E arrivato il tempo...

As I listen to music now that we once woke up to every day in Rome, and look through pictures of everyday moments turned into the happiest of times in each of the passing seasons, I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic - for Rome, for teaching, for just waking up everyday to new extraordinary experiences. I remember back to the days leading up to our departure from the comforts of the U.S. I was emotional, scared and a little nervous for what my uncertain future would hold. I remember that feeling well, because it is how I feel now. We made the decision a long time ago, that we would only live in Europe for a year - get the most out of it, travel to as many places we could, experience as many cultures possible and soak in the Italian lifestyle to the full capacity. A year has come and gone, and we are faced with the uncertainty of returning back to the U.S., which feels like this big, scary, unfamiliar place now. I imagine returning being like meeting with old school friends for the first time in ages - you know you once were close but aren't sure you have much in common anymore. We've procrastinated buying plane tickets home, trying to weigh the pros and cons of staying or leaving, trying to imagine life in one place or another. We have been dodging making this life-altering decision, but like a rain cloud hovering in the sky threatening to ruin a sunny day, the inevitable is fast approaching. Like going back to school after the best summer of your life, like abruptly ending a romantic whirlwind relationship, like reaching a crossroad and both directions seem right and wrong at the same time....for now we will enjoy every moment here and buy our plane tickets home when that moment arrives.