Two finals DOWN. But Goodbyes already?

I just got an email from ISA. It was the ending survey. It's coming, it's coming!
I wrote a glowing review about ISA in the survey. Honestly, studying abroad: best decision I've ever made. I feel like I've matured so much and become more independent. I've met so many people and realized that not everyone believes the same things I do. Challenges did arise, but working them out has made me a stronger person. Hopefully, I now better understand people so I can love and serve them in a more beneficial way. And I have learned to love people better! Oh how I love my friends here.
The sand is seeping through the hole in the hour glass...I can't take a minute for granted. So now, while I study, I'm listening to some of Verdi's "La Traviata." Soakin' up some pristine Italian culture.
Today, I woke up early, studied, drank an espresso, and fixed some eggs before my test. My dad says protein is "brain-food" so I make sure that I eat some before exams. My first was a challenging but quick: History of the Italian Renaissance.
I got done early so I did some Christmas shopping. Success! Then, I checked my snail mail at the school. I had two letters that brightened my day! One was from my sweet grandmother, Lollie, and she even included a bit of cash. Score! Lollie told me she loved reading my blog, and it made me so happy to hear that she was traveling with me. I can't wait to talk to her about it in a few weeks! Her stationery included a drawing of "Pineapple Place," and honestly, Montreat is one thing I miss most about America! I've already talked to Olivia, Meredith, and Sabrina about having a reunion in the next few months there.
My second exam was Italian Vegetarian Cooking. This means a written test then a practical exam. Yikes! I was super nervous, but we were allowed to use our recipe books so I was very relieved. I relaxed when I was placed in my normal group of cooking buddies and we were assigned "Melanzane di Parmigiana." Mmmm! One of my favorite meals of the semester.
The muscle memory came back, and soon we were slicing and salting and grating like pros. We took plenty of pictures for our last adventure together.
When our dish was complete, we took it out of the oven and walked carefully with the plate to our chef for a tasting. We simultaneously took the first bite and critiqued. A tad bit too much cheese for Italian cuisine, the sauce was a bit oily. The eggplant was cooked perfectly and the flavors were excellent. We received an "A"! I just hope my written exam matches.
Sarah, my cooking buddy since the beginning, and I walked home together through the San Lorenzo Market, just like we do every week. When we reached the Ponte Vecchio to split, I realized that this was goodbye! It was so odd; it didn't even occur to me that this would be our last meeting. We hugged and vowed to be FBFF (Facebook Friends Forever). Welcome to the technological age.
I came home and have been studying off and on and watching Glee. My guilty pleasure.
Tomorrow I have to go Christmas shopping before meeting Alece for lunch at a place that Lollie recommended! I just have to get reservations - they've been closed for the past two days, and I've been out of the country for four days! We'll get there, though.
I forgot to write about Belgium again. I have to go to sleep now, though. I hope to write about it, but in the mean time, look at my pictures on Facebook!
Ciao ragazzi!