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: