Today the program is over and I am so happy. This has been a wonderful experience and I have learned many things that just cannot be taught to someone. I have gained the experience of being in another country for an extended period of time and not being on vacation.
I have been able to gain a new perspective of teaching and how teaching differs all around the world and I will hopefully be able to take some of the things I have learned home so that when I become a teacher I will be able to teach with the best techniques.
I have learned that the stupid girls that were mean as a little girl that my mother said would grow up and learn that they cannot treat people that way, never really grow up and will be skanks forever.
I have learned that I am capable of meeting people that are not judgmental and drama-oriented. I have met some of the best people here and I really hope I will be able to continue being friends with most of them for a long while.
I have learned how to navigate a subway system that I absolutely hated.
I have learned that Europeans need to wear more deodorant and that wearing deodorant does not mean that you are gay. If you thought wearing it was gay then, you should not wear such tight pants; that really does mean your gay…
All things that cannot be taught in a classroom and all things that even though I have wanted to go home most of the trip I will miss but will carry these lessons with me forever.
But most of all,
I will miss Dr. Wright!
;-)
Monday, August 2, 2010
July 30, 2010
Today is the last day of the program. This last week has really flown by. Today we did not have to be to school until noon to take the test. I was so happy I was able to sleep in for a while. Well not really sleep in but lie in bed and relax. I always wake up around 7 and after Im awake I can never really fall back asleep.
Once everyone was up, we all reviewed and compared answers for the study guide. Some of them were difficult and we never really could find the answer. After reviewing and getting ready Chelsea and I headed for school. Once at school we took the final. Chelsea laughed hysterically at the bonus question. I thought is was really funny too and I think it made Chelsea and Jenifer feel special.
I thought I had done well on the final until I was talking to everyone on the bus ride home and we compared answers and I realized I think I did really badly. I’m really mad I even answered one question wrong that I knew. It was just as soon as I saw the answer as one of the options I picked it not reading the question was asking which car was not an Italian car. Oh, well lessons learned.
After the test I went back to the dorm and took a nap. When I leave I’m going to miss my afternoon naps. They have been so wonderful but back to reality when I get home. When I woke up I did a lot of packing and rearranging. I was so worried everything was not going to fit in my bag and really most of it did not fit and I had to shove it in the bag. It is going to be a miracle if everything makes it home still intact and not broken.
After packing I got ready for the farewell dinner. I realized that while most people think they gained weight while they had been here, I feel like I have lost some weight or at least done enough sit-ups in the gym downstairs to flatten my pudgy out a little. I will be so excited to go home and get on the scale; on the other hand im going to be really sad if I go home and haven’t lost any weight. Anyway when I put my dress on for the dinner I that’s when I realized I thought I lost weight. After I got ready we went to dinner, and well, you know what happened at dinner.
Beyond the ridiculous service I have never felt angrier and felt my blood pressure go up faster than when Allison started talking shit about the stupid wine bottles. The diversity within this entire group and the unwillingness of them to be more open and less like skanky bitches is beyond me and I will not miss it at all. I really do not appreciate when people act like that and it pretty much just shows their ass.
Once everyone was up, we all reviewed and compared answers for the study guide. Some of them were difficult and we never really could find the answer. After reviewing and getting ready Chelsea and I headed for school. Once at school we took the final. Chelsea laughed hysterically at the bonus question. I thought is was really funny too and I think it made Chelsea and Jenifer feel special.
I thought I had done well on the final until I was talking to everyone on the bus ride home and we compared answers and I realized I think I did really badly. I’m really mad I even answered one question wrong that I knew. It was just as soon as I saw the answer as one of the options I picked it not reading the question was asking which car was not an Italian car. Oh, well lessons learned.
After the test I went back to the dorm and took a nap. When I leave I’m going to miss my afternoon naps. They have been so wonderful but back to reality when I get home. When I woke up I did a lot of packing and rearranging. I was so worried everything was not going to fit in my bag and really most of it did not fit and I had to shove it in the bag. It is going to be a miracle if everything makes it home still intact and not broken.
After packing I got ready for the farewell dinner. I realized that while most people think they gained weight while they had been here, I feel like I have lost some weight or at least done enough sit-ups in the gym downstairs to flatten my pudgy out a little. I will be so excited to go home and get on the scale; on the other hand im going to be really sad if I go home and haven’t lost any weight. Anyway when I put my dress on for the dinner I that’s when I realized I thought I lost weight. After I got ready we went to dinner, and well, you know what happened at dinner.
Beyond the ridiculous service I have never felt angrier and felt my blood pressure go up faster than when Allison started talking shit about the stupid wine bottles. The diversity within this entire group and the unwillingness of them to be more open and less like skanky bitches is beyond me and I will not miss it at all. I really do not appreciate when people act like that and it pretty much just shows their ass.
July 29, 2010
Im getting more and more excited about the program ending and being able to go home. It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed being here and being able to make some great friends that I cant wait to go home and go out with I just don’t think I prepared myself for being here. On top of the excitement of being able to see Michael in a couple days; it all is just so much to handle.
Today we had lecture. We met at school for our last lecture of Cinema. It was an interesting lecture although it seemed like of all the lecturers this lady had the heaviest accent and was the hardest to pay attention to because she kept stopping to find the right words. It was very distracting. After lecture, Heather, Teresa, Susie, Stephanie and I went to Luini’s for a last calzone thing. They really are delicious and I think I’m going to go home and practice until I can imitate the recipe so that when our café opens I will be able to sell them. I think they would be a hit with fat Americans like me. Anything inside of a doughnut is going to be good.
