Michael comes to visit!!!! =]]]

Hey bloggers!!
  Sorry if my last one was a little rushed:) I might have been a little excited to get to this one:) And yes, this one is going to be a little sappy, but this is my blog, and I call the shots:)
    So when I got back from Greece, I had the night to do some laundry and get everything cleaned up for when Michael got here the next day:) I woke up really early and went to the airport, really really early so I was positive I wouldnt miss him:)
  Finally he came through the sliding doors and I got to give him a hug for the first time in 9 weeks. Let me tell you people, I will never go that long again. I missed him, and already miss him so much. Anybody who has done distance, especially distance between two different continents, you know what Im talking about. Communication is such a challenge, trust, and patience, and everything is such a challenge. But its so worth it. Being away from one another has been one of the greatest things for mine and Michaels relationship. I honestly think that. We have done so much maturing and growing together through all this time apart. Bah Im making myself tear up just writing about it:)
   So anyways he got here safe and sound, starving and exhausted, but he was here and I have never been happier:) What an incredible blessing he is, and that he had the chance to come visit me=] I feel so lucky that he could come be here, not many couples get to travel, let alone get to spend a week together in beautiful Firenze:)
   I wont put you all through every step that we took and every sip of cappuccino that we had, but we had such a good time. I dont want to speak for him, but honestly this week was the greatest of my life=] I showed him all of my favorite spots, and we walked all up and down the Arno, which is my favorite part of all of Italy. We ate all my favorite foods, and got to cook together, and go grocery shopping together, it was perfect. We sat in multiple parks and just talked and it was perfect:) The weather was perfect. Everything was perfect:)
   So the point of this blog is the story:) So I guess Ill get to it:) Monday we woke up and were going to go out and walk around, the weather, like I already said, was unbelievable. Michael insisted that he bring his backpack, which was a little silly I thought, but he brought a lock and he hadnt let me see it yet so I thought he was just being sneaky and trying to keep the lock hidden till later. A little background on the lock thing: On the Ponte Vecchio, which is the most famous bridge over the Arno, which is right where I live, is well known for having locks all over it. All different kinds, but mostly padlocks. The old tradition is that you put a lock on the bridge representing you and your loves relationship. And then you toss the key into the river so that the lock will be on the bridge forever, aka your love will last forever. I had told MIchael a while ago that I wanted to do that while he was here. Its touristy and cheesy but I love it:) So he (without me knowing) bought a lock and brought it with him. When he told me he had brought a lock I got a little teary:) I didnt think he would have even remembered me talking about doing the lock thing. But alas, my precious boy remembered and brought one with him:) So he was keeping it a secret what it looked like, he had told me where he went to get it, and that it was really old, and the brand doesnt even exist any more and all of that. So anyways, thats what I thought the backpack was about. It was a little silly that he bring the whole thing, but it was precious that he wanted to keep it a secret:) So we walked a while, and found some sandwiches that we got and ate on the river:) Then we kept walking because I wanted to show him this really pretty park that I found while running. So we walked and walked and got to the park, and all the benches were full, so we walked to the very end of the park, and there was our bench:) There is a picture of the bench on my facebook if you want to see it:) And we sat down and just talked for a while, just sitting with that boy is the greatest=] Finally he reaches over to his bag and asks me if I want to see the lock. And he pulls out this really old beaten up box with the lock in it and hands it to me, and I open it up and guess whats locked on this beautiful padlock? The most gorgeous engagement ring I have ever seen. And I ask him whats on the lock and hes talking about how its a big deal and how I really need to think about it becuase were about to toss the key in the river and something something (its a little bit of a blur, because at this point im crying and so excited I can barely hold myself together) and he asks me to marry him=] He asks me to marry him!!!!! =]]]] Of course I say yes, I have never wanted anything more than to spend the rest of my life with Michael Weller=] So I unlock the padlock and get the ring off and since then, it has been sitting on my finger=] There are pictures of the ring on facebook too=] Im telling you people, I have never seen a more gorgeous ring, or heard of a more precious proposal, I might be a little biased but I think my story wins. I am the luckiest girl in the world=] My boyfriend came to visit me in Italy and left, my Fiancé:) I got to spend the week with my best friend without any kind of schedule or time constraint. We climbed to the top of the Camponille which is the tower next to the Duomo. We ate the most delicous sandwiches and sat in the park and talked about everything. I get to marry Michael Weller!!! I feel like I could do cartwheels for the rest of my life=] So right now, hes flying home:( I miss him so much already:( I really really hate being away from him, but I am so confident that we can do this. I know that we are already so much stronger for having gone so long and now we only have a couple of weeks till we have a whole summer together:) I get to plan a wedding!! I get to marry my best friend=] I am so happy=]
   Thank you everybody who had any part in this, whether you kept it a secret or helped in any way:) This week could not have been better=] I cannot wait to come home and spend the summer with him=]
  I love you Michael Joseph, I can't wait to grow old with you, and learn and serve this world with you as my partner and best friend=] Thank you for being patient with me, and being so willing to make this work even when we are so far away. I have never loved anyone like I love you=]]]
 
 Ill blog soon, but I don't know that ill have anything that can top this one:)

Ps I miss my sweet Fiancé Michael=]]

 

Greece!!!

Ciao Bloggers!!
 I know I know its been a long time again, but I have good reasoning:)
   First off, I was gone, in Greece for Spring Break:)
   Second...well we can get to that later:)
 So Spring Break, oh heavens, I dont even know where to start. We started off really early Saturday morning, and left on a bus to get to a boat to get to another boat and then another boat in order to get to a bus to get to our hotel. Long story short, this trip was a whole lot of traveling, which is totally fine, it also meant a lot of opportunities to look out the window and see everything. So anyways, Ill try to hit the highlights without rambling for too long. The overnight boat, the cruise if you will, was alright, the boat was really hot, like temperature. I dont know if that was a ploy to get us all to fall asleep so as not to feel the very boat-moving-in-the-waves feel, but it was warm and it did make me want to sleep. The cruise wasnt anything special, we were in chairs like on a plane, so sleeping was an adventure. I ended up on the floor, cuddled with somebodies suitcase, but that was fine:) It was absolutely beautiful to watch the sun set over the ocean and see the stars from the deck of the boat. After we got to land, we had to switch to another ferry to get to the actual port where we would catch our bus to the hotel. Finally we made it to the Pink Palace, I dont know if I can do this place justice in words or pictures. Think pepto color, in building form. If you really wanna see it, look it up:) It was fine, very much a "spring-break" hotel for college age people. It was nice, and pretty clean, and each morning we had breakfast, and each night we had dinner, which was already paid for. That was such a plus, paying for food on these trips can get so so expensive so the already done dinners and breakfasts were perfect. The view was unbelievable. Once again, I dont think any of the pictures that I took do it justice. We were on the Island, Corfu. It was beautiful. It was almost kind of creepy though because the whole little town were the hotel was, was abandonded, I think we caught it before the warm and springy season, so non of the other hotels were open, all the restaurants were closed, nobody was around. Creepy. But beautiful. And there were so many lemon and orange trees, and luckily, because nobody was around, I picked a lemon:) Didnt get to eat it, but it was pretty and it smelled delightful:) So after a few days at the pink palace, one of those being filled with the most incredible four-wheeling adventure Ive ever been on (granted, ive only been four-wheeling once before, but this one was insane) We were on four-wheelers for nearly 6 hours, seeing the whole island, going up to the highest point on the island, going down on the beach, it was absolutely beautiful, Ive never seen anything so beautiful. The four-wheeling might be my most favorite part of the entire trip:)
  So from the Pink Palace, we left I think it was Wednesday night after dinner, and rode an over-night bus to Athens, traveling overnight is not my favorite. It does make sense so were not wasting any time during the day, traveling, but sleeping sitting up is not my thing. A few benadryl cured that though:) We arrived in Athens and had some rest time before we took a walking tour which was really really cool. Saw a few ruins, as well as a changing of the guards ceremony. We got to see the Parthenon which was really cool. From up on the Acropolis you can see for miles and miles, and Athens is absolutely massive. It makes Florence look like a little baby neighborhood. The city is like an ocean that just goes on and on. Its so cool that Ive gotten to see so many different cities, Ive learned what I like and what I dont. Athens is cool, but it wasnt what I pictured. It has a lot of square, not very exciting buildings, and the streets are dirtier and filled with people that are in a hurry. The grafitti was sick, but other than that, it gave me an appreciation for Florence:) But dont get me wrong, Greece is beautiful, and I would love to go back:) I dont want to sound like Im complaining:) That night, we all went out for a huge family-style greek dinner. Oh. Greecian food is SO GOOD. I dont know that I could eat it all the time, but it is soo good. We ate so much, it was all unbelievable, except for the weird dessert. I dont even know what it was, we asked our tour guide if he knew what it was, and he said something to the effect "I dont know whats in it, and I really dont like it" So I didnt feel so terrible, not enjoying a traditional Greecian dessert if a local didnt like it either. But other than that, the meat, the salad, the pita, the Feta, Ive never been a fan of Feta, but let me tell you American friends, the Feta youve eaten, is NOT feta. Come to greece, youll want to eat a whole chunk of it. Oh and the olives, and the sausage, writing about it is making me drool.
   ANyways:) The next day we had some free time, we went to the Acropolis museum, as well as the archeological museum, both of which were really cool. I think we were all really worn out at this point. All the marble statues and stuff started to run together:/ But it was really cool to have the opportunity to go and see all of that. On the way out we ate the most amazing Greek yogurt. Im telling you. Greek yogurt is going to be the next big thing in America. I know everybody already loves the little cups of it from the grocery store, but im talking this is the new self-serve fro-yo. I got to pick the toppings I wanted and they had a light option for the yogurt. I had plain greek yogurt with little chunks of apple, and corn flakes, and honey (there were like 4 options of different honeys). IT WAS SO GOOD. So good. Oh i want to go back just to eat the yogurt. That night we got kebabs for dinner, a little greasy but so tasty. Go to Greece people. Oh funny joke, on the boat on the way to Greece after not showering for a really long time, one of my friends said "I feel Greece-y" Haha, it makes me laugh because that food was so greasy, get it? Punny right? :) Oh what so little sleep will do to you:)
   I think it was the next mornign that I left early, I flew back to Florence so that I could get Michael Weller from the airport:) That morning I went from metro, to plane, to bus, to train, all in one day! All by myself. I was so proud, scared to death that I was going to mess it up along the way, but I made it! I am officially a fairly capable traveler:)
   So I guess that brings me to my next big blog:)
  Ill make a new one:)
    Keep reading peeps!

