Mishaps and Madness

Oh what a crazy couple of weeks I have had! For starters, I spilled coffee all over my laptop, ran all over Boston trying to get it fixed only to fInd out it was fried and would cost a wopping $ 1,260 to bring back to life! WHAT! I mean c'mon, if my week started with that, how much worse could it get? Luckily nothing as bad as that came after my tragic loss of my laptop, just 3 midterms and 4 job interviews in one week, but thats a piece of cake in my busy busy life.  A tornado of stress let me tell you! But I really can't complain, I am healthy and have good things coming my way so there is no other option other than thinking positive and staying on the right track.

My week of madness made me think of all of my mishaps abroad, and let me tell you there were many. On top of being a dramatic person as it is, add in being in a foreign country to the mix and a mole hill can turn into a very large mountain. Broken chargers, losing my Michael Kors watch, losing money, losing train tickets, rushing to flights-the list goes on and on. Most of the time thats what would happen when I was abroad, a constant struggle to get it right, The simplest things were a battle for me, especially when I was in Greece. The first day I got there I went food shopping and I got so frustrated because all of the labels were in Greek and I couldn't read the nutrition facts or find anything that I needed. Instead of being calm about it and trying something new, I started crying, left the store and felt as if I wanted to go home from Greece because of my frustration. I have found through my travels and through college that feeling this way was completely normal, since I was in a foreign place, it was expected that it would take a while to adjust to the culture and their tricky nutrition labels.

I guess the moral of the story is patience. By no means am I the text book definition of patient person, however, studying abroad really has helped me to be more patient and to take issues for what they are and not something they are not. It is hard to work through these struggles while being abroad, but to be honest thats life. Nothing is easy, it can always be worse and ultimately what doesn't kill you makes you much stronger. There are worse things in life than a broken laptop and not being able to read the nutrition label. Its through bigger experiences that we learn what is important and what to get upset over and what not to let faze us. Its time to practice what I preach, take a deep breath and be grateful for all of the great things that I have in my life :)

Talk again soon,

Briana

There's Always Something There to Remind me

I can not believe that every where that I look and every where that I turn there is a sign from Dublin. Its either that  I'm seeing things and am completely crazy (which is possible) or there is an extremely weird coincidence that every single day without fail, I see something that screams Ireland. Lets go with option B.Today, it was a woman on the T in an Irish sweater. I have the same exact one, which is why I knew for a fact that it was an Irish sweater. I mean c'mon what are the odds? Yesterday it was a shamrock tattoo on some guys arm and the day before that I spotted an Irish rugby jersey on a guy on Northeastern's campus. Yes, I know that I live in Boston and there is a large Irish population here BUT there is just something different about the signs that I am seeing, almost as if I am meant to see them to go about my day or to think of Ireland. I mean I guess I will never know, but I cant help but notice these things. I guess what it comes down to is that I really cant escape Dublin. It really was my home for a while and that city taught me so much and really changed me. It's rare that I say that about a city since I am obsessed with NYC, but I have to say London and Dublin are up there on my list..watch out New York!

So seeing the woman in the Irish sweater today inspired me to write and I guess go back on my Facebook timeline and read and look at everything I posted while I was away. Really wasn't a good idea since I started crying BUT I have to admit I am a big baby. Before I started crying, I was reading my statuses and I really remembered how happy I was and excited to embark on that journey. It was a big deal for me, my last study abroad with my best friend Chelsea to one of the most charming cities in the world..why wouldn't I be ecstatic? I just look back at all of the pictures and really think about the memories and I can feel nothing but bliss. I am so grateful. I was so grateful then and still am grateful to be able to look back and say "Wow I did that!!!" 

I was also thinking today while listening to music how amazing it is how music can really bring you back to a certain time. My best friend Matt and I always talk about this and every time we listen to Speechless by Lady Gaga we are brought back to our 17 year old selves belting Speechless in "Sully" my little ford focus in the middle of winter. I get chills just thinking about it.  When I was in Greece I listened to Sarah Bareilles' album Kaleidoscope Heart non stop, so now when I listen I cant help but feel like I am at Papa Kirizai sitting on my bed with the window open and flowers always on my night stand. My experience in Dublin completely was surrounded and engulfed in music. When I was away my boyfriend would send me playlists. Each song really resonates with me and means a lot to me, not only because he sent them to me, but also because each song made me feel so much at that time.  I could probably describe to you where I was or how I felt during each song that he sent me. Whether it brought extreme happiness or sorrow, each song made me FEEL, and digging into those emotions is something that has made me a stronger human being.  Listening to those songs will never be the same, but when I listen to certain songs I feel like I am in the place where I first listened to the song...so its kinddddd of like im there? right??? Croatia. Venice, London..NOT! I''m right here in Boston :(

