Blarney Castle

The next site we visited was Blarney Castle in Cork. Legend says that kissing the Blarney Stone gives you  'the gift of the gab.' I'm not convinced though because I kissed the stone and am as quiet as ever. The tradition is over 200 years old.  In order to kiss the stone, you have to lean backwards (over an opening) and hold on to a railing. A little scary for those afraid of heights, but worth it. 

Click here to see the castle's website.

Ireland: day one

I spent a semester in Ireland in 2008 and decided to blog about it now. Click here to read the first post.

After a week spent on campus in Indiana, our group had begun to feel like family. The day we arrived in Ireland is somewhat of a blur. As we landed at the Shannon airport, we couldn't believe we were finally there. As cheesy as it sounds, the minute I walked out of the airport I felt, in a way, like I was home. Then we got on our tour bus and went to McDonalds. Then we really felt at home ;) 

We were supposed to stay awake all day to lessen jet lag. Our first stop was Muckross House in Killarney.

Muckross House was finished in 1843. The original owners spent about 6 years preparing for Queen Victoria's visit. They spent tons of money into it, hoping to impress her. The Queen only stayed for two nights. The owners had financial problems after her visit and eventually had to give the house up. 

Click here to learn more about Muckross House.

We headed back into town and had dinner at our hotel. I don't remember much else about that day. Just pure excitement, sleepiness, and my first time experiencing Irish rain.   

April: Part 2

So April continues...

  We made fake ice cream in my commercial photography class. It looks really good and edible, but the stuff that was drizzled on top has glue in it!

 The set-up in the studio. 

 I finally found time to try out my Christmas present!

The first attempt at lazing outside this year! We had classes earlier so by the time we got outside, the sun was already setting and it was a bit windy and chilly. I hope the sun comes back sometime soon!

April: Part 1

The past few months have been a blur of classes, homework, and friends. I've hardly touched my camera this semester except for my photography class. Now that I have a better phone, I can take a photos without having to delete another one first! This is a photo summary of my month.

 Hanging out with some wonderful friends. Rachelle...

 ...and Katie.

Rachelle's cute manatee. 

Having fun during our openhouse.

The Fort

A January tradition on my wing is to build forts. We watch movies in them and some people sleep in them. Click to see it larger. (It's an ugly shape because it's 17 photos put together in Photoshop and I didn't want to crop anything out.)

If a picture was really worth 1,000 words...

...I'd have over 8,000,000 words about my time in Ireland. I spent my first semester of college there and have a lot of photos that I haven't done much with. So I've decided to occasionally post some here and maybe share about my favorite places and memories. It was an experience that is almost unexplainable because it meant so much. Hopefully you'll get a glimpse of what it was like without being too bored :)

Rain

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.But it won't be long before the weather clears...and the sun shines bright!We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us...knowing him directly just as he knows us!"

1 Corinthians 13:12, The Message

 (My photography final which I made into a book).

I'm ready for you, Tuesday!

Taken for one of my photography classes.

I am in the library trying not to go crazy. I've been working on a book review for most of the day. Yes, on a Saturday! There are several other projects I have to do by Tuesday and I'll be extra thankful for Thanksgiving this year! 

It's fall!

The college I go to is surrounded by cornfields. There is a small town, and not much else so we make our own fun. One tradition we have is pick-a-dates. It's basically a non-romantic date. Previous pick-a-dates have included: photo scavenger-hunt, drive-in movie, broomball, pumpkins and shot-guns, and going to the speedway. 

A few weekends ago we went to the Johnny Appleseed festival. It was quite fun. Here are some of the highlights:

- a historical village with re-enactors and campsites. 

- seeing Abe Lincoln (he disappeared before we could get a picture with him)

- sharing apple petals, a bag of apples, apple cider, cookies, honey sticks, and glass bottles   

  filled with lemonade and root beer. 

- walking around, laughing, people watching, and talking. 

- doing the typical midwest college (or high school) thing by going to Steak and Shake. 

This is me (blue shirt) and my friend Rachelle with our dates. We both went with guys who were with us in Ireland. It was one of my favorite pick-a-dates so far!

Reading and rummaging

These past two weeks have been non-stop. Catching up with friends, classes, organizing, meeting people, reading for classes, rummage sale-ing, sweating, laughing, etc. It's weird being here. A lot is different around campus and one of my best friends graduated last year and I miss her a lot. Last weekend was the annual town rummage sale. My wing went with our brother floor and had pancakes first. It was such a great day... wonderful weather, the best yard sale find I've ever had, and spending time with new and old friends. 

My favorite yard sale find ever. For $3.00 flash and flash bulbs included. I was so excited that I almost hugged the lady who sold it to me :)

A rough shot through the viewfinder. A macro lens would be so helpful. I'm in an experimental photography class this semester so this camera will most definitely be used. I plan on making something to fit over the viewfinder to block glare.