ps. I miss my Michael so much (but just wait for this next post) =]]

Paris!!

Hello Blog people!!

   I know I know its been a long time:) Life is busy in Italy:) I even had a test today! My first test thus far in my Italian adventure. I know, lifes hard. 

   So last weekend, which is what I want to talk about, we went to Paris. Just hopped a flight to Paris, you know:)

   This adventure, oh my. I dont even know where to start. So we left on Thursday night, we took a bus from the Florence bus station, to the Pisa airport. Before we left, we went to school to check in and print our plane tickets. We printed our tickets and had time to run to McDonalds for a cheap pre-trip cappuccino. We got on the bus, we drove an hour to the airport. Everything was fine and dandy. We were told to check in at the desk before we tried to go through security. So we did. And guess what? We were supposed to check in before 4 hours before the trip. I dont remember when our flight was but lets say it was at 6, this means that anytime after 2, theres no possible way to check in a print your tickets. Guess when we checked in and printed our tickets? About 3 hours and 45 minutes before our flight. Awesome. 65 Euros a piece. 65 EUROS A PIECE!!!! down the drain. I have never been so mad, or so sad. Thats how much the flight cost!! Absolutely ridiculous, especially because thats just a cheap excuse my French, BS way for the airline to make money. They charged us each, 65 euros to print our boarding tickets at the airport because we hadnt done it within their anal time limits. The lady at the desk was extraordinarily rude. It was just a terrible moment. But you printed out your tickets before you left, you say? Yes, i did print a ticket, the ticket to come home. I didnt even look at the date. I hate my life. 

   But after that small meltdown, we realized we had no choice. We paid the money and ended up getting on the flight and everything was fine. Let me tell you, I will never, not read the small print in an email confirmation, ever again.

    So we fly to France, and then have to take another bus, an hour, into Paris. I saw the Eiffel Tower, freaked out and woke up all the sleeping people on the bus. Sorry guys. Im really not good at not being an obnoxious American. So after some metro rides, some gypsy dodging, and asking some French people for help. We finally got to the Hostel. Then long story short, I ended up getting jipped 10 dollars there too. I promise Mom and Dad, I am not frivalous with the money you have given me. I hate money. I hate it with a passion. Its so stressful. But we made it there alive. Then ran out in the city around midnight looking for food. The only thing open was this little cafe bar thing, the lady came outside and told us that the kitchen was closed but that she could make us some cheese on bread. I have never loved a stranger so much as I did in that moment. She reminded me of the mom from Parent Trap. Sweetest lady ever. 

   I have to say that I went into this Paris adventure with a bad taste in my mouth about French people. I have no idea why,  I feel like a horrible person for even saying that. I clearly got it from some steryotype. But honestly, they were so nice. The restaurant lade, offering us some food when she clearly had no reason to do so. We asked a girl on the street for directions. She got out her Iphone and plugged in the Hostels address and gave us detailed directions. The cars stop for you to crosst the road. Generally just a gracious people and i really was so so thankful for that. Especially after a stressful start to the trip. 

   So fast forward to the morning, we got up early and ate our free breakfast at the hostel. The hostel by the way was really cool. Really artsy and hip, reminded me of NoDa for anyone who lives in Charlotte or knows that art-district. The bathrooms left a little something to be desired. I only took one shower the 4 days that we were there. That says something about the showers. I love to shower and to be clean, so for me to do that, well...yeah they were pretty bad. But were college students so we have to stay in little hostels in Europe right? 

  So anyways, I keep getting off on these tangents:) In the morning we did the whole metro thing and went to the Louvre and figured out that we could go in that night after 6 for free! How awesome is that, so then we just kind of wandered around the city, walked along the river, saw Notre Dame, it was so amazing. I honestly think Paris is my favorite place so far. I love Florence, its become a home away from home but Paris was beautiful. It didnt feel very touristy. It was clean and open and the architecture is amazing. I love it there. I took a bunch of pictures so check facebook for those:) Then for lunch I had some ratatouille:) Delicious. Then we went to the Eiffel Tower and just kept wandering. I feel like thats the way to see the city is to just walk around:) Then that night we went to the Louvre. We didnt end up having a whole lot of time. But thats ok. That museum is absolutely massive. I felt so overwhelmed knowing that I wouldnt be able to see anything, but I think putting a time limit on it helped a little bit. It was incredible to say the least. The next morning we went to the Musee d'Orsay. This museum. Oh I cant even describe my love for this place. It was everything I love in one place. This building was exploding with Impressionst pieces. I was dying. So so so many Monet, Manet, Caillebot, Seurat, Da Vinci, Degas, Renois. Oh I cant even put it into words. We spent so many hours there, my feet were dying but it was so worth it. I wish I could live in that place. I took a lot of pictures there as well, got yelled at a few times. But it was totally worth it:) I still am just so excited that I got to see everything that I did. After that we came back to the hostel and just rested for a long time. Travel wears you out. So we all just rested and ate 300 free crepes that the crepe lady made at the hostel every afternoon. Then that night we went to the grocery store and got some baguettes and cheese and apples and made dinner in the hostel which was great:) It was relaxing and cheap! 

   The next morning, Sunday morning we overslept:/ But then finally got packed up and checked out and headed for the Eiffel Tower. We then proceeded to climb up the Eiffel Tower with all of our belongings. It was cheaper that way, plus we had to burn off all those free crepes:) The view was insane. If you ever get the chance, I say climb the tower:) Then we wandered some more, I ate an eclair and we headed towards the bus station to catch the bus to the airport. It was a fantastic trip, and after a double espresso in the airport i wasnt even tired anymore:) 

   So that was Paris, we leave for Greece on Saturday for Spring Break. I am really excited to see Greece, but I cant lie, I get to see Michael Weller a week from Saturday and that thought is making me happier than anything has in a long time. I cant believe its already Spring Break, but at the same time it feels like ages since Ive seen him and Im so so excited that I going to be able to share this incredible place with my best friend:) I also forgot to add my little corny "ps I miss my Michael" bit to my last blog:/ Shoot I hate that I did that:( So to make up for that:

 Ps. I miss Michael:)

Ps. I miss my Michael:)

I love you, I love you, I love you, thank you for being my best bud=]

  

I know its sappy. You try going 9 weeks without seeing your best friend and then we can talk. 

