"How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so difficult"

Hello, my friends. It is with a somber heart that I inform you that my semester abroad has come to a close. As I prepare to pack my things for my [far too early] flight tomorrow morning, I'm beginning to reflect on this unbelievable adventure that I have been so fortunate to take part in.

"I urge you to please notice when you're happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point 'if this isn't nice, I don't know what is." Kurt Vonnegut

As of today, I have been living in Europe for 107 days and I've traveled to 7 countries and over 25 cities. Though I'm sad to see this wonderful period of my life coming to a close, I look back upon it fondly, cherishing the memories and thinking fondly of those I've met.

"Don't be scared to walk alone. Don't be scared to like it." John Mayer

In the words of Ron Burgundy, "I'm in a glass case of emotion!" Preparing to return to the states is arguably one of the most bittersweet things I've experienced. Though I'm overly ecstatic about returning home to my friends, family, and familiarities, it's unbelievable to think that such an adventurous chapter of my life is coming to a close. Studying abroad is something I've looked forward to for years and it's hard to accept that it's over when, really, I've only just accepted that I'm living in Europe.

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."  W. B. Yeats

Buddha once said, "The trouble is, you think you have time." Studying abroad has taught me many lessons, but if the recent tragedy in Connecticut has reaffirmed anything for me, it's that time is a precious commodity. If you want to do something, say something, be something, there is no time like the present. If you want to go live in Europe, make some plans and go, because it will be a remarkable experience and, hey, if not now, when? Hemingway once said that "when you stop doing things for fun, you might as well be dead."So choose your fun journey and get moving!

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." E.E. Cummings

A Weekend at the Christmas Markets!

Well, it appears that December is upon us and I must say that I am loving the holiday season in Europe. This past weekend, I ventured to Switzerland to visit my aunt and we spent three days wandering the famous Christmas markets of Basel and Strasbourg (France). We ate soft, drank Gluhvein, and, as the weekend came to a close, enjoyed a lovely coating of snow over the Swiss landscape.

Beautiful view over the Alps on my flight to Zurich!

For those of you that have never ventured to European Christmas markets, I must advise you that they are just as hectic as an American mall. However, these markets are outdoors and are set-up similarly to carnivals, in that different shops occupy stalls that run in rows across an open square or piazza. As you wander through the markets, you'll find as much food as you will anything else. Soft pretzels, hot chocolate, fondues, chocolates, hot wines, and sweets of all kinds fill more stalls than the surrounding trinkets and ornaments seem to. All in all, it's a festive atmosphere for the hoards of people that attend.

The train station in Strasbourg, France. 

This week brings me to the last week of classes in Florence. I simply can't believe that my semester abroad is coming to a close and, as much as I'm looking forward to going home, I will be sad to leave my European surroundings. People aren't joking when they say that study abroad changes your life; it teaches you about the world as much as it teaches you about yourself. I'm firm with conviction that I'll look back upon the semester fondly and, in all honesty, I'm sure I'll begin planning my next adventure as soon as I've fully come to grips with the fact that this one has ended.

The Christmas markets in Basel!

The amazing view over Basel from the rooftop bar!

What are we telling children if Frosty is drinking?

Musical santas!

Best of luck as you begin your holiday preparations! Until next time, arrivederci!

Mid-Movember

Ciao amici! Hope you all enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving and that you didn't get trampled by the Black Friday-crazies. Across the pond, I find myself enjoying a leisurely Friday and reflecting on the past two weeks in Italy.....


Last weekend, two of my friends from Camp Laurel (yes, the terrible job I had two summers ago for those of you who have been reading my blog for that long) came to visit! One of them is presently an au pair in Turin and the other is studying abroad in Budapest, Hungary. Fortunately, we were able to find a weekend that worked for all of us and they ventured to Florence for a weekend that we almost entirely remember! [Just kidding, Mom, I remember everything.....the same cannot be said for both of my friends]


We began our Friday by touring Santissima Annunziata and Santo Spirito (two beautiful churches) before eating a scrumptious lunch at Gusta Pizza. The afternoon led us to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens; to end our day, we grabbed a bottle of wine and hiked-up to Piazza Michelangelo to watch the sunset. Not a bad day! We spent the night at a few crazy bars and discotecas......which was probably why we didn't surface until 11 AM on Saturday. Regardless, we were able to fit in plenty! We toured open air markets and ate delicious paninis and pasta at Pinos before gearing-up for another rowdy evening. A great weekend? I think so!


