Because I'm an Exchange Student

This is my answer to most questions these days. Why are you happy? Because I'm an exchange student. Why are you sad? Because I'm an exchange student. Why do you do that? Because I'm an exchange student. Why are you here? Because I'm an exchange student. Why is this post so late? Because I'm an exchange student. Why are you so horrible at keeping this blog updated? Because I'm an exchange student. Really though, it answers everything. Even though there are more specific answers to individual questions, it will always lead back to being an exchange student.

Being a foreign exchange student is being everything. It is feeling every emotion possible all in 5 minutes. It is eating... a lot. It is living a crazy life. You hardly have time from when you wake up to when you go to sleep. The days are packed with school, language lessons, activities, and spending time with friends. It takes bravery, strength, and determination. You feel homesick, pressured to learn the language, and worried about your wallet. But you also feel triumphant to overcome these challenges, excited for adventures to come, and best of all you gain some of the best friendships you've ever had.

So like I said, life is crazy here and I never have time for anything. Finally I've gotten some letters written after a month and a half. Wow a month and a half! The way time moves here is so strange. It either seems to drag on or fly by. Anyways, I'm loving life here. It gets easier everyday. I know certain parts of the city really well now so I can find my way around alone. My Italian is improving so much. I can understand a lot and I know enough to order food and have simple conversations. It is difficult but I love languages and love when I can practice my Italian. I have been eating so much gelato too. Last week I had it everyday! I always go to my favorite place with my AFS friends. We are literally almost on a first name basis with them. I've started to jazz twice a week at a gym. It's soo much fun, helps me learn more Italian, and works off all that gelato.

One of my favorite things about living here is the tourists. They are everywhere and in the summer there will be way more. I've done the tourist thing plenty of times but I always wish I wasn't a tourist. I've always wanted to live somewhere that people walked around with big cameras and maps and spoke in different languages while I was "in the know" about everything.

Ok that's it for now. I'm sorry I'm so terrible at keeping up on this but it's so hard to find time and so much happens I never know how to say it all in one post. I could fill a notebook just writing about a single day so imagine trying to summarize weeks! Just be happy that I'm getting anything done at all.

Ciaooo lovies.