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The Power is Out (Mika, Day 13)2/29/2020 It’s a cruel irony
Sacrificing so much To get to see This one thing. This one museum. It’s rather funny, Isn’t it? How we give so much Always willing To be the ones to fold first Playing the long game. The power Had given out Much like myself. So I rested, Being reminded Again and again Of the love I have For my friends. For the power was out And we had no more to give And yet we still did, In the small ways we could manage. Sharing snacks. Gifs if hedgehogs in cups. We support quietly, Silently, And give silent thanks back.
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Flying day today. I’m currently on the plane while typing this (on our way to JFK). I am sitting next to a sick Owen but it’s ok because he is sleeping and better than he was yesterday. I just finished Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and I don’t know how to feel. It was really good but I feel gross after watching that ending it was a bit too brutal but oh well. Next I need to watch Jojo Rabbit (but my screen isn’t working so that might not happen). I’m listening to Frank Ocean and just vibing honestly so that’s nice. I am so sad that this trip is basically over. I am happy to get home and be in the time zone my body is used to but it’s still sad because I am in love with Europe and I HAVE to come back soon and hopefully to study abroad. I had an amazing time and learned so much about myself and I have so many emotions rushing through me.
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Last day today. My main goal was to explore and that is exactly what I did. We started off in a big group going to the Dublin castle which was super beautiful and fun (we had a photo shoot in the garden which was fun). After the castle we went to the market and I got a ring and some nachos which was also great. We all split up and my group and I went off to the national photography archive but we ended up at the wrong gallery. It ended up being a great mistake because it was super cool! After the gallery we started walking back and wandered into some awesome vintage stores and they were so cool! I finally found awesome vintage pants that fit so it was a huge success! Definitely one of the best days on the trip!!
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Birthday in Europe?!? (Leila day 12)2/29/2020 Well today was my birthday which was cool. Now I’m a dancing queen who is young and sweet and 17! The workshop and exploring was very fun today. I am in love with the restaurant I ate at with a group of people. It was gorgeous and the food was to die for. Every room was so beautifully decorated and even the bathrooms were even nicer and prettier than my bedroom!! Today was just great because this group for the trip was so awesome and I was so happy to spend my birthday with such a great group of people in Europe. I’m going to miss this trip way more than I expected.
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I had the best coffee ever. After going to the national gallery my group and I went to a restaurant called KC Peaches. This place was amazing. They had salad bars to make your own food or you could order pizza, sandwiches, etc. I got an Italian sandwich with mozzarella and tomatoes and it was magnificent. I really needed some coffee to keep me awake for the rest of the day so I got a large mocha (yes I am addicted it’s an issue). This coffee was the perfect mix of chocolate, sweetness, and coffee. I took one sip and was in heaven. I miss that coffee and I wish I could teleport there every day to have the coffee.
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Ending the Game by Anna Kitts2/28/2020 I did not want to get out of bed this morning. I thought today would be long and difficult because I wanted to go home, but it was wonderful. I pooped. I saw a swan. I had a banana and caramel latte. I listened to music. I visited a castle. I walked around the garden with Owen. I listened to The Beach Boys with Mary Ella. I listened to Rex Orange County with Alex. I took tons of window pictures with my friends. I ate yummy falafel. I wrote a little bit of my project. I walked around Dublin. I enjoyed the sun. I admired art. I was a baby. I shopped a thrift store even though I did not buy anything. I ate an Oreo donut and Chinese food. I shared what I loved about the trip. I hugged Abigail. I sang and danced to High School Musical 1, 2, and 3. I showered. I packed. I got in bed or my pod. I wrote my 100 words, and went to sleep.
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Day 7: Belfast! Mary elk2/28/2020 Our first day in Belfast was super cool. Unexpectedly, I like Belfast more than London. It’s calmer and smaller and cuter. This morning we did the black cab tour, which I had been waiting for since before we came on the trip. It was wicked, as Chris would say. We saw some full blown street art which was really amazing to see. And in the afternoon we got free time and went to a vintage shop. I was very proud of myself for being able to restrain from buying a pair of corduroy pants, for I am, as they say, a shopaholic. Overall today was a great day! And I’m excited to hopefully see some sunshine tomorrow
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February 28th, 20202/28/2020 “An M&M a day keeps the doctor away, but 100 of them make you a superhuman” - Mary Ella Rinzler. Did she just quote herself? You ask yourself sitting there in your Laz•e boy eating cut up hotdogs and mustard in your trailer. Well maybe that’s not you, but it could be. Today was a travel day. Which sucks. The prospect of being in a new place was not enough to outweigh the feeling of lugging 30kg of luggage while sweat drips down ur face because there is no time to stop to take off your sweatshirt and no place to put your sweatshirt once you take it off.
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Friends (Abigail - Day 13)2/27/2020 Sometimes I forget that I exist to other people. I find myself watching moments play out sometimes, as if it were a show on TV. My involvement doesn’t affect what happens. Tonight, Anna said that her favorite part of the trip was becoming closer to me. I didn’t even know what to say. I couldn’t believe that I had impacted somebody else’s experience so much. It was such a kind thing to say. I love Anna, and I’m so happy I have her in my life, now more than ever. She makes me feel real.
