Un Gusto Per La Vita Italiana

Becoming Reacquainted with Home

2009-12-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

I can now say that I am home. I have been home for a little over a week. The past few months feel like they have been a dream. For the past three months I really have been living in Italy. It feels like I have been barely been gone, though. Just to reinforce that, when my flight from Pittsburgh back in September left, I bored from gate 6. Then when my plane landed in Pittsburgh last week, I arrived at gate 6. The same gate. I felt like I had just stepped outside for a few minutes.

There were some adjustments to being home. For one, I had to reacquaint myself with driving. In Rome I could hop on a bus to get wherever. In some ways I have grown fond of those buses. I will admit I hated how crowded they got. Yet they freed me from the responsibility of focusing on the road. That newfound free time could be used to talk to my friends. I missed driving, though. The car is much less cramped and I know that the car will get me to where I am going much faster than a bus.

Being at home makes speaking much easier too. Everyone here speaks English. It is a relief not having to think about how to say what I want to say. Speaking Italian everyday was for me, though. I thrived under that challenge. Theres definately pros and cons to both.

Beyond any of those, the biggest adjustment to coming home is see how much those I left behind I have changed. While I was seeing the world, life at home continued. My parents continued going to work, my friends continued going to class, new relationships formed, some relationships ended. Life continued racing ahead. Mine had raced ahead as well, in a different direction, though. Coming back home, so many disjointed paths have rejoined. Making sense of it all, though, brings alot of joy. We all have so many stories to tell each other. The places our paths took us, what adventures we had, the foes we conquered, and the friends we made: all this brings new light to the friendships I am finding again after three months.

In many ways I am returning to a home the same and a home different. I am coming back a person the same yet different. Seeing how life develops from this point will be a joy-filled time.

Grace that will lead me home...

2009-12-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would be able to say it, but I am leaving Rome tomorrow. I can barely believe that I am writing my blog about this. Leaving Rome has brought such a flurry of emotions to my thoughts. I really do not know just how to feel. Should I be sad to leave? Should I be happy to start a new period in my life? Should I be so happy to go home that I can think of nothing else? Processing these thoughts further divides me, but I know that by doing that I can find understanding.

The first thought I feel is sadness to leave. After I have been living in Rome for three months, I can truly say that it is beginning to feel like home. I love the rush of people around me, the flocks of tourists, and the many foreign languages being spoken around me. In Rome Baptist I have found a steady church. I am beginning to become established there; I was just starting to make friends and build a church family. In addition to that, I greatly enjoy the 16 other Geneva students with whom I live. Though we come from different crowds, we have become so close. And now in the end the bonds are beginning to strengthen. As the end comes, much is beginning.

The second thought I feel is happiness to be home. I have a great family to welcome me home. Talking to my mom, she has told me how excited she is to cook me real American food. I must say I am looking forward to that. I have great friends waiting for me at home. Seeing them again we are going to have such a great time catching up and telling each other stories. I have also great friends waiting for me at a great school called Geneva. These past three months could seem really long when I thought about home.

As I stare at the suitcases in my room and the piles of stuff waiting to be packed, I find it exceedingly difficult to put my thoughts about leaving into words. It is a difficult divide, to want to stay here and go home. Many times in life, your loves become further spread out than you can reach. If you have something great in one place and something else in another, you cannot keep both. You have to choose. That choice is painful. As hard as it is, as much sadness as it brings me, I can truly say that God has been with me through the whole thing. When I was homesick his daily grace gave me the strength to move forward. And now that I am torn about leaving Rome, his same grace is with me. Whether I am in Rome or Washington, God, the love I will always be able to reach, is with me. In that is comfort. It is like that famous hymn, Amazing Grace, says, "And grace will lead me home."

A Blissful Moment in the Town of Vernazza

2009-11-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I discovered one of the most beautiful places I have seen in all of Italy. Surrounding this town are deep green olive orchards set in terraces climbing up the hills like stairs. The quiet town is girded by rocky mountains on almost every side. On the other side the gentle and constant sea greets the village. In the town itself there are many streets, only one main street and many serpentine back streets. All of the buildings are painted in vibrant shades of red, blue, orange, or green. This pallet of colored houses blends perfectly to give the eye a worthy treat. The best part of the village is that it seems almost undiscovered by tourists. The locals go about their daily lives with mirth and joy. As they go about their business, they often take breaks to sit down with one another and share a good, hearty laugh. Their business does not drive them; they are much happier spending time together. Noise pollution does not exist in this town. It is blissfully absent of cars and walmarts and mcdonalds. They only noises to be heard for miles around are the happy chatters of locals and the waves rubbing along the beach. This is the village of Vernazza.

