The Dublin Down Low

On the eve of my 5 month mark in Dublin, I will fly home to Austin. Where has the time has gone? I blinked, and it was mid-October. My apologies for not blogging sooner, or more frequently. Things are finally settling, and I resolve to write more.

I'd like to introduce the Dublin Down Low; posts designed to document five tidbits about my new residence that I feel compelled to share with you. These tidbits can be facts, observations, questions, or simple afterthoughts.

To start:

1. Dublin's summer and autumn weather was not all that gloomy, or cold. The highs averaged around 64F and the lows approximately 52F. I only stopped opening my window at night for ventilation this week. The sun also made more appearances than I expected. Being so far north, its bad rap may be because Ireland receives less direct sunlight. Thus my not-so-tan skin and my vitamin D pills.
   
2. About half of Dublin's population is under the age of 30.
3. Do not walk on the grass. Unless you are purposefully walking in a designated park, it is against Dublin's cultural norms. I am unsure if it is unlawful, but locals will stare you down. I retaliated by silently making fun of people who awkwardly dodged sidewalk corners.
4. The Irish ladies doll themselves up with make-up, strut around in platforms, and have mastered the art of layering. As put together as they are, I swear they do not brush their hair. (With the exception of my colleagues) Their hair is always a tangled mess or in a knot.
5. Ireland is windy. I battle hurricane-like forces everyday walking to and from work. Hence why the girls do not mess with their manes. Their hair can't even handle the wind right now.

The Arrival

My dad saw me off at DCA. It took all of my strength to not break down in front of him. Once I reached my connection in New York, I called a handful of people whose voices I wanted to hear one last time. Many didn't answer. The world went dark when I finally turned off my cell. I knew I would not have service overseas, and I wondered what messages would be waiting when I finally returned to the States. The 6 hour flight from JFK to Dublin was turbulent, and there was no sister or friend to hold my hand during take off. I finally cried on the plane.

Our flight arrived at 5:50am. I was beyond jet lagged, and running on adrenaline and bad coffee. Without any communication to the outside world, I successfully made it through customs, packed a cart to transport my overweight luggage, and took a taxi to my temporary apartment. I arrived just before 7. Of course, the building was locked, reception did not open until 10:00, and check-in was not until 2pm. With no one to call and no where else to go, I hid my suitcases behind the building, sat down on the curb, and tried not to fall asleep.

I had not eaten since "dinner" on the plane.This is what it feels like to be homeless. At 10:15 (go figure), the receptionist arrived and graciously let me check in early. I wheeled one suitcase at a time up to my 3rd floor apartment, sent one email to my parents saying I was alive, then crashed on the world's firmest mattress.I did not wake up until after 4.

When I finally pulled back the curtains, I saw the most beautiful summer day outside. Clouds did not dare intrude, and the sun beamed all evening. It was Oregon warm; maybe high 60'sF (19-20C). I was nervous and apprehensive to explore, but I was starving and had absolutely no excuse to not venture out. Awkwardly, I set off.

Fáilte Abhaile

I know several of you have been wondering when I would write. The past few months have been anything but monotonous, so I apologize for the silence.

In January, I wrote that I was in the most content place I have ever been. I was living in Austin. I was within a 15 mile radius of my family. I was saving, furnishing my apartment (I've really come to enjoy design), and scratching off bucket-list items. I donated blood, ran my first 10K, traveled around Italy, and reconnected with my family. Safe and established are 2 emotions I did not empathize with until recently. Discovering I could feel this way was so liberating. I no longer felt reserved. I thought with an open mind and embraced life with open arms. Although I was blissfully comfortable, something was missing.

In March, a strange series of events happened. On Monday, 9am, our India Associate was no longer with our company. On Tuesday morning, 9am, this position was no longer in New Delhi, but in Dublin, Ireland. At 10am, I met with my boss to inquire about hiring internally. On Wednesday, 8:30am, I was offered the position. Three months later, I had a 2 year Visa, 1000 Euro in hand, 2 suitcases and a one-way ticket to the Emerald Isle.

I've always said I wanted to work abroad and travel. I am also a dreamer more than a realist. So when the opportunity to work and play in Europe was presented to me, I could not pass. What a unique opportunity to enhance my take on the world. In all honesty, my pride was the determining factor. Part of me was very tempted to stay. I was about to get Boston, the golden retriever I've wanted for years. I was not ready to leave my apartment (or my belongings). I did not want to sell my new car (or to stop driving all together) after working so hard to save and buy it. And although I wanted to disengage, I definitely did not want to leave my friends and family behind. After years of tumultuous hardships, these bonds had grown so strong. While it was easy to say yes, it was very difficult to say goodbye and leave.

