One year later...

I can't believe that it's been an entire year since I left for Italy! I remember those first days of Rome as a hodgepodge of memories now; a desperate and exhilarating attempt to stay awake through really bad jetlag while wandering through busy streets and empty parks. A barrage of new names and faces, crowding together around tables at dinner and free wine.

During the reunion last week, despite the presence of all the most important people, I felt like someone was missing. It was as if Italy had been a person, and without her there things felt slightly off balance. Our friendships moved to a new level, one that demanded a cultural shift. I feel closer to certain people, having spent a considerable time during this trip adjusting to their U.S. persona, and slightly removed from other people, who I find I have less in common with now.

While I miss Italy like crazy and can't wait to go back to the country seeped in history, wine, cheese, cobblestone streets, open piazzas, street cats, pasta and so much more, at the same time that trip has become a chapter in my life. A beautiful one, but one that has closed. I look forward to deepening the friendships that were born there, but I can also accept that some things have come to an end. The Cortona trip was a huge step for me in so many different ways, both as an artist and as a person, and I will forever remember those lazy days spent wandering the Italian streets and enjoying those exciting Tuscan nights.

Right now, however, I'm excited about the future - wondering what life has in store for me and where else I might wander as I continue to grow. The world is calling out to me and my feet are eager to explore and investigate, to discover and delve into the mysteries of the unknown.