Today was a rainy, windy day in Limerick. It was a cross between Watertown and Ithaca weather. I had no problem with it. I am going to get on just fine here. The day was full, but the highlight was meeting with Helen Phelan, program director and founder of the MA Ritual Chant and Song program. Helen will serve as my advisor and I am thrilled. She is warm and fully alive, brilliant young woman, with joy in her eyes and a radiant energy that it is engaging and endearing. I will love working with her.

My course work is already beginning to take shape. I will soon be immersed in the heart of the program, which is Western Plain Chant. I have already ordered some of the books I will need in hopes of a head start. My ultimate goal is to take a broader view, however, so my first elective will be to look at Jewish ritual chant and then to go on from there. I will be working with the Dublin Jewish community and will also have opportunities to connect with others. My thesis is already beginning to take shape. I will be exploring the role of chant in the ritual context and its impact on the contemplative practices of multiple faith traditions. Ultimately I will only have time to concentrate more fully on a few select traditions.

That's as far as we have gotten and that's a good start. I am more enthused than ever and look forward to digging in. But for the short term, I am going on tour tomorrow, a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, with stops along the way. This day tour will begin to give me an overview of where I might want to visit in the off time and where I will want to take my visitors. I will take pictures.

It was a lovely day. I hope yours was the same.