It's 7:30AM, and I'm still stuck on Irish time, so I'm very much awake. The jet lag has redefined my schedule: I've been a morning person, waking up at like 8am this past week, and crashing each night at like 10 or 12 midnight. It's working pretty well - I'm getting a lot of stuff done in the mornings, but it just feels weird to be back on the schedule I kept in high school.
Ireland was magnificient. I don't know what words can adequately describe the scenery and the events we witnessed. Sligo was beautiful and reminded me of how much I loved W.B. Yeats back in high school. Galway was fun - the pubs there were really nice. The city was larger, but still retained some sort of a small-town charm. Dublin was interesting for a while - some cool shops, and some really beautiful greens and museums, but it felt like it was too large of a city. There were other cities that I don't recall the names of right now...the most awe-inspiring sight I encountered was the Long Room at the Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin. Just the sheer number of books was daunting, and the incredible space that they're housed in done in the dark wood. The picture doesn't do it justice.
There's this amazing laid-backness that permeates the entire country which was really refreshing to experience. A good time was had by all. It's a country that I want to visit again...and possibly live in. (eh, a guy can dream, right?)
I'm in a state of shock right now, because by some miracle, I was cast in "Godspell." I'm nervous as all hell right now - both having to LEARN LINES for the first time EVER and also having to JUGGLE this rehearsal schedule in addition to being a CA. I think I can manage it. I have a meeting with my supervisor to discuss it all today and just make sure that he's cool with it all... I'm excited. I'm ecstatic...I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. Godspell is one of the most fun shows I've ever heard, and it's such a great opportunity just to do.
I feel like someone will pinch me and wake me from this incredible dream...but I'm riding it out to the end.
I close with a poem from Yeats:
A Drinking Song
WINE comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That’s all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh.