Response 5- Dublin

Pic 1: these are pictures of Chinese manuscripts seen in the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. The the aim of this exhibit is to preserve and share the heritage of the collections with the public. A Board of Trustees maintain the library, which holds a variation of works collected by Chester Beatty (1875-1968); everything from manuscripts and early paintings to printed books and icons from all over the world are on display here. There are pieces found on various continents including: the Middle East, Asia, North Africa and Europe. The art pieces seen in the pictures are part of Beatty's East Asia collection found on a trip to China and Japan from 1917-1918. Despite being monochromatic in coloration, the first painting is beautiful and has a delicate feel. Your eyes are drawn to the three women between the trees; in other words there is a unique "emphasis" given to this area. In the second painting there is a larger contrast in coloration. The use of complimentary harmony (ie: the use of green and red, which are opposite each other on the color wheel), adds a unique contrast. Both pieces are beautiful for different reasons. The use of colors in different ways make each one unique.

(http://www.cbl.ie/Collections/The-East-Asian-Collection.aspx)



Pic 2: These are photographs taken inside the Long Room at the Berkeley Library at Trinity College. This library is the largest in Ireland. Founded in 1592, Trinity College itself is founded upon protestant principle and is modeled after Cambridge and Oxford in England. The library became the home of the Book of Kells, a rare illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, when a man named Henry Jones presented it in 1661. Although unorganized, the also famous Long Room (built between 1712-1732), houses the oldest books in the college. The beautiful rounded arch and vault seen in the ceiling seen in the first picture creates a barrel vault throughout the room. This type of architecture was unique to the romanesque period. In the second picture, you can see an example of corinthian style columns. This type of post and lintel structure displays the third type of Greek column. You can see the carved acanthus leaves at the top, or capital.




Pic 3: The first picture below is a photo of the Italian sculpture Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926-present). On the right, is a photo I took of the statue he created, called "Sphere with Sphere," that sits outside of Trinity College's Berkeley Library. Similar sculptures made by Pomodoro are also resting outside of Vatican City and NYC in the United States. Made of bronze, the most common casting material, this structure takes on a unique, abstract shape. The way the actual light shines on it allows you to see a reflection. The inside appears mechanical or industrial, which contrasts the smooth outer sphere. Also, the structure is interactive since you can spin it with your hand. Although it may not be considered an "environment" you can experience, it almost seems like a piece of installation art you are meant to interact with.

                              

( http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.vitodibari.com/en/arnaldo-pomodoro-italian-sculptors-observations-life-observed-sculpture-surroundings.html&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=2l-4uExMElU9_M&tbnh=183&tbnw=275&zoom=1&docid=YANR_wzH_gDCOM)

Response 4-Kilkenny Trip

Picture 1: above are two pictures taken at St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny. This structure was built as a cathedral for the Church of Ireland and dates back to the 13th century, even though the site it rests on has been used for worship since the 6th century. It is the second longest cathedral in Ireland! The beautiful architecture is, like most medieval structures seen in Ireland, characterized by stone, load-bearing construction with gothic features. The more stable, pointed arches around the windows and vault openings are seen in both pictures. Not only are there small ones encasing the beautiful stain glass (see pic 2), but also large arches inside the church creating the ribbed vaults (see pic 1). Although the architecture appears dark, the way the light illuminates the colorful stained glass makes the building appear majestic and mighty. I love how something so dark and almost intimidating can be so mesmerizing! I am also blown away that despite Oliver Cromwell's men vandalizing the church around 1650, it can be restored so beautifully. Although it has withstood a lot, this church has been well-preserved. 

 

Picture 2: these are photos taken from the first room in the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny Castle. The castle itself dates back to 1195 when William Marshall, the 1st Earl of Pembroke, built it. He constructed it to control the River Nore as well as act as a symbol of Norman occupation.  

The name of the exhibition in the gallery was called "Point of No Return" (displayed from June 15th-Jly 28th), which displayed art produced by Norwegian artist Magnhild Opdol. Although from Norway, she associates herself with other Irish artists and is known for practicing sculpture, drawing, installation and photography. In this gallery, we could see all mediums of art Opdol's practices. For instance, the pictures above show vintage postcards of deer she purposely colored in black to accentuate the different deer and their unique characteristics. Apparently Opdol is incredibly fascinated with nature, and especially deer. There were dozens of these frames postcards on the wall, and each one seemed to tell a story. By blacking out the environments, Opdol forced the viewer to focus on the deer themselves and what they were doing. I believe we were supposed to come up with our own interpretation of what was happening in some of them too, based on the way she chose to highlight different things over others. I too appreciate nature, so I could connect with this art and enjoyed analyzing what I thought each altered postcard meant.

