Belfast

After a two hour drive through the beautiful Irish countryside, we made it to Belfast in the middle of the day on Wednesday. After lunch we went on a bus tour of the city, with a history professor from the local university as our guide. He took us around all of the different neighborhoods of the city, telling us all about the Troubles - both the history and the current issues. In a nutshell, there has been great segregation and persectution between the Catholics and Protestants in the area. There are walls between the neighborhoods and gangs and all sorts of violence. The problems are on their way out, however, because a ceasefire was agreed upon in May, and the two groups have made their way towards reconciliation. It was just really eye-opening, though, to see how bad it really was. It kind of reminded me of what I imagine it must have been like in the states before the civil rights movement, except for that the persecution went both ways. We've been learning more and more about it, and hearing stories from a lot of local people, and God has just opened my eyes to the trials over here. I'm kind of embarassed that I was so ignorant to the incredible struggles going on over here, but I thank God that I am now aware of it and can pray for these people. It just breaks my heart that these two groups of people who claim to love and serve the same God have so much hatred for each other. How can they reach the rest of the world when they can't even talk to each other? Its truly a tragedy - pray for this nation, that they would find peace and reconciliation.

Tomorrow we are getting away from the city for the whole day and basically going on a tour of all of Northern Ireland. We're going to the town of Londonderry which is where the Troubles started for a meeting with someone there and then we are heading to the Northern Coast for the rest of the day. I'm so excited to see some more of the beautiful countryside, and to see the coast. Apparantly its beautiful. We have a free day for church on Sunday, and then Monday we head to Cambridge.

Things are going so well - it feels like I've been gone for about a month, not a week, but that's just because every day is just packed full. I think it just set in that I'm here for a whole semester, not just a short vacation, but I'm excited for what's coming.

No more problems with my suitcase lock, thank goodness, and everything is going well!!

I hope all's well, where ever you all are.

all my love...

commence the 5 minute post before my time at the internet cafe runs out...

My last day in Dublin...off to Belfast tomorrow!! I've loved being in Dublin - going to church at Christ Church Cathedral was absolutely amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the National Gallery of Dublin (art museum) today, but I'm so looking forward to Belfast. I guess that's just the nature of this semester - get just enough of one place before you move on to another. Supposedly Belfast is a lot more of what I envision when I think Ireland - cottages, sheep, and lots of green - so I'm excited to see that!!

I've had no more luggage fiascos (thank goodness!!) so things have been running really smoothly. We started classes on Monday, and I've really enjoyed them so far. I'm meeting amazing people, and still feel rested and homesick-less.

I must run to dinner, but I absolutely PROMISE that my next update will be detail-filled and not lame!

all my love...

Dublin = beAUTiful!!

So, after a LONG flight and lots of phone trouble, here I am in beautiful Ireland. I've always pictured this place as gorgeous in my mind, but I really had no idea. Everything is so green and fresh. We got in last night at about 10, and grabbed some food and then went to bed for some much-needed rest. Today we went to a national park, called Grendalough (not positive on the spelling...oh well!) that is about 30 minutes outside of the city. It was basically a paradise of streams and rolling green hills, with lots of sheep!

We're staying at Trinity College in the middle of Dublin right now. Its interesting how different the school is from Westmont. Its so big and formal and old looking - it really is a pretty campus. I have my own room, which is nice for the first few nights. It makes me appreciate the Westmont dorm rooms, though!

I had my first mishap today - my suitcase lock stopped working...while it was on my suitcase. I tried to pry it open for a long time, and finally ended up with someone from the office sawing through it with a bread knife! It took him about 35 minutes, and I was late for dinner, but luckily we got through it and I can now access my clothes again! I guess if something has to go wrong, I'm glad that is all that its been so far :).

Tomorrow I'm going to church either at Christ Church Cathedral or at St. Patrick's, we haven't decided yet. Then we have the rest of the day free and classes start on Monday.

Its insane that I'm here - I can't believe that the thing I have been preparing for for SO long is actually happening. I'm so excited for everything coming up!!!!

More details to come....

love.

Goodbye, US of A!

So, I'm guessing this will be my last post from this country. How strange that in only a couple of days I will be on the other side of the Atlantic!

