Playing Weatherman

When I was young, I enjoyed putting together a weather forecast. I would draw a sun, big raindrops, and clouds to put into different rectangles on a piece of paper to represent different days of the week. I don’t remember ever checking what my fellow weathermen predicted for the week; I usually chose my own forecast. It was more fun that way. Then I would set up at the coffee table in my living room and give my report, sometimes with an audience of real people, other times I had an imaginary audience. I even had a camera recording me occasionally.

Today I want to play weatherman again. Let me give you a forecast of what I am expecting for my Amazing Irish Adventure.

Personal Development

You can expect to see a more confident Katie when I get back from Ireland. Going to school far from home will be a challenge for me. I can be a bit of a homebody. It will be an adjustment to not have my support system nearby. I won’t be able to drive over and see my family. I won’t be able to go over to Hannah’s room and ask her to explain what is happening in science. I’m sure she would have a very good guess of what would be going on in my science class if I gave enough context. She is pretty smart. I am excited about the challenge, this academic change. Pairing a new school with a more independent living style will help me to see how capable I am and build confidence in my ability to succeed as an independent person.

You can expect to see a more patient Katie as well. I started a list of challenging situations I have made it through to encourage myself in the planning process of this trip. Seeing how things have worked out in my past gives me more patience in my present. So many things will be new for me over in Ireland which will also improve my patience. I will have practice holding back on making assumptions and judgments.

New Experiences

There are two places on my Need To See List: the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle. I will make sure to share pictures when I reach those destinations so keep an eye on my blog this semester. I will be exploring Limerick since that is where I will be living and studying, but I have other places I would like to see as well. I’m not positive how much I will be able to move about Ireland. At this time, it is as unknown to me as it is to you.

I will be taking four classes at the University of Limerick. I am expecting to take a class about ecology and one about classical music. The other two will be about psychology and teaching. I am not able to sign up for my classes yet. I was able to submit my preferences a while back, but the final selection of classes has not come to pass.

Goals and Fears

Through this experience, I want to become a calmer person because I trust that God will take care of me and I am capable of handling the situation he has put me in. This is a very poor SMART goal. How would one measure calmness? If you have any ideas please let me know. I also want to learn more about the world God has created, his people, and be able to share my faith. This is a more measurable goal. I can look back on my experience to see if I have learned more about the climate and culture of Ireland.

As with most great adventures, there will be some trials and tribulations. These may include getting lost (preferably not getting lost alone, but it is a possibility), suffering from loneliness, or not being able to find where one of my classes meets. These, of course, are never the end of a great adventure story. They are a part of the middle to keep it interesting. Even my beloved Hallmark movies have conflict.

Let’s Wrap This Up

What can you expect from this trip?

• More confidence and patience
• Pictures of Limerick, the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle
• Classes about ecology, music, psychology, and teaching
• Periods of being lost and lonely
• A successful trip because I saw the places on my Need To See List, made new friends, passed my classes, and came back with an Irish accent

I am feeling pretty good about this forecast. 😉

The Weather Channel. “10 Day Weather – Limerick, Ireland.” The Weather Channel, TWC Product and Technology LLC, 14 Jan. 2022, https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/62a004f517c595b243110a5a519febcd71f897cda9562e759391fa457aa60b18.