Éirinn

Before I begin, I need to apologize to Ariel for this.

In 2020 she had planned to take a milestone birthday trip with some friends, and while the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic, we had a great party and played music outside and had a wonderful time for her birthday that year. And then, as many of us did after the pandemic, I managed to forget all about most of what happened that entire time, including the fabulous party in the park. Consciously, at least. So when I planned this trip a year ago I hadn't remembered that she had intended to go on a big trip for her birthday that year, and when she mentioned a few months ago about how much fun we had had back then, celebrating in the park in the middle of a global pandemic, I felt like crap. Because I was a terrible friend. Not only had I forgotten, but also managed to remember in a awful, subconscious way, because I clearly internalized that it was the best idea ever. And then went and planned my own milestone birthday trip to the same place. So Ariel, I am very sorry for this. But as you're about to spend the better part of a year in Italy doing research on something you love very much (congrats!!!), I hope you'll forgive me for going on the trip the pandemic took from you :(

Because I am on a plane to Ireland.