Dungarvan, My Hometown

Dungarvan, Ireland. . . What can I say? It was a wonderful experience and I am truly grateful to the town and all the people who have helped make it my new home. The friends I've made, the adventures I've had. . . I am going to miss it so much but I know that the Irish of Dungarvan will always welcome me back and I look forward to returning! To the memories, great adventures and people, and having the time of my life! Thank you to everybody who has made this a great trip I will never forget!

Dungarvan, my hometown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZpTHHoMGLY ( a lovely video by Damien Geoghegan!)

I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to explore wonderful new places thanks to my amazing family. Without them I would not be having the time of my life here in Dungarvan and be traveling around Europe. It’s difficult for me to summarize my experiences so far because there has been so much that has happened that I am in awe. The sweet little town that is Dungarvan has become another home to me. The beautiful views of the town as you travel toward it, the bay front, the constantly changing tide, and the people all make for a serene and friendly environment.

            What do I love about Dungarvan? Well what isn’t there to love? The people, the sense of a community, the fact that it acts as an ideal location for traveling to Europe and around Ireland, and the chance to immerse myself in the culture! The Irish are truly warm, welcoming, and hospitable people. I was stunned that the Mayor of Dungarvan and town council had welcomed us upon our arrival. The Irish in Dungarvan are a hard working group of people that can make their way and also enjoys themselves, despite whatever challenges they or their country might be facing. This is how I live my life; I am a hard working person who wants to make positive change and also knows how to have fun despite whatever life may present.

            Words cannot express my gratitude toward Dungarvan. You have all helped to make wonderful memories for me that I will cherish throughout life! Thank you for all that you have done for me, and may God bless you all. 

-J.GIBSON

Reflections and Thoughts

I am a quite person, I normally don't talk much or function very well in a large social setting. I'm an introvert by nature, but when I am passionate about something I come out of my shell and make it known. This was the case for Ireland. I've had the opportunity to travel and try new things. I've been to Berlin, Prague, Venice, Zermatt, and Cinque Terre and am now starting to see the world. It's bizarre though, before this trip I've never traveled. Well, with the exception of going to Toronto, Canada and Erie, PA but being from Buffalo, NY I don't really count those. I am now starting to see the world and my eyes are starting to open to all that around me. I mean, we learn about the world in school and I think we really don't appreciate the significance of it. For example, when we went to Berlin we got to see the site of the Berlin wall and visit Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Sure we learn about it, but do we really value it and understand it? For me I did not until I actually saw it with my own eyes. The same goes for Ireland; I knew of Irish culture but I really did not value it until I came here and was actually involved in it. Dungarvan, my hometown . . . 

-J.GIBSON

Final travels! (And the start of summer, woot!)

OK, so my final travels were in Italy and Switzerland and OMGSH I LOVED ITALY SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! Me and a few friends went to Venice first where we were just lost in the beauty of the city - we went on a Gondola ride, got to see Piazza San Marco, ate authentic Italian food and had a blast. We also went to Zermatt Switzerland and went into and on the Alps!!! Can you believe that?!!?! The Alps! I felt like I was on top of the world! Finally we went back to Italy in Cinque Terre and it was soooo gorgeous!!! Cinque Terre was one of those places where you can retire when you get old - there were so many couples and they were so cute! Our hotel was in Riomaggiore and the territory itself was made up five little villages - each one had its own special beauty. I know I keep saying it was truly beautiful, amazing, etc. but believe me  it was breathtaking and no words I use can ultimately do it justice. It's one of those places you just have to visit and experience for yourself. I was in paradise and honestly I never wanted to leave!!! :)

-J.GIBSON

Done with Finals!!! (And almost school, ahhh!!)

