Good Morning people (well maybe good night for you)! It’s a great day to explore a new place! After a little over 3 weeks in Italy with the Texas Christian University Communication Studies department, my program has ended and I, graciously, get the opportunity to stay after and do a little traveling of my own!
My program ended Sunday and all my friend left fairly early Monday morning and this is where my story starts…
I am so excited because my JanJan and Bia are meeting me to travel the rest of the time I am over here. It is going to be so much fun!! Originally, I knew that my program ended and I would have to stay one night alone in Florence before meeting them. I wasn’t thrilled with that because I am really not a fan of doing things alone… It’s just not my personality! But I knew I could handle one day alone. Monday came so quickly and I said bye to all my friends. It was sad just thinking about everyone leaving me, but like I said, I am a big boy and I knew it would all be fine.
I arrived at my (new) hotel and quickly learned that I didn’t have a room reserved there for Monday night, but instead Tuesday night. You can only imagine all that was going through my head. I first thought that my travel arrangements were all wrong. I was a little freaked out with all my things and nowhere to stay. It was around 11 am here, which meant it was 3 am at home, but I called anyways because I was unsure of what to do. Somewhere along the way we thought the last day of travel with my trip was the 31st of May, but it turns out it was actually the 30th. Long story short, I wasn’t meeting my JanJan and Bia till Wednesday (today) which meant I had to stay two days alone in Florence instead of one. I was not very happy about this at first, but I have learned that things like this usually turn out better than expected.
I had a feeling something was wrong because some of my family was at the lake all weekend and I was confused why my JanJan and Bia weren’t at home packing or something. I probably should have asked! Anyways, luckily, the hotel had my room available for Monday night and I could check-in right then and there. Praise the Lord for that! My room was so nice compared to my last place. I had to sleep with my windows open because I had no air and I ended up getting all these bug bites. So having a larger bed and air conditioning was already a step in the right direction! I got myself settled and went to a local grocery store! I was really so tired, it was raining, and I had already been in Florence for 10 days so I didn’t really have anything else I wanted to see!
These past two days have been so restful and peaceful. Since January when I went back to school for the second semester I have felt like I am constantly running. Never stopping. Always something to do. It was so nice to have this time to just chill out. I stated a new show on Netflix. Watched a movie. Worked on some work I have due for my classes I have been taking. I went back to a couple of my favorite places in the city, including my favorite gelato place. I really felt like I was truly living in Florence. I was not excited about it, but when He gives us extra time… We have to realize that is something to be thankful for!
It is weird leaving Italy after 3 weeks… I mean I almost feel like a local (wink wink). What an incredible opportunity this was. I will touch on it more when I get back, but a huge thank you goes to my professors and all those at TCU that make life changing opportunities, like spending a month in Italy, possible. Oh yeah, and my parents! Thanks for being here for me even miles and miles away AND for providing all the euros. (ily guys).
Also, to all the other ladies on the trip: Thanks for making me the Prince and making me feel so loved. Traveling Italy with 10+ females wasn’t what I had in mind, but when life changes you make the best of it. I had so much fun with y’all!!!
On another note, yesterday was one of my favorite dude’s special day. You may have seen him in the blog before, he happens to make regular appearances, and it just so happens that yesterday he turned 21!!! Michael Drake is a huge light on campus and an even bigger light in my life. I remember meeting him at orientation and then our parents randomly chatting for hours in Fuzzy’s afterwards. He was one of my first friends at TCU and man, did God pick a good first guy to place in my life. I don’t really know what it is about MDrake, but wherever he is I can guarantee he is going to make you feel important, special, and loved. It makes your day no matter what else is going on. He is one outstanding dude that I am honored to call a good friend. He is currently living in the Dominican Republic for two months speaking Spanish and doing an awesome internship. I also know he is taking his gift
and light to that place and I can honestly say they are so lucky! Lift him up in your prayers as he just started a few days ago! I am sure he is already doing outstanding things!
Michael, happy birthday brother!! I appreciate you more than you know! Can’t wait to celebrate when we are back in TX in the fall. Keep doing great things my man!
Life is full of the unexpected, even in Italy, and the best thing we can do about it is trust our guy upstairs all while keeping a thankful heart. I am sure I will check in soon… Until then… Stay thankful!
