There's No Place Like Home!

Well, I've been home for a few days now. We had a fun-filled last week in Italy, including a farewell dinner and an "anything-but-clothes" party! The last day in Ariccia was bittersweet. We walked around town saying goodbye to everything. It's a beautiful little town, and I would love to go back and visit some day. Some people in the group were sadder than others about leaving. I think I'm more used to leaving places since I've moved around my entire life. I wasn't that sad; in fact, I didn't even cry!

Katie and me at the BBQ

The plane ride was supposed to take ten and a half hours, but we had a really strong tailwind so we landed an hour early! The ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There was a huge difference between the flight to Italy and the flight back. I think the biggest difference was that this time I was surrounded by my friends. Three months spent with a group of people can really force some bonding time! I made friends on the trip that I know will be friends for life. We had fun on the place joking and reminiscing. It made the trip go by so much more quickly!

Obviously, Jenny and I got a little bored.

When we landed in Atlanta we were so excited! We flew through customs and went looking for our families. I didn't see them at first, but then Zack came out of nowhere with a hug and flowers! Mom and Daniel were right behind him, and Paul appeared at baggage claim. It was such a happy reunion! The only thing that made it a little less happy is that my Daddy wasn't' there. He is in Texas at General Conference. He is one of seven delegates elected from our conference! It's a big honor and he definitely deserves it! I'm very proud of him, so it helped me not miss him as much when I got home.

Me and my boys!

Since I've been home, I have tried to catch up on all the things I've missed. I've eaten Mexican food and Chik-Fil-A, watched all my shows (The Office, House, and Bones), and played with my crazy kitty Buster! Zack stayed in Hartselle for the weekend, and we had a good time. He bought me a new iPod for our anniversary, since mine broke while I was in Italy! It's so cute; it's a blue Nano! I love it (and him)!

Now that I've been home for a while, I'm starting to get a little bored. Mom works all day, and I don't have a car! Paul's car broke down so he's using Daniel's and Daniel is driving mine. Once Mom gets home we have a lot of fun, but until then I'm stuck at the house, just me and Buster. Oh well, it's nice to have a little downtime after such a busy semester!

Here are the photo albums from our last two weeks in Italy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2227738&l=969cb&id=7005597

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2227743&l=ffe74&id=7005597

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2228660&l=c3a84&id=7005597

I had an amazing time studying abroad, and it's a weird feeling knowing it's over. I will miss Italy, but I'm super excited about whatever's coming next in life! After all, "domani e un altro giorno!"

What We've Learned

We have two days left in Italy, and I can't begin to describe the effect this experience has had one me. I have learned so much in the past three months, and I'm beginning to realize how much I have grown. I have to much to do to sit and write my personal thoughts, so I'll post an article my good friend Jessica Vance wrote about our trip. You won't understand all of the inside jokes, but the general idea is pretty clear.

It is needless to say that over the three month period, we have learned a thing or two. But just so we don't forget it, I summed up some of the highlights.
What we have learned:
-The pleasures of real towels, a bathtub, and having enough room in the shower to shave.
-To pack lightly because what you bring you will have to carry, drag or weigh
-That discount airlines are cheap for good reasons
-That some of the best things you can’t plan or find in Rick Steve’s
-That the hotel, La Rupe and the porchetta stand make a killing from us because we are too lazy to walk anywhere else
-The joy of cold aqua del rubinetto (free and not frizzy)
-To amuse ourselves with reminiscing over old game shows, i.e. the slobsticle course
-To watch our purses and passports as if even the nicest old lady falling over on the bus is plotting to rob us
-To live without a trusty dryer, English cable, a good cell phone, or a high powered blow-dryer
-That playing the ‘question game’ can drive some of us crazy
-That there is no place better or cheaper to eat than the Chinese restaurant
-To brush things off, talk things out and to use ‘I/you’ statements
-More about each other in three months than some friends learn in years
-To adapt to different customs here like late meals, less personal space, lots of carbs, paying for bathrooms, and “Italian time”
-To make it 4 weeks without a washing machine
-To plan trips on our own including planes, buses, metros, and a lot of wandering
-That being abroad is not for everyone but something that everyone should try
-That we learn just as much through our experiences as we do in the palace
-That there are some people here that we will never forget- Jessica for answering all of our questions, Marco and Mary Lou for being those grandparents you love to listen to, Roberta for planning all of the behind the scenes work, Maurizio for his amazing networking skills, Rosella for making us thinking harder about philosophy than most of us can handle, Francesco for his funny comments and random appearances, Susanna for always being adorable and saying “God bless your heart” when we sneeze, Cinzia for being willing to do anything to help us out, and Dr. B for always being ready to laugh out loud until she is red in the face (i.e. MultiAss)
-The importance of hand sanitizer, Febreeze, and Charmin to-go
-That no matter where we are, we can bet on hearing Riahnna’s ‘Please Don’t Stop the Music’
-To share clothes, stories, and food with each other
-That America may not be so bad after all but then it might not be so good either
-To overcome language barriers with a smile, sign language and the phrases ‘per favore’, ‘posso’, and ‘mi dispiace’
-How to say, “The dog is eating the meat” and “Giovanni and I are going to Rome today”
-That there is no Italian equivalent to a bag of good-ole Goldfish
-How much we love and miss Mexican food, Chik-fil-A, Waffle House, and unlimited ketchup and coke
-That being abroad and updating your Facebook profile constantly is a quick way to piss off your friends at home
-That we can both love and hate Skye simultaneously
-How to use a Europacard, navigate Termini, and use an Italian video-producing software
And most importantly…
-That this has been three months that we will never forget! Ciao, safe travels, and good luck in life!

