What a beautiful day to be alive .

During the last week or so the weather here at home has been absolutely amazing. Beyond anything Irish people are used to or expect, even for the summer months. One can't help but feel blessed waking up every morning to sunshine seeping in through your curtains and a clear blue sky above you .

I am somewhat unaccustomed to this sort of heat wave experience, especially here at home. The last time we had weather like this in Ireland was apparently 6 or 9 years ago and if I am honest I don't really remember much of it ... but now I know it is fabulous . The mornings are bright, the afternoons are HOT the evenings are refreshing , it is glorious . Being able to leave your window open until 11 p.m at night , because it has almost been bright up until that point and cold air is something that hasn't been here for days ( and is encouraged to stay away for a little while longer) .

This sunshine and fabulous weather being so rare to me , I of course have spent every waking moment I could outside in it , with the result that I have gotten myself a rather red , rather painful exterior. Yes my pasty Irish skin was unprepared for the intensity of the sunshine and ...well lets just say I am no longer pasty !! But I am not complaining, buckets of after sun later and staying in the shade is perfectly fine , I am happy to see this sun stay for as long as possible :)

This truly feels like this is  what summer should be , blue skies, sunshine, flowers growing, warm sea water, writing in the sand , sandals, sunglasses, reading books  , BBQs , friends , family and beautiful sunsets ... it's the summer you hear about it books and see in movies . The perfect summer . This is a blessing , to experience such beautiful days . We must appreciate every glorious day , because everyday is glorious .Thank God every day for what we get. Every day is ... a beautiful day to be alive .

Aoife Marie Elizabeth ♪

Faith , Friendship and Music ♪♫

There are few times in the year and few places in the world that give me more joy and lifts my heart more then that first week in July when I travel to Maynooth and experience what has to be my favorite week in the entire year. It is practically impossible to put into words how much this week means to me.

When I drive though the gates of St.Patricks College Maynooth at the beginning of the week I am filled with the extraordinary joy of what is to come . My heart literally lifts and I am full of excitement for the week to come, the people i will meet and the music I will experience. There is nothing like this in the entire world and there is nothing that could take it's place in my heart. 

There are many experiences throughout the week that bring equal excitement. First arriving and meeting everyone as they arrive from all over the country is one of my favorite parts of the week  - Hugging my friends from all over and  picking up where we left off sometimes almost a year before. Receiving my new set of music books that because as usefully as my right hand for the week and remain always by my side , full of magnificent music by amazingly talented composers . Helping new people who are here for the first time , bringing them to their rooms and watching them throughout the week....watching them fall in love with the place as I did 5 years ago. Watching them fill with awe and wonder at how fantastically beautiful this experience is . 

I have met the most amazing people in Maynooth , friends that will literally be part of my life forever . It is a testament to our friendship that we can just pick everything up from where we left it a year later without seeing each other throughout the year . Although we do try to meet during the year it is not always easy , and   practically impossible to get everyone in the same place at the same time again . So that is why the week of Summer School is so special , everyone is there , we are all together and it is wonderful. 

Every year I always meet new people , wonderful people that just make you want to smile and love life. This year I met several fantastic people , I helped these people to their rooms while chatting about the fabulous music, the wonderful place and how wonderful it is. I love helping people and it makes it so worth it to hear them say at the end of our chats " You're a great girl" , in fact "great" seemed to be the adjective of the week , everything was great, everyone was great .... life is great when you are in Maynooth. 

The fabulous music experienced at Summer school is like no other. It is practically impossible to put into words . Walking around the hallowed hallways hearing beautiful music glorifying God to the high heavens . I remember walking into bottom loftus on the first day and just being overwhelmed by how fantastic it was to be back , how glorious to be around my Maynooth family and how enlightening it was to hear God being glorified with one of the most beautiful and fantastic things in this world.... music . 

So now I sit here , missing my lovely friends , wishing I could hear that glorious music with wonderful people in the fabulous college chapel but knowing that although I am lonesome and missing everything about it - I know that the glorious experience , the fabulous people and the feeling and need to Glorify God to the most high will last in my mind and my heart for the rest of my life. I am truly blessed .

   
Aoife Marie Elizabeth ♪