‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover’

- Mark Twain

I could not be happier with my decision to study in Rome. I’ve learned a lot about, well a lot. Much more than i ever thought. Some things good, some bad, like always but I’m in utter bliss that i’ve gotten to learn them all. Today is the last day ill be living here. Im finishing up my final essay and going to pack away all of my things that made me feel like this place was home. Its so sad to leave. Not just because its magical and unbelievably beautiful here, but also because it means that its back to reality. Back to doing things i don’t want to do, seeing people i don’t want to see and really growing into an adult, how depressing. I’d love to pause time and stay here forever, young and irresponsible.  Rome is like Narnia, but without talking lions of course. I suppose i’ve learned my lessons and i have to go home now. But I’ll be back, arrivederci Roma.

After two weeks straight of studying in the dim, cluttered and stuffy library of John Cabot University finals are over. So what do I do? I ran away to the mountains. 

Waking up to the sun’s hazy rays peaking their way through the lace covered window with the smell of fresh warm rain is nothing short of wonderful. It rained the first morning, the way the air feels when its warm outside but still thick with humidity and huge rain drops that splash onto your nose is the best feeling I can ever imagine. Especially when there is equally as lovely company to enjoy it with. 

The walk up the hill to the main part of the tiny town was beautiful, passing ruins after ruins. Earthquakes destroyed houses and the owners just left them there, half fallen and half whispering the stories of lives that used to call the now empty walls home. Italian men stand, sporadically dotting the open piazza. With a cigarette in on hand, they leisurely walk up and down the length of the cobble stoned square, chattering away like robins in spring. The atmosphere brings a sense of calm to the mountains, relaxing and peaceful. 

Celano has a castle that was built by the barbarian peoples, the Lombards, some time in the 12th or 13th century. I know this because the 13 days studying was spent mainly on these peoples, life has such a funny way of giving back! I had literally just researched the castle and then we drive right up to it the next day, such a coincidence. 

The next day we drove up the mountain, back and forth between every hairpin turn till the peak. The light sunny air kissing my skin, warm and breezy, the perfect combination. The smell of trees was so refreshing and running through the grassy hills pulled me right back into my childhood, leaping down the horse pasture in the middle of June. Oblivious to reality we sat on a bench under the speckles of shade and listened to the quiet. 

No matter where I travel to in Italy I’m so amazed with how much history is under each step I take. The amount of things and events that have happened years before I was ever in existence, let alone stepping in that very spot is mind blowing, and I absolutely love it!

I can tell this summer’s future holds great things! 

after 13 straight days 5 plus hours per day spent in the library, the moment has come. three finals right in a row. I’m trying to fully prepare myself for the failures that are in the very near future. the gpa is gonna be hitting bottom today, but I’m Rome, and the things I’ve learned here are far more worth a few C’s. 

wish me luck, here i go.