mmm, it's fall. and i love it.

As I was riding my bike back home from a long day a school, I couldn’t help but smile. The air was crisp, there was a light breeze, and I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and didn’t sweat while riding my bike. So many reasons to smile.

Fall is one of those times of year that I absolutely love. The changing of the seasons is filled with newness. Perhaps that’s why I love it so much.

Now, my posts aren’t going to be nearly as cool because I’m not in the amazing city of Florence anymore, but life moves on—and I feel that it’s good to share life-things with those of you who still want to read about it.

My last post was in February. That’s a long time ago.

Here’s a quick synopsis of my life:

Since February, I’ve arrived safely back into the United States. I babysat almost all summer for some wonderful families back at home, and then I came back to Elon to finish out my senior year.

Sheesh. Senior Year? It’s come so fast. How it got to this point, I don’t know.

Since I’ve been back at Elon, I’ve realized a few life-things.

For example:

I really love my friends.

-This semester I moved back into O’Kelly and have been blessed with 4 new amazing roommates. These women are up for anything. They are lively, vivacious, caring, supportive and SO much fun. I couldn’t ask for better roomies.

The florence friends that I made while abroad are still so near and dear to my heart. I love love love spending time with all of them. It truly warms my heart. Also, my sweet signature ladies will always keep me young at heart. love them to pieces.

I miss singing.

-In August, I found through a doctor’s appointment that I have a hemorrhage on my right vocal cord. Since I found out, I haven’t been able to sing. No singing. At all. If you know me at all, you know that this is next to impossible for me. The first two weeks after I was ‘diagnosed,’ I literally had to slap myself every so often so that I wouldn’t sing. I sing in the shower, to the kids I’m babysitting for, with songs on the radio… basically, I sing all the time.

When I found out that I couldn’t sing, it really left me feeling somewhat lonesome inside. I am literally counting down the days until my next doctor’s appointment. Hopefully, then, the hemmorhge will have healed, and then I can sing again! :)

However, I feel that I've learned to appreicate what I've always taken for granted. My ability to express joy through song.

I have no idea what I’m going to be when I grow up.

-I called my mom in a frizzy this year, trying to talk through options of what I’m going to do when I “grow up.” It’s insanity for me to think that at this time next year, I NEED to have a job. And, preferably one that I love. That’s why I’m meeting with a career counselor. Ha. Hopefully this will help.

Sometimes, I just like to think of all the different types of jobs that I want to try.

PR Practitioner? Farmer? Scuba Diver? Barista? Missionary? Doctor? Marketer?

I feel that my mind tends to wander, sometimes creatively, about what my future would be like under each of these categories. Sometimes, the un-sureness is fun. Sometimes, it’s extremely frustrating. However, I’ve decided to let it be fun for now.

I love not having 8am classes anymore. I actually feel rested during the day. I didn’t know that could happen.

I love some of the small things in life.

Example: writing on bananas. This sounds weird. But try it, and you’ll know what I mean. Grab a pen, and write on the peel of the banana. It’s so smooth.

I’m convinced that instead of sending my kids off to school with a letter in their lunchbox, it will be a banana… with lots of writing on it. I think they will like that. Unless they hate bananas. Humm.

Also, Shea introduced me to edamame. You should try them. Yumm.

Tandem Biking. is SO fun. Ellie has a tandem bike, and when you ride it—you can’t help but die laughing. Probably because you think you’re going to die, but it’s so much fun at the same time. Plus, when you go tandem biking, people look at you like they’ve just seen a ghost. It’s fun.

I love researching opportunities for going back abroad after graduation. I really want to go overseas again after I graduate—because, I figure, if I don’t do it now, I don’t know when I will get the chance to ever again. This is the prime time of my life. Gotta take advantage of it. So, sometimes, I waste loads of time on the internet exploring options. If you have suggestions, send ‘em my way!

I love thinking about FALL things too. Pumpkin picking, pumpkin pies, hay rides, corn mazes, candy corn. Anything fall, I’m excited about.

Though my life isn't full of adventures to Venice, Rome, or Paris--there are still exciting things, even if they do seem small.

Don't let the small things pass you by today. :)

Oh, how the weeks go by.

There is an Amy Grant song called “Oh How the Years Go By” that is wonderful. It's complete with the classic 90s synthetic bass. Needless to say, it's a winner.

I walked around this morning and realized that I was humming this ancient 1994 tune that I used to blast in my room nearly every day. Of course, her whole “House of Love” album was my favorite.

The lyrics are as follows:

“Oh how the years go by/ oh how the love brings tears to my eyes/ all through the changes the soul never dies/ we fight, we laugh, we cry/ as the years go by.”

