Nella vita - chi non risica - non rosica

"In life - who risks nothing - gains nothing"

One day, seven hours, thirty seven minutes, and forty two seconds. In one day, seven hours, thirty seven minutes, and forty two seconds I'll be off, on my way, on my own (well, sort of). I can only imagine what's in store for the upcoming year.

As this is my first post...I have to say that it's really strange writing a blog. I wonder if anyone will end up reading my ramblings. But I think that this is a good way to document this year. I don't know what to expect, but I do know that this will be a year to remember. A year that will change me. A year to discover, learn, explore, and realize. There's so much potential for an opportunity like this. How many people have the chance to study abroad in the most beautiful country in the world in high school?! I'm lucky to say the least.

A lot of people have been asking me how I'm feeling towards...well everything. I keep saying how excited I am etc....but I don't think that excited really covers it. It's more like overwhelmed. And not in a bad way, just in a stressed-out and unsuspecting way if that makes any sense. Today -Thursday- I've finally gotten around to packing. I'd been dreading doing it for the past two weeks; every time I felt a hint of motivation, it instantly dissolved once I looked at the heap of work ahead of me, and not just the physical work, but the sentimental value in packing up my life into two large suitcases, one small carry-on suitcase, and a backpack. And suddenly this trivial act grew into emotional breakdowns. Thankfully I can finally relax a bit, and enjoy my last few moments with friends and family.

As cliche as this is....I guess that when I look back at this at the end of the year, I'll appreciate jotting down a few goals for the year: I want to make the most of every single moment. Appreciate things as they happen, not just when I look back on them. Become more flexible and willing to try new things without anything holding me back. Eh well the list could go on and on, I'll end it there before I get too cheesy.

When I think of Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is my new favorite (one of my favorites at least) song--Postcards from Italy. It's by Beirut originally-which is great-but I prefer the cover by Florence and the Machine.




The song just puts me in an indescribable mood, it's like my thoughts recently captured in a song. Not even the words...I do love the lyrics, but it's not the lyrics that make me love the song. It's so goood. Florence and the Machine are playing in Oakland at the Fox Theatre on November 5th...too bad I'll be on the other side of the planet.

Wow alright I've spent far too much time on the computer just now, and I really should get to bed in hopes of recovering from whatever has been responsible for my seemingly never-ending cold/lack of energy. So this is all for now! I hope that I keep up writing here; it's a good portal for ideas and thoughts that don't really seem to correspond to a direct person nor do they fit in being expressed anywhere else in my life.