Closing the Dublin chapter, and what an adventure it's been...

I woke this morning to the typical few seconds of bliss a new day brings, and then all too quickly, the reality of this being my last day in Dublin struck my core like a sledgehammer. 

Sunlight bounced around the walls of my bedroom, giving off a warm, cheerful vibe, and that drew me to the window.  I looked out into a sunny Irish sky without a cloud in sight.  It was as if the city was saying goodbye with a beautiful last day, and the tears immediately welled up and fell down my cheeks.  I closed my eyes, felt the warmth of the sun on my face and the kiss of a cool breeze, and I thanked the heavens for the blessing this place and all its people have been.

It's incredible how fast five months have flown by.  What's even more amazing, though, is the abundance of friendship and happiness I've found while here.  I quickly grew Irish roots and made myself at home.  The people around me made that very easy to do.  The office atmosphere was welcoming and I found people appreciated the raw, unpolished version of me.  Between teary goodbyes they sent me off with a myriad of cookbooks and Irish blessings.  I was humbled and taken aback by the strong impressions they said I had left on them.  The whole time I had been focused on the ways they were helping me to grow.  I didn't realize my effects on them were similar.

I am taking priceless friendships and memories back with me, of nights out with fizz and laughter, weekend trips away, and feeling like being an adopted part of the family.

I'm taking an appreciation for conversation completely void of political correctness.

I've learned not to take things so seriously, or worry so much about everything.

I'm taking with me a semi-decent Irish accent and some fantastic words and phrases.  I wont forget my brella and wellies, and I will go on the lash without getting knackered, for fuck's sake.

I will keep and treasure an expanded network of amazing friends, all of whom took me in and helped me to learn and develop.

I'm taking a beautiful Irish charm bracelet with a four leaf clover, a new found appreciation for purses, and the best chocolate biscuit cake the world has ever known.

But most importantly, I'm taking a new sense of self. A confidence in who I am and the great things I can bring to the party...besides cupcakes.

Thank you Dublin for the kicks, the adventures, and the best chapter of my life's story thus far.


XOXOXOXOXOXO

 

Things I see every day, but only for a little longer...

Simple, day-to-day routine is taking on a new meaning now that I'm faced with the reality of leaving it behind.  What used to be a walk to the grocery story, a morning commute, or a daily jog are now events of nostalgia and deep importance.  Here is some of my day-to-day life in Ireland, captured so I can always remember the little things I often took for granted.

View of the sunrise from my bedroom window

 

 My morning walk on the beach

 My grocery store

 Aviva Stadium, right next to the apartment

 

The local D.A.R.T station (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) just like LightRail in San Jose

 

Inside the car, everything on the wrong side :)

Going out the front gate of the apartment complex

 

And here comes the daily commutte

The Dublin Convention Center...the rings light up at night, and every week it's a different color.  Very cool!

I love the colorful doors

 

The Belvedere corner store, one of the landmarks I used to learn the way to and from work when I first arrived.

 The Cat & Cage pub, never actually stopped there, but should have

LOVE the hanging baskets of flowers

The Centra grocery store for convenient stops along the way home



Getting onto the M50 motorway

Airside Business Park, almost at SanDisk

 And there it is!

 

 On the way to the Pavillions shopping mall

 And we're here!

 Dunnes is the big grocery store I would use for stocking up on baking supplies

Parking is only free for 2 hours, and I learned the hard way that even if you're there for less than two hours, you still need to validate your ticket before leaving, otherwise the gates wont open.

This roundabout in the mall parking lot is always packed!

 Back home we go!

 

Favorite view from the bridge

This place was packed from Wednesday nights on every single time I passed it in the evenings...

This building was another landmark I used

The old abandoned flour mill is a massive, crumbling, creepy building. Every time I pass it, I expect to see a zombie look at me through one of the windows. 

 My petrol station

The front gates, home sweet home!