that was interesting. Allan explained that it's too tense of an environment if everyone is wearing their jerseys, etc. Fights break out easily that way. Geez. I wouldn't recommend the bus tour again but our driver was hilarious so Allan and I enjoyed sitting up from cutting up with him the whole time.
This past weekend Beth arrived into town. She and Greg flew in from London on Sunday evening and we went up to the Woolshed so Greg could catch his Sunday night football and then on Monday I gave them the full tour of Dublin. We did the walk from Ranelagh up to Trinity College via St. Stephens Green, walked down Dame St to Dublin Castle and then on to Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Finally, the big event was visiting Guinness as it was a dream of Greg's and Beth, knowing beer really well, enjoyed the enormous brewery. We sat in the pour your own pint room a while because we each poured one then some very nice Japanese people gave us the four or five others they poured but didn't want to drink. After this we taxied it back to Ranelagh for dinner at Dillingers. We enjoyed discussing some of the lingo here in Dublin, for example, "You're very welcome." It's always said as you enter a place, as in you're welcome here, but it sounds funny. Sadly, Greg was sick all day Tuesday so Beth and I did the National Portrait Gallery and a quick trip to Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey on our own before having dinner at Seagrass...my new favorite place. We had to part ways on Wednesday morning as Beth and Greg flew back to London and I went to babysit my little Ari.
Wednesday night was a random but nice evening as my friend Jamie here texted to see what I was up to and we had a impromptu asparagus risotto at my studio so she could vent. It's nice to have girl friends you can do that with and both she and her husband have listened to me from time to time so I was happy to play hostess. I wish I had more room and a better kitchen so I could do it right, but the meal was fantastic so I suppose it all worked out.
Earlier in the week I received an email from Kit. She had met a guy in Germany who randomly is from Beaufort but living here in Dublin. I connected with him via email and took him out last night. We met at a place called Against the Grain on Wexford Street which was really good. I had a Blue Moon which cost me 5 euro and then he bought drinks after that but the next I had was a German banana flavored beer which was really nice. I can't recall the name of it, but the bar is known for their imports. Good stuff. After we left there I took him to the Bernard Shaw and we had pizza and jammed to the random music they played. I love that place though. We probably should have gone home but we made one more stop at Smyths in Ranelagh where we ordered a pint each but didn't drink it and chose water instead...good decision there. We parted ways and later I got a text saying that was the best night he'd had in Dublin (I guess I'm fun to hang out with!). I was pleased as I had a great time too and it was especially nice to be with a fellow Southerner. At one point of the evening he leaned in and asked if he could tell me a secret. I was waiting for something deeply personal when he said, "I don't eat seafood." I could have died because of the way he said it but it's something we have in common, being from the Lowcountry and not enjoying fish. I am getting better but there are still tons of things from the water I won't touch. Beth had prawns in her meal Tuesday night and the shrimp had eyes! I could never!
Today has been completely uneventful as I've spent my time on the "couch" watching my laptop...just another Saturday in Dublin. I'm heading out shortly to Jamie's as Tommy is in Liverpool and we are having girls' night. I've got to go get groceries because I'm supposed to be making creamy chicken enchiladas for us. That being said, I better get moving!
Two weeks ago Allan was in town and he and I ventured up to Northern Ireland for my first time which means I've now been to all the British Isles. We took a bus tour up to see Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and hike along the cliffs and we also went to Giant's Causeway to see the hexagon shaped stones there. We did make it into Belfast for about an hour, but in that short time I didn't see anything that impressed me. We went in a beautiful pub where I found signs posted everywhere saying "No team attire allowed." I thought that was interesting. Allan explained that it's too tense of an environment if everyone is wearing their jerseys, etc. Fights break out easily that way. Geez. I wouldn't recommend the bus tour again but our driver was hilarious so Allan and I enjoyed sitting up from cutting up with him the whole time.
