Distance and priorities

One difference that is most certainly clear between Northern Ireland and America is the pace of life. I thought I would be working long and hard here, non-stop. When I am assigned to a group I do work long days (8am-midnight) but I also have a decent amount of time off between groups. During this time off I get to catch up on sleep, exercise, good cooking, and all the thinking I never had a chance to do during college when other people got to tell me what to think about.
One thing that I've considered is priorities. What's really important in life? When you meet with people who live in less than ideal conditions or have suffered great tragedies, it makes you realize how good you really do have it. And you realize that work and money take a far backseat to spending time with the people in your life. This shift in priorities is good, I think, but it can cause clashes with those who think otherwise.
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Tonight I watched the entire 5th season of Sex and the City with three of the other volunteers. We snuggled up in the pit around the fireplace with a laptop on the hearth (no fire at the time) on tons of cushions with our duvets off our beds. We ate cheese toasties, drank hot chocolate and laughed til we nearly cried. These are the times that I will remember most and most fondly. :)