Adventure is Out There!

True love. It's acted out in countless movies and TV shows. I've snuggle up under a blanket with my fair share of romance novels. Friends talk about their experiences in and out of it. My parents are definitely in on the secret. But this weekend, I was dumbfounded by just how powerful, how beautiful it truly is. Two Saturdays ago, my cousin and her fianc é  were married. I've never cried like I did that day. I felt the tears start to gush and tried to make my mouth stop its absurd quivering. My heart felt like it stopped twice: first when my cousin walked down and then again when her fianc é  did. I know it's clique, but the world stopped. Their love drew everyone and everything in. No one could escape it's warmth. After the ceremony, my father surprised me in admitting that he cried too. "Rachael, I've been to a lot of weddings, and this is the first wedding I've ever cried at." In life there are moments, smiles, poems, or desserts ...

If you're backpacking through Europe, scuba diving off the coast of Australia, surfing in Hawaii, road-tripping across the US, or studying abroad in Italy then I'd say you're on an adventure. Those things sound pretty adventurous, right? I mean, that's no ordinary, every-day stuff. But are those the only adventures out there? Those BIG ones? Last spring I was in Italy living in a foreign country surrounded by a language I was just beginning to understand. Every day, there was something new and different to experience. Italy was stuffed full of adventures, but I couldn't stop there. I found myself in Paris, Croatia, Athens, Santorini. I was here then there then way over there. I was traveling . Now? I'm sitting at a small cubicle on the 5th floor of the Towson's library. There is the ever-constant sound of someone typing away, be it to post a status or to write that essay due in a couple hours. In a few minutes, I'll pack up and head to work to...

Everyone has those days where they find themselves waking up before the sun does, maybe for school, work, or  a road trip. Your alarm goes off, you fumble for the snooze to steal back a couple more minutes. Rubbing your eyes, you stumble towards the shower or that quick bowl of cereal. It seems like this is the worst. Why, why did I have to get up? This is insane, how can anyone do this? That's what I used to think. Then, I discovered sunrises. Okay, so I know they've been around for awhile. Okay, fine, forever . But somehow I've been let in on the secret. Years ago, while I was at the beach with a group of friends I woke up at 5:00 am. The sun had not woken up, but I was. I pulled into the Wawa, grabbed a coffee, and found myself on an empty beach waiting. All of this while my friends slept in til noon. I just didn't do this for one day either. I found myself waking up every day. The next summer I started running, but not at the normal human time of mayb...

Outside. Hiking up a mountain, strolling by the sea. Going somewhere or nowhere. When I'm outside, I'm at peace. This realization didn't dawn on me until this past Saturday. Yes, I have always loved the outdoors. But the realization that I belong outside did not strike me until I was hiking through woods by Loch Raven Reservoir. There were no mountains or vall eys, no gushing rivers or waterfalls. Instead, the breath-taking view was in the simple rustle of the leaves in the wind, the sunlight through the canopy of trees, the still water, and scattered leaves on the dirt path. Nature is simply incredible. I can't even comprehend the amount of detail He put into all of his creation. Every day I pass by his masterpieces, giving them no thought. Hiking reminds me. It pulls me back to the truth, the  truth of His greatness.

You're okay. Even on the days that you think you aren't. You are. Life is good. There are just those moments where you can't quite see that, like trying to see out your dewy car window. Leaves still rustle in the wind. Acorns still scatter the ground, waiting to be cracked. The sun still rises. God is still there. You're okay.

You step outside of yourself and realize that this is a moment, this is a memory you want to hold on to. And you know it will end, so you find yourself looking around, everywhere, left and right. Your nose grabs on to any smell it can. You try to embed every detail you can in your store of precious memories. There I was, in the middle of a crowd, hunched under a hasty umbrella canopy my friend and I created. My free hand clung to hers and we inched our feet towards our chests. The rain persisted on our backs as the thunder pounded louder and louder. We were so very wet. And it was glorious. Yes, we came for Ed Sheeran. And yes, he completely blew me away with every note he hit, every harmony, every humble smile. But, I will forever remember the concert as that moment. That moment under umbrellas. That moment of screaming with the crowd at every lightning strike. That moment of laughter at our wet selves. That moment of finding joy in the storm.

When you read a book, you find yourself becoming attached. Their lives become yours. You cherish their moments, their words. You let them linger as reality pulls you away for short time. But the first chance you get, you open the pages and step back into your current life. Your reality becomes the fantasy and the fantasy becomes the reality. At least until the last page.

