'Merica!

I have now been in Ireland for 12 days. A word to the Captain Obvious this isn't quite two weeks, but it also isn't quite 10 days. These were the exact words exchanged between my new friend and I. This same friend, along with a few others I've made here, asked me, "So, when are you moving here?"

This is because in 12 days I've only been to Dublin and Galway. It's clear I love it here and am having a grand time. My mother asked me if I was even going to visit any other country or just stay there. Well of course I am mum, but I'm taking my time and yes, I happen to love it here. I'm currently staying with two amazing men who make my belly hurt from laughing so much. They're warm and generous and remind me of friends and family back home. We snuggle and already have numerous and often criminalizing inside jokes.

We spend our days and nights talking about sex, cultural differences, politics, funny movies, books, our families, past loves, our hopes and our dreams. We also spend a good deal talking about America and poking fun at typically American things. I can now see why America is often seen as a big joke.

Now, I can't speak for America. As much as I'd like everyone in the world to like me for me as well as a representation for America as a whole--I just can't expect that. I can only speak from my own experiences in what I'm learning not only about foreign cultures, but my own culture in a foreign country.

Naturally, one of my many pre-conceived notions about Europe was that Italians are smooth-talking romancers who take their time, same with the Spaniards, the French are austere, Germans don't like to laugh... I didn't believe all these things but you get the idea. What I have found though is almost the complete opposite and what I'm finding is that Europeans as a whole are way better at life than we are.

When my friend asked if I was going to move here he told me he saw me fitting in well because I have a "strange Irishness" about me. I'm pretty sure this means I'm awesome. But seriously, I think it's because of my relaxed "feck it" attitude, sense of humor, and all around jolly towards life and people everywhere which I believe most of the Irish embody as well.

You see, the Irish know how to take their time and have fun. They don't feel the pressures like we do at home. You can imagine my delight in knowing that here, they don't worry about knowing what their future holds for them. It's totally natural and welcome for people to take their time in figuring out what they want to do with their lives.

In America, we're lead to believe we need to have it all figured out. And by the age of 15. We live in the land of fast cars, fast food, quick sex- just to name a few. This isn't an exact for everyone in America and my take of the Irish isn't an exact take on every single European but for the most part, there's a much more tranquil and joyful vibe here. That, or we're all just to drunk to care. Nevertheless, I don't have to feel guilty about having a little "me" time or ending the day with the sun still shining.

I can also get over my hangups here too. I'm sure there are people who play games in Europe but every day I'm here I'm faced with a person, a challenge, or an insight that tells me to get the fuck out of my head already. Here, if you want to sing, then fecking sing. If you want to dance, then fecking dance. If you want to make love all night, then enjoy every millisecond of it. What have you got to lose than sheer joy? In America we let so many possibilities pass us by because they dont't fit into our plans or we worry what the Joneses will think of us if we do something out of character.

Here, do what makes you happy. Literally, not figuratively. I know I touched on this last week but once again, I have found myself in my head this weekend. But I know what I need to work on and am working on it.

I found a wonderful quote by famous Irish writer, G.B. Shaw: "The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is."

I suppose this goes hand in hand with the concept of experience. Living, loving, fucking up, and learning being the salt of life. I can say I'm doing an excellent job at examining a well-lived life. But the examining part is what gets me into more trouble than the trouble itself and I'm learning to just let that all go which happens to be a very good thing to do here in Ireland. Ireland and her people serving  as a friendly cushion and prime example of such self-work.

One of these hangups has to deal with my concept of beauty and love as a by-product. I find people have a taste for more shapes and sizes here. What is sexy is determined at an individual level. I feel weird to admit this but I have never felt sexier in my life than I do here. Beauty isn't taken for granted here--no matter what your shape or size or color--there will be someone who will truly enjoy every inch of you and appreciate you. I'm not sure how to explain this phenomenon but the way men treat me and look at me here is vastly different from the egocentric and objectified way American men look at and treat me. Complete strangers have treated me better than the men and even the friends I once loved. Perhaps this is something