Kindness

Just sending a daily reminder to remember to be kind and not take things too seriously. But also find balance and don't let people walk all over you, and also know when it's important to be serious. 

I'm constantly reminded of what things should be taken less seriously in the United States. Mix those epiphanies with the sheer kindness of these fine European folk, and my mind is officially BLOWN. 

Today I talked with one of my professors, and I was a little uncertain about what I wanted to do for my paper topic, which is due in December. And everyone  else in my class seemed to have everything together and perfect. Then again, I am one of the only foreigners in the class, and this is a Master's class. 

I talked to her (my professor) after class, and she said not to worry, and that we're going to work everything out and she's going to have me do a slightly different assignment since I'm an undergrad student, and a foreigner. 

It doesn't seem like a big deal. But when you're in a room full of last year Masters students, who know exactly what the dealio is, it can be a little overwhelming when you're not entirely sure what's going on. The professor also knows English, and she could tell that I was stressed, and she was just literally so helpful and reassuring. 

In the United States I feel like professors would be like... really, you don't know what your topic is yet? And they would totally belittle you for that. Here, there's encouragement. There's help. So different. So great. 

And once again, it was a reminder, that people can be kind, and that stressing isn't really necessary in a lot of situations. 

So everybody, be kind, and don't stress. 

PIE

I found a store awhile ago that has American food, i.e. heinz ketchup, betty crocker cake mix, etc. etc. 

A friend and I have been wanting to make pumpkin pie, so we wandered over to this store, and they totally have canned pumpkin pie, and evaporate milk. 

So. I'm making pumpkin pie tonight and I'm stoked. Like really really stoked. 

Halloween

So my friend had a costume party yesterday, and it was absolutely hilarious to see people's costumes. One of my friends dressed as a table, and one of my guy friends as a woman with a pink wig. These were the type of costumes that make you think... Damn, good thing they aren't in public right now. And then the unthinkable happened... We had to leave the apartment because we were being too noisey.

But in Italia, you can drink wine outside, so we just continued to hang out in a Piazza. We all got a lot of weird stares and people who wanted to take pictures with us. It made for an interesting night nonetheless. 

Before the Halloween party I volunteered with PACE for a little bit, the organization that does English events for Italian children. Every year they put on a Halloween party for kids, and me and my friend Jessica volunteered for over 6 hours. 6 hours. With children.

Okay, so it really wasn't bad. It was actually really fun. It's so neat to see how eager they are to learn, and do different crafts, but it still makes me realize that I am definitely not ready for a "family lifestyle" any time soon. Kids are fun to play with, but at the end of the day, I'm definitely eager to pass the little ones back over to their parents. 

Today has been a typical lazy Sunday. Took a bath for the first time, in what feels like, years. As I was soaking in the tub, I kept thinking about how great this experience has  been, and yet sometimes I honestly forget I am even in Italy. As I was thinking this, the bells in the due torri, by my house, started to go off. How's that for surreal?

Savor

I love people. I just love them. I love what people have to say, the stories they have. The stories that have become so tightly interwoven into their history that people swear those experiences make them exactly who they are. I love unraveling their history, having the privilege to listen and converse. 

There are some people here that I'm so grateful for. There are people here, that I instantly connected with, I was just too blinded by the fear of being here to see it. 

One in particular, is the lovely Jessica Chan. I've mentioned her many times, just like I mention Lara, Morgan, Chloe, and others. Today Jessica and I met up at my favorite cafe/restaurant for a cappuccino: Camera a Sud. 

I still can't even explain how much I love this place. It's perfect. So laid back, relaxed. With the soft cool jazz always playing in the background, the eclectic decorations. Everywhere there are books, stacked almost to the top of the ceiling. The place seems disorganized, but is in fact so orderly. And clean. Between the collection of funky books, there are half burnt candles, empty wine bottles, and a mannequin dressed in a super cute 1950's red polka dot dress. 

The cafe is divided into three separate rooms. Jessica and I plopped ourselves down in the middle room, me on the worn out leather sofa, her on the worn out leather chair across from me. The seats are crammed into an intimate corner. We sat there and chatted, waiting for our cappuccinos, unveiling our life stories. So excited to learn about each other, as we leaned toward each other in interest. 

