I guess I'm feelin' 22...whatever that means.

Okay, it has been a few days but I'm finally getting around to talking about spending my 22nd birthday in Ireland!  First, I need to say that I was kind of dreading having my birthday abroad. I mean, think about it, you're going to a new strange country without any of your friends or family and your birthday is during the first week of the program so you're still getting to know people.  BUUUUUUT I had no need to fear! I had a really amazing birthday! Aside from missing people from home, I am so happy that I got to spend the day with new friends in a really beautiful place and we had a great time. 

I'm just really thankful to all of my classmates and professors.  I walked into class first thing Thursday morning and was greeted by them all singing happy birthday; I was embarrassed but really appreciative too.  Later that night I went out with some lovely ladies and got dinner and hit up a couple of bars for a few drinks (don't worry nothing too crazy!).

This is just part of the group that went to dinner.


 

After dinner: These are some of the sweetest girls! I had such a great time!

We ended up eating at the Flying Enterprise which wasn't the plan at all. I really wanted to go to a traditional pub but the place we planned on going to stopped serving food at a certain time (note to self - start googling restaurants before you go if you haven't been before). Needless to say I'm so happy we ended up here! The waiters were some of the nicest people we have met so far, I'm definitely going to be eating there again! Also, when they found out it was my birthday they upgraded my single scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream to 3 scoops with cream puffs AND candles! They sang happy birthday to me and everything. It was so sweet!

See, this was my surprised face. I was genuinely caught off guard and so happy to see 2 extra scoops of the most delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream I've ever had! Also, don't worry I made a wish when I blew out my candles; I'll let you know if it comes true!

 

 

After dinner we hit up some cool bars and did the, what I imagine to be, 'typical' Irish thing and just had a few drinks (I drank Murphy's all night. No girlie drinks for me!)  and chatted.  I loved it! We did learn though that the Irish like to go out later in the evening, so don't expect a lot of people to be out and about any earlier than 11ish.

 

 

At the end of the night it was just me and my roomies standing! We had a great night and ended it with a walk back to our dorm, plus we stopped to get a few pictures in :)  I'm just so grateful to have had such awesome people to celebrate with and make me feel at home, especially since I was definitely missing my family and friends.  Thanks everyone!