 Also, One Republic's album Natives really reminds me of Dublin and brings me back to the Emerald City that I love so much. When I miss Dublin I listen to them and I feel very warm :) Mirrors by Justin Timberlake throws me back to London and the time I spent with Matt, I get this visual in my head of a gloomy day in the middle of London, dressed up like millionaires and drinking Cafe Nero with Matt. We always dress like theres no tomorrow- I love it so much! There are so many moments that I wish I could get back and re live again and again but as much as I would love to I can't. Memories are something I hold very close to my heart. These moments will never escape me no matter where I am in the world. 

Well on that note, I will leave you with some lyrics from a One Republic song that I really think encompasses my  experiences studying abroad. Enjoy!

I owned every second
That this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived

Stressed out September

Thankfully September is rolling out because September literally felt like three months. School has been pretty stressful already which doesn't give me much hope for the rest of it but I am trying to stay hopeful! I think that this has been the most difficult adjustment, coming from Dublin to Northeastern. I am trying to prioritize and to focus but I am finding it extremely difficult to not day dream about only having less than two semesters left..meaning only two semesters left of homework ever again in my life!

Co-op is also coming up for me next semester which is further adding to the stress that September is bringing. Debating to do CO-OP in Boston vs. NY has been a struggle for me but i am focusing my decision not on the place but on the job. Decisions, decisions.... I recently have had this idea in my head of living abroad after I graduate. I am thinking of London but I really don't know what will be in the cards. I really just want to do something out of the ordinary before I have a family and a career, the travel bug isn't out of my system yet but I really don't think that it will ever leave.

I was thinking the other day of how thankful that I am that I started traveling at such a young age. I really think its so important for students to start traveling early on in their lives. Once you travel, your mind set really does change and life after that isn't really the same. All of my abroad experiences have influenced each other and pushed me to want to see more and more of the world. I've seen a lot for only being 21 but I am still so curious to what else is out there and now I'm more curious as to what life would be like to not only live abroad for a longer period of time but to work abroad as well. I am very grateful to have chosen a college that supports and encourages studying abroad as much as Northeastern does. I don' think any other school would have enabled me to go abroad 3 times in less than 4 years. I have to say that all of those experiences made my college experience what it is and I really wouldn't trade a moment for anything. From all of these experiences who would have thought that I may possibly end up living abroad for a bit? Its crazy and scary to think about but I think that moving abroad for a bit would really open my eyes to a broader picture and really challenge me personally and professionally.

Exciting things are to come but for the present I have to really focus in on getting to my goals and not lose sight of what is important even though it may be hard to see right now. Good things come to those who wait and I have no choice but to wait about 2 years

.. so hopefullyALL of my dreams will come true (or some would be okay with me )

Updates soon!!

Briana

Back to Basics

So after a crazy semester of traveling the world, meeting new people and studying in a completely different country, I guess its safe to say that I needed to snap back to reality sooner or later. I had an amazing summer though which continued my travels-this time in the US. I went to New Orleans, Georgia, North Carolina and Miami. I also had a summer full of concerts: Lana Del Rey, One Direction, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Beyonce, John Mayer, Phillip Phillips, Maroon 5,  Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake and Jay Z, TOO MANY! Now the summer is unfortunately over and I am back at Northeastern for a full semester of classes and internships and jobs oh my! I guess this is the real reality hitting me. Doing homework, going to work, studying- it really didn't hit me that I would have to enter real life again. NEWS FLASH-I do and I will have to for a very long time. No more weekend trips to Venice or Croatia. No more Vogue fashion events in London and definitely no more Irish accents to put a smile on my face when I was having a bad day.

Okay, maybe I am being a little over dramatic, and if you know me that is definitely how I am, but regardless, coming from being abroad and then having the summer of my life it is hard to adjust to life back at Northeastern. It is now about three and a half weeks into the semester and I am finally adjusting and feeling better about things. At first I was very upset and very weird about being back. I felt as if I was gone and the whole world flipped and then I came back. I was nervous that everything would be different when I came back, although some things did, everything pretty much is the same and I really was welcomed back with open arms. I was lucky to have my best friends Matt and Chelsea who also studied abroad to share my feelings with, only to find they were feeling the exact same way.

