The FAQ

Usually when you go to a website, you'll find a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. These days I've been getting one main question. Well I have just a little under 2 months of living in Rome. The main question I get is: "Are you getting excited about going back to Florida or are you getting sad about leaving Rome?" Another similar question is "Which place do you like living in more?" The simple answer to both of those questions is "both". I tell people more in depth that you cannot replace Rome, and you simply cannot replace Florida, either. So I figured I'd share what I miss about Florida (Jacksonville and Gainesville) and what I will miss about Rome. This of course is not an exhaustive list of everything.

Florida

• Driving: Ok, I'm not lazy in the sense you might be thinking but I do just miss driving around and getting to listen to music on my stereo. It'll also be nice not having to wait around for buses and the subway which often can run late in Rome. (Note: I don't miss having to pay for absurdly priced gasoline)
• Going to the Beach/Surfing: I miss just driving from Orange Park to Jax Beach. Part of that experience simply has to do jammin to my favorite beachy type of music on that 30 minute drive. And I totally just miss that feeling of paddling out and catching some waves.
• My Guitars: One of my hobbies that has also been put on hold in Italy. It's just one of those things for me that is a stress reliever and an enjoyable learning experience.
• Skateboarding: As much as I love taking strolls around Rome, I miss getting to skateboard around almost everywhere to get around. Cobblestone and badly paved sidewalks will put a small damper on that.
• The UF Campus: The campus at UF is just so magnificently beautiful to me. I'll probably take more time to just enjoy strolls around the campus as I do in the center of Rome.
• Food: Don't get me wrong, I can eat Pizza and Pasta everyday now, but some things I'll probably devour when I get back to the States include Chic-Fil-A, Sonny's BBQ (Mmmm that pulled pork drenched in Sweet BBQ Sauce), Taco Bell, Moe's, and can I just get some Steamers up in here?
• Gator Games: Dude...this doesn't really need an explanation. I just miss it. (Note: My teams I support tend to do better when I'm not in the locale. For example, I was in Gainesville when Italy wont the World Cup in 2006 and then I was in Rome when the Gators won two of their 3 championships.
• Palm Trees: This also includes the nice nature you can find in Florida.
• Family and Friends: Ok this one is kind of already assumed but I know if I didn't list it my parents (Hi Mom and Dad) would have probably thought I didn't miss them.

Rome

• Food: Yeah this is high on the list. This first of all includes the quality of produce you can find in grocery stores and markets. The fruit and vegetables just seem more colorful, fresher, sweeter, crisper, and pretty much better in any way you can think of (even price).
• Food (part 2): There are just a number things you can't get in the States. This includes [good] fresh mozzarella, prosciutto crudo (raw but cured ham), pancetta, suppli, Roman Style Pizzas, and I could go on for days. Those of you who'll be around me back in Florida, I apologize ahead for the times I'll be saying "Oh I wish I just could have [fill in the blank]"
• Living in a really old city: This history of Rome goes at least 2000 years back. That's just insane. One of my favorite things is that being in a city with so much history, you feel like you're living in the midst of the history. Even as a Christian, reading stories from the New Testament can seem like it's made up especially since the stories are like 2000 years old. However, being in Rome makes you feel more so connected to these stories, especially if you visit places like Peter and Paul's prison in the Roman Forum.
• Cobblestone Roads: Ok, so these can make rides uncomfortable and it eliminates the aiblity to skateboard but there is just something mystifying about these roads. Sometimes my eyes get lost in some of the awesome patterns in them.
• Italian Culture: I realized there is a reason why they are known for "La Dolce Vita" (the sweet life). Life is so slow paced around here and there is a huge emphasis on family and friendship. I love how most of the shops are still family owned and operated. If you ever get a chance to experience this, you'll probably laugh how we Americans are so fast paced.
  
• Italian Football: Ok, Italian soccer blows American professional sports out of the water, and it'll give college sports a run for its money. Combine the action, the singing, the flares, political groups, and the fear that you almost could lose your life at the game makes you have one incredible adrenaline rush.
• Italian Coffee: I never realized how I adapted to this until friends of mine in the states visit and try it and just are like "gross!" Yeah, an Italian in Gainesville once told me that American Coffee is like brown water. I totally agree with that now. When again will I be able to get a good quality espresso or cappuccino for less than a buck?
• Big City Life: I've always lived in a smaller city, so living in a big city was quite fun. I loved that I could easily take public transport most places. I will also miss being in a place where a ton of tourist from all over the world come. Hearing different languages from all over the world is just a trip.
  
• Amici: I'm definitely going to miss all my friends from here. This might be tougher than missing friends from back home because I'm returning home. It may be a while before I get to see my Italian friends. At the same time it means I have plenty of reasons to come back.