Tick-Tock Goes the 100-Day Clock

Not to name any names (cough cough - Karen & Demo) but I have been reminded (in a harassing manner) that I’ve been blog-slacking. Don’t hate me! More importantly, don’t forget me! I don’t think Carla, Luca or Fede remember me much either. I’ve been up, down and around Bologna for weeks now without a break. I’m exhausted. Let’s catch up, shall we? 

What’s up

• A week in Sicily
• A week of “convivenza” (living together) with my group 
• A week of rockin’ spring exams resulting in a stellar report card worthy to be hung on the fridge (nerd) 
• A week of film festing in a little Tuscan city 

I feel a little lost. I don’t know where to start! Chronological order or shall we work backwards? No, you’re right; the best place to start is the beginning... duh. Before we head back to March 17th, I must point something out...

It’s a normal day; I’m doin’ my thing, livin’ my little Italian life. Coming back from school I found on Facebook AFS companions writing constantly about a panic for time. Huh? I understood after a bit of detective work - the infamous 100 day countdown. It shot my heart into my throat. Swallowing hard, I blinked at the bright screen. One hundred = one-zero-zero = nearly 14 weeks. That’s my time left in Italy. This is all that remains. Remember celebrating my happiness in honor of the good adjustment after my first three months? Now, that time frame is all that is left.

I felt a little panicked. I have left everything behind once to create a fresh start for myself. Now I’ll be letting go of all I’ve created here to return to a place that has remained (just about) the same while I completely feel like another person. I’d say I’m blog honest. I keep it real with my loyal followers, the good and the bad. So know that I am sincere when I say that’s intimidating and I’m scared.

I love my home, people, American life, etc. Letting all of that was a challenge but I always knew it would be there when I was ready to come back. In Italy, however, once I leave, I am gone. I’ll be back ASAP but I’ll never live in this house, learn in this class or live this routine again. I’ll miss Fede’s first day of middle school! This a little heartbreaking considering all the love we know I have for Bologna and its city dwellers. Geeze these are heavy thoughts for a spring afternoon. 

So what will I do? I have decided to let it go. Time passes; clocks tick. I cannot stop that. But I can be clichè enough to say I’ll make every moment count. I’ve got things to do and fun to have. If I make the good times 100% worth it, by July 8th I can leave with this predicted saddness but at least I’ll never have regrets. 

PS. This is old news by now, just merely my rambling scribbles. Check it out yourself.

Of all the priceless objects left behind, this is what we rescue. These artifacts, memory cues, useless souvenirs. Nothing you could auction. The scars left from happiness.