Near where I was sitting there is a quote on the wall that says, "Il jazz non
e' morto, ha solo un odore un po' curioso." It's a quote by Frank Zappa that means, "Jazz is not dead it just smells funny." 

Her and I talked about so much. How college and this experience have opened up our worlds, how grateful we are for having such supportive parents, each subject peeling back another layer. After deciding what we would be making for lunch (two amazing pizzas by the way, unfortunately crust was not made from scratch) we finally go to that point where we looked at each other and said, you're fantastic and I'm going to miss you so much. We had that moment where we each thought, how am I just meeting this person? How has it been that I have only known you for so little? 

And the truth is. I've had so many interactions like that with the people here so far. Moments where we just completely opened up, laid our souls, our very own essence, completely on the table, said this is who I am, this is what I've gone through, and this is what I'm going through. We've divulged things to the point where it nearly brings us to tears, almost surprising us by the fact that we're sitting there realizing: "Wow, this is the first time I've ever been able to talk to someone about this."

But with that being said, my interactions here with people have made me realize how little I savored my life in Berkeley. I tried, but that's the thing, "I tried." We shouldn't have to try to enjoy our lives or the people around us.  It should just happen. And for reasons I can't explain, I just took the people in my life -- the ones who mattered most -- and my surroundings, for granted. Never ever again will that happen. Ever. Some people, some things, and some moments are too precious to lose, to forego, to let slip away. 

If there's anything I've learned here, it's to savor. Savor, savor, savor. Savor the taste of food, the scents, the autumn breezes. The talks, the walks, the cold. The biting cold. The misery, the joy. The effort, the loss. The dreams, the sweets. The slaps in the face. The hugs and embraces. The sound. The smoke. The haze. The dew, the new, the old. The tears, the burning laughter. The honesty. Desire. And those thoughts, those endless, endless thoughts. 

Honesty

I know this is the second post for today, but I saw a quote today and it's pretty amazing: 

"I love unmade beds. I love when people are drunk and crying and cannot be anything but honest in that moment. I love the look in people's eyes when they realize they're in love. I love the way people look when they first wake up and they've forgotten their surroundings. I love the gasp people take when their favorite character dies. I love when people close their eyes and drift to somewhere in the clouds. I fall in love with people and their honest moments all the time. I fall in love with their breakdowns and their smeared makeup and their daydreams. Honesty is just too beautiful to ever put into words."

Being.

I sometimes secretly (I guess not so secretly now), wish that I could always walk around with a little video camera on me at all times, so you guys can see what it is like to be here, and share these experiences with me. 

Sometimes words can't really express exactly what you see or feel -- it's so hard to verbalize it. Today I had one of those moments. Kind of like my "running in the rain" experience. 

This morning I went running with my roommate Nathaly at Giardini Margherita, I'm kind of obsessed. We ran separately and the weather was perfect. Sort of cold outside, but once I got running and warmed up, it felt so great to run in patches of sunlight and be warmed by the sun. 

We agreed we would meet up at the usual spot where I do exercises in between, or after, laps. After doing some exercises while I waited for Nathaly, I sat in the grass, by the water for awhile. The sun felt amazing, and the breeze was gently blowing and sifting through the grass around me and making tiny little ripples in the water. Dew was on the grass and twinkled in the sunlight. It was seriously so beautiful. Afterward, Nathaly and I took a last lap around the park, and it was so cool to pass through the pathways that are surrounded by trees and be immersed in Fall. 

On our walk back, we just talked about the differences between here and the United States, and believe it or not, started to talk about how much we (particularly I) do not want to leave. 

Her and I have very similar pasts; we like making everyone happy,  we never really feel settled because we always feel like we need to have people's approval, or we always need to be doing more. 

And as we were walking, we both came to the conclusion, that for the first time in our lives, we are both finally content with being me, and just being. Not trying to be something else, or someone else. 

Of course there is the beautiful quote: "do more than exist." But where do people draw the line between settling for a "mediocre" life, and stressing themselves out to the point where they aren't enjoying the present? 

For now. That balance is reached. And I hope I really remember what that balance feels like, and never let it go. 

Hey America, chill your tots!

So, lemme just cut to the chase with this blog. As I alluded to in the previous post... America, you aren't doing it right. 

Shoot, WE aren't doing it right. 

For those of you who know me, know that my essence is stressing about shit that doesn't matter; (i.e. getting a perfect score on something, what people think of me, or how frizzy my hair might look).

