i'm thankful...

That six months ago, I made the best decision of my life. I can distinctly remember spring break of 2010 sitting in my living room and trying to decide: Italy/South Africa, Italy/South Africa. My friends at school had made a poll, and South Africa was winning by a landslide. I had just spent January there, and I think really everyone was expecting me to go back and do the civil justice work I am so passionate about it.

But then, sitting there in that living room, I started dreaming in another direction. My mom asked me to simply talk about these two countries, talk about what was drawing me in either direction, to see if that might help. I myself didn't feel I was truly swayed in one direction or the other, but to my parents it was clear. "Your face just lights up when you talk about Italy!" Once I heard her say that, I had to admit it was true. I had always loved the idea of getting back to that particular part of my ancestry, and the more I thought about it, the bigger my smile became. It was decided: go with what makes you happy.

The next six months I kept wondering if I'd made the right choice, not knowing if this meant I'd never again get to see South Africa. I was terrified the day I got on the plane, and was practically sobbing when I said goodbye to my mom at the airport.

But now, during the week that my home country gives thanks, I'd like to shout from the rooftops that I am thankful for ITALY and its presence in my life. Sitting around a thanksgiving table in a tennis club in Florence with wonderful new friends, and a woman who has truly become my Italian Mamma, I couldn't stop smiling.

This is absolutely the place for me. When I decided to go to St. Olaf, I told everyone I wanted to try the midwest because I didn't want to live in the same town my whole life and then one day, at 65 be on a train through the midwest and think "wow, I should have lived here!". Little did I know that when I chose to stretch myself by going to St. Olaf, I'd be opening up a world of opportunity. Not only was I able to experience the midwest, I was also able to find a whole new country that in every way feels like home.

I sort of wish this experience could go on forever, even though there are of course things and people I miss back home. I really hope that this isn't my final taste of Italy, because now, after 3 and a half months, it really feels like home.

I'm also thankful for all of YOU who read my blog, send me emails, and generally send good thoughts. I miss you all and I hope your thanksgivings were as thankful and joy filled as mine!

back home and then back to italy

Hello all!

I am back in Italy after having returned to America for a week. I went to Boston from Italy, spent a few days there and then flew into LAX. It was a jam packed four days, first a viewing, then the burial and then the funeral (and on the last day, my brothers birthday) and it was exhausting. I am so so glad that I went home, because being with my family is just what I needed. I hadn't seen some of my cousins in years (which is a big deal for my very tight knit family) and my other grandparents and wonderful tante came down as well. It all finally felt real while I was back in Claremont, surrounded by grief and by memories. It was really hard, but I was lucky enough to have friends and family all around me. In fact, my best friend drove all the way from Santa Cruz just to be at the funeral. It's a week I won't ever forget, and I'm forever grateful to everyone in my family who made it happen.

That sunday, I spent almost 24 hours traveling to get back to Florence. One of the girls on my program put it really well when she asked "does it feel like you just went to space and then came back?" Yes. That's EXACTLY how it felt. There was no such thing as time and food was just an extra thing that people did to feel polite...It was a weird week getting back on track, but I'm feeling confident that I'll be able to catch up on everything and finish all my work before I go back home for real.

Which is so soon! I only have three and a half weeks left to be here!! My roommate and I have decided we have a lot to do in that time, and we're ready to get cracking. It's still kind of hard to be here, and the grief and jet lag both still hit me in exhausting waves, but I'm determined to soak up as much as I can in the time I have left. My Grammie loved to travel, and specifically loved Italy and I know that she's watching me and waiting for me to enjoy these three weeks as much as possible.

That's just my little update, love to you all from Florence!

Amy