On one quiet Friday night I came into this sleepy town. I started off my evening by exploring the nooks and crannies. Each new corner had some new discovery to offer: I found focaccia bread for only 1 euro (about $1.50), little coffee shops that make neat designs on the foam using brown sugar, and a coastline that makes your heart skip a beat. The waters were a clean, deep blue that pierced the eye and drew it in. When I saw the sea, I could do nothing but stare. Its calming waves washed away distractions as I remained staring into its far-reaching mystery; indeed, the waters seemed to spread out to the heavens. So my friends and I watched the water for at least half an hour.

After I was introduced to the sea, I went with my three friends Jessica, Shaila, and Maria for dinner. We found a small seafood restaurant. What we expected to be a normal dinner turned into an epic hour long sing-along. While eating our food (I got gnocchi al pesto) the proprietor of the restaurant and a friend were playing the guitar and singing, respectively. Upon finishing, the proprietor, who was called Piva, handed the guitar to us. In his accented English he urged us to play something. Well, Maria was the only one among us who knew how to play guitar, and on top of that she only knew a few worship songs by heart. So, in a small Italian restaurant in a town few people know, four voices, raised in unison, sang "Blessed Be Your Name." This song is about thanking God for whatever life brings. In that moment I was truly grateful to Christ for bringing me to such a beautiful place. After praising God in that restaurant for a few songs, we passed the guitar back to Piva and his singing friend Jonny. We thought we would get our bill and leave after that. We were wrong. Piva gave all for of us free limoncello's (its an Italian drink) and beckoned for us to join him in singing. Now none of us knew any of these Italian songs, but we did our best and improvised alot. We were soon joined by a college professor on sabbatical and a Swedish opera singer. How else could this night have gotten anymore fun?

After that exciting adventure, the four of us headed back to the shore for one last look before bed. Amidst our walk to the shore, we encountered again Piva, Jonny, and the professor. The party continued on. It didn't last too long because Jonny was trying a little too much to put the moves on the professor (a female professor. just thought it would help to clarify at this point). So we kindly moved to return to our hotels. You would think our night would end at that point. Well, there was more. We were intercepted by some others who had been at Piva's restaurant. They invited us to join them in some random guy's wine cellar. So the four of us and the professor went down to the wine cellar of Giacopo with three other Americans.

After that we were able to finally get some sleep. Funny thing is that this all happened on just the first day. Our second day was very fun, but toned down in comparison. We spent it taking a scenic hike from Vernazza to the neighboring village of Corniglia.

Soon after arriving in Corniglia it was time to leave already. The time I spent in Vernazza will never be forgotten. I enjoyed for just two days getting lost in the beauty of Vernazza. Like the sea did for me the first night, Vernazza swept away the distractions of homework and responsibility. If even for just two days I was able to live unhinged in the heart of a shimmering Italian village. I will never forget that moment in blissful Vernazza

Scaring Up a Good Time

2009-11-26T01:41:00.000-08:00

I had just spent the last ten days frollicking around Western Europe and school had just begun again for the second half of the semester. I was worn out from all the traveling and school. Through all this business I had overlooked the celebration of halloween. While children throughout America were going from house to house and receiving delicious sweet treats, I was running to catch a train from Paris to Rome. It was an adventure. Celebrating Halloween was far from my mind. Little did I know what was in store for me.

The Monday after I returned from Paris started out as a normal school day, but there was a special element thrown into the mix: some of the students had planned a halloween party. We were all supposed to dress up in our best costumes. I was sort of excited but I really did not know what I would wear. About halfway through the day my friend Sarah Henderson approached me and asked if I would join with her, Lisa Lyon, and Erik Ancil to dress up as a homeschooled family. I immediately loved the idea, so I gave a resounding, "HECK YES!" (cultural description: at geneva there is a stereotype that homeschoolers are kind of nerdy and socially awkward. as a disclaimer I will note that I know many homeschoolers who defy this stereotype and are in no way nerdy and/or socially awkward. if you are homeschool, please don't be offended. We did it in good fun). Sarah was the dad, Lisa was the mom, Erik was Isaiah, and I was Jeremiah (cultural description: many homeschoolers have biblical names).

