What do I do with my first day as a student in Ireland? 

1. Call my mom because I forgot to set up my Debit Card pin...thank the dear Lord for moms.

2. Make a friend with my taxi driver, Maurice. He shared with me stories of being in the Irish Military, working for a horse ranch in Nebraska, and stopped to show me a unique castle with many windows. Most castles don't have a lot of windows, but the owner of this castle was a woman whose husband had died, so she decided to cover the castle in windows...according to Maurice it's because "ladies love light." As a lady, I have to agree.

3. Get a SIM card so that I can start making some Irish contacts! S/O to Colleen Mary for being the first friend in my phone. I am using an unlocked iPhone and pay 20 euro a month for unlimited data...that's one solid deal compared to prices for phone plans in the U.S.A.

4. Unpack my clothes.  I brought one suitcase and one small carry-on filled with clothes. I have SIGNIFICANTLY less than I am used to, and I LOVE it. Having just a few options makes choosing what to wear less stressful and more exciting! I get to make my semi plain wardrobe fun with layers, lipstick, and minimal accessories!

5. Narrate a video walk through of my apartment. I had to show off the new "crib."
 

6. Host a dance party for myself. If you haven't had a dance party lately (or ever), go throw on your favorite Spotify playlist and JAM OUT! I promise there will be no regrets.

7. Follow up the dance party with a solo photo shoot...LOL exhibit A of why I should not be left alone for too long. But let me tell you, everyone needs a few solo shots they feel good in.

8. Take a walk into town.  I feel like I am in a Romantic Comedy set in small town Ireland....sooooo charming!

9. Arrive at a pub and order soup of the day and Chardonnay...OMG am I a poet? A glass of wine definitely helped ease any tensions of the journey and there is nothing better than a warm bowl of soup du jour.

10. Purchase my first round of groceries from Spar. I bought the necessities: milk, yogurt, eggs, carrots, onion, mushrooms, vinegar, bananas, apples, oatmeal, dark chocolate, almonds, corn/quinoa cakes, lemon, coffee, jasmine green tea, shampoo, conditioner, soap...I wonder how your cart may look different?

11. Continue the search for a car! I think I may end up with a Nissan Micra. Let's hope it all works out!

12. Reflect on many moments of gratitude for: my parents and family for giving me the strength and support to make it here (mentally and physically), a pretty seamless start to this adventure, the beautiful environment I get to live in, how technology and travel have made the world accessible, and the kindness of all of today's encounters.