What I Really Learned in Italy
After spending a month in Italy, I learned more than just what my favorite type of cured meat is (prosciutto, by the way). Though I had schoolwork to worry about while I was there, I never felt stressed. My biggest worries every day included what restaurant I was going to choose for dinner and what I was going to do from 2-4 p.m. when all the shops were closed. It's not because I put school off during my study abroad endeavor; it's because the lifestyle encouraged this easy-going and relaxed way of thinking.
Immersing myself in the Italian culture taught me that life is short. At one point, I asked an Italian group of teenagers why they smoked cigarettes. The response I got was, "I like it and you have to die somehow."
I'm not encouraging reckless behavior. All I'm saying is the stress American society puts on people to be perfect, make a strategic plan for the next __ years and knowing what you want to do with your life the minute you graduate high school is overrated and unnecessary. The lifestyle in Italy encourages people to live simply, one day at a time.
I learned that life is too short to focus on things you don't enjoy. I learned that stressing out about the future is ridiculous. I learned that everything will work itself out. I really just learned how to chill and live like an Italian - which, in my opinion, provides an amazing quality of life.
Immersing myself in the Italian culture taught me that life is short. At one point, I asked an Italian group of teenagers why they smoked cigarettes. The response I got was, "I like it and you have to die somehow."
I'm not encouraging reckless behavior. All I'm saying is the stress American society puts on people to be perfect, make a strategic plan for the next __ years and knowing what you want to do with your life the minute you graduate high school is overrated and unnecessary. The lifestyle in Italy encourages people to live simply, one day at a time.
I learned that life is too short to focus on things you don't enjoy. I learned that stressing out about the future is ridiculous. I learned that everything will work itself out. I really just learned how to chill and live like an Italian - which, in my opinion, provides an amazing quality of life.
A New Kind of New Year's Resolution
Dear All (Insecure) Women:
It’s that time of year again. What’s your New Year’s Resolution going to be? It’s a rhetorical question because I probably already know. You want to lose somewhere between 5-20 pounds or you want to look like a Nike/Victoria’s Secret model by the time spring break comes around ... Don’t you? You’re probably going to start bed tanning – if you don’t already – to make you look skinnier, too. Because tan girls look the skinniest! Right? Well, ladies, I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to make a new kind of resolution this year. Love Yourself.
I bet within the past two months you have looked at old photos of yourself and thought or said, “Wow, I looked amazing! I want to look like that again.” But, at the time, you were still an insecure female who thought you had fat to lose or muscle to tone. The truth is: You’re never going to be satisfied. If you don’t make a change, “getting skinny” is going to consume your entire life.
I blame modern consumerism for the sad trend of insecurity that exhausts the minds of American women – young and old. Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, abnormally slim mannequins and “health” magazines with extreme standards make every woman feel like tall, skinny and tan is the only acceptable look. It’s time for women to stop letting this ideal be the norm. Fun fact: Everyone is made different. Every woman needs to love their body for what it is. Because if you don’t, you’re going to find yourself feeling this same insecurity even when you look your best and even 50 years down the road. Life is too short for that!
So to all women with even a slight insecurity: I challenge you to Love Yourself this year. Treat your body with respect, eat healthy, splurge a little (or a lot, for a few days at a time), exercise – but don’t overdo it, spend time with people who love you and boost your esteem, build others up by telling them they look great and that they are great, stop doing things like bed tanning that make you dislike your natural self and, most of all: LOVE YOURSELF.
It’s that time of year again. What’s your New Year’s Resolution going to be? It’s a rhetorical question because I probably already know. You want to lose somewhere between 5-20 pounds or you want to look like a Nike/Victoria’s Secret model by the time spring break comes around ... Don’t you? You’re probably going to start bed tanning – if you don’t already – to make you look skinnier, too. Because tan girls look the skinniest! Right? Well, ladies, I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to make a new kind of resolution this year. Love Yourself.
I bet within the past two months you have looked at old photos of yourself and thought or said, “Wow, I looked amazing! I want to look like that again.” But, at the time, you were still an insecure female who thought you had fat to lose or muscle to tone. The truth is: You’re never going to be satisfied. If you don’t make a change, “getting skinny” is going to consume your entire life.
I blame modern consumerism for the sad trend of insecurity that exhausts the minds of American women – young and old. Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, abnormally slim mannequins and “health” magazines with extreme standards make every woman feel like tall, skinny and tan is the only acceptable look. It’s time for women to stop letting this ideal be the norm. Fun fact: Everyone is made different. Every woman needs to love their body for what it is. Because if you don’t, you’re going to find yourself feeling this same insecurity even when you look your best and even 50 years down the road. Life is too short for that!
So to all women with even a slight insecurity: I challenge you to Love Yourself this year. Treat your body with respect, eat healthy, splurge a little (or a lot, for a few days at a time), exercise – but don’t overdo it, spend time with people who love you and boost your esteem, build others up by telling them they look great and that they are great, stop doing things like bed tanning that make you dislike your natural self and, most of all: LOVE YOURSELF.
Don Nino's Review
I'll get straight to the point: Don Nino's is my favorite dessert bar in all of Italy. And trust me, I've had my fair share of Italian desserts.
I ordered a traditional cannoli at the Don Nino's in Rome and my taste buds were exploding. So, of course, when I passed by the Don Nino's in Florence, I had to make the stop ... three days in a row. I devoured the Seven Layers Hazelnut and Chocolate Semifreddo in Florence. It was cold, soft and rich. It was just the perfect amount of chocolate indulgence.
The staff members at both locations were so friendly and fun to be around. A woman at the Florence location spilled her latte all over the floor, but the workers were helpful and kind. They assured her it was not a problem and even brought her a new one (a rare gesture in Italy).
I wish I could order Don Nino's products online for delivery to America. I'd pay an ample sum for shipping. If I could own a gelateria/pasticceria, I would want it to be exactly what Don Nino's is. Don't pass this place by - no matter how long the gelato line is. I recommend the traditional cannolis, semmifreddo and cappuccinos. My travel buddies recommend the gelato. Meraviglioso!
I ordered a traditional cannoli at the Don Nino's in Rome and my taste buds were exploding. So, of course, when I passed by the Don Nino's in Florence, I had to make the stop ... three days in a row. I devoured the Seven Layers Hazelnut and Chocolate Semifreddo in Florence. It was cold, soft and rich. It was just the perfect amount of chocolate indulgence.
The staff members at both locations were so friendly and fun to be around. A woman at the Florence location spilled her latte all over the floor, but the workers were helpful and kind. They assured her it was not a problem and even brought her a new one (a rare gesture in Italy).
I wish I could order Don Nino's products online for delivery to America. I'd pay an ample sum for shipping. If I could own a gelateria/pasticceria, I would want it to be exactly what Don Nino's is. Don't pass this place by - no matter how long the gelato line is. I recommend the traditional cannolis, semmifreddo and cappuccinos. My travel buddies recommend the gelato. Meraviglioso!