Now, this has gotten much better since, say... oh, 8th grade, where you can guarantee I'd be in full blown tears if I got an A- on assignment (I can thank Berkeley for making that phase deteriorate), but there are still, to my dismay,  insignificant worries that consume my every day thoughts. 

I still stress too much about school. I still worry what people think of me. I'm always in a hurry, worrying if I will get everything done on time. I worry constantly about the future, and what I will be doing with my life. You know, the usual things. 

Here... those concerns wash away. The mentalities, the pace of life, the way people carry themselves, the way people interact, the schooling system, the emphasis on work.... it is all so vastly different. 

How is it different do you ask? (Study abroaders, don't give it away!) 

Well, first off.... 

1. LEISURE, LEISURE, LEISURE

Mix that in with some really good food, and some really good drinks, and you've got the first major difference. Not only is the food great, but every meal is a highlight of someone's day; a  moment to say this is my time, to wind down, enjoy my ability to... well, enjoy things, and possibly even catch up with a friend.

It's normal here to indulge, but healthily indulge. I have yet to see an obese person chowing down on pastries or gelato here... moderate that shit, and DO NOT DEPRIVE yourself. Bolognians definitely understand this, even though the city's nickname is literally "La Grassa," which means "The Fat." The city has this nickname not for having large citizens, but for having rich food. Unlike America, known for having just the opposite.

People are eating and drinking ALL DAY (and don't even get me started on the beauty that is the open container laws.... wine in a beautiful park? YES PLEASE). And by all day, I mean this city is up and running from 6am to 4am. 

2. PACE, and once again, SAVOR

The pace here, is go with the flow. Don't hurry, don't walk fast to places, don't expect your server at a restaurant to rush your food, rush your order, or try to take your plate before you're actually done eating. In fact, it's going to take FOREVER to get all of your courses at a dinner. So you should get in the habit of eating slow anyway.

I realized that in the states I was always trying to go here and go there. And although I can't part from my love of briskly weaving through huge crowds of people, I've pretty much learned to take it easy with other aspects of my life. Don't sweat the small stuff. And plus, if you're going OUT to dinner, you're paying someone to cook for you, ENJOY it, don't rush that. 

You wouldn't want to cut a massage short, now would you? 

3. PARTY ALL NIGHT, SLEEP ALL DAY! 

But really. People are always out so late, especially since it hasn't become frigidly freezing yet. And, unless someone has an early class, people sleep relatively late. And if you can't sleep late, well... YOU NAP! 

What a concept that human beings  might, just might, actually deserve to rest, rather than dehumanizing themselves through endless hours of meaningless labor that generates them meaningless paper, all for the purpose of buying meaningless things. (Oh hey Marx rant, sup modern day proletariats?) 

Night time is honestly a beautiful thing here. The sense of community is incredible. Because people aren't so freaking tired and concerned with their jobs, or excuse me lives, as we call it in the USA (btw this is not an attack on individual lifestyles just our shitty social norms). 

Any given night, you can walk outside, and there WILL be something going on in Piazza Maggiore, whether it's a soft hum of music from a band, or a HUGE bash/concert/movie/festival. We're missing this, big time. The only places I've seen remotely close to this are college towns and big cities. But it's all so spread out, and isn't really open to "everyone." It always feels like an exclusive event, geared towards a "sub" community. 

I could rant so much more about this, but for now I think I have to pause. To be continued. But for now, chill yo' tots America, is the lesson of the day! 

2 months

Well, 2 days ago signified another benchmark that has been reached since I have been here: 2 months have past since I arrived here clueless, scared shitless, and luggageless. 

And I don't want to beat a dead horse about all of the changes that have occurred and yada, yada, yada, but let's be real here: a lot of things have indeed, well... changed. 

I think if someone asked me, should I study abroad in college, I don't know if I would officially say yes. I think someone can go to a foreign country whenever they really want to, and immerse themselves in a culture and experience similar things. Studying abroad just kind of puts the experience on a silver platter.

Kind of like being in a sorority or fraternity, or even a coop, for some people, yes I am comparing studying abroad to being in a fraternity. Being in a sorority, or a coop, sort of sets up your college experience for you on a silver platter. You don't have to try and find your friends, they are pretty much already there for you, same with planned activities and other things.

