Back in Italy, while outside on Nicole’s parents’ terrace eating homemade tiramisu and gazing wistfully at our red Fiat Grande Panda below, her mother asked Bex and Jamal and me where we come from. When she finally got to me, and before I could say I’m some CREEP from the States, Nicole interjected: “Ryan is just Ryan. He is his own species.”

:,)

finally made an appearance in a nicole dream . . . AND a dream-within-a-dream! wow!

I miss my friends . . . we’re already planning another trip to Romania in the fall (lol)

P.S. In addition to all the “Wow! Ryan in shorts!” texts I keep getting, you all keep asking . . .

I don’t know! But they are angels, all of them.

(I’m trying to set Emma O. up with Jamal . . .)

i am in italy and i’m picking up the rental car (i’m the only one who can drive)