Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

Five weeks have passed.  Ask any of us what happened to the time and we can’t tell you.

Our final days in Rome were spent furiously writing papers and studying for finals.  We fit some good times in-between, you can be sure.  Souvenir shopping, tossing in coins at the Trevi fountain, Dar Poeta (the best pizza, ever), gelato, finishing all the food in the apartments, not studying (no, no—that was a joke, we always studied!!!) and walking.

We just returned from our last night as a group in Roma.  After our second final (first one was Thursday) and long paper, we attended the farewell dinner.  It began to rain while we watched from inside the little Sicilian restaurant.  Some went outside and danced, we all talked, ate and enjoyed each other’s company.

Each piece of Rome is beautiful beyond expression and there is something particularly special about the nights.  The rain wasn’t too bothersome, thankfully it subsided for most of the time we spent walking.

After the dinner, the group split up a bit.  Tonight I went to the Trevi Fountain—where people throw in a coin that is supposed to ensure your return to Rome.  Since I had already thrown in a coin earlier in the trip, I enjoyed watching the others throw their wish over their left shoulder (thus crossing their hearts), as custom dictates.  The group decided to go to the Vatican and then to the river.  I will never forget the man, playing saxophone underneath the bridge on the Tiber.  The echo there was breathtaking and we all stood back in silenced awe.  This is when it hit most of us that this was goodbye.

Although I will stay in Rome for a few more days, I know this experience has come to an end.  Now it is time for me to go pack my bags and move out of the apartment that I have grown to love.

I want to end this post with two short goodbyes—

Rome: I’m leaving a piece of my heart here, take care of it for me.  One day, I will come back for it and end up leaving more here.  Thank you for the lessons, experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Revelle in Rome people: This group contains phenomenal people.  Twenty-six individuals who all, in some way, needed this trip.  We all learned something about ourselves and I will remember these lessons for a lifetime.  Thanks for the memories, the hugs, the walks, the gelato, the coffee, the talks, the late night hangouts, the food, the kindness, the smiles, the tears, the openness, the love.

To conclude, a quote from my favorite blog and lyrics from a favorite song:
“We Breathe. We Pulse. We Regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. Thirty-seven seconds, well used, is a lifetime.” --Post from Goodmorningandgoodnight
"And wasn't it you who told me/ The sun would always chase the day?/ Wasn't it you who told me?/ Angels fly in the air tonight/ Saying, Wasn't it just like swimming/ Out on the lake?/ Stars collide, and the air's alive." --Better than Ezra