OK, so on Wednesday, May 1st I had the last of my exams. The first exam I had (actually, going back to week #4 here) was in Dr. Reed's class. I studied as much as I could and was involved in the class but I don't know! Before the exam I was sure to say my Irish prayers, hehe! On Tuesday, April 30th I had my Irish exam. Once again I felt pretty OK about (I don't like to say I felt great for it, because it's my luck that I think I did great on something I actually did pretty horrible, hehe) and I was in and out of the test. On May 1st, I had Dr. Peterson's government exam and right after Dr. McFee's exam! Oh boy, were they doozies! All I could think about was those last exams standing between me and summer! I was able to get through them though and I believe I did an OK job. I guess I'll have to see! I can't believe I've finished my Junior year of college and am going to be a senior!!! Where does the time go?!?!?

-J.GIBSON

Galway Trip!

Alright, let's get back at it. Some time ago Tom Keith took our group out for our last outing :( (I know, so sad) but it was quite possibly the best saved for last! TK's wife, Carmel and the two daughters, Mimi and Joan joined us as well. I'll tell you, the Keith ladies can sure cook a great Irish meal! The spectacular moment for me was seeing the Cliffs of Moher . . . the views were absolutely stunning! We had to be careful though because the wind was blowing so strong at certain points that I've felt like I was going to be swept off the cliff! If that did happen it would've been nice to fly with the pigeons . . for a few moments at least, hehe. It was truly a spectacular moment and I am truly amazed to have seen such sites. We also got to see a sheepdog demonstration! Now the sheep themselves are pretty cool, but it was also cool see to instructor command the sheepdog to heard the sheep and cattle! As we made our way back to the hostel, the Keith ladies were cooking dinner for us! It was sooooo good - if that is one of the many things I will miss it will be the great Irish meals haha. The next day we also went to the Aran Islands! It was absolutely gorgeous, incredibly sunny and nice. I had spent my time walking, that's right, walking the Aran Island. My peers had decided to take a tour bus but I wanted to spend time "in" the beauty of it all - and boy, was it incredible!!! This was a great trip and I am glad that I didn't miss out!

-J.GIBSON

A nice evening with the Keith family

So, there was a weekend night where all my classmates went to karaoke - I didn't go. Now you might be thinking why? Why not get up there with a few drinks in you and sing till your hearts content? Well that's because I went to a local bar in town where I had met up with the Keith family and watched two of their many children perform. They were on acoustic guitar and were singing as well to some Irish tunes and some American ones as well. Now, being a musician I absolutely love live performances. Any chance I can go see one I will and I felt it was the right thing to do. I had a lovely evening chatting with the Keith family while enjoying some great music. Surely my peers had a great time at karaoke, but I know I had a much better night just relaxing with the Keith's and enjoying their children put on a show. What caught me off guard was when Joan, one of the daughters and announced into the microphone "We're going to bring up our American friend, James, to play a few songs." What!?!?!?!?!!? I couldn't believe it! Now as a musician I always have a few songs for occasions as such but I hadn't played in two months! (Because of us coming to Ireland and not having my guitar here!). Luckily it went really well, the crowd enjoyed my music as did the Keith family! It was such a nice night I'm glad I got to spend it with the Keith's :)

-J. GIBSON

Dungarvan Festival of Food!

It was a glorious day for food! Sunny, people, food as far as the eye can see, and . . . oh yeah the wind was really strong that day haha! I started my time with the Festival by volunteering to monitor trash cans for two hours. Now that was the day before which was rainy and windy :( but luckily I had gotten there first and got to work inside the tent! The Irish are very dedicated  to the cause of recycling and appropriate waste in general. They have different containers for food, bottles, cans, and general waste. This is all over the country, for example at WIT. I stood by a trash bin and made sure people were putting their waste in the correct bin. I was glad to be a part of a cause where the Irish are devoted to being appropriate in waste management. Now, on to the festival day itself. Soooooooo much good food haha! I had tried kangaroo for the first time! Words cannot describe the tastes I experienced; I had an out of body experience haha! But seriously, the food was great and smelled delicious.

-J. GIBSON