So the party began and the costumed guests came in. There were many creative and memorable costumes that evening. One person dressed as Waldo. I am proud to say that I have now found him (he actually turned out to be a her). Another person, Danzak, came as one of the bag ladies from the central terminal in Rome. It was the creepiest costumes I have seen in a while, but it was very good. It inspired lots of laughter from the group.

As the night continued on, we had a miny trick or treating. We went to the doors of our guests, Nancy Pelaia and Dr. Cole. They had for us free Geneva Semester in Rome hoodies and Geneva towels. Very good treats.

The halloween party was a nice break from the tedium of the daily schedule. We had alot fun dressing up and eating gratuitous amounts of candy. As a group, I must say that we know how to have a good time.

Ten Day Break

2009-11-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

On Friday, October 23 I began what could possibly be the most exciting part yet of my life in Europe. From then until November 1st I was completely free to travel around Europe. Nothing limited where I could go; nothing limited what I could do. These ten days met me with open possibilities. Without hesitation I grabbed hold of these chances and took off.

My adventures took me to Austria, Germany, and France. Each place was different than the other. A beauty so individual was something each place possessed. The food, people, and languages were never quite the same. Yet these differences made traveling more exciting. Now to tell you about my time!

The trip first saw me and Erik to Salzburg, Austria. The train ride there, unfortunately, was miserable, long, and cramped. But, thankfully, that was not to set the tone for the rest of break. When the train stopped, we were in Vienna, Austria! I wish I had had more time there, but I had to rush to get my connecting train to Salzburg. The haste was well worth it, though. When we arrived in Salzburg, we were met by a quiet Austrian town. This was quite a change from the bustling city of Rome. The people were more reserved and the town was still. Even the weather was very sedate, for it was neither too hot nor cold nor to light nor too dark. During our time there we saw the old city, ate wurst, and accidently walked into a youth movement demonstration in the city's main cathedral. oops. That is the second demonstration I have stumbled into during the trip. The highlight of Salzburg was eating dinner at a beer hall, in which monks brewed the beer. The schnitzel and wurst were unspeakably good. Erik and I even met two random other students from America and talked to them during dinner. It was a nice conversation.

Unfortunately, our time in Salzburg came to an end. From there Erik and I separated. He went toward Bensheim and I toward Munich. After a delightful train ride through the Austrian and German countryside, I arrived in Munich. I met up with my friend Timon and stayed at his place for two days. During that time he took me to a real German high school, gave me a tour of the city, and gave me authentic German food for dinner. It was very good. Like my time in Austria, Munich came to a close and I had to move on to my next destination: Wiesbaden.

After saying goodbye to Timon, I met my cousin Keith in Wiesbaden. We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner, ate real American food, and watched a movie. The time spend with him was really fun. It was good to see him; we haven't seen each other for awhile.

After Wiesbaden I went off to Paris. That city was absolutely huge, yet I did not find it difficult to navigate the city. the subway system was very helpful. During my time in Paris I saw Musee D'Orsay, the Louvre, the Arc du Triomphe, Champs D'Elysse, Notre Dame, Saint Chappelle Chapel, and Versailles. The gardens in Versailles were especially memorable. I was able to use that time in the gardens to just sit and reflect. It was relaxing.

Now I am back in Rome for the second half of the semester. This means I have only a month left. It will be difficult in some respects and the pressure will be on to finish strong, but I know I can do it! I am ready to tackle this semester and make the most of my remaining time in Rome!

Firenze: City of Sunset

2009-10-22T00:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend saw one of the most beautiful cities my eyes have ever been laid upon. It is a medieval city with streets so narrow that cars can barely get through. It is a city with so many shops that the whole city is a like one open air market. It is a city blessed by culture. Within the confines of two of its museums, the Academia and the Uffizi, lie hundreds of masterpieces from artists throughout the age. In that city I found Michaelangelo's David and Boticello's Birth of Venus. In short the city is breathtaking.

This city is Firenze (also known as Florence). I have some really good memories from this city. It is the place where I bought my first leather coat. It is also the place where I tasted some very good pizza. I also had an important realization there: this time in my life is such a great adventure. I would not want to trade it for anything. Truly a blessing.

The most unforgettable part of Firenze was the sunset. On Friday night, our group took a bus to a high point overlooking the entire city. As we emerged from the bus, our eyes caught sight of a sky ablaze with evening pastels. The sinking sun cast its majestic rays over the entire city. The Arno River, which runs through the center of Firenze, reflected the twilight colors. The deep oranges and reds of the sunset were complemented by the earthen colors of the city. Seeing the sunset lights on the city was like watching a beauitful dance. The sun's colors took the lead and Firenze followed its lead by complementing with colors of its own.

