L'amicizia.

Letter from Meghan
Originally uploaded by catrberry

The theme of the day is...friendship.
I'm so blessed.
Culture shock comes in four stages: the "Oh my gosh this place is so great I can't believe and I'm here I'm never going to leave because it's perfect" [honeymoon] stage, the "okay, so the magic is wearing off and now I'm getting tired of all of these tourists and people who don't understand my language and my family and friends and and football games are in America and maybe it was better there and maybe I should be back" [negotiation] stage, the "Now I'm getting the hang of this and I know how to get around and talk to the people and the Italians are warm and now I'm a regular here" [adjustment] stage, and the final "this is my home, this is me, and this culture is now what I relate to most" [mastery] stage that I will probably never get to because I won't be here that long.
Right now, I'm in the second stage. It can be hard finding your place in a foreign country with people around you that are not like you, what you've known your whole life. I'm definitely learning, and I'm definitely maturing. But there are growing pains, and I do miss my family and friends. Most of all, I want to be with my grandmother right now. Don't get me wrong, I love it here; it's fascinating and beautiful and full of life, but change is hard.
And that's why I'm learning how blessed I am when it comes to friendship.
Today I checked the mail (just in case) and my eyes LIT up at the first envelope. It was white and thick and had strips of newspaper print between the address (I don't think the Italians liked that...they blacked out part of it, haha!). The best part: the return address said MEGHAN GUARINO. I've missed this dear friend and receiving this letter made my day. I ran upstairs to read it in the library and could not help but laugh out loud. It was in a spiral so I had to keep reading turning it to read it...I'm sure it was distracting.
I got home, still smiling, and my roommates greeted me and then headed upstairs to the kitchen together. "Sketchy..." They came down with a white rose that they bought at the market for me. What dears! They knew that I'd been sad about Mama, so they said they brought a white one to give me "peace of mind." I'm so blessed; they are so thoughtful and loving. Leyla even made delicious fajitas for dinner! The best I've ever had. Healthy, colorful, delicious. Benissimo!
Also, I got to talk to my parents on the phone yesterday trying to figure out train tickets for them to come in a month. I can't wait! I know this month will fly by and I'll know all the best places to take them around. I know they are going to adore Florence like I do. I even got to talk to Emily on Skype for like an hour last night. It was such an encouragement in the Lord, and I can't believe He has provided a family that loves Him like they do. What a blessing that we will all worship Our Heavenly Father in Heaven one day!
Last of all is a tribute to my bestie, Micah Counts, who turns 20 today. Micah is my soulmate. She is the person I can tell anything to and she will still love me. She is so giving, so caring, and so thoughtful. She will do anything for you to make your day better. She's a great baker, wonderful with kids, devoted to the Lord, and the most selfless person I know. She's my person that enjoys music, food, and adventure as much as I do. She is such a gift to my life, and I am so happy to celebrate her twenty years of life! I love you, Mickles.
Leyla and Jess and I are off to play some cards. Yup. I'm starting card nights when I get back to Athens, btw. Prepare yourselves.