I honestly can’t believe I’m writing my seventh blog of this trip. Time has been moving fast since we got here, but now it feels like it’s flying. We’re officially nearing the end of our time in Dublin, and as the days go by, I’m realizing how rare and special this whole experience is. I’ll never be in Dublin in my twenties again, surrounded by some of my best friends, living this kind of life. It’s wild to think about, and it makes me want to hold onto every last moment.
This past week wasn’t the most eventful, but that wasn’t a bad thing. I only had to work two and a half days since my supervisor had a half day on Thursday and was off Friday. So work felt light and manageable, which was perfect timing as I’m wrapping up my research project. I’ve been preparing to present everything I’ve done in front of the hospital board next Wednesday, which feels a bit nerve-wracking but also exciting. It’s surreal knowing I’ll be standing in front of professionals explaining what I’ve spent the last several weeks analyzing. It’s a big moment for me.
With work slowing down, Ellix, Price, and I decided to use our skip days and give ourselves a long weekend. We used one on Saturday and another on Monday with the goal of sleeping in and letting our bodies fully relax. That was the plan, anyway. Everyone on campus decided to be extra loud outside our building every morning, and with no AC in the rooms, the heat made it nearly impossible to sleep comfortably. So, while I didn’t get the peaceful, late mornings I imagined, it was still nice to not be on a schedule. I got to move at my own pace, which felt like a small luxury.
Aside from pub nights and slow mornings, I also spent a good part of the weekend watching sports. I followed The Open pretty closely—it was super competitive this year, which made it really fun to watch. The leaderboard (aside from first place) kept shifting, and it felt like anyone could compete up to the end. I also watched my first ever hurling championship game, and now that I actually understand the sport, it was so much more exciting. It’s fast, intense, and honestly way more entertaining than I expected.
A lot of our free time this past week was spent at pubs, just talking and enjoying each other’s company. There’s something about knowing time is running out that makes these moments even better. We’ve been making the most of it—sharing stories, laughing over pints, and soaking up the Dublin energy while we still can.
This upcoming week is one I’ve been looking forward to for a while because I have a special visitor from home! And even better, we’re heading to Mallorca for a few days—beaches, sun, and hopefully a solid tan.
As I reflect on everything, I just feel grateful for this experience, the amazing friends I have made, and all the memories we’ve made and will continue to make. Two weeks left and I look forward to making the most out of them.
Sounds like a fun and relaxing week! I also really enjoyed watching the hurling game, definitely a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be!