Today marks nine months since I arrived to Ireland on October 1st last year. There have been some encouraging developments over the last three months, including:
• Being invited to several job interviews and receiving a few offers (no further update from University College Dublin today);
• Continuing to build my social network;
• Completing the last module of the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) curriculum (although I’m planning on repeating at least one module for good measure);
• Getting both doses of the Pfizer vaccine (technically I won’t be fully vaccinated until next week); and
• Enjoying more of what Dublin has to offer as Ireland reopens after a long and strict lockdown.
At the same time, there have been some setbacks and disappointments. On the social front, some connections have lead to dead ends, which is to be expected when meeting new people. Lately I have been increasingly anxious about my personal finances as I’ve spent a little less than half of my reserves. And because my career goals have been top priority, I haven’t explored much outside of Dublin despite domestic travel restrictions having been lifted.
Overall, life is pretty good. I’m counting my blessings, especially when thinking about the trials and tribulations some of my friends back in the U.S. have had to face recently. Earlier this year, a friend in San Francisco was rear-ended at high speed by another driver while sitting in his car at a traffic light. He sustained serious injuries and had to undergo shoulder surgery. Thankfully he’s on the road to recovery, but it will be a long one. Last month, another close friend unexpectedly had to move and then decided to leave a job that wasn’t working out. And just today, I heard from a friend who is in the hospital after having a heart attack this past weekend. Although it is worrisome news, he’s receiving top notch treatment and will be undergoing bypass surgery soon, so it could have been much worse.
It’s been a warm, dry day in Dublin, although a bit hazier than yesterday, with highs around 70 F / 20 C. Earlier in the day, I start the last section of study material for the second CMA exam. It’s all about professional ethics, which is heavy on concepts and light on calculations, so it’s relatively easy. Next week and up until the exam on July 14, I’ll need to really hunker down to review all the material and go through at least a couple full 4-hour exam simulations. With my studies for the day complete, I have an urge to get out to enjoy the nice weather. It feels like I haven’t been on a proper walk in weeks. After lunch, I don my wireless headphones, queue up a podcast, and head out towards the now very familiar destinations of Grafton Street, St. Stephens Green and Iveagh Gardens. The flora of the city is in full summer mode. Where spring tulips were once planted, geraniums and petunias now blossom. Rose gardens are awake with colour and fragrance. The city is abuzz with people sitting in front of cafes and pubs, filling up the shopping districts, picnicking and sunbathing in the parks. In the outdoors, it feels no different from any other normal summer. The mandatory facemasks and restrictions of indoor life are the only reminders that the pandemic is not yet over.
Until next time….
