Cheers to Another

2013 was a year of uncertainty. It was not a year of going through the motions- it was a year of seeing my hard work, hopes, and dreams come to life. It is a year that I am very proud of and very appreciative for the people in my life who have lent a helping hand and an understanding ear when I needed it most. In the past year, I realized what I am capable of and I have learned to accept the things that are out of my control. I've learned that good things don't come to those who wait-they come to those who work their asses off, and though some things land in your lap because of mere serendipity- most things come because you deserve it.

So, I've come to appreciate all those little moments, the moments of rarity that make you feel so blessed to be alive. When you're mad at the universe-just remember that the universe works in conjunction with your actions- it's a push and pull. But sometimes the medium is quite perfect. You win some and you lose some. There will always be speed bumps along the road, hurdles to overcome but getting over it brings you one step closer to the person you want to be. The person you would want to be friends with.

As I put this year behind me and say goodbye to 2013, I've realized that this year has been exceptionally good to me. Or, I have been good to myself. I have met so many amazing people from around the world and have connected with people who have brought the goodness out in me. I spent 3 months living in Italy and it was the best god damn decision I've made in my entire life. My best friends and I spend so much time apart but the beauty in our relationship is that we grow seperately but never apart. I have a job that I love to hate-but nonetheless helps pay the bills. I've ended friendships that I outgrew because even though you've known each other for a long time doesn't mean they belong in your life. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is let go even if you're not ready to.The most important thing that I learned this year is that the people who matter most will always be there.

I cannot wait for what 2014 has in store. Instead of ending this with saying"new year, new me."
Instead "new year, better me." Cheers to another, and I hope this year is filled with travel for me and my readers!

There are no KANGAROOS IN AUSTRIA!!!!

Guten tag my friends!!!!!!!

Halloooo! I know I haven't written in a while...because I am now on vacation!! and I don't spend much time in front of my laptop. I am no longer in Florence. Hence.. no more "ciao my friends":( Also if you noticed...I changed the name of my blog because I am no longer soakin under the Tuscan Sun. I've had the travel bug ever since I was a kid and now I am on a quest to travel to 30 new places by the time I'm 30... and hopefully since I have a blog to fulfill...I will accomplish my mission. Anyways.. I am now alive and well in Vienna, Austria...not Australia!!!! You'd be surprise how many people think i'm in Australia right nowww so educate yourself with some geography my friends. Austria is a small country in Eastern Europe that is home to SOO much history, culture, and art. It's home to some of the greatest composers like Mozart and famous artists like Gustav Klimt and the Viennese Waltz and Opera. I forgot to mention that my family resides in Austria so I'm here relaxing and spending time with my family.

The last couple of days in Firenze was so bittersweet. I really hate getting emotionally attached to places and especially people because eventually all good things have to come to an end-but it happens...and when it happens it hurts!! On our last day in Florence we finished our finals and had one last farewell dinner with everyone in the program. At first we were all smiles and stuffing our faces... but as the night progressed.. we started to realize that this is truly our last time together...and then it was just teardrops all over my guitar!!! Thinking about it...makes me miss Florence terribly and everyone in it. Saying our goodbyes were so hard...especially to our Professors who we may never see again. I really really adored my professors. My Italian professor is the sweetest thing in the world and I really broke my heart when we said our goodbyes.

& this is my Italian Professor! Her name is Cristina. 

& this is the best squadro Level 2 has ever had!! The best classmates that made everyday hilarious. I miss you guys. The more I think about Florence..the more my heart aches so I will tell you about Vienna!

I've been coming to Vienna ever since I was a kid because it's home to me. It's so relaxing and such a beautiful city. It holds a special place in my heart because my mom was raised here and my parents also got married here and my grandma lives here. These past couple of days have been absolutely amazing...I don't think I've ever been so happy. I love being surrounded by all my family and just enjoying the little things. Money can buy a lot of things. It can buy plane tickets, train tickets, experiences, admission fees...but it can't buy laughter, happiness, friendship, or family. I think my favorite memories while I was abroad wasn't when we were loaded and eating nice meals (though great!!) it was when we were starving and drinking boxed wine and giggling at god knows what and and just really enjoying each others company. 

I have been saving this as a draft for a while now but I am super exhuasted...so I'ma just post this to keep yall posted until next time!  Auf Wiedersehen

Ciao Firenze!

Ciaooo my friendsss!!