:)

  

Ciao! I will blog soon!! ...at least I will try:)

Rome, and some other stuff:)

Hello blog people!
Oh geeze... I know I called this correctly when I started up this whole blog thing:/ I dont know where time is going! I really dont. These weeks are flying by. So anyways, last week...good grief, I really should be blogging more cause I cant even remember what happened. I guess last week was Valentines, which was nice. I wish I was on the same continent as my Valentine, but soon enough I suppose:) We made several dinners, and didnt really do anything super out of the ordinary that I can remember. And then over the weekend, we went to Rome, which I do remember so I can elaborate a little on that:)We woke up early on Friday and caught a train out of Florence. Before our train we went to McDonalds, I know I know. How could we? It had to be done:) A cappuccino and a brioche for 1.90? That is the greatest price Ive seen thus far. And you know what? It wasnt the worst cappuccino Ive had since Ive been here. Then we ran accross the street and bought our tickets. Its so simple here. You just punch in the time you want to leave, and it prints your ticket, and then the ticket is good for pretty much any trip that is the same price, as long as you validate it before you get on the train. Theres a good story that goes along with the ticket validation, but well get to that later:) So then we got to Rome like 4 hours later. And Shelby, Madisons friend who is studying there, picked us up and we went to her apartment. On the way we ate our first Suppli, a traditional Roman dish, basically a friend all of rice with cheese and red sauce, only the most delicious and fattening thing youll ever eat. Shelby studied in Rome for a semester last year as well, so she knows a lot about the area. She took us around on our own little tour, we saw the Pantheon, The Four Rivers fountain, Vittorio Emanuele (typewriter), Roman Forum, St. Peters, and the Trevi Fountain. The typewriter is a massive white building in the middle of Rome, that the Romans call the typewriter because its so big and clunky in the middle of everything. It also isnt ancient like the other ruins, it was finished in the 1930's so its just kind of out of place. But nevertheless, pretty sweet. So after that busy day, we got a little bit of sleep and got up the next morning and went to the Vatican Museum. Holy Cow. So many tourists. Have I mentioned how badly I HATE tourists. I dont know if its just me, but I have this amazing skill. I can look down, at my phone, at the cobblestone, and still see whats in front of me you know what Im talking about? Peripheral vision. LOOK WHERE YOURE GOING YOU RIDICULOUS ASIANS!!! Oh ive never been so frustrated with my own species. So Sally and I pushed and shoved, litterally, I was shoving people to get through and see what I wanted. Which included the Sistine Chapel, twice:) Yes twice because the Vatican Museum is like Ikea. They make you walk through everything before you can see the Sistine chapel and whatever is before it.

     So theres my illegal picture:) Thank you Iphone with a flip camera:) I also touched the wall, I dont know that that is illegal, but i touched it. I touched a wall with ancient frescos on them. We saw some other cool pieces, and a whole load of tourists. Did I already rant about tourists? I hate them. Everybody in that museum was taking pictures of everything, I guarantee you 90% of the people in there, possibly more, have no idea who any of the artists are that are in the museum, nor could they tell you anything about the historical content. So in that case, GET OUT OF MY WAY. Bah.
   After the museum, which took a while. We got the most incredible gelato. Three flavors, on a huge cone with whipped cream. For two Euro!! I got coconut and coffee and nutella flavors. So delicious. While we were sitting on the corner eating our gelato. We watched a local drive up and squeeze his tiny car into a tiny spot and squeeze out of his car and get the same gelato that we got and then drive away. For a local to brave the traffic and park and get gelato and go home? Thats a sign. Get on a plane. Eat this gelato.
   That night we made dinner, well Shelby made dinner:) Risotto with veggies and chicken and sausage. Sooo good:) The next morning Sally and I went to St. Peters in attempt to go in, however. It was Sunday. Why did I not think of that? On the plus side, we got to see the end of the Sunday service and....drum roll...see the Pope!!!! He blessed us and the other 2 million people squished in the square. It was pretty awesome. So then we headed to the train station, left in plenty of time to catch a bus to the train station. Ps if you ever buy a bus ticket or metro ticket, and put your money in the machine and then nothing happens, check the slot where the money would be spit back out if there was something wrong. People put cigarette butts in the slot so that it catches the bill and confuses me so that I leave thinking the machine is broken. And the bums that rig that, gain the 10 euro bill that I slid in. Luckily Shelby caught it:)
   So anyways the bus took forever, we arrived at the train station with literally 7 minutes to purchase our tickets and get on the train. We are running. Sprinting, we buy all of the tickets and run through the crowds to our train, which of course, is the farthest possible point away from the train station entrance. Great. Were sprinting, pushing more ridiculous people. Crying, cursing, laughing. Long store short, we miss the train. Awesome. However, and heres that story I was talking about earlier. We were in such a rush that we didnt even remember that we needed to validate our ticket. If we had gotten on the train without the ticket validated, we each would have had to pay a 60 euro fine. So it was such a blessing in disguise that we missed the train:) We wasted some time, went to McDonalds and ate a Baci McFlurry. Delicious.
   We made it back to Florence in one piece. Its so funny how much I miss Florence when were away. Rome was great, it was beautiful but it felt like such a big city. Florence is more quaint and lovely:)
   So now, good grief Wednesday is already almost over. We leave for Paris tomorrow. I feel like such a little traveler:)
   Last night, I made a lasagna for our weekly group dinner:) It was pretty good, I dont wanna toot my own horn but it was pretty dang tasty. There was none left in the pan so Ill take that as a good sign:)

   Theres a map that was on a tray at McDonalds. Take a look at that all you North Carolinians. NOT ok. NOT ok. And thats my latest Batik scarf:) I thought it was pretty cool:) Each color required a layer of wax and a separate dying and drying. So its taken a while, but I am pretty proud.
   So anyways, I have to go to class now. I dont want to go to Creative Writing. Ok im going im going. Ciao blog peeps!

i know:/ its been a really long time:(

Ciao blog followers, if I still have any that is:/
Good grief I know its been forever and I know I promised that I wouldnt go more than 3 days:/ Im so sorry:( Time is flying people. It feels like the last time I wrote something was yesterday:/ I know its been a week maybe even more than that:/
   Im trying to think of anything cool weve done that is out of the ordinary:) Weve been making a lot of dinners in, its been so freezing outside, weve been avoiding that at all costs. We did go to a place called "The Diner" its basically a little American diner, I had a burger ( I know that is usually not something I would eat in America, let alone in Italy, but i had to go for it:) It had spicy pesto on top so that was pretty delicious, and I also had a cup of drip coffee. A weird combination, but I love and miss drip coffee:) We also went to a little bakery over the weekend, it was across the Arno, they also had drip coffee with free refills. Yes, free refills. Clearly an American joint, but also, oh its making me happy thinking about coffee with free refills:) I also ate a homemade english muffin with peach jam on top. Oh my heart:) It was so delightful. I would go get another one, it is just a little bit of a walk, and in the wind, the distance something is to where I am, has a great effect on my choice to go or not:)

   Today for lunch I made homemade chicken noodle soup and a grilled cheese with pepperocino cheese, which is like pepper jack, and then Sally, my roommate had the brilliant idea to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the bread while it was in the pan. It sounds weird but im telling you, do it. Sprinkle just a tiny pinch on your next grilled cheese, I swear you wont be sorry.
  Some other things I have discovered that I absolutely love lately: lemon jam, I bought no-sugar-added lemon jam to try to supress the raging Nutella addiction I have, and let me tell you, its working. This stuff is amazing, there are pieces of lemon zest, oh its so good. Ill bring some home:) Also, coffee or hazelnut flavored yogurt. Again, it sounds weird, ITS INSANE! I want to eat it all the time, its so good. And they also make this kind that comes with a little pouch of crunchies, I dont know what it is, probably just cookie, but its delish. And lastly (for now anways) hot tea, I know thats not really a strict Italian thing, but I have been downing some hot tea lately, its yummy, its basically just water, its cheap and most importantly its warm. Ive found that the only successful way to stay warm in an apartment where the heat is off for most of the day is to have a constant intake of warm beverage. Its working:) Ive also found that I can get 2 or 3 cups of tea from one bag, you know youre in college when youre triple steeping a bag of tea that you left out the night before:)

