I leave in less than a week: three days to be exact. I'm feeling nostalgic not only about this summer but about my family, friends, and Hawai'i. This is the first time I'll be living away from Hawai'i, let alone home. It's only four months....I'm not expecting to get home sick, but everyone keeps telling me I'll eventually get home sick. We shall see...

I haven't really started packing yet. I guess I should start doing that. Hmmm....what to pack. I want to bring everything including my three adorably, naughty dogs! Haha.

There's so much to do, yet so little time. I'm not worried....yet!

It's finally starting to hit me! Well, maybe...

University of Hawaii started school today, and my brother leaves for Oregon tomorrow. What in the world?! I guess it really is time to get back on track for school. This summer has by far been one of the best summer's I can ever remember. I didn't have to worry about work or school :) It was nice to have probably one of the last "real" summers before the "real world" actually hits. And to think...this summer started off with one of the most amazing shoots I've been to all thanks to Kori at Little Darlings Hawaii!

I'm leaving for M I L A N next week! WHAT?!! Someone pinch me!

And the countdown begins...

It's officially August, which means that I leave in exactly thirty days! The fact that I'll be in Italy for four months is finally starting to settle in. Whoa! A wave of nervousness just hit me. What do I bring? What can I buy there? And what won't I need? Even then, how am I going to fit four months of my life into one suitcase? Nonetheless, I'm still excited!

Alyssa Wooten for Reverie Jewelry

Finally Moving

It's almost August which either means that it's time to get excited for my study abroad in Italy, or it's time to get worried because I haven't finished everything I have to do before I leave! It's a little of both to be honest. Between waiting anxiously for my VISA or buying a coat for the trip, I've been just a little on edge. I mean, I live in beautiful Hawai'i. The only time, if any, we need a coat is almost never, and I know the transition from going to summer all the time (Hawai'i weather) to way colder weather shall be interesting. Nevertheless, I'm definitely excited!

If you don't know, I'll be studying abroad in Milan, Italy for a semester (4 months). I've never been out of the country, so EVERYTHING will be foreign to me. I'll also be attending school with one of my most awesome friends, Jade. We've pretty much got all the big stuff down. We got our beautiful apartment in a safe neighborhood. (Mom, this ones for you!) We of course bought our "round-trip" plane tickets. The only thing we're really waiting for is our VISA, which we sent in last week. Apparently all the Italian consulates are on vacation until August (great for them, but not so much for us.)

The rest of the things we have to do aren't as big but are still of importance. Here's our list so far:

• Get traveler's check/figure out the money situation
• Unlock our phones
• Buy US to EU converters/Adapters
• Get physicals
• Go to the swap meet for gifts for future friends
• Government travel registration
• Sign up for miles

Pretty important stuff. There's more, but these are the more important of those things. Arrivederci!