21 Things I've Learned in Italy Before Turning 21

Buona sera!

I've officially been in Italy for almost two months now. I know I haven't written since after my first week, and for that I do apologize. I must admit that I have been working on this post for over 20 days and I decided I've procrastinated long enough. At first, I couldn't figure out how to pick just one topic to write about. Then it dawned on me: I could discuss 21 things!! Since I celebrated my 21st birthday at the beginning of this month, I thought it might be fitting. However, I underestimated how long it would take me to want to actually write about so many topics -- hence the procrastination. But I figured you've all waited long enough, so without further adieu, here are 21 things that I've learned in Italy before I turned 21.

1. Tourists Suck

This point hasn't really changed since my last post. They're still everywhere, clogging up the streets and roads and causing extreme frustration for those of us just trying to get to class or the supermarket.  I have noticed that they are worse in Florence than in other places I have visited around Italy.  Stop your abrupt halts in the middle of the sidewalk to take a selfie, people. They're called sidewalks for a reason. Tourists also make item number 2 difficult to do.

2. Always Look Up

There is so much history and culture in all of Italy that you could walk by it and not even notice. During my first week of classes I had several of my professors advise me to always look up while walking around Florence. You can find the history and culture in the architecture, art, and decoration of the buildings, but you have to be aware of them. While trying to avoid running into tourists does contribute to making this task a challenge, it takes most people all of their concentration not to trip on the uneven cobblestones as you walk throughout the city. Some stones stick out, other's are missing, and there are even some that tilt as you walk. I honestly have no idea how people walk in heels here. I can't even do it on smooth pavement or a hardwood floor, so forget rocky terrain. That's just asking for a broken ankle. The longer I'm here though, the more surefooted I walk (and the better my butt looks) so I remind myself to look up as long as there's no one directly in front of me. Sometimes a leisurely stroll back from class is the best time to do that.

3. Ice Cream Is A Fraud & No One Should Eat It

One word, my friends -- gelato. It's incredibly difficult to limit myself to only eating it about twice a week. Each new flavor I try gets better than the last. Fragola (strawberry) tastes like I'm eating a thick strawberry smoothie; stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate chips) is heaven in a cup/cone; caffe (coffee) is practically orgasmic. One day, while savoring a cup as I sat in front of the Pitti Palace, I came to the horrifying realization that, just a few months ago, I ate ice cream out of a carton. A CARTON. Ice cream that is so frozen the spoon bends when I try to scoop it into a bowl. In Italy, the smooth and creamy delicacy that is the very definition of lovely (which you can find here) is found fresh on every street corner. I pass at least 20 gelaterias on my way to class daily. When I return to the states, you will never find me with a carton of ice cream again. Instead, I'll be rocking back and forth in the corner, crying and mumbling as I go through gelato withdrawal. If you ever spend a significant amount of time in Italy, I challenge you to only allow yourself to get it twice a week. Good luck with that.

4. It's Probably Impossible For Italians To Be Obese.

In my entire month I've been abroad, I have yet to see an incredibly overweight Italian. Sure, there are some with a few extra pounds, but they are all of a healthy size. Back home, it's hard to go a single day without seeing proof of how unhealthy America is. At first, I was baffled. Italians eat SO MANY CARBS: pizza, pasta, croissants, pastries, cannoli, cheese, focaccia, the list goes on. But slowly I began to realize how different their eating and exercise habits are. Breakfast is small, just a coffee (which is NOT coffee but actually a shot of espresso) and sometimes a croissant. Lunch is often the heaviest meal and isn't eaten until around 1:30, 2pm. Dinner portions are much smaller and it is served much later than we're used to. It's actually unusual to find a restaurant that will serve dinner before 8pm. In addition to the eating habits, Italians also walk everywhere. I mentioned this in my last post, but I can't stress it enough. On average I walk about 12,000 steps a day. During the weekend and on trips, that average becomes 20,000. The goal for a healthy lifestyle is to walk 10,000. I, and other people here in Florence, exceed that goal with ease simply because there is no other choice. This keeps people active and helps burns off all the carbs, which is something I remind myself every day after I scold myself for eating too many of them. Just walk it off.

