I cannot believe that I am actually going to be home by the end of the day. I am the happiest person in the world!

I was up bright and early this morning at 2AM after only have gotten 4 hours of sleep. But I am so excited that doesn't even matter. 

My next post will be when I'm back in the States!

My Family 

I think the most obvious thing that I am looking forward to is seeing my family. I have missed them so unbelievably much. 

Actually, as a matter of fact, my Dad doesn't know that I am coming home early. My Mom and I have devised this whole plan to surprise him. It will be his early Christmas present.

#2

Wow, 2 days left and still so much to do. This post will be short because I am trying to get some last minute studying in!

I am looking forward to coming home to my bed and the washing machine and dryer. 

The bed here is comfortable, but there is nothing like your own comfortable bed. 
I cannot wait to do as much laundry as I want and not have to pay for it. I am super excited. It cost 2.50 Euro per coin. So that means to wash and dry one load of laundry, you have to pay 5 Euro! 

#3:
So now there are three days left! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by here.

The #3 thing that I am looking forward to coming home to is home - cooked meals. Though I have learned to be quite independent and have been able to make myself some very healthy and yummy meals, there is nothing like a home - cooked meal!

#4:
I am looking forward to returning home to my HOUSE. There are certain amenities in the house that I have missed.


1. bath tub
2. dishwasher
3. unlimited high - speed internet
4. DirectTV Tivo 
5. Hulu






These things may seem trivial, but they are quite essential things to the average American family! 

1. Bath tub: Some days after a long day of classes and walking (reference to Day #5 post) I really just want to take a nice, long, hot bubble bath. But I can''t because there is only an itty bitty shower that you can barely fit it. 

2. Dishwasher: Thankfully my roommates and I keep up on washing our own dishes. We have a system, "If you use it, you wash it right away and put it away." But there is nothing like opening up the dishwasher right after it has finished and feeling the hot steam hit your face. 

3. Unlimited  high - speed internet: I have internet in my dormitory, but it is limited. Once you have reached a certain limit, you are put on the "slow" internet. And believe me, it is quite slow. 

4. DirectTV Tivo: I miss being able to know that no matter what my shows will tape and I can watch them whenever I want without commercials. 

5. Hulu: Since I have so many tv shows that I like, I am not allowed to tape them all on the Tivo. So I watch them on Hulu. But, haha to my surprise, Hulu does not work outside of the United States. Enough said.

Christmas Market

Grand Parade, Cork City

Santa's Village in Bishop Lucey Park

Christmas Tree in Bishop Lucey Park

Grand Parade Christmas Market

Vendors at the Christmas Market

Carnival Ride for the Children

 THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

Well, as my days here in Ireland come to an end for the Fall semester, I feel it is obligatory to fulfill my countdown as I did before I can to Ireland. 

So each day I will say 1 thing that I look forward to at home. Each day the thing 

will be something that is more and more important to me.

 I am looking forward going home and being able to drive. Actually, it is a whole collaboration for #5: driving, not walking as much, and a pedicure. Since I have been in Ireland, I have walked so much I have actually gotten holes in my shoes (reference to previous blog post). My poor feet need a nice long soak in hot water. Also, as much as I have gotten used to it, I still occasionally don't know which way to look before crossing the street. 

 

I know that I am studying abroad in Ireland and that this phrase is British, but I just find it so catchy. It is also very popular over here.