31: This is it

I just said goodbye to my new friends I made here in Florence; Carolyn and Katelyn. On top of that I just said goodbye to my snazzy-dressed roommate, Kevin before he went out for the night. And now it's just me packing, wondering if the weight limit for Lufthansa applies to the heavy mixed emotions I feel about departing tomorrow afternoon.

I can't say I'm one to handle many feelings at once. I prefer my emotions to be simple, straight forward, and one noted. I'm excited to be going home, which feels like a big sigh of relief. Not that I was holding my breath this entire semester, but I think I'm just glad to be going back to something familiar where it's okay to let my guard down. But on the other hand, I'm sad to be leaving because I have grown attached to Florence. And while I may have not undergone an Eat, Pray, Love transformation, I do think I grew a little and I'm almost sure I found myself again (at least a small part of the self I was before). I'm also dreading the airport security, which will be heightened no doubt... but I also feel good and secure about the hypothetical and assumed heightened security. I'm just feeling all over the place!

So this is it. My semester of self-discovery and food is coming to a close. I leave Florence a little heavier than I once was (thank you pasta), a bit more linguistically versed (thanks to my Italian teacher, Catia), definitely with a better fashion sense (mostly thanks to the Italian style), and a little bit more complete.

30: Uff-you!

Finally went to the Uffizi Gallery today-beautiful!

Yesterday I had the famous cheesecake at 4 Leoni. And I visited the Pitti Palace again, making sure to stop this time at La Sala Bianca So, it was a pretty successful day I think.

Things Still Left To Do:
1. Buy a Ponte Vecchio jewelry piece
2. Get me some gladiator sandals
3. Pashminas for everybody!
4. Biscotti for the family

29: Felice Cumpleanno!

Happy Birthday to me! Another year, another birthday I suppose. 22 sounds quite substantial, though...I'm old.

Tonight I went to dinner with Nina to The Diner. So that means.....

Things I Still Have to Do in Florence:
1. Uffizzi Gallery
2. Revisit the Pitti Palace Costume Gallery
3. Pitti Palace
4. One more trek up to Piazzale Michelangelo
5. Buy gladiator sandals per me
6. Buy gifts for others
7. Go inside Santa Croce
8. Academia one more time to see David

Ciao!

Days until I'm in the USA: 5

28: the beginning of the end

Today is Mother's Day (Happy Mother's Day, mom!). It's also the last Sunday in Firenze. I'll take in a few seconds to let that statement settle...

I won't go into details, but after a rowdy Friday night out I found myself sleeping most of Saturday away only to wake up on the other side of this weekend on Sunday morning. And thus marks the beginning of my last week in Florence. I spent the day lazily wandering around with Carolyn and Caitlyn, ending up at a public park north of the city center. We sat and pretended to study before heading to San Spirito for an early dinner at Gusta Osteria. So good. After many nights of Gusta Pizza, I'm glad I finally went to their restaurant; I've heard many good things about it and was very satisfied.

So this is my last week here in Florence, which at times feels like home and other times feels like not-home. I've had a really complete experience both of the culture and place, but also a personal one. I think, well, I'd like to think I've done some growing. If anything this semester abroad was necessary in the overall spectrum of my life, what I came from and what I'm moving towards.

Days until I leave for home: 6