5. Art Can Be Humorous

I have visited several museums while here in Florence, which houses some of the world's biggest and best collections of art. I've seen more masterpieces than I could have ever dreamed, my favorite being Botticelli's Birth of Venus. I should have done my research before visiting the Uffizi museum, as I would have known beforehand that I would come across that piece on my tour. But I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon it as it's been on my bucket list for a while now. As an artist, I have just been astounded by what I've seen here. Astounded and inspired and at a complete loss for words sometimes. Amidst my deep respect for the paintings, sculptures, and statues, I also discover humor. Maybe it's because I'm on Tumblr too much, or maybe I'm just a snarky person who can also be immature at times, but I find great joy in interpreting facial expressions of classic and timeless art. Of course, that's what snapchat is for. Below is some of the humor I discovered while exploring art in Florence. *Disclaimer: This blogger has no intent of disrespecting the art or the artist, and all jokes are made in good fun. The blogger admires the incredible talent required to produce these beautiful masterpieces and has a deep respect for all art.*

6. Free Water Isn't a Thing

When I go out to eat with my family or friends back at home, you can always bet that I'll order a water with my meal. It's cold, it's refreshing, and most importantly it costs nothing. I could save that money I would have spent on a soft drink and put it in my Starbucks fund. Why not get a water? Here, however, I'd have to pay 3-4 euros for a glass bottle of water. They don't give out tap water, and they certainly don't have ice in it. It's cheaper to get a glass of wine! I told you there was a reason I titled my blog the way I did.

7. Internet Connection Sucks

There is literally nothing more frustrating than when you're trying to make a call home and can't have an actual conversation because your connection just leaves everyone going "I can't hear you!" "Can you hear me now? Wait, what about now?" "Hello? Hello??? Hellloooooo?!?!?!" "Okay cool now I can hear you but your face is frozen on the screen." There have been nights when I've been forced to hang up only seconds into the call out of frustration. Other nights I'll get so angry I'll actually cry for a bit because I've had a stressful day and I juST WANT TO TALK TO MY BEST FRIEND, OKAY? Any other use of the internet works perfectly. I can go online, do my homework, listen to music, even stream a tv show sometimes. Yet when I just want to see a familiar face or hear a comforting voice after a long day, it's not possible. So yeah, the connection sucks.

8. Homesickness Also Sucks

When I went to college as a Freshman I never experienced being homesick, not really. There were some days where I'd want to go home because I knew there was a family party and I felt like I was missing out. Back then, I thought that was homesickness. Turns out I was quite mistaken. Homesickness is more than just a few hours of feeling left out or forgotten. It's missing familiarity and having a comfort zone. It's desperately wanting to see the people you love even if you don't want to talk to them, just sit next to them silently enjoy each other's company while staring into space. It's craving ice water and missing driving in traffic and wanting to listen to a radio with the same crappy 5 songs playing over and over again. All those little things you never think you'd miss, you do. I'd never thought I'd be the kind of person to get homesick, but I'll admit it now. I miss home, I miss my family and friends, and I miss my school. Especially on my 21st birthday, it can be a little bittersweet being in another country, but I know I will always remember today. Don't get me wrong, I love being here in Italy, but it is possible to both love where you are and miss where you've been.

9. Pizza is ALWAYS Better in Italy

I literally have nothing else to write here.

10. Unattractive Italians are a Myth

In the month that I've been here, I have yet to see any native Italian that someone might consider to be unattractive. Not one. Men and women alike seem to just have be blessed with this natural gorgeous beauty. I can't explain it, nor do I have any interest in figuring it out. Instead I'll just enjoy the views (of architecture and people) each day as I walk through the city. I have no complaints.

11. American Food is a Lie

There are restaurants all around Florence that advertise having American food, especially an American breakfast. Don't listen to them. If they advertise a breakfast, it's usually one menu item that doesn't even taste like it should. Lunch and dinner items are pretty close, but there is still a difference. I have only found one place where I really enjoy the American food, The Diner. Actually, that's where I had my birthday dinner tonight. I fully realize that since I'm in Italy, I should be fully embracing and devouring Italian food. However, there comes a time when you have to say "Okay, I've had enough pizza for the week." Shocking, I know. Sometimes a little taste of home is the perfect comfort food and keeps you going. Most restaurants will end up disappointing you, but when you do find one that actually tastes authentic, mark it down. Get a loyalty card (like I did). After ten purchases I get a free meal. Guess who's half way done?? Before you judge me, just a cup of coffee counts as a purchase, so calm your shorts. The Diner is a great study spot.

