Flat Sara and the Ambassadors

Well, Flat Sara already had the opportunity to meet the American Ambassador to the Czech Republic and the Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic (no pictures of that one, however. . .Flat Sara was a bit tired and stayed home that day).

And now she gets to meet her third Ambassador of the summer. . .the Canadian Ambassador to Italy. . .who just happens to share the last name Himelfarb.

That's right. Randomly, during my time at the CEELI annual meeting, I was introduced to a nice man who knows Ambassador Himelfarb and who was quite curious if we were related. He asked me to e-mail the Ambassador, just to say hi.

Long story short - Ambassador Himelfarb said I should come to Rome where I could visit him and his wife.

So today, I booked my SkyEurope airfare, made my hostel reservations - at a place with a pool so I can veg out before I leave Europe - and Flat Sara will soon be on her way to pictures with the Spanish Steps, the Vatican, and the Fontana di Trevi. I've been to Rome before (I guess that 3rd coin in the Fountain worked), but I have to admit that I am really excited for a little heat, some gelato, and a language that I can understand a little bit. Not to mention a visit with a long-lost cousin, several times removed. :)

In other news - I have three more documents to finish for the Burma Center, and I will be done! I feel pretty good about the work I completed this summer, the amazing connections I've made, and I really feel that I made the most out of my time here, seeing almost everything I wanted to see (besides Poland - but that will have to be a trip of its own - and I think it would have been difficult emotionally, so it would be better to do when Robert or someone could go with me).

I feel really good right now, and am psyched for the next few weeks. I have to admit that I've been quite homesick the last two weeks or so - mainly, I think, because I have a LOT to do when I get home, and I'm always anxious when I don't know exactly what I'm doing next. I know that I am going to have to get a job right away, so that's been weighing heavily on my mind. Money will be an issue for one of the first times ever in my life (I've always worked so many hours - it's odd to be this close to just making ends meet). . .but things always work out in the end, and I'm sure something will work out for me - even if that "something" is Starbucks for a few months. :) So, this trip to Rome has reinvigorated my spirit. And I'm really psyched about everything I've gotten to do and try over the past two months. I feel really happy right now.

I hope everyone is having a great Thursday!