...and its over!

Just got out of my last exam! talk about unrelenting relief! i'm waiting on some friends to finish up and then going to take a nap this afternoon. Have to start packing soon as we leave bright and early to Rome on sunday morning. Should be there somewhere around 2pm our time...that would mean 7am your time. so odd to me. i'm going to bed and my bro is just finishin up a day at work back home!

so i started a blog earlier and had to quickly wrap it up.

i've got just under 2 more weeks here. i do miss home but i really love it here. the country is just beautiful. i've definitely learned alot from new people that we've met along the way. each eager to share some bit of knowledge or to ask us questions. we are a loud group and i'm sure we appear very "American" to those around here. you can hear us coming a mile away.

it really made me stop and think or rather question "why do we have the insistant need to gab all the time?" its something i've noticed on this trip. some people are uncomfortable with silence or maybe some people just want to be heard. i guess its more apparent to me because i can sit in the same room as my best friend for 30 minutes and we dont have to say anything to each other. i would say that i talk more than she does. or when i'm in the car with my brother or family...we can be silent and dont have to talk 24 - 7.

i can say this experience is by far different from all my experiences. i'm glad that i've waited until now because i dont think i would've been mature enough to endure the circumstances a few years ago. strange how that happens?

if anything, i've been really blessed by the friendships i've developed on this trip. i've learned so many new things and feel my life has opened up in a new aspect that will help me in the next leg of the journey.

i can say that the impending move to Lubbock, finally hit me a few days ago. i'm not sure why it waited until now or why so far from home, but i think it was reality setting in. i'm excited for sure and while things did not play out quite like i hope, i know where i'm headed and how to get there. just going to require a little more hard work. its ok with me. i've learned that hardwork and perseverance develop character.

i cant believe i'm going to say this but the one "educational" lesson i'm taking home with me is that of "Civic Virtue." it has changed my perspective and attitude regarding my actions in a profound way. i'd go into detail but i do not want to bore you! only i could be excited about something like that i fear....lol its ok, i embrace my inner nerd.

ok so i gotta go meet some friends who are in a different lab due to miscommunication. seems to be happening alot lately! LOL. hope you have a great week and will try and post more pics soon.