Time to Reflect...

I can hardly believe almost a month has passed since coming to Firenze.  I've had the opportunity to travel to Rome, Pisa, Viareggio, Assisi, Siena, San Gimignano, and Vallombrosa.  Weather permitting, tomorrow I will go bike riding in Lucca- home to the great Puccini!  The other night I got to see The Marriage of Figaro at the opera in Firenze, and I am anxious to see the performance of the Barber of Seville next week! I've been to mass at the Vatican, saw the Pope speak, held up the leaning tower of Pisa with  my bare hands, been to countless museums and churches, sat amidst ruins, experienced live music at roman style library with a tap for coke and moretti (haha), hiked for hours in the beautiful countryside, and have told myself I AM an educated woman and CAN flush a toilet every time I step into a different bathroom!  Enjoy your weekend, I'm off to the market for lunch...

Buonasera! Sto molto bene...

Life in Italy is wonderful. I feel such a connection. Rather than filling your eyes with words, let me show you what my eyes see.

Corey, a friend from IUS last year met me at the Boston airport. What a treat!

Raphaelle, a wonderous lady I met on my flight from Paris.  She is from Montreal, studying at a university in Florence this summer. 

Beautiful to watch, dangerous to dodge!

My hotel room. :) Pictures of my amazing roommates to follow.

The hotel I am staying in... Smallest elevator ever! Could hardly fit with my luggage.

I took this quickly as I was walking- they looked upset at me and I didn't want to get yelled at!  This is normal for musicians to be on street corners or in a palazzia.

Just a street, yet every street is beautiful!

View from my window.. Not too shabby!

The great Duomo. I am staying on the square, close to it.

More street performers! Florence is a quaint place mixed with constant entertainment.

All of these photos are from Saturday/ Sunday!  Its amazing what I can experience when I let go of my busyness and chit-chattery thoughts and just enjoy being present. Ciao :)

A New Beginning...

In seven days I will be standing on Italian soil.  I can hardly believe the thoughts in my head.  I will live in a little hotel owned by two Italian brothers in the heart of Florence, Italy.  I am one of thirty IU students taking classes May 8th- June 17th, studying Italian I and the history of Florence in the Renaissance.  June 17th-27th is a time set aside for traveling with my mother. Thoughts and emotions flood my mind and heart as I prepare to leave.  I struggle to study for finals, finish my CA tasks, and continue to pack when all I truly desire to do is open my books about Europe and begin to plan my journey!

I am trembling with anticipation, praying for wisdom and focus.  I am also grateful that God has blessed me with this opportunity to create and experience (to be and see) Love in this world beyond America.

I am so thankful for my friends and family with the constant support you have shown me. This blog is intended to share my eyes and heart with yours.

My beautiful friend Vicki at a going away party she hosted for me (4.23.11)

Ciao!