I was semi joking about the parallels of this experience so far with my first week away to college but the more I live this week the more the comparison holds.
The day started off with me introducing myself to 2 other newbies (both active duty) as we viewed the booths of all the organizations here. I am now the proud owner of the class schedules for both gyms, the full chapel schedule, and even opened up a new bank account. Yeah, that took 10 minutes so I found myself over at the coffee shop. Hey, I didn't finish drinking all my Navy Lodge coffee before sprinting out the door so this cappuccino was not overkill (I say at 2341).
Now that we knew about some of the
clubs organizations available it was time for the CO's welcoming brief. The brief really didn't present that much new information, however the CO was very entertaining. He kept referring to the base as Mayberry (which of course got me humming
Rascal Flats) because the kids all run in the streets and we're very well protected...shoot we've got 3 sets of laws covering us out here! He kept going on and on about how you have to
get outside the wire.
Okay, so I've been
outside the wire a few times. I have my reasons for staying in- jet lag and lack of transportation seem to be the two I keep justifying things with but when it comes down to it, it's fear. I told you, I'm not really that brave of a person. I analyze until my brain hurts or I've rationalized everything to the point where often I've missed out on the opportunity that once was presented. Don't laugh. There are some simple decisions that require an intense decision process- have you not seen my white board? It's all about calculated risk....risk that I've evaluated...probably way too much.
I realize that some of you are thinking that I'm insane. I hear it now, "Katie you just left your hometown to move to Italy- how is that not brave?" I can't argue with that. In all honesty there are moments where I feel it took an out of body experience or a momentary lapse in judgement to sign those acceptance papers, but in the end I know it was divine intervention.
But the bottom line?
I'm here.
And I'm here for the next 3 years.
So now what?
Well, as I enjoyed a non-microwaved meal tonight at the base dinning establishment it hit me. I was sitting there studying for my driver's license test, drinking a Dutch beer (sorry mom- I caved in less than 24 hours of our chat!), while eating fries and chicken sandwich (yeah, it's really hard to find a salad when all lettuce has been recalled due to the
E.coli breakout) I was suddenly aware of my surroundings. The one time T.G.I.Friday's building was filled with Americans, speaking English, while Katy Perry tried to convince me that I'm a firework. There were no indications that I was in Italy. I could have been in Mayberry, North Carolina...had Opie been allowed to listen to such music. I sure didn't travel all this way to have an experience like that.
I'm in Italy and I want to see Italy...but let's ease into this okay? I'm not going to lie, it's reassuring, especially right now to be surrounded by English speakers and being able to rock out to Katy, Gaga, or Taio and laugh when I look over and see high school students doing the same. I know things will continue to fall in place, but I also know that if I don't start making these little modifications now I'll end up regretting my time over here.
So my action plan? I'm putting into effect something I was hoping to delay until I was a little more settled, but I think it will encourage me to put myself out there just a tad quicker because these nerves are getting the best of me and I'm not going to lose this battle. And yes, I'm going to need your help.
Send me questions about the area or things you want me to go explore for when YOU visit me or suggestions on how to get better acclimated to my new home...this is my new home so it needs to start feeling like that. I'll pick and choose from the suggestions and then write them up. If you're lucky we'll get some videos and pictures in there too. (Nick, I'm already fearing what you're going to suggest based on your new found language skills...Kim contain your husband!)
Okay, I've identified the issue and have a plan to resolve it. SEE? I think things through! Sorry for the seriousness of this posts. Tomorrow I'll quiz you on the Italian driving signs. Please keep your fingers crossed that I pass that with flying colors- I can only miss 2 and that's a little intimidating. On the plus side my car is still in the states (GA) so I guess I have plenty of time to retake it if need be.
Yep, that is a Roman aqueduct. Well, a part of one. After being here for almost a month, I still can't get over the fact that while driving I look out the window and see remnants of buildings from civilizations older than the country I just came from. Shoot, most the time they are even older than the oldest buildings I've seen in other parts of Europe. 