It’s pretty easy to portray a rosey-posey life via social media. Living in an incredibly beautiful place, as I do, my cyberspace presence demonstrates all the positive aspects of my life. Yes, my world is beautiful and full. Exciting. Every day presents a new adventure. But, transitioning to life in Ireland has not been all puppies and rainbows. Ireland is charming and utterly blissful, but I can’t dismiss the tougher days, filled with longing for familiarity. In the past few months I’ve been through many moments and days of intense struggle. I never expected to have a hard time, but I am thankful, stronger and more grateful for it.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to highlight 5 things I’ve learned to be more grateful for by living in Ballyvaughan:

Technology’s ability to Connect

I am not one to praise endlessly praise technology, but I am a firm believer that it has made my life in Ballyvaughan easier. As an artist, it makes working successfully in a remote place a viable possibility. Before, it would be incredibly difficult to be visible in the art world without living in a city. Technology makes it possible to easily apply for shows and exhibitions, know what’s popular in the art hubs of the world, and to publicize and share work on a global scale.

I am also thankful for the ability to maintain personal connections through technology. Facebook and Instagram give me the ability to share everyday moments of my life with all the friends and family who care to know. They allow me to stay connected with such a broad base of important friendships.

I’m not sure what I would do without Apple because Facetime is my saving grace. When I want to talk to my family and friends, it is reassuring to know that I can be connected face-to-face within seconds. I love letter-writing, but we live in a fast-paced world and nothing compares to hearing the voice and seeing the emotions on the face of someone you love.

The Gift of Sunshine

When the sun rises at 8:30 AM and sets at 4:30 PM, the days feel short and dark. Some days, I never see or feel the warmth of the sun, the cloud cover is full and the air is damp and chilly. It’s a huge adjustment from a dry summer filled with the bright sunny skies in Oklahoma. As a sun-loving lizard, I miss daily sunshine. But when the sun is out in Ireland, it’s warmth and glow are completely mesmerizing. They make the darkness bearable. The light the sun provides here is different, it’s entrancingly gorgeous and a true gift.

The Luxury of a Gym

Regular exercise is a staple for my mental and physical health and well-being. After being spoiled with DePauw’s Welch Fitness Center for four years, it was a REAL shock moving to a town where there is no clearly structured outlet for exercise. I am well accustomed to cranking out my daily cardio and lifting routines at a gym, but moving to a location where gym-going is not an option has allowed for innovation and opportunities for connection with several communities of active people.

On my own, I’ve enjoyed pushing myself through outdoor runs in all sorts of weather. I’ve also committed myself to Kayla Itsines program. I wake up with a workout each day. It gives me something to look forward to and warms up my body and spirit!

In addition to the exercise I do on my own, I have connected with others through yoga, cycling, Zumba, and spontaneous self-organized sessions with students at the college. Each week begins with yoga taught by Eileen Hutton, the art and ecology professor at BCA, on Monday night. On Wednesday nights, Karen Quinn, the financial officer at BCA, teaches spin classes at the community hall. We all bring our road bikes and she sets up the trainers and pushes us through circuits. She’s also taken me out for fabulous rides through the Burren and introduced me to the Burren Cycling Club. I pop in on the occasional Tuesday night for Zumba, which happens in the community hall--it’s a nice way to meet other women in Ballyvaughan! Katie Kramer, a fellow student, has also been a great workout buddy. We fit in a session 1-2 times a week, invite any students interested in joining, and crank out some well-deserved sweat. Exercise alone is a good time, but with others, it is a party!

The Blessing of Community

In any new environment, it is important to create community. I didn’t realize how important a sense of community was for myself until a few weeks ago. At home, community was just there; it wasn’t something I had to seek out. Thanks to my parents and the town I was raised in, I grew up with a neighborhood community, a church community, a horseback riding community, a school community, a leadership community, a work community, and a community within my own extended family. People were ever-present in my life.

When I attended college in Indiana, I formed many communities for myself within the larger DePauw community. There was the community of student government, the community within my sorority, the community through the first-year mentor program, the gym-going community, the yoga community, the DePauw Community Service community, the Panhellenic Community, the alumni community, the Bagos community, the international student association community, the community of staff and faculty members, and the community of the cycling team. I could go on, but I don’t want to bore you. The point is, community was easy to find. So easy, that I didn’t realize how much it mattered.

In the small village of Ballyvaughan, community is just as strong and present. The difference is the ease of finding it. Partly because I am a newcomer and most community-building events are shared via word of mouth and partly because there are fewer people to create infrastructures of community. Thankfully, the Burren College of Art offers a very positive and supportive group of people as a base of community. Outside of the school, I have made an effort to seek out community. I’ve joined a volunteer community through Burren BEO Trust, the Catholic community through Mass at the local church, the film-loving community through Cinema Club, and the Ballyvaughan community as a whole through work at the Wild Atlantic Lodge. Connecting with people is so critical to the happiness and health of my existence, so I am grateful to be a member of the communities here and for the warm welcome I have received.

Access to Good, Nutritious, Affordable Food

The nearest grocery store from Ballyvaughan is a 20-30 minute drive away. We have a Spar, where we can get the basic necessities, but it’s about twice the cost of other grocery stores. It’s basically an Irish version of a 7-Eleven. Going to the grocery store is a planned event and a full excursion. I am not a picky eater, but I enjoy fresh produce and it makes up about 60% of my diet. Because food is not as easily accessible, I am much more grateful for grocery store options and for the proximity of fresh food in my hometown.

I’ve also learned that consistent food preparation and meal planning takes significant time and energy. I have always enjoyed cooking but making three meals a day for myself as I balance school and work can be exhausting. I miss my Mom’s amazing home cooked meals and the comfort of knowing I have something nutritious to look forward to every evening.

I have to remind myself that access to good food is a privilege. I am grateful and lucky that I have food to eat and nourish my body every day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope today you are able to hug and love on your family and friends. Take time to consider the things you most appreciate in life and those you may take for granted. Through culture shock and circumstance, I’ve been forced to reflect on what brings joy to my life. I know it has improved my sense of gratitude and altered my mindset for the better. I am so very grateful for the life I get to live and for all the wonderful people that make it so much greater!

Access to Good, Nutritious, Affordable Food

The nearest grocery store from Ballyvaughan is a 20-30 minute drive away. We have a Spar, where we can get the basic necessities, but it’s about twice the cost of other grocery stores. It’s basically an Irish version of a 7-Eleven. Going to the grocery store is a planned event and a full excursion. I am not a picky eater, but I enjoy fresh produce and it makes up about 60% of my diet. Because food is not as easily accessible, I am much more grateful for grocery store options and for the proximity of fresh food in my hometown.

I’ve also learned that consistent food preparation and meal planning takes significant time and energy. I have always enjoyed cooking but making three meals a day for myself as I balance school and work can be exhausting. I miss my Mom’s amazing home cooked meals and the comfort of knowing I have something nutritious to look forward to every evening.

I have to remind myself that access to good food is a privilege. I am grateful and lucky that I have food to eat and nourish my body every day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope today you are able to hug and love on your family and friends. Take time to consider the things you most appreciate in life and those you may take for granted. Through culture shock and circumstance, I’ve been forced to reflect on what brings joy to my life. I know it has improved my sense of gratitude and altered my mindset for the better. I am so very grateful for the life I get to live and for all the wonderful people that make it so much greater!