The process of starting over. A few times.

I've picked up a piece of every place I've ever lived. I keep each in my most inner pocket. always close.

I grew up in a big, but quite, South African city called Port Elizabeth. By the time I was ten years old my family and I had decided it was time for something new, something bigger.

I remember sitting in the passenger seat of the car, reading a big sign by the side of the road: CAPE TOWN. I could have sworn my chest was going to explode from the excitement I felt.

We just moved to the mother city of SA.

From that point forward, my love for Cape Town and the people I met there continuously grew. I had my routine, I had my friends, I had the beautiful weather, beautiful places to see. Of course it's only now I've realized that as happy as I was, I was missing the right mindset. I made the mistakes of not working on having a good relationship with my family , not appreciating the things people did for me and most importantly not having a positive view of every situation.

After five years of living in Cape Town my parents dropped the 'we're moving to the other side of the world' bomb.

Italy.

We had earlier visited Italy on holiday so when I found out we'd be moving I wasn't too dissapointed (if you don't count the crying and mentally strangeling my parents for making me leave eveything behind). Italy is beautiful.I could see myself living there.

And so began the preparation, learning Italian daily for a good six months.

ora parlo un po 'di italiano che è buono a nulla.

Before I knew it we were at the airport, tears flooding the place. Then in the airplane. Then standing staring up at the gigantic italian buildings in awe.

It didn't take very long for me to completely fall in love with Turin and the life there. You could go out on Sunday night while it's pouring with rain and there'll still be thousands of people roaming the streets. The city itself is alive.

After only two months of living in my dream city my parents dropped the ' haha just kidding we're actually moving to Germany ' bomb. My dad had gotten a great job offer in a tiny city in the very South of Germany so in just a few days our bags were packed and we were gone.

Now 10 months later and I can't believe where the time has gone. I've met so many people who have had a huge impact on my life.

The continuous moving and uncertainties have made me realize that the most constant and solid thing in my life will always be my family.

People often ask me whether I'd move back to South Africa if I had the chance.

No. I'm so grateful for having left, I wouldn't be the same person had I not seen all the places I have or met all the people I have.Each tiny piece has changed and shaped me in some way.

I've relized how enormous the world is and how different and unique each country is on its own. I can't wait to keep exploring.