thanks for being amazing one last time, Italy.

Florence, sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.

The waterworks have begun, and they keep alternating between being SO happy to go home and see my family and friends, but also SO sad to be leaving my new family, my new friends, and my new home.

Faith and I taught Stella the quote "non piangere perché è finito, sorridi perché è successo" .... "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

As cheesy as this quote is, it's as close as I can get to making sense of how this feels right now. See ya soon, America.

words that will get me through the next few days:

Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary 


before we can meet again and meeting again, after moments


 or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.

- Richard Bach

The First of the Goodbyes...

Gonna miss my 3rd graders so much! :(

Currently dealing with finals, the fact that I'm going home in a week, and the fact that I'm leaving Italy in a week. SO MANY FEELINGS. Not enough time to write about them. Or about my trips to Catania, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast the past two weekends. Well, maybe there's enough time, but at this point I'm spending every free minute I have soaking up everything Italian. Cause who knows when I'll be back...

The Robinsons Do Italy

They are the master observers of art.

They pose by the Ponte Vecchio.

They discover beautiful views of the city from the gardens of the Pitti Palace.

They ride bikes in Lucca.

They even explore Lucca by foot.

They drive little red cars through the Tuscan countryside.

They pose in said countryside.

They finagle their way into private wine tours.

They visit torture museums? Not normal.

Then, they go to ROME. And have such a great time. A trip to be remembered. When in Rome...

They visit Vatican City.

They stand in line for St. Peter's in the rain. But don't worry, they were used to getting rained on every single day (minus 2) out of their 10 days in Italy.

They finally get in to the Basilica, and gawk at its massiveness.

And at Michelangelo's Pieta. The Sistine Chapel was also involved in the trip to the Vatican.

They see the Colosseum! "Joint is holding up pretty good, considering the Stones opened it." -Dad

They get caught, unprepared, in the rain at the Roman Forum.

They explore the Pantheon, with its perfect architectural proportions.

They discover the Tiber River.

They search the neighborhood of Trastevere for a bathroom for the boy, only to end up tricking one bar into thinking they'd buy something, while really they just ran away while the boy was inside using the facilities. 

Most excitingly, they go to ROME VS. FLORENCE soccer games! Oh wait, no they don't. They buy tickets for the game, then have it be cancelled the day before due to the sudden death of a Serie B player during a game. What are the odds?

It's hard to believe I only have three weeks left in this beautiful place.

(Eric and I found the best view of the city)

Faith, Stella and I after a piano concert in the Palazzo Pubblico. Despite falling asleep for the first half (it was   dark and he was playing Mozart, I couldn't help it), it was a great experience. Hearing "bravo" in its original language and context was also really cool.