What were you grateful for this week?This week I was grateful for SUNLIGHT! It has been crazy nice weather. I have noticed that I have been a million times happier with the sunlight. What was the most challenging part of this week? The most challenging part of this week was getting over homesickness. I would wake up and want to think about my home, but challenged myself to focus on being here!

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.One way I helped the family this week was folding the laundry when I knew my host mom was very tired. I watched the kids extra this week to try and help my host mom out. The host dad was in meetings all week so she seemed like she could use some extra hands.

Tell us about your week!This week was a great week! Homesickness subsided significantly. I can finally enjoy my trip! I have made some new friends where I am living. This week was enjoyable and I walked several miles everyday (around the beach, around the town, to the bake shop, to get gelato) I have been walking so much I feel great. And tired, haha. This week my host mom taught me how to make different Italian meals. (SHE IS SO GOOD AT COOKING!) It has been fun learning from her. 

I have fallen in love with the children I have been watching. They have become my best friends, especially the baby since we spend most of our time together. We sing, dance, go on walks. It’s going to be hard to leave them next month! My favorite thing about where I am living is being sooo close to the beach! It has become a morning routine to walk along the beach.

Yesterday I went to the market in the city center. IT IS MY NEW FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS CITY!! They have streets and streets full of clothes, shoes, coats, fruit, and things you don’t even think you need but end up buying because it seems cool. This will be my new weekly tradition while I am here. 

Today I went to church, then after, we went to the carnival for the kids! They dressed up in cute costumes and we went and threw confetti around for a few hours. The weather here has been so amazing lately and walking around the city has become a new favorite thing of mine to do. Getting outside to enjoy fresh air is a MUST for anyone! This week has been the best yet!