Just Call Me VIP

It hasn't quite hit me yet that I only have one more full day left in Florence. The first week I was here I felt like time was going by so slowly. But 42 days later, this trip has gone by faster than I ever could have imagined. There are so many things that I am looking forward to when I get home like actually seeing the faces of the ones I care about in person and getting back to a familiar territory. That was something I longed for my first weeks in Florence, but now the hustle of Florence living is my new familiar. As I'm writing this, I'm truthfully getting sad about leaving. I'm going to miss the sound of Vespas driving down the street or walking twenty minutes to and from class or passing by something as beautiful and historic as the Duomo everyday. I have been immersed in a city full of history and beauty for six weeks and I pray that I took advantage of every second that I had here.

Last night, after a day of shopping for friends, family, and myself,  I had Gusta Pizza for the last time until I come back again. We went out with our two roommates Darcy and Joanna and their group of friends. Each of us had our own bottle of wine and ate, drank and laughed for a the entire night. We went to our friend Mallorie's apartment to hang out before going to the disco (I feel corny for calling it that). And I sure am glad that I waited until one of my last night's in Florence to see her apartment because jealousy flushed over me at the sight of how large and spacious her apartment is. The main rooms in my apartment are a miniature sized kitchen and a "living room" that only has a love seat in it. But Mallorie's apartment has all sorts of spacious rooms and kitchens and get this, a backyard with orange trees that is three times the size of our apartment alone. That apartment does not have A/C either which makes me feel a little bit better about our small apartment. Bryn and I were hopping bars like it was our job last night. We started off with everyone at Twice, the classy club around the corner from our apartment where we got good priced drinks because their happy hour is from 10-12. Then we hopped on over to Red Garter which was so packed that we literally walked in and said "nope" and walked right back out. Then we went with one of our roommate's friends to Club 21, where she knew some people that let us in for free and let us into the VIP section of the dance floor. HAHA. If you know me, you know that clubbin' is not my scene but last night, clubbin' was everything I had every wanted. I felt like a rockstar being a VIP. Bryn and I danced for what seemed like hours to all the classic club faves. After one too many dance songs, Bryn and I headed home around three, which was three hours after Bryn had said she needed to be home to get rested for her presentation she had this morning. Oops. It was overall one of the most fun nights I have had here.

Love you B!

Our friend who got us into VIP

The view from our VIP perch

It's so insane to think that a little over 48 hours, Mississippi time, I will be back in the states. I have been more than blessed to have the opportunity to come to Italy for six weeks to take classes on things that I love and to have the time of my life. I have loved every single person I have met here and will miss Florence very much. This has been a bit of a sappy post but it may be my last post for my time here. Tomorrow I have my exam, then I have to do a bit more shopping, pack up everything (ugh), and then stay up all night so that I can sleep on that 9 hour flight. I haven't blogged about what I have been making in my classes but I have all my info and can't wait to make everything when I am home. I already told my mom that she could have a tasting party for all of her friends of everything I have learned to make and I'll even provide the wine. It's off to studying for me now but thanks for reading!

Arrivederci!