I spent a lot of time today doing busy-work sorts of preparations for Italy. I'm not sure if I chose today to avoid studying for finals (yikes!) or to honestly continue my preparations. Nevertheless, I confirmed by tour in Venice, ordered my International cell phone and SIM card, made more lists of things to do and pack and what not; it's been busy! The hardest part of all of this is trying to keep track of money. I've never dealt with so much before in my life (minus college because that's all loans, so I never actually see any of it!). The sad part is that I never actually have any. I earn it, and it's gone. I guess that's a pattern that I'll have to get used to with growing up.
The more that days pass and the closer that Italy gets, the more I think about it and the more that it really feels like it is becoming a reality. My nerves gobble up my excitement. I've been using Italy planning as a distraction from things that need done (i.e. schoolwork), but soon, that will be over, and I'll be using work-work to distract myself from the impending doom of Italy! Wow, that sounds awful. I am excited, I swear; it's just that my nerves are getting the best of me. At the same time, I feel my stomach churn each time that I think about the wonders that I have yet to discover and see. I used to think that I had been developed into a well-cultured young woman through my education and books. I'm learning very quickly that there is a whole big world out there beyond the pages of the books that I have read. By no means am I discrediting books. I love them, and I promise, one day I will write them. It's just a pre-departure culture shock that I'm trying to deal with I suppose!
At the retreat (which I never blogged about; whoops! Those pictures are worth thousands of words, right?), we received a book called The Art of Crossing Cultures. I intend on reading it before I leave. I also have to read this packet/booklet that my program sent me about some basics on Italy, general things to know, all that. I just realized how silly I am! I just got done talking about how I am very poorly cultured because I've read much but have not done much, yet in preparation to do much, I must read more! What a beautiful thought! There truly is such a thing as getting the best of it all.
I'm not sure what will be left to discuss before I leave except for when I start packing and when things come in the mail (like my 10-22mm lens that I am hoping to purchase!). I'll try to keep you updated as much as possible. Hopefully my nerves will subside, and I will remember to take baby Aspirin for a week before leaving as my sister recommends so that I don't get blood clots and Pulmonary Embolisms and all of those other joys and fears of travelling!
Blessings.
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