Galway Girls...and Genesis

Sorry I didn't post last week. It was a crazy weekend!

We ended up going to the Cliffs of Moher!  

A group of me and 4 other volunteers went on this trip.  I rented a car from the airport on Friday, bussed there to get it, and learned how to drive all over again.  I had learned how to drive stick shift last year when I went to France.  Now over a year later, I am driving stick again, but this time the shifting gears are on my left side rather than the right side!  And I am driving on the left side as well.  So all sorts of confusing stuff was going on.  Then add in Irish roads - SO FLIPPIN SKINNY.  It was quite the adventure of a drive.  But we survived!  I only had to be told 3 or so times from my friends that I was driving on the wrong side of the road! hahaha

We kinda planned this whole trip super late, so we couldnt find anywhere to stay Friday night near the Cliffs.  So we stayed here in Newcastle and drove the next morning to the Cliffs of Moher!

Photo shoot on the Cliffs of Moher

It was SO BEAUTIFUL.  Our cook from Greenhill told us to go to Doolin and stay there (instead we just parked there because they had no vacancies) and from there just walk over to the cliffs.  

Then you wouldn't have to pay to hike along the Cliffs!  So we did just that!  We are so glad that we did because it was incredible.  I'm pretty sure all of our jaws were wide open our whole hike.  

And Doolin is such a cute little town, so that just made it so much nicer :)

We ran into some horses as well and got to pet them!  

One of the horses tried to eat a flower out of Eszter's hair, so I had to push her away before the horse bit!

That was a fun bonus to visiting the cliffs!  We also found the Harry Potter Sea Cave at the Cliffs!  I was geeking out!  

Right before I came to Europe, my sister, brother-in-law and I played a Harry Potter game that was super duper fun (we're all super big Harry Potter fans).  Then about 3 days or so before I left DC, I started reading the Harry Potter series.  I finished all 7 books within that month as I was traveling place to place!  And then I've watched some of the movies, I think I'm on the fourth now.  Hahah so I've been in quite the Harry Potter mood!  And finding out that the sea cave was at the Cliffs of Moher was just too good to be true!  So fun :)  And being so close to where they're all from...I really wish I would randomly run into Emma Watson one day!  One day, maybe I could meet her ;)

We spent the day at the Cliffs of Moher on Saturday.  We even ran into two other volunteers from Greenhill who were visiting the cliffs with one of their parents!

As we waited for our bus back to Doolin from the top of the cliffs, the bus saying "to Doolin" never came.  We waited for over two hours before finding out that the bus taking people back to Doolin was actually a green little van with the words "The Paddy Wagon" written on its side.  That bus had stopped TWICE while we were waiting. :( But the info service desk never told us it was that bus!! :(

We were so cold from the windy weather while waiting for the bus!

A charter bus came but only had room to take people to Galway.  There was still about 20 of us waiting to go to Doolin.  Luckily the bus driver called some people and told us another charter bus was on its way and was able to pick us up!  Almost 3 hours later, we were able to make our way to our Air BnB for the night.

Then Sunday we drove into Galway.  I was able to go to church, and then after explore Galway with my friends.

After we finished exploring the city, we drove not too far to Menlough Castle.  Which was just incredible.  I freaking love castles and ruins.

This one was so neat!  I loved it!  We explored the ruins of the castle, had a picture shoot, and then continued back towards Belfast to return the car.  It was such a fun trip!

And now I can say I am confident in driving stick shift on the left side while also driving on the left side of the road!  Booyah baby. ;)

Then this weekend, another volunteer and I wanted to hike up Slieve Donard.  It was forcasted 30% rain, so we risked it and started hiking.  We got almost halfway and saw that the clouds were covering the peak, so we didn't want to continue to the top.  We wanted to hike it when we could get the view from the top!  So we headed back.  And on our way back, a torrential downpour started.  Pretty much like flash flood status!  We got DRENCHED.  The path became a river and the real river gained so much water! haha it was crazy!  In my 5 weeks of being here so far, this is BY FAR the most rain we have ever had!  We've definitely been blessed with SUPER great weather so far.  Usually it is rainy and overcast, but more of a drizzling rain, not downpour.  But Ireland needs it.  And this week, there was a fire close by, so this rain will be good for that!

But here are some pictures that I got before the downpour and before we turned around

Summer camp has been going great!  My 2nd week I had 8-9 year olds.  Then this past week (week 3), I had 6-7 year olds again! :) Both groups were great and listened really well!  Definitely not as many injuries (scratches, bumps, and bruises) as I had the first week.  And I felt like my group control has increased and I feel more confident in leading my groups!  It's been so much fun!  I really have loved this job so much!  It is a perfect job for me.  I enjoy it, and honestly it doesn't feel too much like work.  I just feel like I'm playing with the kids more than half the time!:)

Lake day...when the kids are on the canoes we get to chill and enjoy the sun! ;)

Haha, a funny part about this past week, a couple of the kids in my group, for some reason, wouldn't use my name but just say "Teacher".  That was fun!

