Just a quick update...

I made it to Italy safely on Friday evening around 8:00pm. I have spent the last 2 days exploring Florence with some of the other people from the program who arrived early. It's been great getting to wander with no specific destination in mind. I didn't realize just how much I missed seeing the first time I was in Florence.

The program officially starts this evening with a dinner for the whole group of like 25 students. Italian class begins Monday morning at 9:00 am. It's supposed to last 4 hours. Later in the afternoon then we have orientation tomorrow as well. We move in with our host families on Wednesday. That should be interesting to see where I will actually be living. Hopefully by then I will have pictures to post.

Hope you are all doing well! I'd love to hear from you.

Take care.

My inspiration for the name of my blog came from a quote I came across by Robert Downing. He said, "Italy, my Italy! Queen Mary's saying serves for me--(when fortune's malice lost her Calais)--Open my heart and you will see Graved inside of it, Italy." While I cannot say the same is true of me (at least not as of yet), I loved the sound of "Italy, my Italy." It seemed a fitting name for my coming adventures in Italy.

I leave a week from today. I'm not sure where the time has gone, but I am getting quite excited to go. I can't wait to get to Florence. I am a little sad about being away from my friends and family for 4 months, but I am certain the coming adventures will make it all worthwhile. I can't wait to discover what the future holds.

Italy, here I come!