November 6th, 2013 | Uncategorized
For the first time since I have been in Ireland, I felt a bit homesick. I think it struck me when I began listening to some of my mom’s favorite music while studying and I found myself missing simply driving around with my mom at home, singing along to songs on the radio. I mentioned in passing missing home to my friend Nicola, one of my classmates in my Masters program, and she invited me to come with her when she headed home for the day and meet her family.
As we walked into the house, Nicola’s mom was just finishing up on the Sunday roast (which has become one of my favorite Irish traditions since I’m all about the food) and already had a plate set for me, even with such short notice. From the lamb and roast potatoes for dinner, to the coffee and biscuits while we all watched X-Factor around the fire, to Nicola’s dad inviting my family to stay at their place whenever they come to Ireland, my visit to the Butlers helped me almost forget that I so badly missed home just a few hours prior.
People ask me all the time what I like about Ireland and as cliché as it sounds, I always say the people. I seriously have met some of the most amazing, welcoming people here in Ireland in the short 3 months that I have been here, including the Maguires who made my birthday weekend in Belfast a special one, a mutual friend of a friend giving me a place to stay whenever I am in Dublin, and my classmate James’ family inviting me over for a weekend at their home in Galway. So I just wanted to take the time to say another ‘thank you’ to all the Irish families continue to help me feel a sense of “home away from home” here in Ireland. Until next time, readers!
