ONE WEEK UNTIL I LEAVE!!

I am one week from leaving! I'm sooooo excited and a little nervous. Really, I'm just nervous about the flight there and finding my way to the hostel. I know I'll be fine, but it's just an overwhelming concept for a directionally challenged Kansas girl. Haha. On another note, today I finally got my passport/visa. That's amazing that they will wait to process them until the WEEK before someone leaves the country. It put a lot of stress on me...but, it's here and I'm all packed to leave. I just have some last minute visits to make to everyone and my internship presentation to give! YAY! Italy...are you ready for me? :)

Packing ...who knew it'd be this scary... AND visiting people

I've never really enjoyed packing. I feel like I'm bound to forget something, but I hate having too much with me...so I always underpack. Well, packing to go to another country for 3 1/2 months has turned into quite an extravaganza. Not only do I need to have certain items to work with any weather condition, but I'm planning for weather that I've never experienced! I have no clue what to wear. No matter what, I will look like an American tourist...and I'm perfectly fine with that. That's what I am. Someone who loves to eat, travel, and meet new people....therefor, I am a tourist! Then, I decided that I will also organize everything else that I belong into a "K-State moving pile" and a "future home pile" ....so, I have a never ending explosion. It's great fun though. I'm learning that I have way too much that really isn't necessary. I've currently donated 5 big bags of belongings to St. V-de P. At least someone else will get good out of my belongings.

I'm also trying to fit in seeing everyone that I can before I go away. I just came back from Brenemans...and the crowd there had some great conversations. I love it when I'm around people who encourage eachother to think deeper and harder and explore every possible aspect of a given scenario. That's what I miss...people who take a broad look at the world and although they don't have a definitive answer on why things happen the way they do, they've thought of as many other possibilities as possible! Emily, Tom, Ryan, and Naomi...thank you for allowing me to think with you! :)

Greetings to fellow dreamers...

Hello All! This is the first post of many. For those of you who don't know, I fly out for Florence, Italy on September 1st. I'm so excited to start this new adventure! Italy was always the one country that I wanted to visit before my time on Earth is finished. Second, I will be taking mostly culinary classes...which, going to culinary school was always something on my "life to-do list". I will be going to school only four days a week, so I plan on traveling to see as much of Europe as possible! I can't wait for what lies ahead!

Currently, I'm finishing up my internship in Eureka Springs, AR. Although I have learned a ton here, I'm ready to be home with family and friends. It's important to me to get to see everyone before leaving. I'm going to miss a lot of people...but I know this adventure and experience are going to be totally worth it!