26+6=1

Phew, I've been putting these blog posts for a while...hopefully I don't let the excitement of Ireland make me forget them as well...

What has happened since November, you may ask?

Christmas flew by though, my family all caught the nasty flu epidemic and sounded like croaking frogs while opening presents. I received a raincoat, new jeans, and an awesome traveler's guide complete with a map to round out my presents for the trip. Luckily, my mom had an old suitcase tucked away in our basement so I didn't have to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a new set. 

Our professors gave us a homework assignment over break: Pack your suitcase as if you were actually leaving in January, and for our next seminar, we will all meet up around campus and walk to the classroom. This will give you a feel for dragging your suitcase around and why it's important to travel light.

Sure enough, we met up at 7:30am and walked (more like a light jog! Apparently, Ireland has the 2nd fastest pedestrian walkers in the world) over ice and snow to class. Not too shabby, though. I think I am prepared in terms of what goes and what stays.

Our following session was a bit more sobering. Our professors discussed the North of Ireland/Northern Ireland which was the field for battle between Protestants and Catholics not too long ago (depending on how you call this territory, the Irish can determine which side you're on!). The emphasized how we need to speak, act, and whatever else during our 4 days up in Belfast. They tended to hold by the motto: "If you have anything to say, just don't say it." The fighting may have ended long ago, but that doesn't mean the tension has evaporated.

As long as we keep our wits about us, we should be alright though. 26 of the Irish counties plus 6 of the loyal British counties equal one unified Ireland, hence 26+6=1. Irish math is my kind of math; it just makes so much more sense! With that, we have less than 50 days until our departure. Don't know if I can make it through Winter Term finals, though...