Study abroad kind of does that too. There's no guarantee that you'll connect or click with the people in your program, but you still have the option to have people put right in front of you, and you can theoretically "choose from them," instead of trying to go find a local to befriend you (not that this is a bad thing, because you should meet locals FOR MANY REASONS, but for the foreigner that was scared like me -- I will admit it was quite nice to have people, or friends, already lined up for me). 

However, for you adventurous types out there, you could take the carpe-that-fucking-diem attitude, and come here without a program, and just dive head first into the Italian culture. I'll admit, the program let's you dip your toes a bit first, before taking a huge leap of faith. But even when you're just trying to dip your toes in, and get a feel for everything, you still end up getting pulled into the water, eventually. 

So basically, if you come here with a program, or if you come here on your own, whether it be for 6 months, a year, or more, you'll still end up at the same place: having to immerse yourself in the culture around you. I think which ever option someone chooses, if they even choose one of the options, just depends on how much of an adventure you want, and how much of a risk taker you are. 

(I know this post is really long, but bare with me, I'm reflecting here).

When I had been here for 2 weeks, I made a post comparing how much I had already changed since I first arrived. And to be honest, there were honestly some major differences. I know it seems like, "oh, it's only been 2 weeks, how can someone change?" But to you I say, change can happen overnight. Within seconds actually.

There's a reason why things feel like they might not be changing from day to day, and then when you reflect back on your life a year later, you think to yourself, "Who the hell was I just a mere year ago?"

Well for me, I was thinking, and today I'm thinking, "Who the hell was I just a mere two weeks/months ago?"

I had so much freaking fear when I got here. So much. And I think it's still there... hiding somewhere, but for now I think I have become a much a stronger person, strong enough to quell that fear, at least momentarily. I've adapted, and quite frankly, I love it here.

When I stepped off the plane that first day. I loathed this place. For various reasons. And now, I'm literally torn between spending the rest of my life here, or in my city by the bay. 

And speaking of that carpe diem, America... we kind of need to work on that. Because we suck in terms of actually taking advantage of our day and enjoying our lives, but more on that in another post.

And this all happened in 2 months. And I'm really excited to see what other changes are going to happen.

Sorry for the super long post guys, except.... I'm not that sorry.

And then the adventure began...

So after going to Venice with my family and Lara, and getting officially settled in Bologna, I've started to make travel plans! 

At the beginning of November I will be going to Paris to visit my friend Stella. If anyone has any recommendations, please send them my way!

And for Thanksgiving weekend, I will  be heading off to Madrid, and then Morocco with Stella, Gaby, and Kelly. 

Day trips across Italy will be scattered throughout the weeks. And there is a trip to the alps in the works for Winter. Also figuring out Amsterdam, Germany, etc. :) 

I am seriously so excited. 

For one night we'll be sleeping under the stars in the Sahara desert. 

I'm STOKED. I have a pretty intensive bucket list that I made a few months ago, for life in general. And I'm not crossing off a ton of stuff off the list while I'm here, but I'm getting closer to being able to cross things off; i.e. go to all 7 continents. 

I've had people tell me that although the bucket list is a nice idea, that I'm not going to be able to do all of those things. And to them, I say, you are SO incredibly WRONG. 

□Travel across Europe

√Fly a kite

□Visit the Grand Canyon

□Live on the East Coast

□Learn to wakeboard

√Learn to surf

√Go parasailing

√Sail a boat

□Plant my own tree

□Go to the Sahara Desert

□Publish a photo journalism article

□Drive down Route 66

□Backpack the entire JMT

√Skydive

□Bungee Jump

□Visit the modern seven wonders of the world

□Swim in all four ocean

□Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

√Be able to build a fire

√Go shooting

□Make wine

□Stomp on grapes

√Jet ski in the Caribbean

□Learn archery

□Ride in a hot air balloon

√Zip-line

√Pick Olives

□Go to all 7 continents

√Sleep under the stars

□Learn how to play an instrument (again)

