I WAS HERE. I LIVED, I LOVED.

On the 6th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...

#17- GELATO
#16- ABROAD SONGS
#15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS
#14- ITALIAN WEATHER
#13- ABROAD CONSTANTS
#12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS
#11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO
#10- 3,991 MILES
#9- PARIS, FRANCE

#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME

#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS

#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE

Okay so I spent some time writing what I personally would have deemed a comical take on a very serious topic (there even was a it's britney... bitch joke), but half way through I realized I'm not half as funny as I think I am and this actually is an extremely influential reason for my growth as a person while abroad so I should leave a serious blogpost.

No need to rehash the past here, the past is in the past and I've learned from it. Truth and time tells all. That being said, I stepped on my plane August 29th?..30th?... wow I can't even remember what day I left it's been that long, anyways, with no reservations, no expectations, and no regrets ahead of me. I always wanted my abroad experience to focus on myself, but I never realized how much I truly needed it. I needed to get back to me and figure out what I want from life. I needed to stop thinking about myself in regards to others and their perceptions of me, I can't control how someone acts I can only control how I react.

Abroad life pretty much forced me to be void of all forms of not being alone, and I'm grateful for it. The issues of the fact that I am nearly 4,000 miles away from home, in a SUPER conservative country, in an even more conservative city, in a country I speak none of the language (still don't just ask me how to say strawberry in Italian...), and how I left with zero strings attached were obvious. Now fast forward to London (epic fail...twice), France (didn't have time to go out in Paris, then was in the gay capital of France Cannes and the cards just didn't work out not that Melissa didn't try and wasn't PISSED about it), and then Rome (blah). Nothing seemed to be in my favor which is something I have grown used to being gay, but this is no "im playing the victim card" bull cause I don't play those games I am just stating facts. 

The fact of the matter is I have spent the past 3 and a half months only focusing my attention on me. Yeah did I slip up a few times in the beginning caring too much about life back at Stonehill? Yes, it's a process. Rome wasn't built in a day (been there, done that). I have always thought the process of being broken down is healthy and makes a person stronger, and being abroad is one giant slap in the face of life. Being complete single while abroad has made me appreciate my friendships so much more. I have found the strength within myself that if I have to wait until I graduate Stonehill or even years after that, I genuinely feel I can because when I least expect it that person will make himself known. Never settle. Life is too damn short to not live your life to the fullest with people who care.

I'm assertive enough to know I deserve a Meredith Grey, someone who will make a ridiculous house out of candles, a Friends With Benefits Justin Timberlake to do a completely unrealistic flashmob to Closing Time, an Aaron Samuels to laugh at the fact I am a complete dork that would say grool (fun fact that actor from Mean Girls is gay in real life), I deserve Penn Badgley in Easy A. I'm so beyond aware of myself as a person now that you probably think I have a huge head, false. I am just a hell of a lot more confident about myself, and you should be about yourself too.

I've just begun (having my fun).

Now I discovered this about a week ago, since then I've been listening to Beyonce's album 4 pretty much nonstop since, but I think this is the type of mindset I know have about myself. I can acknowledge what I have accomplished thus far and what I want to accomplish for myself and the others I surround myself with. Enjoy the live version because it's so much better. 

The lyrics to the chorus resonate with my feelings about my abroad experience. I did so damn much while abroad and persevered through it all. Everything I wanted out of this experience I got, and then some. Were there things left undone and places I did not get to go to? Yes, but looking back and what I thought I could afford to get done I am amazed and the places I have seen, the people I have met, and the genuine life goals I have accomplish.

"I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be."

So yes, I was here. I was a lot of places, but this will only continue back in America even more so. I don't view myself as an "abroad dave" who will go back into his norms and routines back at Stonehill because that for damn sure is not going to happen. Dave 3.0 is wiser, more mature, more independent, more patient, more outgoing, more reserved, more self aware, more appreciative, and will soon be 21 so if you are expecting the David who left in August stepping off that Swiss Air plane in Boston this weekend, good luck finding him.

"I Was Here"

I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget

I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...

I want to say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I lived
That I made a difference, and this world will see

I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...

I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...

I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because...

I was here...

I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I lived (I lived), I loved
I was here...
I did (I did), I've done
I was here
I lived (I lived), I loved (I loved)
I was here... (oh)
I did, I've done

I was here...

WHEN I NEED YOU MAKE EVERYTHING STOP. FINALLY YOU PUT MY LOVE ON TOP

On the 7th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...