12. I STILL Don't Want a Selfie Stick

Please refer to my previous blog post and watch the video about selfie sticks. I've lost count of how many times I've been approached and asked if I want to purchase one. The answer is still no. The answer will always be no. Thanks, no thanks.

13. Everything is Expensive

If there's one thing that I've learned while being here, it's that studying abroad is expensive. Obviously I knew this coming into this experience, but I didn't realize just how much money I would be spending. I've been keeping a spreadsheet so that I make sure I stick to a budget, but I'm shocked at how fast that money gets spent. The craziest thing I've come to realize is that most of my money isn't being spent on trips or gifts or souvenirs. No, the majority of my money is going to purchase food. I still stay under budget, but money is the biggest stress that I have on a daily basis. However, I have been reminded by several people that if there was any time to spend my money, it's while I'm here. This is my time to treat myself and explore and go on adventures. I may not have an experience like this again, and I am going to make the most of it while being smart about my spending.

14. Donald Trump Hasn't Tainted This Part of the World Yet

It's true. My incredible roommate Justine wrote a beautiful paper that contained a strong reference to Trump. By strong reference, I mean it was practically the backbone to her thesis and comparison of repeating past human mistakes with poor leaders, like Hitler. Obviously, this summary does not do the paper justice in the slightest, but you get the idea. However, all references were lost on her professor, who had no idea who Trump was. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be in her position. Hopefully, the rest of the world will remain ignorant to his racist/sexist/arrogant ways in the near future when he is removed from election ballots and real candidates remain. The world can still have hope.

15. Embrace the Nudity

All art in Florence is celebrated everywhere you look. Replicas of statues, paintings, and sculptures are found on every street. Souvenir shops are filled to the brim with t-shirts and aprons, paper weights and postcards, all with images of famous masterpieces found in Florence. As you may know, most classical art portrays a nude figure. Human anatomy is just anatomy, we're all made up of the same pieces, more or less. In Europe, the naked body is celebrated and adored for being as incredibly and enchanting as it is, while in America it's shamed because nudity is automatically associated with sex (which shouldn't be shameful but I'll spare you my feminist rant for now.) So while in Europe, especially Italy, embrace the nude figures for what they are: a celebration of human beauty in all shapes and sizes.

16. I Need a Music Reporter

Since I have no radio to listen to, I have no way of knowing what the latest jams are. I don't get to hear the same 5 songs in the car, or stumble upon a new hit while listening to Pandora. When I get home, I'll be completely in the dark about which songs are popular and which are not. While all my friends are jamming out, singing all the lyrics to the newest pop hit, I'll awkwardly sit there and bob my head up and down to the beat. Wait, I guess that's not all that different from what I do now.... But lucky for me, I have this little gadget called "a friend." You see, when I realized that I was totally unaware of what all the cool kids were listening to at home, I immediately picked up my phone and texted my best friend. She's agreed to help a buddy out and send me the title and artist of any sick beat she hears on the radio so I can look it up on YouTube and stay in the know. Anna, thank you for being my music reporter and keeping me put to date. Now I'll be able to bob my head and mumble a few lyrics!

17. Each Part of Italy is More Beautiful Than the Last

I've been in Italy for almost two months now, and have obviously done some traveling. To date, I've been in Florence, Vinci, Assisi, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, Sorrento, Naples, and Capri. I still plan on seeing Venice, Rome, Bari, Lucca, Pisa, and Verona (at the very least) before I go back to the states. I've seen the countryside, the hill towns, and the coast. Each place I go to makes me stare in awe just a little longer than the last place did. I can't really say that I have a favorite because they're all so different. Here are some of my favorite pictures that almost capture just how beautiful each place really is.

18. If You Look Italian, It's Assumed You're Fluent in Italiano

At least once a week, I have a cute little Italian person come up to me and ask me a really detailed and animated question. This doesn't happen to many of my friends here, so I assume it's because of my Italian features. Sadly, I'm not very fluent yet, so I have to awkwardly smile and shake my head and tell them I don't understand. Mi dispace, friend.

19. Alfredo Sauce Isn't a Thing in Tuscany

I was very excited to come to Italy and eat chicken alfredo until my heart and stomach were content. Unfortunately, I was unaware that cream sauce is not found everywhere in Italy. I quickly discovered that the region of Tuscany is known for their tomato sauce, so good luck finding the creamy delicious cheese sauce on a menu. I'll just have to wait until I visit the northern regions before I get to feed my cravings. For now, I'll just have to stick with pizza and tomato sauce.

20. It's Cold

When I was preparing to pack for my trip to Italy, I was told that the weather here would be fairly warm. The coldest, the travel guides said, would be in the lower 50's in December right before I left. I was more than okay with this news. I live in Wisconsin and Chicago where the weather has gotten to -60 two years in a row. I can deal with 50 degrees, no problem. I packed mostly shorts and t-shirts. Only a few long sleeved shirts, one sweatshirt, and one jacket. Well, I am here to tell you that THEY WERE WRONG. It's been in the 50's for two weeks now, and it's only getting colder. I was extremely unprepared for this weather, and actually had to go shopping this past week to buy a few more sweaters so that I wasn't wearing the same clothes several times a week. Let this be a lesson to you, my friends. Don't always trust travel guides. Sometimes, they're wrong. Their job is to help you prepare for traveling the best they can, and they can't predict the weather.

21. I Can Survive Without Coffee

Yes, the final thing I learned before turning 21 was that I could survive without coffee. I used to hate the taste of coffee, and it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I learned the error of my ways. After being able to have the nectar of the gods every day for a few years, I never thought I'd be able to go without it in the morning. For me, coffee isn't just about the caffeine. It's also about the comfort of having something to warm your hands and sip on in the mornings where you just don't want to be awake yet. It's a way to take a break and relax with a friend during the middle of the day. It's a sweet pick-me-up after a hard day. It's an easy and cheap first (or hundredth) date idea. Coffee is comfort, simple as that. When I told people I would be studying abroad in Italy, everyone told me that I was going to just LOVE Italian coffee and not want to go back to American coffee. Well, let me tell you all a little something. Italian coffee is not coffee -- it is just straight espresso. I love caffeine as much as the next person, but there is such a thing as it being too strong. Plus, I like to have a nice big mug to sip on for a while, but espresso comes in the world's smallest cup and after two sips it's gone. I am not about that life. So, I learned to live without coffee. It was a rough few weeks of transition, and to this day I still have moments of extreme cravings. The American diner here does serve American coffee, but it's really crappy. In moments of weakness I'll go and sit there to study while getting bottomless refills. They have only milk, no cream. But hey, it's still something so I won't complain too much.

Two months here and I'm still adjusting, but I'm so happy and honored and lucky to be studying abroad in such a beautiful country. I do have days where I would give anything to be home and be with my friends and family, who doesn't? That day will come soon enough. Right now, I'm grabbing life by the tail and going for this wild ride. Adventures and challenges await me for the next two months and I couldn't be more excited to continue this experience. Once again, a huge shout out to everyone who has helped get me here, and an even bigger thank you to those who have continuously supported me during my tough days. Yeah, I'm talking to YOU Mom, Anna, Lindsey, Heidi, Justine, Emily, Kay, and Allyssa.

I promise I'll be better about blogging! My next adventure begins tomorrow as I travel to London and Dublin for Fall break! Stay tuned!

Ciao, America!

Well, today's the day. September 1st, 2015. A bright and partly cloudy Tuesday with 90% humidity. Today I say goodbye to the U.S. as I start my incredibly semester in Florence.

When I decided to keep a blog to document my trip abroad, it was recommended that I start it before I had actually left. This way, I could really keep a record of the whole experience; the thoughts and feelings I have before I depart, the three and a half months of adventure while I'm there, and the readjustment once I'm back home. I'm a little upset I don't remember who gave me this advice, but I'd like to take a moment to thank that person -- to the kind genius who recommended this, I appreciate you.