Today, I simply began replacing the word “years” with “weeks,” and then it became perfectly applicable to my life.

(I never used to sing lyrics correctly anyway. Just ask my sister.)

Regardless, when I was humming it I realized how quickly time really does fly by.

It’s been a whole month since my arrival here in Florence.

A whole month.

Honestly, I don’t know how that happened, but here we are…one month later.

For my lack of writing, I do apologize. However, it just means that I’m out and about- simply having the time of my life.

The learning, the fun, the excitement- it all constantly continues here. Though it would be nearly impossible for me to update you on all that has occurred in the past 2 weeks, I’ll do my very best.

Also, I like lists. Noting that, I'll make one for you to condense everything I’ve done.

These are a few of my favorite things (in no particular order):

1. 1. - -- I joined our school’s soccer team. AEF. We play in tournaments, and it’s actually pretty awesome. Did I mention that I’ve never really played soccer before? Woops. But it’s still awesome.

1. 2. --Seeing the Sistine Chapel. We went to Rome last weekend, and ventured there. I looked up, and I saw Michelangelo’s “God Creates Man” above my head. Not only was I amazed to be in this space, but I felt a tear drip from my eye. It was something that I can’t describe. I didn’t feel so nutty when I looked over and saw an older man crying right next me me. All I could say was, wow.

--Throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck.

1. 4. --Catching a 4:35am train to Venice two weekends ago. The ticket was much cheaper. Plus, we got there by 8!

5. - --Being in Venice during Carnival. So many masks! AND crazy costumes.

1. 6. --- The waterways instead of roads in Venice. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I think I want to go back… again.

7. ---My cooking class with Fabrizio. We learned how to make homemade pasta noodles. Then, we used that dough to make fresh ravioli. It was one of the most delicious meals that I have EVER made.

8. ----Going out for Apertivo with our professor, Enrico. Apertivo is this amazing meal… basically you pay for a drink of your choice, and then there is a buffet that you can eat as much as you please. That never happens in Italy.

9. --- Seeing the sunset while standing at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. After a rainy, gloomy day- it was the most beautiful surprise.

10. ---- Some Roman boys telling us that they were “Pricipessas”- meaning princesses. I think they were mistaken.

11. -----Riding the superfast (155mph) train to Rome. Eurostar, you’re a good friend to me.

12. -----Having beautiful weather when were at the Colosseum in Rome. Made for some nice exploring time.

13. -----Laughing with friends here. Also, we have started hugging more. It makes me happy.

14. ---Girls night. We had some great food and wonderful company at some of the girls apartments the other night. It was lovely.

15. ---Running through the city, shouting, “I love Italy!” quite loudly. Because we do. And because we can.

16. --- My weekly blackberry jam croissant from Café Corona. YUM. I must limit myself, or else I'll come back home 50 lbs. heavier.

17. ----Stratcciatella Gelato. Especially from Neri, or from the Gelato places in Rome. Never have I ever enjoyed desert this much.

18. ----I love the fact that it’s getting warmer here… almost onto spring weather. Yes.

19. ---- Our victory get-together after our soccer win last night. We went to a pub called Old Stove and I got a SnakeBite. Get it. It’s yummy.

20. ---Using my Flip Video Camera to make some fun videos. (I’ll post them at the bottom.) J

Of course, this is not as extensive as it could be- but these are some highlights from my time here in Florence, Venice, and Rome in the past two weeks.

This upcoming weekend I hope to take a few day trips to the areas surrounding Florence and also explore Florence more as well!

As for now, it is clear that the weeks are going by faster than I would have ever imagined.

I'm embracing what I've got. And that's another 2 months. I'm always thankful, always so thankful.

Hope you enjoy the videos below. :)

This is a video from Venice 2 weekends ago:

And this is a video from Rome, just last weekend:

Learning.

In the past several days, I have learned a large amount of things.

For instance, I have learned that I actually like chocolate.

This past Friday, our class took a field trip (Yes, it was a FIELD TRIP- haha) to a Chocolate Festival that was going on here in Florence. You see, at home I don’t always enjoy chocolate. Some people are in awe of this, and wish they were me-but honestly I always wished I enjoyed it more than I do.

This all changed the moment we stepped into the festival.

Everything was chocolate. Not only was it an art form for many of the vendors, but they also took a huge amount of pride in the chocolate that they were selling. So much pride that they gave us free samples. Nothing could have been better. It was beyond incredible.

I tried some “soft” chocolate and instantly melted. It was delicious. It was a hazelnut type of chocolate, and it was beyond anything my taste buds could have ever expected. I then purchased a strawberry and white chocolate combination of chocolate, as well as their own version of a soft chocolate cookies and crème. Yum.

