We just finished breakfast and are on the bus again. Today isn't a long driving day as we are staying in the town of Killarney for another day, but we will be driving 100 miles around the Ring of Kerry, which is a panoramic trip along the coast, so that's exciting! Our first stop is a cathedral, though. And this little sidenote for Kristen and Sarah: lots of Yankee's fans here!
While we're driving, I just need to take some time to write out my thoughts. They're beginning to overcome my mind and this is my therapy. I have lots of feelings, ideas, and emotions about Ireland and my future. I'm well aware that I have wanted to move to almost every place I've visited. And I had a reason for wanting to move to each place. I was accepted to colleges in Chicago and Rochester, and I wanted to finish schooling there because I hated FAU so much. But God always quieted my heart and helped me to make the right decision, the decision He wanted me to make. And I'm very thankful for that leading He gave me. I made amazing friends, strengthened existing friendships, spent a year living and enjoying life with those people, growing in my love for God, and reopening my love for teaching. So I never regret the decisions that were made.
With Ireland, I have a desire to work and live here. It isn't just because it is a new place and I want to run. I don't want to run anymore. God has made my heart content in Florida, and if I ever am to leave, it will be hard to do so. But my heart is very adventurous. It always has been, and I feel it always will be. It isn't a bad thing, but it is hard to deal with when you want to be everywhere and do everything all the time. It makes the daily lives we lead very hard.
But getting back to Ireland..I would love to live and work here. I feel a sense of belonging here. The people are kind and funny and happy. I fit in with them, and it makes me feel very welcome. However, I've been told that there aren't many teaching opportunities here. And that poses a problem, because I think to myself and wonder...should I move here and get a decent paying job that might not deal with children? Do I get an au pair or nanny type job so I can have a place to live, work with children, and still make some money? Or do I try to work in the tourist industry here for a year before starting a teaching job in the states, or seeing if more teaching jobs are available here the next year and learn Irish while I'm working and living here? Or do I try and get a teaching job in Scotland or London since they are hiring lots of teachers, and it is almost the same as Ireland and very close so I can still visit often? Or, finally, do I just stay in the states and teach and then work in Ireland during the summers?
Did I go to school and graduate with my BA in Education just to be a nanny? Or just because I graduated with my BA in Education, does that mean that working with kids and loving them and helping them in any way isn't just as good as being a teacher, even if I don't make as much money? When does it stop being about money and start being about exploring everything the world has to offer and giving back as much as possible?
I fear that if I don't satisfy my adventurous spirit that I will always have regrets. I will always wonder what if I just went for it instead of just accepting a teaching job because it was the logical thing to do? Won't there always be teaching jobs? Can't I start any year? Can't I work a regular job and tutor or do aftercare while getting my masters somewhere else and then beginning? I have my whole life to teach and hold one job. Why not make the most of my life while I have the desire and ability to?
Those are some of the thoughts I have mulling around in my head. I realize that anyone reading this that knows me will most likely assume I just want to move and am willing to go anywhere to get out of Florida. And to an extent, that's true. I do want to get out of Florida. I don't want to live and work in the same place I was born and raised in. It isn't because I hate Florida, because I truly have come to love it. But I'm not content with never experiencing another way of life. I'm not content to turn down opportunities out of fear. I have in the past, but those were the right decisions to make I feel. All of this weighs very heavy on my heart, and I will most certainly be bringing it in prayer to my Jesus daily. And that is a comfort, to know God cares enough about me to listen and guide me. But it is patience, and that's not my strong suit. I feel, though, that if I haven't been presented with a job opportunity that is too good to turn down in the states by mid-July that it makes sense to try something here. I don't want to just sub and tutor for another year when I could be doing something similar in another country. And it is my goal to get certified internationally and in other areas while here, too. This isn't just a joy ride, this is life.
We made our first stop on the Ring of Kerry to the birthplace of O'Connell. He was a very important figure in this part of Ireland, and there is even a massive cathedral that was built to remember and honor him. It is called O'Connell Cathedral. Its made out of granite and stained glass and is just beautiful. This town also has a unique obsession with Charlie Chaplin. I took a picture :)
We have reached the mountains. I can tell because it is foggy everywhere. It is so beautiful. This type of weather really suits me. I love being surrounded in mist. It reminds me of Jesus, because you can see it and feel the moisture of it, but once you walk to it, it disappears. Yet you still know it is there, even when you can only feel it.
Breaking news: Upon leaving our restaurant in the mountains, we were informed that the Queen has arrived in Dublin! Exciting things happening!
We're driving through a long, forest canopied winding road right now through Killarney National Park. It certainly outshines the one on A1A in Florida :)
We're on a jaunting cart ride through Killarney. A horse and buggy ride. Our horse's name is Patty. This is the way to travel on vacation!
We were able to spend about an hour at the hotel just watching tv before leaving for our excursion tonight. We are back on the bus now, awaiting our ever late tour guide, Henry. Must be Irish. Although I'm not entirely sure that the Irish are known for running late, but I know I am. We are on our way to some folk dance show and dinner theater something-or-other. I have no idea, but it sounds like it is going to be a good time.
To backtrack to my earlier thoughts, I've been thinking about just applying all over, including Scotland and Britain, for teaching jobs. Whatever God presents before me is what is meant for me. I'm not going to give up easily though, yet I am not going to just accept a dead end job in order to live in another location, either. I'm going to live adventurously one way or another!
We just had dinner at the Carlton, a very lovely four star hotel down the road. My meal consisted of: sliced pineapple with apple strips and brown cinnamon cider drizzled on top, spinach and ricotta ravioli, cheesecake, and coffee with two lumps of brown sugar cubes. Delicious! The food here has been so wonderful! It will be hard to go back to my boring meals!
Awesome show at the Siamsa Tire! It was an interpretive river dance musical with just amazing music and singing! Really incredible and powerful performance, I was very impressed! The music was very minor chord sounding, which is always a plus in my book! Goodnight! My day starts at 6:30am tomorrow!
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