Heading home in less than 12 hours...

Not a lot of time left here in Europe. We are getting ready to go to dinner and then we are going to hang out with the cool hostel people for a little while, but we will be sleeping early tonight. We have to leave our hostel at 4am to get to the airport in time for our flights home. I am going to be really tired when I get home, but I am excited to see everyone and tell you all about the incredible trip this has been. I am bringing prizes!!! I think if I was leaving Europe from Italy I would be crying about it, but Athens wasn't my favorite. The Parthenon was really neat to see, but I am ready to leave Greece. I am happy to be coming home though, Mom. And I cannot wait to see you guys! I love you all very very much. I will call you all tomorrow during my trek homeward to the States!!!

My Big Fat Greek Vacation

Now we are in Athens. Our hostel is literally less than a five minute walk from the Acropolis. We are going to do some more sightseeing tomorrow. Due to technical difficulty and an unexpected trip to Naples, we got here pretty late and now we are all tired. We did have our first Greek dinner though at a place just down the street from our hostel. The owner looked like Albert Einstein, which I thought was really cute. Anyways, I can't say that I know a whole lot about this city yet, so I will have to write about it after tomorrow. The Parthenon is all lit up at night and looks amazing though. I cannot believe we are here! Thank you, Mom and Dad- this is the best graduation present I could ask for. I love you all!!!!

Our Last Night in Florence

Tonight is our last night in Florence. This morning we went to the highest point to San Minioto and looked at the city from up there. That climb was tough... I think we worked off all the pasta and pizza we have been eating over here. It was truly breathtaking from up there and I took a lot of pictures... good thing we bought that extra memory stick right before I left because it will definitely be full when I get finished over here. This evening we hurried to the Uffizi Museum to see some of Michaelangelo's and Boticelli's paintings. We had to skip the David because it was at a separate museum and we felt it was more important to see more. They closed at 6:30 and aren't open on Mondays. I think it was the only sacrifice we have made all trip though, so I guess it was bound to happen. We have seen the copy of the David in one of the piazzas every day that we have been here though, so that makes us feel a little better about it. I love all of you very very much! We leave for Venice tomorrow, and I will try to write from there! Ciao!

Firenze=Paradiso

So I am in Florence now and I cannot believe how right Stu was about this place. It is without a doubt the most beautiful city I have ever seen. We just finished what we swear will be our only day of shopping. Spent some time on the Ponte Vecchio and some other interesting little shops. Mom, if you are reading this tell Dad that yes, my money is holding up. So far, so good. I went to Dante's house today. That was exciting for me. I have been taking lots and lots of pictures. The sad thing is that most of our pictures only have 4 of us in them because someone has to play photographer for us each time. We should have hired a photographer to follow us around because we really are having such a wonderful time here. I am so glad that we have four days in Florence because it is allowing us to relax a little more than we did in Rome. It is also great to have a room to ourselves. We actually have two rooms because they are each only for three people. I am rooming with Lisa and Chelsea, while Kitty and Gabby are just down the hall from us. The view from our room is really nice and the people who own the hotel are very sweet. I am looking forward to three more nights here and then it is on to Greece!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL VERY VERY VERY MUCH and I will keep you updated whenever I can! Ciao!

When In Rome...

Just want to let everyone know that we are alive and well... very well. The past two days in Rome have been ridiculously fun and we have seen some beautiful things. Pictures will not do them justice, but I cannot wait to show them to you anyways. We leave today for Florence! While we were here, we did as the Romans do-- I think. I don't really know what that means exactly. We ate a lot of pasta, if that counts. Yesterday we walked for a total of 13 hours and covered the Vatican, San Antonio Castle, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and several cathedrals that we wandered into. Today we are going to the Colosseum and that surrounding area before catching a train to Florence. I miss you all, and can't wait to be able to tell you about everything in more detail. Right now I have to pack because check out is at 10 at this hostel. Our next two stops are hotels, not hostels, and we will be in rooms without strangers... so that will be nice. But this really wasn't too bad, and Rome was definitely worth it!!! I'll write again when I get a chance. I love you all! Ciao!

Chapter 4: Graduation?! We're old.

Huh!? It's the week of Graduation! What???? It's only 4 days away (I graduate on Sunday morning.) This is so weird, I gotta say. I really can't believe four years have slipped by so quickly. I remember my high school graduation like it was yesterday. How in the world did we get here? Well, however we got here I'm glad that we did. And I am glad we got here together. I can't imagine a greater group of people to spend this time with. I was really dreading this whole graduation thing. With all the avoiding that we have done it is strange to say, but I am really excited to be a UF Graduate. Today Lisa said that we would all be together for our 23rd birthdays--- Ew! Then I remembered... it's just another 21st birthday. In fact it will be our "3rd annual 21st birthdays." Nothing wrong with that. I don't mind that we're getting old, because we are doing it together-- besides however old I get, Kitty will always be 5 months older, right?