Over the last week, I've experienced just about every emotion possible while preparing for this trip, and I plan on using this post to attempt to convey those feelings the best I can. It's been quite the rollercoaster in my head, so anyone reading this who may be prone to motion sickness should maybe take some breaks while reading this. After every minute or so, I recommend looking up from the screen and doing something different: get some water, pet a dog, play some skee-ball, run away from the clowns, and for goodness sakes don't eat funnel cake without sharing. Got your plan of action? Great! Let's begin.

Excitement

Obviously this is one of the biggest emotions that I've felt during the last week as I've prepared for my trip. When I had made the decision to study abroad, it was something that I knew I needed to do. Throughout my life, I will likely have more opportunities to travel and see the world, but I may never be able to study in another country again. I get to learn a new language, one that I've wanted to learn since I was a child. I'm going to make new lifelong friends and go on adventures. I'll be trying new foods and exploring some of the most beautiful parts of the world. The photography opportunities will be breathtaking. There's just so much to be excited for, and I knew that if I didn't take advantage of this opportunity I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Anxiety

Along with excitement comes the nerves. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a little scared of what's to come. When I was first accepted into the program, people would ask me if I was nervous and I very confidently said that I was not. At the time, it was true. I knew, and still know now, that I'm a very independent woman who can tackle anything I set my mind to. I get along well with almost everyone I meet, and I enjoy a good challenge. I typically don't stress the little things, and take any obstacle thrown in my way in stride. These are all still true but as the day approached, as today approached, the little things did start to get to me. I've never been abroad, and I'm going to have to navigate my first commute to a foreign country all on my own. While I'm not afraid of flying, the thought of having to navigating two foreign airports and going through customs and security by myself is incredibly daunting. I mean, I know the procedure -- I know what's allowed on planes and what isn't; I know not to make jokes while going through customs; and I've been given some great advice by many people seeking to calm my nerves. I have no logical reason to think that anything is going to go wrong, but I'm still intimidated. Out of everything I'm nervous about, just getting to Florence in one piece (and with my luggage!!!) is by far causing me to feel the most anxious.

Of course I'm worried about getting along with the five other women I'll be living with, and what my classes will be like. I'm worried about how I'll react to being catcalled and "pinched," as many people have warned me about. Will I be able to adjust to the culture and to the food? What if I get lost, or mugged, or *insert any other fear you might have before you may have gone abroad*? Believe me, I've thought about it all. But like I said, I enjoy a challenge. I'm nervous about all these things, but I know that the things that we are scared to do are usually the ones that we should do. They are the experiences that show us who we are and help us grow. So am I nervous? Hell yes. Am I going to let that stop me? Hell no.

Appreciation

This is something I cannot express enough. I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point in my journey. I'd like to take the time now to recognize some of those people, because I have not done this process alone.

To begin, I need to thank my dear mentor and professor C. Kubasta. C.K., thank you for reaching out to Andelys to contact me about going abroad. You took the first step to help me realize I needed to go on this adventure and experience this opportunity. If you hadn't asked her to contact me, I would probably be sitting in class right now at Marian, beginning my final year with considerably less adventure than I'll be getting now. Thank you for helping me realize I needed to do this for myself.

I'd like to thank Andelys for all of the help you've given me throughout the last year. You've been an invaluable guide and advisor, and I couldn't be more appreciative of your patience and guidance as I've prepared for going abroad. Thank you for making that first contact last Fall and for assisting me with this entire process.

Of course, thank you to my family for being so supportive of my decision to spend a semester abroad.  Thank you for all of the advice and well wishes, for the hugs and the guidance. I couldn't go abroad without knowing I have your blessing. Mom, I know that this is going to be hard for you, but you've been a rockstar and your support means a lot to me. Thank you for teaching me the tools I needed to make this decision and to go on this adventure. I promise I'll keep in touch and I'll be safe. I love you.

To my friends, professors, and mentors back at Marian, thank you for being so awesome. I am going to miss you all to no end, but I'll be back for one final semester! Thank you for all of the hugs you gave me last week when I came to visit. I can't tell you how much better they made me feel. The confidence and support you all give me push me to be my best, and I know I couldn't do this without all of you. A big thank you to my friends in the Chicago area as well for all of the times you've reached out to wish me luck, for all the advice you've given, and for just being amazing.

