Why yes, Mr. Gerardot, I would love to hang out with you.

So yesterday, the other guys of my household decided to throw a birthday party for one of the guy's little sisters. I believe she was turning 20 and so they threw an 80's birthday party for her. It was cool, except I was not informed about it until yesterday at work. I was okay with it, not a big deal.

Now, as many of you know, I am an extrovert. However, upon coming to Ireland, I have become probably more introverted due to culture shock and not having any friends... well, last night was a great opportunity for me to hang out with a bunch of people my age and have a good time.

So, upon arriving home after a 9 hour work day, I honestly wasn't up for a party very much (not that I do parties much anyway). So, I hung out downstairs with the party for about, a 1/2 hour, had a non-alcoholic drink (it sucked) and talked with some people and met some new ones too. Then, I retired to my room (did I mention this was a drinking party?) Anyway, I hung out with myself for a while, then went back down, talked to some more people, hung out for maybe another 1/2 hour, then retired to my room at like... midnight. So, basically, I hung out with myself last night despite a party going on two floors below me.

And this is what I learned... that what I did last night was okay. Surprised? I discovered last night in my pondering that I felt pressured by my friends (intentional, unintentional, and perceived) to be social and hang out downstairs. I could hear [insert friend's name here] saying 'Justin! Go downstairs and have a good time!' I could hear [another friend] say 'Justin! You are in Ireland! You are wasting your time!' But you know what, I decided that this wasn't true. Be it for whatever reason, it is okay that I am not mister super social here! I realize that socializing is important, and trust me, I do a lot of it during my job and sometimes at home too, but I shouldn't feel like i HAVE to.

Along this wave of thought, I began to find myself comparing my choice in introversion and compared it to another new arrival intern whose name shall be unsaid. Intern (as I shall call this person) has been here for less time than me and is only 18 but since having arrived he has been out and about almost every night, but consequently, has been drunk almost every night. Anyway, I found myself comparing my actions to his, thinking, 'It is better to be antisocial than be that.' Then I stopped, and thought, 'Why am I comparing myself to him? Is there a point in that? It isn't uplifting AND I don't have to compare who I am to someone else!'

So, I have arrived at the decision that for now, it is okay for me to be an introvert. I like my company (for now) and when I am ready to be more social, I will be. The important issue at hand here is that I choose whatever works for me (wow... that sounds relativistic).