2011 v. 1870

2011
I sat on the bench, laptop in lap, sounds of cars running on George Street behind me, and twisting my foot on an acorn in an attempt to crush it. The Cistern was bustling around me with couples picnicking, other students studying, professors conversing over their classes, and a Charleston tour making its way through Porter’s Lodge. However, I was engrossed in my studying of Italian. I wasn’t taking an Italian class, although I would love to, but I was planning on a Study Abroad trip to Italy over the summer and I wanted to be prepared.

My stomach growled and realizing that I had forgotten lunch, I reached in my book bag for an apple. I unraveled it from the paper towel, cleaned it against my t-shirt, and immediately took a hard bite. I never lost any focus on my Italian. I was too determined to become fluent to not focus.

My English homework sat idly next to me, another language taking precedence at the moment. I knew I needed to do well in school for the trip to New York during Christmas break, but I just loved learning other languages. It took up my time, too. Speaking of the trip, I thought of how I needed to book the flights and find a hotel. It was going to be so wonderful to just get away and go to somewhere as magical and alive as New York City.

I stopped my studying for a moment and looked around me. Everything seemed so perfect. The weather was perfectly delightful, everyone I could see was happy, and I was on my way to experience the world.

Suddenly my laptop continued in the lesson.

“Cosa stai facendo?”

What are you doing? The question made me smile and I internally replied, “Experiencing the world.” I may be young, but I’m going to do it.


1870
I sat on the bench, book in hand, sounds of carriages running on George Street behind me, and twisting my foot on an acorn in an attempt to crush it. The Cistern was bustling around me with couples picnicking, boys studying, professors conversing over their classes, and a man leading two slaves to the market. However, I was engrossed in my studying of Italian. I wasn’t supposed to be reading anything, although I love to, but I was planning on a secret trip to Italy over the summer and I wanted to be prepared.

My stomach growled and realizing that I had forgotten lunch, I reached in my satchel for an apple. I unraveled it from the handkerchief, cleaned it against my dress, and immediately took a hard bite. I never lost any focus on my Italian. I was too determined to become fluent to not focus.

The shopping list Mother gave me sat idly next to me, Italian taking precedence at the moment. I knew I needed to do for Mother for her to approve the trip to New York during Christmas time, but I just loved learning. It took up my time, too. Speaking of the trip, I thought of how I needed to speak to Father of whether we were going by carriage or train. It was going to be so wonderful to just get away and go to somewhere as magical and alive as New York City.

I stopped my studying for a moment and looked around me. Everything seemed so perfect. The weather was perfectly delightful, everyone I could see was happy, and I was on my way to experience the world.

I looked back down on my book to be greeted by the text on the page.

“Cosa stai facendo?”

What are you doing? The question made me smile and I internally replied, “Experiencing the world.” I may be a woman, but I’m going to do it.