#17- GELATO
#16- ABROAD SONGS
#15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS
#14- ITALIAN WEATHER
#13- ABROAD CONSTANTS
#12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS
#11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO
#10- 3,991 MILES
#9- PARIS, FRANCE

#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME

#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS

The fact that I have seen so many of my friends that are also studying abroad is amazing. There is so many Stonehill people studying abroad and I feel like we have this big network of friends to save us from the clutches of hostels and getting lost in foreign cities. I managed to travel so much and only stay in a hostel one night (and it was a BOMB hostel in London, I can successfully say I had no hostel troubles). To see which friends put in the effort to travel across countries to visit you is really heartwarming. The friends that graciously let me sleep on their floor or couch to save money always brings appreciation.

Shout outs to all the friends I have seen while abroad!

France

Dev

Melissa

London

Matt and the new Stonehill friends I met (photo evidence Danielle and I are friends officially)
Italy
Melaugh (so many times)
Briana (my unofficial Perugian girlfriend)
Cait
Renee
Frankie (damn so many Stonehill friends in Perugia)
Anastasia (were finally friends!)
Ireland
Jessica Mardo (my Ireland savior)
Mallory
Julia
Casey
McKeon
New friends Kerry + Kelly!
Visitors of Firenze
HAL AND JULIE MILLS
Kayla & new Salamanca friends
The Denmark Duo of Tara and Amy
Michelle and how she casually stalked our program in Venice
Elyse
Flat Faith (I'll count her)

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL. THE WORDS I'M HEARING ARE STARTING TO GET OLD. FEELS LIKE I'M STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN.

On the 8th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...

#17- GELATO
#16- ABROAD SONGS
#15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS
#14- ITALIAN WEATHER
#13- ABROAD CONSTANTS
#12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS
#11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO
#10- 3,991 MILES
#9- PARIS, FRANCE

#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME

Okay so this one doesn't exactly follow the guidelines of the purpose of these last 17 day statements, but it don't matter. The experiences being abroad have been insurmountable at times and extremely rewarding throughout it all, duh, but now with only a week left abroad I can't help but be contemplative about what is ahead for me. The life I have back home and how it will be so much different since I've grown. What have I missed while being gone? Have the people I care about become different while I was gone? I am hugely anti the unknown but I am very much looking forward to continue my life experiences back home, granted it won't involve casually traveling to other countries on the weekend anymore though..

Things I am excited about for when I am back

-DUNKIN DONUTS ICED COFFEES (no explanation necessary)
-bagels (specifically Back Bay)
-Target (so many aisles, so many options)
-Stonehill College (the campus, Admissions, Student Activities, oh yeah and the like 50 people who I have missed dearly)
-THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE!!
-Not having to cook for myself, I will take your crappy food Sodexo why thank you
-Having my room back home
-Turning 21 twenty eight hours after arriving in Boston
-Grace Walkowicz and Tara Cantwell. oh and seeing how my okids have grown through their awkward freshman stages
-Sour Patch Kids
-Being able to drive
-One dollar bills (and not having to carry massive amounts of change)
-Finding out how I am going to be able to balance having 3 jobs, Frisbee, clubs, and a very harsh class schedule (oh and finding the motivation to do it all considering abroad status has shot that)
-Chain restaurants (but no pasta or pizza for at least a month)
-Chinese food (pretty much I am a fat ass who only misses food)
-My iPhone! (screw the piccell) and that includes Angry Birds and Words with Friends
-Netflix, actually all of the internet and being able to use it without country restrictions or bad internet quality
-Being in the same time zone as everyone I know
-American sized portions of everything and anything
-Having the right of way as a pedestrian
-Being in a country that actually recycles
-BEING ABLE TO GO ON A RUN! oh stonehill cardio room I have missed you too
-The Peer Mentor Team, and Orientation season starting so soon
-Bud Light Faiths, and the beautiful Faith Castiglione
-Erin Kelly and making her feel uncomfortable with my statements
-Actual weather changes, yeah I will no doubt miss my months of 85 and sunny, but time never felt like it was passing cause of the weather here
-Donahue and the Admissions staff
-Not having to travel... I LOVE seeing new places but oh my god do I hate the process of traveling


and so many more but those were just the first ones that came to mind. ahhhh so soon to being home

I COULD BE ALONE YA, I CAN WATCH A SUNSET ON MY OWN

On the 9th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...