Firenze was truly a beautiful city. I would only be blessed to return there another day.

A Weekend In Budapest

2009-10-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was an unforgettable adventure for me. I was in Budapest, Hungary. The city, the people I was with, the place we stayed all these plus more made my experience there unforgettable.

My decision to go to Budapest was not made until two days before I left. I was originally going to go to Germany that weekend. But plans fell through. So some other friends from the group invited me to go to Budapest with them. How could I resist? In Germany I had a slight idea of what I could expect. Budapest, though, was completely unknown to me. A great mystery awaited me.

When we first arrived in Hungary, we were met by a surprise. The proprietor of the hotel in which we were staying had agreed to pick us up from the airport. It was only for a small fee of 20 euros for all five of us. I had expected him to be a middle-aged man. What I saw, though, was a 24 year old, the same age as my brother. Needless to say, Marton, which is his name, turned out to be a great proprietor and guy. He took us to our apartment and then gave us two days worth of sight-seeing in the city.

Our experience in the city began quickly on Friday. We embarked on the tour Marton had laid out for us. Starting off, we went to an indoor flea market. There were many varieties of Hungarian food, clothes, toys, decorations, and many others to buy. The amount of stuff in there was overwhelming in a good way.

After that we spent the afternoon exploring the city, seeing different churches, seeing a museum, and watching an impromptu comedy group.

The day ended with all of us going to a palinka and sausage festival held on the grounds of Hungary's royal palace. While we ate delicious pretzels, we watched the city lights of Budapest shimmer in the background.

The next day we went to the Parliament building. I thought we would go see a big, pretty building then go somewhere else. That expectation was smashed almost as soon as I walked off the metro by Parliament. The group of us walked right into an anti-communist protest! I could not understand what was being said but it sounded very exciting.

After we finally broke away from the protesters, we went to Margherit Island, which lies on the Danube River. It was a nice time in which I got to enjoy a fall walk with friends and get to know them better. All around us the cool wind blew and leaves began to change their colors. The fall in Budapest reminded me so much of home. Even though Italy is gorgeous, it lacks the beauty of autumn. I have always loved that season in Pennsylvania and now Hungary.

Finding the Beauty of a Place

2009-10-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Has your heart ever been stirred by the words of a song? Has your spirit ever rejoiced at the sound of a few words? These moments when you are truly uplifted are all too rare. They come when you do not expect them and leave just as realize they are here. It is as if enjoying them in ignorance is where the true bliss begins.

This past Tuesday's excursion provided just such a time for me. The on-campus teacher, Dr. Szabo, just took us down the street to a small, unassuming basilica called Saint Agnese(an-yay-zay). I expected there to be a few pretty mosaics and chapels in there. And I was right. The basilica was definately a stunning sight, but the true beauty of the place lie in the masoleum where Emperor Constantine's daughter is laid.

The 17 of us in the group moved quietly into the circular masoleum. Despite our reverent appearances, we were not pilgrims seeking a holy experience or priests embracing the solitude with moments of prayer. We were a group of young, American tourists looking at something for the wonder it offers our senses. We were in it to see our sense gratified with artistic brilliance. What we saw, though, in the masoleum was a sarcophagus in the center encircled by pillars and chairs. The circular walls were bedecked with mosaics depicting several scenes of the Bible. A humble brown altar with a green cushion for kneeling stood facing the sarcophagus of Constantine's daughter. Overall, it was nice but its innate, physical grandeur was weak compared to Saint Peter's Basilica or the Colosseum.

I learend, though, that there is more to a place than physical grandeur. Many times a places true beauty comes from the people who inhabit it. I found this to be true at this humble masoleum. As I was quietly walking around the wall and considering the mosaics, I heard one of my friend's in the group begin singing "Amazing Grace". Soon eight or nine voices could be heard joining together in still praise to God. As we sang that and other songs, our voices filled the room and raised up to the tip of the dome. In that moment I was swept away in the beauty of our praise. Truly, that place became so much more real and alive after that experience.

One of the beautiful aspects of Rome is that it has a dual beauty. One part of it comes from the outer adornment, like architecture, paintings, or sculptures. The other part is the beauty given to it by those who inhabit it. As creatures made in God's image, we can bring so much beauty to a place.

My First Ballet

2009-10-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have had a pretty exciting weekend. On Thursday I saw the Pantheon, on Friday a few of us piled a ton of toilet paper in front of our RA's door, and I saw my first ballet on Saturday. The ballet was called Carmen. I think it is famous?

