A few days ago, a dear friend of mine posted on a mutual friend's Facebook page, "I really miss the Italy I knew before you left.  It is like a totally different place."  These statements affected me in a few ways; first I was sad for my friend who is missing her adventure buddy, talking late into the night buddy, go to friend for getting lost on the tight streets of southern Italy and much more.  After I too mourned the departure of this dear friend whose trademark saying was "I'm free that day!"  I felt a fire ignite in my spirit, and with only nine weeks left before we return to the US, I said, "It's go time."  I've spent the last year working through my first time presiding over a Christian organization.  I was given the incredible opportunity to sit as president of PWOC  (Protestant Women of the Chapel), the organization that helped me to meet all of these amazing women and build so many strong friendships over the course of our three years in Italy.  But, as this year winds down, I will be honest...I'm tired and I'm feeling that I haven't been able to put much effort into actually spending quality time with these women I've known or getting to know the 100+ new women we have welcomed since September.  (100+!!!  God is building this ministry!)  Please don't get me wrong, this experience of leading this group is definitely in my top 10 of experiences I won't forget, and I mean that in the best way.  It has been a massive year of growth for me, I have sought, leaned on, and depended on God more than ever.  I have loved every trial, challenge, triumph, lesson learned and warm hug I have received at PWOC.  These women have watched me laugh, cry, stumble, rise back up and, just recent, dance my tail off.   

As my friend's words bounced around my brain, I said to myself, "If I get on that plane in June exhausted, I want to be exhausted from spending time with these ladies adventuring around our piece of the world.  I don't want to sit on that plane thinking about the things I could have done in my last two months with them, I want to reminisce about the sites we soaked up during a hike on the Path of the gods, or the laughs we had over cappuccini and cornetti at one of the million cafes around us, or the flat tires we changed on the side of the road (this really happened), or the plans we made to adventure around the States when we all get back there."  With that, I mentioned my thoughts to three friends who said in their own way, "I'm free that day!"  I set out to make my list of places I want to go, adventures I want to take before I say "Arrivederci, bella Napoli!"  Here's a few:

One more cooking class at Porta di Mola, (now scheduled for May 9th),

The English Gardens at Caserta Palace (have never been, hence no photo)

Hike the Path of the gods

Positano from aboveSeriously.

Tile Cove and stairs climb

A Vietri trip

A day on the island of Ischia

Have boated around several time, only walked it for an hour once.

Gaeta

From the Turks Grotto

And whatever else my adventure seeking friends bring to the table!