do everything better

So, I was not so good at keeping up with my blog while in Italy (i've never been able to stick to diaries and what not), but i'm feeling a shift within myself that has urged me to come back to it.

I can't explain the change really. It wasn't some attempt at a new year's resolution, I think it just happened naturally. Something over this last Christmas break as a college person really changed my thought process.

The words "do everything better," come to mind.

I am a firm believer that no one person can ever reach a euphoric version of themselves, there is always something more, or in some cases something less that can be done. Love more, worry less, feel more, think less. Ask more questions, own less stuff, be more present, watch less TV... and the list goes on.

.................................................

The first day of class this semester, I was having a particularly bad day. I felt like I was so inadequate whenever my professors asked what our plans were after graduation. I'm a senior public relations major, and I still don't know!

But then I realized I didn't give myself the credit I deserved. Sure I'm not a PR genius, and yes I don't have a CLUE where i'll be in 5 months, but I know what I can do now. And for me, that's all I need.

I start an internship tomorrow doing new media relations on campus. I had to apply and go in for a fancy interview and everything (I have the blisters from wearing heels on campus to prove it). I did assure them that I was a novice twitter user and had no experience in html, but that I will work hard and that I was willing to learn, which counts for something, right?

Wish me luck!

-Audrey

Has it been one week already???

Hello All!

Sorry for the delay in updates. I trying to be on the computer as little as possible and when I am online the connection is quite pesky.

Florence is so wonderful! I am always pleasantly surprised every time I turn on a new street I haven't seen before. There are the cutest shops, and the PRETTIEST jewelry I've ever seen... aka i'm hoping i'll have some money left at the end of my trip to buy myself something.

Sunday some friends and I took a day trip to Cinque Terre, which was about 3 hours from here buy train. It is composed of 5 small towns linked together by hiking trails, boats and train rides. It was absolutely breath taking. We had the mountains on one side of us and the ocean on the other. It was totally worth the 3 hours of sleep we got (we had to be at the train station at 7 in the morning), our group being totally unprepared for a day of physical activity, and being so deliriously tired on the train we certainly lived up to the "obnoxious american" title.

Today our school group hiked to the "top of Florence" to the Piazza Michelangelo, which was stunning. On top of the hill was a beautiful church, the name is slipping my mind at the moment, but it was incredible.

My painting class is going well. It is pretty intimidating and a lot of work, but I'm hoping I will learn to really enjoy painting. There aren'y any masterpieces in the works or anything, but it has potential to be a fun hobby.

Tomorrow is a big Italian holiday, and there will be fireworks over the Arno River... this will be my supplementary fourth of july I suppose, haha!

This weekend is Verona and Lake Garda, can't wait!

AND, visitors next week! woo hoo!

Ciao!

Audrey

Rome and First Day in Florence

Hello All!

I finally got out of that memphis airport and landed in Rome, where I proceeded to get a taxi by myself, with a cab driver who spoke NO english (I mean, I guess I am in Italy, right?...), and get to the hotel my study abroad group were staying. It was certainly a long day, but totally worth it!

Rome is beautiful. Every inch is so detailed and thought out; not to mention the history upon history upon history the city has. Every building is more beautiful than the next, and I found myself being really touristy and snapping photos left and right.

We stayed at the Villa Maria in Rome which was run by nuns, and very quaint, but nice. Dorm room style, for sure. I've met tons of girls from all over the country; California, Arkansas, Oregon, New Orleans, Chicago... and the list goes on! It's so neat to be surrounded by people with different backgrounds, and from different places!

And as fun as staying in Rome was, we were all excited to get to our apartments in Florence. After our 5 hour bus ride through gorgeous Italian scenery, we were so pleased to arrive in Florence, pouring rain and all.

The city is so charming! We are all "obsessed" with how cute it is, and how beautiful everything is! More to come later, I have more exploring of the city I need to do!

But so far, I'm having a fabulous time in a more beautiful place than I could have ever imagined.

Ciao!

Audrey

Memphis Airport?

From what I can conclude, there is only one thing worse than getting stuck in the Memphis airport from what could be anywhere between 5 hours to 25 hours... everyone looks so normal. I can't even people watch here; thus, boredom and $8 internet access ensues.

My original flight plan went like this:

Lubbock to Memphis

Memphis to Boston

Boston to Amsterdam

Amsterdam to Rome

.....

Needless to say I have only made it to my first stop and am already having issues; love the airline system.

But, I am trying to not let it bother me. It's not under my control after all.

Best alternative, I reach Rome tomorrow afternoon, other than that I won't be there until June 16 at 7 pm... in which case i'll have read every magazine at the airport.

Cross your fingers for me!

Love,

Audrey

Pre-departure

"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves- in finding themselves."

-Andre Gide

I am about to embark on the biggest adventure of my life, so far. Monday I leave for Florence, Italy! Having known no other way of life than the one I have led in my hometown of Lubbock, Texas for the past 21 years, I am, needless to say, ecstatic to step out of my comfort zone - way out of my comfort zone.

I am going into this completely open-minded; ready to try new things, meet new people, and have what I'm sure will be the best experience of my life.

:)

That's all, until I reach my destination,

Ciao!

-Audrey