Hello from rainy Dublin, friends!

I have a seminar in less than hour, so I’ve just finished my lunch and was considering what to do next. Rather than wandering around (I’ve spent enough money at the shops this morning, eek), I thought I’d make a quick update before I leave for class.

The good news is that my experience with COVID was fairly mild this time. I was still sick the first two days (unfortunately falling asleep during the Zoom seminars because I was so tired, even by 10:45 AM), but it didn’t completely knock me off my ass like the first time around. By Thursday, I was feeling pretty restless and back to feeling like my old self. I might have mentioned in my last post – we were strongly encouraged not to leave our apartments while in isolation. There is no way I could physically or mentally stomach that unless I physically cannot leave my bed. So I waited until campus activity died down, around 8 pm, to wander around on a safe, KN95-masked, isolated COVID walk.

I celebrated my fortieth birthday on Friday! Of all the ways I envisioned spending my birthday, being isolated in my hotel room wasn’t one of them. I was so disappointed I couldn’t spend it with Husband like we’d planned around Dublin. But he arranged a Zoom call with my brother and our friends, which really cheered me up. My suitemate was kind, dropping off breakfast for me all week, while our program coordinator picked up lunch and dinner for me. Being sick so far away from home and your loved ones can be really isolating, but I felt well-cared for. I look forward to belated birthday celebrations with Husband and our friends.

Things I accomplished during my isolation:

• I finished two books for seminar prep – In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, and The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. I really enjoyed both. The “autotheory” style that Nelson presented in her novel was a new one for me – I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but I devoured the book in a day.
• Watched America’s Sweethearts, about the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC), on Netflix. As someone who grew up in Texas when the Dallas Cowboys were at their peak, I hate to say that I never took the DCC seriously. I was “NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS” kind of girl, because I had been teased so badly by all the popular kids. I was pretty dismissive of the DCC (or any cheerleading group, for that matter) for a long time. The documentary made me realize how wrong I was – these enormously talented women work HARD, for a demanding job with very little pay. I can’t imagine subjecting myself to the physical and emotional pressures that they deal with daily. I highly recommend the documentary.
• Knitting! One of my in-laws got me this yarn (Kauni Strikkefasthed, out of Denmark) and pattern (Brady Scarf by Sally Brandl). It took me a bit to get a hang of the pattern, but it’s knitting up pretty quickly now. I also learned some new skills (hello, backward loop cast on!)
  
  LOOK AT ME GET ALL ARTSY WITH THIS PHOTO.
  

I’ve thankfully been allowed of isolation thanks to Ireland’s COVID guidelines now that I’m > 5 days symptom onset and asymptomatic, which aligns with my school’s. While I’m still recovering, I’m staying masked and eating in the kitchenette (which the suitemate has designated as my space, which was very kind of her). On one hand, I would LOVE to eat in a restaurant with my cohort instead of eating here all alone, but the other part of me is very grateful that I can at least join everyone masked. It’s much easier to pay attention during lectures when in person rather than on Zoom.

I think with any trip, it’s impossible to leave behind whatever is tethering you to home. For me, that’s anxiety about work, the general state of the world (waves hands desperately) and other concerns. I’ve been homesick, too. So there’s a part of me just ready to pack up and go home, but the other part that is relishing being in another country for as long as I can, since I can’t do these trips with the frequency that I did in the past. I’m also soaking up all the literary life that I can. I realize that once I finish my MFA, all of this – reading books critically, immersing myself in other’s words – is a life-long education. I’m grateful that I can tend to this part of myself, to the little girl who loved making up stories in her head. I’m so very lucky that I get to pursue this passion, even if there is a boatload of work waiting for me when I return to Austin. And, of course, I have sooo many writing ideas and fodder for new material. HOW COULD I NOT? SERIOUSLY.

Okay! I have, like, 15 minutes before my seminar, so let’s take a look at some more pictures!

We took a trip to the Boyne Valley to see the Hill of Tara and Loughcrew. It was a gorgeous trip – I hadn’t seen the Irish countryside yet, and it was such a palate cleanser after being stuck in my room all week. The sunshine joined us for the excursion, as well. It was windy and sooo cold, though! Ireland is chilly! And rainy. As cool as Dublin is, I have to strike it off of my dream list (you know…where you’d move to if money and finding a job weren’t factors). I don’t think I could handle all the rain and gray, especially in summer! While it’s a nice respite from Texas heat, it does get old after awhile.

Ok. I think I need to start mobilizing for the seminar. I hope you all have a great week!