Uno Piu Settimana!

Translation: ONE MORE WEEK! This time next week I'll be on the airplane home (hopefully sleeping)! I can't wait to get home and see everyone, but I know I'll miss Italy. This last week is not a tough one for us. We don't have class anymore; all we have to do is write an 8-10 page paper by Wednesday. After Dr. Silvern and Dr. Kaminsky's classes, eight pages isn't that big a deal. I plan to knock it out pretty fast and have the rest of the week to pack, hang out, and finish up some things I've been wanting to do. We've already planned about three parties before we go home. I know this week will be bittersweet.
On another note, I HAVE A NEW COUSIN! Joshua Dalton Styes was born on April 18. I saw pictures, and he's so beautiful! I can't wait to get home and meet him!
I'll probably write one more time before I leave. I should probably start on my paper.

By the way, here are three new photo albums:
Venice and the Riviera del Brenta
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2225049&l=cfdcd&id=7005597

Milan
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2226171&l=d7e62&id=7005597

Cinque Terre and Pisa
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2226380&l=0035f&id=7005597

Something for Everyone!

Here is the weblog I just wrote as a class assignment. You can see it complete with pictures at http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/pmachine/weblog.php, along with entries from my classmates.

We just got back from a whirlwind tour of Venice, Milan and the Cinque Terre. I could spend paragraphs writing about the beauty of this country, but I am not eloquent enough to do it justice. If there is one thing I have noticed that I did not expect, it would be the diversity of cities and scenery in Italy. Every place we have visited has its own personality, citizens, and ambiance. Going to three places on the heels of each other helped me to observe these differences. Venice was our first stop on our Grand Tour. I absolutely love it; it is my new favorite city in the whole world (and that's not an exaggeration)! It has an old-world feel to it that is fresh and unexpectedly relaxing. The elaborate buildings and slow-moving gondolas are reminiscent of Venice's glory days, when it was the height of elegance, wealth, and luxury. You could get lost in the maze of streets and canals and not even care if you ever find your way!

Milan was a total surprise to most of us. I heard someone say that it reminds them of New York but with less traffic! It is very cosmopolitan, but somehow it manages to keep that Italian charm. At times I even forgot I was in Italy, at least until I tried having a conversation with anyone! We visited art exhibits, skyscrapers, and design studios, and we learned many interesting things about architecture, fashion, and interior design. Milan has a strange tradition that requires every visitor to the Galleria to stand on the private areas of Torino's Bull mascot and spin around three times!

Traveling from Venice to Milan was an adjustment, but it was nothing compared to the contrast between Milan's big city atmosphere and Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre literally translates to "five lands." It is a National Park based around five coastal and mountain towns. There are trails linking each town, complete with breathtaking views at every turn. We spent the whole weekend hiking and enjoying the sunny weather. It was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of Milan.

I knew I was going to love Italy years before I came. I expected it to be beautiful, fun, and interesting. What I wasn't prepared for was the variety of experiences to be had here. There is truly something for everyone in Italy!