I also have somehow become the summer camp's Physical Therapist/Massage Therapist. haha!  When people asked what I've studied and what I did for work, I would say I was a PT Aide.  Everyone seemed to take that as I was a PT.  O_o I have been able to help some people with some back pain mostly because I've injured my back so many times.  So I just give them some exercises that I have done and tell them if it helps, keep doing it!  And then it has helped them!  Then one night I just offered to massage some shoulders and a sore back for a cookie.  However, more people wanted massages, so I said payment was chocolate as a joke.  But I ended up  massage a knot out of someones shoulder, so they got me chocolate and some pringles and told someone else how I fixed their shoulder.  That person then came to me asking me to help them and that they'd pay me with chocolate and pringes as well! hahahaha they think I'm a Physical/Massage therapist and can fix anything!  So I have a little business going on here ;)

During our time after work, we have competitions to see who can fit in cupboards...

Ah! And last week, on our last day of summer camp (for the week), I was talking to one of the ALC's (Assistant Camp Leaders). He told me that he heard I was from Utah, and then asked if I was LDS.  I was caught off guard a little but then said yeah!  Then he mentioned that he also was LDS!  Yay!  I fellow member! They're rare and hard to come by here, I feel like!  It was a fun little piece of news.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!  These past two weeks, I have felt a lot better.  Due to that, and also maybe it's because I finally actually told my feelings and so they aren't constantly bombarding my thoughts and weighing me down.  I'm definitely one who is on the quiet side of things and I have trouble sharing what's really on my mind.  However, having a friend who is such a good listener and makes time to talk with me regularly, even when I'm over seas, has made such a huge difference.  I can formulate my thouhts into words a little better and have been able to open up a bit more!  I am grateful for the people God places into my life.  I am so so blessed. :)

First Week of Summer Camp!

I survived my first week of summer camp!  It actually wasn't too hard to do, the kids were splendid for the most part. :) Truth is, it was other things that I was struggling with this week.  I don't want this to sound like "woe is me" or anything, but my mom told me to just write down whatever comes into my head when I don't know what to write for blog posts - so I'm trying to start and do that.

I've had a hard time feeling like I'm fitting in here.  I have made friends, but when I'm the only one who doesn't like to party much and the only one who doesn't drink, I often feel like I'm completely alone.  I try to hang out with everyone, play games with them, go to the pub occassionaly with them, but there is still an empty feeling and I find myself alone a lot and going to bed early.
Again, I'm not writing this because I want people to feel sorry for me or anything.  I find myself writing this actually because I want to share something that I have become extremely aware and grateful of from this.

There are times in everyone's lives, when you are physically surrounded by multiple of people, but feel completely alone and isolated.  And hopefully, there are moments during these times that you have found someone reaching out to you to lift you out of that lonely and dark hole.  Throughout my life when I have been in those lonely times, I have had a few certain people be that supportive hand, to lift me up and help me feel wanted and loved.  They have become some of my closest friends.  Thank you for those who are still reaching out to me and making a simple call while I am gone on this trip.  Thank you to my family who are constantly checking in on me.

It may seem like such a small little thing.  To write a small message or to make a quick 5 minute call if there's no time for more than that.  But it truly makes the biggest difference for me.  For someone who struggles feeling alone...sometimes more often than not.

I can't help but think that if it makes that much of a difference to me, I can't imagine what it could mean to others who struggle more than I or who are going through more things than what I'm dealing with.  I am made aware that I need to try to be a bit better.  To reach out to others more often.  To be a smile to those who are sad.  A light to those who are in dark.  A hand to those who need lifting.  A shoulder for those who need crying.  I can do better.  We all can do a little better.  Each day.  Even if it's just a smidge better.  :)

I am extremely grateful for my friends and family.  I truly have been so blessed.  I have discovered that, even though I am doing something that I love and enjoy and is quite an adventure, I am so much more happier when I am in the company of those whom I love and they love me.  

I miss home.  I miss my family.  I miss hugs from my mom.  I miss my dads jokes at the dinner table.  I miss being able to walk into my sister's apt whenever I wanted to go see her and her family.  I miss being able to see my best friend on a daily basis.  I miss being surrounded by others who believe the same things as I do.  I miss being able to go to the temple every week.  I miss being able to walk to church, 5 minutes away.  I miss it all, so so much.

However, I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be here.  I am learning what I appreciate the very most.  I am having a wonderful missionary experience, being able to share my beliefs with those whom ask questions when they're curious about something, as most here have never met a Mormon before.

Anyways, thankfully I had a handful of kids to worry about this week which helped a little bit with the hard week I was having in my mind.  I was put in charge of a group of 10 kids, all aged 6-7 years old.  For the most part, they would listen.  I just had to yell a couple of times so that they could hear me over their own excited voices.  haha!