As we come to the end of our time together, I’m glad to say that I know these people so well. My time away has been eye-opening and was very much needed. Off to the next adventure, which will be very different than this one, and so very beautiful.
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Cookie by Anna Kitts2/27/2020 I have been wanting a cookie ever since I saw one in a window on James’ tour of Dublin. Today, I got one. Outside of EPIC, I waltzed into bake shop wanting to buy a latte. She caught my eye. The golden crust shimmered in the glass case. I knew she would be mine. I ordered a latte and a chocolate chip cookie, but the waitress was about to give me the double chocolate chip. Oh no! I stopped her. I protected my taste buds from an overload of chocolate power. The waitress placed the horrendous double chocolate back in the case and lifted my cookie from her thrown. She placed her in a glorious brown bag, folded her up, and granted me with her warm touch. The Beatles began to play. A sign! It was destiny! The latte came. I ran to my seat. I planted the cookie in my mouth and sipped my latte. Oh joy, what a wonderful match it is!!
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What should you be assessed on?
“Navigation” was one of the answers. “Following directions” was another. Surely it takes as much skill to lead as to follow. Both involve attention, alertness, aliveness. This morning in the sunbleached, dust-bunny covered rehearsal room in the old church Students led and followed They marched around the room, Moving their hands and arms in floppy circles. They were captains and guards, leaders and followers, navigating as one unit across the hardwood floor. For several moments, they forgot they were being watched Instead They just “moved” They just “were” They just traveled. We are travelers.
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Siggy 100 Words (2/25/20)2/26/2020 Today we did a range of things. We talked about our projects with one another then we headed our for the day. We went to the national gallery which was very cool. There were a lot of massive portraits and paintings that had very different stories behind them. There was one painting of a woman who killed herself because she was raped and it described a little story of her husband who took over in honor of her. Then we went to lunch and I had. Really good sandwich. We went to the play that was super good. It was funny at some parts but most of the humor were like inside irish jokes that i didnt understand.
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Today was taxing.
Physically My knee struggles To stay in place Pain splinters Up my shin before Emotionally I had a panic attack In the middle Of a workshop And I don’t really know How to talk about it. So I won’t. But it’s just that Mentally I couldn’t escape them. Them or the memory. I don’t know How long I sat Crying into Megan’s comfort and then Socially I feel outcast I broke my facade I am drained; Broken. Please Tell me how To fix myself. Discomfort Is part of my Everyday. But not this much. This is too much. I’m overwhelmed And alone. So fix me.
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On the Bright Side (Mika, Day 12)2/26/2020 Dr. Holt and Megan, the amazing women they are, got me a knee brace. I’m doing better. Equally cool? Our PODS. Our BEDS. I was worried about sharing a room with seven other people, but we have these pods with curtains so we can just...shut everything out. It’s annoying when people open your curtains, and slam doors at 12:30 am. But it’s nice.
The Fall of the Second Republic is amazing. It looks at the female experience. I have...absolutely no clue what’s happening on the politics side? But I get the general idea of corruption. It’s amazing.
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Passport Stamps (Abigail - Day 12)2/26/2020 If anyone were to ask me, “what should I do in Dublin if I’m only there for one day?”, I would tell them to go to the EPIC, or the Irish Emigration Museum. Not only did the restaurant upstairs serve a delicious sushi roll, but the EPIC is the best museum I’ve ever been in. It seemed like an obscure topic for me initially, but I learned how much emigration and migration means to the Irish community. The museum is gorgeous and has awesome interactive technology. I felt like a little kid again stamping my “passport” in every room, and it was an amazing feeling.
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Emer Hatchett (Abigail - Day 11)2/26/2020 We saw “The Fall of the Second Republic” tonight at the Abbey Theater. I liked it - as a friend said, it’s no National Theater (of England, she meant), but I still liked it a lot. It was relevant to Ireland itself, which is the mission of the National Theater of Ireland. The story took place in the 1970’s, which was reflected by the audience in the house. I didn’t know nearly enough about 70’s Ireland to get all of the funny quips. My favorite part was Emer Hatchett (fantastic name), the badass leading lady who was determined to take matters into her own hands and expose the truth no matter what. I adored her. Megan told me that she saw me in this character, and I’m still smiling about it.
