1 year ago...

...I left on a voyage across the sea that would slowly transform my life. Italia, Tuscany, Casa Cares - I miss thee. Several of my counseling friends and professors are about to embark on an adventure that I began last May. They will leave tomorrow for  Italy, to create friendships, learn about a new country and culture, and hopefully, grow as  professional counselors.

There is something about the middle of May that now makes my bones ache for Italy. The sun, the vibrant colors of nature and the mindset to be more active. I think back to what I anticipated one year ago of my voyage across the sea. How much I have grown, the newfound respect I would gain for another country's way of life. The knowledge I would gain to begin to create myself into the counselor and person that I aspire to be in life.

At a time in my life where I feel stuck once again in the rat race of American ways, I am reminded of the simplicity I found again in Italy. As my colleagues embark on the beginning of their adventure this Thursday, I intend to take time out each day they are gone. Take time to REFLECT on my now year old adventure. Time to find new meaning, renewal of self and growth in what Italy meant for me as a counselor and a human.

Rinnovamento di vita - roughly translated if babelfish is correct...Life Renewal...that is my mission these next two weeks...