I got out my laptop in order to write about my weekend on the west coast, but instead started writing about my slight lack of competence early this morning. This phenomenon seems to happen quite frequently with regards to this blog, but this is my corner of the Internet, so I’m going to write about what I find to be relevant and entertaining.

This morning I woke up at 3:33 am in order to catch a flight to Brussels. I brushed my teeth, gathered my belongings, and started walking through campus towards the stop where I would catch my bus to the airport. I walked at a brisk pace, knowing that the few extra moments I had laid in bed after my alarm went off (and the intentional time I had used to take a selfie while brushing my teeth in order to brag via my snapchat story about how early I was awake) had me cutting it close. As I rounded the bend to approach the bus stop, I saw the bus sitting there. I wasn’t sure if it was my bus, but it was 3:59 and the bus was to come at 4:00, so I decided to start running towards it just in case. As I ran, one arm flailing, the other holding my rolling suitcase tightly as it tossed and turned and flipped over, I internally laughed at myself but also cursed myself for ending up in situations such as these more often than not.

As I turned around to flip my suitcase back over and utilize the wheels instead of dragging it upside down, my worst fear came to life: the aircoach started pulling away. I chased it down, waving my arms with gusto and yelling at the top of my lungs (much to the surprise and amusement of some of my edgier schoolmates arriving back on campus from the club at the same time I was departing). But alas, my chariot was gone.

I sat at the bus stop and contemplated my options, believing that the next bus was not to arrive for another 30 minutes. I calculated whether or not I would miss my flight if I waited for the next one, and decided to check out the aircoach website. Well, as is typical in this century, the mobile website directed me to the app, which I promptly downloaded. I perused the schedule and eureka! The aircoach drives through UCD every 15 minutes, not every 30 minutes. By this time, it was 4:04 and the next bus was due to arrive at 4:12. Not only would I make it to the airport with ample time, but, more importantly, I would avoid waiting in the chilly morning air for 30 minutes (which honestly was a greater concern of mine).

Well, 4:12 came and went with no arrival of transportation. As 4:13 and 4:14 slowly ticked by, I obsessively checked my new favorite app to see if it could update me with any information. As I glanced up, I saw them. The shining beacons of hope, warmth, and travel convenience: the headlights of the aircoach.

I excitedly opened my phone to pull up my confirmation email that had my ticket, not wanting to inconvenience my sweet savior that would carry me to the airport by fumbling around with my ticket as I mounted the bus. As I opened my email, the bus did not slow down. As it drove right past me, I waved my arms and shouted out. I had made the rookie mistake of not aggressively using my entire body to flag down the bus driver, the typical protocol here in Dublin.

Luckily, the driver saw me and slowed down a few meters past the stop. I haphazardly collected my belongings (as is my nature) and stumbled onto the bus, thanking the driver profusely for catching me at the last minute and shoving my phone in his face to prove I was worthy of his service.

Lo and behold, I made it to the airport and through security with no further qualms and successfully boarded the plane that would take me to Brussels, Corinne, and new adventures. Currently, I am anxiously typing away in order to distract myself from the fact that I am currently very high in the air above the sea. Sometimes I get anxious on planes. Today is one of those times.

However, I have a thermos full of instant coffee, a phone full of entertaining podcasts and bumpin’ tunes, and a plane full of fellow travelers I am sure would be more than excited to assist and support me in the event of a nervous breakdown (now I am simply being dramatic). Additionally, the sunrise is quite beautiful as I fly west above the clouds. Okay, I have finished this post and am on to writing about the beauty and adventure I experienced this past weekend with my marvelous parents and delightful extended family. Eventually, I may even write something about Brussels!

Update: I safely made it to Brussels and very competently took the bus to my accommodations! There was a dancing man on the bus and they drove on the right side of the road and nobody spoke English, but other than that, everything was grand and familiar.