The Last Week

It's official. In less than a week I'll be on a plane to Roma. Though I can practically taste the gelato, it seems as though there is a mountain of tasks left to accomplish. Try as I may, I have definitely let the pre-voyage stress get to me in the past couple of days. As I sat at the table, doing some last minute research, I found myself wishing away the next week.

But then I thought about the promise I made a few weeks ago. I told myself that this trip would be an opportunity to see everything anew. How quickly I'd forgotten this! There are plenty of things I could be enjoying in this last week, the most significant being my family. Although this is my third year at college, this trip will be the first time that I am truly leaving home. I've never been the type of person to call home every day, or come back on the weekends, but in the back of my mind, I always knew that my family was only a short drive away should I need them. I am not worried about being homesick, or wishing I could call home everyday. Rather, just thinking about going away, makes me realize that I have a lot to appreciate in these last few days at home.

I've got four days to soak up all the funny conversations, goofy antics, nightly walks, and poolside chats. I mean, it's going to be awhile before 

   I watch another Packer game with the family:

 Have a jam session,

  Make lefse at Thanksgiving,

                                           Or set my eyes on whatever is going on here,

    Who knows? These next four days might be more exciting than I thought.

Travel Reflections

I'll be the first to admit that I'm more than just a little skeptical about recording my thoughts in a blog. Let's be honest, I can count on....2 fingers how many times I've mustered the will power to write in my diary for more than a week. However, I am determined to be a dedicated blogger. Why? Because I believe that the next four months will change my life. Furthermore, I think this could be a meaningful way to share my travel experiences with everyone back home.

As I scoured the internet in search of a creative title for this blog (clearly I didn't find one), I came across many an inspirational travel quote. This quote in particular, made quite the impression on me:

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” 

-Bill Bryson

This is such a wonderful mentality! I've been dreaming about the incredible churches, museums, and artwork that I'll see in Europe, but I think that if I want to make the most of this experience, I need to dream about more than that. This trip is an opportunity to see everything, even the most ordinary, everyday things, anew. Let the adventure begin!