The reason I came here was to find out more about myself, like I did at VVR. So far, I have. I've discovered that I can really be myself 24/7 and no one will think of me differently. I've discovered that I can navigate through town on my own and no one will ask me where I'm going or when I'll be back. I've discovered that my life here, when you get down to it, doesn't carry as many differences from my other life in Utah as I'd imagined. Sure, the part where I'm living in a foreign country is completely new, and the fact that my classes are in Italian is definitely new. But, when I start looking down through the cracks at the details, I can see more similarities than I'd been originally looking for. First of all, I've discovered that people are people no matter where you go--two eyes, two ears, etc. complete with beliefs, accents, sense of style, a way of making other people laugh or understand them. It's the small, individual differences that makes a person different from the one sitting across the table from them, though--the way their eyes scrunch up when they laugh, the way they wiggle their foot when they're comfortable, the way they sigh when they begrudgingly go to and sit through class. We're all the same, more or less, piu' o meno, except for these special characterizations about us. That's what I'm talking about. But, what I'm beginning to understand more and more, is that, even though it is gorgeous and brimming over with culture and love and every good thing I can think of here, it has it's downs just like any other place. It just happens to be Italy, Europe, the Worldy. People, on the outside, are all the same for the most part. So are countries....except for the glorious details that make it "it."

It's time for an official update. First of all, I'm in Italy!! I made it here safely and pretty much in one piece...my mind was scattered and not quite complete. I've been here for, oh, 7 weeks now?? Somewhere around there. And my classes have been going on for 4 weeks this week. One of my most favorite things to do is go running here because it gives me a chance to stare at the city sights for as long and as fully as I'd like. I also love going to other cities and seeing what it's like...to find the charms and non-charms of a spot. Like Assisi, for instance. RUDE! and Perugia--sweet. :) I also like sitting outside, slowly drink a cappuccino, and watch all the people walk by. SO FUN. Basically, my days are filled with figuring out the next place to sit and do nothing. We don't do much here...except live the Italian culture. I've already learned so much about myself and this country. I've already discovered so many things that I didn't know before. I've already had so many good adventures and lessons taught. How can it get better? Well, for one, visiting Florence would make it better. And Venice. And Portofino. And Croatia... For two, to have those I love coming and visiting me. It's not that I'm lonely here, because I'm not, it's just that I wouldn't mind seeing an old familiar face every now and again...you know? Someone that knows and loves the Lisa from before my Italian adventures; someone that I can talk about old adventures with and share all my new adventures and discoveries with. Luckily, I have that to look forward to. I have SO MUCH to look forward to.