I miss the shoes..

Definitely my top favorite reason why I'm missing living abroad is the shoes. It's such an artistic statement, and a fun way to express yourself, might I add. The stores that offer stylish shoes in the US are hard to come by. Of course this only reveals that there is not much of a demand for killer shoes in the states. It's unfortunate, really...I drooled over shoes when I traveled in Italy, Ireland and London.

However, Penelope and Coco give me a glimmer of hope.

My first experiences back in the States...

The flight attendants to Atlanta from Dublin had southern accents, were loud, pushy and overly friendly. Its interesting to pick up on things that were always normal before and now seem so different.

Once I got to my gate in Atlanta to catch a flight to Saint Louis, I sat down and just soaked in my environment. Across from me was an elderly black man and his wife eating fried chicken out of a bag. Surrounding me were 5 TVs all tuned to different news stations blabbing on and on about whatever political scandal. I've always been fascinated with politics, mostly because I'm passionate about my country...But having not watched CNN or FOX for the past three months, I realized just how much of Washington consists of trivial matters (this is not to say that there are not important issues being addressed, but there is so much other crap).

Starbucks shaken iced green tea and lemonade was my first drink once I was in Atlanta and it tasted like summer. It was a good feeling when I stepped off the plane in Atlanta, I was definitely glad to be back in America.

This morning I woke up to breakfast in my own bed, thanks mom!

Spontaneity trumps responsibility

There has been snow on the ground for several days now; only a few inches to give the appearance of a winter wonderland when you look at the grass. Of course, the other night around 12:30 when we noticed the fat flakes falling from the sky, the inner-child in Kate, Rachel and I prompted a spontaneous dance party...in the snow.

It was only a few moments later that one of us discovered that when you clump snow together, it makes a rather nice sized ball. After a few girly throws (missing each other naturally) we opted for a truce, and went after the windows of our friends rooms.

We managed to grab the attention of Jazz and Jordan and moments later they came running after us. A playful snowball fight lasted for awhile until we convinced them that getting everyone else would be more fun.

Eventually we got distracted, especially with the lack of responses coming from our house mates...we had a snowball contest to see who could throw it farther with their opposite hand. This then led to us wanting to throw snowballs at cars. Smart, I know. To our unfortunate surprise, there were no cars passing by our driveway at 1AM. We walked up and down the street, then decided to call it quits.

An hour diversion from my papers was probably the most stupid-best idea ever. No regrets. You only live once. In Belfast. When its snowing. With these friends.

Sometimes you just have to live your life, now and worry about tomorrow when it comes

I don't know how Jesus did it, compassion hurts.

In Dublin a few weekends ago, I saw a man spit on an old woman who was begging on the side of the street. I could not believe my eyes. My heart started pounding, as I felt my insides start to swell. I was stunned, did that really just happen? I was clutching a bag full of loose change from the last time I was in Dublin (currency is different in Belfast since it is apart of the UK) and suddenly as I past by her, I knew what to do with it. I didn't think about anyone else around me, it was almost involuntary and there was no questioning about it. I walked back to where she was slumped over, with her head into her chest and put the change into her cup. As soon as that happened I watched as my hand, stretched across and touched her shoulder. I felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable, but I wanted her to know that she matters.

I quickly walked away and heard her say, "Bless you!". I turned only to see the most beautiful sight I have seen since being in Ireland, a smile across her whole face. I could have dropped to my feet right then and bawled my eyes out. One of the biggest blessings that God has ever gifted me with happened that day. A huge blessing in the midst of my breaking heart. What a incomprehensible combination.

Last week in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Finals week has offically begun. It started out yesterday morning at 9:30, coffee in hand.

7 days till I arrive at Lambert airport to my home sweet Saint Louis home.

My flight is scheduled to land around 6:18PM.

I'm looking forward to coming home to a Christmasfied house (right claire?!) and the smell of the laundry detergent my mom uses. Also, being able to cook for myself, shopping at whole foods, going to the galleria, bread co (panera for everyone else who isn't from stl), listening to my little sister play the piano, watching Christmas movies, driving a car, hanging out with my cousins, seeing friends, celebrating Priscilla Danai's big 21,Starbucks runs with Chelsea, a back massage from mom (haha), going to Florida with Anna, Alison and Priscilla and hopefully making some money over break.

The weeks playlist: blind pilot, mumford & sons, mutemath, mozart and chopin.

5 day weekend

On Thursday Jordan Skinner took Kate and I on a bike ride through the woods and down by the river. It was a beautiful day out and after biking for a while, we stopped and had a picnic. We climbed onto an old bridge that was blocked off and sat up there eating our pb&j sandwiches. It was relaxing, beautiful and freeing.

Later on Thursday our group went on a tour of city hall in downtown Belfast. After the tour, I took the bus back home to finish some homework before heading to sinnamon cafe. I rode the bus right as school was letting out, and sat sandwiched between a dozen or so 12 year old school boys. Amusing, entertaining and slightly annoying...we had to stop so many times it ended up taking me 30 minutes to get back to the manor. After dinner, Kate, Zack and I hung out at sinnamon.

Friday was spent walking around city center, castle court and Victoria square with Kate. We stopped in at a bookstore, drank lattes and moseyed through books. We ended our evening by dining at the Crown pub, the oldest pub in Belfast. The food was good, the ambiance was fun and the people were friendly. Over the course of the meal, I played with my food-making my peas into the shape of a heart. When our waiter came back with our check he laughed and said that the kitchen liked my heart shaped peas...woops! I blushed...

Saturday I ventured out into the city by myself...finally! My independent-introverted side had been itching to explore all by my lonesome. Surprisingly, I gravitated towards primark, river island, h&m and topshop. Aren't clothes just magical? I bought a few new items, my favorite addition to my wardrobe being, a cheetah print shirt with big red bows. Sounds intense, but its definitely a "Susan" artifact.

Saturday evening we all went over to the Agnew's house (friends from church) to watch X Factor and hang out...Imagine American Idol but on crack or should I say craic!? OH that's good. It was fun to hang out and be out of lakeside manor for a while.

Today (Sunday) we went to church and went back to our host family's house for lunch. The McFeeters are the most precious family I've met here and I'm not just saying that because they're my host family. They are some of the most genuine, kind and welcoming people. The food is delicious and they have a lovely cozy home. We hung out with them till after six and made our way back to the manor to finish up homework and relax for the evening.

Monday we're going to a play, Tuesday we're going to a "social" at Queens and Wednesday a few of us are going to the Fashion Show! Then its fall break...where I will be headed to Galway for a few days with Kate.