I'm what you'd call a 'homebody'--I like being at home. I find comfort in knowing places intimately, in staking a claim to a space that is entirely my own, where I feel safe. I revel in the routines that give structure to the day; I like predictability. This isn't to say that I don't like to get out and do things, but home is where I can recharge my metaphorical batteries, and it is the only place where I can be nothing but myself.
"This is my first time hosting an American. Usually, I get to host some Taiwanese since Taiwan is close to Japan," said Tomoe in her quiet, almost whispering voice while looking at Becky.
So I'm reaching the end of my second month in London and I'm about 2/3 of the way through my program (scary!). A few friends and I have started feeling like we're back in the U.S. We've gotten to know the city pretty well, developed our own routines, and became comfortable with the culture and people. Basically, it all feels normal now and it doesn't feel like we are in a new country. This didn't really come as a surprise and we were kind of expecting it. It's just a consequence of living in a new place for a while.
Wow, how time passes when you’re having fun! It is absolutely impossible for me to grasp that I have now been in Milan for almost 7 weeks. I have met so many people, seen so many places, and even celebrated my birthday during this short time here!
In Transit
IES Abroad gave us a little over a week for spring break, so my friends and I decided to go to Italy! I just came home relaxed, stuffed, and completely happy. A week was the perfect amount of time to explore part of the country, because it gave us time to really enjoy the places we went to.
I was so happy to see my family for a few days earlier this month! Mom, Mommom (my grandma), Aunt Pat, and my two cousins all flew out for a long weekend spent in Dublin. Spending this time with them could not have made me any happier.
Lately, I've been writing a series of poems and titling them each "Metamorphosis", happily constricted in the idea that this part of my life is exactly that: a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means. (Thank you dictionary.com.)
It's a beautiful, healthy process.
