I Am Finally Here!!!!!

I can't believe it!!! I am finally here in Italy and it is not a dream!!! Even though I had to go through a lot to get here, it was ALL worth it. On Thursday evening I realized I lost my passport...I know, I know. I was in a panic come Friday morning but with some quick thinking,calling and a free ticket to Chicago that day I got my passport renewed. The next morning I was off to the airport bright and early by 6:45 a.m. I was in Philadelphia by 8:45 and then had a long time to wait and the same when I arrived in New York. Finally at 7:45 I was headed to Venice. The plane ride was a long one and I am not looking forward to the return trip.

I arrived in Venice at 9:45 and took the bus to the train station in Mestre and from there it took me to Udine to meet Andrea in person for the first time. The first time I set my eyes on Andrea I was excited and felt my heart leap into my throat. He is a beautiful man but now that I have been with him for a few days, he is also beautiful on the inside! I appreciate so much that he opened his home to me and has taken on the role of my Italian professore. I don't know if he realizes just how much I appreciate him.

I have learned a lot of different things since being here in Italy. Different ways of travel, communication, politeness, fashion, attitude, and simply, living. I have taken a few pictures to help explain my feelings and how I see through my eyes, and to remember all of the beauty.

Fulfilling A Dream Is Not Easy

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend about moving to a foreign country. We were talking about a place to live and in which city, a job to support myself, average wage, visas, a passport, dual citizenship and selling ALL my belongings. ALL MY BELONGINGS! When making the decision to start life in another country, I seemed to either forget or not realize that I would have to travel VERY light to save money.

Most things are easy to part with for me. It's just stuff!.....but the very personal items are a whole other matter. My music, certain pieces of art(definitely not expensive),certain papers, memories, pictures, and some small objects. These "things" are mostly sentimental so it will take A LOT OF THOUGHT for me to decide what I must leave behind. It makes me sad to think of this but I know I must do it in order to fulfill my dream of living abroad. The dream eases the pain. The adventure and the thought of "going home" to a world I know I belong to brings me joy and therefore overshadows the pain of choosing what to take with me on my glorious journey.

Angelo de Gioia