Lesson 3: A foreign country sabbatical reminds you that empathy is learned one way - experiencing it from the other side. Where it will nest deep in your heart and settle in your soul, until it is called upon to soothe someone else someday.
- I passed the Via Quasimodo bus every day, and was reminded to stand up straight.
- I struggled with the timing and direction of the side-to-side cheek-kiss, and accidentally lip-kissed more new friends than I care to admit.
- I am now a full fledged second-hand smoker.
- You have to be as patient as clever to live in Italy.
- The US looks scary (ie. guns) and misguided (ie. election) from afar.
- I see friends last names often when passing signs for small towns.
- It's ok not to be ok some times
- Our life isn't nearly as glamorous as it may seem on Facebook.
- Americans aspire, Italians dream. There is a noticeable difference.
- I accomplished less, and lived more, than I imagined this past year.
- I am witness that if you dream big, the world will indeed dream with you.