fugacious: lasting but a small time; fleeting

As I near the end of the semester, my days have been filled with large doses of stress. Over the course of the weekend, I got to know Karl Marx and Che Guevara very well as I've been desperately trying to write a twenty page research paper, prepare for an Italian exam and keep up with my other work. Despite all of this, I've tried to take advantage of the little moments, the fugacious ones.

I was rushing to meet my Italian professor, when I ran into this lovely girl on campus. She then left me this surprise in my inbox. It brightened my day.

Saturday night, I was truly a BYU student. I took a break from my research, and we played games. At my apartment. Eating popcorn. And got very worked up about beans [the game is Bahnanza. Look it up, you'll thank me]. And, well, I must say, I enjoyed myself.

Kirsten is a skilled entrepreneur. She was quite pleased with herself for beating all of us.

I forgave her though. Kirsten and I are both refreshingly peculiar. We both find a strange joy in going grocery shopping, sugar-free jell-o, clean counters, doing our laundry and cooking while watching TLC.

In the words of the Little Prince, "No one is ever happy where he is." While entering my theory class today, I saw girl in a wheel chair come out of the classroom. I later learned that she had just recently had one of her legs removed, due to cancer. Despite that obviously huge trial, she looked sincerely happy. She still went to class. She still had her life. I'm grateful I still have both of my legs. They might not work perfectly, but they're pretty great. And I'm grateful for where I am, despite how annoying dirty counters, crumbs on floors, hairs on the sink and clutter are and how desperately I often wish to be where I am not.

Thank goodness for those fugacious moments.

[This was while I was in Slovakia]

Il Palio di BYU.

A brief history of: The Palio. This festival is an integral part of Siena's culture. First recorded in 1823, the city's 17 contrade (districts) are represented by a single jockey, ten of whom are chosen to race in the Palio.

Held twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the contrade prepare for months in an effort to win. The winning contrada is believed to be re-born and it is a huge honor. Despite the months of anticipation, the winner is decided in a roughly 1.5 minute race where the jockeys ride their horses bareback around the perimeter of the main piazza in Siena.

Since we can't all travel to Siena for the real Palio, BYU's Italian classes are split into contrade and we hold a Palio every semester. (This one was particularly exciting for me because, on August 16th, I will have my own contrada to cheer for!)

For the time being, I am contenting myself with...



...singing the theme sing for Drago, my BYU contrada.



Listening to Professor Noble speak.



Eating mediocre Italian food with Layne.



And of course, watching our jockey's duke it out.

Professor Bonomi, the director of the Dante Alighieri school in Siena where I will be interning, has been visiting BYU for the past two weeks. I've had the opportunity to meet with him multiple times. He's a wonderfully kind man and is leaving for Siena soon- the Palio was a nice way to say good-bye, for now.

Molte cose di essere grati.

Life has been hectic, beautiful and is full of wonderful anticipation.

Layne and I just spent quality time at this great little coffee shop we've discovered (tables made out of tree stumps, a plethora of old National Geographic's, chess, Scrabble, leather couches- need I say more?) We enjoyed our rooibos tea and being young, attempting to plan our Italian adventures, etc. together.

We met Marshall, who tried to recruit us to be flight attendants for the airline he pilots for, and Adelia, from Russia, who couldn't wait to finish her internship and visit her family back in Moscow.

I know these photos are obscenely late, but here is a brief update of my life.



Halloween Half Marathon.



Carving pumpkins with Jeff and Tyler.



I went to my first BYU football game.



And I ate (a bite) of my first football game hotdog. Impressed? My face says it all.



Sunsets are just delightful. They make me want to sing.



Best friends getting engaged. And married.



Christmas Joy.



A marvelous morning of surprises.



Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Bittersweet, like 70% Dark Chocolate.



Small planes are not for the weak of stomach. But the view is oh so delightful.



Spring driving and way too much Diet Coke.



Much belated delectable birthday cupcake.



Unleashing my artistic side at Color Me Mine.



Goofy friends and Russian markets.

Life is unpredictable and wonderful. As I am preparing for my internship in Italy this summer, I'm constantly reminded of how lucky I am. I mean, really-
Hawaii and Italy,
traveling with Layne,
interning at Dante Alighieri.

So much to look forward to.