Senior!

Finished my last final about an hour ago, and here I am planning my summer already! I have two more weeks in Florence, but I already dedicated myself to an extra day of work right when I get home (hey, I’m excited to see my kids!) and I decided to make a summer reading list, I’m almost done with my latest book (Storm of Swords, R. R. Martin, so good!).

Here’s my list in all it’s glory:

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
Clash of Kings - R.R. Martin
Dance with Dragons - R.R. Martin
Lamb - Christopher Moore
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman

A seat with a view…

Well, here I am! On the plane from philly to Frankfurt just me and my backpack (and my carry-on, and my bunny frank).

Watching the ground peel away from me as we lifted off was surreal. It was as if I was saying “Goodbye America! See you in 4 1/2 months!”

It’s very hard to believe I’m actually here. It was also very hard to say goodbye at the airport. As if security wasn’t bad enough to begin with, I went through it this time a bleary-eyed, disorganized mess.

It’s hard to think about what life will be like in Florence, what I’m looking forward to, what I have been looking forward to for now the better part of two years. It’s much easier to remember all of the things that have popped unwelcome into my mind these past few months, all of my worries and fears about stepping into an unknown. All of the abstract reasons that made me want to have this experience (“fun,” “adventure,” “ceramics”) have all been so hard to remember recently. But I think, as I’m sitting here now, the excitement for all of the possibilities is once again becoming more real.

But seriously, the moment I found out I could take ceramics at Florence University of the Arts, the deal was sealed. I decided on the spot and didn’t think twice about my decision until the plane tickets were purchased, classes were picked and I sat in front of my study abroad adviser as she informed me the fee for pulling out of the program was a heartstopping $19,000.

But no matter how I got here, the fact is, I’m here. And what a miracle it is. I am in the air, with putting the states behind me and knocking on Europe’s door.

Firenze here I come!