This past weekend Beth arrived into town. She and Greg flew in from London on Sunday evening and we went up to the Woolshed so Greg could catch his Sunday night football and then on Monday I gave them the full tour of Dublin. We did the walk from Ranelagh up to Trinity College via St. Stephens Green, walked down Dame St to Dublin Castle and then on to Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Finally, the big event was visiting Guinness as it was a dream of Greg's and Beth, knowing beer really well, enjoyed the enormous brewery. We sat in the pour your own pint room a while because we each poured one then some very nice Japanese people gave us the four or five others they poured but didn't want to drink. After this we taxied it back to Ranelagh for dinner at Dillingers. We enjoyed discussing some of the lingo here in Dublin, for example, "You're very welcome." It's always said as you enter a place, as in you're welcome here, but it sounds funny. Sadly, Greg was sick all day Tuesday so Beth and I did the National Portrait Gallery and a quick trip to Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey on our own before having dinner at Seagrass...my new favorite place. We had to part ways on Wednesday morning as Beth and Greg flew back to London and I went to babysit my little Ari.
Wednesday night was a random but nice evening as my friend Jamie here texted to see what I was up to and we had a impromptu asparagus risotto at my studio so she could vent. It's nice to have girl friends you can do that with and both she and her husband have listened to me from time to time so I was happy to play hostess. I wish I had more room and a better kitchen so I could do it right, but the meal was fantastic so I suppose it all worked out.
Earlier in the week I received an email from Kit. She had met a guy in Germany who randomly is from Beaufort but living here in Dublin. I connected with him via email and took him out last night. We met at a place called Against the Grain on Wexford Street which was really good. I had a Blue Moon which cost me 5 euro and then he bought drinks after that but the next I had was a German banana flavored beer which was really nice. I can't recall the name of it, but the bar is known for their imports. Good stuff. After we left there I took him to the Bernard Shaw and we had pizza and jammed to the random music they played. I love that place though. We probably should have gone home but we made one more stop at Smyths in Ranelagh where we ordered a pint each but didn't drink it and chose water instead...good decision there. We parted ways and later I got a text saying that was the best night he'd had in Dublin (I guess I'm fun to hang out with!). I was pleased as I had a great time too and it was especially nice to be with a fellow Southerner. At one point of the evening he leaned in and asked if he could tell me a secret. I was waiting for something deeply personal when he said, "I don't eat seafood." I could have died because of the way he said it but it's something we have in common, being from the Lowcountry and not enjoying fish. I am getting better but there are still tons of things from the water I won't touch. Beth had prawns in her meal Tuesday night and the shrimp had eyes! I could never!
Today has been completely uneventful as I've spent my time on the "couch" watching my laptop...just another Saturday in Dublin. I'm heading out shortly to Jamie's as Tommy is in Liverpool and we are having girls' night. I've got to go get groceries because I'm supposed to be making creamy chicken enchiladas for us. That being said, I better get moving!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Baking the Time Away
I like to cook, and it probably comes as no surprise to you that I also like to eat. Food is a part of who I am (literally and figuratively of course). I am no chef and I wouldn't win any competitions, but I enjoy my time in the kitchen and I especially enjoy sharing my meals with others. I think that is what attracted me to Josh, my younger next door neighbor, when I arrived in Dublin. I knew I could cook for him and in return, I'd have company. It works both ways you know!
I have become a lot more confident in the kitchen since moving to Dublin. I find this to be especially interesting because I have the smallest kitchen in the world and lack what I would have previously deemed necessary items for cooking (ie, no measuring cup, no good knives, no baking sheet, no mixer, etc.). I've learned to make do however, and have produced some pretty decent meals. I have learned that measuring cups are not needed; the old eye-ball trick is sufficient. I've learned that you don't need a toaster for toast...a roasting pan with tin foil works just fine. I will say I made a pretty good Croque Monsieur this way! I suppose when you have time on your hands like I have, baking is a good way to fill the gap in activities. I remember my friend Sarah saying she did a lot of cooking/baking while she was living in Qatar. I've certainly made friends here and have the odd "jobs" babysitting and tutoring, but my Saturdays are beginning to be my baking days, and I look forward to that.
