Art in Life: Assignment #1

                       Whether you are a past, present, or future friend welcome to my blog! Before we venture into the deeper of details of why exactly I chose to leave the comfortable country of America and venture towards a greener side of the nations, let me first tell you a little bit about myself. I am currently a student at Georgia College and State University. This fall I will be willingly submitting myself to a life of nursing school for two years where I hope to carry my degree into a career of holistic wellness with a focus on physical fitness and it's direct relations with preventative and present healthcare. Apart from my education, I find joy in things like coffee dates with my grandmother ("Da"), fresh cut flowers, unanswered prayers, and misty days. I am proud to say I am a daughter of the King and without Him I am nothing (John 15:5).
                     I believe it is reasonable to say that I did not necessarily choose to study abroad, but study abroad chose me. Due to an unfortunate schedule and a lack of enrolled hours I found myself two classes behind at the closing of my sophomore year. Due to date conflicts, summer sessions at both GCSU and my hometown university left me with zero options of finishing up my core work before nursing school. My only option was to accept the possibility of joining the many students interested in studying outside of the states. Ireland was the only program to offer my needed curriculum along with a workable schedule. After a few tears and attempting to push against God's plans, I finally realized that it was a jump worth making.
                      First off, I have never left the United States. So I am counting this one as both something very exciting and simultaneously terrifying. In the past two years, a healthy lifestyle promoted by activity and organic nutrition has become a large part of my life. Everyone always speaks so highly of the way Europeans savor their food. I plan on taking the opportunity to see how food and health is appreciated in such a joyful culture. Thirdly, perhaps one of the most exciting parts of this trip is that I get to share these memories with one of my best friends, Ashton R. With little work, I was able to convince her to take on this journey with me and for that I am so thankful! With the positives of this trip also come the negatives.  I have always been raised to appreciate family and home. Although being independent from home is a stepping stone with much anticipation it is also a horizon that is hard to see. I'm not sure fearful is the correct word to describe the "worries" of this excursion, but perhaps healthy anxiety. I am anxious to see what mistakes I will make, because from my mistakes I will learn the best lessons of life and travel. And last, I am anxious about losing a routine. I am definitely a person who thrives off of planning and a set routine. This program will require me to lose a life of comfortable routine and find myself in a place of endless possibility.

         With just a month left to go, it's surreal to think that this hometown, silly girl will be flying across an ocean to experience a new hometown; well at least for five weeks.