In His hands

Is it real? Can it be true? Yes indeed I am in Galway Ireland. After a lengthy 24 hour trip I have arrived. My trip began early the morning of Monday Jan. 3rd.  There are a few apologies that need to be taken care of first. Mom, I am sorry I promised to get everything done ahead of time and did not. Katie, thank you for all of your help and scrambling to get all of my last minute items, even at 6 am, especially because mornings are clearly not your ideal time. Lastly, sorry Dad for the undue stress of the house turning into a chaotic scramble of last minute packing. With many last minute items being thrown in my bag I was finally packed and headed off to the Central Wisconsin Airport to catch my first flight at 10:07 am. Upon arrival I felt fine, we checked my bags in, received by boarding tickets and headed toward security. My stomach began to churn and I was not feeling well. As a family we waited together for about 30 mins before I got in line to go through security. We said our goodbyes and I was now on my own. My only glitch through security was forgetting to take off my watch...whoops, quite obvious error.
      Leaving CWA toward Chicago was a very short flight taking only 32 mins. Seated next to a friendly lady headed to Idaho for work, I was comfortable and looking forward to my next two flights. Just before landing I asked to borrow her cellphone and was able to give loved ones an update. Landing in Chicago I collected by carry-ons and headed toward my gate. My walk to the next gate seemed to take forever with my heavy backpack.....and this is why you pack light.  I knew I had plenty of time and if I kept an easy pace I wouldn't tire myself out and get to my gate in time. First off I found the television screens, enabling me to double check my gate had not changed (Thank you Katie for the good advice). B9 was my destination and I found it after wearily dragging through O'hare. At this point it was about 12 and I knew I should probably eat something even though I wasn't hungry. Near by a Great American Bagel store so I had a sandwich. My stomach didn't feel the greatest, but I figured it was wisest that I eat something. This proved to be a poor choice. On my flight to Newark I became very sick. Vomiting the entire flight the hour and half trip seemed like an eternity. Thankfully I was at a window seat and had no one sitting next to me. At this  point I couldn't even keep water down. Arriving in Newark I collected my belongings once again and headed toward the bus which would take me to the international terminal. Finding the transportation counter quickly I sat door on the floor and again began to vomit. Great, the american girl who looks like she's dying as everyone stares at her. A young swedish man named Uwe was very kind and brought me paper towel, while a girl from Brussels comforted me and gave me anti-nauseau medication for my next flight. I road the bus with Uwe & the girl from Brussels and found out a little bit about each of them. Both were very interesting and quite enjoyable to speak with. Thankfully my next flight from Newark to Shannon went much smoother. I was seated next to and mother and daughter from Ireland, Francise and Josephine. They were visiting family in New York for Holiday.
    The flight from Newark to Shannon was a bit delayed. Landing at 7:18 I then waited 2 hours to get through immigration. Waiting isn't the worst thing in the world, but I needed to get ahold of Brian to let him know the flight was delayed. Brian is the CEA program director who was picking me up from the airport. I couldn't get my phone to work as hard as I tried nothing seemed to get through. I was proud of myself for not panicking the entire trip. Even with changes of gates and a stressful situations like being so sick I had yet to panic. However, I thought the phone issues might push me over the edge, because Brian had specifically said call if our flight is delayed. Instead of panicking I pulled out my new baby bible, thanks to ms. Jordyn, and began to read Isaiah. What comfort I had in the word. I spent most of my time waiting reading and was absolutely thrilled to have the time in the word. God is so good. Just before reaching the immigration desk I was able to get my phone to work and Brian was cheerfully waiting for me outside. I was worried about upsetting Brian for being disrespectful of his time, but I prayed about it and turned to the word. Everything worked out perfectly as he waited for me outside with a few other girls from my program. Unfortunately we also had to wait outside in the cold for an hour to take a bus up to Galway. This meant my trip took a grand total of 24 hours. Needless to say I was wiped.
    My apartment is beautiful and quite new. Fully furnished and stocked with cooking supplies I am ready to get settled in. There are 3 of us girls living here. For the first day I was alone, but knew that I had another roommate because there was food in the fridge and garbage in the trash can. While running downstairs to meet Brian I came across my Landlord Mary and Abby, a girl I had met in the Newark Aiport. They asked if I knew the girl who lived in ap. 38, I responded I did! They proceeded to ask if I minded if Abby moved in, so now Abby and I share the double room and found out our third roommate is from France and flew home for the Holiday. That is the extent of which I know about her, but I am excited to meet her.
   This post is getting ridiculously long and I could type forever, but I'll give a few highlights. Brian is incredible, very friendly, has a wonderful accent and quite charming. Sarah is studying abroad a full year, so she has been very helpful to get advice from. The Irish drive like mad men on the wrong side of the road.  Round abouts are absolutely everywhere. You are required to pay .70 for each grocery bag, therefore bring your own! Great idea though, very sustainable. The Irish are by far the friendliest people I've ever met. They are not kidding when they say it rains all the time. Shopping and fashion are absolutely grand here! Crack is not a drug reference, but rather asking someone if they want to go out for a good time. I am in need of sleep so I will head to bed, seeing as though orientation is bright and early tomorrow morning.

With Love from Galway :  )