   Ive been running more lately, Im getting back into my normal running groove:) Its been so cold, like snowing cold. My face burns but underarmor is amazing:) I love running, especially on the Arno. Today I was up at one of my farthest bridges and stopped to take a picture for the blog:) And the water was frozen over and there were birds walking on the water. It was just such a funny sight to see birds walking around on the Arno:)
   Honestly the cold has kept us from doing anythign super crazy outside. Walking by the Duomo every morning is like a joke. The wind whips around the whole circle of the Piazzo and its abosolutely insane how fast the wind blows. My face is slightly chapped but thats alright:) We did go to the Lindt store on Sunday, oh people. You would not guess how many flavors of overpriced truffles are in that store:) I ate 6 in one sitting:) There was a nocciola one, which is basically nutella:) And a coconut one, which tasted kind of like sunscreen but i still liked it:) And my favorite was probably orange, just get on a plane and come it for yourself, I cant do any of the food here justice trying to describe it:)
   Classes have been good, again, time is flying. Ive been able to work some on the wheel in ceramics which is great:) I love sitting there with the clay but im so terrible at it, I worked today for about an hour and a half trying to center one blob of clay, its so hard, and its so difficult on your arms and shoulders to work the clay like you have to. Batik has been going well, I just kind of do my own work. Our teacher has been super spacy lately, just doesnt seem to know whats going on or anythign. Thats ok, luckily, that class is pretty much just solo work with some instruction from her. I dont need her every class. I finished my first Batik, i have a picture but its pretty bad. I didnt realize how out of proportion my ladies head was:/ oops thats ok, its my first Batik ever after all, It couldnt be perfect:) And Ive also started working on my second, its gonna be a bit harder and were doing a different dying technique so Im excited for that.
   The weeks seem to go so fast here, its hard to describe, maybe its the 4 day, school week thing. Maybe its just because im here, i dont know:)
   Ok I think im getting a little sleepy, watching the superbowl and not getting in bed till 4 am Sunday night kinda messed up my sleeping schedule, but thats alright:) Im in Italy right? No regrets:) I honestly will try to post more, I dont want to forget this trip or any of the things weve done, so for no other reason than to document, I will try to write:)

Ps. I miss my Michael
pps. but guess what weve made it more than half way through the time till I see him!!! =]

Another fabulous weekend:)

Hello blog followers!!!
   Look im posting another blog in less than 5 days!! Youre welcome mom:) I officially love weekends in Florence. Theres no question. Not having class on Fridays, combined with not having a schedule is the greatest. Yesterday was Saturday, we got up fairly early and were gonna "hike" We had no plan, no idea where we were going to go, but that was ok:) We met some of our friends that we were going to "hike" with and got some sandwiches from a little stand that our cooking teacher told us about. There is like 50 different choices and theyre all 2.50 euro! How awesome is that?! My favorite out of all the ones we got was a proscuitto with soft goat cheese and arugula. Oh it was insane, the roll that it was one was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, not too bready not too cheesy. It was perfect. So then we started walking and I remembered this place that I had seen while I was running that just looked like a bunch of zig zag steps up into the woods so we did that. We started walking and got to the top and there were some Native American musicians (random) and you could see the entire city, the Arno and the Duomo and everything for miles and miles, it was incredible. There are a few pictures on facebook, but none of the view pictures do it any justice. Then we just chilled for the rest of the day, bought some new nail polish, made a tiramisu that actually turned out. It only took me babysitting the pan for about 24 hours while the cream turned into cream. It was wonderful:) And then today we slept in a little and woke up and went to yoga which again was fabulous, I went for another Italy run along the Arno. It was wonderful:) The only thing that is missing from this place is Michael Weller. If he was here, it would be perfect. But guess what!!! Only 40 more days! Im so excited to see that boy=]
   Ok I think its time for us to watch Ratatouille, so I can be even more inspired to cook:) Thank you for keeping up with this crazy blog thing. I will absolutely take a picture of my Batik tomorrow and maybe some more prints in photography if we do that tomorrow. I shall post soon!

ps I miss my Michael

Yoga, pizza and some cow mats:)

Hello bloggers!!
Good grief, I know youre all mad because I havent been adding to this:/ Oops:/ Sorry Mom and Dad:/
This week has flown, its been great, classes were great, nothing too exciting. Oh besides the fact that I made my first real print in the dark room! Hooray!! Ill put pictures on facebook:) I also finished my Batik for the most part still adding more dye but its looking good:) We didnt do anything too noteworthy during the evenings, just chilling:)
   But today, oh the greatest of days. We slept in, which again was fantastic, no class on Fridays is one of the most fantastic things Ive ever made happen. After we slept in, I made some coffee and then Sally and I just sat and read for the longest time, I swear it was so fantastic. We sound lazy but it was so wonderful. Just sitting, reading, being quiet. Do it. Youll feel like a new person:)
   After our reading time, we got dressed and went to get lunch at a pizza place that our cooking teacher told us about, oh I forgot to tell you about cooking on Thursday, ill talk about that in a second:) So we went to this little hole in the wall pizza place. Oh. My. Heavens. This pizza... im trying to think of the right words. You would not believe how delicious. We got two smallish pizzas and split them between the three of us. A margherita pizza and then an O' Vesuvio pizza, which is the name of the restaurant, it had some spicy something on it. But they were incredible, I will put a picture of those on facebook and on here if I can figure out how:) But anyways, the pizza was amazing, I cant even describe it. You should probably buy a plane ticket and come and eat some of this pizza right now. So I was going to tell you about cooking class, which I think was the last one that there is:( But it was amazing as usual. The teacher was hysterical, talking about her "very good looking ride home" She made eggplant parmesean and another kind of white bean side, the white beans sound weird but they are so good. Apparently a classic dish. She just said she mixed the white beans with read sauce and sage leaves and heated it up. Oh I cant even tell you how delicious. And how frugal! I love this place:) And then she made pears in chocolate sauce for dessert. I want to move in with this woman.
   So anyways, back to today:) After I ate my weight in pizza, we went to two grocery stores, one of which where we scored some free cow placemats!! Huzzah!! After we went shopping, ps I attempted to make tiramisu last week, and it didnt turn out so hot. It tasted great but the cream never got creamy, it was very liquidy. So anyways I bought more supplies to attempt again:) We then stopped to get a cappuccino at our little corner shop and read some more:) After more reading, we went to yoga!!
   Our roommate who has been here for a semester already, told us about this awesome yoga studio and the teacher speaks english. It was amazing!! Im running out of positive adjectives:) She was so sweet and so helpful and encouraging, she just let us join in for free and go along with everything. It was amazing. She went to App state for a little while so we had something in common, I love this lady. And I love yoga. Were making it a regular thing:)
   So now im here, eating some bruschetta planning spring break, not worrying about a thing. I love this peaceful place. The only way it would be better, slash the only thing that is missing to make this place perfect is Michael Weller. My plan is to come home, collect him and come back:) Kidding, I miss High Point but I hopefully I can come back one day:)

   I promise I will try to blog more often, Oh and I be on the lookout for pictures of my first print and my pizza:) Or maybe ill try to attach them right now:) There they are:)
Ok goodnight readers! Thanks for keeping up with my trip!

p.s. I miss my Michael

Bomboloncini!!!

