Archives: August 2007
Fri Aug 31, 2007
On Delta's Wings...
It amazes me that on September 8th I will be leaving all that I know here in the United States and will embark on a new phase of my life. I will be surrounded by new people, places and a different language, which I really don’t know that much about. I have to trust God, and Delta’s wings that I will make it safely. I think that is the hardest part for me, trust. I am a very take control person, and I want to take this time to sit back and allow myself to relax. I hope this experience will allow me to realize what I want in life and be able to trust others, learn to not have a plan, and not be the one in control 24/7.
I have heard nothing but wonderful and amazing stories about Italy and I can see the excitement in people’s faces who have already been and in those who are just excited for me. I cannot wait to start making memories, videos, taking pictures, flying on an European airline, which I have heard is an adventure in itself and sharing stories with other people, and encourage them to take this same trip. I am so full of different emotions and look forward to the most amazing 12 weeks of my life.
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A Hand To Hold
Before I know it, I will leaving my home sweet home in Auburn to spend 12 weeks living and studying in Italy. This picture represents a lot of what I'm looking forward to in my trip. First of all, it is a piece of art found in Albano, not far from Ariccia. I can't even begin to imagine the many types and styles of art we will get to take in. I have been to my fair share of art exhibits and historic sites, but I know that nothing I've seen so far can prepare me for the magnitude of the Sistine Chapel or the ancient mosaics. I think art is an amazing way that we as humans communicate to the world. I cannot wait to see what Bernini, Caravaggio and the others have to say to us.
Another reason this particular artwork excites me is because it represents the human connection that I have already learned so much about in my HDFS coursework. I am looking forward to experiencing firsthand how other cultures interact and relate to one another. I will get the chance to connect with these people in a way that would not be possible without this program. I am excited to learn more about how I, as an American college student. fit into the bigger picture of the world. I expect that the dynamic of relationships will be a little different than what I know here in the United States, but I also think that no matter where we're from, we all just want and need that basic interaction and contact with others--that hand to hold on to from time to time. There are, however people like me, people who hold on a little too tightly or a little too long. I am looking forward to becoming a little more independent during my journey overseas. I will have to rely more on myself and the people I am still getting to know rather than on my parents, friends, and normal support system. I hope to attain more of a balance between my independence and my relationship with those around me. So, in a way, I am entering this program a somewhat blank canvas, ready to be painted and sculpted by my experiences.
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The Devil Wears Prada
This picture is of the Kartell design house in Milan. The very first day that we started looking at how to do a weblog I was reminded of why I am going to Italy to study. After going through all the predeparture sinformation it becomes hard to remember why I am really going because there is so much to be excited about. But the number one thing that I am most excited about is Milan. The place where fashion was born. I cannot wait to see all the style and design that is in Milan. I do not really know what to expect because the only place I have been in Europe is London and I am picturing Milan to be more like the New York of Italy. I have been told that there are many showrooms in Milan, and hopefully we will get to experience them.
I am a junior in apparel design so that explains why Milan is so invigorating to me. I selected this picture because I am so eager to be sitting here and experiencing first hand the new designs. Throughout this fieldtrip it will help me get a better and bigger picture of what I will be doing when I get out of college. Hopefully, it will help me decide what part of design I want to be involved in and which parts I do not. My dream would be to get to meet an actual designer and look at what he/she does on an everyday basis. I can't believe it is already Friday and that we leave in a week. SO EXCITING!!
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Thu Aug 30, 2007
Time-Out
Time is all we have, but what we never seem to have enough of. So for the next three months I am calling a time-out. Come September 8 at 7:20 p.m., I am leaving behind the fast-paced life where time does nothing but gets away from me. My stress, worries, pressures and problems will be left at the boarding gate. I am buying myself time. Time to figure out who I want to be, what I want to do and where I want to go. Those questions seem to get lost somewhere amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I hope going to Italy will give me insight into what I want out of life. In Italy, I can focus on what is best for me without others interfering and persuading my decisions. Italy will give me the chance to be independent and decisive. During these next twelve weeks, I am going to learn a lot about myself as well as the culture around me. Being immersed in a completely different culture is going to be a growing and learning experience. It is an adventure that I have wanted all of my life, and I can’t believe it is finally here. And when my time-out comes to an end, I hope I am not just a different person but a better person. Only time will tell.
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Unexpected victim of an inescapable love
Sometimes it is hard to imagine a life that is so different from the one that I lead. As I begin to think about these next three months, I realize that I have always been cared for and supported by loving friends and family that some may not be as fortunate to have. Even with all the love I have received, I often catch myself dwelling on the things in my everyday life that I may think are complicated or unfair. Struggles that we tend to have in the United States such as deciding which college to attend, when to do an internship, where to find a job, or what place to travel next would seem to be a blessing in another’s life.
With my major being Human Development and Family Studies, I have taken a special interest in Child Life and a love for international children. What better opportunity do we have to learn about world hunger issues than to be at the national headquarters of the World Food Programme! By thinking of ideas with the other girls this semester, I look forward to becoming knowledgeable and helping to find more ways to get the word out about this issue. I believe we are all meant to open our arms to the poor and extend our hands to the needy. The love that we are led to show can help in pushing towards change. These people are just like us. They did not ask to be a victim of hunger. Not knowing when my next meal would be is a hard concept to imagine. Being able to learn about a life that is so different from the ones we live in Auburn will allow us to think outside of the box. Looking from a different perspective will hopefully broaden my views and heighten my experiences to a new level of appreciation.
