Life Update:

outtake from a photo shoot I was working on for my Advanced Photo Class!

Hello. :) 

Well, I am on my second to last week here in Ballyvaughan. I am finishing up printing my work for our Art Show which is Saturday. Each of us have our own exhibition within our studio space. I am happy with the work I've done this semester. I feel like my brain has expanded getting out of the CCS bubble and I'm refreshed and ready to go back to CCS with a new look at photography, and the things I like to do. Next week we don't have class but it's just a week of tidying things up and getting organized before we all head our separate ways. 

I will be going from Dublin to Florence to see my friend Ashley, from CCS, and then with her to Spain (Barcelona), and then I will end up in Ireland for around 8 days to meet Dave, (brother) and travel around the southern part of the country, and maybe see some family! Lots of things happening- but trying to soak up the last few weeks here. I will be home one month from today! I am excited about moving on from Ballyvaughan, and about the next few trips, hanging out with Dave in Ireland, and getting home to see my family, who I've missed very much! Love you all. Take Care.

Aran Islands

On Saturday we went to the Aran Islands. It was my favorite place we have been so far in Ireland. We hired bikes for 10 euro, got a cheap lunch, and rode bikes all around the Island. It is SUCH a beautiful place and I would highly recommend it. It felt like the source of anything and everything I had ever thought about Ireland before this trip. I was on a bike for most of the day except for our trip to the beach, so I didn't take quite as many pictures as I maybe could have, but it is a stunning place. The weather has been sunny, and really warm, and so beautiful. I have actually managed to collect a bit of color which is something I never expected from Ireland! Anyway, here are some pictures...

Ferry Ride to:

          entrance to Island

we found this dress on our bike ride and brad wore it because he wanted to go swimming!

This adorable woman in a wool sweater shop. 

We had a cute conversation and she was really proud

of the postcards in her shop because she took them, so I bought a couple.

I asked her if I could photograph her and she said she "needed a facelift, but okay". :)

I went off a mini adventure by myself. I got separated from our group but kind of liked it. I've been craving a little elbow room. So I went for a 40 minute bike ride back to the ferry along this coast road next to cliffs and ocean. It was very quite, just me and cows mostly and so pretty! 

The Ferry back to Galway...

Bryan, our bus driver heading back into Ballyvaughan.

Easter Sunrise Mass.

Click then read! This was my morning!

-song played at mass today on the beach!

FATHER DES!!!!!!

      

Dawn Mass, Easter Sunday, Fanore Ireland

         Fr. Des!

A Walk After Mass...

Brit & her mama


The birds flew in front on my camera on their own, 

Mr. Myler didn't have to chase them like last year in S. Carolina! (ha!)

yay!

Adorable people that gave us chocolate and tea and fire warmth!

...and then this Incredible rainbow happened!!






Goodmorning! It's about 9 am and I've just gotten back to our house. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and Brittany and her mom came to pick me up because I found out there was a Dawn Mass at Fanore Beach for Easter Sunday so we decided last night we would go. 

We drove through the mountains in the dark, and pulled into the Fanore car park to find TONS of cars! We were surprised! We thought it was going to be, just a few people but there was a big crowd and we heard a tin whistle coming from the beach and saw a big warm bonfire. 

My man, Fr. Des, said the mass beautifully while the sun began to make it's way up to the top of the mountain. Then "you raise me up" was sung. COULD THIS PLACE BE CUTER!?

THEN, after mass. me and Brittany and her mom went for a quick walk on Fanore Beach because the colors were so beautiful. As we were coming back off the beach Fr. Des called us over to eat some chocolate with him & a couple other adorable people. He then asked me (again) about my love life and if I had found myself a lad yet. He then pointed out the way I was dressed- (all bundled because it was FREEZING) and he told me that, "perhaps I need to market myself better"...and gestured an unzipping of my jacket! He sounds like a creep, I'm sure, but he's completely harmless and does this even to the old women here. Then he told Brittany's mom that she could probably find a lad quicker than us and remarked, "the older the whistle the sweeter the tune". As this was all happening a HUGE rainbow came over us from one side of the ocean to the other! A complete rainbow! and then a DOUBLE rainbow formed. One rainbow on top of the other one. Ireland is pulling out all the stops this Easter! What an incredible Morning!!!!!!!!

Later today I am going to a "point to point" horse race because I've been told there are great photo opportunities. Yesterday, Holy Saturday, there were car races all over the mountain on crazy, curved roads. These people are nuts. 

Well, my flapjacks are burning so I have to run but

HAPPY EASTER! Loving and missing you all- wish you could have been there this morning so here are some pictures so we can pretend like you were! <3