Goodbye Dublin/Welcome Home (New York City)

It was an overcast day but I think that's apropos for the day I leave Ireland and head home. It was cold at all and Mom, Jean Marie and I head out for a nice walk through town. We went in and out of some of the wonderful shops and we even found some nice little things at a few of the many charity thrift shops that they have in this city. It's nice to be able to support a worthy charity and find a beautiful brand new, made-in-Italy, scarf for only 5 Euros.

We had a lovely lunch at Sophia's which is a family owned business named after the owners daughter Sophia and also, from what Sophia herself told us, it's named after their families hometown in Bulgaria, Sophia. I love family owned restaurants because the food is usually so much better because it's made with pride.

They dropped me off at the airport with plenty of time to spare and I was home in New York City before I knew it. Aer Lingus now has personal TV's at each seat so I watched 3 movies and we were landing before I could finish the fourth.

I recieved a heartfelt greeting from our doorman and some of our neighbors who were chatting in the lobby sitting area. It was so great to see my aunt Arleen after 3 months and we chatted and caught up on everything. Zoe, the new family member and Zaboo were lounging with Arleen on her bed so I took a picture. Now Zoe, was happy enough to see me even though I was greeted at first with some barking but Zaboo wanted to have nothing to do with me. Actually he let out a scream that I've never heard before and that's pretty difficult to say since he screams a lot about everything and anything that displeases him. I know it will take days before he warms up to me or it will just be when he wants something like a snack that he'll fain love.

It's great to be home and already with the hustle and bustle of the city I feel like I never left. I guess it's a good thing to be able to acclimate right away to wherever you are. For now I have no idea what my next step is but I'm beyond grateful for having had this opportunity to study abroad and for all my incredible classmates, teachers and students who have all become dear friends now.

And since it's January in New York one must expect that it will be cold and as you can see from the pictures of the fountain in Bryant Park the water, which amazingly is still coming out of the fountain, froze as it made it's way down the sides. Behind the fountain is the Bryant Park skating rink and despite the cold there are hundreds of people out enjoying themselves. But that's New York City, not much will stop a New Yorker from enjoying themselves and that's a very good thing. But truly, I just want to scream BRRRRRRRRRR!!!! most days this time of the year.