Lesson # 13 Tangles of Love.

They should have warned me that love aches. They should have told me that loving and leaving is no escape, that it makes you trust in yourself but rely on externals less, that it makes you long for stability and strong, unwavering love that will always,

"Be there when you wake."

Your
--other half.

Lesson # 12 The Road Not Taken.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/vatican-city-photos/

I was fortunate enough to be able to come to Rome about a year ago. I marvelled at all the typical sites, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican, and the Colloseum. On this trip, I wanted to come back because Rome has been one of those places in my life that has made me feel most alive, with the beauty and history lingering around every corner, you cannot help but fall in love. When we got to the Vatican this time around, the 3 hour line made Ava and Malea opt out. We decided to go walk around, explore the city a little. We had seen a big green area on the map really close to the Vatican and decided to check it out, hoping it was some sort of park. After hiking up a long, steep hill to reach the top, we realized we could see the entire city from above. After getting ice cream cones and finding a cozy place to park our tired bums, we sat upon the hill watching all of Rome. It was one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip. I heard the Pope was shaking hands that day down below at the Vatican, I think we made a good choice.

Lesson # 11 Follow the Magic.

This sounds ridiculous and I'm aware of that, but I believe this statement more everyday. Someone recently worded some encouragement to me this way the other day and I'm glad he did because it's so fitting. I meet so much negativity about my life choices and how it's not the "correct" path. I just keep thinking, if I'm happy, then I'm doing something right. There's no "correct" path and what's fulfilling for me, does by no means have to be fulfilling to you. I say, if life is good, and you're creating more positivity in the world than negativity, then let's live and let live. You have one life, now go chase that magic.

**Having quite a few of those "magic" moments in Rome ;D

Lesson #10 Less is More

My Macbook broke yesterday. I would mind, but now I'm thinking I can sell it and make a few Euros while lessening my load. That's definitely the lesson of this entry. YOU DON'T NEED AS MUCH AS YOU THINK. This can be applied to European food portions (and how much less they are compared to their American counterparts), their tiny coffees, or how many possessions you need on a journey, whether it be for a month or your entire life.

The girls made fun of me when I was about to die carrying my backpack and gasped "WHY DO WE NEED MORE POSSESSIONS THAN WE CAN CARRY," but I was SO serious. I understand certain limitations to this "rule of thumb," but I think it makes a lot of logial sense to just own less. I think it's true that the possessions you own, end up owning you. Thanks Fightclub for your never ending wisdom.

P.S. Italy is amazing, I'm currently set on retiring here. More later.