With a month left in the program I’m beginning to remember things I miss about home along with realizing things I will miss about France when I leave. After living in a different home for almost four months I am finally beginning to feel a part of my host family. There are certain things that have happened that I believe only happen with your real family members. First, I got my little host-brothers clothes in my part of the laundry. We’re about the same size so I suppose it was a reasonable mistake.

It’s about to be a week since break was over. Classes are up and running and I still can’t get break out of my head. Not because it was break and I didn’t have to read or do work for classes but because it was the best trip I’ve taken in my life. Words can’t do it justice, but I’m going to try anyways.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit County Kerry with IES. It is hands down the most beautiful part of Ireland I have ever seen. We started in Killarney and took jaunting carts, horse and buggies, through some gorgeous mountains and through the Gap of Dunloe. Despite the bouncy ride, I managed to get some amazing photographs! We were blessed with sunshine for both days of our trip, and it wasn’t very cold either. After the horse and buggy ride, we stopped for lunch and then took a boat ride through a few connecting lakes.

When you don’t expect anything, that is when everything happens.

I don’t go looking for interesting things; they find me, or I happen upon them. I’d spent most of the day at Pancakes! — an adorable (pancake) restaurant where I am a regular. Writing there gives me serenity and delicious food and tea. I’m slowly getting to know the staff more, as they recognize me and have finally learned I’m not, in fact, a tourist.

As a little girl I fantasized of living my life traveling around the world studying dolphins like the main character in my “Dolphin Diaries” books and I was always so jealous when my friends got to go swimming with dolphins at the parks in Florida.

However, here in New Zealand, I got to live out my childhood dream- at least for a day.

Many students in IES Barcelona booked their Spring Break trips at the beginning of the semester. I didn’t figure out what I’d end up doing until two weeks before. First I was going to Greece and Istanbul. Then Paris. Then Greece again. Then Italy. Then Canary Islands. Then Morocco. Then Amsterdam. Then beach hopping around Spain. Then Portugal. After my plans changed countless times and everyone else but me had it all figured out, I was about to give up and just stay in Barcelona.

Wednesday morning we flew to London. Leaving Dublin that morning, I was so sad to leave the friendly Irish people and the beautiful green landscape that passed under my plane window. But then I got to London and it was love at first sight and all was forgiven. London is such a perfect combination of old and new; a sweet cup of perfectly brewed tea in a modern stainless steel water heater. My senses were overwhelmed when I first stepped on to a London street.