An Irish Floridian’s Dichotomous Life

 

Well, it has been about 4.5 months since I have written anything. I’ve been neglectful, I know. I’m sorry. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. Or at least to keep reading anyway. It has been a busy few months with never-ending amounts of studying but I can proudly say that it has all paid off and I PASSED THE FLORIDA BAR EXAM!!!! It’s amazing how something you have worked and prayed for can shock you once you achieve it. Last night, while eating dinner, I looked at Husband and said, “I spent four months sitting at this table, from 8-5, 5 days a week, studying. And that was before I got into it hardcore. I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.” I am so incredibly blessed.

But back to justifying my absence. For about 1.5 months I was home in Florida, soaking up the sunshine and the swimming and wearing shorts and tank tops everyday. It was like Heaven. But a friend made a very good point about my now dichotomous life.

I spent 30 years living in Florida, appreciating the warmth but craving the cold. I would complain that we didn’t have a real winter. I would pine for scarves and boots and pretty winter clothes. Fall was (and still is) my favorite season because the evenings would cool down and the air would feel crisp and my Sista, BFF and I would decorate for our favorite time of the year. And we would take the Munchkin trick-or-treating and then sit outside in the nice cool breeze giving out candy to rambunctious kids excited for Halloween. And, of course, because of pumpkin spice lattes. They always make an appearance before Halloween, and you can enjoy them past Thanksgiving, along with other delicious pumpkiny treats. But the dichotomy begins upon recognizing that I spent most of my life in Florida huddled next to the air conditioning vent, begging for the cool air and stripping off my clothes. Well, at least to the extent that it was legal. And then I moved.

I moved to the Emerald Isle (do they really call Ireland that? I’m not sure. I heard it in a movie once. It’s definitely green everywhere), and formed the other side of the dichotomy. I moved here in January, with my huge coat, and my boots and my cousin’s soccer socks. I felt like I was prepared for the winter. Man, I could NOT have been more wrong. And apparently, I got a MILD one!! This so-called “mild winter” had me huddled in many layers that I have previously mentioned, and basically strapped to the electric heater or the fireplace. Well, near the fireplace. Fire safety is no joke, kids. The weather has been pretty nice since I arrived back from my summer in Florida, like Ireland has been trying to prove itself. Saying, “See?? You went to Florida where it was 92F/32C. That’s too hot for a regular human being! Come to Ireland! Love us! It is in the high 60s/low 70s here! We know how to do summer.” Although, some people still think this is kind of warm, Husband included (if it gets into the mid-70s). But the dichotomy continues, as I huddle up for warmth here.

And yet, I enjoy living in both places. Both places can be very pretty. Both places have good and bad weather. Both have our loving family and an awesome Baha’i community, although I don’t really have any friends here. I’m trying, though. I have started taking a ballet class and have met a couple of very nice girls. I will be seeing them tonight in our 3^rd week of class.

It all brings me to my final realization: we want what we don’t have. Well….other than my family and friends being far away, I have everything I want. I can put up with the dichotomous life for a little bit.