I really think about it and I really do think I was the happiest I have ever been in my life last semester in Dublin, and I was afraid coming back would change that. When I was abroad I promised myself that I would concentrate on the NOW instead of always looking forward to the future because now is happening and I don't want to miss a single minute. I now know that no matter where I am I can see the beauty in life because to be honest I feel blessed every second to be living and I have come to this realization through my abroad experiences. I have so much to look forward to this semester: my Screen Gems and Sony internship, my amazing boyfriend and incredible friends, my come back to my acapella group-Treble on Huntington, and many more things that will definitely make me very happy. I am also a study abroad ambassador at Northeastern which helps me with my missing my abroad experience and Dublin in general. I am able to speak to my peers about studying abroad and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity. If I could convince one person to take the leap and to go abroad and have the experience that I did I would be satisfied. It is an amazing experience and I can not wait to extend my travels hopefully after graduation!

Well, work is calling and I'm off to another crazy afternoon.

More details to come,

Briana

Back to the USA

As weird as it still is to me, I am sitting in my kitchen in New York writing my last blog of my extraordinary study abroad experience in Dublin. The past 4 months, although some days felt like forever, truly did fly by faster than I ever imagined. It almost feels like a dream to me that I was there, such a weird feeling. After seeing Lana Del Rey in Dublin I went on my last Euro trip to Barcelona and Ibiza with Chelsea. We had an amazing time..Spain was beautiful in every way..especially the weather and the delicious Sangria!!! Ibiza was as crazy as it is sing about seeing that my Michael Kors watch was gone after a night at Pacha... But other than that it was a great trip and a nice relaxing way to end my 4 months of non stop traveling and exploring.

After Spain we headed back to Dublin then to catch a flight to the USA when I was surprised by my sister and best friend Matt in Boston

upon my arrival. Made me SOOOOO happy but I never thought that I would have to say goodbye to Dublin as soon as I did,but it is such a huge part of my life and my heart. I know I will go back and continue to explore but for now I think I have to cool it for a bit. Not only is globe trotting expensive but it is so tiring..I mean you basically live out of a suitcase..I cantttt OVER IT! I am so happy to be home and to start my adventures in America, trust me there are many to come. This experience has taught me so much, things I really can't explain or write about but it really did made me fall in love with many things, people and places and I have to say I have never been this happy in my entire life. Its completely priceless and amazing and I am forever grateful.
Well America, you have me for a while but I am already planning my next adventure..Australia? Japan? who knows but I will never stop traveling, never stop wondering..I just can't stop. Theres so much to see, so much beauty to uncover but until then, PARTY IN THE USA!!!

Prague, Budapest and Croatia OH MY!

Where to begin...These last couple of weeks have been nothing less than amazing. I have traveled to three countries which I have never thought I would have been able to experience. These three places, Prague, Budapest and Croatia, have proved to be some of the most beautiful places in the world, all full of spirit and culture. I have to say I was completely blown away and taken back by these places, leaving me even more grateful and now a million times more sun burnt than before.

Last week was my Prague and Budapest trip. My friends and I flew from Dublin to Prague, which is now second nature to me. I counted the number of plane rides I have taken on this trip and I came up with the number 24! How crazy is that!!! Prague was stunning and is now one of my favorite cites in the world. It was the most European looking city I have seen and was just magical to me. I was in awe the whole time, the water the architecture and my favorite..the food!! Czech cuisine was delicious, the dumplings with craisons in the sweet brown sauce was the cherry on top of the amazing city of Prague, which I fell in love with. The memories that I made on this trip with my friends were priceless and unforgettable, moments that I will hold so close to my heart. From Cafe-cafe shenanigans to exploring the city on the pub crawl's bike, our moments were nothing less than amazing and adventurous. Our last dinner was spent overlooking the water on an outdoor terrace while we drank beer and watched the sun set. I can't even begin to express how lucky I felt to be living in that moment and to be experiencing this Euro trip. Of all the amazing things that I saw in Prague, I would have to say that the John Lennon Peace wall was the most moving for me. Seeing the wall and the colors and inspirational quotes really mesmerized me. The wall was so vibrant and being there really made me very happy.

