T-13 Days Until Departure

It is crazy to think that in this year long process of praying, planning, wishing, hoping and working, that I am off to Florence, Italy in a mere 13 days, for 100 days. First and foremost, I want to thank my family for being so supportive of my dreams of Europe in the most recent months, and being so excited for me. Secondly, I want to give an immense "THANK YOU" to my Marietta College friends, coach, professors, sorority sisters, and teammates who made this all very possible...I will see you all in a matter of months (don't have too much fun!). Next, my best friends Zach Tolles, Bella Hildebrandt, and Amanda Lusky...you all know how much you mean to me and I am so lucky to have your support. And lastly, to the few people that are taking the time to read my blog (its my first time so be easy on me) and thank you for being so awesome. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.

I have always known that I wanted to study abroad at some point in my life but I kind of left that desire in my list of "wishes". You know, the list of things that would be totally rad to experience, but never in your wildest dreams would you actually do these things. Whether it be learning to play an instrument, losing weight, or even becoming more crafty, we all have this list. Since I am so consumed in school with being a Resident Assistant, involved in a Sorority, and a Varsity Athlete year-round, I thought that there was no possible way that traveling could ever happen. (Oh, add student to that list too...). Needless to say, I am a busy individual.  I was continually encouraged by my boyfriend to pursue this desire up until the application date, so I thought "what the heck, why not?".

Form after form, signature after signature, and meeting after meeting accumulated to a few months of applying and hoping for my acceptance to Athena Abroad's Florence, Italy program. Then, sitting in my sorority house, during the fall 2013 semester, I received a call that I had been officially accepted into the program. The excitement of that moment was infinitely better, (especially when coupled with 30 excited and screaming women sitting beside you), than the week of midterms I had been having, and my nalgene breaking earlier that day. (The whole nalgene thing--embarrassingly--put my into quite a foul mood so anything could have been better than that).

Since then, I have completed form after form, and found out that I will be lucky enough to row on the Arno with the real Italians and done my fair share of research. All that I have left to do is pack, and leave, but as I sit here typing this first post of what I hope to be many, I can not help but feel such a rush of emotions. I know that I am confident, I know that I am strong, and I know that I can do this, but at the same time, I can not help but feeling absolutely terrified. Of what? I'm not sure. Finding myself? Maybe. Figuring everything out on my own? That's not even a question. Leaving everything that I know and love? You betcha. (Well, all of that and the fact that I don't speak a lick of Italian). But you know what? In life, and in a situation like this, I don't have time to be afraid. I don't have time to wait for adventure. The only thing that I have time for is to explore as many things as I can and take full advantage of every opportunity that I am presented with, so, thanks for all of the support, and I hope my posts will be interesting enough in the months to come to keep some of you around. For now, Ciao, I'll see you again in 113 days!