This week flew in a haze of homework and it's one of those TGIF weeks. However, we did manage to have quite the Thanksgiving last night, despite our shafty kitchens and limited cooking skills. 15 of us gathered in one of our friends' apartments upstairs and we found ourselves with ample food and wine. As we crowded around a rickety table with paper plates and fold-up chairs, we toasted to an insanely amazing semester. And then, of course, we stuffed ourselves full and passed-out in food comas. Guess Thanksgiving is the same (minus the FOOTBALL) no matter where you are!


Next weekend, it's off to Switzerland for the Christmas Markets and a lovely visit to my Aunt Joan. Until next time, arrivederci!

Forsa Roma!

Ciao miei amici! I've spent the past two days in Rome and it's been absolutely wonderful. I traveled the first day with my Villa & Garden class; we ventured to the Villa Farnesina and the Villa Giulia to get a taste of High Renaissance Villas. The second day was spent rushing through the city to experience as much as possible and this is what we saw.....

We started the day by trying fried rice balls.....which are, surprisingly, amazing!

On our way to the Villa Farnesina, we noticed that the Romans like to chain their bikes up in rather irregular ways.....

The Villa Farnesina was beautiful! The gardens weren't so shabby, either.

Raphael. No description necessary.

Happy campers at the Villa Giulia :)

Saturday began at the Vatican Museum. For the record, I highly advise purchasing a 'skip the line' pass.

At the center of the Museum courtyard was this beautiful 1926 sculpture that spins. 

Laocoon & Sons! This was probably my favorite piece in the museum.

Michelangelo's Pieta was in one of the chapels at St. Peter's Basilica. 

The scale of the church and baldacchino were truly overwhelming.

Swiss guard uniform or halloween costume? You tell me....

The Pantheon was perhaps the most crowded site we visited. No complaints here - it's free to visit and truly amazing!

We threw coins in the Trevi fountain before heading to the Spanish steps!

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa is perhaps the most renowned sculpture by Bernini and is located in the Cornaro Chapel at Santa Maria della Vittoria.

Our last stop was the Colosseum which was, unfortunately, closed at 4:30 PM on a Saturday. Go figure?

We ended the weekend at a local restaurant. Spinach and feta ravioli sure warms the tired soul!

Have you ever dumpster-dived?

Well, I hadn't either - until today. After my classes, I walked home to find that the garbage had yet to be taken out of my apartment. Attempting to be a good roommate, I grabbed my keys and went back out with the garbage. Unfortunately, as I threw the bags into the dumpster, my keys went with them and found their way to the bottom of the dumpster.


I suppose you may consider this a puny first-world problem, but it absolutely consumed the next hour of my life. After an initial panic, I ran back to our apartment, jumped our terrace wall, and proceeded to rip a small branch off of the hedge that surrounds the terrace. Hoping for the best, I hurried back to the dumpster and attempted to use the stick to shimmy the keys up the side of the dumpster. Naturally, karma was not on my side and the stick proceeded to snap in half. Attempt #1 = failure.


I stared at the dumpster for awhile longer before deciding I'd need to jump in. Hoping that my Italian was understandable, I asked a passing woman to hold-up the lid of the dumpster so I could jump in. She laughed and called me a crazy foreigner before walking away. Attempt #2 = bigger failure.


Now, I must note that none of my roommates were in my apartment at this time AND my cell phone was also in my apartment. I certainly did not set myself up for success.


Next, I convinced myself that I should just dive in. As I held the lid, I quickly attempted to jump-up so that my hips were on the ledge and I could lean in. The jump was successful, though the lid of the dumpster proceeded to slam into my head, effectively trapping the upper half of my body within the dumpster and my legs were left kicking the air above the sidewalk. After a minute of concern, I managed to collapse out of the dumpster. Attempt #3 = largest, and most embarrassing, failure.


Finally, another student from our program walked by and I asked him for help. Bless his soul, he stopped to help me. As I held the lid, he jumped halfway up and then leaned into the dumpster (preventing full immersion) and was able to reach my now-slimy keys.


And, there you have it. Just another afternoon in Florence, I suppose......

A Slice of British Paradise!

Hello again, friends! Hope that the beginning of Movember is going well for you! I was fortunate enough to spend the beginning of this month romping across the United Kingdom, visiting family and friends. Here are some snapshots from my trip - enjoy!

