Life is like an onion, and sometimes you cry...

Cockles and Muscles. You know...Molly Malone style.

My pensive ocean look. Ha. 

Our view from our picnic. 

The northern most point of Ireland. County Donegal. 

Hello everyone-

Wow. Time is flying by here for me. I am 6 months into my year of service and I cannot believe it. It has taken me so long to understand just daily life here, I can't believe that it is half over. 

We as a team went to Donegal this week and it was wonderful. Enjoy the pictures above. It was so nice to just have some time outside, we got to see all kinds of beaches and even got to see the sun (a rare thing here). 

The trip however was a bit bitter sweet. While we were away we found that a new local friend of ours had passed away suddenly and without any warning. He was just 25 years old. Only a couple weeks before he died we had been in the same room drinking beer and laughing at the strangeness that is American football for the super bowl. This has affected all of us in different ways. Even though we had just met Chris, he was such a lovely person and so much fun to be around. I hate I did not get to know him better. 

Something like this makes you think. It makes you feel so very blessed to get another day to live. Sometimes I wonder why these things have to happen, but like my roommate said, we don't know why he died, but we know why he lived. 

Even though it was a hard week, it was one of realizations. We always say that we are living each day like it is our last. This week has reminded me that I am so very lucky to be able to live. That is just what I am going to do...live. 

Blessings and love to you all-

Melissa