Realizations!

Okay, I have had a longggg month. Lots of rough times or things that seemed like they would ruin this experience for me... But I am still breathing and alive to tell you that nothing in the world could ruin this for me. Stupid boys and dumb drama back home means nothing to me because I am here. My mind is in Italy and that is where it needs to be. I wanted to write a post because I know you all love reading them ;) and also because I need to let you know of a few things I have come to realize in these past two months. Things I think I should've known a long time ago, but was too blind to see.

Here goes nothing,
1) Life goes on. I say this to myself constantly... and I always try to convince myself it is true but I have never believed it until now. People will break your heart and life will leave you in the dust... wondering what the hell is happening. We all have these experiences when we are pretty sure our whole world is crashing... but what I've come to realize is that these things are so minor in the long run. Move on and breathe because it does get easier. I have had some of the worst nights here where all I want is to be home... nights where I honestly didn't sleep because all I needed was a hug from my mom, but the next morning I wake up and realize where I am... I walk out and see the tallest bell tower in Europe. I wake up to someone speaking Italian. I eat cookies for breakfast because that is normal here. I go to school and make new friends every single day.... I couldn't be more lucky. So I have realized that dwelling on the past gets me no where.

2) The friends who stay by you when things are going bad are the ones who will be there for you when things couldn't be any better. My best friends back in Kansas have stuck with me through all of this and this whole roller coaster of emotions. I have put my friends through so much to get to this point and I owe them my life for all the support they have constantly given. Thank you so much Harley and Paige... I love you girls more than anyting and I miss you more than words can say. Along with them, the friends I have met here will be lifelong friends and I know that. Connor, Kayleigh, Tessa, Regan, Lenny, Esther, DeWayne, Gwen, Ilsa, Josiane, and Tianmai... I love you guys so much, You have been here to laugh and cry with me and every single one of you means the world to me. The main point of this is to say thank you. I have realized that I could not have better friends to get me through this crazy, whirlwind year I am in.

3) A realization that has been two months in the making.... I AM IN ITALY! I am living my dream... and I couldn't be any more exstatic, probs spelled that wrong, to be doing so. Anyone who has helped me get here is forever in my heart. I say this a lot and maybe it is getting a bit redundant, but I couldn't get here without all the help I have recieved. So thank you everyone, even if it is simply just giving me well wishes and staying updated on my life. Thank you sooooo sooo much. You have improved my life and changed it for the better and I cannot thank you enough.

This post was mainly because I finally have realized that life is perfect for me right now... no matter what happens, I am in Italy and that isn't changing anytime soon. I think this is making me a better person and showing me that life has challenges you just have to run at them knowing you ocan make it... Thanks for reading my blog and listening to me rant constantly :) Hope all is well wherever you are at! Love and miss everyone! More post soon to come. Happy Halloween and best of wishes to everyone! <3 With much love and thanks, Kari.

*Ciao a tutti, grazie mille per questo experienza. Te amo. <3 Mi Italiano e` molto horribile. Mi dispiace. :)

Red

The title of this post is Red, because Taylor Swift's new CD came out and it is the best CD I have ever heard in my entire life. I love her more than words can describe. Literally obsessed... it's creepy. But anyyywayyysss! Back to the whole reason I am posting... well frankly it's because I live in this place called Italy ;) I can't even describe how much I love it here... I don't think I would trade this for anything. I know I say that alot, but I really mean it. I love it more than anything here... and everything that makes this difficult is outweighed by the pure beauty of this country. You don't understand beauty until you live in a place with soooo much history and architecture, and mountains, and the sea... and grapes, and Italian people in general. Never in my life have I met such amazing people. I will always have a special place in my heart for Italians... I think after this I will consider myself part Italian. I hope my children will get to experience something like this because it truly has changed my life. Two months in and I have learned so much not only about this place, but myself. My confidence has been boosted a thousand percent.. I am so much more open and I love being around new people now. I honestly am a completely different person in a totally good way.

Now lets see, I feel like a lot has happened since I last posted, but honestly, so much happens in a day it is hard to keep up. I already posted some pictures of Monterosso but none of the scenery really so now I will post a few of those. FOr those of you who don't know, Monterosso is one of the five towns in Cinque Terra. They line the west coast of Italy along the Mediterranian sea. It is the most beautiful place I have EVER been in my entire life. So here are a few pictures... :)



This is the view from near the top of a mountain overlooking the sea. And yes the water was that blue. No editing done :)

 One of the towns in Cinque Terra, soooo beautiful. I took all of these pictures on a small digital camera and they still look this beautiful.... that is how stunning it truly was.


 Proof I was actually here ;) Me reppin' K-State! You're welcome Molls <3 LOVE YOUUUU!

So there is a few pictures so you know just how truly beautiful it actually was there. Now I will post a few random pictures of random things I do in this lovely town of Cremona <3

 My two favorite people in this lovely country :) Connor and Kayleigh!!!! We went to a school party and lets just say it was practically a club lol. So we are nasty looking cause it was soooo hot in there. But it was sooo cool to see how Italians have fun. Definitely something new hahah.

 This gives you an idea of how many people were here... about 800... yep. My mom was a little concerned when I showed her lol. But I am very proud to say I didn't break a single Rotary rule! You should be proud of me Robert and Stephen! I always follow the rules! :)

 Me going down a slide... I love this picture... it shows how crazy the exchange students act in public lol.


That's about all the pictures I have for now! And I am Skyping my mommy so I gotta goooo! Until next time <3 Kari!

Still Neglecting...

Sorry guys, my camera seems to hate me and refuses to let me upload pictures... So I will post my top 5 fave pictures from this amazing weekend in Cinque Terra. And will share the lovely video that my lovely Tessa made <3 I can't even explain how beautiful this place was. I want to go bac so bad. But for now I will let the pictures speak and I will create a REALLLLYYYYYY long post soon... Promise youuuu! <3
 EVERYONEEEE! Four districts and 55 crazy students.... Love these kids <3


 Literally obsessed with this picture. The water was SO SO SO blue! And I am seriously considering on using this for a senior picture. Compliments of Tessa's camera and Regan's photography.



 Love this because it is soooo photographic. Me and Chris and Connor and Kayleigh. Love themmmmm <3


 Same people :)

 My girl Tessa, the most amazing photographer I know <3 LOVE YOUUUUUUUU!!!

 All the lovely ladies and Connor... we make him look soooo good! ;)



 Love this picture too. My cartwheel sucked but I loveee the background... Nothing like seeing the Meditteranian as you cartwheel... And Connor ruined it... cool jerk.

And the videoooo! Watch and enjoy. Compliments of Tessa <3

None of these I can take credit for lol. So thank you Tessa and Regan for all these lovely pictures! <3

Neglecting to Post Excuses. :)

Okay guys, here is my lovely excuses to why I have been neglecting to post...
-Too lazy.
-Too busy.
-Too hard.
-Too much gelatto.
-Too much to do.
-Not enoough time.
-Too many pictures.
-Too many people to see.
-Too many plans.
-BEING IN ITALY!
So I sincerely apologize that I have neglected you all. Love and miss you and I promise to post as soon as possible. Right after my lovely trip to Cinque Terra this weekend :) Which happens to be this.....

So you can see why I won't be posting this weekend. But I promsie to update with many pictures as soon as physically possible! MUCH LOVE! <3 Kari