Our adventures continued on a hot as all hell 7 HOUR bus ride to Budapest. Minus the striptease and the puddles of sweat from all of our bodies, the trip went rather fast and we were dropped off at a train station in Budapest ready to explore this new place. I had no expectations for Budapest, I did not know what it looked like or would be like so I was very excited to figure Budapest out..also I'm a little bit of Hungarian so it was extra special for me to be there. Budapest was great and hit a soft spot with me since it reminded me so much of Thessaloniki, Greece where I spent my first semester of college. The markets, the buildings, just everything reminded me of Thessa..it was so weird but the feelings of being in Greece came right back to me when I was in Budapest. It made me miss being in a place where English wasn't spoken and communicating was more of a game. Using my hands to speak became normal in Greece since their English wasn't too good. Sometimes I like not being able to completely understand a place or a culture. I like a little bit of mystery, and Budapest definitely provided me with mystery that completely made me escape into a new world. The Baths were my favorite part and were the most relaxing and unique part of the trip in my opinion.  Like Prague, I was very impressed with Budapest and was intrigued by the history and aesthetics of the city. I found it so interesting that Budapest is broken up into Buda and then pest. We explored both sides, which were both different but beautiful in their own ways. I have to say I did like Prague better but this Prague-Budapest trip was one of the most amazing weeks of my life and I would not change a single thing. I would highly recommend these two places to everyone who loves to travel and be amazed by the world.

After a couple of days resting up in Dublin, I jetsetted again to Croatia with Matt, Erica and Jill. Despite  some speculations about Croatia, we were ready to relax and explore Croatia and hopefully get some color..we definately  were becoming to look like ghosts after our time in Ireland and London. Croatia was gorgeous and warm. The mountains combined with the turquoise crystally beautiful was enough to make you cry, seriously so breath taking. As many pictures as I took, there isnt a picture that can truly capture its beauty. We stayed in an apartment overlooking the water, I felt like a princess..SO happy and lucky! We had a great weekend full of laughs, lots of pizza, wine and unfortunately insane sunburn, small bird moths and imaginary lizards according to Matt Fashion. We traveled to Bibinje, Zadar and Nin and took some amazing photos, ate some great pizza and generally just enjoyed relaxing together and wrapping up the semester together. It was sad because it was Matt and Erica's last trip and even more sad since Matt goes home on Friday. Man did the time fly, but all I can do is be grateful for all of these amazing moments that I have experienced. As Jill would say "Don't cry because its over, but smile because it happened" As cheesy as it is, its true! This semester has been incredible and life changing for me in many ways. I am a lucky girl to have seen what I have seen and met who I have met. Enough of this sob sorry for now since my adventures are far from being over!!! (Thank God) My friends and I are enjoying the rest of our week in Dublin drinking like the Irish do! And thennnn off to Barcelona and Ibiza with Chelsea! I'll cry to you and be all sappy when thats over, but until then bring the funnnnn <3

The family comes to Ireland!

Two sundays ago I welcomed my amazing family to Ireland after my short rendezvous in London with Matt. From drinking martinis at the Wyld Bar to seeing Michael Kors at the 2013 Vogue Festival..I would say my weekend was absolutely FABULOUS and got even more fab, when my family arrived in the Emerald Isle!

I haven't seen my family since January so it was so nice to see them and have the opportunity to spend the whole week with them. My parents and their best friends Gwen and Mike who are basically my second set of parents, came on the trip and it was extra special since it was Mike and my Dad's first time in Europe. Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one of my favorite places in the world, which made me want to show my family Ireland even more!

For their time in Ireland we did a CIE bus tour which took us all over Ireland from Dublin to Galway and everything in between, it was so amazing to see these beautiful places that I haven't had the opportunity to see yet. The Cliffs of Moher were absolutely beautiful, I've never seen anything like them in my life. County Clare, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry were also so beautiful and authentic and made me really appreciate my time in Ireland even more.

Of course my family brought me lots and lots of laughs and moments that I almost peed my pants, one of the many reasons why I love them so much. From my Dad sampling Whiskey at the Jameson Distillery to saving a lost drunken man at a bar, there was never a dull moment and there was never a moment where I wasn't laughing so hard that my stomach hurt.

The week flew by but we saw so much of Ireland and made everlasting memories that I will really cherish for the rest of my life. My family adored Ireland just as much as I do which made me even more happy and grateful. I can't believe that in less than a month I will be home and this amazing journey will just be a memory.

Saying goodbye to my parents and Gwen and Mike was hard since we had such an amazing time and they were the last of my family coming to visit me. All good things, in this case AMAZING things must come to an end but I am lucky enough to have a new adventure beginning tomorrow in Budapest and Prague! I can not wait to visit these places and take lots of pictures and just enjoy life!

Cheers to the next adventure!
XOX
B