Mediterranean here I come!

So exactly 25 minutes until we start our spring break excursion to Rome, Venice, Athens, Corfu, and Santorini! I'm nervous but also excited, running on a tiny bit of sleep and adreneline (notice our taxi comes at 1:30 AM)! But before I go, I just want to say that I have been so blessed to have Amy and Mom, UB and Ty visit these past two weeks...Seeing them really gave me the boost I needed to not be homesick. I love all of you and miss everyone! Please pray for me and the rest of my friends traveling with me, for protection, safety, good health, and fun! Ciao!!

Gold Cup Race Week!!

Welcome to Gold Cup Race Week!! It's the biggest, most famous week in Cheltenham because of the world-famous horse races going on! Every hotel and b&b is booked, and has been for months. It's a huge event, with thousands of Irishmen coming out. Ladbrokes, the betting store, is PACKED with people shellling out money like crazy. Every bar and pub in town whipped out "Guiness" signs and all the stores are hopping. It's like Black Friday at home...except with higher prices rather than deals lol. All the stores have fresh inventory and all the restaurants are totally soaking in the extra crowds. This restaurant/bar near Regency had a "Race Breakfast" this morning, in addition to a champagne breakfast and when I walked by it was packed. So many people talking horses with Racing Times in hand. There are even people parked on the side of the road, radio on, following the action. Not to mention so many expensive, even antique cars and limos around. When I was walking back from class today (which let out in a half hour because only 3 of us showed up!), there were throngs of men in smart, classy suits, newspaper in hand, heading to the Races. I passed dozens of Irishmen chatting in their tweed caps and women with their umbrellas and fancy hats. I must have looked so goofy with my huge grin but I really wanted to just say "top o' the mornin'" or something! It's just such a European event. I mean, there will even be members of the Royal Family at the races! There's just an air of excitement...maybe because people bet too much money and are afraid they'll lose lol.. I don't know. But I feel like I'm in an episode of Wildfire (was I the only one who watched that show? lol). But anyway, this week it's just exciting to be in the same area of all this action, even if I'm not witnessing jockeys and stallions firsthand :)

Stonehenge, Portsmouth, and my Birthday!

Continuing from the last post...

Last weekend we took a trip to Stonehenge and Portsmouth with BCA and it was a lot of fun. Stonehenge was really neat to see since it's so famous. The history behind it, like how the rocks came all the way from Wales somehow, is crazy. But it was cool, a little boring but now I can say I saw it at least!

Portsmouth is a gorgeous coastal town, the oldest port in England. It reminded me a bit of home because the buildings were more modern and there were outlets and stuff. I loved how they had so many cafes and outdoor seating areas overlooking the marina and all the beautiful ships. We went up in the Spinnaker Tower which was this huge tower that you could see panoramic views of the town and the ocean. Really cool. I even stood on a glass floor looking down at the ground so far down...scary but cool. We ate a delicious meal (half a roast chicken, chips and vine roasted tomatoes!) at the Old Customs House which was so cute. It was nice to eat a great meal with a bunch of friends and just be near the ocean :)

On Sunday we saw the Mary Rose, this 500 year old ship that is being restored. They took it out of the ocean virtually intact and they are preserving it. Really cool. I'm such a history nerd lol. Then we went for a tour on the HMS Victory, a royal navy ship first launched in 1765 famous for its use in the Battle of Trafalgar. We got to see all the decks, hear about life on the ship, which was really brutal, and learn about the history. I loved it-so interesting! So the weekend was really fun and I really enjoyed just having a little retreat from Cheltenham!

So my birthday was wonderful because I have the best parents and friends in the world! Dad and Shari sent Steph and I a party in a box (which we will have soon!), a ton of yummy food, books, the Step Up 2 dvd, gorgeous jewelery, and the Compassionart cd/dvd. Check it out-it's absolutely amazing and all the proceeds go to dozens of charities!! I'm obsessed. Mom and Ub sent us beautiful jewelery and PEEPS! I can't wait for them to come in a little over 2 weeks! Our friends here bought Steph and I each a huge, amazing teacup and saucer and tea which was so sweet :) I got so many cards from friends and family, and just feel overwhelmingly loved and blessed. I could not ask for more!

Galway, Ireland

So I am really behind on blogging-sorry! Since it's been almost a month and so much has happened, I'm just going to briefly recap, with some elaboration :)

On the 19th of February, Me, Steph, Dan, Stacey, Heather, Mike, Mollie and Emily went to Galway, Ireland for a four day weekend...It was the most fantastic, beautiful trip ever. Our hostel was nice, with very helpful and friendly staff, free breakfast of toast and cereal, and free internet. It was our first hostel experience and it wasn't bad, although a bit interesting at points lol. Funny stories that I can share in more detail in person! So the town of Galway is so beautiful; the quintessential Irish town. I loved the accents, the hospitality of the people, it just has a unique and wonderful culture and feel to the town. We ate at the King's Head Pub, built in the 1500's, and had the best cheeseburgers with irish cheddar that I've had since I left the U.S. MMM! We went in the Cathedral where Christopher Columbus attended some services, walked along the beautiful coastline of the Galway Bay, checked out the Spanish Arch, and ate delicious crepes from Zatsuma, our favorite eatery. One of my favorite memories is eating a yummy crepe outside of Zatsuma at night, listening to street performers make sweet rhythms on their drums, watching two adorable kids dance to the music...so memorable and it made me feel so alive!

The third day, we took a nine hour bus tour to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher...Incredible landscape, countryside, coastline, and majestic rugged cliffs jutting into the Atlantic Ocean...Words cannot describe how breathtaking the views were...The landscape was exceptional, with dozens of miles of green pastures etched by stone walls, enclosing sheep and other cattle..We saw so much-definitely worth 18 euros! So that's Ireland for you...

If you ever get the chance, go to Ireland...it is amazing.