"Better pass boldly into that other world, in full glory of some passion, than fade and wither with age."-James Joyce
One of my dearest friends asked me in amidst an email what is the one word that describes me. I could not for the life of me think of a word to describe myself. We had both read the book Eat, Pray, Love written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth is trying to discover what her word is. Every email, my friend and I posed the question of whether we have decided what our word. Finally, at the end of the novel, Elizabeth Gilbert decided her word is attraversiamo Italian for "we cross over." Well, my word isn't elaborate. However, I think my word really describes who I really am.
I am a passionate person in every way. I am a passionate daughter. I think many times I have driven my parents nuts because of all the many great things I have been interested in, really wanted to do or begged to try. I am a passionate friend. When I become friends with someone, I really am a true friend. Some times I am too passionately involved in myself and in the world around me. Other times, I am passionately available for my friends when they need me most. I am passionate about what I do in life, especially my studies. I honestly think that being passionate is the best attribute that I have and also the worst attribute I have . Many times my passion has lead me to create my own demise. Then, I am forced to become compassionate about myself. Compassion is really difficult to practice when you are as passionately involved in life as am I.
Italy has become a passion of mine ever sine I first stepped foot in Rome in 2009. (I am writing this post visit) I have always wondered why I am always drawn back to Italy. I have wondered why Italy is the first place that I dream of when I need to mentally escape for a moment. It is the passion of the Italian people and the alluring nature that the culture can drive into one's soul. The stories that my Italian friends and family have shared with me are just fuel to my fiery passion. I was recently asked whether I would move to Italy........I thought very hard about this question. I would think about it one day when I am finally done with school. For now, it is my secret obsession and personal treat. Italy, for me, is like falling in love with that one person you are meant to be with in life. There is always something to learn and always something to experience. For me, Italy means just a bit more because I am Italian. I asked a dear friend of mine from Naples, Italy, what word would she describe the people of Naples. She said passion would describe the people.
Studying abroad requires a different type of independent learning apart from books and homework. It is a type of learning that requires one to get involved in a culture, understanding customs and becoming a part of the everyday living. Being Italian-American frankly, does not help with understanding the Italian culture. It did allow for me to understand what comes next. The customs of the old country were left behind when my great-grandparents came to America. They were replaced with the ideal American ways. I set out to rediscover the customs lost through time. This interdependent learning was my own desire. One has to make decisions to break down the barriers of our own culture to discover the new culture.
I think this idea is where a lot of students fail when they return home. They enjoy their experiences but they are happy to never return. Each person takes in an environment different from the next, I understand this situation. However, it is not how we learn but rather the factors of taking in that environment which makes our learning fluctuate on a different scale. To Italians, in my opinion, culture and people are most important. One can not just walk the streets of Rome and gain comprehension of a culture that has been around for millenniums. One has to allow themselves to become a part of that culture and "what in Rome do what the Romans do." The piazza is the gathering place where the daily gossip is spread over a shot of espresso. Promenading across the grand streets of Rome just won't due for the locals. Passeggiato is what Romans do. The Romans people watch and live the life that we are meant to be living. We are not meant to live to work but rather work so that we can enjoy living. Or for me.....living passionately.
