The Good Life

After getting cut up by a few friends (Nick, Hudge) for the language of my last post, I will promise to keep it more informal from here on.  So tonight, I sit at home and read the posts, Facebook status updates, and tweets of several of my other friends who are already abroad.  I am jealous of them all, and the fact that they have all got their adventures under way, while I continue to get my "important documents" in order over here in the dirty (New Jersey).  I'm pretty sure that those of us studying in Florence are the last ones to leave.  At the same time, I am happy that I will hopefully be able to see some of my Fairfield people again before I leave.  I will surely miss the good times had in TH 134, and the rest of Fairfield next semester.  Keep the good times rolling boys!

Oddly enough, I will also miss getting up at 6:30 every morning to attend cross country practice with my boys.  Good luck during spring track guys, and don't worry, Coach is still trying to get me out on that Euro-circuit (no chance).  I will definitely keep up the running in Florence, because I am expecting a BIG XC season from Men's FUXC next year! Do Work.

I will also obviously miss my crazy (for lack of a better word) family!  Best of luck to my sister Rebecca who will been interning at JFK Medical Center in the Brain Trama Unit, as she continues to gather experience for a career in Occupational Therapy.  And my little bro Dan-- good luck finishing up your last year in High School, and last season of HS running in the spring.  Hopefully you get into a few more schools, and gear up for college next year.  If you do get into Fairfield, I'm sure any of my friends at school would be more than happy to talk to you about it, other than myself!  And to my Momma and Dad, well all I can really say is Thank you!  For all of your guidance and support over the years, and ultimately giving me the go ahead to Italy.  I will miss the homemade italian meals and surplus of fruits provided by my Pop-Pop Dom!  And the lunches shared with my Grandpa Bill and Grandma Marge, where they are always sure to send you off with a DEVILDOG! Love you all very much, and I will be in touch.

I am excited to get my adventure under way soon enough.  I'm sure it will be interesting/challenging to break down the language barrier, and I'm even more sure that I will definitely make a fool of myself in the process, but hopefully that adds to the fun of it all.  From what I've heard, a lot of people in Florence speak English, but I am still not convinced in my ability to buy food/groceries in another language (that's not spanish).   

One week separates me from becoming EUROtrash.  <--Well hopefully not (but most likely true).  In any case, in 7 days I will be on my way to the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, like where Olive Garden and other Italian restaurants film there commercials trying to convince you where their food comes from, even though they are a North American chain.  Anyway, I will be lucky enough to experience the real culture that exists out there, which is a pretty sweet opportunity.  Just another moment in my life where I realize how lucky and spoiled I am, and what great opportunities I have.  Cheers to another beautiful year ahead filled with good health, family, friends, and great times!
Ciao again until next time (because that is the only word I know).  or actually-- Arrivederci!

And so the journey lies ahead..

Less than four short weeks separate me from boarding a flight at JFK airport in Queens, New York headed for Germany, for the time being, before we catch another flight to Florence.  Italia will serve as my new homeland for the next four months, and Firenze the city of choice.  My last semester at Fairfield was the best one yet, and it will be very difficult to leave all of my great friends and family, whom I love very much, behind.  However, I have the opportunity of a lifetime in front of me, and I have to capitalize on it.  There are sure to be many challenges and triumphs over the course of the next four months abroad, but my hope is that I will be able to learn and grow as a person through my every encounter.

So what does the journey that lies ahead entail?? That I cannot answer, but the uncertainty definitely excites me.  Just as Mark Twain says, "Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself."  One can only speculate and write so much-- the rest, they have to look at and discover for themselves, and I plan to do exactly that during my time abroad.

My hope is that through following my blog, you all will have the opportunity to become a part of my journey, and follow through my writing and posts, so as to provide a look at "the fire itself," observed through my own eyes.  Until next time, much love.. Ciao!