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Whirlwind
After saying goodbye to Zach and coming back to Maryland on Monday it started to set in a little bit. This whole quit my job, pack my life, move to ITALY thing finally started to feel real in a way that no amount of visa drama or moving really did. In the past couple of days I’ve been tying up more loose ends than I ever could have imagined: canceling my cell phone, opening a Skype account, buying life insurance and an external hard drive and canceling utilities at my Philly apartment. I did my taxes, called my doctor to get a year’s worth of allergy medicine, changed billing addresses on every account that I have, canceled Netflix, and registered my trip with the US Department of State. I even called Fitz’s vet to check his immunization records.
I’m once again fighting the overwhelmed feeling that plagued my final weeks in Philly. I’m fighting fears about not speaking Italian, not knowing my way around, and not having my support network close at hand. This time, however, I’m trying to keep perspective and not get caught up in the momentum. The last few days have also brought great news from my school.
I received my class schedule, which includes both a chocolate tasting and a seminar with Carlo Petrini in the first week. I’ve e-met my roommate Suzannah, from Australia, and I’ve learned where she and I will be living in Parma and we’ve already planned our first fight. It’s gonna be about refrigerator magnets.
To keep these last few days of packing and logistics fun, I’ve decided to actively seek out foods that it’ll be difficult for me to get my hands on in Italy, which as I understand it does Italian food very well, but not much else. For me the list includes:
1. Korean BBQ- I have *wicked* kimchi cravings.
2. Mexican food- Especially tacos.
3. Japanese food- Especially sushi.
4. Indian Food- Especially…everything.
5. Teel Family Food- which I’ll elaborate on further tomorrow.
I may not hit all five before I fly out on Sunday afternoon, but at least it’ll be fun. What foods did you miss while living or traveling abroad?
