Four years ago as a junior in high school, I met my kindred spirit who would go on to be one of my dearest friends, my college roommate, my Spanish tutor, my sorority sister and in all ways but blood-real sister. While I realize that it's pretty special to initiate a lifelong friendship that early on-- what made it even greater was that this aforementioned gal pal of mine happened to be the foreign exchange student. When she moved here from Milan, Italy, I was the one designated to show her around our private Catholic high school and show her the tricks of the trade and ever since that day my life has never been the same. All this time later, and here's 10 life lessons I could have never mastered without the guidance of my foreign best friend...
10. How unrealistic American movies are.
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Your obsession with high school musical is one of my favorite things about you. I'm sorry American high school wasn't quite how Zac and Vanessa made it out to be, but I think the whole "we're all in this together" still stands , right?
9. How to step out of my comfort zone.
Until I met you I was a nerdy fly on the wall (not that that's changed too much). But over the course of time I've realized that if you can drop everything and start over in America, then I can survive one little social event without too much difficulty.
8. How to appreciate the little things.
It wasn't until I watched your face the first time you tried Taco Bell that I realized how much of American culture I often take for granted. Thanks for teaching me how to stop and smell the espresso.
7. How to let loose and have a little fun.
You've always been the lively party girl Serena to my uptight Queen Blair, but throughout the course of our misadventures, I've come to learn from you that *Fergie voice* a little party never killed nobody...
6. Looking at things from a new perspective.
Even though your advice and analogies don't always translate directly to English and are a tad confusing at times, the fact that we come from two different worlds and use our experiences to help each other is one of the greatest gifts you could have ever given me.
5. How to love my family.
Aside from becoming an actual sister to me, you've basically adopted my family as your own. Whether its calling my respective parents on Father's/Mother's Day or squealing with excitement when you come over to make them dinner, you've taught me that no matter where you're from or what language you speak, love and family always come first.
4. How to be confident.
There must be something in the water in Europe because your ability to command the attention of a room and be the life of the party is pretty much amazing. Without your constant confident example, I could have never had the guts to do nutty things like attempt dark purple lipstick or wear bright red skinny jeans, and actually own it.
3. How being different is the best thing ever.
Whether it's your accent or obsession with shoes or my tendency to always have my nose in a book, you've taught me that the truest friends love our quirks the most out of anyone and value them on top of everything.
2. How to love unconditionally.
Although we drive each other absolutely insane sometimes, we love each other for each and every one of our flaws just as much as we do our positive attributes. We bring out the best in each other, but never try and change each other, and that's pretty great if you ask me. And just know I love you always, even if I don't answer the sixth voicemail you've left me about your trip to Starbucks today.
1. And most importantly-- How it is 100 percent OK to treat yourself to pasta (More than once a day).
Thanks for giving me the only nutrition tip I'll ever need.
