Running With You

Accettazione ~ 어음의 인수

Tick-tock, tick-tock,tick-tock

We all crowded around the small kitchen table, eyes glued to the screen of my laptop. My email inbox was sitting there, empty. 

My father put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a comforting look. "Cara mia, do not worry. Whatever happens, we are still very proud of you." I smiled, grateful for his reassuring words. That didn't stop the nervousness in my body and the pounding in my chest. 

My mother started to stroke my hair. "Sì, sì, whatever happens, you are still the best!" She held my father's hand. "Alessandro, nobody would dare to reject our daughter, and if they did, I would fly all the way to Korea and tell them what is what!" She yelled. I laughed, still not peeling my eyes away from my screen. My father laughed as well. "Cosima, we have no need to worry. Either she goes and lives her life in Korea studying the fish, or she stays here and you can feed her more of your lasagna, eh?" My mother laughed at this, but I could see tears making her eyes glossy, as mine were too. It wasn't an easy thought to think of leaving home. 

But that was all futile if I didn't receive this email. This one email that would determine whether I get into the marine school of my dreams or I have to figure out another plan. 

Suddenly, as we were all lost in thought, my laptop chimed and a new email popped up on my inbox page. We all gasped or screamed, or did a little bit of both, as I scrambled to click on the email. I hovered my mouse over the email and, even though this was the moment I had been waiting for over two weeks for, I was hesitant. 

My mother urged me, "Che cosa fai? What are you waiting for, open it!" I heeded her words and clicked on the email. I closed my eyes and slowly opened them again to see what the verdict was. 

Dear Ms. Sosolini, 

Congratulations! We are pleased to tell you that we have accepted your application to enroll in the South Korea Marine Institute. Please read this email and download the sent files to know all the information needed to complete the enrollment process. 

We look forward to seeing you on campus very soon!   

Both my parents and I jumped up and screamed with delight, hugging each other. "Oh mio cuore! I have to call your zie, zii, cugini, nonni, everyone! La tutta famiglia!" She shouted joyfully, still hugging me tightly. My father laughed. "Brava, Chiara! I knew you could do it." I wiped a stray tear away and hugged my parents tightly. 

We all broke off the long hug and my mother clapped her hands together. "Now, we celebrate! I will invite everyone and we will have a great family dinner. Alessandro, you come help me with cleaning the vegetables, yes?" My mother smiled at me. "We will leave you to get your information." She kissed me on the forehead before leaving. "Sono così orgoglioso." I am so proud.

I smiled and sat back down to face my computer. Congratulations, accepted, see you soon. It was now sinking in that I had really been accepted into the school of my dreams. The South Korea Marine Institute was world-renowned for having one of the best programs for studying marine ecosystems and wildlife. Growing up in Cinque Terre, I always had a love for the ocean and marine life, especially loving to photograph them. Now, I would get to spend my life studying and photographing them at the best marine institute in the world. After that, who knows what?

Still, I found myself wiping away the tears that were streaming down my face. It was going to be incredibly hard to be so far away from my family. My family was my life, and I couldn't imagine waking up and them not being downstairs drinking un caffè and reading il giornale. But if it was what I needed to do to follow my dreams and pursue my passions in life, I had to do it.

I downloaded all the information that I needed and printed out my enrollment papers, then closed down my computer. For now, the marine institute could wait. I wanted to spend my last night before leaving for Korea with my family. 

After a huge dinner with almost all my family (they had all come to celebrate me getting into the institute) it was time for bed. I got ready for bed, placing my printed out enrollment papers on top of my desk. I sighed, a feeling of both excitement and nervousness rushing through my body. Would I do okay by myself in a foreign country? Would I be able to handle what it would take to pursue my dreams of becoming a world-travelling marine wildlife photography? Could I really pull it off?

Just as I was getting lost in negative thoughts, my mom came into my room. "Che cosa è? You cannot sleep, you are too excited?" I shook my head, sitting on the edge of my bed. The adrenaline was wearing off and the fear was sinking in. I suddenly burst into tears. "What if I can't do it, mamma?" My mom cooed gently and sat right next to me, leaning my head on her shoulder and stroking my hair. "Non ti piangi, mia figlia." Don't cry, my daughter. "You can do anything that you set your mind to. All you need is dedication and hard work." 

I sniffled. "But it's Korea. I've never been, I don't speak the language very well, and I only know Italy." "You said yourself that this institute is for students all over the world, so courses are taught in English mostly. Besides, you have been studying the language, preparing yourself for this moment." She laughed. "It is good that you see the world, as long as you always return home to Italy, eh?" We both laughed, me through the tears. 

My mother sat me up and grabbed my face in her hands. "Look at me. Guardi a mi." I looked at her. She looked into my eyes with her comforting, kind eyes and smile. "I would never lie to you, yes?" I nodded. She smiled brighter. "I know with my whole heart that you can do this. You are more than capable, more than enough, and more than ready." I smiled. "You really think so?" She nodded. "I know so, mia figlia." 

She let go of my face and fished around in her apron pocket. "Here, I have something for you. I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but I think I should give it to you now." She pulled out a beautiful silver necklace with a white sparkly sea turtle on it. I gasped in delight as she put it in my hands. "It was always your favorite animal, and it always reminded me of you. Calm, wise, and mature." I smiled at the piece of jewelry, feeling the tears come on again. "Grazie mille, mamma." I hugged her tightly. 

She hugged me back, smiling. I could tell that she was crying as well. "You deserve it, and more." We finally composed ourselves and sighed. "Alright, you get to bed. We have to arrive at the airport very early tomorrow." She stopped by my bedroom door and smiled. "Buona notte!" She closed the door gently, leaving me with good thoughts. I went to sleep that night smiling, excited, and clutching the sea turtle necklace in my hands.  

The next day came so fast. Suddenly, we were all at the airport, and by all, I meant my entire family, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, you name them, they were there. I was getting ready to board the plane and to say my goodbyes. I hugged and said goodbye to all my relatives, and then I stopped at my dad. "Arrivederci, papà." I smiled, blinking back tears. My dad, through his thick eyebrows and bushy mustache, was emotional as well. He smiled, shutting his eyes as he hugged me. "Ciao, mia figlia." 

We let go and I turned to my mom. "I will miss you so much." I started crying and my mom did as well. She tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ears. "You will be great, Chiara. Remember who you are and never forget where you come from." We both hugged each other, not letting go for a while. 

Finally, we let go and it was time for me to get on the plane. I shouted out a loud, "Ciao!" to everyone before walking away from them and onto the plane. I waved to them and watched as they disappeared from my sight. I wiped away my tears and boarded the plane, greeting the stewardesses and sitting in my seat. As the plane was about to take off, I could feel my heart pounding. It was pure adrenaline and excitement coursing through my veins. There was a pang of sadness upon thinking about my family. I felt my sea turtle necklace around my neck, remembering the tender moment I had with my mom. I remembered her words, "You can do anything you set your mind to if you are dedicated and you work hard." 

Suddenly, a voice rang over my thoughts. "Decolleremo per l'aeroporto di Incheon in Corea del Sud."  We will be taking off for Incheon Airport in South Korea. The engines started, the plane sped down the runway, and began its ascent to into the clouds. I smiled. 

I'll make you proud, mamma.