Its been a great couple of days out here in California - a lot of relaxed time with friends. Laura and Dom (my friends from school) got married on Saturday and it was absolutely amazing. It was such a blessing to see how God has brought two people so perfect for each other together. It was a beautiful ceremony, but the most beautiful part of it was how very much in love they are. Yes, they are very young, but they are also so sure and there was no way that anyone at that wedding could doubt that they have made the right decision in getting married. However, it made me even more certain that I definitely am not ready for that!! No wedding anywhere in my near future :)

I'll be updating soon from Europe - I love and miss you all and think of you often. Know that you're in my prayers!!

Love,
K

ITS RAINING FIRE!!!!!!!!!

or ash....whatever....its all the same. There's a big forest fire on the other side of the ridge from us, so the sky is orange and there's a pretty layer of ash all over everything!

Its a strange feeling - being here at Westmont without actually living here. I'm walking around this place that has become my home and I know in the back of my mind that I'm really only here until next Thursday, but that's not how it feels. Strange, to say the least.

So, as is to be expected, plans for my trip have already drastically changed. On my way to the airport on Tuesday morning, Emily called me to tell me that she had a really high fever and was too sick to drive. After multiple phone calls and ideas being thrown around, I ended up still going to San Antonio and staying there until this morning. I didn't get to talk to Emily much on Tuesday (we were forced to be on opposite ends of the house so that I wouldn't be contaminated) and I also wore a face mask around the house for awhile. (really more to be funny than anything else....). Yesterday, however, Em's fever had gone down significantly so we were allowed to be in the same room, and it was a fun day of sitting around doing nothing. Then we flew out to Santa Barbara this morning and I'm currently sitting on the bed watching Em unpack all of her stuff. She just pulled out three of the same shoe - 2 left and one right :).

I also got to see Shane and Anna and Jim today (my cousins and their dog for those not related). Jim peed on my shirt, but he is really cute!

I'm looking forward to this next week of relaxing and playing with my friends (and hopefully seeing Hairspray for the 3rd time!). I really miss home, but I'm so excited for everything coming :)

lots of love...

I've found my calling....

...as a star in Hairspray. What could be better than life being full of choreographed song and dance with Zac Efron!?In all seriousness, though, I'm sitting here in my room, procrastinating the last of my packing for the semester, and I'm just thinking about how INCREDIBLY blessed I am! I have two homes that I love so much. While that means that, on one hand, I miss one home terribly no matter where I am, it also means that I have people I love so dearly no matter where I am.

So, I love you all, and thank God for so many wonderful friends and family - you make it home no matter where I am :)

I'm leaving in 4 days!!!!!

Hi friends. :)





I'm going to make my best attempt at keeping y'all updated on my life while I'm in Europe over this thing, but who knows how that will actually go, right!?!? I'm not sure if I will be able to upload pictures or not since I won't have my own computer there, but I will definitely be able to keep you updated on all the places I'm going and things I'm seeing (basically I'll be able to make you all really jealous for 3 1/2 months :) )



I'm leaving Colorado on next Tuesday, the 14th and flying to San Antonio. From there I'm driving to Santa Barbara with my best friend Emily (see photo....she's pretty ;)) for a friend's wedding. I'll be in southern California for about a week, and then I leave for Europe on the 23rd. I'll write my itinerary out below...it's crazy how many places we're going!!

8/24 - 8/29 - Dublin, Ireland
8/29 - 9/3 - Belfast, N. Ireland
9/3 - 9/6 - Cambridge, England
9/6 - 9/17 - London, England
9/17 - 9/18 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
9/18 - 9/24 - Sarajevo, Bosnia
9/24 - 10/1 - Vienna, Austria
10/1 - 10/5 - Prague, Czech Republic
10/5 - 10/10 - Krakow, Poland
10/10 - 10/12 - Warsaw, Poland
10/12 - 10/20 - Berlin, Germany
10/20 - 10/25 - Leiden, The Netherlands
10/25 - 10/30 - Bruges, Belgium
10/30 - 11/2 - Bayeux, France
11/2 - 11/10 - Paris, France
11/10 - 11/13 - Interlaken, Switzerland
11/13 - 11/17 - Venice, Italy
11/17 - 11/24 - Florence, Italy
11/24 - 12/1 - Rome, Italy
12/1 - 12/6 - Athens, Greece


After we return to LAX on the 6th, I'm staying with Emily at Westmont (see photo - a typical Santa Barbara sunset!) until the 10th, and then I'm coming home!









It is going to be an amazing semester, but also a very trying one, and I would SO much appreciate your prayers!!

My email address is kquinlan211@gmail.com, and if y'all will email me your addresses, I'll send you postcards :)

Love,
Kels