*product endorsement* Thank you, Netflix, for being there for me as a distraction when I'm too stressed to think about packing. Thank you, Amazon, for your one-day shipping for all my last minute needs. However, we need to discuss how you package your items because the monster box I received for the small camera bag I ordered was egregious. Thank you, Advil PM, for allowing me to have a final good night of sleep here at home. I may not be able to sleep for the next 30 hours, so I have you to thank for any sanity I manage to maintain. Thank you, Portillo's, for my final American meal. I chose wisely.

I need to give a final shout out to my best friend. Anna, I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss you. But I am so grateful that you've been my biggest supporter of going abroad. I know that being by yourself for a semester is going to be challenging, but you'll be great! Thank you for the constant reminder that I'm going to be just fine and calming my crazy anxiety. I know you tell me that it's in the job description of being a best friend but you should know that you go above and beyond, and I am so grateful for you. I love ya Merls, and I'll be back before you know it!

Wanderlust

Since I'm going abroad, my desire to travel has increased exponentially. While I've made no definite plans to travel once I'm there, I do have a bucket list of places that I hope to visit. There are scheduled excursions that I'll be going on with the International Studies Abroad Program to: Sienna, Piza, Assisi, Chinque Terre, Rome, and the Central Hilltowns of Italy. Aside from these, I am hoping to also get to Venice, Bari, and Luca. The first has been on my bucket list since I was a child, and the latter two are where my family immigrated from. I would love to get to see other parts of Europe as well, but I do have a limited budget. My plan is just to be as spontaneous and free as possible. Italy is beautiful and there is plenty to explore there, so if I don't make it outside of the country I'll be perfectly okay with that as well.

Sadness

This is my senior year of my undergrad degree. If I could go back and change anything about this trip, it would be that I had done it sooner. I've realized just how much I'm going to miss by being gone for the last Fall semester, and it does make me sort of sad. I'll miss being a student mentor; the incredible bonding between our team and guiding freshman during their transition into college. I'll miss being a student leader in organizations and clubs. I'll miss the Honor's program Fall events and SPECTRUM's Masquerade Ball. I'll miss my friends and family. I won't celebrate Thanksgiving. It's not until you'll be gone that you realize how much you take for granted all the little things you look forward to during the first semester of school. But people grow older and they move on, and this adventure is part of that journey for me. It makes me sad to think I'll miss out on all these experiences, but I know I'm going to be doing so many new things that will make up for it.

I think I'm going to leave the list of emotions at just the top 5. I could go on to talk about how I also feel happiness, anticipation, confidence, courage, stress, and wonder, but that could take too long and I still need to shower and finish packing before I leave in a little over an hour. I'm sure the person next to me on the flight will be appreciative if I showered. Nine and a half hours is a long time to sit next to someone with body odor, so I know I'm hoping they've done me the same courtesy.

In all seriousness, I'm so incredibly thrilled to be going on this journey. I know the nerves will pass and I'll just be left basking in the glory of breadsticks and gelato. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point and for your support. Thank you for reading my blog and being interested enough to make it to the end of it. The next 30 hours are going to be the hardest, but if there's one thing I know it's this: BRO I GOT THIS!

Ciao!

Why Are You Reading This? - A Brief Introduction

Now, I know what you're thinking -- She's put "Wine" in the title of her blog?! *Gasp!* Does she actually want people to think she's an alcoholic?? Don't worry, family and friends and complete strangers who may read my blog over the next few months. I am, in fact, not an alcoholic. If you'll kindly continue to read, I'll tell you exactly why I titled my blog the way I did. Hopefully by the end of this post I'll have you all sitting back, stroking your chin, and whispering to yourself "Ah ha! I see what you did there. Genius."

Let's start over, shall we?