Hello bloggers!
Sorry its been so long:/ I know I promised I would keep up with this thing better, oops:)
   Saturday we went to Pisa and Lucca, it was pretty incredible. I climbed the leaning tower of Pisa, I still cant believe I got to do that:) It did cost 15 euro which is insane, way over priced, but when am I going to be able to go to Pisa again? probably never so I couldnt pass it up:) And it wasnt a waste. It was so crazy climbing up the tower, I felt like I was in a fun house, walking from one side to the other I could feel myself leaning towards the center of the tower or towards the outside, its difficult to describe. Once we were to the top, it was beautiful. I cant really even think of words to describe it. I could see for miles, I have pictures on facebook so you should check them out:) Its so funny how different that is compared to what it would be in America, the little railings were pretty rickity, if I had wanted to cause some chaos I could have, also if was insane I could have easily fallen off the side. It makes me laugh that America is so much more concerned with liability and everything like that.
   After Pisa we went to Lucca, Helen took us to SO MANY museums and churches and I cant even remember everything we saw, those trips are insane, I dont know if I can handle another one, its more information that I ever cared to know or hear about. But it was a good day, and its a good way to spend the day obviously, seeing different parts of Italy rather than sitting on my bum in the apartment:) On Sunday we slept in, which was fabulous considering on Saturday I was up and talking to Michael before he even went to sleep for the night. We just had a lazy day, I made a tiramisu and some homemade spaghetti sauce, both of which were pretty good. The custard in the tiramisu wasnt quite the consistency I was shooting for, but I mean how am I gonna learn how to do it right if I dont do it at all right? I also got some new boots and a sweet cape on Sunday. I think the "poncho" look is coming back, because every little stand I see here is selling these capes, or wraps or whatever theyre called, like a blanket with a little slice in it for your neck:) Its so cozy and warm, I feel so European:)
   I wish I had some funny stories to tell, Im trying to think:) Today we had classes...nothing too important, although I did make some great progress on my first Batik, I finished the wax process and did my first layer of dye, I will take a picture next time so you can see what it looks like, Im really excited for the finished product.
   Oh and the title of the blog, I always forget to explain it:) On friday we went to a new fersh market. I was asking our cooking class teacher where she gets her produce so we decided to make the 15 minute walk out to a new market. You would not believe the produce here. I dont know how I am going to cope coming back to America, the fruit and greens and veggies are so incredible, everything is beautiful and looks so real and lush. Nothing is massive or pumped full of chemicals, but the colors on these fruits, you would not believe. It was also clearly not a tourist spot. I have discovered a new way to find out if something is touristy or not:) Old people. I swear, it works every time. If a restaraunt is full of old people, you know its good. A coffee shop? Always delicious. This market? It was hopping with old people, none of which spoke any english, they also didnt seem so amused to see me gawking at every piece of fruit I layed eyes on, but thats ok:) I bought 4 oranges for a euro and some change (did I mention that I love the produce here?) and then we walked back a different way than we came to go to a little bakery that one of our teachers told us about. That is where I got my second cappacino of the day, as well as the beloved and now well-known, bomboloncini:) A little pastry with cream in the middle. Cream filled things usually freak my out a little bit:/ In American a cream filled donut means a weird jelly center, not really a cream and I dont really care for that. This however, oh I cant even describe it. Like real dense whipped cream, I could taste the real whole milk and real sugar in it. It was one of the most delicious things Ive eaten since Ive been here. So then for the rest of the day, I was singing about the bomboloncini. And now, its like slang almost. "Watch out you bomboloncini!" translated that means "get out of the way you tourist" We just call everything a bomboloncini, partly because its really fun to say and partly because nobody knows what were talking about:) So anyways, indeed Im still working towards my goal of a billion pounds and multiple plane seats on the way home, Ill keep you updated:)

Ps I miss my Michael:)

Va Bene!

Ciao my blog people!
I just took the most amazing cooking class ever and had to run back and share it with you:) It cost 8 euro which is steep, I could buy a whole weeks worth of dinner for 8 euro so our expectations were high. We got there a little late:/ oops but it was ok, she had brought a ton food that she already made and then explained all of it to us, which isnt exactly what I was thinking the class would be like but it was awesome. She made pasta with green beans and potatoes and pesto, it sounds weird, but it was incredible. She told us how to make everything and how to make pesto without a food processor. She had also made bruschetta and a cannellini bean dish which apparently is a common dish and also super cheap and easy. The bruschetta was insane, if i could eat one thing for the rest of my life it might be bruschetta. She explained everything to us and told us what kind of wine is the good kind, but also cheap. And how to buy good olive oil and what to look for. I love this woman. She looked kinda like my mom so I think the whole time I was just pretending she was, Im telling you im obsessed. I want to be adopted. Kidding mom:) (kinda) Then (drum role please) tiramisu, one of the most fantastic things I have ever tasted. I wish I had the vocabulary to properly describe this to you people. Im so full right now I feel like I could die but while I write this, my mouth is watering wanting more of the delicious tiramisu. She told us how to make it. Im going to the market tomorrow, I cant wait any longer:) Im telling you, this having to buy an extra plane seat on the way home for my big tiramisu rear end is really gonna be expensive. However, I did run today got back into my three and a half mile swing. It felt awesome. Running is such a comfort, no matter where I am knowing that I can always run is amazing.
   So I dont really have any other exciting updates besides the cooking class, oh and we were talking to her afterwards and she was telling us about how she had been married for 20 years but a friend of hers who also happens to be an ex-boyfriend haha  ("gorgeous I think, but he is a little younger"-thats how she described him) was driving her home after our class because he is a taxi driver now, but she was telling us how shes been faithful to her husband for 20 years and will always be faithful but how she still has a crush on this guy. It was just making me laugh, this woman is fantastic. Im not doing her any justice in this blog so you all should probably fly to Italy and meet her. Shes also 50 and looks about 30. Im now converted to eating free range chicken and only real extra virgin olive oil. I dont know that I will be able to handle the produce in America, it cant even compete with the produce here.
   She was also telling us about how different the family situation is here. In America you get out of college and if you dont move out of your parents house, thats weird. But here everyone lives together and the grandparents feel like their worth something and getting old is respected not dreaded. Every generation is so important in the raising process, teaching and passing down all the knowledge and history and wisdom. Its very montessori if you ask me, the old teaching the younger:)
   I dont wanna be that guy, rambling about how fantastic Italy is. I know there are things to hate, and also Ive only been here for 2 weeks so I havent fully experienced everything, but I really do like the lifestyle here. Our teacher said that in America, cooking is almost like a chore, its not enjoyed like it is here. Italians dont eat while they walk, or drive god forbid. Eating is an event, its a social time, not an inconvenience. All Italians cook, everyone knows how and its just what happens every day. You buy your food, you make dinner. Families dont really go out to eat. I love that. I want to be Italian. I dont think its too late...Michael Weller ;) *wink wink
   I like it here:) Im pretty sure Im gonna have lung cancer and also sound like a life-time smoker when I get home from all the second hand smoke I breathe in on a regular basis, but my hair and skin will be radiant from all the olive oil I eat so its ok:)
   Goodnight followers, I cant wait to come home and show you everything Ive learned:)

p.s. I miss my Michael

Vorre=may I have, Verro=wart-hog

Hello fine blog followers,

I’m so sorry that I’ve been so terrible about keeping up with this. I will try not to go more than 3 days, is that what it’s been? I’m gonna try to not let that happen again. So anyways, today is Tuesday so that means that I need to update about…Sunday and Monday and todayJ

Sunday was a great lazy day, especially after the marathon that was the Helen field trip. I guess I'm crazy though because I’ve already signed up for another one this weekend to Pisa and Lucca. It should be a little easier though because there’s not an extreme amount see in Pisa, well, I say that and watch, Helen is going to have us all signed up for some Iron Man, followed by some manual labor. So anyways, Sunday. We slept in and took a long walk along the Arno to shoot a roll of film. I love film, I wish it were easier and more practical to shoot film and process and print yourself. If only I had access to the studios I have access to now, for the rest of my life. We went to the market, and also went to Ikea to buy some more meatballs and some lotion that I knew was lotion. While we were in Ikea, the free bus only comes on the hour so we ended up having some time to waste. So Sally and I are fighting the crowds, you would have thought it was Black Friday with the amount of people fighting through Ikea. But we were wasting time and decided to buy some gelato. In America, you can buy frozen yogurt in a cone from Ikea for a dollar, which is a great deal because its good ice cream and it’s so cheap. Well get this, in Italy they have gelato in a cone, for 60 cents!! 40 cents if you have that special family card, so that’s my next order of business, to get my hands on one of those cards. So we were in line for our gelato and we get to the counter and I awkwardly cough and point and try to make it sound like I know what Im doing and saying. He kinda laughs and rings up the gelato and then hands me an empty cone and a coin like at chucky cheese. He then says something in Italian that included “self-service” so I nod, because of course I know what he’s talking about (not), then wait for Sally to do something similar. So after we get over the confusion we find the machine, I feel so lame but this is one of the coolest things I've done since I’ve been here. You put your cone in the little machine and then it lifts up the cone and you can pick if you want plain gelato, or gelato with little chocolate swirl or strawberry swirl, then it fills it by itself! It was so fun! America needs one of those.