Picture 3: there are photos taken from the third and last room in the Butler Gallery. The donuts seen in the pictures above were made out of bronze and molded by Opdol herself. This type of art is an example of sculpture, yet also a form of installation. The bronze donuts are molded form actual donuts Opdol carefully selected from a bakery. The guide told us that this room, characterized by donuts placed on a table in a room with pictures of dilapidated houses and natural environments on the walls, was influenced by a show about cops who loved eating donuts. This particular place symbolized an actual scene from it. Opdol must have loved this show because it inspired other rooms in her gallery as well, included the one with the pink donut boxes (installation art). I really appreciated this room a lot more when I understood the significance every piece had to Opdol. I tried to analyze it myself, but this was a piece of modern art I could not exactly interpret. Overall, I loved the gallery and I thought it was an awesome mixture of various art mediums!

Museum Project- "Picture This" Museum Proposal

Photorealism is a somewhat newer, contemporary art movement. Although it is especially prevalent in the United States, there are photorealism artists all over the world. At its peak between the mid 1960's and 70's, this type of art grew in popularity as more and more artists defied ordinary photography and challenged the crisp detail attained in actual photographs. The idea of taking a picture and moving it to canvas or other support, was a novel trend acquired by painters determined to mimic the beauty the simple push of a button on a camera could acquire. Normally, images are transferred via grid techniques or projecting slides onto the support, and this gives artists the ability to recreate intricate details from the photos using paint and technical expertise. Evolving from pop art, this genre existed as a counter to minimalist art movements and abstract expressionism in the United States.

          I would like to expose the community to photorealistic art because I believe there is a deeper meaning behind painting pictures of pre-existing photos. I appreciate the determination artists have when creating this type of art. The painter is basically competing against technology to prove that human beings can capture a moment just as well as a camera can, which to me is a beautiful feat. When a viewer can look at a piece of artwork created by a photorealist painter and must think twice about whether or not it is really a painting, something incredible has been accomplished. Unless you look up close, it can easily be mistaken for a photograph. I believe it is essential for people to understand that this is more than copying a photo onto a canvas; this is showing how skillful artists truly are. It is not easy to play with the viewer’s eyes the way these artists do, and I believe we all need to gain an appreciation for their talent. People need to have access to art because it is a great opportunity to understand the artistic abilities people possess, and the unique way each person thinks and expresses himself or herself. All artwork has a deeper meaning. The more we study a piece or analyze it ourselves, the more we can get out of anything from a painting to a pencil drawing. Furthermore, a lot of people enjoy visually stimulating their senses; viewing art like this is a great way to do this because one is forced to really ponder how incredible the human body is. It is amazing to think that a person can recreate a photograph taken from a camera with only a brush and paint in hand.

           

         The museum I am proposing to construct will have an entrance fee of $10. Twenty-five percent of each ticket will go to an organization I will create called “Picture This.” This organization will provide a chance for college-aged students interested in art, to take photographs and work on photorealistic painting techniques while building relationships with people throughout the country (U.S.A.). This program will be about 2 months long and take place during the summer. The remaining 75% of each ticket will go towards the upkeep of the museum. When it comes to bringing in new art, I will personally work with artists, making sure they understand my aim to give students not only an educational art experience, but also a chance to interact with people and environments they are not used to. I am hoping that I can strike good deals with artists and it will be fairly easy to encourage them to show their paintings by showing them that my museum is not only displaying their talent but also being used as a tool to enhance learning in young people. I would hope to find new pieces of artwork for each room every 6 months if I can.

           

            I will primarily advertise on college campuses and downtown areas. In the city, I will primarily use catchy posters, yet a few bus banners would also be ideal. These posters and banners will have different black and white pictures of photorealism artists against bold, colorful backgrounds. The name of the museum, "Picture This" will also be included with information about the museum and a witty quote from an artist will be printed as well. I also hope to visit various college campuses, as well as meet high school seniors around the state of Georgia, and maybe even the surrounding states. On these tours I will hopefully be able to encourage students to gain a greater appreciate for art even if they are unable to come to the museum someday.  Beyond this, I will have a Facebook page devoted to the museum.