Before heading to the ballet a bunch of us got dressed up and then the girls wanted to take pictures. It was like prom without the whole date part. Taking pictures is not my favorite part, but I am glad we did it so I can have all the memories of that elegant Saturday evening.

The picture taking did come to an end when we realized it was time for dinner. To eat we went to a very good restaurant called L'Insalata Ricca. The pasta was amazing and the atmosphere was very relaxing. I can not think of any Italian restaurant that does not have a relaxing atmosphere.

Then came the ballet. The dancing was good, but overall it did not impress me. The story was hard to falow and the dancing was slightly erotic. I won't say I hated it, but I think that once was enough. At least I can say I saw a ballet in Rome.

Seeing the Pantheon

2009-10-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

So far on my tour of Rome I have seen many amazing sights. Each one steals my breath away. The Pantheon was no different.

The excursion to the Pantheon had an exciting twist to it. Instead of being guided there by our professor, we had to get there on our own. Admittedly, I was slightly unsure of my ability to navigate the Roman bus system. All went well, though, and I found my way to that amazing structure.

It was quite an impressive place. Looking upon the exterior, you see a building that is almost 2,000 years old. The fact that it is still standing is a testament to the prowess of Roman engineering. I was truly amazed at the size of this former temple.

If I thought my sense of awe was great on the outside, then the inside was double the awe. As I entered, I was met by the grandeur of a room consumed by marble and regal colors. The dome instantly caught my attention. In the center of the dome is a circular opening. Through it the light of the sun floods into the place. It is actually the only source of light aside from the door.

What most impressed me about the Pantheon, though, was the fact that it was built as a temple for all the gods but was converted into a Christian church. It really shows the transition of European religion from antiquity into the modern age, which is the change from paganism to Christianity.

After leaving the Pantheon a group of friends and I went for some really good gelati. We also found a German bookstore. I got Harry Potter auf Deutsch, na ja! Life is good in Roma.

Aged Places

2009-09-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

During my time in Rome I have begun to realize just how young my homeland, America, is. When America was founded, Italy had been in existence for over 2600 years. The Romans had conquered most of the known world before America was even a passing fantasy in the British man's mind. This notion was reinforced by a visit to the Colosseum.

This imposing structure has stood for almost 1900 years. Built to entertain the masses with gladiator fights and mock battles, its presence spoke of the majesty of imperial Rome. Walking in I could feel the strength of the place. When I entered I walked under the shadow of massive stone arches. It felt almost like a very old PNC Park without the baseball and more lions.

When I walked into the center of the Colosseum, I saw the towering stands for spectators and the large field for combat. How many criminals were sent there to pay for their crimes at the jaws of a famished lions? How many gladiators gained their glory at the demise of their opponent in that place? Yet many of the early Christians, though, lost their lives their because of their unwavering faith. Living in a society free of persecution, I pray that I can stand strong for God even in the jaws of death.

After I left the Colosseum, I went to see the Capatoline Hill, which is where the emperors held residence. Compared to the Colosseum, it was a tranquil area. The ruins lay scattered about soft grass and beautiful flowers. It was interesting but nothing in particular stuck out to me.

Overall, I enjoyed my experiences at the Colosseum and the Capatoline Hill. Well I am off to the Pantheon tomorrow. Bouna Notte!

Glimpses of a Better Day

2009-09-27T05:22:00.000-07:00

My time in Italy so far has been marked by good, pleasing days. Each day brings some new surprise and adventure my way. I can never know what each day will bring. I like these small surprises, though.

On Friday I had an experience that has been the best part of my trip so far. It was much simpler than some of the other excursions I have gone on. It was not as much money. Yet it was the most fun, filled with the deepest memories. It was a day trip to the beach in Sperlonga, Italy.

The day began with all nine of us trying to find the right train in Termini, which is Rome's central transportation hub. After asking numerous train officials, we finally found the train to Sperlonga. It was a relatively quiet ride through the Italian countryside. I spent most of the ride sleeping.

Then we arrived at what we thought was our destination. It turned out, though, to be a tiny train station situated on a quiet rustic road. We were admittedly perplexed. After asking someone in the train station, we learned that Sperlonga was 17 kilometers (about 11 miles) away. So we had to take a bus there.

After finally arriving, we were met by the site of a gorgeous beach that was mostly tourist free. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea gently crashed on the beige sand. The bright sun hanged high in the azure sky. Hills girded the length of the beach. It was truly the perfect place for a day out with friends.

