Fall in Ireland has begun. This to me means chunky scarfs, the Cocteau-Twins, strolls in St. Stephens Green, warm lattes, and most of all, missing home. As the semester has started to take off, so have my feelings of catching a flight home. Even though being abroad should be the perfect opportunity to forget about being at home, there is the natural human instinct to crave comfort in a familiar place.

I knew I overpacked. I knew I would overpack before I began, I knew it as it was happening, and I am especially aware of it these days, as I’ve been spending far too much time in las tiendas para ropa de segunda mano. There are actually so many good thrift stores here, which may be a story for another day…But all this to say that I probably didn’t need to bring so many of the same jeans, tank tops and wool sweaters. But I am glad that my tendency to over prepare reminded me to bring some of the things I actually use every day, and am super glad to have brought.