So in Italian...ciao means both hello and goodbye which is fitting for the way I feel right now. These past eight weeks have gone by with a blink of an eye. I still remember feeling scared, nervous, and excited touching foot in Italy, and now I feel the exact way leaving Florence. I started this blog to capture my thoughts,feelings,and emotions throughout my experience, and now I'm at a loss for words.

This is the first picture I took in Florence. It was blazing hot and I was sweating....and def not one of my best pics but it was the first one!!!....and did I ever mention that I lost my luggage for 3 days!?! Yup. 
Studying abroad has been the best and worst times of my life. They say it's not where you are-it's who you're with and as much as I agree with this statement- the latter is hard to disregard. I have met so many amazing people that I hope to call life long friends that have made my experience abroad more than memorable...and Florence is where it all happened. If I didn't decide to study abroad this Summer, I'd most likely be slaving away at my nine to five contemplating the next place I wanted to eat so I could instagram it. hahha. Life on the other side of the world isn't so much different.... but it has been anything BUT mundane. I would never have grown so much in the vicinity of my home town if I never decided to leave. I would never have been able to truly reflect on myself, who I was, what I've done, and be able to come to terms with who I want to be. Florence has endowed me the greatest capacity to truly AND i mean truly live.

My time abroad has allowed to realize and appreciate all the little things. I've tried foods (raw herring in amsterdam) that I would never have touched anywhere else. I've talked to people I've normally would've ignored (these girls who I met on their last day of study abroad recommended their favorite kebap place in Florence which is now our favorite), I've done things without a second thought (Go to a rave in London). Every single memory has become so special and unique. Everything that is different is appreciated and every inconvenience is just another BIG adventure lurking in the shadows. You learn so much about yourself and others when you travel which has taught me to let go and just live in the flow of everyday life in whatever country that I was in. Join me in appreciating the little things....

Pisa is where it all started! 

@ the Colosseum in Rome

Bumping into this man TWICE in Rome

Drinking tea right next to the Spanish Steps 

Florence Days

Making the best out of the rainy days

Climbing Rocks in Cinque Terre

No one ever lets me sleep peacefully!!!!

Nights spent not studying

My Main Girls <3

Celebrating the Fourth the Firenze duck face style

From Always eating out WELLL

Cooking our own meals in Culinary Class

Hopping to a different country every week

& always trying to silly pictures

But sometimes we clean up well...especially for L'Opera. 

Riding Canals Through Amsterdam

Staying up all night in Florence

As my final day in Florence is inching closer, I can't help but reflect on everything that has happened. I've realized that waking up to unfamiliar faces, stepping foot into unknown buildings, and communicating through language barriers is my favorite setting to be in. Florence and traveling has taught me to embrace the feelings of fear and uncertainty in the pit of my stomach and welcome it with open arms. In retrospect, the best feeling is realizing that I jumped so far out of my comfort zone that I didn't realize it could extend out of bounds through the bleachers and out the door. Studying abroad has taught me to become accepting to other people's ways of life and allowing me to realize that I am the different one, and I am the foreigner. This culture shock has been one of the most rewarding experiences because you don't just learn about this new culture, you learn about your home and how it is perceived through the eyes of others.  It's refreshing to learn that your home town (MPK!!) is not the center of the universe as so many people like to perceive it. You begin to realize that the world is a big place that is constantly functioning on different levels and even though you may be surrounded by a certain ideal of life- it doesn't mean the entire world sees it the same way you do. It helps you to understand that there is no concurrent answer.

The only answer that I've conjured up is to just keep going.  The world is such an amazing place and it'd be a shame to not see it.So...Grazie Firenze..for everything. All the memories, laughter, friendship, tears, mosquito bites, rain, and everything in between.

I don't really know how it started but every time we sit together we do our Highs and Lows of the day. If you were to ask me what my HIGH was during my time abroad...I would have to say it was the friendships I've made. I know we've been avoiding talking about it, but you guys have made this trip SOO memorable for me. At least one of you guys are in every picture, so I couldn't forget you guys even if I wanted to. Every day I look forward to seeing you guys because it's always a good time, and if it's not...then we make it a better time. Thank you guys for opening your hearts to me and allowing me to do the same. Thank you guys for dealing with me at my worst and laughing with me at my best. You all have made such an impact on me that I will never be able to shake off. I love you bitches. With every high there is also a LOW and that would be having to say goodbye to our lives in Florence because things will never be the same. JK.. yall bout to be my bitches for life...

