New Years a little early

I write this post as I sit in JFK waiting to board my flight to Dublin. Although it is only December 29th, a full three days before the official start of 2011, I can't help but feel my own personal new year is beginning when my plane takes off.

It was a great break being home for the past two weeks. I got to spend time with my family, and generally reconnect with everything I've been missing for the past five months. I can't lie. I may be having the time of my life in Cork, but I will never stop missing family dinners, going to my brothers' sporting events, and listening to my Dad's corny jokes. But when I said goodbye to my family at the airport, I certainly felt excitement more than disappointment. When I went through security, I swear this feeling came over me of being welcomed back to something familiar. Kind of funny - taking off my shoes and walking through a metal detector is comforting to me now.

Looking back on the resolutions I made for myself in September, I realize I did not fulfill all of them. First of all, I definitely did not always stay on top of my work. That is for sure. But I did eat more vegetables! I have become a huge fan of peppers and onions, and I make a mean stir fry.

Another resolution I have for Cork 2011 is to learn to slow down. I've realized that I'm the type of person who feels the need to fill every spare minute, and that it's a waste to relax. This is SO NOT TRUE! Taking time for yourself is so important because it then allows you to enjoy the other times to the fullest. For example, it's definitely not necessary to travel every weekend. A weekend in Italy can be followed by two or three weekends enjoying the Cork City Centre.

Study Abroad tip: traveling can be tiring, and if you try to cram too much in to a short time you can easily get burned out.

Heading back to Cork for 2nd semester is a great new start, but at the same time it's great because I'm heading back to familiar territory. I have friends, an apartment, a great internship all waiting for me. So now that my foundation is already set, I can use this time to further develop and enjoy it. Plus, I have always been a spring person. I don't think I can pinpoint a specific reason, but I have always excelled in the spring. Ever since high school I have always had the most fun in the spring season, and my grades are usually at my best.

So, I guess I can call this my first official post of Spring in Cork!

Slan!