We did much that day. We walked along the shore, built epic sandcastles, and buried Erik Ancil in the sand. We then made him look like a mermaid with the sand. To top it all off, we had an amazing picnic on the beach. We had bought food at a local, Italian grocery store. Everything was fresh and tasty. I even had my first (and last) taste of wine. It reminded me of nail polish.

For me the highlight of the day was sunset. After dinner I decided to take a walk alone along the shore where the water met the beach. As the waves gently nudged me, I was met by the soft light of the setting sun. For many years now I have always found sunsets and beaches to be two of the most beautiful parts of nature. I would have loved to be at a beach during the sunset. I finally got my wish.

As the sun faded into the foreground, an array of soft pastels painted the sky. Clouds, reflecting the gentle colors of the sun, passed serenely by. The gentle waters of the sea warmly moved around my feet. Soft sand cushioned my each step. Along with all this a cool breeze blew across my path. I could not ask for a more beautiful, more perfect moment.

While dwelling in this moment of bliss, I felt most powerfully the presence of God. In that sunset I could see God's beauty. In the waves and the wind, I could feel His pleasure. I walked with God and spoke with Him. It was truly the most beautiful time of communion I have ever had with the Lord. For me this was a peek into eternity, a glimpse of a better day.

I learned two important lessons from that time with my Creator. First, it is important to be still and know that God is God; it is important to trust Him for everything. He will work it out, no matter what. Second, I learned to see God in everyday life. Granted I will not have breathetaking experiences with nature every time I pray, but I can still find Him in the small parts of life. I am excited for this adventure!

Riding the Knight Bus

2009-09-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

Every day in Rome is an epic adventure. Each new day is a surprise. What surprise did I encounter today?

Well, today some people from the group and I were taking a night tour of the city. The city was absolutely amazing at night! We saw the Coloseum, the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument, Campa di Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, La Fonta di Trevi, and La Piazza di Spagna. It was a notte bella!

That was until we encountered a surprise. I like to compare it to a certain event from Harry Potter in the Prison of Azkaban. When Harry, in an angry huff, magically inflates his aunt, he runs away to escape expulsion from Hogwarts. He is alone in London at night. Then the magical Knight Bus comes his way. It is a complete surprise. That is what happened to me on the night bus in Rome. As I got on the bus, I heard a man screaming at a black guy. From what I could translate, he was accusing the black guy of stealing and calling him some racist names. It seemed like a drug deal gone awry. Overall it made for a scary busy ride. I would prefer Harry Potter's Knight Bus.

The Joy of the Sojourn

2009-09-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sojourn- to stay for a short time in a place.

My adventure to Rome is a sojourn. I am no longer living at home. The familiar no longer dwells within my gaze. This new place is unfamiliar. I barely know the language. I know few people. And except for the 18 people with whom I live, I have little support. To get here I had to say goodbye to my beloved home. The comfortable in my life is thousands of miles behind me. Leaving behind the light of familiar lands, I have stepped into the foggy unknown.

Initially, I was saddened to say goodbye to home. Leave behind everything was difficult. It hardly improved upon getting to Italy. I found alot of my days were spent in homesickness. I longed to see again my friends, my family, and Geneva. In essence, my sojourn was emotionally wearying and kept me restless.

In the grief of my sojourn, Jesus has sustained me and opened my eyes to where I am. He is teaching me how to see, to enjoy where I am now. For a few days now I have been asking for His consoling hand in my homesickness; I have asked Him to help me enjoy this opportunity.

Today, I have started to really dive-in to this new place. As I was going through my day, I was hearing much about what is happening with my friends at home. I was starting to think about that alot. I was so concerned about what was happening back in Pennsylvania. Then something clicked in my mind. Why am I so concerned with home, I thought. I want to be more concerned about what is happening here in Rome. I don't want to be totally disconnected with whats happening at Geneva, but what is going in Rome takes first place in mind.

When I decided to start living mentally where I am physically, I found harmony. The discord was banished. After I decided to push aside overwhelming concern for the events of home, the beauty of Rome became real to me. It happened when I went out for dinner tonight. With a group of my friends from Geneva, we went for dinner at L'Insalata Ricca. All around the ristorante were narrow side streets. They teemed with people from every age group and ethnicity. Subtle, warm lights emanted from the numerous ristoranti. The hushed murmur of conversation filled the background.