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With a suitcase full of dreams…
It’s amazing to think that a week from today I will be packing for a journey that will most likely change my life. Living in Italy will be the biggest cultural experience anyone can dream of having. Aside from the beautiful scenery, breathtaking architecture, and the stunning clothing, the most fascinating part of this journey is going to be living in a place that is unlike anything we are accustomed to. The fact that we are going to submerge ourselves into a country whose culture is so diverse from our own will be an incredible adventure all within itself.
Having grown-up in a society with an accessible and convenient store on every corner, we tend to take the enjoyable commodities and turn them into everyday necessities. In a small town like Ariccia we will be more self-reliance; we won't spoiled by having everything at our fingertips. From the families we will meet in Ariccia, to the friends we will become, our journey starts here, a place that will give us memories that we can savor for the rest of our lives.
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Walk A Mile In Their Shoes
Soon I will be living—yes, really living--in Italy! I can’t believe I will be in a place enhanced with such culture and surrounded by so many amazing sites. I know I’ll be anxious to see everything the second I arrive but, I know I’ll have to take a deep breathe, relax, and remember that I am there to be submerged into their culture and not merely a tourist. I want to grasp the feeling of Italy through talking to the locals, eating what they eat, drinking what they do, going the places they like to go, opening my eyes to what is around me--really living in Ariccia.
I think that my semester abroad will have the most profound impact on my life thus far. I have been lucky enough to have already traveled many places within the U.S. and to Italy once before, and I have developed an appreciation of the world in general, as well as art, history, and the different ways people live. I truly believe being in Italy will enrich my quality of life in ways unexplainable to those who can’t experience it themselves. I can’t wait to become a global citizen throughout the next three months and trace the footsteps of the locals.
View of Arricia
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A Taste of Something New
If you know me well, you know my passion for the culinary arts. One of the things that excites me the most is getting to taste true Italian cuisine. We American's know very well how to "Americanize" everything about other cultures, but I can't wait to have a true taste of Italy. When I write this though, I don't narrow it down to only the food aspect of Italy. I have heard so many great things about the Italian people, and how much they value relationships. I am very excited about forming new relationships with the people of Italy; and getting the opportunity to learn from them is something I'm looking forward to tremendously! For me, this is another reason why my joy for cooking goes beyond getting to eat great food. It's about getting to come together with family and loved ones, and enjoy each others company. If you think about it, during holidays and special events, where does everyone congregate? Yep, it's in the kitchen! (At least that's the way it is in my family)
Also, I am looking forward to the educational part of culinary in Italy. Being a HRMT major, I plan on one day having my own catering business. I am anxious to go to a culinary school, and gain some new skills that I'll be able to bring back with me.
I think this opportunity will not only broaden my culinary horizon, but I also hope to gain lasting relationships. And for me, there is no better way to do that, then sit down to a great meal with great company.
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"The First Great Adventure"
Its time to take off for the horizon! I’m excited about traveling and going to places I’m not accustomed to. This is a big adventure for me because I have never been out of the United States. I’m anticipating Italy feeling eager and curious. Italy has always seemed to me beautiful from pictures and always somewhere I would want to go. I’m expecting breathtaking scenery and architecture, as well as great food, wine, and people. I look forward to great friendships with the people of Italy because of all the wonderful things I have heard about them. Italy, as well as all of Europe s eems like an eye opening experience and a way to get away from the familiar. This trip will provide a global understanding that few people get the opportunity to do at my age. I’m so fortunate to get this option from The College of Human Sciences and Auburn University. I hope to get the most out of this as possible. I want to come from this trip with lots of photos and stories, but most importantly, I want to come from this with a better understanding of myself as well as others. As Mr. Twain said, “Explore.Dream.Discover”.
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"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it”
This picture of the Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele in Milan is most definitely one of beauty, as are most of the pictures taken by former students in the CHS@AU in Italy program. There are priceless pieces of art, countless examples of ancient architecture, and scenic views. We can all appreciate these things for their pleasing aesthetic and for thier newness to us. Our breath will be taken away many times during our trip because of things we see and encounter. I hope, however, that as we appreciate the physical things we come across on our journey, we also take the time to see the beauty in the aspects of our trip that are not physical.
I will take many things home with me, I'm sure; pictures, souveniers, and presents. Many times I find myself focused on the things that seem important, like the beautiful sights and great things to buy, and miss what's most important. The thing I most want to take home with me is the experience I will gain while abroad. The relationships we form with others and the appreciation for another culture are what will help me to grow as a person. This formation of friendships and dissolution of cultural barriers are to me more beautiful than any physical thing. I hope that we all can take the time to see the beauty not only in the things we see with our eyes, but also the things we feel in our hearts.
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Wed Aug 29, 2007
No hustle; go with the flow…
Our environment around us influences the way we do things, the people we meet, and basically the way we live our lives from day to day. In a little over a week I will find myself immersed in a whole new surrounding. I will know a handful of people, be unfamiliar with the language, have no idea where anything is, and will be thousands of miles from those I love the most. However, this is a chance of a lifetime and I would be pretty stupid if I passed it up. The United States, let me rephrase this-Alabama, is the only place I have lived my entire life. I am going to be in complete and total culture shock. However, looking back at previous semesters’ blogs, I see the pictures and I am set at ease by the plethora of things these students were able to do in Italy and other European cities, and I am sure that I will not be worried too much about things back on the plains. I am not scared, but anxious, to see what it is I get myself into while there.
I am most excited to see the many architectural attractions in Europe--the shear genius it took to come up with these innovative and intricate designs, and I will be in their presence. We have been told to not set our expectations to high, but how can I not? I am going to be in the presence of ancient ruins and architectural wonders. Oh, how I can not wait to leave the worries and hustle and bustle behind and just be laid back for three months with the Italians. No work, no stress dealing with midterms or finals, just time for relaxing and taking in the beauty that the Italian culture has to offer me.
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