Living the Life

And just like that, my teaching experience in Ireland is over!

Well actually, I loved it so much that I plan to pop in for a couple days in between my travels the next few weeks, but for the most part, I’m finished. I seriously can’t believe how fast those four weeks went!

I really enjoyed spending time with all the different classes, while gathering lesson ideas and classroom management tips to bring home to the States. The students were lovely to work with, and I think I learned more from them than they learned from me! Granted I was only teaching here for four weeks, there was never a day where I left school wondering if I had made the right career choice. Now I know how rewarding this profession is, and whenever I am discouraged in a future classroom, I will look back on my time at Delgany National School and smile J I am grateful for the opportunity to have been exposed to a completely different education system in that I now feel prepared to work with all types of student backgrounds. I now have experience working in an economically disadvantaged, extremely diverse school in Pennsylvania compared to a much wealthier school in Ireland with students who wouldn’t think twice about listening to the teacher and working diligently. It’s amazing how attached a teacher becomes to his or her students, no matter who they are! There is something to love about each and every one of them.

This past weekend was relatively low-key, but full of new adventures. AND…the sun was out the whole time!! On Saturday, I met Alli at the Dublin Zoo. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to a zoo, so I really enjoyed myself. We spent a few hours walking around and admiring all the animals. Most of them were hiding in their houses, but we did see an orangutan on a zip line and a rattlesnake eating a rat, among others. At first I was disgusted by the sight of a snake swallowing a whole rodent, but then I realized that it was actually pretty fascinating.

Sheeeeeeeeep

It's kinda hard to see, but he's eating a rat

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

My soon-to-be pet penguins

Lake at the zoo.. so pretty

Alli and I walked from the zoo to the city centre, which took about half an hour. I was wearing several layers to prepare for a cold day outside as it normally is, but I ended up stripping down to a long sleeve shirt on the walk back. It got really hot with the sun shining so brightly, not to mention we were walking fast. I was sweating by the time we stopped for a pint at one of the pubs in town! Sweating in Ireland…who would’ve thought?!

Pub stop

President's House... whoa

No wonder why I'm obsessed with Dublin

Next we went on a tour at the National Leprechaun Museum. Don’t judge! Our tour guide was really fun and I learned some cool facts about leprechauns. I was a little disappointed in that we didn’t meet any leprechauns, but I’m still glad I went. The Giant Room was my favorite part… I imagined myself as a little leprechaun on all the furniture!

The tunnel!

Giant chair

I'm so wittle!

Mr. Leprechaun <3

We found our way to Gourmet Burger Kitchen for dinner where I consumed the largest and second most delicious burger of my life (no burger will ever top Charlie’s!). This is also where I met Jessie from Iowa, who is living with Alli, and Kyle from Indiana. They’ve both been teaching here since March and leave this weekend, but it was nice getting to know them!

After dinner, Alli, Jessie, Kyle, and I stopped for pints of Guinness at a pub named Foley’s/Reilly’s. It was a really tiny, quiet pub, but we had fun chatting with the locals and admiring all the different currencies on the walls that tourists have left behind to be remembered.

Money everywhere!

Then we moved on to Temple Bar, where we found a much different scene at Oliver St. John Gogarty’s (I think it’s called). It was very loud and crowded and full of hen and bachelor parties, but we had a lot of fun. The four of us were talking for several hours and shared a lot of laughs. Eventually Elizabeth from Indiana and her boyfriend who was visiting for the week met up with us. It was a very fun night and made me sad that the Indiana teachers are leaving so soon!

Alli, Jessie, and I at Temple Bar

Jessie's massive mojito

On Sunday, Alli took a bus into Dun Laoghaire and we walked around downtown together. It was another sunny day, so we took many pictures of the gorgeous scenery. We discovered the 40-foot swimming hole, which I am determined to jump into before I leave here! I’d say there were about 15 locals going for a swim at the time. I dipped my hand into the sea and discovered that the water is actually warmer than the air…imagine that! I will be partaking in my own polar bear plunge in Ireland if it’s the last thing I do. However, I am certain that I won’t be having a picnic on the beach in shorts and a t-shirt when it’s 35 degrees, which I saw some families doing!

What a life!

So pretty :)

Yes, I climbed that rock and I'm still in one piece

That will be me in June!

Boats. So many boats.

We went to the famous Teddy’s ice cream along the pier. The vanilla fro yo did not live up to all the hype it was getting, but it was a tasty treat nonetheless. We did some shopping in the town centre before Alli caught her bus back to Tallaght.

When I got back to the house, Trish made a lovely feast of roast beef and potatoes. She is truly an incredible chef! Then I packed my suitcase and did the usual Sunday night routine before curling up in bed J

This week, I am in Donegal (far northwest corner of the Republic) with the sixth class students, their teacher named Liz, and Trish. There are five other primary schools from the Dublin area here as well. While the students go to classes at the Irish college (Gaeltacht), us teachers get to explore Donegal and go to pubs…such a hard life! Although Irish Gaelic is the only language spoken here, there is another American teacher from Indiana named Emily who is here as well, so we are getting through the communication barrier together! It took six hours on a bus to get here, but we’re having a great time in the middle of nowhere with a complete lack of civilization. I will write about it when I return to Dun Laoghaire this weekend.

Happy 102nd Birthday to my wonderful Grandmom today!

And tomorrow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAUN! 22 is for the birds.

Hope all is well across the pond.

Until Next Time,

Anna