Monday we had class; Monday and Wednesday classes are my favorite. Batik is the greatest. It’s so peaceful and relaxing, melting the little wax pot over the flame and tracing my drawing onto the silk scarf, it’s so fantastic. Again, I wish I had access to these things all the time. And then photography where I processed my first roll of film, which was so, exciting. Taking a roll of film out of the canister and loading it onto the reel in complete darkness wasn’t easy but I actually got mine done pretty quickly. It was so exciting to see my images on the film after it was all processed. I can’t wait to print! Creative writing is interesting, not my favorite class ever but I also don’t hate it. My teacher is an interesting bird, and he has very different views and opinions than me, but that also brings a whole other perspective to my time being here, which is fantastic. I feel like I’m already being pushed out of my comfort zone being here like this, might as well not hold back now.

We’ve been making a lot of our own food, which is amazing; it makes me feel better to know all the ingredients and to know how the food is made. We’ve been eating a lot of pasta but also a lot of veggies in the pasta. It’s pretty deliciousJ and today we made sandwiches with pita bread, filled with sautéed mushrooms and peppers and red pepper flakes and red sauce, then we cooked it on the stove with some mozzarella. It was so great. And tonight, a friend of ours made spaghetti sauce that was so fantastic. I don’t think ill be able to buy sauce anymore.

So I guess that brings me to today. We had to meet up with the police this morning and check our names off of the list so that they know for sure that we have our passports. (Luckily they didn’t check about the visas, because haha I still don’t have one). So then we had enough time to get a cappuccino before class started. That’s another thing that I don’t know if Ill be able to drink when I get back to America. I have to buy my own espresso machine and milk steamerJ then I had my one class on Tuesday and Thursday. And then Sally and I went to the store to get the veggies for today’s lunch (the amazing sandwiches). Then I went for my second Italian run, I'm determined to get back into a running schedule. It makes me feel so much better about everything. Sorry America, my favorite place to run ever has to be next to the Arno. The combination of the still water and the hustle of cars and people is energizing. Breathing in pure exhaust on the other hand isn’t my favorite, but that’s ok, I can’t have my cake and eat it too right?

Since then I haven’t been up to much, eating homemade spaghetti sauce, showering, getting some amazing gelato, and talking to my best buddy. It feels more relaxed here. I guess because past a certain time at night, everything is closed and unless you’re going out, there’s not much to do, so its just good time to just be still. I think at school in America, I feel like I always need to be going and doing. Everything at school is open all night long and therefore I feel like I should take advantage of that. I feel like the almost forced relaxing time here has been amazing. I don’t think its good for me to sit for too long because then I get sad and miss home but not having to run around and do a million things is wonderful. I know work with school will probably pick up, but lucky for me, my classes are all about 3 hours long and photography is 4 hours each class, so I manage to get a lot of my work done in class so then there’s not a lot of homework. It’s a good set-upJ

I know this is super long:/ But I had to catch up right? Oh I forgot my story that explains the title of this post! So we were ordering pizza from our little corner Italian man, who doesn’t speak a word of English and I walked up and attempted to order on my own. Vorre, means “may I have” so I say of course “Verro” followed by pizza and me once again coughing and pointing trying to cover up my lack of Italian accent. Madison and Sally laugh at me because I said it wrong and then they rush back to look up what it means. Of course it means pig or wart hog or something terrible like that. Story of my life. Once again, well done Alex. Oh well, you live and you learn right? We want to be recognized as locals in this area, so there you go guys! I achieved it for us. I’m that crazy girl that doesn’t know any Italian and calls people wart-hogs. Oh and just another nugget of a story. Tonight, we went to our gelataria just around the corner and I brought change. So while the guy was in the back I counted it all out and sorted it into little lines of each different coin. Needless to say, the guy came out and laughed. I didn’t just want to hand him a bunch of change. People have done that to me in the drive through at chick Fila. There’s nothing I love more than counting out your 5000 sticky pennies while the line wraps around the building. Ok, rant overJ

I will now go put on my slippers and read my book like an 80-year-old woman. I don’t careJ Goodnight readers thank you for reading my crazy stories.

P.s. I miss my Michael Weller 

Oh Ravenna

Hello blog readers,
   Sorry its been a little while since Ive posted. Its been busy around here:) What was yesterday? Friday! Theres no class on Friday, and that is wonderful:) So we ran some errands and went to the big market for the first time. It was pretty fantastic, we tasted a bunch of different kinds of cheese and salami and balsamic vinegar. Yummy:)We bought some stuff for lunch and then came back and made it:) Then we went down the Arno and took some pictures, I got some good grafitti stuff, theyre all on facebook:) Then we went to the Uffizi, it still blows my mind to see original pieces. The Birth of Venus in person? Thats crazy. Its almost like this trip is a reward for all the years of studying and learning. Its so unreal to see the orginal pieces.
   So today we got up way too early, and got on a bus with a bunch of other students to go to Ravenna. The trip was insane, Helen, the art historian that took us is like a machine. The two real art historians that Ive ever are crazy. They are like walking encyclopedias. So naturally we ran around all of Ravenna today but thats ok, it was awesome to see everything, I probably wouldnt have gotten the chance to see all those places, especially because they each cost and the school covered that for us:) So I guess I should list off all the places we went, honestly the day is a kind of blur, we did so much running around. But I got some pictures before my camera died, ill put those up soon:)
   So our first stop was at a truck stop:) Its so funny because the city just seems dirtier than...well I guess Ive only been in Charlotte so maybe thats not a real city. But then the truck stop was so nice, it was so clean and fancy. And the truck stops that Ive been to in America are nasty. It just seems backwards:) But im not complaining, a huge bottle of water, a crossoint with chocolate in the middle, and a capaccino for 3.40? you cant beat that with a stick:) Then came the real stuff: Mausoleum of Theodoric, Church of S. Giovanni Evangelista, S Apollinare Nuovo, Baptistery of the Arians, then Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and S. Vitale (my favorite, the mosaics were incredible, the amount of tedious work in one building is absolutely insane). Then we had a little lunch break, I had a delicious little sandwich which was more like a pita quesadilla, it was a big pita bread with cheese and red sauce and mushrooms in the middle, it was so tasty:) Then I had a little cafe (just one shot of espresso) The Italians like their coffee strong and fast. Next, the Orthodox or the Neonian Baptistery, Museo Arcivescovile, then the Tomb of Dante and the adjacent church of S. Francesco and lastly stopped at the "so-called Palace of Theodoric" before we got on the bus to the Classe, to see the Early Christian sarcophagi: Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Then finally headed back to Florence. Ive never been in a bus of college students that was so quiet. Im pretty sure everyone was sleeping.
   So now im just sitting on the radiator:) I think I might head towards bed, Im so exhausted but glad that we went today. Hopefully next weekend we can go on the Pisa trip:)
   Oh and funny story of the day: we were sitting in a square before we met back up after lunch and saw a little dog (everyone here has a little dog, have I mentioned that? and also they often have little sweaters on) but this one dog we saw had a whole suit on. Im not even lying when I say there were sleeves and little legs on this suit, it was a litte snow suit for a dog, only the little rear end was open like chaps:) We were dying, the poor little dog was waddeling in his little suit:) Ok time for sleep.