Last weekend I decided to try another first and I made homemade banana bread. I was shocked at how simple it was too! I made one big loaf for myself and enjoyed it so much that I went and bought mini pans and made a few loaves for my neighbors and the family I'm babysitting. I put a loaf in the freezer for when guests arrive and I am very likely to make a few more to give away. It makes me feel good to fill other people's tummies (maybe because mine is always full and I feel guilty about it. :) My buddy Jack and I always tease about how much we eat but no matter what, we try to finish our meals because of the starving babies around the world. We can't be selfish and throw food away! On a more selfless note, perhaps I'll bake some bread and take to this homeless man I see sleeping on the corner every day. I've been praying for him and I've considered approaching him, but haven't built up the confidence. I could buy him a cup of coffee and take him a loaf of bread...that'd be easy to do.
Back to the kitchen talk…Allan is in town this weekend and we had an amazing meal last night at TriBeCa in Ranelagh (BBQ ribs to start and burgers for each of our entrees) and tonight we are eating at this new place I found in Portobello called Seagrass (I’m looking forward to one of the following: roasted sausages with root vegetable puree, roasted tomato and potato; penne, gorgonzola, spinach and mushroom; or roasted chicken, chili, caramelized onion, sun dried tomato and spinach fricassee with shell pasta). Tomorrow night I want to make parmesan crusted chicken and pasta. Oh so exciting for such a simple dish. I think that is the thing about me. I enjoy good food but I’m not a snob about it. I can do a burger and be happy. I can cook some fancy stuff (like T’Lene’s champagne chicken) but I can eat Ramen Noodles and be happy too. As a matter of fact, I just had some very tasty Curry Noodles and I’m quite satisfied with that!
I have become a lot more confident in the kitchen since moving to Dublin. I find this to be especially interesting because I have the smallest kitchen in the world and lack what I would have previously deemed necessary items for cooking (ie, no measuring cup, no good knives, no baking sheet, no mixer, etc.). I've learned to make do however, and have produced some pretty decent meals. I have learned that measuring cups are not needed; the old eye-ball trick is sufficient. I've learned that you don't need a toaster for toast...a roasting pan with tin foil works just fine. I will say I made a pretty good Croque Monsieur this way! I suppose when you have time on your hands like I have, baking is a good way to fill the gap in activities. I remember my friend Sarah saying she did a lot of cooking/baking while she was living in Qatar. I've certainly made friends here and have the odd "jobs" babysitting and tutoring, but my Saturdays are beginning to be my baking days, and I look forward to that.
Last weekend I decided to try another first and I made homemade banana bread. I was shocked at how simple it was too! I made one big loaf for myself and enjoyed it so much that I went and bought mini pans and made a few loaves for my neighbors and the family I'm babysitting. I put a loaf in the freezer for when guests arrive and I am very likely to make a few more to give away. It makes me feel good to fill other people's tummies (maybe because mine is always full and I feel guilty about it. :) My buddy Jack and I always tease about how much we eat but no matter what, we try to finish our meals because of the starving babies around the world. We can't be selfish and throw food away! On a more selfless note, perhaps I'll bake some bread and take to this homeless man I see sleeping on the corner every day. I've been praying for him and I've considered approaching him, but haven't built up the confidence. I could buy him a cup of coffee and take him a loaf of bread...that'd be easy to do.
Back to the kitchen talk…Allan is in town this weekend and we had an amazing meal last night at TriBeCa in Ranelagh (BBQ ribs to start and burgers for each of our entrees) and tonight we are eating at this new place I found in Portobello called Seagrass (I’m looking forward to one of the following: roasted sausages with root vegetable puree, roasted tomato and potato; penne, gorgonzola, spinach and mushroom; or roasted chicken, chili, caramelized onion, sun dried tomato and spinach fricassee with shell pasta). Tomorrow night I want to make parmesan crusted chicken and pasta. Oh so exciting for such a simple dish. I think that is the thing about me. I enjoy good food but I’m not a snob about it. I can do a burger and be happy. I can cook some fancy stuff (like T’Lene’s champagne chicken) but I can eat Ramen Noodles and be happy too. As a matter of fact, I just had some very tasty Curry Noodles and I’m quite satisfied with that!
Food is good and preparing it can be a ton of fun, so I’m pleased to be stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things, both as a cook and a consumer. Just think of me eating fish for the first time this past year; I’m making all kinds of changes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)