During my past semester, I learned about tensile testing. A tensile test, or tension test, applies force to a material specimen in order to measure the material’s response to tensile. This response can be measured as stress. The purpose of these tests is to determine the maximum allowable stress a material can withstand. According to this test, everything has a breaking point. But as I wrap up my second week here in Ireland, I am beginning to question this theory.
If I had to graph my experience so far in Dublin with the x-axis being the number of days and the y-axis being the amount of enjoyment I am having, I would say that the trend of the graph is increasing exponentially. I have learned so much through my internship, meeting new people, and exploring what Dublin itself has to offer. Relating back to a tensile test, logically, this happiness will eventually reach a threshold. However, with a city like Dublin and the endless possibilities a country like Ireland offers, maybe there is no limit.
Exploring Dublin
Our first weekend getaway was refreshing. Hiking through the Wicklow Mountains allowed me to get lost in the miles of rolling hills, green grass, and flowing streams. The air felt rejuvenating and even though I love Dublin, it was the perfect little escape from the busy city that I needed. The hike allowed me to clear my head from the stresses of acclimating to a busy first week of class and working my internship.
Hike Through Wicklow
Our second stop on the getaway was in Kilkenny. Before our tour of the Kilkenny Castle, we were able to grab lunch and explore the small, but active town.
Heading to Lunch in Kilkenny
Is it weird to say that the Kilkenny Castle was life changing? I used to dread tours, especially guided ones. The Kilkenny Castle changed that. Before our scheduled tour, I had the opportunity to walk around the castle grounds. There, I was able to see the castle head on. It looked beautiful from my point of view. This experience made me reflect. Sitting on a bench right next to a castle is not the same as taking the whole thing in. Beauty is within the eyes of the beholder. Everything in life possess value. Some are just too blind to see it.
Kilkenny Castle
One of my favorite rooms in the castle was the Picture Gallery Wing. Art ties hand in hand with beauty. To some, art is boring, I find it fascinating. It is a puzzle of guessing what the artist is trying to portray. The beauty in this guessing game is that ultimately, there is no answer; it is up to your interpretation.
Art?
After our tour at the National Museum of Archeology, some friends and I decided to grab ice cream near Wicklow Street. We stumbled upon a record store. Being a DJ, I had to take a gander. To finish off the day, we grabbed a quick bite at the Bankers Bar. While heading to the bathroom, I came across this framed blue bottle of Heineken. Turns out it was an award given to the bar for 200 years of service. In fine print, you can see the other pubs also given this prize.
