I know, I know, I've been gone for like.. forever! Sorry about that. I like to think it's because I have a life away from the computer, but that's a lie.
Truthfully I have just been feeling uninspired for the past couple months. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been sitting in my room looking out the window thinking 'Where has all the beauty gone?' I have not bought a new wardrobe of only black clothes and I'm not only listening to music that 'speaks to my soul' and expresses my angst. So do not fear ;) I have actually been surrounding myself with some truly amazing people. Musicians, artists, and just all round inspiring young men and women. I revel in their talent and passion. Not to say I have none of my own, it just takes a different form. In some ways I am still searching for my talent and passion, and in some ways I am just trying to find a way to express it. Which brings me to my second point, in a long-winded, not really making the connection sort of way.
I've moved. I no longer live on a small island with limited possibility and routine activity. I've packed my bags and found myself all the way in beautiful, timeless, inspiring Florence, Italy. I am studying here for a year, trying to decide what to do with my life afterwards, trying to find an equilibrium between learning and enjoying the bustling world around me. I hope to come away from this year not as a different person, but as a better version of the person I already am.
Everywhere I look is inspiring. From hearing the passersby on the small street outside the window of the apartment I share with three strangers that have already become good friends, to walking past the ancient and infamous dome built by Brunelleschi so very long ago. Such beauty, and history, and culture is hard to ignore and even harder to take for granted.
Yesterday I got locked out of my apartment. I was hot, and tired, and hungry and carrying a heavy book bag. When my land lord told me that no one could come to my assistance for another four hours I had to remind myself to take advantage of the situation. It wasn't under the best circumstances, but I could make myself enjoy the afternoon. I bought a lasagna in a bistro around the corner and sat on a bench in front of the Santa Maria Novella Church to enjoy my lunch. Yes, it was hot, and yes I did wish I could have at least dropped off my heavy book bag before getting stuck outside. But it was a beautiful afternoon in a beautiful city. I then bought some cantaloupe melon in a café to escape the sun for a while and did my Italian homework. I walked to my school, walked through a market, and walked to the foot of the Duomo (Brunelleschi's dome, nonetheless.) Looking up at that magnificent, intricate, ancient piece of architecture I could not be frustrated or moody. I could not wish my door was fixed and I was in my cool air conditioned room, I could not wish for anything but to be exactly where I was at exactly that point in time. Yes, I was surrounded by tourists, and yes as soon as my door was fixed I was happy to lie in my bed for a couple hours, but in that moment, standing by myself in that snippet of history, I felt more fortunate and more inspired than I can even describe. Life is wonderful when you make it.
So I'm writing again, I'm trying to explore my talent and express my passion. It may not make you laugh, I may not post regularly, but I have made myself a promise to document my experience here. And you, my dears, are the lucky recipients of this documentation. I hope you enjoy this as much as I plan to.
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