I'm sorry this took so long for me to finally post, but it was crazy coming home and getting everything in order. I wrote the post below on my flight home. I hope you enjoy it.
As I sit in seat 33K of British Airways flight 0113 to JFK, I can't help but to reflect on these past four months that have just passed. The things I have seen, done, and accomplished are above and beyond anything I could have ever expected when I touched down in Rome on January 10th. I have learned more, done more, and seen more than many people ever have the chance to. What i have learned, however, was not from a textbook or from a professor. What I learned was from my travels and from the people I encountered. So 4 months, 4 countries, and 11 cities later, what have I learned?
I have learned that 8 people can have a conversation in 3 languages, and somehow all share a laugh without understanding a single word. I have learned that being American is an amazing blessing...and an amazing curse. I have learned that sometimes a balcony, some homemade wine, and a guitar is all you need to fill up a whole afternoon. Too often the world moves fast...and too often Italy moves too slow, and on that note, America doesn't know anything when it comes to good coffee. I have learned that Germans hate Italians, Italians hate the French, and the French hate just about everybody. I have learned that I will always look American, no matter how much I try to change that. I have learned that soccer is a way of life, and that I should always take pride in my food. I have sat on the steps of the Vatican for hours, made amazing friends that feel like family, and had the experience of a lifetime.
There is so much more I want to write about, but words can't do it justice. To everyone from St. John's Spring '08, thanks so much for making this semester so amazing. You guys are the ones that made this trip what it was. "May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face, and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars." To my friends and family who kept up with me the whole time, thank you. You all made this experience easier when I missed home. To my mom and dad, I want to thank you two the most. Without your support, love, and of course, money, I never could have had half of the things I am lucky enough to have in my life. You two are the most important people in my life, and I can never thank both of you enough for everything you have done for me.
This post marks the end of my semester, and the end of the most amazing four months of my life. Ironically enough, a very fitting song by Trace Adkins just began to play on my iPod. The small bit of lyrics I will post is something that went through everyone's head this semester, yet no matter how much we told each other, we couldn't believe it until now. The lyrics are:
Just slow down
Cause you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
I'm happy to be back in the states with everyone, and I can't wait to catch up with all of you soon. I wish everyone from Rome well, and I hope that you never forget everything you have learned over these four months. Forza Roma!
~Mike
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