I realized today that contentedness and happiness sometimes take more work than one realizes. They don't just happen to you; you have to make them happen. I've been stressed lately about classes, and today they're finally over. This is met with mixed feelings: relief, because there will be no more studying and no more papers to write until classes begin in the fall; a sort of weird freedom, because I returned to my house this afternoon and thought, "Ok, I'll start my Italian homework now" and realized I didn't have any; slight nostalgia (oh, the joys of field trips to Etruscan history museums, necropolis, and the many, many sarcophagi); and just this release, because I suddenly had an afternoon to myself, to live the way I wanted without having to do anything or be anywhere. It's a slower pace of life that's lived here in Tuscania. I've been late to things and I have probably been a sight to the locals, sprinting down the street to get somewhere on time, only to wait for about 10 or so more minutes before we actually leave. There's no reason to rush here, ever, and it's wonderful. Life back home feels compressed, rushed, like people mean to schedule time to live and enjoy simple things but they never actually do. It's not something that should be scheduled, in any case.
I owe a good part of my mood to my disuse of the internet until late this evening. Instead, I've wandered around accomplishing little errands, from getting dollars changed to euros (60 USD only buys me 42.31 euros, sad day), buying by brother some candy, watching Italy play in the World Cup at different bars (I think they lost, which is disappointing for the calcio-loving Italians). My roommate's photo class has basically adopted me for this last week, so we spent some time with her photo teacher, grabbing snacks at a caffe and taking snapshot portraits. No hurry, no worries. Dinner with my host and her boyfriend was more fun than many of the other dinners have been. We all teased each other, laughing and laughing.
I should probably also mention, for anyone reading this who doesn't know, that the sweets here are to-die-for amazing. I tried a lemon creme croissant today that was wonderful. Cappuccinos with ginseng are also surprisingly delicious. Three cappuccinos in one day is a new record for me, and something that would happen only in Italy. I'll miss my slow-to-wake up mornings here, the calm silence as Tessa, Elena, and I each sip our cappuccinos or tea, mixing cereal and yogurt, dipping lady fingers into the coffee. Italian food is simply amazing. Pizza and ice cream will not be the same after trying them here. (If you know where to find a place in the States that will make pizza with zucchini flowers, eggplant, or potatoes, please send word asap!)
It's hard to believe that I only have one more day here. There's so much to do - from the mundane necessity named "finish packing" to the Friday morning market to visiting the ceramics studio (the owners of which are coming in specifically for us), to grabbing an on-the-house treat from La Dolce Vita because my friends and I visit so often, to the medieval festival in Vitterbo and the farewell dinner. It will, like all of the other days here, pass too quickly. On the bright side, my mother, father, and uncle arrived in Rome today, and I will see them there on Saturday. I'm very excited about our trip: Rome for a few days, then to Florence and the Tuscany region, then a day trip to Venice, topped off by two days in Cinque Terre, and of course, the long flight home.
Long story short, life is good. Very, very good. :)
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