            I will have a small staff of around 20 people that I will carefully select myself. They may or may not be established artists, yet I will only choose people passionate for creativity and who appreciate the work that goes into photorealist art as much as I do. I will allow each person to rotate giving tours so that every one can enjoy the experience of teaching.  However, I will select specific people for different jobs from “art collector” to “travel coordinator” when I tour schools. The tours in the museum will be available every hour from 8am-5pm, Monday through Saturday in groups of up to 20. Each ticket will included a guided tour in order to receive an educational experience, yet guests are free to walk back through once finished. Afterwards, visitors will be given the chance to take a photo with Louis K. Meisel’s (man who coined the term “photorealism”) statue around the exit of the building. This will be printed out as a postcard for them to remember the visit.

           

            My museum will portray the unique history, as well as notable pieces, of the photorealistic period, which continues still today. The paintings displayed will be from a wide variety of artists ranging form North American painters to foreign ones. The building itself will be separated into different rooms by frosted glass, each one a different color based on the environment the art portrays. There will be five rooms: “Life in Motion”-paintings exhibiting city life, “Suburbana”-paintings depicting quiet, peaceful suburban environments, “So Real I Can Taste It”-paintings of food, etc., “The Simple Things”-paintings of little things that bring us joy, and lastly “Humanity”-paintings of different people from all walks of life. Each room will have 5-10 pieces of art expressing each subject or idea. The rooms in the museum will be a comprehensive representation of the variations of what different artists feel are important to focus on. 

     The lobby will have white, frosted glass on the left and right walls, while the main desk will be placed in front of a wall with a collage of black and white pictures of photorealist artists with their signatures on each photo. On the two glass walls, I will have a sleek, metal timeline against a black backdrop showing development of photorealism up until today. This timeline will include specific artists as well. Overall, the lobby will be a nice contrast to the colorful rooms seen throughout the rest of the tour. The rooms will progress towards the back of the building, each one portraying a different idea from types of environments to things as specific as human expression. Also, since the building is round (as described earlier), the shapes of the rooms will be irregular, yet they will each have an open floor space for guests to wonder around and look at the walls.
     The first room after the lobby will be “Life in Motion.” This room will have a grey lighting depicting the darker, hectic lifestyle experienced in the city. Examples of paintings in this room include:

·      Richard Estes- Times Square (2004); oil paint on canvas

·      Tom Blackwell- Madison 79^th NYC (2009); oil paint on canvas

 

The next room will be the “Suburbana” room. The green lighting will bring a natural, pure look depicting the feeling of life removed from the bustle of the city. This room will focus more on the household and warm aura of a small town. Examples of paintings in this room included:

·      Don Eddy- Pots and Pans (1972); acrylic paint on canvas

·      Robert Bechtle- Jetta (2003); oil paint on canvas

The third room will be the “So Real I Can Taste It” room, bringing simple paintings of food to life through fantastic, technical prowess. This room will be yellow, since yellow is related to food and said to stimulate hunger. I am hoping that this room will really work on visitor's emotions, and make them feel like they could take a bite out of the painting itself because it is that realistic. Artwork in this room will include:

·      Luigi Benedicenti- Fragolosa (2011); oil paint on panel

                     

                 

·      Tom Martin- A Wok Full (2010); acrylic paint on aluminum panel

                 

The fourth room, “The Simple Things,” will move into the more personal realm and include everyday objects and things that signify things that bring people joy. This room will be purple, depicting the sense of desire human beings have for entertainment, trinkets and toys, since purple is tied to wealth. Art in this room will included:

·      Charles Bell- Chicago (1980); oil paint on canvas

         

·      Audrey Flack- Wheel of Fortune (Vanitas) (1977-1978); oil over acrylic paint on canvas

          

The last room, the “Humanity,” will depict different people and their personalities. This room will be blue to portray a sense of depth for human emotions, since blue is strongly tied to sadness. Each piece of art will show a different person expressing a different emotion, from happiness to anger. This room will have art including:

·      Chuck Close- Phil (1969); synthetic polymer canvas

           

