Story courtesy of Emma Shortenhaus and the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
I’ve always looked at the world through colors. Every picture I take, I save a million new colors on my camera, all consolidated into a single memory. As a painter, I convey messages and emotions best through the use of color, when words cannot do it justice. The average Joe might just see “a whole lotta green” in Ireland; I see a story, my story, waiting to be told.
New Beginnings
Green represents new beginnings, the gift of nature and the beauty of renewal—of starting something new.
I am a seasoned traveler, but this would be the first time traveling internationally by myself. After saying goodbye to my family at the airport, I headed into the next 10 days excited and fearful. The people I was in the class with were more akin to strangers than peers or comrades. I had no idea what to anticipate, other than a few homework assignments and what was on our itinerary. Four days in Dublin, two nights away in Galway and Inishmore and the last six days back in Dublin.
Envy
The common phrase, “green with envy,” has always puzzled me. Does it make you sick? Maybe the jealousy of the beauty of a precious emerald could drive someone mad.
Back home, I am heavily involved in theater and music. That is where almost my entire social network lies, and that leaves me little time to meet new people. When I first arrived, I felt socially stunted. Everyone seemed to mesh well, and some already had solid, established relationships. I felt ostracized for the first two days, and that jealousy had slowly made home in my heart, towering walls as high as the forts of Ireland.
Luck
Luck and Ireland seemed like low-hanging fruit to represent green. But those fruits are most likely to have the sweetest juices.
The start of my study abroad wasn’t all lows, though. I did hit the jackpot with my roommate, Maggie. At the start of the class, we discovered that we were the only two advertising students in the group, and found solace in each other. Maggie was the only one I fully trusted, and I immediately found we had lots in common. She would go out of her way to include and welcome me. Slowly, the walls in my mind ceased construction, as I paused to enjoy the view.
Action
Green means go in traffic, and I had to spring into action after fully realizing how unhappy I was. I decided things needed to change.
I confided in my few new peers, as well as the faculty, about what I need to do to have a new perspective on this trip. A quote from my professor, James McNab, put it simply: “Don’t anticipate, participate.” Those three words latched onto me, and I put them into practice immediately. I had worked myself up wondering what others thought about my actions and words, rather than taking the moment as it is, and being present for it.
Growth
Growing plants need time, attention and are usually green. In the same way, an artist has to perfect a color before laying it onto the canvas.
As we headed away from Dublin, I had to expand my horizons and start making connections. Luckily, what better way to connect with people than to spend two days in cramped hostels with five other girls? This close-quarters setting made it easier for me to participate in activities, go on little adventures, and somehow end up in a tiny little pub called McSwiggan’s with 10 people, drinking and laughing about anything and everything. I started to bloom with confidence and slowly expanded my circle of trust.
Loyalty
Loyalty doesn’t have a recognizable color in society, but when I make a promise, I see a sage green, the color of my bridesmaid dress, when I promised my cousin to make her wedding day special.
Small hostels and doors that do not dampen any noise, our second day was on the tiny island of Inishmore. I started to confide and let other people in my group into my heart, and hoped they would accept me for who I am. I was reaching out to more people to share deeper, meaningful conversations and experiences with them. I took leaps of faith with these people on that island, metaphorically and literally.
Life
This great green Earth is full of life. From the littlest grass blade to the flowing kelp along the Atlantic sea. Each one is different and has its own life, one way or another.
The last night, our group was out on the West side of Ireland, and I had an epiphany about my experiences. I will probably never have an experience like this again. Sure, I’ll probably be back to Ireland one day, but it will never be with these people, at this age, with this opportunity ever again. Naturally, I started to absorb every little joy and sorrow of each moment. Laughing until my sides hurt and my eyes watered late at night with my friends, dancing and singing show tunes whenever we could. I hadn’t smiled or felt so much fervor for life since I was a little girl at summer camp.
Peace
Peace to me symbolizes a wholeness, camaraderie and serenity. When I’m on a rocking boat while my friends sleep and I read, it is not just queasiness green I feel.
Returning to the mainland, I’ve come back with a new harmony and confidence within myself. I don’t have to worry if I’ll have someone to sit on the bus with, or if I need a buddy to run to the convenience store at 2 a.m. with. My classmates and my friends all have my back. I sleep better at night, knowing that I sleep near people whom I trust and who trust me equally. There’s no “if I have fun” question anymore; it’s the standard with these amazing people.
Wealth
In America, green is associated with monetary wealth. But Ireland uses Euros, so wealth is measured in memories here.
Once in a lifetime moments, meals from native Irish culture to McDonald’s late at night, what music I’m listening to, is worth its weight in gold to me. I will refuse to ever cash in those memories, and I will pass them on to generations after. In addition, throughout the trip, I’ve learned so much about how to actively stay posting media and getting content so I can share with the world through the art of storytelling.
The Unobtainable
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby still is one of my favorite novels to this day, despite reading it in seventh grade. The green light on Daisy’s dock shows what we desire most out of our lives, knowing deep down, we will never experience it.
I don’t think I’ll ever have a perfect vacation. I wish I could’ve written this article saying that everything about this experience was perfect and worth it. But that’s the thing about the green light. We have to accept what we have in our lives right now and roll with it. I’m thankful that I cried, got angry and was frustrated. I’m also grateful for the laughs, the learning and the love I’ve experienced on this trip. I’ll never get to that green light, but I’m okay with that.
Conclusion
These shades are much more than a monochromatic mood board; they are my memories, my tears and my love poured into Ireland. I have taken every shade from these photos and have done what I do best. Tell a story through color.
