I'm only slightly melancholic and I have no idea how to express feelings on a blog without seeming trite... but I feel like I'm missing everything now because, honestly, I don't want to miss anything in Florence and London. You will all be in my thoughts; we will share glimpses of each others' lives, and I look forward to it (so keep in touch).
I'm only too aware that I will be picked up and plopped in a pile of adventures for the next five months, and it's everything I've dreamed of since the ninth grade, but I will treasure you all, dear memories, and I'll keep you all posted. As for my Knox peeps, we're all about change, and I look forward to re-meeting you Fall 2009!
As for now, the past few weeks echo with laughs, techno music, waves, dancing feet, movies, make-up brushes, camera clicks, and prayers, and these next two days I will do my best to pack in all my things and pack in all the hugs I can. My parents and I leave Tuesday, December 30th at noon and will catch a connecting flight in Philadelphia to ROME where we'll be spending New Year's. Then, come January 4th (Happy Birthday Javi), we're headed to Florence where I check in at Pensione Ottavini, meet the program people and get matched with a family. Language class starts the 5th--four hours a day, five days a week. I'm writing all this now, because I'm not sure when I'll get access to an internet café. My parents leave January 10th, and that's all I foresee for now because the rest is a mystery.
"I am doing something new; it's springing up--can't you see it?" Isaiah 43:19
I really feel this trip is a blessing from God, and I pray it serves as a chance to get closer to Him while sharing His joy and love in different accents and cultural languages.
I've bookmarked this page, and I'm eagerly awaiting living vicariously through you for 5 months! I'm so glad you got this blog set up. You are more prepared than you know, Caroline, don't sweat it! But I don't understand any of the Spanish in the directions :(
ResponderEliminarHey Caroline, this is Devin, I saw your blog link in your status...GOOD LUCK going abroad, it will be amazing. :} I'm excited to read about it!
ResponderEliminarCaroline- I read from the most recent blog backwards to this one-GREAT JOB! You are capturing your feelings and not just the agenda of the day, so that will be valuable as a writer if you ever want to make a book or play out of your experiences. I can already see the modern bookcover like the "Shopaholic" series, with the cartoon girl in dark tights and her plaid cape looking at the Colisseum, London Bridge and the Eifel Tower. The tone in those books is very personal,like yours, and you feel like you are experiencing life from Becky's eyes, just as in your blogs. I cried on our train tide leaving Florence the day we returned to Rome. As the train clackety-clacked further down the tracks, all I could think was that I was getting further and further away from you. I didn't even let daddy see me cry, but I told him about it later. I will miss you and your sensible advice and well grounded Christianity. I meant all my praise that night at the Volpi's- you have been a joy to raise, Caroline! I hope you weren't embarrassed. I liked the Volpi's so much! When Mr. Volpi let us out at our hotel that night I told him that I knew you were in good hands, and he understood me. He said, "Bono mani" and as I held his two hands and shook them I answered Yes! Grazie! I should have said "Molto grazie!!! But I felt like he knew I was grateful. I need their home address so can send that Spanish fan to Elisabetta that I promised her! Also- the chants you heard at the San Miniato church were called Gregorian Chants. I had read in the guidebook about them. You are so lucky to have experienced that! Keep chronicaling as often as you can since the emotion and tone of the moment can be forgotten without the discipline of journaling. I will give Javi his birthday gift today. He's real excited about it!! Keep up the good work and remember you are always in my thoughts and prayers! Love, Mom
ResponderEliminar