Back in the USA

Well Hello,

Since I have gotten into blogging in my time abroad, I think I will keep this going as much as I can when I feel like it here back in the USA. Also I am again using it as a procrastination tool for homework.

Coming back home to the USA was a little depressing and sad at first. From our descent into Ohare airport and not seeing the usual things I see before landing in Ireland like first spotting Howth and then being able to spot UCD I remembered how different things and my life were here. However I transitioned back into life here pretty quickly as I only had 2 free days before I had to start my internship and now it feels like I have been back forever, although it has been a month which is a long time.

This summer feels very different from other summers so far and I think that is due to alot of things but defiantly a big part is that I am in Milwaukee instead of at home. I usually think of summer as bonfires, the pool, watching bachalorette (?) on Monday nights, ice cream and riding our bikes to Dunkin Donuts for happy hour and a lot of lounging around. These days summer is work and class and time for some fun on the weekends. It is alot different being away from home during the summer and it has really given me a taste for the real world.

Even though I do not have as much lounging time and tanning time as I would like this summer, I am still very excited about all that I am doing and as cheesy as it sounds, the opportunity for the future. At my internship at Veolia, I am learning more about how accounting works in the real world and not just in class. At first things were slow to pick up and I was worried if I was going to be bored all summer, however people have started giving me more responsibilities and now I am starting to feel at home at this company. I do not love all of the tasks that I am asked to do, but certain things I really enjoy and that makes me feel very encouraged that I am going into a field that I am excited about and care about. Another thing I like about working here is that I get to talk to other people about their paths that they took. As there are many young people here, they all give me insight into different options for me after graduation. I know my sisters have different priorities about life and Kaity has made it clear that she does not want to work in an office her whole life. Because of this, I was nervous that I too would hate it and would need to rethink my career path. This however has not been the case which I am really glad for. I need to remember that everyone is different and it is okay if we don't have the same goals in life. Working full time this summer and living away from home has made me feel so grown up. One day I went grocery shopping after work and it just made me feel so old. Me and Rose have also started a morning routine were we wake up earlier in order to have a relaxing morning and to watch the news. So far we have been really enjoying it, I think because this also makes us feel like real world people. Also I must at that at work they brew Starbucks coffee for us and they have the fridge fully stocked with La croix, so I really do not have many

complaints.

Another thing that I have been doing this summer is taking 4 classes. 2 of them are online through Marquette and 2 of them I am taking at MATC, the community college in Milwaukee. This has been a very eye opening experience due to the different crowd at MATC. I have been feeling very privileged and lucky for the education that I am afforded. Many of the things that the teachers teach about are things that I would just assume everyone would know but I forget that I learned them in college, it is very different.

Even though I am basically gone from 8am-9pm everyday and working on homework alot, I am still trying to maintain a positive attitude. I will be feeling very accomplished to be able to graduate in 4 years with 150 credits when it usually takes people more time that. I am just telling myself being busy during the summer is better than being at school for an extra semester and not being able to graduate with my friends. I am trying not to complain about being busy though because I do not want to be annoying.

Okay I hope that wasn't too much of a downer, it is still fun being able to live in Milwaukee this summer. We have been trying to hit up the beach every weekend, but the weather has not exactly been working in our favour. Maybe next week it will be better. I have been able to expand my sights around the Milwaukee area and appreciate the city more. I love being able to live in the city where there are always things going on and so many cute restaurants. I could most definitely see myself living here after I graduate.

Alright that about wraps it up! TTFN

On my way to class

Cute Picture of River