dance. sing. floss. travel.

Simple words.  Unassuming.  And yet, when I saw them displayed in a window the other day, I was inspired—and clearly enough so to let them guide me through my debut into the blogging world. 

I am an observer, often struck by the simpler bits and pieces; pieces that are too often over-looked despite adding a necessary element of awe, wonder and depth to a day.  Lavender grey skies of Indiana winter afternoons.  Reflections of trees in puddles, framing the intricate designs of their limbs and branches, appreciated only during a post-snow-melt-run.  Wispy clouds.  Twinkling stars.  Bits and pieces.      

Dance. Sing. Floss. Travel.  Each word reminds me of something more. 

And I just love that.  

Dance.  Unwind, be carefree, let your inner spirit shine through.

Sing.  Laugh, be joyful, seek happiness in all that you pursue.  

Floss.  Run, be healthy, achieve balance of body, mind and spirit.   

Travel.  Explore, be curious, desire to expand your knowledge, understanding and appreciation of different people and cultures.  And these would be a few of the reasons behind my Irish Jig. 

But it is not really just mine—and I wouldn’t want it to be.  It’s Kathy and my Irish Jig.  A plan devised after finding ourselves in post-undergrad ruts.  Choosing the country was easy.  We have both never been to Ireland despite each spending a semester (me: Copenhagen, Denmark) or year (Kathy: Grenoble, France) abroad, the Irish are rumored to be an incredibly out-going and gracious bunch and we could easily delude the locals into thinking we are more like them than not (the red hair helps).  Experiencing the Irish culture first-hand was the top priority for each of us and so we decided that living with families on farms through the WWOOF Organization was the way to go.  Is the way to go.  And so we are. 

We arrive in Dublin on the 15^th of March and will start working at our first of three WWOOF sites on March 21^st, Horseshoe Cottage, a bed and breakfast located on Sherkin Island, County Cork. 

And so our adventure to Ireland begins.  That being said, boarding the plane will be bittersweet.  The past nine months following graduation have been filled with incredible experiences and even more incredible people, all of whom I will miss dearly.  People who have helped mold and solidify my belief that there is so much to be learned from each other.  How people need people.  That even the most seemingly transient, fleeting interaction with someone can actually turn out to be touching and significant in previously unimaginable ways.  

The market taught me how to appreciate the seasons in more delicate ways: through ever-changing fruits and vegetables, by noticing—and delighting in—the stark differences between summer, autumn and winter evenings.  I will think of my market family often when I look at the moon and as I learn to appreciate the subtleties of an Irish season.  And, Jack, I promise I will not be afraid of hard work. 

The cross country girls I helped coach last fall provided me with a sense of clarity that I needed so very much.  I received it through observing their growth as runners, teammates and individuals over the course of only five could-time-go-by-any-faster? months.  They continue to remind me that most important bits and pieces are hard work, commitment, positivity and laughter.  Despite running competitively for eight years, I needed to experience the sport from an altogether different perspective, from the side of the course rather than on it, to think more consciously about these things.  Girls, your beautiful, spirited personalities have given me such joy.  I hope you chase after all elements of life with confidence, purpose and heart.  

But then there is the sweet, thrilling part of the Irish Jig.  The exploring and getting lost—purposefully and not—in time and space, in thoughts and dreams.  The memories, laughter, serendipities—and everything in between and beyond—that all await to be made, had, discovered.  Here’s to the destination and the journey.  Let the dance begin.