I can hardly believe it, but my semester in Florence is over- I am back home in Atlanta! It is so refreshing to be back with family and friends in a comfortable place, but I was sad to leave such a wonderful city. Over the past four months, I have experienced something so unique and awesome with truly wonderful people in Italy. I don't know that I can capture the essence of my experience in Florence in words or explain really what it was like, but I am going to share with you some of the things that I will and will not miss about my experience this fall.
Things That I Will Miss:
1. The Arno: The Arno River looks beautiful at anytime of day in all kinds of weather. It looks different each time I see it, and the combination of the reflections of the buildings and the changing colors of the sky on the river never failed to amaze me. I will miss walking to class each day along the Arno. The Arno truly never got old.
2. La cucina Italiana (The Italian cuisine): I was prompted by a Chatty Charles who I was lucky enough to sit next to on my flight home to answer various questions about my trip. The most uncomfortable question--"So, did you gain any weight while you were there with all that food?" Answer (which I kept to myself)--yes, I think I did. The food I ate in Italy was just so good. I said throughout the fall that I think it is hard to come across food that does not taste really really good in Italy. The best pizza you'll ever eat, plates and plates of pasta, gelato out the wazoo, cappuccinos and pastries in the morning. It is just awesome and endless. I tried to hit all of my favorite spots in the last two weeks. Here are some pictures of some of my most-frequented places.
3. Le mie amiche di Borgo San Jacopo: I had the chance to live with lovely friends in my apartment in Florence. There was never a dull moment in there, and Cate, our sweet sweet Italian roommate, probably thought that we were nuts most of the time. We laughed daily. There was always something silly happening or just something so absurd that we would lose it. Often revolving around Caro and her antics. But we love her still. Living with these girls was a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL experience and really helped to make my time in Florence the best. I loved getting to know Caroline better than I already did by being her roommate, and getting to know Christie and Amy so well (as you really get to know anyone well living in a space that small) was so much fun. I don't know what I would have done without them, and I am so lucky to have had the chance to have spent so much time with them these past four months!
4. My teachers and classes: I enjoyed so much having the chance to study the art and history of a country and city that I was living in. I realized how helpful it is to have studied pieces of art in class and then go see them first hand with our teachers. The style and techniques of teaching that I observed has given my insight into some important concepts that I need to keep in mind as I get closer and closer to student teaching next fall and eventually (hopefully!) having a class of my own one day! We had such fabulous professors this fall, and I enjoyed getting to know them so well. I feel like I learned so much and have retained it very well. I look forward to returning to Florence one day and giving somebody a tour of the town..!
5. Walking places: Having been back for just a few days in Atlanta, I have already had a hand-full of frustrating moments involving crazy Atlanta drivers and even crazier Atlanta traffic. I have been really spoiled this fall by ambling down the stairs and popping out of my apartment to mosey to class through lovely, quaint streets or along the Arno.
6. Cappuccinos: The Italians know how to make a good cappuccino.
Things I Won't Miss As Much:
1. This kitchen: A dishwasher, normal microwave, garbage disposal, and room to breathe have been a few of the things I have enjoyed most about being home. HOWEVER, great episodes of burnt pumpkin risotto, late-night study sessions (at least for my other roommates), early morning breakfast whispers, Christmas cookies, exploding eggs, mystery discoveries in the fridge, and many many many laughs took place in this kitchen. I love it and I hate it.
2. Florentine odors: Florence is a stinky city. As was my apartment building. As was my apartment (sometimes...when particular things were "cooked" in my apartment. Or when the washer machine was left shut after being used.) Enjoying fresh air, fresh smelling clothes, and fresh smelling stairwells.
3. My bed: Things got a little pokey and uncomfortable after a while. So happy to be back in my own bed.
Overall, there are not many things that I do not miss from my semester in Florence this fall. The past four months have been filled with wonderful experiences and time spent with wonderful people. I am so lucky and thankful to have had the opportunity to study in Florence for a semester. I will truly cherish the memories and experiences of my time in Florence forever, and I look forward to my next opportunity to visit Florence. Thank you so much for following me on this journey.
Ciao for now,
Grace
I find myself back in Music City for another year (at least!) to pursue a Masters degree in Reading Education at Peabody. This was a decision that I spent a lot of my senior year at Vanderbilt debating, pondering, feeling excited and nervous about, and emailing about (don't get me wrong, I love Peabody, but they sure can make a girl jump through a lot of hoops). After a week and half of classes and some visiting with friends who are teaching in their own classroom, I am THRILLED to still call myself a student and am very excited to study and learn about Reading Education and what it takes to be a Reading Specialist or Literacy Coach at a school. I love the schedule of being a student and the delay of "real life," and I really do love learning. I am confident that this extra year of school is going to make me better prepared to teach a class of my own one day.
