While I was away, I experienced a life changing moment and I was able to have that moment follow me throughout two countries.

When I began this adventure, I was 13 and just finished my junior high career. On our last full day in Switzerland, I went to bed as a 13 year old and woke up on our moving day as 14. Not only was I in a different country for my birthday, but I was able to go from Switzerland to Italy on my birthday too!

In the morning everyone made sure that they had everything before we moved. In Italy, we spent the day at Lake Como. Our little group had lunch right near the water and our tour guide must have told the waiter that it was my birthday because they ended up bringing out a whole bowl of bread surrounded in dressing that spelled out “Happy Birthday!”.

Later on, my tour guide gave me and a couple other people on the tour a postcard that everyone signed and a small bag that I currently use as a wallet.

This day was an amazing way to start my year as a 14 year old as when school started, I went into high school.