oh the places you'll go

Svolvaer, Norway

Blue Caves, Zakynthos Island, Greece

Cambridge, England

 Venice, Italy

Cinque Terre, Italy

Prague, Czech Republic

Gruyere, Switzerland

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Warsaw, Poland

 Warsaw, Poland

Istanbul, Turkey

Verona, Italy

Haarlem, Netherlands

Scotland

Flam, Norway

Bruges, Belgium

Queenstown, New Zealand

Edinburgh, Scotland

If my number one fan could help me narrow down where to travel and where he would like to travel with me, I would greatly appreciate it.

left or right

I've never imagined that I would publicly write my thoughts on politics, mainly because I don't know enough about either side to have anything important to say. But this presidential election feels different and it's about time I say something. I feel much more apprehensive about this election than before--maybe because this is the first election that I can participate in or maybe because I'm changing. I've always been firmly conservative. My whole family and the environment I've grown up in backs the Republican party and I'm truly proud of my conservative roots. I think conservatives have a sense of superiority that liberals lack; to conservatives, our political view is a status symbol. For example in my sorority, there are zero outside thinkers, meaning that everyone loves Bush, America, and the Republican party. We throw parties and make t-shirts about it. But if you inquire what they think about any political debate topic, the room goes silent. No one knows why they think what they think--myself included. Until now, it didn't bother me that I had no rational motives for my political position. At the same time, nothing aggravates me more than when overly-opinionated democrats accuse me of being ignorant for only believing what my parents have trained me to believe. But they may have a point that most of us aren't willing to consider. 

When I see videos like the one above, a lot of the policies that I blindly stand by sound inhumane. Even the Chick-fil-A controversy was turned into an act of hate. What started off as a personal opinion on marriage according to the Bible turned into what I believe to be unnecessary meanness. It's one thing if you want to support Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy's view on marriage, but I believe the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day demonstrations became more of an army united by their discrimination against gays. It seems that Christians are usually closely tied to the Republican party, but how can you say "love one another" while celebrating segregation against a group of God's people? I, for one, am uncomfortable with seeing gay/lesbian romance. But I don't think this is homophobia as much as it is unfamiliarity based on being taught that such demonstrations are disturbing. Being born in this generation is tough; on one hand, we have been brought up by traditional generations and have lived in a time when the LGBT community was nonexistent or underground. On the other hand, we've experienced and witnessed a big transition from closet-homosexuality to a generation that values openness and adaptability. It's difficult to make our minds up about our political party or what we stand for because we feel connected to both tradition and modern-day ideals.

I feel I should explain that the reason I'm only being harsh on the conservatives is because I consider myself to be one of them. I want to say I have evaluated my side just as much as I have evaluated the other. The idea is that maybe once I've identified the problems I have with both the left and the right, then I can more readily make a decision. Also I'm just thinking out loud.

I'm under the impression that my generation is less hopeful about politics than any before. In a way, I believe that no matter who wins this election there will be no drastic change. Americans don't know what they want, if we did we would have already agreed on one political party. Just because I don't think there will be any significant change after this election doesn't mean that I don't value my vote. I will vote and it will be for the person I agree with on the most important issues. But here is my declaration: I once was an unreasonable conservative but now I'm a questioning conservative. I have a whole lot to learn in the next few months. So in the mean time, let's help the Republican party become more focused on open-mindedness and love rather than deep rooted tradition.

red garter makes you crazy

Discotecas are not my style. My roommate loves to dance so a bar--where normal people hang out--was out of the question. It ended up being a fun night, mainly because there was karaoke, but I still prefer an atmosphere where conversation is the highest importance. At the Red Garter, Americans are fresh meat for a room full of prowling creeps. In their minds, it's a well known fact that if you look like a tourist you will quickly give in to any amount of Italian aggression, even a glance or smile. Soon thereafter they can take you to any corner of the room to eat your face off. One thing the typical Italian man isn't is stupid. After last night I discovered that their theory about us tourists is absolutely spot on. I enjoy being the exception.

Tp

Uncomfortably drunk.

 Salvation comes at 3AM. But European McDonald's is a rip off.

picture vomit

Realize you can be happy this moment for no reason. Otherwise, you eternally depend on conditions for happiness. Unconscious of this moment, you remain a victim of circumstances.

-Arthur D. Saftlas 

I'm ready for fall. Reason #1 why I love Italy: seasons.

Photo credit to charmaineolivia and various sources on sweetsouthernnights

perche no

This is my eighth day in Firenze and I'm finally starting this blog! Already I'm missing the States in many ways and I'm definitely realizing why Americans and foreigners alike love the USA to the extent that they do. However, Italy is so far everything I expected and wished for. Hoping to not sound too Eat Pray Love-ish, I'm finding it's true that most every place has a word or phrase that sums up the essence of the city, country, or sometimes region. For example, Jamaica has an "it's no problem" attitude. The locals say it and the culture reflects it. Here in Italy "Perche no?" is a phrase used quite often and it translates to "Why not?" (maybe it's a coincidence that Lizzie McGuire sings "Why not" at the end of her Italian adventure?). In Italy "perche no" is used everywhere from gelaterias to nightlife signs; although I'm being cautious (some may say boring) in this very foreign culture, I think "perche no" is a great mindset for this semester abroad. The picture above ultimately sums up my life in Florence thus far; never before have I relied so much on a map, my school books, and the most delicious coffee in the world. But let this blog post be the beginning of my escape from rules, maps, and... well the coffee will remain.

The infamous Limoncello. Small but deadly.

La Baptista

Il Duomo

Roommates! Plus 1

L'Uffici at sunset and daybreak

Haven't used my real camera yet so there will be more and better to come!