·      Alyssa Monks- Smirk (2009); oil pain on linen     

           

           

Each of these paintings will be encased in an air-stabilized shadow box built with special glass protecting the painting from aging due to the lights in the room. The boxes will be built into the frosted glass in the wall. A black frame will border each box in order to cause the viewer to focus on the artwork itself. Not only will these boxes be safe for the artwork, but also aesthetically pleasing. Also, a black plaque with silver writing including the artist’s name, title of the piece and year the painting was created will be placed to the side of the shadow box. This plaque will also include a little information on the artist and his or her inspiration for the piece. Although the floors of each room will be black tile, in the center of the space there will be a single unique, rectangular prism-shaped black sculpture with an inscription on the top that matches the color of the walls in that room. Each inscription for each room will have a quote from an artist explaining why he chooses to paint that specific idea portrayed in the space. This sculpture will be about 3 feet high as so draw attention to the viewers yet not take away from the beauty of the paintings on the wall.

This museum will be built on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA along a major highway so that people from within, as well as outside of the city, can easily access it. Its placement in a less crowded, yet somewhat busy environment will seclude the building from other structures, also making it more noticeable. The structure of the building itself will also be unique. I hope to construct the building in a short, cylindrical shape, like a nearly flat can of spaghetti sauce. It will appear as if a single strip of blank, photonegative prints is wrapping the building. Although the shell of the building will be made out of concrete, the part forming the prints will be made from recycled plastic. One of the tiles will have the museum’s name on it: “Picture This Exhibit,” written in silver cursive on a royal blue background (the only tile with color). Outside, I will plant turf and place 5 plastic benches throughout the grass near the front entrance. Potted flowers will rest on both sides of each bench, and each one will have flowers colored based on one of the five rooms inside the building. The plastic benches, although clear, will have the same tint of color represented by the flowers beside them. The different colors in the benches will be a great contrast for the black and white building. Finally, etched into the concrete walkway leading to the entrance, will be the names of photorealist painters. This pathway will also finger off towards each of the five benches. The last major detail is the statue of Louis K. Meisel, the man who coined the term “photorealim.” He will have a tall, grey statue outside the back of the museum, and another set of five benches (each a different color), will surround the path circling it.

I would hope this proposal was approved not for my own good, but for the sake of teaching other people about the beauty of art unlike any other. There is something magical about how well photorealist painters can recreate photographs with merely a paintbrush in hand. I firmly believe that all art, especially modern art like this deserves attention and appreciation.

Response 3-Kerry Trip

Pic 1: These are photos of structures from Lismore Castle. Originally belonging to the Duke of Devonshire, it was passed on and eventually Richard Boyle, later 1st Earl of Cork and father of alchemist Robert Boyle, took over the estate in 1602. In the mid-19th century, the castle was rebuilt in the gothic style by William Cavendish (6th Duke). You can see the gothic architectural characteristics on the castle in both pictures. There may be buttresses not quite visible in the photo supporting the heavy stone, because this was common in gothic architecture. This beautiful, fairy-tale like castle is an example of load bearing construction where the structure is created by stacking and piling rocks. Although we did not get to see this castle unclose, its high towers made the tower appear mighty.

Pic 2: These are photographs of the Muckross House in Killarney. Designed in Tudor style by the Scottish architect, William Burn, this home was built in 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife. After suffering financial ruin in preparation for Queen Victoria's visit in 1861, the house was sold and today it is a part of the Killarney National Park. The Tudor style architecture of this home reflects the Victorian Gothic Revival of the late 19th century, characterized by high chimneys and pillared porches. One interesting feature is the rounded arch seen on the second picture. This uses tension and compression, to support the overhang's structure, and is a unique architectural touch. The way the actual light hits this old stone mansion almost gives the Muckross house a dark, yet beautiful complexion.

Pic 3: These are photographs from Daniel O'Connell's estate at Derryname. Responsible for Catholic emancipation, O'Connell created a sort of crusade that gained many patriotic supporters wanting to preserve the beautiful country of Ireland. He was even known for trying to repeal the Act of Union. After being released from prison on charges of treason in September 1844, O'Connell rode in this carriage down the streets of Dublin. Drawn by six grey horses and surrounded by around 200,000 supporters, this carriage was quite a spectacle. The design itself is beautiful. The colors in general are based on the primary colors. The red is just a little dark and the yellow more of a gold. This would have made it really stand out in the light. The other amazing characteristic is the detail in the design. The beautiful golden harp, Ireland's primary symbol, is slightly elevated from the carriage in high relief. Most of the gold details are the same way. The image on the side is also a focal point of the carriage. The fact that is it slightly duller than the rest creates a unique contrast against the bright structure itself, and makes it a center of focus when seen from the side. Overall, this is an incredible piece!