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Love Letters-Kelsey2/26/2020 Dear EPIC Emigration Museum,
as I look back on our fond memories, tears roll down eyes. Ah how we mourned, laughed, and even celebrated through your twenty interactive rooms. I loved the way you held tight to your pucks of the people you loved in sports. You whispered in my ears at all the right times. You dazzled my eyes in the discovery and inventing room. I read the most books in the shortest amount of time ever in your story telling room, or well you read them to me. I loved your little kisses of stamps in my passport all throughout. I miss those. As I right this love letter I just want you to know that you will be missed. XX Bruhv, Kelsey
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Shaun Dunne Fanclub-Kelsey2/26/2020 I woke up today for breakfast! I am getting quite good at that. I had to add two full bags of pure sugar to my cereal though to make it good and American. Frosted flavors served by me to me. Today was our first full day in Dublin. We went to a workshop at the Abbey theater where we met Shaun Dunne. He was wearing a pair of shoes I own! What are the odds? Apparent hundred percent! We learned a new game that I would tell you the name of if only I could spell it. It has something to do with a Dr. Hoo character though. At least I think it does. I really liked Shaun and think the type of work he does is really cool and fascinating! I am gonna end with Shaun because he is awesome and deserves the beginning, middle and end of all stories PERIOD!
P.S. Mika told me it was spelled Dalek and also drew me a cute little image of Dalek too!
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Belfast Explorations (Margaret Edmonds)2/26/2020 Today was jam packed with so many amazing opportunities! First, we went to St. George’s market, and there were so many unique things to buy. They had so much to choose from at the market, so it was pretty much impossible to decide what to pick up. Second, we went to the accidental theatre which was so cool!! The book bar was one of the most unique, most creative, and cutest places I’ve ever seen. Also, writing has always been a struggle for me, so the workshop really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but in a good way.
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Peace Wall(Margaret Edmonds)2/26/2020 Today was a day plentiful with amazing adventures. First, we started off with a black cab tour that was extremely informative, and I learned a ton, especially about the conflict between Catholics and Protestants. I found the murals on the wall so intriguing, especially the political ones and the ones about mental health. One that really caught my eye was one that was connected to this year’s debate topic. It said “stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia” which was exactly what one side was arguing for in almost every debate round. Overall, today was a terrific and very educational day!
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Venus(Emma Day 11)2/25/2020 There are countless curves in her body. Her stomach protrudes slightly. Her bellybutton is a sunken ship in the ocean of her torso. Her skin folds just below her rib cage, and above her hip. Pink knees, toes, and fingertips. Pink chin and cheeks, and the tip of her nose. White calves and arms and breasts. She reaches for one of cupid’s arrows. Her fingers are graceful. Her touch is light. Her shoulders are both sharp and soft. Her blonde hair curles in rings, framing her face and hanging below her ears. Her lips barely graze Cupid’s. She is peaceful in her nakedness, unashamed, beautiful.
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Naps Needed by Anna Kitts2/25/2020 I’m back. I’m back to being hesitant about my project. I’m confused were to go with the prayer and what I need to talk about. I was disappointed in the Book of Kells, but the Seamus Heaney exhibit was better. After lunch, Ella, Dr. Holt, and I came back to the hotel. I was exhausted. I still am. Later, I took a nap while everyone was watching tik toks really loudly. I was dosing off during the show. Now, I’m lying in bed having trouble keeping my eyes open to write these 100 words. I’ll finish this tomorrow... Davis keeps screaming about boys on her Snapchat, so I’m back. I sort of want to go home. I miss running and eating healthy. I miss my parents and scrambled eggs. I just asked Davis to be quiet, and she responded sassily. I miss being by myself.
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Artistic Rhythm(Emma Day 10)2/25/2020 Sometimes the answer is in the block, he said. And of course, I thought to myself. Thank you Shaun for opening my creative eyes a little wider. Just enough that I was able to begin. Freely, I am able to write and draw. Wherever I end, is a product I will be proud of. That will encompass my process, my block, my questions, and maybe some answers. A reflection of my thoughts and feelings and take always. Thank you Shaun for helping us to develop a rhythm, a group rhythm, and an artistic rhythm within ourselves.
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The doors here are loud
They slam and stay shut Metal and exclusion It takes a great strength To force them open When they’ve been closed For awhile It seems as though they’re being held Denying entry to those too weak To wedge them open Maybe it’d go better If someone was willing to hold that door They don’t need to hold it for long Just enough to let the people waiting In Things wouldn’t be so blocked up then The que extends long past my life And strength Why were the doors designed so heavy And weighted Let them be a little lighter For once The doors close But there isn’t any closure
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Jam on EVERYTHING by Anna Kitts2/24/2020 I was pretty nervous I wasn’t going to like breakfast. But, the strawberry jam!! Oh so good!! Tastes like strawberry ice cream. Shaun Dunne was amazing. I want to see his plays because they seem indirect and like they have lots of hidden meanings. I really wanted his advice on my project because his work is genius. Rose convinced me to get a notebook for my monologue, and I love her. Having all my monologue ideas in one spot makes me feel more confident and organized in this already hectic trip. The walking tour was beautiful. Dublin looks a lot less scary in the sun, and also I did not stuff myself with lunch. I felt lighter and more open to Dublin’s stories. Dinner was weird. I got this casserole, but it looked and tasted like beef stew. I was hoping it would have lots of veggies, but sadly there was only large chunks of carrots. I’m excited for the St Mary’s Cathedral.
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