I leave Cork, Ireland in about two weeks, and it's a concept I can't wrap my head around. So often we're in a place in our life, looking from a distance at a time and place that we never think we'll get to. So when you get there, and it's almost over, it's a bit shocking. Somehow, I never thought abroad would end. Four months seems like a long time in your head, but when you're busy traveling, it feels like a lot less time.
Cork has given me the chance to explore another culture that I always thought I knew a lot about. But, Cork has given me the chance to rediscover my Irish roots, and truly experience the life of the Irish. I feel more at home here than i ever have. Whenever I travel somewhere else, I always find myself excited to return to cork. To return to the familiar. Which is such a strange concept, because four months ago it was as strange as all the other countries I've been visiting, but now it's like a home. I know the streets, the shops, the campus, how the bus works. These are all things that have made living Ireland wonderful.
Most importantly, Ireland has taught me to truly enjoy what I've been given, and to really take the time to enjoy those gifts. We are always taught to keep moving, and to move fast within America, and I know for a fact that after living in Cork for four months, I am changed. I don't move that fast anywhere, especially here. I take my time, observe things I would never take the time to see in America. The Irish celebrate life by truly living it, and I plan to take that aspect back to the states with me.
When I first arrived in Cork, I think I knew deep down that this place would change me. I wasn't sure how, but whenever I travel someplace new and stay for more than 2 months I tend to come back home as a bit of a different person. However, I've never been upset about the person I've become after leaving. I know that leaving Cork will be sad, but it's only helped shape me more into the person I want to be.
The first month of living in Cork was full of firsts. Learning how to get around, meeting new people, trying new foods, visiting new places. These were all good things, but now i've come from all of these firsts to calling Cork a home. I do all these things all the time. The people I wasn't sure I would be friends with here have become some of my closest friends. I've been able to have a wonderful experience abroad mainly because of the people i have met.
I'm a firm believe that the people make a place, and as exciting as Cork is, I know that I wouldn't have been as happy as I am now if I didn't get to experience cork and Europe with my new friends. Four months seems so short, but it's more than enough time to really get to know the people you're surrounded by. And thankfully, I did just that.
I can't bring Cork back with me, but I plan on bringing the Irish way of live back with me to America. I love the people of Ireland. They are kind, caring, and very very friendly. I wish that America was more like this, so when i go back not only will I try to slow down and observe, but I want to bring a bit more kindness into the world. Who knows, maybe someday it will affect someone the way it affected me.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Ireland is Healthy
Ireland is full of healthy food. Fresh produce. Bread made in front of your eyes. Jams and jellies produced within Ireland. Lots of food that you find in Ireland is made in Ireland. When you compare this to the U.S. it's a completely different story.
The U.S. has food shipped from all over there world. It's not to say that the U.S. doesn't make some of it's own food, but compared to Ireland I found that most of the food I find in store within the U.S. hold more foods and produce from outside of the U.S. than it does from inside. This doesn't necessarily mean it's unhealthy, but if you're shipping foods, especially produce, that typically means there needs to be preservatives and chemicals to keep the food fresh. However, the food isn't always actually fresh, like in Ireland. It's just saturated with chemicals that keep them 'fresh'
All of the chemicals and preservatives that the U.S. throws into it's own food isn't surprising either. Now only do we accept food containing chemicals from outside the U.S., but we'll also find that the produce that is grown in the U.S. typically is full of preservatives as well. This is the only kind of life I've known growing up, so when I arrived in Ireland and most produce went bad within a week, I was shocked.
I remember attending a meeting with past students who studied in Cork before I left, and most of them mentioned how food goes bad really quickly, so you'd have to go to the market basically every week. I honestly didn't take this to heart. I didn't think I'd actually have to do that, but in actuality, I do. I go to the market every week, and buy only what I need for the week or else it will go bad. And I've come to enjoy this because it mean's that I don't have to worry about eating food containing chemicals.
I also feel like the produce in Ireland tastes better. It's fresh, usually very flavorful, and I know it's chemical free. Not to say that produce in the U.S. tastes bad, but there have been times when I could taste the chemicals.
Ireland also doesn't have as many 'snack' foods as the U.S., which are really just foods packed with junk and fake flavors. The U.S. doesn't really care what it gives to its people, which sounds harsh, but after being in Ireland and seeing how much less they have for snacking, it makes me question why the U.S. even allows some of these snacks into out country. It's not helping us in any way, and it's not good for anyone.
Ireland has made me realize that the U.S. has a long way to go. We might want all these chemicals because it makes food last longer, and typically people doesn't want to go to the grocery store all the time so buying food that will last long makes sense. But in the long run, getting fresh food, and knowing that the food you're consuming is chemical free should be what we truly want.
The U.S. has food shipped from all over there world. It's not to say that the U.S. doesn't make some of it's own food, but compared to Ireland I found that most of the food I find in store within the U.S. hold more foods and produce from outside of the U.S. than it does from inside. This doesn't necessarily mean it's unhealthy, but if you're shipping foods, especially produce, that typically means there needs to be preservatives and chemicals to keep the food fresh. However, the food isn't always actually fresh, like in Ireland. It's just saturated with chemicals that keep them 'fresh'
All of the chemicals and preservatives that the U.S. throws into it's own food isn't surprising either. Now only do we accept food containing chemicals from outside the U.S., but we'll also find that the produce that is grown in the U.S. typically is full of preservatives as well. This is the only kind of life I've known growing up, so when I arrived in Ireland and most produce went bad within a week, I was shocked.
I remember attending a meeting with past students who studied in Cork before I left, and most of them mentioned how food goes bad really quickly, so you'd have to go to the market basically every week. I honestly didn't take this to heart. I didn't think I'd actually have to do that, but in actuality, I do. I go to the market every week, and buy only what I need for the week or else it will go bad. And I've come to enjoy this because it mean's that I don't have to worry about eating food containing chemicals.
I also feel like the produce in Ireland tastes better. It's fresh, usually very flavorful, and I know it's chemical free. Not to say that produce in the U.S. tastes bad, but there have been times when I could taste the chemicals.
Ireland also doesn't have as many 'snack' foods as the U.S., which are really just foods packed with junk and fake flavors. The U.S. doesn't really care what it gives to its people, which sounds harsh, but after being in Ireland and seeing how much less they have for snacking, it makes me question why the U.S. even allows some of these snacks into out country. It's not helping us in any way, and it's not good for anyone.
Ireland has made me realize that the U.S. has a long way to go. We might want all these chemicals because it makes food last longer, and typically people doesn't want to go to the grocery store all the time so buying food that will last long makes sense. But in the long run, getting fresh food, and knowing that the food you're consuming is chemical free should be what we truly want.
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