Finally, I have reazlized I just need to keep smiling

"Never frown, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile..."

I love this quote. Always have. This is a pretty random blog post for me, but it just came to me with everything going on in my life as of late. As most of you know, the transition here to Florence has been quite difficult-- and I am STILL in the midst of trying to find my place and feel at "home" here. Having my parents here for 10 days helped- but it also made me miss home even more because they were constantly talking about people and things back home and that made me want to be there... I love Florence but I also love being in my comfort zone and knowing where everything is and not to mention pretty much everyone speaks English. Also with my grandfather being sick and trying to keep a long distance relationship strong its just been so much to handle at one time. OH well-- its all a learning experience, right?

Back to the quote, you just have to keep smiling in the midst of everything going on. I am very blessed to be able to have this experience, and I have to keep reminding myself that. Every moment should be treasured, because pretty soon it will come and go. Always smile- because it not only makes you feel better but you portray to the world that you can conquer anything with confidence. I always liked the saying that smiling takes less muscles than frowning. So true! So why not smile? :)

Not convinced yet that smiling really is a truly amazing thing? Here are some other "Reasons to Smile:"

1. Smiling makes us attractive.
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.
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2. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious <-- so true! :)
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System <-- makes sense!
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure <-- who knew?!
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

I was putting away my laundry and listening to shuffle on my I tunes (you never know what's going to come up!) and a song called "Finally" by Fergie came on. Fergie is generally not known for her inspirational lyrics, but I found part of this song particularly fitting for what I'm going through. (even though it is centered around her troubled relationship with her man) You should download it if you can- its actually very pretty. Here is part of her chorus I am relating to in this moment:

"Finally
Now my destiny can begin
Though it will have a different set
Something strange and new is happening
Finally
Now my life doesn't seem so bad
Its the best that I've ever had"

Daily tribulations

Today has just been one of those days that did not start off “right.” Usually when I say this there is a particular reason, or something that happened that would trigger the emotion behind this angst. However, today this has not been the case. I never thought I would say this, but I think I may be feeling homesick. Not that I would rather be home right now instead of Florence, but I am constantly thinking about the people and things I miss back home. This sets off this often overwhelming feeling of homesickness and severe loneliness amongst the busyness of Florence life. It is definitely a dual lifestyle, because although I am staying busy and active in Florence, I am constantly reminded of what I am missing back home. As always, I am trying to stay positive, and know I will become a stronger person from this experience. I have so much more of this year to experience, and I want to make the most of it. The hard part comes in balancing my lifestyle between traveling and schoolwork, keeping in touch with home without becoming too involved with everything happening back home, and merely just working on engaging myself in this culture that I have been looking so forward to being apart of.

One aspect that has been particularly hard is fitting in with my peers. I have really been enjoying getting to know so many new people from Gonzaga and other schools, but it is always difficult coming into a program without any good friends. This is usually a good thing—you are forced to go out of your comfort zone and get to know people on a level that you might not if you already had good friends. It is easy for me to make friends—but its often challenging finding friends that you really connect with; people that truly understand you and accept you as the person you are- flaws and all.

I feel as if a lot of the “bonding” that occurs on this trip has been in the constant, daily night life. I love going out and having a good time with friends, but school definitely has priority over going to the bars and clubs. Call me a nerd, but I still want to come out of this program upholding my high GPA. A lot of my friends have put their grades on the back burner, and have dedicated most of their hours to “having a good time.” I find myself almost jealous of this lifestyle, because I am in a constant battle between denying my wants and focusing on what I know is going to benefit me more in the future—good grades. I want to say I can do it all, but I am struggling and this is becoming more apparent. During opening tour and the beginning of the semester I went out often and had a blast. I got to know a lot of the people on the GIF program, and it was great. Now that the schoolwork has picked up, and especially this past week and next week with midterms to worry about I am realizing that I am perhaps isolating myself too much. I especially feel like a hermit because I am forced to “take it easy” with my foot. I obviously can’t go dancing, and walking all around Florence is not good for my condition. Sadly, hearing people in the halls getting together to go out and looking all cute is hurting me on the inside. I want to be more social (it is my nature!) but I have schoolwork, this annoying tendonitis, and other family issues that are consistently on my mind. What do I do? Someone help me! I am at a loss of what to do at this point…

*Note* This photo above is serene photo overlooking the coast of Cinque Terre. So pretty :-D