I've been spending hours now writing final papers for two of my classes. My hands are tired from typing, and I am incredibly sick of the album I've had on repeat for the last few hours - my play count is up to a whopping 71. This column finally gives me a break, as well as an excuse to stop thinking about "how these plays reaffirm and contradict traditional stereotypes of Irish-ness" and "what difference race makes in the crime novel."
I could use this column to talk about my learning experience abroad, how I adjusted to my strenuous class schedule - classes three days per week, for fewer than three hours each day. Or I could talk about how I adjusted to the structure of the classes themselves - for two classes, I had only one 50-minute lecture per week.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, exams aren't for another week, so that story will have to wait for another time. Yet, with these upcoming exams, my return to "the States," as they call it here, is fast approaching. At the risk of sounding nostalgic, it's very difficult to believe that I have been living in another country - and so close to an active volcano - for about four months now. What's it going to be like when I return home? What experiences in Ireland will I miss?
Firstly, I know it will be sunny, unless Boston averages 60 degrees until mid-July - like it did last summer. I have a good friend who lives in London, and she used to talk about how she turned gray at home. Hannah, I offer my most sincere apologies for never taking you seriously. Although Ireland has not been bitterly cold, I can count on one hand the number of days when I walked outside and thought, "What a beautiful day."
Then again, it's fairly depressing that my appreciation for the pop duo Jedward will have to be kept quiet once I leave the continent. Actually, it should really be kept quiet here, too; they are the 18-year-old twins - named John and Edward, of course - who starred on X-Factor last year and made an extremely catchy yet nauseating remake of "Ice, Ice Baby." About 8,000 students at University College Dubline Ball, the school's last day of classes party and concert, threatened to egg Jedward during their performance. Regrettably, Jedward couldn't fly into Dublin because of flight restrictions, thus denying me the pleasure of both watching them perform and watching the student body heckle them. I was eagerly anticipating both.
I also will miss the Irish pub scene. When I finally learned the geography of City Centre, and when I made some friends with a much more extensive knowledge of the nature of the nearby pubs, I began my love affair with Bulmers Cider. We have developed a special relationship with International Life Dublin's themed parties, as well, but much like my fascination with Jedward, I prefer to keep my faithful attendance at these gatherings under wraps.
I would like to think I sound like the Irish now. I drop phrases like "car park" in conversation, use "Jaysus" at inopportune moments and find "cheers" to be a very catchy substitute for "you're welcome." I hope this alternative English catches on in America.
Apart from these little descriptions about my time in Dublin, I know that I am going to miss - and likely always talk about - the people here. Not only the people I've met and now know well, but also the general population. When I was getting ready to enter a world five hours in the future - full of questions about the best dormitory, the best places to go - a student here sent me an e-mail: "Get excited. The Irish really are just as friendly as they appear in the movies." At first I was overwhelmed by the casual conversations, the smiles and nods when I walked through campus as I wondered "When did I meet you?" and the eagerness to help, I eventually grew to love the feeling as if I was welcome here from the start.
Whenever we left a foreign city, my friend said, "I'm going to miss it here." But each time we have left the Aircoach, ready to haul our bags across campus, she always says, "Dub, I've missed you. It's good to be back."
Dub, I will miss you. Cloudy days, spiky-haired pop stars, confusing streets, concrete buildings and all.
Allie's column runs biweekly Tuesdays. She can be reached at a.palmer@cavalierdaily.com.
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