Autumn finally arrived, and after putting up with a few winter-esque rainy days, we have comfortably settled into the sunny, sweater-and-scarf wearing climate. (Adequately equipped with supplies from the vintage shop around the corner.) Italia at it’s finest.
In the theme of kenosis, a reiterated discipline of “self-emptying” pulled from the book Maeg and I weekly discuss, a golden carpet of fallen leaves and exposed bare branches visibly display the effects of such a season within us.
We’re shedding layers, like the surrounding world. And as winter raps on the door to takes its place, we’re asking it to hold off a little longer. There is more to surrender…
Nevertheless, time inevitably races, and three weeks have already passed since we alighted the steep hills of Cinque Terre with Whitney and Ethna; a trip worth a short novel in itself.
Cinque Terre Highlight: the coast-side terrace view of our “upgraded” hostel, the ocean backdrop during our nightly porch feasts and, ultimately, the welcomed and refreshing company of both Ethna and Whitney as we peered over the vertigo-edges of coastal cliffs. (Not to forget a worthy introduction to Ethna's Mexican chili powder and an entertaining observation of Whitney's Nutella consumption rate.)
During the following week, Dr. Parrish surprised us with a “scouting” visit for Baylor’s abroad program, invoking a timely mid-semester evaluation of our stay in Florence, both introspectively and outwardly. Appreciative for this unexpected pause, Maeg and I reflected on our densely-packed tales and transformations since August, and contemplated the unrealized stories still to unfold. Following the professor’s visit, our crawling-pace of academic life spiked and we pulled the typical collegiate cram-sessions to cross the October finish line.
Rejuvenated from a quiet four-day weekend, we excitedly received Steph into our Florentine home that quickly followed with a Fall Break vacation to Budapest and Prague…..
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