I have learned that school can be fun and truly engaging.

My classes are excellent. Enrico and Federica are wonderful Italian language teachers. I know I have already said that before, but it truly makes a huge difference in the learning process when you are actually excited to go to class.

Though I have enjoyed my classes at Elon, classes here seem to be more exciting, more engaging. Though I may not always love my literature class, it is somewhat interesting. I think one class that I am going to really enjoy too is my Art History class. My professor, originally from VA now lives here in Florence and has for the past 13 years. She knows so much about everything in Florence and Italy, for that matter. Not only is she a great resource, but I feel like we will learn an exceptional amount about Italian art and architecture. I feel already as though I will walk away from that class feeling a sense of appreciation for art all through Italy.

I learned that I love the secret bakery.

These places are open really late at night- around 2am to 4am- and they make the pastries, croissants and anything else delicious for shops in town. This way, the shops are always receiving fresh treats daily- but don’t have to stay up all night to make them.

Well, our friend Luke, knew where the secret bakery was.

You see, the bakery is secret for a reason. It is illegal for these bakeries to sell their pastries during the night as they are preparing for the next day. However, these secret bakeries DO indeed break the law and sell their pastries to people that can find them and are out late at night. This way, they make profit under the table and we are happy because we get fresh goodies on the way back home after dancing.

if you find it- you knock on the door and ask them for a croissant/pastry, they will sell it to you for 1 euro. Fresh. Croissants. Yum.

I have learned I enjoy nightlife.

At school, I don’t really go out on the weekends very often. It has been a fun experience to get to spend some good time with my classmates on the weekend outside of class, and to get a feel for Florence nightlife. We found a few “discotecas” here in town, and have been able to dance, which has been really fun. Also, we have been to a few pubs here in town too- and I have enjoyed that because it really does give you a sense of everything going on here in town.

I have learned that I love seeing places I’ve only seen in textbooks.

Like the leaning tower of Pisa.

Sunday’s activities included the following:

We woke up around 7:25am to get ready to go to Pisa for the day. My roommates and I (along with several other Elon students) tagged along on the trip to Pisa with the Accademia.

I also found my new love of trains. I know my mom says that I have been on a train before, but I certainly don’t remember it. So, I felt like I got to ride my first ever train ride. It was SO fun, and so different from American travel. I love it.

On the train Corey and I sat next to one another and we met a guy named Taku. He goes to Accademia, but we have never met before.

When we are beginning to speak to him, we realize quickly that he speaks absolutely no English at all.

He does speak Japanese and Italian, though.

Because we knew we had no shot at communicating to him via the Japanese language, we started taking to him in VERY broken Italian. He was very patient and encouraging during the entire trip. He had his notebook out and was using it as a tool to communicate with us a little bit. It was one of the best learning experiences ever. I really did have to use the 1 week of Italian language that I just learned in this situation in order to talk to Taku. What a wonderful experience.

We then arrive at Pisa.

There was something challenging about this trip that is important to note. The whole tour of Pisa was entirely in Italian. For only being in Italy for a week or so, I don’t know but handfuls of the language. Every 150 words or so I’d catch a phrase that I knew, but it was difficult to say the least. It was all right though because there were enough of us that didn’t understand- so we really just had fun together. Of course, we saw the leaning tower and took hundreds of pictures. It was hilarious. Glancing around the lawn and seeing about 50 people at a time posing with the tower in different positions was quite entertaining. Of course, we were about 15 of those nuts.

Then, Peter, Jason and I climbed the tower. It was worth it, because the view was amazing. Also, how could I go to Pisa and NOT climb the tower? After all, I don’t know that I’ll get the chance to return again. Also, for all we know, the tower might tumble tomorrow.

After we got back, we had a little downtime in the afternoon until the Superbowl.

Superbowl Sunday was splendid. We went to this place called “Space” and they set up huge screens all over the upper level of this club. In addition to that, with entry fee you got an all-you-can-eat American Buffet complete with burgers, fries, hot dogs, chicken fingers, wings, chips and salsa and even microwavable popcorn. I felt for once like I was back in America. All the people at the club were Americans too, because as I learned, Italians don’t really understand the game of American Football. However, it was a really late night considering the game didn’t start here until 12:30am. I only stayed until halftime (2:00am) because we had class this morning, but it was absolutely worth it to get a glimpse of America here in Florence in it’s purest form: American Football. I really enjoyed it.

Once again, I begin this week being utterly thankful for the experience that I am getting to have here. I walk around thinking, “How can this be real life? How can this be my life?”