Yours Truly,
Southern and Thankful
My program ended Sunday and all my friend left fairly early Monday morning and this is where my story starts…
I am so excited because my JanJan and Bia are meeting me to travel the rest of the time I am over here. It is going to be so much fun!! Originally, I knew that my program ended and I would have to stay one night alone in Florence before meeting them. I wasn’t thrilled with that because I am really not a fan of doing things alone… It’s just not my personality! But I knew I could handle one day alone. Monday came so quickly and I said bye to all my friends. It was sad just thinking about everyone leaving me, but like I said, I am a big boy and I knew it would all be fine.
I arrived at my (new) hotel and quickly learned that I didn’t have a room reserved there for Monday night, but instead Tuesday night. You can only imagine all that was going through my head. I first thought that my travel arrangements were all wrong. I was a little freaked out with all my things and nowhere to stay. It was around 11 am here, which meant it was 3 am at home, but I called anyways because I was unsure of what to do. Somewhere along the way we thought the last day of travel with my trip was the 31st of May, but it turns out it was actually the 30th. Long story short, I wasn’t meeting my JanJan and Bia till Wednesday (today) which meant I had to stay two days alone in Florence instead of one. I was not very happy about this at first, but I have learned that things like this usually turn out better than expected.
I had a feeling something was wrong because some of my family was at the lake all weekend and I was confused why my JanJan and Bia weren’t at home packing or something. I probably should have asked! Anyways, luckily, the hotel had my room available for Monday night and I could check-in right then and there. Praise the Lord for that! My room was so nice compared to my last place. I had to sleep with my windows open because I had no air and I ended up getting all these bug bites. So having a larger bed and air conditioning was already a step in the right direction! I got myself settled and went to a local grocery store! I was really so tired, it was raining, and I had already been in Florence for 10 days so I didn’t really have anything else I wanted to see!
These past two days have been so restful and peaceful. Since January when I went back to school for the second semester I have felt like I am constantly running. Never stopping. Always something to do. It was so nice to have this time to just chill out. I stated a new show on Netflix. Watched a movie. Worked on some work I have due for my classes I have been taking. I went back to a couple of my favorite places in the city, including my favorite gelato place. I really felt like I was truly living in Florence. I was not excited about it, but when He gives us extra time… We have to realize that is something to be thankful for!
It is weird leaving Italy after 3 weeks… I mean I almost feel like a local (wink wink). What an incredible opportunity this was. I will touch on it more when I get back, but a huge thank you goes to my professors and all those at TCU that make life changing opportunities, like spending a month in Italy, possible. Oh yeah, and my parents! Thanks for being here for me even miles and miles away AND for providing all the euros. (ily guys).
Also, to all the other ladies on the trip: Thanks for making me the Prince and making me feel so loved. Traveling Italy with 10+ females wasn’t what I had in mind, but when life changes you make the best of it. I had so much fun with y’all!!!
On another note, yesterday was one of my favorite dude’s special day. You may have seen him in the blog before, he happens to make regular appearances, and it just so happens that yesterday he turned 21!!! Michael Drake is a huge light on campus and an even bigger light in my life. I remember meeting him at orientation and then our parents randomly chatting for hours in Fuzzy’s afterwards. He was one of my first friends at TCU and man, did God pick a good first guy to place in my life. I don’t really know what it is about MDrake, but wherever he is I can guarantee he is going to make you feel important, special, and loved. It makes your day no matter what else is going on. He is one outstanding dude that I am honored to call a good friend. He is currently living in the Dominican Republic for two months speaking Spanish and doing an awesome internship. I also know he is taking his gift
and light to that place and I can honestly say they are so lucky! Lift him up in your prayers as he just started a few days ago! I am sure he is already doing outstanding things!
Michael, happy birthday brother!! I appreciate you more than you know! Can’t wait to celebrate when we are back in TX in the fall. Keep doing great things my man!
Life is full of the unexpected, even in Italy, and the best thing we can do about it is trust our guy upstairs all while keeping a thankful heart. I am sure I will check in soon… Until then… Stay thankful!
Yours Truly,
Southern and Thankful
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