After dinner, we stumbled upon Piazza Navona. The square is touched with elegant grace. A majestic palace sets regality upon the background. On either side of the Piazza, marble fountains depict the sea god, Neptune, and his entourage at play. Between these fountains of divine frivolity is a large obelisk from Egypt. These structures make Navona grand, but what makes it beautiful is the culture brought by the people. Upon entering the Piazza, we were met with the energy of a Spanish musical festival. Alongside that, people were selling gorgeous works of art depicting scenery of Rome and Italy at large.

These two events helped me realize the living poetry of Italian life. By truly opening my eyes I have begun to enjoy life in Italy. My sojourn here is no longer a weary wandering. It has become a time of happiness and rest. The original meaning of sojourn is in fact to rest. Indeed, I have found the joy of my sojourn.

A Moment of Grace

2009-09-16T13:10:00.001-07:00

Every person's life has many moments in which unspeakable beauty falls before his sight. It may be catching the gentle pastels of the sunset or watching a duck serenly wade on a still pond. Through these moments we realize that there is art in this world, that there is ineffable beauty. These moments leave us speechless. Indeed, words to describe them fail us quickly. It catches the very breathe from our lungs. They speak to us of something deeper...

These are moments of grace. In these times we can clearly hear God speak to us; we can lucidly see His perfect beauty. While we can seek these moments, for they find us, they still do come.

For me, the moment beset me while I was in the Basilica of San Clemente. The basilica has a beautiful sanctuary that inspires awe. From the ornate apse to the elaborate frescoes, an aura of God's holiness pervades the building. Many have their moments of grace before the centerpiece, the frescoe above the apse. Yet I found it in a quiet, unassuming chapel to the side of the basilica. Before me was an illustration of Jesus on the Cross. Abreast Him were the two thieves. As I saw this, I decided to take out my travel size Gideon's Bible. I read from Luke about those two thieves.

As I read that story, I looked upon the frescoe. It was so amazing how the frescoe could capture the whole of the story in one image.

By reading that story and seeing that picture, God spoke to me. He told me that He had placed those two thieves beside Christ for a reason. Even though they were filthy thieves, God's grace saw that their spot of death was the same as Christ's. God placed them their so they could find salvation. One thieve did. He joined Jesus in the Kingdom that day. Through that God taught me that wherever He puts me, it is so that I can reach out to Jesus. As I go through this semester, I will need that. When I feel culture shock, which I am, and homesickness, which I am, Jesus is right there.

Of Church and Nutella

2009-09-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Each day, when a man awakens, something new is born. New ideas, profound discoveries, unknown knowledge, and new experiences come into being. Traveling to a foreign land heigtens occurence; it stretches that phenomenon. In a new country diverse ideas, cultures, and personalities exist. The traveler is changed.

I am such a traveler. Italy is the place of my sojourn. This fantastic land is stretching me in many manners. For one, I see a different rhythm of life. Each culture strides to its own rhythm. Americans move to a faster beat. Italians, though, take life more slowly. In the afternoon they have a two hour siesta. At seven o'clock they have their dinner. This is an event that can last for a couple of hours. For me, an American, this pace of life is counterintuitive, yet I find it relaxing. It is relieving to know that I can sit down for dinner and not be expected to rush; I can enjoy the fellowship of my fellow diners.

The sights of Rome have expanded my vision of life. Just walking to church this morning I saw such fantastic landmarks and shops! In one trip I passed La Piazza di Spagna and the Bernini Fountain. The church itself was considerably close to major clothing stores like Gucci and Coach. In fact, Armani was right next door! Its a positive change to see that so many diverse institutions can exist adjecent to each other.

Italy is also teaching me to enjoy the company I have here. While eating dinner we had an intellectually stimulating discussion on the uses of Nutella. We discovered that it can be used as a facial cream, food, motorcycle wax, or mud bath substitute. It is encouraging to build a community in a place so completely unknown to me.

How much will be born of my experience in this beautiful land is yet to be known. I know, though, that I will return to America different than when I left. So far I have been changed by a simple walk to church and a jar of nutella.

Doing as the Romans Do

2009-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today officially begins my adventure in Rome. At one in the afternoon I arrived in Italy. I had an easy time getting through customs. That was an answer to prayers. After retrieving my bags, Dr. Szabo, the resident professor for our group, and Kristen Snyder, the site director, met me and the rest of the group. We were then taxied to our campus in Rome. Upon arriving in this majestic metropolis, I was caught by a few surprises. Some of these surprise were about the city itself. Others were about Italian culture.

