Sei Giorni!

I think the fact that I had to type 'six days!' into google translator says a lot about my preparations for this upcoming semester. Up until this point, my only language experience has consisted of me interrupting the Italian Club's conversation hour and shouting out different foods that I know. However, I'm praying that as long as I know how to say "mozzarella", "buongiorno" and "per favore" I will be good, at least for the first week. . .Thank God for Italian 101.


I am so blessed and so excited to be spending my spring semester in beautiful Rome, Italy! I have so much to look forward to, but my last six days in America are filled with final preparations and trying desperately to learn how to use a corkscrew. . . I'm motivated to blog primarily so I can avoid setting my parents up on facebook, but also because amidst many tearful goodbyes (sorry, Em) it has been a lot easier to say "I'll (sniffle) be sure (tears) tosendyoumyblog (more choking back tears). As someone who is awful at goodbyes, this has been very helpful.


I know that this is going to be the semester of a lifetime, and I hope and pray that I will take advantage of every opportunity that is put in my path. In an effort to avoid blogging like I talk (excessive amounts, fast, disjointed. . .), I've come up with a sort of template with four things I hope to share with you guys each time. Alright, here we go:


1. Something I Learned About Myself:
I hate packing. (Okay, I've known this for a long time but it is manifesting itself in ways I never thought possible when packing for four months. Every time I've tried to make progress, I've thrown a few more things into a corner, done some more "research" online and then convinced myself that I deserve a break. 


2. The Best Thing that I Ate: 
More like, what I am looking forward to eat!  Until then, I am giving myself permission to eat as much "American" food as possible. . .However, I certainly won't be in the business of complaining about all the delicious food I'll be eating. And although I will miss my beloved diet coke (I think it will be the hardest goodbye), I have a feeling a few things in Rome will compare. 

                

3. An Adventure I Went On (will go on): 
I am looking forward to the near future where I am certain countless adventures are waiting for me, but for now, I think that navigating my way to the center city of Rome without crying, collapsing or reverting to trying to speak in english or french will be an adventure in and of itself. In order to execute this, I'm praying for: someone who shares the armrest on the plane, a non-stressful customs experience and quick hands with my English-Italian dictionary. 


4. The Craziest/Most Interesting Thing That I Saw (will see):
As a lifelong Catholic, I am chomping at the bit to get over to the Vatican. And the fact that it is a short-ish walk from where I will be going to school is a lot for me to wrap my head around, but a huge blessing. We will be celebrating the feast of the Epiphany with our Pope on January 6th. Best early birthday present ever! Crazy is definitely one way to put it. 

Now that these formalities are out of the way, I promise things will only get more interesting from here! I'm thankful that you are on this journey with me. Please pray for safe travels for everyone in our program, and you'll be hearing from me in Rome!