T-minus 6 Days -- Freaking Out

Hey again friends. As the title of today's blog can testify, I'm getting a little anxious about Ireland. I've already had to say 'so long' to a bunch of friends and family, and have a very limited amount of time to spend with others.

I've decided 6 days is not very much time.

On one hand, I'm very anxious to get over there. I've been talking to so many people about it -- those who have gone, who want to go, who wish me all the best in going, who threaten to hide in my suitcase, etc. etc. I've been wanting to go since I was 11 and threatened to run away to Ireland (never even got out the front door, but I was pretty adamant about it for at least a week) and this has been a long-time dream. And now that it's less than a week away, I want to get there!!!!!

But this will be the first time I've been away from friends and family for so long, and that's making me a little anxious too. And by a 'little anxious' I mean I'm getting a little freaked out. As a rule, I'm a homebody -- I've been here in Duluth for 16 years, and I've only been on one trip without my parents (a week in Canada for choir senior year). And that was kind of hard. I've got some independence in me now, and the overpowering need to see the world is far outstripping the need to stay home... But when I start packing up my suitcase it's like the floor is opening up from under my feet and I have the need to throw all my clothes back on the floor and hide under my bed. 

I'm kind of weird like that.

Also, I loathe air travel. Airplanes bore me after the first half hour of being on one, and we're going to be traveling all day Wednesday. I'm going to be going stir crazy, and I know it. So that's adding to the list of anxiety. 

Whine, whine, complain, complain.

The interior of a Boeing 757 -- from Newark to Shannon. Woo. Hoo.

 Enough jibber-jabber. I said I would post a schedule of the trips we take as a class around Ireland! Here it is:

27 Jan.: actual arrival, at 7 in the morning
30 Jan.: classes begin
3 Feb.: Balintubber, Kylemore, and Clifden
10-12 Feb.: Galway
15-19 Feb.: Dublin and Newgrange
3 Mar.: Castlebar
10-18 Mar.: SPRING BREAK!! 
26-31 Mar.: Long Trip (to be announced)
5-9 Apr.: EASTER BREAK!!
13-15 Apr.: North trip (specifics to be announced)
4-6 May: Traditional Music weekend (I believe this is in Louisburgh or Westport, though I could be wrong)
10 May: HOME!!

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!! We'll be seeing most of Ireland during this trip, especially when I go on Spring Break with my family -- more on that later.

I think that rounds off this post -- I'll try to post once more before I leave, and as soon as possible when I arrive and unpack. Until then, slán! :)


-S