21 May 2012

I'm baaaaaack!

So...I'm back. In the States. Gli Stati. Los Estados.

Weird.

No really. It's so weird. I honestly feel like I never left, or maybe was just gone for two weeks.

Life has just picked back up where it left off.

Almost.

Don't worry, I have a couple last posts for this one but I'd like to announce (again I think) that this adventure isn't over!

I've learned SO MUCH and most of it about myself. One of the most important things is living consciously. Actually paying attention to what is going on around you. I really want to keep that - it has been hard when I was abroad! Especially in Ireland when  I had my own apartment to deal with, classes, and recent grief. It was tough.

So. The plan is to simply try to find the beauty in the small things, make the most of the wonderful country that is America, try to focus on quality over quantity... and blog about it :)

I don't even have a title yet. Working on it.

But, to that end I'd like to invite you to take part in this awesome giveaway from OneSheepishGirl! It's both a lovely leather journal and an e-course about creative journaling!

Just check out the rules here...

Baci,
Mari

10 May 2012

Getting Real...

Well, the day has come. Today I go to London, and a week from now I'll be on a plane home to the USA.

I packed last night. It weighs too much. Story of my life.

I'll try to post an update while I'm in London. I have a lot to look forward to:


  1. I get to stay with a friend from freshman year.
  2. I get to meet up with the amazing Natalie AND fly home with her.
  3. I get to go to Jane Austen's home Saturday.
  4. I get to participate in a writing workshop at Jane Austen's home Saturday.
  5. I'm going to try my darndest to get to Paris for a day or two.
Then, God and airlines willing, we will land in Chicago next Thursday at around 2PM. 

It's becoming real. So real. Painfully real. 

I'm leaving what has been my  home for eight and a half months. And when I get home a really important person will be missing. 

But all of my friends will be there (well, scattered but still). And my family.  

And so, if I don't get to post again before, Happy Mother's Day to my amazing Mommy and wonderful Step-mom. Thank you so much for your love and support throughout my grand adventure. 

Hmmmm...I might have a name for my next blog....

Baci,
Mari

04 May 2012

Guess what...

He said, "Nice to meet you" and handed me the bread and went on.


I go home in 12 days. 12. Less than two weeks. I have a paper to turn in Monday, and an exam Wednesday and tomorrow I'm throwing a Kentucky Derby Party.

I admit. I'm conflicted. Seriously - I'm torn up inside.

I've been on the European continent since August 31, 2011. I've been in Ireland since January 17. I've lived in Italy, spent 8 days stranded on a Greek island, been to Auschwitz and Krakow, spent 8 days in Barcelona, 20 days on a farm in Valencia, and kissed the Blarney Stone twice. I'm headed to London and Paris. It's been amazing.

And I don't want to leave. I really don't.

But I do.

I want to hug my mom and my stepmom and my stepsister and all of my friends. I want to visit my dad's grave.

But there are so many challenges at home.

To that end I would like to announce that I shall be ending this blog in the week I return home. But the proverbial journey isn't over. Robert Frost said,

"I can sum up in three words everything I've learned about life - it goes on"

And that is so true. These amazing adventures I've had that I've gotten to share aren't going to end just because I'm back in the States and dealing with "life". I've been dealing with it these past nine-ish months and I've learned that for anything to matter you have to be present. 

That's my challenge, staying present. Not allowing myself to just zone out for days at a time. Sure, the occasional Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice or Transformers marathon. But not for days at a time and preferably with friends.

I want to continue this journey with you all, and I hope with more people. So, I'll be starting a new blog. It doesn't have a name yet, but it does have a purpose - to continue all the growing I've done. To live consciously. Eat healthy. Love yourself, but not selfishly.

I would like to share something else with you. I just read it, and it's very well put. It's what they don't tell you about grief.

Baci,
Mari