√Break a Guinness World Record

□Go to Coachella

√Sail in a storm

√Go White Water Rafting

√Try a new sport

√Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge

□Go to the Amazon

□Go to the Pyramids

□Hike the Andes

√Hike in the snow/ice

□Climb Mount Everest

√Jump off a high cliff into the water

□Go Windsurfing

□Drive a Lamborghini

√Throw a snowball at someone

√Cut down a tree

□Build an igloo

□Go to the World Cup

□Go to the Olympics

√Go Skinny Dipping

□Win something in the Lotto

□Win 500+ dollars when gambling

√Study Abroad

□Swim with dolphins

√Swim with stingrays

□Go Shark Cage Diving

□Go to all 50 states

√Feed stingrays

√Streak

√Swim with turtles

□Hike Half Dome

√Go kayaking

□Go Scuba Diving

□Find a Geo-cache

□Ride a mechanical bull

√Kiss in the rain

□Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower

□Go to the top of the Empire State Building

□See the statue of Liberty

□Learn to sew

√Walk on a frozen lake

√Backpack 30+ miles in one day

□Backpack the Pacific Crest Trail

√Go tidepooling at night

□See the Northern Lights

□Go Snow Camping

□Have a job in a foreign country

□Fly in a blimp

□Fly in a helicopter

□Stand outside/see when it’s snowing

□Climb Mt. Whitney

□Grow a garden

□Go paddle boarding

□Make bread from scratch

 √Go body surfing

√Go for a run in the pouring rain

□Take a road trip across the United States

□Get a Masters Degree

√Go to Mono Lake

□Get VIP passes to a concert and go backstage

□Become a vegetarian

√Watch a meteor shower

□Start a business

□Be an extra in a film

□Create my dream home

□Run a half-marathon

□Run a marathon

□Do a triathlon

√Ride an elephant

√Ride a camel

√Go indoor skydiving

√Visit the Vatican

□Learn to ballroom dance

□Learn to salsa dance

□Write a book

√Stand under a waterfall

√Ride a gondola in Venice

□Ride a Vespa in Europe

□Be in 4 states at once (four corners)

√Ride on the back of a motorcycle

□Be fluent in another language (almost there!!)

√Be on a college sport club team

RFL

Probably one of my favorite books of all time, the one book that has had the most profound affect on me, is Viktor Frankl's "Man's Searching for Meaning." I read it in high school, it was required reading. 

The book,  "[chronicles his experiences as a concentration camp inmate and [describes] his psychotherpeutic method finding a reason to live."

Truly an amazing book that puts your life into perspective, and makes you question how you react to things. 

If there's anything I learned in my first weeks of being here -- with the help of this book -- is in any situation that comes your way, you have the ability to make the experience as shitty or as great are you want it to be. 

Frankl comes to the conclusion in his book that when stripped of absolutely everything -- identity, possessions, family, friends -- the only thing you have left is the ability to react to situations and experiences. 

After mulling over all of these things when I arrives here, I then saw this quote:

And listened to some good ol' Cat Stevens: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or8TA6IPE-M

I'm not perfect, I definitely have my off days. But I think this book, that quote, and this song, are nice little reminders that some times we just take all of this crap way too seriously (thanks for toning down my seriousness too Italy) and just need to RFL as my mom's coworker says: re-fucking-lax, and appreciate that we're here. living. breathing. and normal (well... the last one might be HIGHLY questionable). 

Beachin'

Happy Birthday deer (dear?) sister! And thanks again for showing me the beach and kite festival today over skype! :) 

Is yo mama fo' obama?

So yesterday evening, there was a photo opportunity, for all Americans who live in Bologna (and support Obama), to send a picture to the President. 

Everyone met in Piazza Neptuno, in front of La Fontana di Deptuno, and we took a picture. 

Afterward, I was talking with a few girls from my class, and a cute little blonde haired girl came up to me, stuck out her hand to shake mine, and with a HUGE smile on her face, said, "Obama?" 

I smiled back, stuck out my hand, smiled, and said Obama. We shook hands, and she turned around and went to talking with the other little ones. 

She was about 5 years old. 

So cute. 

I'm holding the corner of the poster by the "A" 

The Fam treks it to Europe!

As all of you are aware of, I'm sure, on Monday and Tuesday I had the chance to see my madre, padre, and nonna in Venezia, Italia, and my friend Lara joined us for a great couple of days.

The beautiful Lara Douglass!

On the train ride over, it felt so weird to be like, woah guys, I'm a 1 hour 30 minute train ride from Venice. 

Bologna Train Station

Approaching Venice! 

