Drying Wool.

On the clothes line on a rainy day.

You do what you can.

I might not be wearing this for the few days haha.

These are my green shutters.

I am going to miss them an unbelievable amount when I come home.

Living here is so different.

All the luxuries of America are gone. 

But I don't miss them.

Opening green shutters every morning makes up for it all.

Defeating a Cold.

Space Jam and a good Italian Lunch on my couch.

Those were my remedies.

And a poor man's mocha.

Apparently Italians consider chocolate pudding mix to be the equivalent of hot chocolate.

Pudding mix and instant coffee it is then!

French Pressing Instant Coffee.

When you go to dump the coffee grounds out of the french press and they are not there,

you immediately realize your Italian was not up to par at the grocery store.

Looking forward to my next few weeks of instant coffee.

Not.

haha.

Navigation.

 This is my new home.

I can't believe it. I walk the streets and still can't believe I'm here.

Months and months of repeating the words,"Yeah I'm super excited" to people and now I'm finally here.

The adventures are now beginning.

Making homemade Tiramisu in Blakely's apartment.

Night walking tour of Florence by the tour guide who took Jersey Shore around.

Going to every open market I happen to run into.

Eating my first cup of gelato.

Learning the complicated etiquette of the grocery store.

Bundling up layer after layer because the heat is turned off in our apartment at night.

Opening my green shutters every morning.

Constantly consulting my map.

Luckily, between the Duomo and the river, I have nearly mastered how to get around.

I thought Florence seemed huge when we drove in, but now that I know my way around it is not bad at all.

Rome is to Seattle as Florence is to Pullman.

In Florence I run into friends all the time while I am walking around.

I don't know that many people here, so that is quite significant haha.

Homesickness hasn't crept in yet, and I think that is because this town has a small town feel that I am used to and love.

Wiki Wiki Paw Paw.

I forgot a picture of my sister and I to put on my bulletin board.

But I brought this locket that I've been wearing every day :)

Taking Naps.

Rome was incredible. So much to see in only 2 days. 

I feel like everything made my jaw drop. 

Still trying to get used to the time change. After walking around all day I take a nap at 5,

and then don't wake up until morning. 

I cannot stress how much I love our ISA directors.

It's like having 6 hip, trendy moms taking care of you.

I am absolutely exhausted and ready to get to Florence and get into a routine.

My next post will be from Firenze!!

Living Simply.

Packing for Five Months.

Didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I surprised myself.

5 months of everything I hope I'll need in 1 suitcase and 1 backpack.

I am actually quite excited to have the minimum that I need while abroad.

I came back from Africa thinking I was going to get rid of buckets of cloths and rid myself of all the materialistic clutter in my life.

I scratched the surface, and hardly got rid of anything.

This trip is going to take what I came back from Africa with, and actually apply it.

I have no other choice. And I am thankful. This trip is complementing my last life changing experience quite well :)

Traveling went smoothly. Adjusting to the 9 hour time change has been rough. 

Rome didn't have a customs to go through. Thought that to be odd.

I've met some pretty neat people in my program so far. 

95% girls. 90% sorority girls.

The first night they asked if some people would stand up and tell a bit about themselves.

5 or 6 guys stood up, and I felt like saying,"And now here is bachelor number 2". etc haha.

I could not stop laughing.

My program directors are absolutely fantastic. Extremely enthusiastic, patient, and friendly.

They are taking such good care of us. They make the transition so easy.

Haven't seen much of the city yet. We have 3 days in Rome.

Can't wait for what tomorrow will bring!

Gifts from my dear sister :)

Decision Making.

One of my favorite books is Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance. 

Two guys searching for a deeper meaning in their lives, and a deeper meaning to Christianity. 

Through their travels God shows them the beauty of his creation; 

through the places they go, and the people they meet. 

That is what I am anticipating as I get ready to go study abroad.

Each post will reflect something I am learning.

So here we go. 

Prayer and the Art of: Decision Making

I'm honestly not sure what brought me to the decision to study abroad specifically in Florence.

The university I will be attending is Florence University of Business and the Arts.

My major is accounting (business)

and my other passion is art (photography, graphic design, etc.).

I saw that and jumped immediately on board that this was THE school for me.

As time went by throughout the process of applying, being accepted, finding classes that matched WSU classes, applying for a visa, buying a plane ticket, and all the other stresses that come along with studying abroad, 

I started to wonder why Florence?
The idea of living in Italy is a complete dream.

Was this my selfish choice I was investing such a huge part of my life in, 
or was it God's choice?

The last couple of weeks have confirmed that God has work for me to do in Florence. 

He is orchestrating things I would have never imagined,

and I haven't even left the U.S. yet.

One example is that my friend from Summer Staff at Malibu (summer 2011), Blakely, who is from Maryland is going to be in Florence this semester as well.

We looked up the distance between our apartments and we are only 2 blocks apart. 

Unbelievable. 

We live across the country from each other, but we are going to be neighbors while studying abroad.

That is no coincidence. That is no accident.

We are going to start a weekly bible study,

and are going to brainstorm ways that we can live missionally in our new community.

There is a handful of girls from WSU who are also interested in meeting up with us. I am so excited. 

So The Art of Decision Making? If you can further the kingdom and do God's work, chances are God will be all about that decision.

Pray about making decisions, but don't dwell too long.

God has no time to waste :)