So, what am I supposed to say? I mean, I haven't left yet, so should I talk about how excited I am? I guess the purpose of this blog will come out as I write it. I'm mainly starting it so I don't have to tell everyone, every single one of my stories over and over again. Then I can just say, "just read my blog!" I think it'll also become a travel journal for me that I'll always have, as long as the internet is in existence!
So what do I plan on posting here? I'll be gone for almost four months, January 15th - April 30th. Eh, I guess I'll post pictures and videos of each trip I take, my reflections on the week, and even polls on the side of the page. I think that's kind of cool. I might be indecisive about what to do one weekend and I'll just ask my readers. Not a bad idea for something that just popped into my head!
Since my faith is very important to me and has really blossomed over the past year, I'll frequently reflect on my faith journey and what it's like to be a Catholic in a "Catholic" country. Something like 90% of Italy is Catholic, but only 30% are practicing. The divorce rate is climbing past 12%. Big Italian families are a thing of the past, as more and more couples are having only one or two children. Actually only 1.32 children per woman according to the CIA World Factbook. How is it that the country that the head of the Catholic Church resides in, (I know, he technically lives in Vatican City, but you know what I mean) only one third are practicing Catholics?
Throughout this trip I'll miss so many wonderful people that are so close to me. I'll miss my whole CCM community at Mason, especially my discipler Andy Norton and all the awesome guys in my bible study. And sure, I guess I'll miss my family too. :) Of course I'll miss them! Michael will have nobody to play video games with! Most of all, I'll miss my grandma, obviously. Without her, I probably wouldn't be the person I am right now.
I probably won't update this until it gets closer to my trip, but be sure to stay updated!
Arrivederci!
