Bellezza

The Body Electric

We're doing a poetry unit in English.
I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would. My favorite title is "I Sing the Body Electric" and my favorite line so far is "Nature without check with original energy". Makes me think of balancing and releasing and expressing and just being without censoring.

I came here searching for myself. I've come a long way. It's hard to see change in the midst of things, but when I step back for a moment and reflect--which I haven't been balancing out quality vs. quantity well--I notice the little things like the shift in sentiment and the new perspective and new tastes and new vivacity to try and struggle and be challenged and sometimes fail but get back up again and keep on persisting because the final result just becomes that much more gratifying when you really have to work there to attain it. Might sound cliche. I don't know. I don't want things to be too easy back at home. I know that they won't which is frustrating because the things that should be basic in life become amplified to be more difficult and the other things come easily, the complete opposite of my life right now here. It's like the other one doesn't exist but in two short months this life won't exist. I will still be. This family will still be. I will still be a part of this family, but this lifestyle and this situation will never and can never be the exact same again. I had so many expectations for the year and I suppose that I've encountered them, just not in the way I'd expected. I've become a different person and I know that I'll do my best to apply it to my old ways and life but I'm just scared. It brings salty tears down my cheeks as I even write this. Why do all good things have to come to an end?

Cathedrals

Firenze

After a whirlwind five day trip to Florence, I'm back home again. Florence was one of the most stunning cities I've ever had the pleasure of visiting...from Ponte Vecchio and the Arno to the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria to the Uffizi Gallery and with a sidetrip to La Torre di Pisa yesterday, I felt pretty well acquainted with this quaint city. Can't wait to return in college~! I want to live in the neighborhood near Santo Spirito...sounds like my kind of scene.

I can't believe it's March 28th already and spring break is in 2 weeks! Things are so crazy that I don't even know how to feel. It's scaring me.

Una delle famiglie

the city that stands on water

As I venture off to this marvelous place, I'm feeling confident, satisfied, and reflective. I've been contemplating my time here a lot, and just as hard to believe how long we've been here as how short a time we have left. So off I go to another city that couldn't remain unvisited in the "Italian experience". This said experience is so telling...it's not a trip...it's something else. It's a lifestyle, it's a mindset. This year has been as fulfilling as it's been because of my open mindset to seek out new adventures and maximize the potential for self growth and independence. As for the summer, I'd love to stay but maybe the timer on this dream-year is running out and I can't tell if staying would just lull me back and make it harder to realize the scheme of things when I finally do go home...or if I'll ever want to go home at all.

Too True

Italiano Classico

Attenzione

Le foto

Finally went to get my film developed.
one check on my seemingly never-ending to-do list. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

Abbiamo I Giorni Contati

Making the most of it all. It's so cold out though, can't wait for the sunshine to enhance each and every day. Just picturing lying out in the warmth in the park makes me excited. These icy breezes, remnants of winter, are not welcome. Thinking about university and the future...so much on my mind but rather than fearing it, I'm becoming excited. It's exciting to see what the world has to offer me, and how I can really apply myself and find where I best fit in order to pursue my needs and passions for the rest of my life. Indulging in food and delightful pleasures that this wonderful country has to offer. Soaking it all in before it's taken all away. This year is truly proving to be the beginning of the rest of my life.

Tre

Tre settimane in piu fino al viaggio a Firenze
Tre settimane poi fino alla vacanza della primavera
Tre settimane quindi fino ad America

Che casino della vita.

Ithaka

When you set out for Ithaka
ask that your way be long,
full of adventure, full of instruction.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - do not fear them:
such as these you will never find
as long as your thought is lofty, as long as a rare
emotion touch your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - you will not meet them
unless you carry them in your soul,
unless your soul raise them up before you.

Ask that your way be long.
At many a Summer dawn to enter
with what gratitude, what joy -
ports seen for the first time;
to stop at Phoenician trading centres,
and to buy good merchandise,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensuous perfumes of every kind,
sensuous perfumes as lavishly as you can;
to visit many Egyptian cities,
to gather stores of knowledge from the learned.

Have Ithaka always in your mind.
Your arrival there is what you are destined for.
But don't in the least hurry the journey.
Better it last for years,
so that when you reach the island you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to give you wealth.
Ithaka gave you a splendid journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She hasn't anything else to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka hasn't deceived you.
So wise you have become, of such experience,
that already you'll have understood what these Ithakas mean.

Un Mondo Nuovo

In Quattro e Quattr'otto

Just as I was doing my Italian homework, this "modo di dire" came up. It means going by quickly. The concept of time is consuming too much of my time. Ironic but true. We have just returned from Sicilia, which was beautiful. I acquired a postcard which I'm obsessed with. I wish I could post it but I'm lacking a scanner. Here is a picture which somewhat resembles it that I took. It's almost March and things are just flying by. I'm having the time of my life but still struggling to let go of my previsions and expectations.