7 weeks and a volcano

Life is always a funny thing when you look back at it. Things that happened last week feel like a year ago, but then memories from years ago feel like yesterday.

I have a film paper to write, but I'm listening to The National and can't help but write.

This volcano has everyone freaking out. People are really worried they won't be able to get home. I'm just worried my parents won't be able to get here. Good news is I still have some time before they are supposed to arrive. Please, everyone, cross your fingers.Volcano calm down!

In the meantime . . . assuming everything works out, I have successfully booked my trips for the summer. I can't wait to start. It was really difficult for me to get to Krakow, not sure why. At one point I was going to book a flight through Oslo or Stockholm to get there. Those places would have been awesome to see for sure. In the end though I had a top hit list of places I really wanted to visit. I decided it was better to not overwhelm myself and stick to a few countries and cities. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was really important for me to get Krakow, so I made it work.

I start in Dublin, then go to Krakow, then go to Vienna, then to Berlin, then to Geneva and then back to Rome. I'm very excited!

I'm having a love affair with Rome. So I've decided I'm going to make a top 10 list of things I love while being here.
1. Villa Borghese. I can't get enough of this park. Every time I go it just makes me so happy. Granted there are a million couples making out everywhere, but I love being outside, seeing the trees, laying in the grass. It's become a great spot to journal.
2. Walking through the Monte Mario neighborhood. Especially the walk to calcio every Wednesday.
3. Hearing children playing outside. I love hearing them speak Italian. Walking by the schools when they are out at recess is the best.
4. The cobblestones. Lots of people are sick of the cobblestones because they hurt their feet. But I can't get enough of them. I love the sound when my foot hits the pavement and feeling the stones beneath my feet.
5. The Protestant Cemetery. One of my favorite places in Rome for sure. It's oddly very peaceful and beautiful there. Flowers and trees growing everywhere. Plus, a nice place to reflect.
6. Cappuccino's. Who knew I would become such a fan, but I love the taste, but more than that the feel of drinking them.
7. The view outside my bedroom window to a beautiful tree and field. It's lovely to wake up to every morning, feel the sun and hear the birds.
8. Going to the million different gelateria's. Trying new flavors, figuring out how much you will get at each place and rating all of them.
9. Trastevere, my favorite neighborhood in Rome. A maze of pathways, all intertwined and Italian's everywhere. It's the best place to feel lost and yet feel at home.
10. The feeling of going to a new part of Rome, pulling out your map, not sure where you are, then turning the corner and realizing you know exactly where you are. Rome is not as big of a city as people think. It's all connected and I'm convinced you can walk everywhere.

Thinking of all of you, sending a big hug to the States.