la mattina

la mattina from Darlene Melendez on Vimeo.

xo,
the woodland nymph

nothing haunts us like the things we don't say

Hi, I'm Darlene and I think you're attractive.
Hi, I'm Darlene and I think we'd be great friends.
Hi, I'm Darlene and I think you're a really cool person.
Hi, I'm Darlene and I think your shoe is untied.
Hi, I'm Darlene and I think we'd be perfect for each other.


I can't do it... But I wish I could.

Once upon a time I was in make believe

If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.

— Jane Austen

September 5, 2012 — the day I had been waiting for all year. Butterflies in my tummy, stress from all the packing I had to do, and anxiety in preparation of my very first flight... I can still remember it all.

Fast forward to this very second. It is January 1st and I'm back in Los Angeles. I'm no longer living in Italy. Now I've lived in Italy. Nothing makes me sadder than referring to this place in the past tense.

I thought about going into full detail of every trip I took, summarizing every moment and feeling... But I'd rather not further what I like to call my "post abroad depression." Instead I'll ask you a question.

Want to find happiness?

It's in a house filled with strangers who turn into the best of friends. Weekend trips to nowhere and anywhere. Sleepless nights, tiramisu, and even in missed trains. Climbing 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. Feeling cobblestone under your feet. Driving through Florence with 50 people in a baby blue Baspi bus. Petting a sweet chocolate lab named Izzy. Cringing after realizing that the yummy meat you consumed was actually rabbit. Befriending Italians. Milan Fashion Week. Taking cheesy photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Walking to Medici's for gelato. Hating yourself every night before another reading quiz. Learning how to avoid the creepers at the San Lorenzo market. Tasting genuine Italian pizza for the first time. Watching Flamenco shows in Spain. Getting blown off the top of a volcano. Sleeping in until noon after a night out. Stumbling across an Italian reggae concert in the park. Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Chocolate wafers. Ballroom dancing in a castle. Mastering the London underground system. Getting lost in Harrod's. Riding a red double decker bus. Making nonsense videos on iPhones with friends. PUPPIES. Receiving compliments from cute locals. Plane rides. Finding your luggage in the baggage claim. Meeting up with your best friend in Barcelona. Making a wish in the Trevi Fountain. Getting the window seat in a plane. Long talks with the best program director ever. Christmas markets. Not getting gypsied. Carving your name on the top of the Duomo. Going on long walks beside the Arno River. Cheeseballs. Finding your new family in Florence.
And then some.

That's where I found happiness.

ciao,

Darlene

 listen to: "broken bones"
 by aqualung

Ps. You can sneak a peek of happiness here:


Florence Fall 2012 from Darlene Melendez on Vimeo.

two thousand twelve: a fragmented recollection

high hopes for a new year. going from hating my school to falling in love with it. new friends. new wonderful, wonderful friends. a new place to call home. not wanting to leave this place. losing my furry princess. finding her. a summer filled with spontaneous adventures to nowhere and anywhere with my best friend. working all day every day. packing. losing a "best friend." more packing. stressing. even more packing. even more stressing. my first flight. my first time being far away from home. feeling alone again. breaking out of my shell. meeting new people. finding a second family in Florence. living my dream. leaving this magical place...

2012, you are now coming to a close... a bittersweet, but inevitable, close.
With this, I bid you adieu.
You will be missed.

ciao,
Darlene