T-Minus 5 days and 21 hours until I’m flying home

This countdown is getting specific. I could have also included the number of minutes, but I thought that would be a bit much.

Today is my last day of work at Luxos, and I think I will definitely miss it. It’s strange because luxury wasn’t at all something I saw myself writing about, but it turned out well and I’m glad I got placed here. I definitely got the best placement apart from Ali, who works at Luxos too.

IMG_20140705_190416 — Fun Fact: I bought myself this pretty milanese ring.

It’s been a long six weeks. I’ve learned a lot of things about Journalism, Italy and myself. I’ve gone through my fair share of crap, and I think going abroad to work full time may have strained me. (edit: it did. A lot.) But on the bright side, now I know my limits. And my limits go out a bit further than before now that I’ve put myself in this situation.

IMG_20140711_002529 — A very small portion of the graffiti that covers our building–and everything else.

I think I might make a post later about things to think about before studying abroad. Anyway, though, this is just a quick update post.

IMG_20140711_002938 — A close up shot of a Murano glass chandelier.

I’m definitely glad I put myself way out of my comfort zone to come here. I was one of five people chosen out of around 90 who applied for this internship, and considering I’m just another Sophomore (rising Junior) Journalism major, I was really honored. I’m really glad that people like my adviser, Professor Lule, have such faith in me. I’ve been able to do things that surprise myself, like taking on a part-time job working from 4:30 till 1am Thursday to Saturday. Or just coming on this trip in the first place, let alone toughing it out the whole time. Getting to be a design editor for the school paper. Winning a writing prize twice in two years.

Being at Lehigh has tested the boundaries of my sanity over and over again, but I keep somehow pulling through and learning. That’s what college is about, right? I mean, other than parties.

Speaking of which, I probably won’t work at the bar Spring semester, which means I might actually have a social life Thursdays through Saturdays and, I dunno, actually make friends. Friends who hopefully aren’t about to graduate, because I have an uncanny habit of getting to really know people who are about to move away forever.

Woah man, this blog post went seriously awry. It went from “5 days left!” to “Hey guys I actually kind of like my life” to “Let’s talk about college for some reason?”

Anyway, the point is–well, I’m lying. There is no point. But I have five more days and I’m really glad I got through.

IMG_20140710_090822 — The street outside our apartment.