I'm Still in Ohio.

I haven't left yet. The leaving does not happen until next Wednesday, the 25th, so this isn't really a travel blog yet. I am, however, in southern Ohio which is essentially a different state. Are you from northeast Ohio and then immediately become confused when you drive south of Columbus? Exactly. So this just might be an official travel blog.

Right, so I'm going to Italy. Did you pick up on that from the title of my blog? Or did you pick up on that on account of me telling everybody all the time? Either way, I am currently feeling overly ready and prepared to leave. As I told my mom earlier today, it is nothing personal, I just need to get out of here. Fortunately, she knew exactly what I meant, and then reminded me that I should probably get more euros. Way to go, mom-always on the look out.

I love when people hear that I am going to Italy and then ask what my major is. Upon my response, ("English") it becomes apparent that they are trying to hold back either laughter or snide comments. Haha, I get it. I'm going to another country to study a language I already speak. Isn't that so funny? It's even funnier when people make a subsequent comment about that unintended irony, as though I wasn't aware of it already. I will actually be working on my burgeoning art historian spirit,  which is way exciting. Free admission to all the museums in Florence? Yes, please. Book restoration and becoming a Book Doctor? Check and check.

Am I going to gain weight? Probably. And I hope that you all make a point of getting together and texting and BBMing and messaging just to say, "My God, Katie's not missing any meals." Because you will be right! I won't be missing ANY meals. I am going to grow chubby and content ("like Chester"-LL) and my winter weight will all be packed on for the Ohio weather that will greet me in December. Also, I will be turning 21 while in Italy. No, that does not suck for me. No, it does not make me mad that I will be turning 21 while in another country. The amount of people who have been upset by this is unreal. Truth be told, I will be drinking before then anyway. Come to think of it, I have already had my first beer. Please, do not pity me on account of turning 21 while in Italy. Odds are, I will have a fantastic time anyway.

I also plan on getting to Bologna on September 2 to see Arcade Fire. It's a 3 hour drive from Siena to Bologna. This will be an adventure.

Find me in Ohio sometime over the next week. After that, no more texting and same time zone-age.

Love and Dreams of Spaghetti,
Katie