April 4th, 2014 | Uncategorized
This past week, I was lucky enough to have my parents come across the ocean to visit me! Having not seen them in months, it was great having the opportunity to spend some quality time with them, and share with them the life I have led this past year.
We spent our first two days exploring the south. On Saturday, we drove to Tullamore to visit a friend of our family’s bed and breakfast. For those who know Susan Moran, a basketball legend in both Ireland and at St. Joseph’s University, she grew up in Tullamore. We were lucky enough to be invited to the bed and breakfast her family owns for a delicious lunch and tea. I don’t think we stopped laughing from the time we walked into the house until the time we left. We were told stories of their history, of Susan as a kid and many stories of Ireland. Mr. Moran also took us to some popular landmarks in the town. We had such a great day with them, and were very grateful they took us into their home and let us feel apart of the Irish culture for the day.
On Sunday, we decided to take a journey to Kylemore Abbey. Since this was my mom’s first time driving on the opposite side of the road, the opposite side of the car and around all of the many round-abouts, it’s easy to say my dad nearly had a few heart attacks. Low and behold, we did survive, and it ended up that driving was the best decision we could have made. We stopped in some small Irish towns, visiting different monuments and historic sites, as well as walking into the small Irish shops. We took in the views of the mountains and the beautiful green land, full of sheep, horses and cows. Exactly what you would think of the picturesque views of Ireland! They were really able to see the heart of the south, and it was truly something to see.
Kylemore Abbey was absolutely breathtaking. For anyone coming to visit Ireland, I definitely recommend taking the journey out there. It was a gorgeous castle that was once used as a boarding school. It sat right on the water, in front of the mountains. A perfect place to take some beautiful pictures. At night, we had dinner in Galway with fellow scholar Michelle! It’s always a great time when fellow Philadelphians spend time together!
On Tuesday, we had dinner at the Dick’s home (Breda Dick is my coach, and her daughter Susie is one of my closest friends). They invited all the girls on the team and many people I have become close with over this year. As usual, everyone was extremely welcoming, and made them feel just as much at home. I was also able to show off my new cooking skills! My parents have never seen me cook anything, so they were very impressed by how far I have come!
Needless to say, it was an incredible few days with my parents. I was so grateful to have the opportunity to share my life of the past year with them, and have them meet the people who have been so great to me. They were really able to see the life I have been living, as well as the beauty of the north and the south. It was also a great reminder of how blessed I am to have such supportive and loving parents, who make me laugh harder than anyone. I miss them already, but am so excited that I will be seeing more of them this summer!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
