One month

one month.

check out my map

I purchased the coolest map of Florence at Borders this weekend. It's a map, but yet it is so much more. Not only does it tell you street names, it shows you stores and restaurants and hotels and such that are on those streets. I think you just need to see it, and buy one for yourself (both of which you can do by clicking here. The map I bought is the one on the far left, except it's of Florence, not San Francisco). Enjoy!
Also, I once had a dream to buy a hat in a hat box from a quaint little European boutique. I think I will do this too while I am there. I mean, why not?

Blackstone Merlot and Bongo Java Coffee

So...
In the last two days I had my first glass of wine and my first cup of coffee. The former was good, though I only had half a serving, which in terms of wine isn't very much.
The second first was positively revolting. I made it about a quarter of the way through the cup of coffee and thought I was going to be sick. The worst part was that even after eating Qdoba, the taste was still in my mouth. Yuck. I guess my dream of sitting in a piazza drinking an espresso and watching Italian people while reading the Italian newspaper is looking grimmer by the minute. Perhaps I shall change the dream to drinking a cappucino, but still, I just don't know. I suppose I shall just wait until I get there and find out what they serve at these cafes of theirs (which by the way are called il bar).
Addition to the MUST DO list: drink Chianti in Chianti.

49 days.

Lost in the Stumble, Stuck in the States

In a little less than two months I will embark on my first real international adventure. As the days draw nearer they seem to be picking up speed, and I can't seem to determine if I am scared out of my mind or simply excited beyond belief. I keep reading the travel books I have and have begun a journal to keep up with all the things I need to do before I leave, all the things I can't forget to pack, and all the things I must do while I am there. Each time I flip to a page and see one more thing I MUST do. There are so many, I fear three and a half months won't be enough time. Crazy, I say, crazy.
Things that have made the MUST DO LIST so far are bike Lucca, hike the Cinque Terre, and visit the Santa Croce, which is very near the school I will be attending and contains the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
I have also convinced myself I must go to Greece for a weekend, but it's looking a little expensive, and I have to keep reminding myself to focus on Italy, though how cool would it be to not only go to Rome and study Romans but to also go to Corinth and read Corinthians. -Pretty sure I should do that someday-
Besides all the places I have to visit and the cathedrals and museums I must see, I am thrilled about the photos I will have the opportunity to take. I received the go ahead a day or so ago to use the photo labs at FUA while I am there even though I won't be enrolled in a photo class. I had almost accepted my unfortunate fate when Cosimo (yes, someone named Cosimo) sent me an e-mail telling me they will allow me to use the black and white photo lab.

Anxiety. Excitement. Sheer joy. Utter terror. 54 days.