Hello, long time no see.

Hello again. It has been an appallingly long time since I have updated this blog. What can I say; adventure (and reading) calls. I have now been here in this lovely land of Eire for 2 months. So much has happened that it feels like much longer, and also like no time at all.

In this time I have begun a master's programme that has been challenging intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually through reading popular literature. Thus far I have read: a lot of critical theory on the "masses" versus the elite and the literature produced for them; The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole; Frankenstein by Mary Shelley; Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen; The String of Pearls (aka Sweeney Todd); The Pickwick Papers by Dickens; No Name by Wilke Collins; Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon; The Beetle by Richard Marsh; Oliver Twist; Tom Brown's Schooldays by Thomas Hughes; The Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne; The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley; Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll; The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald; and I have so many more to look forward to!

It has been a fantastic experience going through these very different genres and seeing what has been popular literature throughout time, it says a lot about culture and people and the fact that we have not changed much. The idea of this programme and attending Trinity sometimes becomes mundane, it is just a part of everyday life, but then every now and again I take a step back and think about it, and I realize that I am so privileged and I can't believe that I am actually doing this. I get to go to a school established in 1592 that is absolutely beautiful, the likes of which I had no concept of coming from Southern California where we have nothing reaching close to this age and history. And seeing and hearing some of the notable people who come to visit this university is overwhelming; for example, this week, Sir Terry Pratchett, author of the discworld series and many many more, came to speak to my programme, it was amazing.

Sir Terry Pratchett imparting us with some of his wisdom.




Over these past 2 months I have also had the chance to travel about and see this gorgeous and historic land that I am in.

Adventure #1: Belfast
My first venture was up to Belfast which was an experience that is difficult to describe. Going to a city that has had such a disturbed history, and to see the resiliency of this people and this place was moving. The peace murals are something that I suggest everyone see if they are ever in Belfast, they have so much hope and beauty. Also, seeing where C.S. Lewis spent early days and may have found Narnian-inspiration was pretty magical. The Titanic shipyards are pretty great too.

Here's a little taste of this trip...

This is the most famous of the peace murals, depicting Bobby Sands who lead the hunger strikes amidst the Troubles.

The cityskape through the top of Victoria Square shopping center, it is all glass, speaking to the fact that there is peace in this city today.

A peace wall separating the Loyalist and Nationalist neighborhoods.

The woods near Campbell College that C.S. Lewis rather loved; aka Narnia.

Samson and Goliath...the shipyards that many ships have come from, including the Titanic.

Adventure #2: Galway to the Cliffs of Moher
I also had the chance to see the beauty of Ireland as my flatmate and I ventured out to Galway and went on a tour from there to the Cliffs of Moher and through prehistoric and leprechaun country along the way. After this venture, I have to say, the west of Ireland is some of the most beautiful landscape I have seen; it is other-worldly with all of the rock everywhere through the Burren and the cliffs are absolutely breathtaking (it's no wonder they have been used in The Princess Bride and Harry Potter!)

Here is a little taste of this trip...

The Cliffs of Insanity, err, Moher...absolutely gorgeous

O'Brien's Tower

Bing said it better than I can: "If you ever go across the sea to Ireland/ Then maybe at the closing of your day/ You will sit and watch the moonrise over Claddagh/ And see the sun go down on Galway Bay"

High Crosses at Kilfenora Cathedral

The paths of the wee faery folk (aka leprechauns)

Wedge Tomb, amongst the landscape of the Burren, used by prehistoric peoples.

Adventure #3: Scotland
My latest trip had many enticements, the main one being the chance to see my doppelganger, also known as Janelle in Aberdeen, Scotland. I was able to go for 10 whole days (as opposed to the other trips which have been weekend jaunts). I loved Scotland, it was pretty and the accents are fantastic ;-) and starting the festivities with fireworks at the beach on Bonfire Night was very apt. Aberdeen was a nice town, much smaller-feeling than Dublin, and I was able to enjoy it with Nella. We were also to take a short daytrip down to Edinburgh and I fell in love with this city. I loved the architecture along the Royal Mile and getting to see Edinburgh Castle felt strangely historic, not to mention the Palace of the Holyrood where Bloody Mary spent much time. After this trip, I have decided that there is definitely something magical in the wind of Scotland: wherever you go you will hear the faint (and sometimes not so faint) sound of bagpipes on the wind...

Ready for Bonfire Night!!

"Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason and plot."

The halls of the University of Aberdeen

Waverly train station in Edinburgh

The Sir Walter Scott monument (and evidence of bagpipes...)

I found the TARDIS!

The crosses at Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

There are many more adventures to come that I hope you will come along with me to see, but until then, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.