A day.

I was going to call this post "The Best Day Ever," but as you may come to see, there was a little bit of sadness in it too. Let me count the ways.

1. Today my sister flew to Florida. She and the rest of the UC Santa Cruz water polo team are off to national championships, and I am so proud of her! Good luck Lauren!

2. Today was a food money day, which means I went from having no money, to having money!

3. I was very productive today working on my last big assignment, my portfolio for my internship. 4700 words written out of 6000, a big weight off of my mind as I began the day with only 3000 words, and it is due Friday.

4. I finally caved to my dad and bought myself a money belt for my European adventure. As lame as it will feel and look, I know it will keep my important belongings safe.

5. I got a big guidebook to Rome as well as a pop-up map, from my fabulous co-workers and friends at Footprint publishing.

6. I have a chance to write a column in a big British newspaper called The Independent. Oh I'm sorry, what was that? You want to know more? Are you sure? Well I will tell you. I mentioned in my final internship meeting that I would be keeping a journal as I travel through Europe.  My boss, a wonderful human being, who could be reading this very blog at this very moment, told me that if I write something good enough while I'm in Rome or Venice, there is a chance that he can get it into a column that Footprint runs every couple of weeks in the travel section. I am sure he knows exactly how big of a deal this is to me, as I almost leapt out of my chair I was so excited.  One step closer to living my dream of being a female Bill Bryson!  I am trying to keep this understated, you see, because like I said, he could be reading this, so shhhhh. I am completely calm and sane and no need to worry about me officer!
Edit: I am now freaking out that I was way too optimistic about this, and so if it doesn't happen, pretend like I never freaked out about it? Like that thing where you tell everyone the date and time of your driver's test, and then if you fail...everyone has to know?

7. Getting home, I was far too excited about life to stay inside, so I took my kindle, and I went for a walk along the canal. I know mom and dad, I'm not supposed to read while I am walking in public places, but I am 20 now, and A REBEL.  I soon realized it was best to focus on my book, because every time I looked up, I was greeted by a scene of such calm, simple, natural, overwhelming, simultaneously-every-adjective beauty, that I felt a pain in my stomach at the thought of leaving. Bath has found its way into my heart completely and utterly. I want to stay, so badly I want to stay. Before today, I have made the outwardly appropriate responses, the trappings and the suits of woe, if you will, but today for the first time along that canal I  felt real despair at the idea of leaving. I looked around me and felt absolutely that I could stay in this place for the rest of my life. This city is beautiful everywhere, and the love I feel for it truly cannot be expressed in words. I will miss you Bath. Maybe I'll be back sooner than you think?

Goodbye Bath