The Name Game

I must share how the name of my blog came about.

When I was a junior in college, I was fortunate enough to be able to study abroad for a semester (almost 3 years ago - yikes time flies!). I had always wanted to go to Ireland and this experience has been one of the best in my life so far. For four months, about 25 of my Loyola classmates and I were given the most incredible opportunity to live in Cork, Ireland.

Being that we were in a different country, away from our families and American culture, it became apparent that the 25 of us would become much closer than we could have ever been back at our home campus in Baltimore, MD. In particular, I became close with about 5 people who helped to make my experience so much better! We travelled all over Europe together, took classes together, went to pubs together and really took advantage of what it meant to be "Irish citizens."

It is no secret that I love to laugh and genuinely think most people are hysterical. I can laugh for minutes at something most people would just briefly chuckle at - but I have been this way my whole life and I have to admit that I don't mind it at all. Most people tell me that I make them feel funnier - so i think it is a good thing all around. :)

One of my friends, John, has one of the quickest wits and we became very close on this trip. He is a huge fan of a great pun and shared many with the group throughout our four months. John and I love nicknames and after a few weeks into the trip, he addressed me "Afternoonan." Naturally, the nickname stuck. It has evolved so that every text, g-chat conversation, email, phone call begins with a "Good Afternoonan" from John (who I fondly refer to as "The Mac Attack" - a play on his last name).

I made sure to get permission from Mac to use this genius nickname as the title of my blog and he was all for it!

So, what's in a name? Well, for this one - it is a ton of memories of an unforgettable experience with friends who will last a lifetime!