It's The Little Things...

I've just spent the last week being rather sick, so regrettably I haven't been able to get out much. I was just so frustrated and then I realized that I have reached the half-way point in my study abroad program. Then my brain just started whirring. Holy cow, I'm almost done here and what have I accomplished? My Italian isn't as good as thought it would be by now. I haven't gone as many places as I intended to by this point. How on Earth am I supposed to go back to living in California after this? Am I really experiencing and appreciating every moment of this trip. And on and on...

But then I was able to talk to some of my friends from the States (Elaina, Olivia, David, etc.) 

and when telling them about my recent adventures and the ones that are upcoming - Budapest, Bucharest, and Transylvania - I realized that I am making the most of this. I'm doing what I want to do in the ways I want to do them. I didn't want this trip to be a whirlwind tour of Europe where I spent a day or two in massive cities. I wanted to integrate myself into Roma. I wanted to learn about customs, gesticulations, and places that only Roma has. As much as I want to travel the world I also want to know it intimately. It really boils down to my 'be a traveler not a tourist' campaign. 

I've decided to start planning little weekend excursions to places in Italy and working on my Italian a bit harder. But as for now I am completely content adhering to the Italian idea of 'la dolce far niente' - the sweetness of doing nothing. So I am sitting in my kitchen eating some delicious grapes - their skins burst in my mouth and I am overcome with a sweet, refreshing but also slightly tart flavor that makes me think I can taste the sunshine on them - and I am reading my first birthday card. It's from my paternal grandparents whom I adore. It says, 'Do what Granny does on her birthday... get "gussied up" and give it your best shot!' It shows an old lady with a rifle which reminds me of my Great Grandma (Gigi) Brown. My dad told me how she used to take an air rifle and pump it a few times before shooting BBs at the squirrels in her backyard. More importantly it is a reference to how my Grandpa Peterson took me out and taught me how to shoot a rifle... which I picked up rather well. I spent a week of my summer spending time with them. It was wonderful. Sometimes I'm amazed by my family. Their ability to love me so much after a lot of the rougher parts of my life is incredible. But I guess that's what family is supposed to be for... to love you unconditionally. They collectively teach me everyday how to be a better person and push me to go after what I want. The only reason I'm here is because of all of their love and support. I know, I'm getting sappy, but what's a girl to do? It's not everyday she realizes that she's where she's supposed to be doing exactly what fate intended her to do. I am so grateful for being privileged enough to be able to study here in Rome while at the same time having my family's unfailing support.

I am amazed that this made it through the Italian postal system!

If anyone has any tips on Hungary or Romania of just wants to say hello, leave a comment!

I'm spending my birthday in Budapest and Halloween in Translyvania!!