Lights….Camera….Action!
The photographs above, were taken at a black-tie awards ceremony for data analytics companies in Ireland. Sunstone, the company I am working for, was invited to attend this event. All of the companies present shared one commonality: implementing the use of generative AI to solve real world problems. This once in a lifetime event was eye opening. It gave me a glimpse into the future of technology and innovation. Many executives from large companies including Pfizer, ESB, and Gas Networks of Ireland were present. I took advantage of the opportunity to network and discuss keys to success post-graduation with these intelligent people. Even though my company did not win any awards, my coworkers and I made the most of this magical night. I was surprised that we were the only company left standing on the dance floor when the event concluded. It made me realize how close-knit of a community Sunstone had and I pondered why other companies, especially larger ones, lacked this.
Cliffs of Moher
Seeing the Cliffs of Moher at first was emotional. The last time I was here, my family and I spread my grandparents’ ashes over the cliffs. This photograph was taken at the exact spot five years ago where we completed the act. I had to hold back some tears at first. However, sitting alone, feeling the soft grass beneath me, and looking out into ocean, allowed me to reconcile with my past experience. It allowed me to understand the validity in my family’s actions. My grandparents wanted so badly to travel to Ireland and reconnect with their heritage but never had the opportunity. We did the next best thing by letting them finally rest peacefully in their ancestral homeland.
Weekend Trip to Galway
This past weekend our group traveled to Galway, a harbor city on Ireland’s west coast. The city’s hub featured an 18th-century style square. This square is a popular meeting spot for tourists and locals to enjoy traditional pubs that offer live Irish folk music.
Is this Inishmore or Another Planet?
Biking around Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, has been one of my favorite things on the trip so far. Not only did I feel connected with nature, but I was also able to lose myself in what felt like, the terrain of another planet.
Kylemore Abbey
The last stop on our weekend getaway was the Kylemore Abbey. This Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. Originally built as a private residence, it was eventually purchased by Belgian Benedictine nuns in 1920, who established a monastery and ran an international boarding school for girls until 2010. The estate boasts stunning Gothic architecture and picturesque surroundings. My roommates and I, still recovering from our cramped hostel room, enjoyed a peaceful walk along the grounds. The photograph captured below is of a tree that caught my eye while walking to the garden. The bark that once made up the tree’s outer shell was now completely overrun with soft green moss.
An Aesthetically Pleasing Tree
