Early Saturday morning, I had a rather unwelcome surprise. I had half of a breakfast biscuit for breakfast Friday morning, but because I had it in my bag all day long in case I wanted it later, it was a bit soggy (yes, it was that humid out) so I threw it in the trash bin and went to sleep. Around five AM Saturday morning, I woke up to a rustling noise coming from the trash bin, and I turn on the light to see a rat trying to get the second half of that breakfast biscuit!

Now that I’ve settled back into the rhythm of being back at home, it’s hard to believe that not so long ago I was in Rome. While I wish I could have stayed in Italy for longer than I had, I’m so thankful to have called Rome my home for 6 wonderful weeks! It was quite the learning experience – both inside and outside the classroom – and I never could have imagined how much I would come to love the things that make the city what it is including:

I was really looking forward to my trip in Zhangjiajie, and I’m still glad I went, though it wasn’t at all what I expected.

I took the ditie (subway) to the airport on Thursday, and I had a two-and-a-half hour flight to Zhangjiajie airport. I was so nervous when we were landing and all I could see out the window was pitch black. Zhangjiajie is what Wikipedia calls a “prefecture-level” city with a population just shy of 1.5 million, so compared to Beijing, this is the middle of frigging nowhere.

1. I accomplished *ALMOST* everything on my bucket list for Turkey! I couldn’t do Ansasör due to time constraints and I never tried Kumpir… mostly because food was not really a priority. Other than these two – I was able to do everything I wanted!

How does it feel to be home? That most certainly is the question of the week! And to be honest, I’m not entirely sure yet. Although I finished my program at the end of June, I only just got back to the States because  my sister, cousin and I traveled around Italy and Paris for a couple of weeks. I feel like being home (since I’ve just gotten here) is just another extended vacation. I’ve unpacked, yes, but I know in the back of my mind I’m going to have to move back to school, which means moving my clothes and things once more!

As I said in my last post, here are a few samples of poetry I have written. I’m still working out some kinks with them, but I figured I’d share the process with you, with my rough drafts.

The Joke

So the joke starts

Sailors
Grasping metal rails
Their legs helpless
To the force of the waves
On the side of the vessel

Salt coming in
Oceanic waves
Speckling hair
With white
Instant aging

Kia Ora! I figured it was about time to catch you all up on what I’ve been doing the past two weeks. I arrived in Auckland on the 11th of July, and was picked up and taken to my flat (but not before being told my passport was invalid! Turns out I needed only to sign it. Phew). I live on the 15th floor of my building in a small room tucked in the corner. Definitely feels like a city-dweller, starving artist kind of flat. But I like it fine.

So it’s T-2 hours until my flight and I’m seated anxiously near my gate waiting for boarding. I figured this would be the perfect time to reflect and share my thoughts. After spending my entire summer in Botswana, it was hard to say goodbye to family and friends for four whole months. But I know that the experience will outweigh whatever nerves I’m having right now!