Sealed The Deal

After weeks of watching the prices of plane tickets fluctuate, my mom decided to book them today because the prices weren’t too bad compared to others and also because they might increase in the near future. It’s been a little over a month since this whole thing started and now it’s finally starting to hit me hard. Booking those flights really sealed the deal.

Over dinner, I was telling my mom about how I applied for a job recently. If and when I get the job, I’m primarily going to save up for pocket money to travel to different places during the weekends or during Spring Break.

Following that conversation, I started thinking about everything so I compiled of a list of things I want to do:

When in Rome (in no order):
1. Visit my friends at Les Chambres D’Or (if they still work there)
2. Attend Mass at the Vatican (doesn’t have to be the chapel in the crypt again but that sure would be amazing!)
3. Pray the rosary sitting at the stoop of the obselisk, facing St. Peter’s Basilica (I was inspired to do this when I saw a priest praying the rosary during our last day in Rome)
4. Buy gelato at Old Bridge Gelateria (the cousins’ favorite place to get gelato)
5. Visit all 4 of the major Basilicas again
6. Climb the Holy Stairs again (comment/email me your prayer intentions so I can pray for you during that specific time)
7. Visit the Pantheon (haven’t visited it yet)
8. Visit Santa Croce in Gerusalemme again
9. Visit the Trevi Fountain (so I can toss in a coin for Joseph)
10. See the Pope, Papa Ratzi (even from his window would be sufficient)

…basically revisit most of the places we went to last June and more.

I love how I took history of art this semester. I basically relearned or learned more about the buildings and monuments I saw/visited. See how amazing God’s timing is! ;)

Top 10 Things I’m Looking Forward To Doing When I Get To Florence:
1. Attending Masses at Santa Croce (must!)
2. Finding a chapel/church for weekly Adoration (must!)
3. Learning Italian
4. Living on my own for the first time ever
5. Going to household meetings if I find any CFC family ministry in the area
6. Traveling to other places; eyes are set on Venice first and foremost
7. Going to school at LdM, of course
8. Learning how to get around Florence by foot (no driving at all!)
9. Getting more into fútbol! Florentina? Roma? AC Milan?
10. Sketching the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (to pay homage to the girl who influenced/inspired me to study aborad)

Aside from the educational aspect of my trip, I am earnestly looking forward to growing stronger in my relationship with Him and learning more about my faith. If I somehow happen to flunk my classes and run out of money… and if I grow in my relationship and learn more about my faith, that would be more than enough. Flunking and losing money won’t be a problem though. No worries, it was just a really poor example to use.

So, I’ve been repeatedly told about how lucky I am. I actually consider myself very blessed. Very, very blessed.

My reply after all this?

Praise God.

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PS. I’m officially in SFC :)
PPS. Please watch the video on the bottom of my Xanga.