Response 2-Enniscorthy/Ferrycarrig

ITEM 1: This is a sculpture of a Liberty tree (left) from the National 1798 Rebellion Centre (right). The trees this sculpture is modeled after were planted during the Rebellion of 1798 when the United Irishmen were fighting for their freedom from the British. They planted these trees as a symbol of revolution. The sculpture altogether is monochromatic in color scheme, where multiple shades of green are used. Also, the use of different materials forming the canopy of the tree allows for a variation in value, making it almost come to life. Although the shapes in the canopy are abstract, it overall has an irregular, organic shape. This sculpture was a unique depiction of the actual trees planted. It's position in the center of the room made me think about the Irish history and caused me to imagine how life would have been at that time.



ITEM 2: These are pictures of the Johnstown Castle at Ferrycarrig. Constructed in the 1100's, this house was first occupied by the Esmondes, a Norman family, and then the Grogan famiy in the 1600's. Now, the castle and its garden are considered a "gift to the Nation." The beautiful features on the castle make the building a piece of art itself. The face on the picture on the right is an organic structure placed on a more geometric building, creating a unique contrast. Also, the way the actual light hits the stone and shades certain designs, makes the somewhat dark, medieval architecture appear majestic. The architecture itself also has unique touches. The pointed arch seen around the windows allows weight to channel at a steeper angle than a rounded arch.

ITEM 3: this is the sculpture of a dog at the Johnstown castle. I am not sure why this was created, but it makes for an interesting touch. My thought is maybe the family owned a dog, and he was a family pet dear to them. The monochromatic color scheme of the castle and sculptures like this one almost tie everything together. In a way, it hints at the fact that this animal was once "part of the home." The organic shape of the dog and its somewhat realistic size makes it appear more natural. The vertical line its head follows almost gives it a prideful posture, adding to the powerful and royal appearance of the castle. Also, just a side note, you can see in the background of the picture on the left an example of a post and lentil. Based on what is visible in the picture, I believe this is "ionic" based on the Greek order of columns.

Response 1-Waterford

MY IMPRESSION-When I got my first glance of Waterford, I noticed that the calm river running beside the stretch of colorful, cottage-like shops and restaurants encompassed an environment completely different from the one we have back home. The way the sun and clouds dance across the sky and take turns covering each building is so unique. At home, I have become accustomed to bland buildings and the constant heat from the scorching sun. However, here there is an extraordinary beauty about the city. I love the use of intricate detail and warm colors on the homes as well as the mystical grays on the rock towers (i.e. Reginald's Tower) and other old buildings. It almost feels like each structure tells a story. When I wasn't focused on the amazing architecture, I noticed that people here behave so much differently too. Nobody is rushing to work and people are so calm. I love the culture here, and I feel like merely looking at something tells me more and more about Ireland's history. Overall, this city, Ireland's oldest, feels like a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork in every way possible.

PIC 1: This is a statue of Thomas Francis Meager (1823-1867), an Irish nationalist who at the end of his life served as a U.S. soldier in the American Civil war. We saw this structure on a tour of Waterford. The organic shape of this artwork, makes Meager and his horse "come alive" on the streets of downtown. The    vertical line Meager's proud body follows as he sits on the horse, definitely portrays him as a strong war hero and powerful character in history. The actual light that shines down on the statue during the day makes the art even more majestic and almost forces you to think about how Meager and his horse would have actually looked walking through Ireland in the 19th century.

PIC 2: This picture was taken at the beginning of the Waterford Crystal tour. The company's production of unique, handmade crystal pieces began in 1783, but after temporarily closing in 2009, the base reopened in 2010. The beautiful bowl at the bottom of the photo was the design people in an apprenticeship with the company had to complete perfectly at the end of 5 years. If unable to do recreate a precise copy by hand, they must start the training over again. Otherwise, they would continue on for 3 more years to become a master at the trade. My favorite part about the tour was seeing and hearing about the importance of the bowl. It is incredible that people were expected to remake every design. The real texture on the crystal bowl is beautiful, and when the actual light hits it each curve and line etched into the crystal, it glistens. I never knew such incredible, delicate pieces of art could be made so perfectly with one set of hands!

