salutations.

Charlotte: Salutations!
Wilbur: Salu-what?
Charlotte: Salutations!
Wilbur: What are they? And where are you? Please tell me where you are and what are salutations?
Charlotte: Salutations are greetings. When I say salutations, it's just my fancy way of saying hello or good morning. Actually, it's a silly expression, and I am surprised that I used it at all. As for my whereabouts, that's easy. I'm up here. Look, I'm waving. See me now?

Charlotte's Web, E.B. White

Hello. I'm Sinéad.
The First Time in most arenas is never easy, and a first post is no exception-- except that, of course, this is not my first blog post ever. Two years ago, I recorded my adventures while studying abroad in Paris via blog (you can find it here).
Now that college is over-- I graduated from Villanova University in May with two bachelors degrees, one in English and one in "Honors"-- and I've entered a new phase of my life, I decided it was time to give this another go. Though my life back at home isn't fabulously interesting, I have had some really amazing adventures so far this summer. It also doesn't hurt to know that I'll be leaving in January for South Africa, where I'll be living and volunteering for a year with the Augustinian Volunteers. Judging by the success of my French blog, I think this one will be useful for friends & family wondering about my whereabouts during the next two years or so.

I'm not quite sure yet how this whole thing will pan out. I love writing but I haven't yet decided what types of things I'll include here on Sinéad, Freshly-Squeezed (SFS-- clever, eh?). Oh, and if you're wondering about the name, it comes from a rebus that my friend Melissa drew for me while I worked at a summer camp this summer (more on that later):

shin + lemonade - lemon = shinade

And freshly-squeezed because, well, let's assume that whatever I post here will be relatively hot off the press.
And so concludes the awkward First Time. Let's hope there will be a lot fewer elbows in the wrong places from now on.