Needless to say, I am learning a good deal and growing in more ways than I could have imagined.

Patch.

You know how sometimes you are so thankful that you remembered to do things?

That’s how I feel about my patch.

Many of you may know this very odd fact about me, but a good majority of you all do not. You see, I have this pair of jeans. I realize that they are no “magical sisterhood of the traveling pants” pair of jeans that fit every person, but they sure are wonderful for me. They fit me just right. Everything about them is comfortable to me.

Then, something terrible happened this past November.

A rip occurred in the top left portion of my beloved jeans. This hole was significantly noticeable. I hated having that hole in my jeans. Absolutely hated it.

But alas, I found a quick solution. Something that would hold these jeans over until I could find a replacement.

In an effort to ensure that my skin did not show underneath my new-found hole in my jeans, I patched it.

It was no conventional patch, however. Every day, I would stick a piece of toilet paper behind the hole, so only the paper would show- and not my leg.

I did this for nearly 3 months.

Not so temporary, right?

On the brighter side of things, if I ever needed a tissue or toilet paper for anything, all I had to do was reach into the hole and it suddenly became a tissue paper dispenser. Hilarious. I always laughed every morning when I wore those jeans. It constantly made me, or others around me laugh.

On a long list of things I had to do before I left, I included:

“Put an actual patch on the jeans.”

I finally did it. The day before I left for Italy.

Boy, am I thankful that I did.

It’s cold here- around 40-50 degrees every day with considerable amounts of wind gusts. Had I not put that patch on my jeans, that cold air would have attacked my bare leg or my toilet paper every single day. Neither my leg nor the toilet paper would have been able to handle it- but my sturdy patch could.

Just like the patch on my jeans: sturdy, unwavering, wonderful, delightful and humorous, I have realized that my “patch” here in Florence is the Lord.

Though many might say it sounds cliché, it’s hard to walk around this city and not see or think about His beauty, glory, and majesty that is so easily portrayed in everyday life here.

I saw one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen this afternoon. After a long, exhausting hike up what felt like hundreds of steps, we arrived at Piazzale di Michelangelo, home of one of Florence’s best views. I could have stayed there for hours-- just staring. It was absolutely stunning.

Also, seeing one of the hundreds of Asian groups of tourists throwing up peace signs left and right was one of the funnier things that I saw today. I’m so glad that I was able to get a good laugh in about that!

Before class, I received a phone call from my family at 7AM my time…I wasn’t awake just yet.

Nick informed me that he was accepted into Miami of Ohio yesterday! I couldn’t have been more proud of him! It was well worth the startling awake to hear such wonderful news. J

My classes here are marvelous. My Italian Language teachers, Enrico and Federica, will most likely be some of my favorite teachers in my college career. You see, Enrico is extremely full of life- and energy. Upon his arrival into our classroom, he began speaking Italian non-stop while bounding back and fourth in front of the class. He even learned all of our names within the first 30 minutes—impressive for a new teacher never meeting us before! Fete is elegant in her speaking and will be able to teach us more than just the language. She’s awesome.

I shopped at San Lorenzo Market yesterday and found some beautiful items there… I bought a ring, 2 scarves (to keep me warm) and a pair of slippers. In our tile-covered floors in our apartments, these slippers were truly a Godsend! I was so thankful for them.

Today, I was able to meander around a bit by myself after my class got out. As I walked up and down the streets, the art that fills the streets is marvelous. There are so many talented people surrounding us here. Not only the art is beautiful, but the architecture is amazing. I love it all.

Though there may be frustrating times when trying to read the labels in grocery stores, or having several blackouts in one morning- I have to snicker at it all at the same time. It’s all so different from what I am used to that it makes me laugh. I did learn today that I could re-heat my spaghetti on a stovetop, as long as there was butter or sauce in the pan. Hooray! Also, I did my first load of laundry tonight. The apartment smells of nice lavender detergent purchased at the one and only 99 euro-cent store. Wonderful.

In all the little things, I see our Lord. I see His love, His creativity, His beauty, and even His humor. It’s all so clear and evident here.

For that “patch,” I am thankful.

And so it begins.

My new life begins. At least, my life here in Florence.

It’s different here. Everything from apparel to household items—it’s all different. I think that’s why I love it so much.

I decided to study abroad here in Florence because I felt that it would be a dramatically different cultural experience for me. It was a place that would take me out of my comfort zone and burst the American bubble that I live in. It was a place that would expand my horizons by learning a new language while being immersed in the country it is spoken. It was a place that I felt that I could be truly inspired.

All of these things came true the moment I stepped foot off the plane and stepped into Florence, my new home.