#17- GELATO
#16- ABROAD SONGS
#15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS
#14- ITALIAN WEATHER
#13- ABROAD CONSTANTS
#12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS
#11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO
#10- 3,991 MILES


#9- PARIS, FRANCE


Paris was my first trip around Europe outside of Italy. It came at the perfect time for then when I needed a break from Italy's harsh culture shock the 3rd week abroad. I have always loved France, I took French for 3 years in high school (would have continued it in college but I didnt take it senior year so I didn't think I could do the intermediate I was placed in...then I found out intermediate was a joke at Stonehill and still kicking myself for wasting a year in elementary spanish..useless). So I have always loved France from afar with no real reason to, it's not like I'm French, but still definitely a favorite country. I love the culture, so to visit Paris was a major life goal completed. To stand under the Eiffel Tower and just take it all in, had a big impact on me. I didn't feel like myself abroad AT ALL until I arrived in Paris. I instantly felt like myself again, and I did not have one problem or complaint about Paris (aside from the self cleaning toilets... those do not work).


I genuinely regret not studying abroad in Paris. I always knew I wanted to visit it when I decided on studying abroad in Europe, but I regret not looking more into the possibility of me living there for a semester. I know if I worked on my French I could live there for at least 2 years, easily. I thought it would be just a place to visit, but I could seriously see myself having a life there. Now if only I learned French when I was 5 and my brain didn't stop developing so that I could pick up the language so easily.


That being said, I do however think Florence was extremely good for me because it gave me a lot of constructive life experience. Coming to a place I had practically no expectations for and dealing with it roughly made me a stronger person. I don't know if I could have got the classes I have in Florence in Paris. I got to see SO much of Italy because of my program, who knows if I would have been able to casually romp around France. I definitely wouldn't have had my amazing program advisors Chiara and Martina. I guess it will always be a what if type of scenario in my life whether or not how my life would be different if I went to France. Would I have grown as much as a person? I'll never know, but I guess the grass will always seem greener on the other side.


Irregardless  Regardless, Paris is definitely giving Australia a run for its money for where I want to honeymoon later in life. 


And oh my god the baked goods.... those alone made that trip worthy

QUICK JESSICA MARDO IS HILARIOUS UPDATE

1/2 of the ginger experience brings her humor yet again while talking about my worries of being at the mercy of peter wiernicki for housing when coming back from abroad.

"well i would say that people who go abroad for the most part

have their shit together

and probably live with someone fairly normal haha

so hopefully that means you won't get some gorilla"

I rest my case.

DO YOU COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER, WHERE WOMEN GLOW AND MEN PLUNDER

On the 10th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...

#17- GELATO
#16- ABROAD SONGS
#15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS
#14- ITALIAN WEATHER
#13- ABROAD CONSTANTS
#12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS
#11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO


#10- 3,991 MILES


That is the approximate distance between Firenze, Italia and Easton, MA. Now why would a distance of space impact my abroad experience? It's because I'm so far from a comfort zone. Well, duh obviously. I needed the space. I needed to get back to and figure out more of me. That's pretty much the whole point of studying abroad aside from getting classes you can't get back home, living in a foreign city to experience culture, and to travel casually at the perfect time in you life to do so.


Aside from the obvious, the distance did me right for so many reasons. I feel like college is a great life springboard to finally be whoever the frig you want to be, you can start fresh and be friends with who you want to be without reservations.. and being abroad is only a even more speedier version. It helps you realize who is really there for you, who will put in the effort to keep in touch or visit you or even spend a month and a half lying to you to only surprise you (Hal & Julie still thankful for that weekend). Whether it be replying to a fb message or randomly skyping you to randomly chatting you up on the book, it matters when you are gone for almost 4 months in somewhere you have never experienced. The 3,991 miles should not get in the way of keeping in touch with the people you care about and the people who care about you. 


To quote Meredith Grey..
"At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines or you can live your life crossing them."


The distance has only made friendships more obvious and stronger if nothing else. My group of Sem friends have still remained close despite our inability to communicate well with each other (and that will always continue). It has been particularly hard without being with Molly for what will be almost 5 months, but knowing how much her experiences in South Africa have impacted her I couldn't care less about the length of time with our distance, i'm proud of her grown and so glad to have her as one of my best friends. 


The Peer Mentor group has had such a profound effect on me as a person for being able to get to know 60ish very different amazing people in their own right has enabled me to be a stronger person. This group of people is so perfectly ridiculous. We're all obsessed with each other in ways I know irk non PMs, but I personally couldn't care less because that group of people means the world to me sometimes. When I was absolutely hating Italy, some of them were the ones that were there for me without question. The majority of that group are just beyond all around good people. They care and always tried to stay in touch with me, some of whom I wasn't even really close friends with til before I left.


I think the main point to sparknote this all is that, I know who my real friends are and who I want to put the effort into seeing and talking to when I get back to America.

AS FOR ME I'D LIKE TO THANK MY LUCKY STARS THAT I'M ALIVE AND WELL.

damn Orientation for giving me the capacity to have these emotions now. I can't even imagine how it is at Stonehill right now.