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by to read my blog that's not about alcoholism. I started this blog as my way to document the incredible three months I'll be spending studying abroad in Florence, Italy. This will undoubtedly be the adventure of a lifetime, and I'm so excited and grateful to be able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. I know throughout the rest of my life that I'll be able to travel, hopefully, and explore more of this world; but the chances of being able to go to actually study in another country for a significant amount of time are much slimmer. I'll be able to learn the basics of the language, immerse myself in the culture, and experience a little bit of the life of my grandparents before they came to America. This is my chance to explore my heritage while meeting other students who have just as much of a desire to explore and go on adventures as I do. My blog will help me to keep track of what I do, analyze and process the cultural differences I experience, and allow my friends and family to follow my journey.

While picking the name for this blog, I knew I wanted it to be both informative and witty. When people see the title, they should then read exactly what they expected to. So, you already know I'm exploring Italy. You know I'm spending a semester abroad, from September 1st until December 17th. I've told you I'll be writing about my experiences living in my family's homeland, completely immersed in the culture. I know there will be many customs and behaviors that won't be a surprise to me since I grew up in a very Italian household, but I am still expecting to feel some type of culture shock upon my arrival and during my stay. This is where the Culture part of the title comes in.

Adventure is pretty self explanatory, I hope. I'm going to a foreign country where I don't speak the native language, not fluently; I won't know a single soul upon my arrival; I'll be traveling on my own, navigating airports and the city, trying to communicate with other travelers and personnel; I'm taking classes at a University I've never attended; I'll be living in an apartment with 5 other women I've never met; I intend to travel all over Italy, as well as other parts of Europe during my three months abroad. The food, the people, the scenery, and the language will all be new experiences for me. This is going to be the biggest adventure of my life. Am I nervous? Very. Am I excited? Even more so. But I am never going to be able to take advantage of an opportunity like this again. It's adventure time.

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for. "Wine." This was included in the title for three reasons. The first was because I thought it was funny. Italians are known for drinking their wine, most of which is homemade in some dark cellar in the basement.
Yes, there was one in my grandparents' home.
Yes, we always had fruit flies in the house because of it.
No, I've never actually tried it.
Who wouldn't want to read a blog that has wine in it? Maybe it'll inspire you to pour yourself a glass.

The second reason I chose to include "Wine" in the title is to acknowledge my future posts about the food and drink that I'll be trying. I'm using it as an overarching term to cover any meal and all they entail. Such a large part of Italian culture is food: pasta, pizza, fish, antipasto, olive oil, garlic, bakeries, pastries, chocolate, you name it. I don't think I've ever met anyone who has said "Yeah, I'm down for anything for dinner tonight but Italian food. It's not really my thing. Garlic bread and pasta have too many calories." If you know someone like that, do yourself a favor and end that friendship. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

The final reason for this title word choice is personal: it's my small victory lap for being able to overcome what used to be one of my greatest fears - alcohol.
Those who know me know that I'm really not a drinker. I have many family members who are currently alcoholics and some who are recovering. I am very aware of my heightened chance to follow in their footsteps. For the majority of my life I had a severe fear of all things related to drinking as it was associated with very difficult times in my life and bad memories. Because of this, I defied the stereotypical college student behavior of partying and binge drinking. To this day I still haven't been to a "college party," and I don't regret that decision. However, over the last few years of being exposed to more, let's say, normal social drinking, I have come to realize that not all alcohol consumption is indicative of alcoholism. Social drinks are acceptable and encouraged. Even if someone has had more than their fair share, it doesn't mean they're going to become belligerent and angry. Their sense of humor might even improve! Fellow bad pun makers, rejoice! We might have a target audience.

So you see, I really have thought out my title. I could have done something boring like "My Adventures in Italy" or "Look Out, Florence! Here Comes Yet Another American Student!" But I like to think things out and make them have meaning, real depth. And alas, "Italy Explored: A Semester of Culture, Wine, and Adventure" was born.

I leave in 14 days, just two short weeks and I'll begin my journey. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about my future blog posts, and I hope you follow me in my adventures. But I don't mean literally -- that was not your invitation to show up at the local coffee shop in Florence where I'll be every day. But you're welcome to follow my blog, find me on Facebook, and look for recent postings! Seriously, stay in America.


Until my next update,
Ciao!

P.S. If any of you did sit back in your chair and stroke your chin during this post, please comment below and tell me. Because I'd really like to know.