My First Few Steps!

I feel like I took the first steps towards becoming a Belfastinian today. And for all of you wondering, yes.. I did coin that term. It reminds me a little of the sense of belonging I feel when I say I am a true Cedar Rapidian. I have lived there almost 3 years now and it took me far too long to go out and explore the city. It wasn't until I lived there this summer that I could say with conviction that I could get you almost anywhere in the city. So for all of you in a new place of residence, I advise you to go for a walk with only a slight idea of where you want to go. You will not only learn more about the city, but you'll also learn more about yourself in the process.

Today, I did just that. I spent it taking "walks" to wherever I had to go. The wandering started when I found myself sitting in the wrong classroom. Regardless of the confusingly numbered rooms, I was sitting in the right room as far as my syllabus was concerned but it wasn't the right course being taught. So I went to the classroom it had been taught in yesterday, but that wasn't the right class either so I had no clue where it would be and decided to walk around. In that walk I found many things. I found myself in a greenhouse in the middle of the Botanic Gardens. I found my first playground, which is one of my favorite past times as all my Coe friends know. Kory, parks always remind me of that day we went to the elementary school by Coe and tried to name off all the states on that huge map. hahaha I also found many things named Boyle, which reminded me of Billy! Billy you would LOVE it here, and I'm sure you'll visit Ireland someday. They might think you are a native since you're last name is so common. ;)

Besides my walking I also did a bit of running today. I got my membership for the local gym. It will definitely be a good investment, helping me work off the Guinness and huge floor dinners. In the last week, my floor in Grant house has made two communal dinners. The dinners have been one of my favorite interactions since I've been here. There is about 15-20 of us that get together and all make a dish for the floor to share. It is really nice to sit down with such a big group and enjoy dishes that are new to me. I have always been good at baking, but one of my goals for this semester is to become a better cook and I am already taking my first steps in that direction.

Another one of my goals this semester is to become more worldly educated. I get so caught up in my studies at school that I don't make time for what is going on in the rest of the world. Living in such a culturally diverse community, I have to be up on the latest happenings all over the world so I can be in on the conversation. I have already found myself googling topics so that I can become more educated about them. I hope to come back to Iowa with a greater understanding of other cultures and with a greater knowledge as to what is currently happening around the world.