Thank you for reading and following my life abroad. I have enjoyed waking up to blog views especially on the days where I don't post anything! hahaha. BIG thank you to Vermeer and JPM for always hustling me to write! I will be traveling for a while after my program so stay tuned..for my next blog...Project 30....DUN DUN DUN..... 

Ciao Firenze, un giorno tornerò. 

AMSTERDAYUMMMMMM

Ciaoooo my friendsss!!!

So this weekend I was in Amsterdam. This was the first trip I booked because Amsterdam was number one on my study abroad bucket list and I'm so happy that I can check this off. I really don't even know how to start or what to say about Amsterdam. It was so surreal...we all just kept saying that we don't even feel alive right now. I felt like we were dropped in a board game or we were standing on Main Street Disneyland, but it wasn't just the street-it was the entire city. London, Rome, and Paris were so grand and embellished and made me feel so small but alive and inspired. But Amsterdam.... it made me feel..... I still can't put a word on it.... I saved this draft and went back to it and still can't describe it hahaha. Nonetheless... this is by far the most beautiful city that I have visited. London and Paris are known for their grand monuments and that aids to it's beauty-but what I loved about  Amsterdam is that its so extremely gorgeous without the accessories.

So we left Florence at 9:30 to Eindhoven which is about an hour and half away from Amsterdam. No one ever writes about the pre-traveling.....cause it's boring long and super tiring..... 

But when you finally make it to your destination, it's all worth it. Amsterdam is seriously the MOST gorgeous city in the world. Everything was so postcard perfect and it's like this everyday...without trying!! I still can't even grasp being there and trying to soak in the beauty. It also rained all three days that we were there..sporadically...but still rained on our parade. I kinda enjoyed the rain though... it added to the whole Amsterdam charm. 

& This is the red light district. Let me tell ya....seeing is definitely believing. Amsterdam is known for many things but I felt like it was the food capital in the world. Every second of the day we were all eating because we just wanted to try everything. Everything was so delicious and diverse.... my stomach was happy this weekend. 

Dutch Pancakes......yeah I'm wiping the drool off too....

With the best syrup in the world...

The best steak I've ever had.

Late night munchies

Raw Herring.. which is famous in Amsterdam, and when you travel you must not hold your breath to anything even though Yall know how I feel about fish...but this was interesting. 

This is the community at the I AMsterdam letters

& this is us at the Heineken Factory! Photo by D 

By far the COOLEST Musuem I have ever been to.... if you guys are making your way to Amsterdam....THIS IS A MUST!! For the price of admission we learned all about the beer, got to smell the ingredients, and it came with 3 free drinks.

Everywhere we gooo...

And we spent our last day pedaling through the Canals. Photo by D

This was Amsterdam in a nutshell! I also visited Anne Frank's house. THEEEE Anne Frank's house. It felt so surreal that I was walking through the same steps that she did and looking through the same window that she probably stared at hours wishing to look through. It felt so surreal...everything about Amsterdam was and will always be so surreal to me. 

I wrote in a previous post that there are a lot of "downs" that have happened that go undocumented... but I think I'll have to write about this one since this might've been the biggest mission accomplishment of my life and of course it's with my girls. Let me introduce you to them since this is one for the books!! They usually make their appearance in every blog posts because I spend everyday with them....LOL.. so the one on the left is Tati and the one in the middle is Danielle. Most of the time we're all shits and giggles...but nope not this timeee!!!   LOL actually I think I'm just going to brush over it because no one will ever understand the ropes knotting in our stomachs and the anxiety filled breaths we all took. Now looking back...two days ago... I'm so proud of us that we put all our brains together and collectively figured this out. Sighhhhhh. When in Amsterdammm. 

Moral of the story: Always know exactly how you are getting home!!! and when things go wrong which will definitely happen when you travel... I hope that you have company that I had and will try to laugh through the unknown with you. Even if it's forced!!!! I love you guyssss.

Even though Florence was like 105 degrees when we landed at 12 am...it still made me so happy to be home. This is the last full week of my time in Florence.... and then our program ends and we all go our separate ways... you know what I'm going to save the sappy stuff for the next blog post because I'm not ready to think about leaving this place I call home. P.S... ask me if you want to know what really happened in Amsterdam.... =P