4 months later and the "check engine" light is still on-driving again.

While in Dublin, I forgot all about driving. I forgot what it felt like to drive, how my car operated, and most importantly, that it’s okay to turn right on a red light. hahaha...

When I returned, I was actually quite concerned I would not remember how to function behind the wheel of a car, but after a slow exit from my cul-de-sac, and a cautious look both ways before pulling out, it was like I had never stopped driving. Hands on the wheel (ten and two, of course) and radio turned slightly lower than usual (for fear of crashing after four months of not driving), I cautiously rolled down my windows and the confidence slowly started to return. It was really nice to drive through the streets of Goose Creek and say hello to my original stomping grounds.

I said hello to my local Bi-Lo, Publix, and Blockbuster, all the while feeling like I was looking at everything with a fresh pair of eyes. I’d been gone so long I was just trying to take everything in and see what had changed! Turns out, for example, a local church near my house has been completed after 5 months of renovation, and the thing looks amazing!

Also, I forgot how distracing a good billboard can be. Darn advertisers ;)

On my journey home, a particular song came on that really reminded me of my friends in Dublin. It was Rihanna’s “Rude Boy, one of our favorite songs to dance to in Ireland, and I actually started to tear up while listening to it. Not safe while driving, I know, but I just couldn’t help myself! I made such great friends in Ireland, and we had such a great time together, that it makes me so upset to have to leave that behind. After I composed myself, Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” came on and I lost it all over again, haha. It’s probably not best to drive when one is so emotional :)

Despite my wildly emotional state and the lack of recent driving experience, I made it safely home and immediately began to write down all the details of my driving adventure. It was a wonderful trip, and can only be compared to flexing a weak muscle after months of not working out. Kind of crazy, I know, but it really did take a few minutes for everything to come flooding back.

I will say, though, I am going to miss the 30-minute walk to and from school everyday. When the weather was nice and my ipod was charged, that walk to and from school could sometimes be the best part of my day! I plan to do much more walking now that I’m back, especially when it’s just a quick trip to the store to buy cookie mix for Kelly and I, haha :)

Keep reading for more about my re-introduction back into American life!