One of the first surprises came during my commute from the airport to the city. It is how Italians drive. They are horrible drivers, to say the least, but very fun. Being used to the controlled, sedate conditions of American drivers, the Italian manner of driving seemed reckless, but I enjoyed it alot.

Another surprise was how modern the city is. I always pictured the city as having a more Renaissance appearance. Yet today I barely saw any ruins or medieval architecture. I was surrounded by a thoroughly modern city.

The second surprise was that I, for once, spoke a foreign language. In America no one would give me a second look for speaking English, but in Italy we are the ones speaking a minority language.

Overall, my experience today has been very satisfying. I can see the hand of God guiding me through this trip. Already He has revealed to me wonderful ministry opportunities. This trip will be a testament to His good providence.

Flying Off

2009-09-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

As I write this blog, I am waiting to board my flight to Chicago. From there I will be flying to Rome. The thought of this is completely amazing. The excitement has been gradually building throughout the whole trip. I thought that leaving my parents behind would be much sadder, but it turned out to be a lot easier. That was a relief. Being sad to leave home would have dampened the excitement of taking off for Rome.

As I wait to board the plane, I have gotten to know the other people of the group better. I know their names, so that is a start. We have spent a short amount of time discussing weekend excursions. While in Italy, we have three day weekends on which we can travel. So far I have made plans to travel to Mittenwald, Germany and Balogna, Italy. I am very excited.

I am making these plans, but honestly I have no idea how this trip will turn out. Surprises always pop up. I am ready for all that this trip has to bring!

Bella Italia and the Art of Packing

2009-09-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

I only have two days until I leave for Rome. I have been devoting a lot of thought to this. It is weird how I can feel both excited to go to Rome and sadness about leaving home at the same time.

To be in Rome, a completely new place, is so amazing to me. I will have many adventures, make such fantastic memories, gain new friends, and discover new sights of beauty. Can you imagine lazily floating down the canals of Venice on a starry night or watching a sunset from the shores of Naples or gazing on the rolling hills of Tuscany? Imagining these moments sends pangs of jubilant anticipation through my mind. My heart begins to race a little more.

Still, though, I am going to miss the familiar. I am going to miss home. There are so many friends with whom I have to part. Leaving behind family is difficult as well. With them my fondest memories have been made. In short, they make it so easy for me to be content with life.

But if I only stayed where I was content and comfortable, how could I grow? If I only stayed in the familiar places, I would have never gone to college. I would have been happy to stay in high school. But at college I discovered so much. I discovered new friends, new passions, and my calling. Going to Italy will stretch me just as much. Given time I will learn to be content there. I will even venture to say that God will help me make home there. My life will be changed and influenced by Italy in so many ways. Thats what makes Italia molta bella!

On a side note, I spent much of this evening packing. I noticed how difficult it was to pack three months into two suitcases and two carry-ons. I did it, though. I think getting everything home will be even harder, though. That is a subject for another blog...

Eight Days Until My New Adventure Begins

2009-09-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog ever. I must say that I am very excited about this! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Through this blog I strive to highlight important parts of my life and help people understand life from my perspective. This will be really helpful for those of you who have requested to live my life vicariously while I study in Rome. I hope this aids you^_^

In just eight short days I will be leaving America for the first time in my life (I don't count going to Canada as leaving the country)! I will be going to Rome, Italy! For my whole life I have longed to see another country and experience another country firsthand. This is the perfect opportunity for me. I will be able to eat Italian food, speak the Italian language, worship in Italian churches, and see the beautiful Italian countryside. In short, I will be immersing myself into unfamiliar, but inviting waters.

When I think I am going to Rome, I am beset by a many different sentiments. One feeling is overwhelming excitement. Do you know the excitement you feel when think about going to Disney World for the first time, the uncontrollable urge to geek out everytime you think about it? Magnify that experience by twenty times and that is how I am feeling. Another feeling, though, is apprehension. What if I cannot speak the language very well? What if I offend someone because of my limited cultural experience there? These are just a few of the reservations I have. Still, though, I know that they are normal and rational fears. I think they will inspire me to learn the culture as best I can. Another feeling I get is sadness. It is a sadness about leaving behind friends and family, about leaving behind the familiarity of home. It is okay, though, because I know part of home for me will be in Italy.

As I embark on this adventure, I am both scared and excited. It certainly will be life changing, though. As I trust in God to hold me during this trip, I will come back a man whose horizons have been broadened. For once, I will see the world as bigger than Washington, Pennsylvania. I am ready for new adventure to begin!