There are moments in life where you have to leap, take a chance. Some take a road trip to anywhere. Others get that tattoo that's been lingering at the edge of every thought. I dyed my hair. Red . It's not a life altering decision. It get the occasional, "ooOOhhh let me see you hair!! When'd you do that??" Besides that, life's been pretty normal. Billy Joel sings me awake, I find myself dressing, and I'm off for a run. OR I put Billy on hold via the magic of Snooze and I doze back into a fuzzy, warm doze. But I dyed my hair. ME. Permanently . When I look in that mirror, there I am (no, duhh). But then I start running a hairbrush through my hair and RED . The under layers of RED peek through. I'm not the same Rachael before I boarded that plane to Italy. I'm not sure if others notice, but I can tell, I can feel it in my gut . The RED reminds me of that, reminds me that I've grown . Flying across the Atlantic, living in a foreig...

This past weekend took me to St. Mary's College. The water, the sunshine, and most importantly the people. Have you ever been asked,"If you could live anywhere, where would you live?" It's not really a fair question because even if Miami, Boston or even Rome is your favorite place on Earth, you can't live there without the people you love. If I've learned anything over the past 20 years, it's that life is nothing without the people you love. That's why I fell in love with St. Mary's this past weekend. My twin, Laura, was there and I had forgotten just how much fun we have together. We laugh about the stupidest jokes and talk about the most random. We're really weird people. But it's amazing. Amazing to find that weird spirit of yours embodied in someone else. And it wasn't just her. She has incredible friends that made me feel right at home. Plus, there were quite a few FIRSTS: First time sailing. First St. Mary's sunset...

"Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life." A quote that I have tried to live by since I chose it to sit under my senior portrait in high school. Until recently, though, I had completely forgotten about the quote and the movie that breathes life into it:  Tuck Everlasting . The words came back into focus when I was desperately searching for adventure with the help of my trusty assistant: Google.  Ever since landing back here in good ol' Murica, a different sort of adventure began. The adventure to adjust to American life, the adventure to get to know my family again, the adventure of driving everywhere, and the seemingly lack of adventure.  With three cars, four people, I found myself stranded at home with little to do. Friends were off continuing adventures in Europe, at internships in Boston, or off on a beach somewhere. I was napping with my dog.  Now don't get me wrong, napping with the cutest pup is nothing to be taken lightly. I craved cudd...

It's 4:38. In the morning. A.M. Normal humans aren't awake yet. Even the sun isn't up. Yet here I am, writing this blog post. My last post that I will write in Italy. How did I get here? Didn't I just hop on a plane headed for Rome? Didn't I just start this crazy adventure? The expression "time flies" definitely applies. I never saw myself at this day, the day I go home. It was always off in the future somewhere, somewhere intangible. Yet here it is. My suitcase is packed, my duffel stuffed. The dishes are done and the floors are swept. All that's left is to say my good-byes to my second home. With my socks on, I only need to tie up my tennis shoes and I'll be out, walking the streets. Where will I walk? I don't know. Don't have a clue. I just want to walk, just one more time, through Rome. Rome and my experience here have taught me so much. Every study abroad student insists the same thing, but really. It has. This whole...

Last weekend in Rome. Last adventure. I spent my last weekend in Italy in Cinque Terre ("Five Lands"). It consists of five towns, one of which I stayed in and fell in love with: Manarola. My friend Megan and I feel in love  with Manarola. When we arrived, we hiked up the all-uphill street to our hostel, a pastel green building. In our room, I opened our shutters to reveal a glorious view of the town and the ocean. Once settled and suited up (bathing suits) we headed out to explore the town. As we headed back down the street, we paused multiple times to take pictures of the pink, orange, and yellow houses. It could have been a painting. As we explored, ate, and filled our bellies with gelato we began to get to know the town. And then there was the sea. The deep turquoise and navy ocean  shown in the warm sun. It was unreal. We found a spot by the water, spread out, and soaked in the rays. After what felt like a couple minutes we were already toasty and sweat...

When you think about studying abroad, especially in Europe, you start to make a mental wishlist of the places you want to see, the places you want to go.   I didn't have much expectations coming here except for good Italian food. I knew I wanted to travel, but where this semester would take me was up in the air.  Everywhere and anywhere was an adventure. But there was one place that I did dream of going, one place that seemed to be only a dream. Croatia .  As I looked up and booked my many adventures, Croatia was always on my mind. However, getting there was the problem. Planes didn't travel to Croatia until the summer. The only other option was by train and ferry, an expensive and arduous journey. Then, Bus2alps made it all happen. Bus2Alps is a traveling agency that caters to study abroad students, planning trips to hot destinations and events like Springfest and Carnivale in Venice.  As I began to lose hope of ever seeing Croatia, Bus2Alps ...

This past Wednesday, Papa Francesco and I hung out for the last time. To truly appreciate the moment, we decided to go for a regular picture instead of a selfie together. Look at that smile!! That man is so filled with hope and joy. I lost count of how many babies and children he kissed. Even though there might be several problems in the Catholic Church, having someone like Papa Francesco at the head can't help but make you feel better. He truly fills me with hope. But, last Papal audience? I can't believe it. The lasts have already started. Never before have I felt this overwhelming feeling that is completely bittersweet. Half of me never, ever wants to leave this place, the food, the culture, these friends. Half of me cannot wait to see my family, my friends, and especially my dog. I'm absolutely torn. Whenever I realize my days here are numbered though, I resist the urge to just sit down and cry. Rome is such a beautiful city. It's become my city, m...

