Hiiiiii!!!!
I can't believe that it has already been 2 months (and two days) since I've arrived here in the Emerald Isle.
So many things have happened and I've experienced so much that I decided to share a few things that I have learned with you! I know, I know. I'm just too kind. :)
1. Rice cakes are a big deal. Like, everybody LOVES them. There is an entire aisle in the grocery stores dedicated to rice cakes. And they have every kind. Normal rice cakes, apple flavored rice cakes, rice cakes with chocolate, rice cakes with strawberries, rice cakes you can freeze, rice cakes you can melt, gluten free rice cakes, sugar free rice cakes, vegetable rice cakes, mega rice cakes, mini rice cakes, and so on so forth!
2. I'm 98% sure I've met more Brazilians than Irish. The senior missionary couple in my ward told me that in the past few years thousands of immigrants have moved here. EVERYONE is learning English. And most are Brazilian because of all the corruption that is going on over there... so they decide to leave... but can't get into the U.S. so Ireland is their second choice. Who knew I would come to Ireland and end up learning Portuguese...
**side note, I can't remember what schools specifically, but In France they pay their students to go to a different country to study.. and most choose Ireland. This is why my first housemates were all from France.
3. I LOVE humans. And I feel so blessed to have been able to meet the ones that I have--- in my ward, at institute, at my Internship, at dances, walking in the street, and my random housemates. They are all so cool! (but... not as cool as all of you) And I have learned so much from all of them. I've definitely made some life long friends in the short time I've been here so far.
As for the Irish humans--- they are all sooo nice! Like, apparently it is one of their stereotypes (that Irish people are nice). And I fit right in. Because, I am super nice too!
**side note, I went to a Rugby game with one of my Brazilian and Slovanian friends and the Slovanian brought his Irish friend. At the end of the night, the Irish friend asked me how long I had been here and he was super surprised that it had only been 1 month! He said that it seemed like I have been here for a long time. Pretty cool, I know. Oh! and my other Irish friends from my Internship were also surprised when I gave them directions to places they didn't know how to get to. (I was surprised too, haha).
4. The F-word is very popular. Like VERY popular. Everybody uses it. At all times. Everywhere. In every sentence. It's like a bad word, but not a BAD word. It's an adjective... that is used to describe everything.
5. Everybody likes me. I guess you can say I'm a hot commodity.
6. I like public transportation. It's very easy and useful. But... I miss driving!!! And I miss being able to just pop into the car and get to my destination. Where as with public transport... you have to plan everything out and depend on the timetable that the bus is supposedly going to be at the stop.
7. At my first house (the first month I was living here) ... I was fortunate enough to live 6 minutes walking from the church building. (which is like, what I was used to). But then I moved because I have no moneys and had to find a cheaper place... You always here those stories (or know) where people have to drive or walk for hours to get to church, well, its not that bad but now I walk 50 minutes to get to church. I guess I could technically take the bus... but that is still a 20 minute walk to the bus stop that will take me to the church and then another 7 minutes on the bus. But walking is nice. I really enjoy it. And church is at 11, so not bad at all.
8. Speaking of walking... I've walked SO MUCH. I mean, obviously I have to. But I think it was like the 3rd week I was here and I was shaving my leg (I know. I actually shaved!) and I was like "what is that?!" MY CALF MUSCLE IS HUGE!!! Never seen that muscle on me before. And that was only 3 weeks in! Imagine 8 months!! WOOAHHHH!!!
**side note, I'm assuming its from walking literally everywhere... but Mom, you'll be happy to know that my pants dont fit me. They literally fall down (kind of like Dad's pants all the time, haha). So I had to buy a belt. It's a cute belt though. It's black with gothic patterns all over it. haha just kidding. It's tan and super girly.
9. The sun and its warm rays are only seen.. in my dreams. And I miss them!! waaah! I think the warmest it has been is 50 degrees. And my house is always cold. (We don't turn on the radiators because it takes energy and you have to put money in for energy and nobody has money so we use the energy for warm showers and electricity.) But don't worry Mommy. I wear lots of socks. all over my body. haha and other clothes. and cozy blankets! (I think Hannah and Ashley would survive great)
10. My ward is nicknamed "the Crazy ward". There are a lot of interesting characters in the ward. And I was told that it is the biggest of the wards.... but... I'ts pretty small... and I am one of maybe 4 YSA that attend the ward. Everyone else is in their 30s, 40s or 70s. But, I like them. There are two old guys that always come up after sacrament and say Hi to me. (I get the strange feeling that they fancy me..... *gulp*) Oh, and there are TONS of Brazilians in the ward. not surprising.
11. Because the Mormon population is very few among the non-mormon population, I have had several opportunities to share the gospel! Pretty cool, I know!! I think I did, maybe twice back home... but that was to my good friends and not random strangers... or acquaintances. It's been a lovely experience doing so and I know that I have been able to plant a little seed or even water one that has already been planted. I know that especially through my example and the way I live my life, that those around me have noticed the difference.
12. I laugh. a lot. Are you surprised? I'm just super funny, okay.
Apparently I do things or say things that make others laugh... which makes me realize how funny I just was... which makes me laugh...which makes everyone laugh.. which makes me laugh more... and then I say something else... which makes them laugh more.. and then me laugh more... and it never ends. *sigh*
13. I've re-realized how grateful I am for each one of my family members and friends back home. Like, I have a good set of friends. I legitimately sincerely miss seeing and conversing with each one of you/them. I miss our monthly outings (caitibug), random dance parties, Jack's winks, being able to just show up and sit on your couch or sleep under your bed, Brookey Nana and Brayden and all the strange things they are constantly doing, Nani!!!!!, booty bumping people, Dhane, laughing till I pee my pants (I have yet to do that here! woohoo!!), snuggling, arm tickles, my Sydney, hide and seek in the dark, Jada-my eyebrow lady (I have a massive unibrow now... don't look too closely at any pics I post), Bryson's mustache, scratch backs and massages, family dinners, staring at my Isaac clock, seeing Hannah's handstands, being able to just call people.. and leave messages, Jacob's face, Diana's little giggle, and much much more. But overall I miss hugs! I've been hug deprived over here and when I return in 6 months... I demand a massive hug fest. And oreos. I need oreos at this hug fest party.
14. I'm truly having a grand experience and I am so happy that I have this time in my life to learn a little bit more about life and about myself. I have definitely grown spiritually, mentally, physically (wait till you see my calves!!!!), and still have an immense amount of faith that everything happens for a reason. Everything that is given to us in life, our trials and our experiences are things that WE CAN handle. It's going to be hard and sometimes we don't know what the heck we are doing, but we just need to keep going. keep trying. Everything is going to be okay. Life is hard. But hey, we are all here to walk each other home. And through the help of each other and our Heavenly Father, we can do anything.
I love you all SOOOO MUCH. And all humans, everywhere. So, please, send my love to everyone you see! Give em' a smile. or even better, A HUG!!!!!
So much looooooooooove from me to you.
-Brittney
p.s. I'm going to watch General Conference now, AND IM SO EXCITED. It was really weird waking up Saturday and Sunday and 10 o'clock coming around and knowing that usually I would be watching conference right now... but President Monson and everyone else is still sleeping!
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