I have been in Dublin two months now. My time here has been soul rocking and eye opening; emotionally high and low. Dublin is charming, yet eery. For a city that endured so much violence, the streets are mysterious and haunting. My perfect weekend is spent getting lost down cobblestone allies and finding a new monument, restaurant, store or hangout (Aqualung, Stateless and other indie artists are playing at random on my iPod). The locals are beyond welcoming. The 19C weather (65F) is refreshing compared to the 104F Austin heat. There are aspects of the European life that I adore. I love walking to and from work. I like buying produce and bread from street vendors every other day, then carrying them home in reusable totes. I admire the architecture. It's amazing how urban design can influence a city's culture and attitude. Communicative distractions are minimal, so I experience no sense of time. I do not rush around with an over-scheduled agenda; I simply be. I am free of any immediate obligation and can carry out my wanderlust for an undiscovered world on my own.

There are also aspects that are annoyingly inconvenient and render me homesick. I have asked the below questions dozens of times: I have to walk 15 minutes to work in semi-freezing rain. I need to ride a bus for 45 minutes to get to Ikea and carry my entire purchase home? A latte costs how much?!? How can 2 day old milk expire? It's 4:30am, why the hell is it sunny? It's 11:30pm and we are eating dinner now? More cigarettes? How do you meet a proper Irish/Englishman if they are "too proper" to talk to you at a bar? Are my friends back home not talking to me because they have written me off? Is my family forgetting about me? Why do I learn that my sister is in a car collision from Facebook? Why do I suddenly feel so young and alone again? What am I doing here?

In good time, I will feel settled. My free time has been consumed with hunting for flights, hotels, and hotspots. I am milking this opportunity for all that it is worth, and will gain new insight into the world. I promise to write more frequently, and in greater detail, about how life really is in Ireland and what my experiences abroad teach me. I have so much to share. Until then, oíche mhaith.

Perserverance

It has been quiet some time since I blogged about... anything. Thus, I feel the need to publish this statement once more to sum up my 2010 and properly commence 2011.

Never sell yourself for less than your true worth. Refuse to be less than your best. Never give up at your own expense, for you personally are your greatest asset.

I wrote this on the night I ended a 3 year relationship with my college sweetheart. Well, he wasn't so much a "sweetheart," but he was one of my greatest lessons to date. This particular boy taught me the value of self worth; the biggest lesson that I needed to personally learn before embarking on "the real world."

Approximately one year and a half later, I am proud to hold a fulfilling position at a company where the people professionally and personally respect your work. I am proud to be taking bold steps to better myself and accomplish my dreams; big and small. I am proud to have made some wild (but nonetheless fun) mistakes in 2010, and to have emerged as a strong, willful individual who is eager to learn more about the world and inspire the people in it.

More about these mistakes and my lessons learned coming soon.

Strength

Never sell yourself for less than your true worth. Refuse to be less than your best. Never give up at your own expense, for you personally are your greatest asset.

Give, Give, Give... and When You Finish, Give Some More

Everyone is constantly working towards the goal of finding happiness in life. I have continuously tried to achieve a constant point of happiness with myself and the direction of my life. Ironically, I think back over my four years at college and can recall myself being more stressed out than simply content. This summer, I have spent mass amounts of time wondering what is it that makes a person genuinely happy? Go figure, I'm still working on it...

I am learning that instead of reaching for a single point in life to provide you with happiness, I must continuously and tirelessly work to live a life of happiness. Cliche, I know, but happiness is not a destination, it is a journey. I may never be completely satisfied with what obstacles and outcomes life hands me, but I know that I will always make a conscious effort to remain optimistic and carry my enthusiasm for living with me at all times. A very special person tried to tell me, "today is the beginning of the rest of your life, make it count." I am starting to listen.

Rain

It's another cloudy day in Austin. I wish it would just rain. The lakes are low, the rivers and creeks are dry. We desperately need the rain.

Over the past few years, I have really come to appreciate the rain. In essence, water is the catalyst to life; it feeds, it cleans, it revitalizes. Without the dark sky, we never have a reason to appreciate the sun.

Gives me chills.