Home Stretch

I have hit the home stretch...literally. In less than a week, I will be back in the United States. I am floored by how quickly this semester has gone. It has been the greatest three months, and as much as I am looking forward to seeing family and friends again, I am not ready to leave this beautiful, magical place.

My last weekend in Galway was a fun one. On Friday night a group of us went into Spiddal. Saturday was spent writing papers. My hard work paid off, because I am now done with all of my schoolwork for the semester. The only thing left to do is show up to class and turn everything in.

Sunday was a fun day. A few of us caught the bus into Galway and attended our last mass in Galway. After that, Katelin, Makenzie and I got our final meal deal at Supermac's - have I told you about that place? It is the Irish equivalent of McDonald's, and for a while, their 3-for-3 deal was the best find in Ireland. I finished up all of my Christmas shopping, got a couple last souvenirs for myself, and went to Charlie Byrne's bookshop once more to peruse the overflowing shelves. Galway is a fantastic city, and if any of you get the chance to come to Ireland, it should make the top of your must-see list.

This morning, being the good Catholic girl that I am, I went to mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Makenzie wheeled me into Spiddal for the Irish-speaking mass. It's a very interesting experience to go to hear mass in a language that does not even remotely resemble your own. Afterward, we ran into Geraldine and her daughters, so she was kind enough to give us a ride back to the Park Lodge. Now, I am gearing up for my last Irish Catholicism class with Mary Clancy. On the docket today? Christmas carols! Let me tell ya...these college classes are tough!

I hope you are all doing well and getting ready for the holidays! I am not sure how many more times I will post here, but I will keep you updated on my return home. Until then, I am going to keep soaking up my last week in Ireland!