Dublin: Part 2

Hello family and friends!
Ok, so i hope this whole blog thing is working out for everyone. We'll see how it goes.
So to catch up on everything else in Dublin...
I went to the Guinness Factory!! Not a world record store my friends... but a heck of a tour. :) They have displays set up on every floor about the history and process of their beer. And it ends on the top floor, at Gravity Bar- which is a big, circular room, w/ glass windows all the way around, so you get a fantastic 360 view of Dublin. And in the middle is a bar where they serve a pint of Guinness to everyone once they complete the tour. No worries there... Guinness is gross.
We also took a walking tour of Dublin, visited the Dublin Zoo (definite highlight), saw the Book of Kells (which i was really looking forward to, but it turned out to be awfully BORING), toured Trinity College (which is really old and really beautiful... totally reminded me of Vanguard... um, or not quite)
We visited the Kilmainham Gaol/Prison... that was really somber... but morbidly fascinating as well. The tour was heavy and rather depressing; however, it really helped get a better grasp on Irelands history.
Oh ya, we took a day trip to the city of Cork as well. It was freezing all day and the gloom made the city feel especially quiet. Then compared to Dublin, most places are quiet. We managed to find some great photo spots though and toured a Beautiful church, called St. Finn Barre's Cathedral. Christians have been gathering to worship there for over a thousand years. It's incredible to think how many times God had been glorified in the same spot I was standing. There's something tangible about faith in a moment where i could recognize the years of history behind my personal conviction to serve God. I hope to experience that intensity of pride in my God at other points of this tip. I'm sure there will be those opportunities. Not that my faith or security is dependent on experiences or feeling, but simply for the sake of having my breath taken away. All in all, Cork wasn't too excitiing, but that church was definitely worth the 3 hour train ride.
Overall... my perception of Dublin drastically changed from beginning to end. I think my adrenaline rush in the beginning clouded my vision on the city at first. In retrospect, Ireland had a depressing overtone in general to it, at least Dublin did. I'm sure my perception of it is also largely affected by the particular literature I've been reading on it for classes. James Joyce wasn't entirely sold on his homeland and every short story our clas read seemed to reinforce that feeling. Even W. B. Yeats poetry was down. Not to mention the gloomy weather didn't help. But even with all of that aside, I think that as I've left, I'm maybe able to see it more objectively and recognize the sense of heaviness and even spiritual oppression that seems to hang over the city. Literally, it seems the entire city thrives on alcohol. It's sad... But at the same time, there is still much to appreciate, lots that i learned, and wonderful memories that im thankful for. Good times were definitely had.
Anyway, I'll update on Scotland soon. Sorry I'm so behind. I'm trying my hardest to upload my pictures here so everyone can see the places I'm talking about. I'll try and do that soon! :) Thank you all so much for your emails. Everytime i check my mail and find one from a friend, (rather than some lame spam) i get so excited! Thank you for thinking of me! It helps home not seem so far away. Keep 'em coming! :) You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Love, Love, Melody

Dublin: First Impression

Hello All!
I've arrived!! After leaving my house at 11:00am Monday morning, I arrived here, in Dublin, Ireland last night (Tuesday) at about 8pm. Surprisingly, i think i've already adjusted to the time change. It's roughly 5 in the morning back home - and we all know i'd be incoherent if i wasn't adjusted. :) So... really cool story.... I bought an ipod before i left.. thinking it'd be a great investment so i could have all my music with me.... downloaded nearly one thousand songs from my computer the night before i left... and discovered, while stuck on an airplane for 10 hours, (next to a very smelly man, i might add) that it barely downloaded a third of the music it was supposed to! Err. Go figure... So slightly disappointed to say the least. I won't be singin along to any of the jams i was looking forward to. Haha.. Ahh well, such is life. But alas, I will somehow survive. :)
Another great little story (can't believe i'm going to share this - please dont use it against me)... well, about a week ago, i was talking with my friend jason about stuff to do while we were in Europe. He told me that he was excited to tour the Guinness Factory in Dublin... to which i replied with enthusiasm that i was equally excited to see where all the world records are. (To those who are not following: Guinness is a beer brand.) Ya... so after he finally stopped laughing and threatening to share my stupidity w/ our entire plane (to which he already did) i thought that would be the end of it. But no. There are stinking Guinness signs on EVERY corner here. I can't escape them! Ahh.. So left and right, i keep hearing - "Hey Mel, you should go see if there are any world records in there!" Gotta love it.
Well, Dublin is amazing so far. It's raining today. Guess mom was right about needing a raincoat. Oh well. Our hostel is great! It's four stories, with an adorable little garden outside.. tables, candles, flowers, vines all the way up the walls of the hostel.. so cute. The whole bathroom scene is as coed community as you can imagine... with a truly tragic shower situation... but for now, i'm still appreciating the adventure side of it all. Some of us went walking around downtown Dublin last night.... everywhere you walk there's music and lots of dancing. All the men call the girls "love" and "lovely"... it's rough. :) It's all lit up at night, with cobblestone streets, beautiful brick buildings, and hole in the wall irish pubs on every corner. Today, we had breakfast together at this sweet Irish lady's restaurant. She made the Irish special... eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, and beans. Good times were had by all. It's wet, but wonderful outside. I'm sitting in a little internet cafe right now preparing for our first "school" meeting at the Dublin school of Business in a couple hours. So far, so good.I hope everyone is well back home. You are all missed. Please email me (Skrupples@aol.com) and catch me up on your lives. I'm sorry to ramble on in this email/blog... Well, maybe sorry isnt the right word as i undoubtedly will ramble in emails to come. :) But if you'd like to "unsubscribe" to my mass email list at anytime, just let me know :) hehe. Again, you're all missed and in my prayers. Please pray for the safety and protection of everyone here and that our stuff wouldnt get stolen. Thank you.
With Love Love Love, Melody