Hello world! It feels like it’s been ten thousand years since I last wrote something, rather than just three days ago. Remember when I said I didn’t think it was real that I was going to Japan?

While hugging my family and partner goodbye in the middle of the Milwaukee airport, fiercely pushing any tears trying to escape back into their respective ducts, I couldn’t help but ask myself over and over and over again: why am I doing this?

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent my last weekend in Denaru, Fiji. This was definitely my favorite vacation I have EVER been on. After traveling to several different places, Fiji was the most blue & beautiful.

Wow!!! What can I say? This was truly an amazing trip. It was an emotional occasion to say goodbye to everyone I had met and gotten to know so well in Buenos Aires. Everyone in my program promised that we would still keep in touch and visit each other whenever we were in each other's neck of the woods. I promised my Argentine friends and family that I would be back to visit them and that this wasn't necessarily goodbye, but so long for now. We had one last night out where we partied and stayed out until 5 AM.

More than a week in China gives much to think about, although life here is so fast that it’s hard to remember many of the things that have surprised me and, when I finally find some time to tell you about my first impressions, without realizing it, many other things have vanished.

Ciao amici! It is day three in Italy, and things are going as well as can be expected. The night before my flights was a nightmare. Thank you United for claiming to confirm my flights, kicking me off at the last possible minute, and saying that in order for me to get a seat, I would have to pay triple the original amount. Somehow through all of the chaos, I managed to safely land in Florence, and meet up with my group in time to take the private bus to Siena.

Today is Tuesday, August 30th. It’s 12:32pm, and so far all day I’ve been back and forth between packing haphazardly and watching the first five minutes of different movies on Netflix, unable to like one enough to commit to it fully.  

I’ve been in Nice for a week now, and I’m truly not sure why I haven't come to the French Riviera sooner! I love it here! This past week has been a whirlwind and this quick post is not even the tip of the iceberg, but it highlights the culture of France, specifically Nice, that I have sincerely enjoyed so far.

Hello again dear reader(s),

With less than a week to go before I head off to Spain I thought I would share with you some things I think are important to consider as you finalize your packing list. Now, I must stress that the items I list below are only suggestions. Seriously, I’m a blogger, not your mother. Take these things, don’t take them, it’s all the same to me; I can rest easy knowing that I have done all that I can to guide you by creating this post in the first place.