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...