two months and counting

Today is March 30, well actually it is past 12 so it is now the 31, which means we have been here in Italy for a little over two months. It is amazing at how fast times flies. I feel like just yesterday I was kissing my family goodbye and jumping on a plane. However at the same time, I feel like I have been here for years. We are finally adjusted to our lives here, and it is safe to say I am madly in love with it. I love our little family, our gelato shop, our neighborhood bar, tuesday traditions. I love walking, listening to the fast talking Italians, our apartment. I love getting fresh food from the stores, and how slow and enjoyable the Italians take their days. And although I am so excited to see my friends and family back home in the Sates in a month and a half, Italy has become apart of me and will always have my heart.

So in celebration of our two months and counting here are some random but enjoyable pictures of our time here thus far.

lend me your ears, and I'll sing you a song.

I would like to dedicated this post to two of my most favorite boys in the whole wide world... Kyle Kounter and Colin Olsen, who last night sang me a beautiful and personal John Mayer song via skype. (it took me going to Italy to finally get them to sing to me, but it was worth it) You boys are wonderful and I miss you more and more everyday.

Thankful.

Today I received a special birthday package from my family containing party hats, horns, streamers, banners, candles and lovely cards all to make my birthday in Italy feel like home. Even though Italy is late with delivering mail since my birthday was a week ago, I still was very excited to open up this magical treat from the best family in the world, and it almost felt like my actual birthday all over again. So thank you mom, dad, Chad, and Erin for loving and supporting me. I could not ask for a better family. I love you.

Roman Holiday

First, I would start this post by apologizing for not posting in two weeks. Life in Florence has been crazier then ever, with sicknesses and midterms, there is barely anytime to breathe. So with that I will try my best to fill you in on the adventures that have been had. Last weekend we ventured off to Rome with our program. After waking up at 5 to get on the bus by 6:30 we finally arrived at Tivoli gardens located about an hour away from Rome. The gardens were absolutely beautiful, I have never seen so much green in one place in my entire life. And although I was excited to learn about the history, I think I perked up the most when I heard that some of the Lizzy McGuire movie was filmed there. After a filling lunch at a local olive oil farm we got back on the busses and were back on track for Rome. Now I can't quite describe the events that happened in Rome because it went by in the blink of an eye. We like to say we did Rome in a day. So after trying to get sleep on Friday we woke up Saturday morning ready for what Rome in a day looks like. Basically we went from the Colosseum to the Forum to the pantheon to the Trevi Fountain to the Vatican and a bunch of little stops in between all in pouring down rain. The coolest thing about Rome, is that the city is built around the history. Next to the Colosseum and ruins are apartments, stores, and restaurants. Its almost like the past and present are sharing time and sharing a city loved by all. Rome was a whirl wind but we loved every minute of it.

P.s. I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted because my camera has a mind of it's own and stopped working for me... but only for the day.

When the sun shines, we shine together.

Today I had the most loveliest surprise. I went to go check the mail, just incase there was a little something for me, and as i was flipping through all the W's I saw my name with a return addressed labeled Meredith. I about screamed for joy when I ripped open the envelope to unfold a piece of line paper with my best friends handwriting covering it. I got teary eyed as I walked down the streets of Florence letting Meredith's words fill my head. People probably thought I was crazy because i was smiling and laughing to myself as i read the sweet letter. Meredith has been my best friend for 6 wonderful years, and although we are at different schools, and currently in different countries, it still feels like we were those silly carefree 15 year olds dancing through the halls of high school. Meredith you are my better half and I love you. Thank you for making my day. ( and my life)

" you're the strangest person I ever met, she said and I said you too and we decided we'd know each other a long time. " - Brian Andreas