One Day...

So I'm not sure how it happened, but I managed to feel settled here. I know where I like to get groceries, where I can find cheap snacks, and who I can go talk to if I have had a bad day. It sort of crept up on me, but it feels nice.

The week was long, but went by quickly. You know how the days feel endless, but when stacked on top of one another, the week flies by? It was one of those. Classes are picking up and I have my first quiz this Wednesday. It should be pretty easy, but it feels odd as normally I'd be swamped with work right now. Gotta love periodic, cumulative testing.

This week's production for theatre was A Streetcar Named Desire. I wasn't anticipating a good time because I have heard countless renditions of the play in speech, but the performance was fantastic. The three hours flew by and I even enjoyed the now cliche yet classic lines. Something about Blanch dying from an unwashed grape out on the ocean seemed to mean more this time around.

I'm still trying to figure out the logistics of whale watching in Cork. The pier we need to leave from is about an hour outside the city, so the planning process is a little involved. I'm positive it will happen. I also have another trip in the works for Oct 22 - 25 to Tromso, Norway. It is WAY up north and someone here has a friend we can stay with. Basically, we will be very close to the Arctic Circle and should have the opportunity to see the northern lights. October is one of the best times to see them.

Today we went to see Stonehenge and the city of Salisbury. Stonehenge was really neat, but is also just one of those things you have to see. I'd equate it to the Space Needle. It was really cool and I am glad I went, but I don't necessarily need to do it again. Salisbury on the other hand, was fantastic. We went to Salisbury Cathedral and I was taken aback. It was so gorgeous and elaborate, just standing on it's own without other buildings in the background. I felt very small next to it, physically and emotionally. Seeing buildings with such great histories blows your world to grand proportions and you remember just how small you are.

It was a wonderful chance to get out of the city and that is also why I am excited for Norway. I feel like there is never time for a thought to myself when I have to constantly dodge people in the streets and tube. I'm not used to the big city and I need the solitude sometimes. This trip has been very humbling and has set some things in stone for me. I cannot live in a big city. Suburbs could work, but not directly in the city. I'd go crazy. But I am also reminded that I am seeing all of these fantastic places, but not with the people I care about most. Everyone on this trip with me is great, but sometimes I really just want my family with me. I ran into this when I moved to WA too, but it happens even more here. I rezlize that the world is much bigger than I can actually fathom and the comforts of home seem that much more important.

It's short and sideways...sorry. :P