PIC 3: This is a picture of a stain-glassed window in the Christ's Church Cathedral we visited on our walking tour of downtown Waterford. Built in the 18th century by the famous architect John Roberts, this Neo-classical structure has held services and events for hundreds of years. The window in this picture depicts the beauty of religion, and the use of contrasting colors (ex. red and green on the angel's robe on the right) draws attention to the complexity of the piece. The actual light brightens the image on the glass, almost making it come to life. Although this time period appreciated a "darker" beauty, the perfect compilation of stained pieces of glass creates a very divine piece of art. Even little details are important. For instance, the diagonal line the angel on the left places her head depicts more of an active or emotional behavior, while vertical line the angel on the right stands signifies a greater sense of confidence and power. It is just so incredible what can be done with art!

Post 1: An Introduction

I am a biology (premed) major/chemistry minor at Berry College. I plan on attending physician's assistant (PA) school in Atlanta after I graduate, and I’d like to focus my future career on thoracic surgery. I have always been passionate about serving others in order to bring glory to Christ, and I am pursuing a career in medicine to do just that! Besides my interest in healthcare, I am all about spending time outdoors. I’ll seldom deny the opportunity to hike, camp, kayak…you name it! I’m spontaneous and I love God’s creation. So, do you feel like backpacking for a weekend? If so, I’m in!

Just another little thing about me…about 6 months ago my incredible fiancé proposed to me! God brought us together through the Berry College Swim and Dive team, and after becoming the closest of friends first, we fell in the deepest love. Since then, I have been looking forward to the amazing life I have ahead! Within the next year I will be traveling to one of the most beautiful countries in the world, working towards my dream career and becoming the wife of the most genuine, godly men in the world! So exciting!

I am so thankful God has given me a chance to try something new and study abroad this summer. When I first got to Berry College, I heard from tons of people about how enriching a study abroad experience is. Their stories were so amazing, and I knew I wanted to have one of my own. After lots of searching for the right program, I almost gave up looking  until I heard about studying in Ireland with the European Council. Before then, nothing I found was the perfect combination of travel coupled with courses I needed to graduate. I knew Ireland was the perfect destination too, because I have always wanted to visit! As a little girl, I remember my grandmother teaching me an Irish jig. Ever since then, I have had my heart set on going someday! I thrive on adventure, and the thought of becoming immersed in the Irish culture by not only "seeing" it but also studying it really drives my anticipation to go. I knew in my heart this was my chance to travel to Europe and continue my education in a unique manner. In a nutshell, this will be the experience of a lifetime. Ireland's natural beauty and unique culture will make this trip a magical experience.

I am much more excited about the trip than nervous. For one, I cannot wait to truly "live" in Ireland for that long. I always thought I'd only visit Europe for a week at the most, so this is incredibly exciting to me! Also, I am pumped to experience the natural beauty. I recently received an amazing camera from my fiancé, so I’m eager to capture every landscape and unforgettable moment there. Something else that I love about this trip is the unique educational experience. Instead of merely taking classes in a cold, boring classroom, we get to go out and actually EXPERIENCE Ireland! The next few weeks will definitely reenergize my eagerness to learn.

Although I am mostly excited, I do have a few hesitations. My main concern is being away from everyone back home. For the past 2 years I have been by my fiancé’s side, and when I'm not with him I'm hanging out with my family. I know I don't see them much when I'm away at Berry anyways, but still. I'm also a little worried about how well I'll manage free time there. I tend to try too hard to see EVERYTHING, so I'm hoping and praying I won’t stress out too much if I don’t get to see everything I wanted to! I know it seems silly, but that's just how I am. My last concern is how unfamiliar I will be with Ireland. Since I haven’t been there before, it'll be a little tough at first for me to get used to where everything is. I know that won't be a huge deal for long, but it does make me a little nervous.

Overall, what I look forward to definitely outweighs my worries. I cannot wait to build relationships and gain a deeper appreciation for Ireland!