La Partenza

But the thing about remembering is that you don't forget - Tim O'Brien 
A week ago today, I was sitting in the delightfully sulfur-scented waters of the Terme dei Papi, running through hot water, then cold water, then hot water again in the "Vascular Passage" and enjoying the natural heat in the Grota. It was spectacular. Unfortunately, that only lasted a few hours time. Just one night's sleep later, I packed up the last of my things, cried my eyes out, and headed home.

Leaving SYA was hard. REALLY HARD. After being back a week, I can say I miss my family and friends the most, but also the comforts of a home. "Home" is foreign to me. I keep asking my family "where do we keep the blender again?" and "how does the oven work again?"; all of them are about ready to throw me out of the house. Everywhere I go I am surrounded by ENGLISH and technology WORKS! Even though I feel like I'm constantly eavesdropping and I don't really need all that technology, I can feel the difference. The worst has to be when I mention something in Italian - then I get eyerolls and "Corynne, nobody understands you".

But, as the quote above emphasizes, I'm not going to forget. I couldn't possibly forget my trips, friends and family, the endless amount food I consumed, and the ways SYA changed me for the better. I am now more responsible, patient, and considerate. Most of all I am more confident. I feel great about my abilities as a student, friend, and citizen. My outlook on life changed. I used to be so concerned over things that don't matter; I considered my time less valuable. I can't thank SYA enough for all the things I have learned abroad that need nine months in order to comprehend.

Hopefully you've enjoyed reading about my adventures as much as I've enjoyed living them (well, maybe half as much). Thank you to my loyal readers; keeping up this blog would not have been possible without your amazing support and kind words.

Grazie di nuovo e spero di trovare altre avventure presto. Allora, io sono Corynne Sarrett e questo è la fine del mio blog. 

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