The flight over was slightly exhausting and comical at the same time. You see, I flew out of Nashville at 8:58AM and arrived in Dulles, Washington DC around 11:00AM. My mom always says that it’s better to be early for a flight than late for one when checking in. Well, early was an understatement for the time that I arrived.

My flight on Air France to Charles De Gaulle Airport wasn’t scheduled to leave until 9:55PM that night. That means that I spent the entire day in an airport. But the funniest thing about it was that I couldn’t even check in until about 6PM that night. Sitting by the ticket booth for hours was slightly hilarious to me. I watched two movies to pass the time… Patch Adams, and the later that I felt was more appropriate- The Terminal. I felt like I could relate to Tom Hanks more than ever before. I now knew what it felt like to live in an airport!

I was finally able to check in, and get everything settled on the international gate side of the airport. Then, we entered Air France. Air France is filled to the brim with flight attendants that look like models. All of them. They wear scarves around their necks, are tall, uniformly dressed and are casually all tri-lingual. No big deal.

It was quite the experience, but was a comfortable flight over. I sat and ate my Air France Beef Bourguignon (appropriate after seeing Julie & Julia) accompanied by my favorite comfort food of all time: mashed potatoes. All was good.

We arrived in Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, and then went quickly through security and the passport checkpoint. The man behind the glass did give me, and everyone else for that matter, an intense stare as he compared me to my photograph in my passport. Luckily, I don’t think my looks have changed much since I was 15. No hesitation that I was the same person. Phew.

We get on the flight for Florence. This flight was restful, as I slept a majority of the time on my handy-dandy inflatable pillow!

The first glimpse of Florence that I got from the window was absolutely breathtaking. I seriously could not help but grin like a fool when I was looking over the rolling countryside of Tuscany as we flew in. I kept on having to say to myself, “I’m going to LIVE here.”

Fillipo was our driver that met us at the airport to take us to our new homes. Katie, Elizabeth, Corey and I all pilled into the van as he swiftly took us to our apartment. When I say swiftly, I mean it. I’ve never seen someone drive so fast on such small streets. Not to mention, I thought he was going to hit every pedestrian that walked by. After realizing that the 20 accidents that we almost got in passed, and also seeing that everyone else was a licensed crazy killer (aka driver), I felt a sense of relief when we finally arrived at our apartment.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

Fete (still not sure on the spelling of her name), was outside our apartment to greet us and to help us get settled in. From the moment I met her, I knew that she was the professor that Corrine had told me so much about. She will be one of my Italian professors- and I can already tell that I will love being in her class. Not only was she kind and helpful, but she’s humorous too. I’m excited for her class!

The apartment is great- there are two rooms, two bathrooms, a common area, and a kitchen. It’s perfect for what we needed. Also, we noticed that things are different here in the apartment. Yes, the plugs are different, but everything else is dramatically different as well. For instance, we have washers, but no dryers. You can’t dry your hair with a hairdryer and wash your clothes at the same time without experiencing a blackout. We have no microwave. We have an actual bidet- which I’ve never actually seen in real life. In the case that our tushies get gross- we can now clean them. Joy to the world! It’s hilarious. We have cute bedrooms, equipped with all we need for comfortable sleeping. The heat- according to Italian Law, can only be turned on for 8 hours a day. That means, our tile-floored apartment is extra cold during the other 16 hours of the day.

Other things that are different:

Everything is read in Celsius here.

Do I know how to convert? No. Woops. I’ll learn soon enough.

The markets are cute- small, often crowded. Compared to our American stores, the supermarkets here are about 1/8^th the size of an average grocery store. Sometimes, you pay .05 euro-cent per bag too, depending on the market.

They have bajillions of bags/leather belts/scarves/jewelry lining the street.

We walk everywhere.

The toilet tanks are held high on the wall, and there is just a small button in the wall that you push to flush.

The lights in stairwells are on timers, in an effort to conserve energy.

You don’t tip waiters. They are on normal salary.

We are surrounded by gelato. It’s everywhere. Now, that’s something you don’t see in America.

Basically, everything is different. It’s a special way of life here.

Today, we took a walking tour around Florence. It was incredible to look up and see places like the Duomo right in front of me… and not just in tour books or online anymore! It’s amazing.

We enjoyed a fresh croissant for breakfast, and a delicious Panini sandwich for lunch. Everything is fresh- the tomatoes, the olive oil, the wine, the breads. It’s amazing, and quite scrumptious too!

It’s somewhat surreal to realize this is going to be where I will live for the next three months, but I am just so utterly excited that I have no words.

I am just now realizing, the world is at my fingertips. I’m so thankful and feel so blessed to have this opportunity to be here.

It’s just a wonderful life.