Arrivederci, America!

So it's official- I'm checked-in, bags packed and zipped (as they have remained for the last two weeks), the largest weighing in at a slim 50 lbs. (by a hairy edge to the 51 lb. limit), the second almost empty (for the STUFF to bring back, of course!), and my toosh is getting tired of waiting! Seriously, if anticipation could actually kill someone as the saying goes, my poor parents would be in the hospital right now. No buona. (For those of you fluent in your Italian, I apologize in advance for the poorly executed phrases to come).

No worries, I have already received the "daddy talk"--thoroughly informed of the smooth Italianos who want nothing but to sweep me off my feet, and in lieu of the European sweet-talkers I am NOT supposed to talk to, they are the only thing my father has put on the "Do NOT bring home from Italy" list. The limitation might really help with my baggage weight on the way back, however, seeing as how those souvies can really add some serious poundage! But it's a shame, really. As anxious as I am to encounter this new, suave male race, I have also been informed that they are not all like Umberto in "When in Rome". Yes, I have already seen it; and yes, I saw it at the first matinee showing on the opening day. (Thanks, mom!) And for those of you who HAVE indeed seen it can relate to my heightened inspiration for my Rome travels. I continued to assure my parents (mostly dad) that I am aware of the scheming nature of Italianos, to which he quickly replied that I am not quite aware yet, although I may have heard rumors. Experience is an entirely different thing. Somehow, I remain unworried.

One of the best send-off gifts ever, my sister put together a compilation of letters written by those I hold nearest and dearest, to open on random days of the week (about 2 a week) for each month I'm there. PERFECT for the hopeless romantic who secretly desires mail on any day of the week that ends in "Y", just because. I am truly blessed. We also had a send-off dinner which represents my favorites that I will probably not find too easily once I move into my new Italiano casa-- steak and asparagus! I am definitely not suffering.

Fav Italian phrases to note:

"E esilarante" - literal version of "LOL"... "laugh out loud funny" HA! awesome. use it in a text, people get all frazzled about it.

"Vivere" = "to live"

"Me lo traduci per piacere" = "Will you please translate it for me?"

"Il tramonto sul mare e molto romantico e pittoresco." = "The sunser on the sea is very romantic and picturesque." ...can't WAIT to use that one!

Here's to my last hours in the USA, so from here on out, I must declare: "God bless ITALIA!"

Arrivederci!

Viva la VIAGGIARE!!

T minus 18 days…and counting…until my departure for Italy, and I become a full-blooded, hopelessly romantic, Michelangelo-inspired, Italian.

As I sit here, in my chair, sitting beside an empty suitcase, but with all clothes prepared and neatly piled by type and temperature, class schedule, syllabus, and travel books assembled, and enough scarves of varied colors to make my own rainbow walking down the streets of Italy, I am full of anticipation, excitement, and pure naïve nervousness. I have bought all the necessary materials to make me an Italian officiando, wrote out my notecards, have my Italian daily flip calendar sitting beside me, yet couldn’t tell you the first thing about being Italian. Let’s not get into my incapabilities to converse in the language at this point either.  Upon reading my first paragraph in the romance language (rather, attempting  to read, and quickly giving up due to frustration of interpretting word for word), I have realized that excitement for the journey makes me no more of an Italian than it does a hopeless-romantic little girl an actual damsel in distress (both of which I deeply want to become). So alas, I am actually beginning the learning portion of becoming Italian, fliping through the notecards, reciting my phrase a day, actually listening to that girl on the language CD who goes entirely too fast for amateurs of my level, and doing the hours of daydreaming and mapping out excursions.

I am leaving the States on February 1 and will arrive in Rome on February 2. (Good thing I bought that “Learn Italian in 1 Hour” CD set today! On sale! J Goodness knows I’ll need to do something on that 567 hour plane ride). From there I will be picked up by a staff member within the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn in Italy Abroad program (from here on out that will DEFINITELY be abbreviated!) and brought to my castle in Ariccia, Italy. Yes, I said castle, and meant CASTLE. Goal #1 of daydreaming (refer back to hopeless-romantic little girl becoming damsel in castle), check! We will be sleeping and having classes (not to be confused as the same thing;) in the castle. Not bad. Details to come of my overwhelmed first response.

Once there, I hope to explore the depths of Italy, the ins and outs and the in betweens that the rare traveler ventures to. I will potentially stay for a weekend in a little B&B owned by Lorenzo and Heidi Balloni in Magello, which was recommended by a friend. Outside of Italy, I have also been urged to see Barcelona on the Barcelona Bike Tour, the “Sound of Music Tour”, “Pride and Prejudice” site tour in England, and possibly Amsterdam. Each has its own intention, obviously the first being the STUNNING scenery (not to rub it in or anything), but also for the architecture. I absolutely MUST see Gaudi’s work in the Casa Mila and Sagrada Familia Cathedral, still under construction since 1884. (please google him if you don’t know his work, I 100% guarantee it will blow your mind). I have also image searched Amsterdam which is full of innovative modern architecture that will blow any common desigern’s mind. 

The “Pride and Prejudice” tour in England has such exquisite luxury and opulance that I feel it is necessary to better myself by absorbing its grandeur, via horseback. No biggy. I have also been highly urged by everyone who has ever been to Europe to visit Scotland, the land where I have been promised will be my second love (second to Italy of course). Wow! Good thing I’ve already packed! I have A LOT of traveling to do!!

But the trip outside Italy that is absolutely happening (with evidence of already purchased planed tickets) is the grande finale trip to Norway and Sweden with Em and her boyfriend Wes. They will come over to the Copenhagen airport where I will meet them and we will hike the hills (or sheep farms) together! Will be a much needed family face-time by the end of the semester! Can’t WAIT!!

I’ll keep it shorter (much shorter) in the updates to come. But now you are all aware and up to date. So Here’s to yet another adventurer on the Grand Tour excursion set by artists before me, dating back to the 16^th century (wait, can one “Cheers” to oneself? E esilarante!). Ciao!

I sit here, on the first day of a new year, excited, anxious, and hopeful of many adventures to come. The closest adventure to come: ITALY!!! It's hard to imagine all that went on in this past year, especially sitting in this same seat, this time last year, hardly being able to foresee all that God would do. It is because of this year's unexpected stories that I look forward to this year! More specifically, the ground I will cover. 

Soon to come: actual blog of European travels...