private int parseFacingChar(char facingChar) {

        int facingInt;

        switch (facingChar) {
            case 'N':
                facingInt = NORTH;
                break;
            case 'E':
                facingInt = EAST;
                break;
            case 'S':
                facingInt = SOUTH;
                break;
            case 'W':
                facingInt = WEST;
                break;
            default:
                //this shouldn't happen, but just in case
                throw new IllegalArgumentException("Incorrect argument when parsing direction char");
        }
        return facingInt;
    }