Howth marks a change in my life because it represents the transformative power of traveling. I grew up my entire life hearing stories about family members that I never got to meet about their life in Ireland. I read their diaries and letters to my great grandmother explaining how their life differed, the good, the bad and the ugly. It was mostly always good things. I wanted to visit my entire life. Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit my ancestors home in Kilkenny, Ireland, however the day trip, I took to Howth opened my eyes to all the letters, I read years before.

The place: Glastonbury, CT, marks a change in my life because when I was tweleve I moved there from Austin, Texas. I never heard anything about New England before and assumed it was honestly in England. I started a new school here in January and also saw snow in a residential place for the first time, instead of on vacation. If someone else were researching this place they'd find it through one of the best school districts in Connecticut.

Hallsboro Middle School marks a change in my life because it was a new school and environment.

University of Oxford, more specifically Pembroke College, marks a change in my life because it was the first time I traveled outside of the country without my family. I realized that traveling and learning didn't have to be static (in a university) but that it could be full of life created by experiences and meeting new people. If someone were researching this place they would find, through the University's Our History tab on their website, that it is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Pembroke College shows a change in my independence.

Highclere Castle, located in Newbury, England, was the castle used for filming Downtown Abbey. My mother and I visited the castle in May, and explored the grounds. If someone was researching this place, they would find great information on the castle's own webpage regarding filming locations, tours, and exhibits. (linked below) Located in the countryside south of Newbury, Highclere was the picture of elegance and royalty.