My first stop was in Letchworth to visit some family from my mother's side. It was fantastic to get a piece of home and I adored the English countryside.

I also got the opportunity to meet some of my younger cousins for the first time! Katie enjoyed wearing my scarf :) I also enjoyed trick-or-treating with them!

The English countryside was absolutely lovely. It sure made me miss autumn at home!

I spent the second day in London, beginning at Kings Cross Station. Platform 9 3/4 anyone?

My first stop was the Swiss Re building! I was ecstatic to see 'the Gherkin' in person!

The London Eye looked so appealing! If only the line hadn't been 2 hours long....

Westminster Abbey was far more impressive than I could have imagined. I assumed that after seeing the churches of Italy, this wouldn't 'wow' me. How mistaken I was.....

Big Ben!

St. James' Park in front of Buckingham Palace featured some very interesting birds....

My next day was spent in Glasgow visiting a friend from home. We spent our first night at the local bookclub bar with friends.

Scotland was so beautiful. Goes to show that I should have studied abroad in the land of my ancestors....

Apparently, the formation of Hogwarts in the HP movies was based on the University of Glasgow. So was it inappropriate for me to yell HUFFLEPUFF when this group walked by?

Who wouldn't want to go to school in a beautiful place like this? I have to admit, this is what I also imagined college would look like.

My second day in Scotland was spent in Stirling, where we met up with a friend of mine from college. Scottish paradise? Quite possibly.

We toured Stirling Castle and were particularly fond of the cannons....

We ended the day at a local brewery in Bridge of Allen that served the best cider I'd ever had. Leaving Scotland was the most difficult thing I've done recently, that's for sure!

Beauty within the Ruins

Hello again, dear readers! I must apologize for my absence, but I was without internet access for the past 10 days as my friends and I traversed the Grecian countryside! We were fortunate enough to spend time in Corfu, Athens, and Santorini enjoying the sounds, smells, and sights of the cradle of Western Civilization. I hope you enjoy some of the photos from our journey!

Our trip began with a ferry ride from Ancona to Iguomenitsa. As we crossed the Adriatic, we watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. 

And, of course, what is a boat ride without somebody reenacting the Titanic scene? 

Our first stop was in Corfu, where we enjoyed the local cuisine, relaxed on the beach, partook in a rowdy Booze Cruise, and adventured across the terrain on ATVs. 

As we enjoyed the beaches of Greece, the beauty of the surroundings became truly overwhelming. It seems as though our lives are entirely surreal. 

After Corfu, we traveled to Athens. Some of my friends had a little too much fun in the souvenir shops!

As we walked the Acropolis, I was overcome with joy. It had always been a dream of mine to visit Athens, and I felt like I was living in an architectural fairytale. 

After hiking up the countless stairs, we found ourselves staring at one of the most influential buildings of all time. It would have been impossible not to enjoy ourselves at the Parthenon!

The streets of Athens were filled with vendors and shops. We spent the day browsing the shops before enjoying a delicious 4-course meal at a restaurant next to our hostel. Greek food may give Italian food a run for its money!

Our last destination was Santorini. A beautiful island adorned with blue roofs, black sand beaches, and countless flowers, Santorini presents the idyllic vacation destination.

My roommate and I walked up to the top of town with our friends to watch the sunset on our first evening. After, we ate dinner at a local restaurant, where we feasted on dakos, saganaki, and eggplant.

After our first night out, we got breakfast at a local place that specialized in crepes and waffles. It just so happens that my friend was REALLY excited about her waffle.

Our second day was spent traveling down to the black sand beaches, where we relaxed and socialized with locals, as the primary tourist season had ended weeks ago.

The black sand beaches took quite a toll on my feet......

Our last day was spent in Athens before the long journey home. We ventured to the Temple of Zeus and the 1896 Olympic Stadium before beginning the 30+ hour commute back to Florence.

So, there you have it! I hope I've captured enough of our trip that you will aspire to go one day! From the 9 of us that went, I don't think anyone would take back a moment (except for maybe the Booze Cruise....but what happens at the Pink Palace hostel, STAYS at the Pink Palace hostel. Forever.).


Tomorrow evening, I'm off to London to visit relatives! Two days later, I'll be venturing to Glasgow to visit friends from high school and college. Until next week, my friends, arrivederci!