Classy Sass: Expect life to give you the unexpected

I just realized that today is my two month mark for my time here in Dublin. How did that happen?! But seriously. I feel like it's flown by, but at the same time I feel like I've already done and experienced and learned so much. Incredible really is the best word to describe my time here.

So you know how life almost never gives you the expected? Well I've definitely experienced that in so many degrees since I've been here. First of all, I never expected to actually be living in Dublin. And I never expected to come to Ireland and feel the way I feel here, which is completely at peace. I guess I expected to come and have culture shock or have to adjust and such, but nope. I know I'm supposed to be here and I haven't had once ounce of negative feelings or questions about being here in Ireland. It's the craziest thing. Heavenly Father really knows what we need, doesn't He?

One thing I did expect coming here was feeling comfortable at my internship at the hotel. I totally expected to come and love the job and complete the six month contract and maybe even extend. I never expected to be job searching like I was a few weeks ago. I never expected a possibility of quitting my internship. Even looking back on these feelings is a lot for me to take in. So let me explain without getting too detailed... Basically on my first day I was placed in a department that I had originally said no to twice before I moved over here. But I decided to give it a try and do my best. But I did not agree with the standards and values of those running this department and everyday I left feeling like I was not a part of something "good," you know? What it came down to in the end was a lot of life questioning for myself and what I want for my future. And all I know is that I want to do GOOD. I want to help people and serve people and make any difference that I can.

Through a lot of thinking, help from my amazing friends and family, and so much praying, I knew what I had to do. I knew I needed to talk to Human Resources and tell them everything I was feeling and say that I was prepared to quit. Which absolutely terrified me for so many reasons, but mostly because the reason I get to stay here is because of my job and all I knew was that I was supposed to be here. But I did it. I went in and met with them, and I've never been so strong and confident in what I said- I felt like those words were not my own. I really felt the Spirit giving me strength. I was so relieved when she told me "How does one more week sound there? We have a new position for you ready." Oh I felt like I could breathe again! How perfectly the Lord works if we let Him into our lives. This next week I will be starting in the lobby and I'm so excited for the guest interaction. Hopefully it's a better situation for me, but if anything it's a major blessing for me right now. Through it all, I can only be grateful. I have learned SO much at the hotel. I've learned a lot about my future career, about leadership, and a lot about myself. No complaints at all, only gratitude for the learning experience.

Lately life has been unreal here. The weather has been gorgeous which means practically everyday I would come home from work, change, and then leave to meet up with my incredible friends for rugby matches, frisbee at the beach, going to parks, having BBQs, seeing sites, private karaoke parties, playing tour guide, and more. Basically everything but sleep. But hey, this is the time right? Today I just got back from England, where I was able to travel with others from church for a temple trip to the Preston, England temple. What a special experience, and it came at the perfect time after everything at work. It was exactly what I needed and I was so grateful to go do the work. And yesterday I even got to explore Manchester for the day and be a proper tourist. I still can't believe this life is mine and that making weekend trips to England is my "norm" now. But I'm so happy and just want everyone who has helped me and been there for me, whether it was talking me through things, taking me on adventures, or just brightening my day, to know that I would be lost without you and that you all mean the world to me. Cheesy I know- get over it :)