Buono Notte!

p.s. I miss my sweet Michael

I just ate a whole jar of Nutella

Ciao blogging world! Yes indeed, I did just eat an entire jar of nutella in a matter of 24 hours. Hooray for ruining every mile ive walked since Ive been here. Its even more pathetic that its not even an Italian food thats not available in America. Its cheaper here, but still. Ive eaten enough calories in Nutella to last me the rest of the year.
  Sorry I didnt post yesterday. But I am now so its all good. Yesterday was a good day, classes on Monday/Wednesday are my favorite. I didnt do anything particularly out of the ordinary besides eat the wonderful leftovers we had from dinner the night before, and go for gelato yet again. I hope my desire for gelato and nutella and all of these delicious treats wears off soon otherwise I will need to buy another plane seat for the ride home because I wont be able to squeeze into one.
  Today was pretty good, I only have one class in the mornings on Tuesday/Thursday. Its not my favorite, I love sculpting, but I think Ive been spoiled with my teacher at home. This is supposed to be pottery, but now I feel like its turning into sculpting, but we dont have the proper equipment or the proper amount of time to complete our projects. But thats ok:) Im gonna make it work:)
  After my one class, I met up with Sally and we went to the store and I bought some rosemary and olive oil pringles. The flavor is in english and thats a little sad, but I havent seen this flavor in America so I consider it to be an Italy treat. We made rice with curry and chili powder for lunch and then ate some turkey meatballs from Ikea, if youve never had meatballs from Ikea, turn off your computer right now and go. They are so delicious. Then I realized that i was getting close to finishing off a whole jar of nutella so i went on my first Italian run!! It feels like such a dream, running next to the Arno. Its beautiful. So then I came back, panting like a dog and feeling pretty good so i ate some more Nutella:)
  Then we ran to the art store and I came back and guess what i did? Ate some more Nutella:)
  We dont have class tomorrow so thats pretty exciting. I think were gonna go to a massive and apparently amazing food market. Im so excited:) I have to make notes and look up all my foods in Italian so I can sound at least partially like someone who belongs here. Until then, I shall continue to run my finger around this empty jar hoping to catch the last bits of Nutella:)
  Oh and were going to Ravenna on Saturday! It should be a great trip, but apparently the teacher that takes us is crazy and never has time to stop for lunch, good thing I have 5 million calories of Nutella in my system.
 
Ps I miss my sweet Michael

2nd day of class:)

Im really lacking in the creativity area for these blog titles. Oops. Today was a good day in Firenze, they keep getting better and better which is a good thing:)

   I had only one class today which was really nice, cause it left a lot of the day open for me to do whatever I wanted! Ceramics was in the morning, I made the ugliest, saddest little pot ive ever seen. Stuck a little handle on hoping it would give it some spunk and purpose, but bless the little pots heart, it still looks terrible. Thats ok, hopefully its all uphill from here:)

   Went to my favorite library spot and checked out some cookbooks, the librarian then asked me to invite her over for dinner, ha im still not sure if she was serious. I really love the teachers and faculty at this school. Sally and I made lunch and I planned out what to make for dinner (frugality is our middle name). Then we went on the greatest walk, its so nice to just walk without purpose here. There is so much to be seen that Ive missed while im rushing back and forth to school and caught up getting lost and overwhelmed with the 5 different street names assigned to one street. We went to the Palazzo Pitti, got in for free with our little student museum pass card (one of the greatest things we have gained so far from this trip) and just went to the gardens today, not into the palace. I honestly have always thought that those people that always say "oh that view just took my breath away" were hamming it up a little bit. I cant lie, the view literally was breathtaking. I took some pictures but they couldnt do it justice. The gardens were so peaceful and quiet and clean. The air smelled so lovely:) We have already decided that we are going back as much as we possibly can, to read and sit in the sun, its such a great place to get away from all the motorcycles and crazy cab drivers and Asians running around taking pictures of everything (no offense Asians). After that I went to the market all by myself!! I wasnt scared! I bought some food and walked back without a map, im starting to feel like I can make it here:)

   I made baked vegetable Parmesan with meat sauce, it was pretty good I cant lie:) The only sad part is, there is no dishwasher or microwave here, so all the dishes i had to do by hand and i guess we'll reheat some leftovers tomorrow in the oven. There are aspects of America that I miss:)

   We went out for another walk after dinner that included some tirimisu gelato, were still trying to scope out the cheapest/least-touristy spot. Im feeling better as the days go on, Im so happy we found the gardens and im so excited for all the other museums that we can go to for free with our student pass.

    I feel like these blogs are getting more and more boring:/ Im sorry for that. 

   Im so excited for Michael to get here, i feel like this whole city just screams romantic. I cant wait to go on walks and write our name on the bridge like every other American, vandalizing the historical structure. Or locking a padlock on the side railing illegally (theres a rumor that if you write your initals and the intials of the person you love on a lock and then snap it onto this railing, youll be with them forever, or something like that) anyways Im just so excited for him to get here:)

   Ok I should probably go to bed now, ive been getting less and less sleep but drinking more and more espresso so it evens out fairly well:) 

   Goodnight blogging world!

ps i miss my michael

Yay classes!!! :)

Buona sera!! 

   Yay im learning a little bit:) Today was a good day in Italy:) It was freezing but it was sunny and things felt better and everything is getting a little easier. Baby steps I suppose:) I dont want to be boring and just make a list of everything that I do in a day, but at the same time I kinda do just so that I can remember everything:) Today was my first day of classes. They are going to be so wonderful, Im so excited! I dont know what I will do with the knowledge that I will aquire this semester but thats ok, right now im loving it. I had Batik, black and white photography and creative writing today, as well as survival Italian this evening but that was pretty quick and easy. Batik might be my favorite so far, I did not even know what it was until I was researching for studying abroad. Its like silk dying using wax to separate the colors. Its gonna be amazing. Tedious, but im so excited to be able to wear a scarf that I dyed myself!! Also walking to school this morning was so cute, everybody is opening their little stores and sweeping the sidewalk, it felt so movie-like. Like in "Youve got Mail" when Meg Ryan opens her little book store in the morning? Its slightly dirtier here and kinda smells like sewage once in a while but thats alright.

   The teachers here are pretty incredible. Maybe I just got all the good ones, but they are pretty awesome. My photography teacher told us that if it was really important, we could skype in class, and that we could eat in class as long as we didnt eat the chemicals and as long as we hid it if the dean came in:) My creative writing teacher looks just like Count Olaf from The Series of Unfortunate Events movie. Crazy California "dude" with crazy hair. He told us "I wish class could be like 'dudes lets just write' but sadly they make me have a real syllabus with real assignments." I think these calsses are going to be great.

   I also got to skype with my buddy, i know you blogger people probably dont care about that but it is the greatest. What a blessing the internet is:) 

   I found the library upstairs in our main school building today. It is so wonderful looks like it jumped right off the page of an Ikea magazine. It has a second little level all the way around the room and a cute little spiral staircase leading up to it. Its so cozy and warm. I fell asleep for a while on the table, it was pretty wonderful. 

other exciting things that happened:

-ate an awesome sandwich with some bubbly water (very italian), i think it was speck that was in it, pretty tasty:)

-drank some chocolate, i wouldnt even call it hot chocolate, it was so thick and delicious, tasted kinda like hot chocolate pudding but it was wonderful

-put down a deposit to go on any field trips that I can manage to get my name on the list for this semester

-walked to school and back without a map!!!!! hooray!! maybe i will be able to pull off being an italian:)

I feel like none of my blogs are very exciting lately but thats alright I suppose, not every day can be a crazy day. 

Oh and I may or may not come back with lung disease, I cant even remember what clean air smells like. But thats ok, Im pretty lucky sitting here eating cookies and licking the inside of a nutella jar, I just with Michael Weller was here too. Soon though:)

ciao blog people!

ps i miss my bud

"I dont even know how to order Gelato, maybe we should take survival Italian"

Hello blogging world, Im so terrible at making up good titles for my blogs, is that what you call the individual posts? Or maybe theyre just posts:) I need to learn how to be a proper blogger.
Today wasnt too exciting, I dont know if Im supposed to tell you about my day or what Im supposed to do. I really am a terrible blogger, maybe one day Ill learn.
   We went to another market today, it was slightly less overwhelming, its still so hard to know what to buy. Im not sure if im putting hair product on my legs or lotion:/ The markets here do have this cool thing, whenver you buy produce, you put your veggies or whatever in their plastic bag like at harris teeter, but then you weigh it yourself and pick what it is and then print a sticker and put it on the bag its so easy! Why doesnt America do that?
   We then attempted to make lunch, pasta and sauce, nothing too fancy but it did the trick:) After that we went to Ikea! It smelled just like the one in Charlotte, it felt like America:) Besides the fact that nobody was speaking english. One of our fantastic roommates who is a grad-student told us about a bus that takes everyone to Ikea for free! It was such a score. We bought some stuff to make our room cuter, and it helped, who knew a little candle could make such a difference.
   I dont wanna be that guy, I know im in Italy but I cant lie, my favorite part of the day was talking to my best buddy on skype. Seeing his face and hearing his voice was such a perfect pick-me-up:) I miss him so terribly but it was so great to see him:)
   We went to buy gelato just a little while ago, hence the title. It was this cute little place right down the street from our apartment, I had nutella and caramel it was delish:) At least I think it was caramel, I guessed it was according to what the Italian name was.
   Tomorrow is our first day of class, I feel like such a nerd, im so excited. I need to be doing something. I miss making things. Its gonna be good to have more structure and to have something to do.

