Vogglio America!!

I thought that maybe being from UNH would mean less singing for me. I mean...I sing in at least ten concerts a semester considering choirs, the opera, student recitals, and studio. I was pretty sure that this semester would be more introspective. And it has.

And then we hit the month of November!

I have to sing at least two pieces for Arlene's accompaniment class at the end of the semester (which is a lot of fun), so I have a concert I have to get ready for there. And then, on the 22nd, I am singing with one of Rosella's students (as I mentioned in the previous entry) in a duet for the town's annual festival to St. Cecilia. Suddenly, I feel more under pressure than ever before.

But that has not stopped me from enjoying myself and taking in as much as I can before I leave this place. And things have gotten relatively more comfortable here. I have heat in my appartment, which is nice. I am no longer freezing half do death when I go to bed. But I am starting to miss my comforts, my family, and my friends.

I am starting to miss a lot of things...

I really, really miss bookstores. Oh, yes, we have them here...but they are no fun when everything (with the exception of a tiny section n the back filled with classics for the students in the town that are studying English) is in Italian, including all of the new releases at home (anyone wanna fill me in on how the new Dan Brown is?) And every time I walk into one, I get sad. I miss the Borders in my hometown...the endless hours I would spend drinking coffee and walking around with my friends simply looking. I miss malls where there are more than just over priced clothes stores to walk around and see (video games, in particular. The next time I see a familliar game in Italian I think I am going to cry).

I miss the hustle and bustle, I miss restaurants that are open all day, I miss not feeling like I am scrubbed out all of the time because everyone dresses so well. I miss sitting down to weekend breakfasts with my family, with bagels and my Iced Coffee, talking about our week and joking around. I have learned how much I need them in life, especially my sister. Her humor kept me at a balance at home (hopefully, she reads this). My mother and father, too...sitting back together and watching movies (Spinaltap, Dad?) and Karoake Saturdays and Bongo Mike nights. My mothers witty remarks, her words of wisdom, the Italian American guilt. My Nana's quirkiness and love, my extended family's support...my friends from school (both in Shrewsbury and UNH), and the countless hours we would spend just laughing about little things, and talking about big, deep things.

I could go on for pages more, so I will calm down and get to the point: when I came on this trip, I would say "I need to see another place and grow in another enviroment." Well, that happened. What I did not count on was suddenly being struck but a major, major life lesson: the world is huge and everything in it is beautiful. And although living in America and being raised American makes you think the country has so many problems, you take so much for granted: how (despite its problems) our government is still envied by the world because you can (legally) talk about what you want in your government. You learn how much you have...and how much you don't. I realize now I need to appreciate my country and what is in it more.

With that said, this place is just as amazing. I am sure when I get back, I will crave the things I miss. I will probbably never be settled, that is just the kind of person I am. But that will not stop my deep longing to return.

With that said, I am going to savor everything I can...

Ciao...