We did some archery, bouldering, ziplining, climbing, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, adventure walks, laser tag, canoeing, and other random games!  It was a blast!  The kids would come in the morning, we go do our sessions, and then they would leave in the afternoon.  It was a sad day when Friday came because that was the end of my groups camp!  Next week is a whole new batch of kids.

We work really hard while the kids played laser tag... ;)

We got shirts and all the kids ran around signing shirts and having kids and leaders sign their shirts.  I had my kids sign my shirt, and then some other kids wanted to sign as well.  I will keep this shirt forever!  I already miss my kids so much!

One girl absolutely stole my heart during the week.  She was my little monkey, as she started climbing up me to become my human backpack and hanging on my leg.  Friday, when her mom came to pick her up, she started bawling and saying, "I don't want to leave summercamp!"  She then turned and ran over to me where she wrapped her arms and legs around me and just hugged me for a good while!  It was the most precious thing.  I will miss her!

And another boy was such a cutie!  We were walking to go do shallow bouldering, and all of a sudden I felt this little hug around my waist.  I looked down and it was this 6 yr old boy.  He was kinda a trouble maker in our group and didn't always listen and seemed to be a "rough" kid.  But he did that a bit more throughout the week and he really was a softie that needed a little hug now and then :) It was the cutest.

Then this weekend a couple of us volunteers went up to Belfast and explored the city!

We went into a really cool and old pub. Built in 1849!

I also have found a new favorite dessert here - Sticky Toffee Pudding. OMG, so good.

Dog piling ontop of Ryan one evening!

Welp. That's all for now, folks! I hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Training, more training, and a bit of fun!

GUYS. I figured out how to get pictures again! YAY!  We are back in business!

Week two of training has gone splendidly!

I was assessed in my Archery, Team Ropes Course, and Shallow Bouldering and passed each one! So now I am ready to lead my group of kids through the weeks to follow!  We got our assignments a couple days ago of what age group we will be working with this next week.  I get to work with 6 and 7 year olds!  I am quite excited :)

On the 4th of July, I didn't really get to celebrate.  Honestly, I have not been able to keep track of dates or days at all while I've been here, so it kinda slipped my mind until my sister asked me what I was doing for the 4th, and it was dinner by that time!  But that evening we went on a Bivi Out (campout) and I got to make some smores, so that was my 4th of July celebration! ;) 

Ryan, me, and my smore.  They didn't have graham crackers and chocolate, but they had chocolate chip cookies.  So pretty much the same thing... ;)

The bivi out was fun!  We hiked to the camp site, made a fire, set up our tarps and sleeping bags, then sat by the fire and sang, had smores, sausages, and stick bread, and talked!

My stick bread! A German treat - bread with chocolate on a stick, roasted over the fire. YUM.

Also on the 4th we did an Emergency Procedures training which was quite effective and intense!  We were given two big first aid backpacks and then the trainer would take 2-3 people off a ways and create a scenario which we then had to run to the scene and help the injured people not die.  Quite intense and lots of blood.  Fake blood, don't worry!   The first scenario was a disaster and we for sure killed our injured people.  But then we kept doing countless scenarios until we finally felt more comfortable in our ability to take care of any type of accident.  I never got to have any serious bloody injuries, but I got to panic and then faint when my friends had fallen down into a pit and one of them got their eye stabbed with a stick.  Then I also got to act as a drunk person, trying to force people to eat dinner.  My director afterwards told me that, for never having been drunk before, I did a pretty good impression! haha And now I have a nickname of "DINNER" because of that.  If I can get the video from my director, you will see why!

I got to go deep bouldering this week.  

It mostly consisted of us going down to the sea and jumping sliding down large rocks into pools of water and then jumping off larger rocks into the sea!  

And we went into a large cave, which had tons of jellyfish at the entrance!  The first time we saw the jelly fish we all swam as fast as we could out of there.  But then we found out they don't sting, so we went back! :)

This week I didn't adventure down into town as often.  And when i did, it was for my phone to get it fixed.  But while I was killing time yesterday in town while waiting for my phone, I came across a big community yard sale!  After meandering through that a little while, I continued on and found a little farmers market right in front of the town visitors centre with people playing live music!  That was fun :) Then a little ways further, I found an entertainer!  He juggled some axes that were on fire, balanced spinning plates on sticks, rode a unicycle with three wheels stacked on top of each other while juggling some other stuff on fire!  It was fun to watch! :)

And then after poking my head into some shops, watching a bit of FIFA in a pub, walking along the beach and in the sea, and reading a book at the library, my phone was finally done and I headed back to greenhill for a BBQ and soccer match.  Summer Camp vs. Staff vs. Residentials.  Staff won. 

It has been a good week and I am so ready for summer campers to start arriving tomorrow! :)

Some more pictures for ya

Newcastle's Castle

Today after church, we went to a park and had a picnic. This band started playing in the pavilion next to where we were sitting!

Pretty view while swimming in the sea :)