Some common things that are in Italy but not America:
-shiny puffy black coats (some with belts)
-baby cocoons, people but their babies in little cocoons when theyre in a stroller, I guess to keep them warm because everyone is outside a lot more than in America
-little dogs walking with their owners everywhere, even in the markets
-smoking, lord I thought that trend was past, but apparently not

so anyways, im so excited for class, I will definitely have things to say about that:)

oh and sorry mom and dad, wearing a scarf and a big coat has rubbed the back of my head while I walk around all day long, and I may or may not have the beginning of a giant dread in the back of my hair:)

goodnight and goodmorning:)
ps i miss my michael

2nd post of the day:)

Ok so im having one of those, I really miss home and my best friend, and my dog, and walmart and my bed, and watching Rachel Ray and doing anything that is familiar kind of moments. Its late so I should probably be sleeping but I just read this, and it helped me immensly, and I feel like in the future I think it would be cool to look back and see all of this:) So I apologize if this is not proper blogging technique, to add multiple times a day, but whatever. Im studying abroad without a Visa, whos ever heard of that?


"In that day you will say:
'I will praise you, O Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and
my song;
he has become my salvation'
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his
name;
make known among the nathions what
he has done,
and proclaim that his name is
exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done
glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of
Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel
among you."


ps i miss my Michael

Theme of the day is "where are we?"

Ok so Im really hoping that I can keep up with this blog the entire semester, Im gonna try my hardest, but I doubt once classes start that its gonna be a daily deal:) But for now, ive got time, so indeed I will type what I can:)
   Today was good, trying to get a better handle on living in a city that doesnt speak english. We slept in, which was fabulous, our room is like a cave so theres no worries about the sun waking us. Sally and I then ran to school (which we were told is only 10 or 15 minutes away if you walk slow, good grief, we were going fast and it took at least 20 minutes) we were late, and missed our group that was going to walk to our off-campus class. So we got a map from the office, and then tried to make our way there. We got lost again, but eventually made it. It was so beautiful, in the middle of the city we went through these huge double doors, and we were in a garden, it was so peaceful and pretty. I feel like such a nerd but the classroom feel was comforting, im really excited for classes to start. I need some structure in my life.
   So we talked to our teacher and got all that worked out and then got an "espresso-macchiato" a little tiny shot of espresso with a little milk in it. It was so delicious. After two swigs, I was like "mmk, can i have a grande one of these?" just kidding, but really I could have drank 5. We did realize that Italians dont carry around food and drinks. Americans really are fat.
   
      Other exciting things that we did today:
-took half of a walking tour, I couldnt really hear but that was ok, seeing all these buildings and statues is incredible, I think im in shock that this is the real thing.
-saw James Taylor in the Piazza de S. Maria Novella, ok I dont think it was James Taylor, he was singing in Italian, but it sounded just like him I swear.
-got lost like 28 more times, weve started using the Christmas lights (that will probably be taken down soon) as landmarks...probably not a good idea
-ate some fantastic ravioli, and some bread made without salt which believe it or not is very different, and dipped it in some olive oil, and let me just tell you, american olive oil, is NOT olive oil

So I guess that is it for now, I hope that I can learn some Italian soon because I keep getting weird looks for saying "lo siento" which is "im sorry" only in spanish. Awesome job Alex.

ps. I miss Michael Weller (a lot)

Day One, or Two, Ive been awake for a lot of days

    I just ate an entire small baguette smothered in Nutella. Is that a good way to start a blog? I dont know how to blog, but I feel like I should since Im in Europe and Europeans do cool artsy things like blog. So here I am, making this up. I guess I should tell the whole story from the beginning, probably more for my sake so that I can erase it from my memory. So here we go I suppose:
    The deal was, Madison was flying to Charlotte on Tuesday, we would sleep and wake up to go to the airport in the morning to meet Sally and get on our way. The whole process of sending off our passports to recieve our visas had already been a pain, but we were pretty sure that it would work out. Indeed, while Madison is en-route to Charlotte, we get an email that says we will not be able to fly out on Wednesday because our Visas had not been sent from the consulate. This was pretty disappointing. Before we were gonna fly to New York and meet all of our fellow abroad students and travel with them, however, it wasnt going to happen. Super.
    So plan B, we immediately got on the phone with everyone we could trying to reschedule our flights, after listening to way too many bad eighties songs while on hold with airlines, and trying to work it out so that it would not cost 4 fortunes to change a flight that soon, we got it worked out. Indeed we would fly out of Charlotte, on Thursday, a day later than we wanted but it was gonna work this time. So we wasted time in Charlotte for the day and then got everything packed and ready for Thursday. Thursday morning, Sally was going to go to HPU to pick up our freshly delivered passports and visas. Sally texted me soon there after and told me that my passport did not have my visa sticker inside of it. Perfect. Madison and Sally both had their stickers but I did not. I was approved yes, I had the sheet of paper stamped by the consulate. But I DID NOT HAVE MY VISA. But it was going to be ok, surely I could just get on the plane right? I would just get on and deal with the Visa later, I could send it back once I got into the country. Ok so its ok, everything is going to be ok. Madison and I zip our bags and wait till its time to leave for the airport. Ten minutes before we are supposed to leave, I kid you not. Ten minutes. I get a call, and hear that I am not going to be able to fly out of Charlotte, I dont have my visa so they wont let me into the country. So not only am I really really upset at this point, im pretty furious that my trip that has been booked for months and months is being dangled in front of my face like when carriage drivers used to dangle a carrot in front of their horse to make them go. (Am I making that up? I feel like ive read it or seen it on something) Anyways, my carrot had been snatched out from my sight too much. My mother went bananas and insisted that I be able to board the flight. We were already missing orientation, this was gonna be rough if I had to fly alone later in the week because the Consulate forgot to put my sticker in my Visa.
    Fast forward, I feel like im rambling so Ill shorten the next part of the story as best I can:) I end up crying my eyes out for the millionth time that week, and then deciding to just get on the plane. The worst that could happen is that I would get to Munich and have to turn around and come home, but there was a slight possibility that I could make it. So i took the chance. Said a teary goodbye to my bestest friend in the whole world and got in the line for security. We fly to Munich, eat some really great (not actually that great) plane food but do get some of those cool warm lemon wipes or whatever they are for your hands. That was a plus. We make it to Munich, get in line for customs. Im shaking. Sweating. Itching the sides of my head from the mysterious foam headphones we got from the flight attendant. I approach the desk with two German, armed police men (in my head right now there is horror movie music playing) He asks me a bunch of questions about why im going to Italy, how long I will be there, who Im staying with, when Im coming home. To all of these questions what do I tell him? Blatant lies. I dont usually lie, but in this case, I think it had to happen. He gave me a squinty eye and stamped my passport. I then ran to our next gate, hoping he wasnt coming after me.
  So we fly again, this time with a bit more turbulence, a couple of instances of vomiting on the plane, but at this point. Nothing is going to stop us from at least getting to Italy. We get there. We leave. It was that simple there was no customs, I didnt have to lie again hooray!!
   So we get a taxi to our school, fill out a bunch of boring paperwork, make our way to our ghetto and not very well heated apartment, but hey, we made it. After that, there were a few meltdowns, but its ok
   So here we are, eating bread and nutella like pre-biggest loser contestants would. But weve walked approximately 3000 miles today. I think its ok:) Now I will go shower for the first time in two days, and take off the socks that have been on my feet for that long as well. Even after the immense amount of drama that occurred in the process of getting here and even after we arrived. Its such a blessing that we are here, safe, behind three different locked doors, on an adventure like none other. Im hoping that every blog thing I make wont be this long. I apologize for the wordiness, if thats a word. Goodnight Italy, and Good afternoon America (so crazy). Ill be in touch.
ps I miss my Michael