#4 - That "well-rounded" education could pay off

Students everywhere have designated the I-will-never-ever-use-anything-I-learn-in-this-class-again title to a foreign language class. They just know they will never need it. Well, I am SO glad I took Spanish!

I've learned quickly that Italian is very similar to Spanish...and I love Spanish! It has been helpful in understanding a few things people say and quite a few signs! Numbers are almost exactly the same! Now I wish I knew more Spanish...

While in the airport, the signs were all translated into English...

...which was horrible preparation for what would happen when I stepped outside the doors...no English!

Jeremy took Logan, my traveling buddy, away from me because we didn't have room in the taxi...but thankfully, I had two new friends to experience this culture shift with me - Amanda and Jen. (See lesson #5 - Make friends.)

Our taxi driver didn't know where to take us...and for the first time on this trip, the thought occurred to me, "You don't speak English, do you?" I looked to the left and right of me at travelers in cars as we zoomed past them (speedy cab driver) and thought, "and neither do you...or you...or you..." I was surrounded. I was surrounded by people I didn't understand. A little frightening, maybe. Okay, yes, very. But, wait...it gets better...

After we arrived at our destination (by handing him a piece of paper with the address on it), I asked "How much does it cost?" (in Italian!) and I understood him when he told me 40 euros (in Italian!)! It was so exciting!...if you can't tell from all of the !!!!s. =)











Of course it is harder to speak Italian than it is to read it, but I'm just excited that I can understand some things!

It's definitely better to know some Italian phrases - so far I've used "excuse me," "thank you," "you're welcome," "goodbye," and "how much does it cost?" I need to learn words like "here" and "sorry" (because obviously I need to apologize for not knowing what people are saying, like this RUDE lady at the market). I also need to learn the word "this" so I can point at things I can't pronounce or don't know.






Off to learn a few more things in Italian...Never stop learning! Hey, maybe by the time I'm ready to come home, my blog will be "Life Lessons Learned in a Country Where I Didn't Understand Anyone but Now I Do."

Ciao!

Briana

--

"This money is so PRETTY!" - Me

#1 - Change is inevitable

Yes, I have the things I need for my trip. Have I opened my suitcase to pack them? Nope.

Today, as I walked downtown, as I ate my lunch, and as I sat on the couch this afternoon, I kind of "took everything in." As I spent time with the band, Jeff, Mark, and Jordan at church, and even as I drove home tonight with my windows down, I thought about how different things would be for the next three weeks. I'm so blessed to live here; I'm really going to miss this place while I'm gone.

I've never been away from home for three weeks, and I've never been out of the country for more than nine days. I'm sure it will go by so quickly, but it will definitely be different than what I am used to. It's funny how change is so hard for us as humans, because we should be used to it by now...life is full of change!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty nervous about the whole airport situation, just getting to the right places at the right times and not missing flights and not getting mugged and not losing my baggage and what-not. But, I am super excited to travel, to take pictures, to see the sky from above - it's breath-taking - and to experience another culture.

I want and need to do so much before I leave so I better get some sleep!

And you, be thinking of some doits - random things for me to do on my trip - because I will start them on Sunday as I leave.

Love you guys! Buonanotte! - Briana

--

"Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have." - Jackson Brown

Intro to "Doit."

My Rome trip - it's in 3 days, considering it's past midnight already! I can't believe it's so close! I can't even express how excited, nervous...and unprepared I am!

I am readily awaiting the flights and sights - and the cheesiness that I will impart on you with sayings like flights and sights - throughout the duration of this trip.

I will be blogging about my travels from the US to Italy (and back) and the things I experience and learn along the way. I will include pictures or videos from my trip and hopefully be able to tell some entertaining stories - I'm sure I will have some stories...!

Each post will be a "life lesson," some serious and some silly and comical - because we all know that laughter is vital to a well-lived life.

Here's your part: I want you to give me something interesting, fun, or random to do each day!
We can call it "Doit." You must include "doit" in your comment.

Here's an example of what you can post on this blog:
"Take a picture with a stranger at the airport. Doit."

Yes, that says "Doit." Initially, this started out as "Do it." but I left out the space. I was about to erase it, but then I pronounced it...and I liked "doit" quite a lot. When you comment, you must - in your mind (or out loud...it's more fun) - say "doit."

I can't wait to see what my challenges are...I will choose one each day! I have to admit, I'm a little scared. But, you know, life is - for me - one giant collection of awkward moments. You are helping me build my collection, and I must learn to embrace that. ;-)

And here I go...

Getting ready to publish...

Love you guys! Buonanotte! - Briana

--

"Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have." - Jackson Brown