Wednesday, November 7th, 2012: Siena, Italy
The number of days I have left here keeps getting fewer and fewer and the knot in my chest that oscillates between teary sadness and giggly happiness tightens.
I love this country. The food, the people, even the language (which I still can't really speak). It's beautiful and different. But I also love my home. And I am comfortable there.
Sometimes I think about how sad I am to leave. This usually happens when I'm eating gelato, or see a bundled up Italian baby or I'm walking to the bus stop in Badesse and the golden leaves flutter by in the background of blue sky.
But there are also moments I just want to go home. Like when I wait in a line for four hours, or almost get my face bit off my a German Shepherd or my third umbrella breaks in a torrential downpour.
Anyway, these were just some thoughts I was having, but what I actually wanted to blog today is a list of the things I am most excited to do/have when I get back.
1. A Kitchen
I'm not complaining about the fact Fiorella makes us dinner every night. No, I would never do that. I just miss cooking. Which is funny because I'm not a serious chef back home. Also, I'm not super good at cooking. I don't really care, I still like it. Here's a list (a list in a list?) of recipes I'm most excited to make.
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins
Slim Potato Casserole
Chicken and Cornmeal Dumplings
Avocado Bacon Toasts
Skinny Sour Cream Enchiladas
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
2. A Big Shower
Yes, the showers here are warm now. But they're still tiny! I haven't showered in a normal, American sized shower since I left. I miss all that wiggle room.
3. Fast Internet
I think this was one of the most difficult adjustments. I've definitely gotten better at dealing with daily life without WiFi and high speed internet, but it will be nice to have it when I'm back.
4. A Full Wardrobe
I've been living off the same 10 or so outfits since I got here and have basically forgotten what all my other clothes look like. I think the vastness of my wardrobe back home will make me feel like Cher from Clueless when I get home. Now I just need one of those robotic closets...
5. Smell Normal
Yeah, I don't smell normal here. Italy in general is quite mustier than anywhere I've ever lived, so my clothes tend to absorb that yummy scent right up. I mean, it's not like I stink... usually. But I just don't smell like my usual PINK Fresh & Clean body lotion scent.
6. Family and Friends
Well obviously this is going to be really nice to come back to. Only being able to talk to the people I love via a sketchy connection on Skype is really just getting old.