Oh hey Mummy, Daddy, Grammy

The whole ride over, I couldn't contain my excitement, and would randomly break out in to smiles... just ask the guy sitting next to me. I'm sure he was a little worried about my sanity. 

As soon as I stepped outside of the train station, I was literally slapped in the face with Venice's beauty, with the Grand Canal and the Venice bustle awaiting me outside the doors. I still can't even explain how overwhelming/cool/surreal it was to have that view as soon as I walked out of the doors. 

Venice Train Station. That's my train on the left. Sidenote: I was the idiot who gets somewhat caught in the door when it closes, when I was getting off the train. 

The walk to the hostel was a relatively easy/short walk. I made a wrong turn, and was able to talk with a local and ask for directions. She complimented me on my Italian *swoon* ALSO: big lessons learned on speaking with locals, and speaking Italian in general... but more to come on that later. 

Piazza/Buildings outside of hostel

To the left from hostel door.

The bridge.

To the right.

To the right again.

Windows, with flowerbed, is the windows/balcony outside of hostel living room.

Piazza!

Our bunkbed. 

The hostel has such a cute little Piazza outside of it, and it's own private bridge leading to the front door :) 

My family and I had agreed that we would meet in the middle of Piazza San Marco at 5:30. Unfortunately, I had been told that a water bus would only take 5-10 minutes, and instead it took 45 minutes. I also later found out that my hostel was actually a "one" 20 minute walk to Piazza San Marco, NOT a 1 hour 20 minute walk: thanks hostel website. 

So I was a tad bit late when I arrived to the square. The boat ride over was relaxing though. Sunset, breeze, and the sweet Venetian air. 

Walking into the sunset.

About to see my family in 15 seconds. 

When I got off the boat, I nearly ran (taking pictures in between speed walking) and finally turned the corner to the Piazza. I waved to my dad, (hey he's taller and can see over the crowd... sorry mom, sorry Grammy), and we met each other in the middle. It was pretty great :)

REUNITED! (We're totally not crying...)

I felt so happy. Yet still couldn't believe it.

That night we had dinner, and got lost through the streets trying to find a restaurant, that ended up being booked (and a bit rude). But we ended up eating right around the corner at an amazing restaurant that was right next to a smaller canal. 

Before dinner though, I was about to give my mom her b-day present, when suddenly my fam just gives me a bag full of goodies. I pull out one particular bag though that had, what was obviously wrapped food. I immediately thought it was cheese. Family's response: "You've been in Italy way too long."

Guys. IT WAS A BURRITO. Some of you know, there is no Mexican food here. And the Mexican food Lara and I did once try, it was a burrito with melted mozzarella cheese, shaved/cubed prosciutto, and red cabbage. And it was 10.50 euro. So, there were some serious withdrawals going on here. They got Lara (who arrived later that night) and I two burritos and two soft tacos.

The next day (MY MOM'S BIRTHDAY!) we took a gondola ride, and ended up getting a great discount because Lara and I talked with our gondolier Gino in Italian, and asked him questions about himself. It was a cloudy morning, and there were virtually no lines, so we just went for it. 

We took a grand canal/private canal tour. I love this city so much. There are so many interesting colors, building materials, textures, sculptures, and shapes to find the detail in. I really enjoyed looking at the smaller details, not just the canal as a whole. That's when you really realize the magic of this city. When you get off the beaten path, get a little lost, or look a little harder. 

My favorite building

Still got it!

We spent the rest of the day, walking, eating, more walking, and more eating. 

Ponte Realto

Walking :)

Now, Venice is an absolutely beautiful city, but after living in a city that is more isolated from heavy tourism, I've realized that the Italians in Venice are so much more jaded, and with good reason! When speaking Italian with businesses, we either experienced shock/appreciation/gratitude, or impatience and anger. 

But overall, I would say that majority of people were thankful. Even people I asked directions from. Even though I was taking their time, they seemed to appreciate that I knew how to speak the language. ALSO: asking locals directions not only can improve your confidence with speaking the language, but you can also learn cool and interesting facts... or receive huge discounts on your gondola ride. 

So don't be afraid to put yourself out there and meet people! It pays off... literally. 

Ciao Venezia!

I wish I could have had more time with the family, but still having the opportunity to spend even a second with them, and also share this experience with Lara, was more than I could ever ask for. 

Thanks family, for an amazing two days :) See you in January!