The great change

These last few weeks have been a hell of a rollercoaster! I sadly ended my job at UC Berkeley and left behind great friends and coworkers, moved out, traveled around to visit family and see them before I left for a year, flew to a new country, and then, FINALLY, found a new apartment and started university in Belfast!

I thoroughly enjoyed all my visits to see family before we left, even though we didn't have the chance to see everyone, and loved seeing how James fit in with them. He's still a tad quiet around everyone, but I think it'll get better once he knows people a bit better. Now, it's kinda flip flopped because I'm the quiet one around his family! Figures, right? Ah well, I'm getting more comfortable and getting to know them, so it'll be good. I think it just takes time, especially for me since I'd really like to make a good impression.

I'm just glad I didn't have to do it all on my own. James has been really great about keeping my spirits up and making me see it could always be worse and that things will work out. Making me think realistically and he makes me so happy. I think the worst part of this whole move, besides having to leave the family, was trying to find an apartment at the last minute in Belfast... I mean, school started a week after found the place! So stressful!! It's not perfect and not what I expected, but we're here now!! I actually kinda love it now that we've been here a few weeks. 

As far as the master's goes, I'm completely loving it! Learning tons about not only animals (behavior only, so far. Welfare begins in the next module, which I believe begins in November), but also myself; how I learn best and how to better my self-study (important to get a distinction in the course). I'm enrolled in a foundations for research course. It's actually one of the most useful courses I think I've ever taken. Our lecturer made a really good point this week: there's something wrong with the way programs are structured if BSc graduates don't consider themselves scientists... So maybe it is time to change the way programs are laid out, tailor them more to the students rather than expecting all students to learn the same way and at the same rate.

We only have class three days a week, so it's pretty independent (compared to my previous degree). I have so much more time to do other things here! I'm thinking of volunteering with Guide Dogs NI and doing an entrepreneur course. I definitely miss the life of UC Berkeley, but it's been interesting to synchronize myself with the local culture. 

You'll never believe this, though! I went to a yoga workshop during the international welcome week and met the woman who owns the local yoga studio. Turns out she's from Berkeley, too! She did a degree there before coming to Queen's for her PhD. How freaking cool!?! So I went to the studio today, and I love it...

James and I went to Dublin last weekend to visit his family and celebrate my birthday. ( I'm 23 now...how scary!) His sister and brother-in-law came over for dinner, which happens a lot so I really didn't think anything of it. Anyway, we were sitting around the table (except his parents) when suddenly the lights went out.... So there I was thinking what in the world is going on, but when I looked at his sister she was smiling! Finally, I realized there was a slight glow coming from behind me and that was when everyone started singing.... They really are lovely people. They didn't have to do anything like that for me, but they were thoughtful enough to do it so I'd feel more at home. I was so happy... I talked to James afterwards and he said he didn't even know they were gonna do that!

Then, for Saturday (my actual birthday), we went to brunch and had a small party. Well, I guess you can't really call three people hanging out a party, can you? Well, it was nice, anyhow. It really was a wonderful few days..

Hopefully, this weekend I'll get around to sending out the postcards I promised. I've been meaning to since before school started, so for the people expecting them I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN! I've just been extremely busy... Also, send addresses so I have them! Or emails, or messages. I don't want to fall out of touch with everyone just because I'm halfway around the world.. I miss you all!

Also, I love this artist right now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbfHe3nd_Lo&index=4&list=PLRWpn939JXLOOlZrmLBuc-NyYGhvuzDNM&spfreload=10%20Message%3A%20Unexpected%20end%20of%20input%20(url%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhbfHe3nd_Lo%26index%3D4%26list%3DPLRWpn939JXLOOlZrmLBuc-NyYGhvuzDNM).