I spent the beginning and end of the the Lenten season with Papa Francesco.  So blessed!! I mean, We're practically best friends now with our two selfies. He may not have known I was taking it, but he's a spiritual guy. He sensed it.                                           Ash Wednesday                        Easter Sunday  Before the sun woke up, my friend and I were on the tram on our way to the Vatican. When in Rome, you can't just go to any old church for Easter when the Vatican is right around the corner!  We arrived and took our place in line. They weren't quite ready for us and we waited along with everyone else to be allowed into St. Peter's Square. When the time came, we didn't quite sprint as others did but allowed ourselves a nice "trot." We scanned the seats, straining our n...

Even though I didn't go on a "weekend trip," this past weekend was still chock-full of adventure. I'm in Italy!!! How could it not be? Friday:  Everyone is familiar with the pang of disappointment that accompanies soaring expectations.  It can happen with a book, a movie, a restaurant, or even a song.  But then, there are those experiences that go above and beyond your already high expectations.  One of those magical experiences is the Tivoli Gardens.  My roommates had already painted beautiful pictures in my mind the week before, insisting that it was one of the most beautiful places they had ever been. The way they talked about it, I expected the gardens to be just as beautiful as Santorini. Well it was. When I walked out on one of the balconies of Villa d'Este, I was at a loss for words.  The sun peaked over the tall trees, revealing picturesque pathways bordered by hedges and flower pots. The sound of water bubbling and rus...

This past weekend was full of adventures, adventures to places that I've only dreamt about. Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Capri. Did I really go there? The pictures say I did, but it's hard to believe it. Day 1: Mount Vesuvius Waking up inhumanely early, I scrambled to finish the packing that was supposed to be done the night before. As we rushed out the front door, we were greeted with lightning, rain, and more rain. Basically a torrential downpour. Soaking wet and excited to be leaving the rain behind, I boarded the bus, ready to begin the adventure. As the bus traveled farther and farther from the Rome, we left the rain for fog. As the bus lurched back and forth up the switchbacks, I strained to see a glimpse of a view, but the cloud was persistent in swallowing us whole. After endless switchbacks, it came time to set off on foot. With the rain, the fog, the damp all around, I couldn't help but just smile. I was on a volcano . No bad weather could take that away. Th...

I know, I am splitting my Spring Break post into two parts, but can you honestly expect me to condense everything about Paris, Athens, and  Santorini to one post? I already have to leave things out! Part II: Greece As sad as it was to leave Paris (because it definitely was) I was headed for Athens. There, my friend and I were greeted with sunshine and warm weather, a relief after a previous chilly day in Paris. The day after our arrival, the adventures began. We made our way to the Acropolis, which I knew nothing about (well, except for the Pantheon). It was more than I could have ever imagined. So much is hidden in the hill's nooks and crannies, like the Caves of Zeus and Apollo, amphitheaters, ruins, and old churches. Next, we wandered over to Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus (or what remains of it anyway). Even though only a handful of columns remain, the pure awesomeness (in the true sense of the word) of the temple still lingers. Once we circled the ruins a ...

First, I just want to say how truly blessed my life is. Who would have thought, even a year ago, that I would spend my spring break in France and Greece?! I definitely would not have. I would have laughed in your face. That was my spring break though. Adventures in Paris, Athens, and Santorini. Part I: Paris I didn't think it was possible to love another city as I love Rome. Paris proved me wrong real fast. I knew I was in love as soon as I stepped into the Louvre. Let me tell you, that museum is chalk full of art. Chalk full . I could easily spend a week in there. I mean, I did spend four hours there without even realizing it. La Vierge à l'Enfant, sainte Elisabeth et saint Jean enfant dans un paysage Attribtued to Giulio Romano   in the Workshop of Raphael Psyché ranimée par le baiser de l’Amour by Antonio Canova Those are only two of the jaw-dropping pieces. And yes, I did see the Mona Lisa. And yes, of course I got a selfie! Once my friend and I l...

That was the question when I finally put aside the time to book my flight. It turns out that Turin and Torino are the same beautiful city. I found myself boarding my flight bright and early Friday morning to Torino for my 1-credit field trip. Financially, I should have never gone, but when it comes to Italy, I don't really think in financial terms. I either follow my heart or my belly.  When I travel by plane, the buzz of the engines puts me right to sleep. This time, however, my face was practically smushed against the unjustly small window. We flew over the ocean for the majority of the flight with a clear view of mountains after mountains after mountains. I mean, look at this view as we were descending. Once we landed, there was no time to rest. As soon as we found our professors, we boarded the bus to adventure to the vineyard, Fontana Freda. Looking back at the trip, Fontana Freda was definitely my favorite.  Our tour took us down through the cellars and...