Day 15: coming to terms with the term

Today is the last day before heading back to the states and to get a new phone, thank you to whom ever stole it.  I have had such a better trip because I have not been tethered to that stupid device, although I was the person taking pictures with my iPad if I was not carrying my big camera.  WOW that was a lot of "I" in that last sentence.  Some things that I have learned about Ireland was that they, as a whole are proud people.  They love deeply both their family and the their country.  There was not a place that I went that I did not seeing this passion, even in the countryside.  The future for Ireland is looking strong and as a business community they are putting many steps in place to insure the success of their country.  Working with my team, I found more humility, as we went through the process of our project.  I could have not asked for a better company to work with, Groupnos will be a company that has big things coming their way.  Thank you to all that put this together.  Jan as a the leader of this rowdy bunch, Shereen for organizing! 

Day 14: Last day with the company

My time working under Edna was insightful, The biggest thing I gained from this was I have much to learn and that I will get there one day.  You do not have to be the smartest in the room but you do have to be able to bring smart people together and inspire them to follow you on your quest.

Day: 13 Back with the teams

Its confirmed, I have so much to learn and I know with perseverance I will get there one day.  I am in Ah! after seeing Enda and his team working together and Enda's ability to keep people directed and still having a line of communication.  Sitting in the pub after work and talking with him, he was honest and inspirational.  I am looking forward to the future and reflecting on what I have all learned during this time in Ireland.   

Classmates Blogs

Bob Prohaska: http://thecuriousbob.blogspot.ie/ 


David William:  http://broncosace.blogspot.ie/2014/05/ireland-20.html


Bevan Cox: http://bevancox.blogspot.com


Anna Ferreira: https://annakatferreira.wordpress.com


Rahul Sukkala: http://rahulsukkalaposts.tumblr.com


Kaley Bundy: http://kbundy84.tumblr.com


Katy Gorman: http://katygoingabroad.blogspot.com


Scott Stewart: http://navyskier.blogspot.com


Patrick Hutchinson: http://pdhutchinson.tumblr.com/


Allie Ricks: http://www.alliericks.com


Brett Bennett:  http://www.tumblr.com/search/emerald+adventure 


Kelly McLvrid:   http://seekellytravel.blogspot.ie/


Mani Kanta: http://perceptionandbeyond.wordpress.com/ 

Im sure I would have smiled if I was not busy talking

Day 12: Free day in Dublin

After a night of exploring the countrysides of Dublin, I was ready to get back out of the city center.  Went to grab breakfast Avoca, which is a lovely cafe at the top of the their funky store.  After, a late breakfast, I wondered up the countryside back to Howth again for a fun afternoon exploring the markets and getting some seafood.  Had a chance to sit with a local over a cup of coffee and just shoot the breeze.  We did not get into the politics or the weather just talked as if we had known each other for a whooping 30 minuets.  After he recommend a restaurant I went to make a reservation and check out the other side of the harbor.  Sitting on the edge with my feet dangling, I watched the ships coming and going from the harbor as the tide was low.  Just before I was about to say how peaceful it is I was corrected by a family of 10 children and several adults. Who wanted to take a picture on the wall and my back where I was sitting and relaxing.  After the 3rd kid was screaming I decided to abandon my post of leisure and find a new location that was not being bombarded by the unpleasant sounds of CRYING!  The table at the restaurant looked over the east coast of Ireland at the Eye of Ireland.  What a great day!

Day 11: back to Dublin

It's smile that will make a night and tonight I am surrounded by smiles. 

Ireland is a land of smiles and she has won me over. 

I have met so many nice people on this island that are more connected than any state in the US. The pride, the sprit is something to be admired. 

Passion has led to feuds, feuds have led to passion.  

Day 10: touring Belfast

Touring Belfast I was able to get a better grasp on the turmoil that its residents live in each day.   Standing outside on the different sides I had a helicopter hovering above keeping an eye out for signs of trouble.

The two sides are distinct one for their loyalty to the UK and the protestant religion and the other deeply rooted in Ireland independence and the catholic religion. 

Hearing the stories and walking around I felt as if there was a clam before the unknown.  Standing at the Peace Wall (the wall that separates the Catholics and Protestants) we came across the gates that are shut each night to segregate the two sides.

The Oranges (Protestants) and Greens (Catholics) fly their flags proudly.  There have been ideas proposed to segregate a community that no longer wants to be governed.  The solution was seen as putting up a wall around the community as a physical barrier from the rest of the world, essentially isolating them from all other cultures and governments.   Now that I see this more or less in practice I know it is not a joke but a really unfortunate way to treat a community of indivduals.  It might erase some immediate conflict for the government but it can create a dangerous and undesirable place for individuals to live in.

It was eye opening because as a westerner we feel safe for the most part and I think we are lucky to have the opportunity to spend our nights without opposition looming overhead. 

I saw the next generation kicking the ball around the park with these murals of their community’s martyrs as background to their game. Knowing that some of them have to potential to likely continue the trend of their fathers before them is a troubling thought but, there is a chance for peace for Ireland and other countries that suffer from these kinds of traditions. 

I do not know the answer but I do know after talking to the people of Belfast that it will not happen over night.  Most likely the solution lies in the future generation.  

I hope that when I come back I will be able to see the changes in this region.  The town center is alive with energy and the people that I have meet have been extremely nice and so helpful in telling me their stories. 

It’s important to remember that Northern Ireland is more than individuals separated by two different sides.  These are people trying to live their daily life and advance in the world; if we choose to ignore that and focus on their past than we are not being very good leaders  who are effecting positive change on this world.

Day 9: Belfast

The journey to Belfast was an eye opener, once we got here.  That's not because everyone was sleeping on the bus.  I spent the bus ride watching classmates bobbing up and down as they were fighting the desire to sleep; the drown of the bus soothed them.  Once in Bealfast we arrived at the Innovation center (http://www.nisp.co.uk), whiched backed up to the birth that the Titanic was constructed in 1908. 

We had a day of speeches lined up, after a short tour of the docks we piled into a room and got started.  This was my favorite day of talks, compared to the talks in Dublin.  The reason that I found these speeches much more informative, felt that I was getting information from people that had struggled and succeeded.  Dublin was more of people still struggling.  I am still reflecting on the talks and will probably add some more later. 

These are some boys I met while exploring the town.