After Luini’s we made our way back to the dorm. Heather and I stopped for gelato first though. We talked the entire bus ride home about everything. It was really nice to be able to talk to someone that doesn’t judge people. In fact this whole trip it has been nice being able to talk to a few people that a really nice and do not judge you like so many of my friends do. Hopefully this trip and being able to meet these great people will be the start of something new.
Once back at the dorm, everyone in the bella suite took a nap. It was so quiet in our rooms it was so nice. When everyone started waking up people started working on their papers again. I realized today that I am absolutely horrible at writing papers and taking tests and really It’s a surprise that I am making it through college. It has been such a struggle for me and getting through college since no one in my family has gone to college and nobody understands what the workload is. Hopefully, me making it through college will really pave the way for mine and Michael’s future and hopefully I will be able to help get my mother and her finances on track. I worry about her all the time.
After I finished writing my paper I went to sleep. I am growing more and more annoyed of how loud everyone is while Chelsea and I are trying to go to sleep. It seems like them talk louder when they know were sleeping. Oh, well at least the program is ending very shortly.
Today we had lecture. We met at school for our last lecture of Cinema. It was an interesting lecture although it seemed like of all the lecturers this lady had the heaviest accent and was the hardest to pay attention to because she kept stopping to find the right words. It was very distracting. After lecture, Heather, Teresa, Susie, Stephanie and I went to Luini’s for a last calzone thing. They really are delicious and I think I’m going to go home and practice until I can imitate the recipe so that when our café opens I will be able to sell them. I think they would be a hit with fat Americans like me. Anything inside of a doughnut is going to be good.
After Luini’s we made our way back to the dorm. Heather and I stopped for gelato first though. We talked the entire bus ride home about everything. It was really nice to be able to talk to someone that doesn’t judge people. In fact this whole trip it has been nice being able to talk to a few people that a really nice and do not judge you like so many of my friends do. Hopefully this trip and being able to meet these great people will be the start of something new.
Once back at the dorm, everyone in the bella suite took a nap. It was so quiet in our rooms it was so nice. When everyone started waking up people started working on their papers again. I realized today that I am absolutely horrible at writing papers and taking tests and really It’s a surprise that I am making it through college. It has been such a struggle for me and getting through college since no one in my family has gone to college and nobody understands what the workload is. Hopefully, me making it through college will really pave the way for mine and Michael’s future and hopefully I will be able to help get my mother and her finances on track. I worry about her all the time.
After I finished writing my paper I went to sleep. I am growing more and more annoyed of how loud everyone is while Chelsea and I are trying to go to sleep. It seems like them talk louder when they know were sleeping. Oh, well at least the program is ending very shortly.
July 27, 2010
Today we went to Turin. We had to be downstairs early so that we could catch the train out of town. It was about a two hour train ride but it was a beautiful as are most of the trains that are out of Milan. Once in Turin we had to walk a good way so that we could reach the cinema museum. On the way to the cinema museum we stopped and ate at a little shop along the way. I often wonder how the little store owner feel (I assume happiness) that they go from having no one in the shop to having fourteen people mostly all eating. That really must make them happy.
Once at the cinema museum we were able to see how modern cinema started and where it came from. It was really neat to be able to see what TV used to be like. Once we finished the tour we were able to take the elevator to the top of the building to get a view from the top. I was so scary getting in the elevator and Lupita did not make it better. She kept saying that the lines were breaking and that the elevator was swaying. I could’ve killed her. The entire way both up and down I was sweating and even on the way up I had to close my eyes. I guess I’m afraid of heights or just afraid of shifty looking elevators taking me way to high for my comfort.
After we finished the elevator and the museum tour we went searching for food and the chocolate coffee drink. Sagan ended up finding these little fried things that were very different however they were kind of gross because they were really greasy and they weren’t that good in my opinion. Finally we found a place that served the chocolate drinks. The man that made them was so sweet. He gave us samples of the chocolate and he was just an overall sweet man. The drink was as fabulous as Dr. Wright had said. Although I could only handle one of them at a time I gave her kudos for being able to have two. I would’ve had a heart attack.
After the chocolate drinks we shopped around for a while then headed back to the train station to go back to Milan. I slept part of the way but I really enjoy the train rides. They make me forget about how much I do not like Milan and the country is just so beautiful. After we got home, I worked on my paper a little bit more and went to sleep.
Once at the cinema museum we were able to see how modern cinema started and where it came from. It was really neat to be able to see what TV used to be like. Once we finished the tour we were able to take the elevator to the top of the building to get a view from the top. I was so scary getting in the elevator and Lupita did not make it better. She kept saying that the lines were breaking and that the elevator was swaying. I could’ve killed her. The entire way both up and down I was sweating and even on the way up I had to close my eyes. I guess I’m afraid of heights or just afraid of shifty looking elevators taking me way to high for my comfort.
After we finished the elevator and the museum tour we went searching for food and the chocolate coffee drink. Sagan ended up finding these little fried things that were very different however they were kind of gross because they were really greasy and they weren’t that good in my opinion. Finally we found a place that served the chocolate drinks. The man that made them was so sweet. He gave us samples of the chocolate and he was just an overall sweet man. The drink was as fabulous as Dr. Wright had said. Although I could only handle one of them at a time I gave her kudos for being able to have two. I would’ve had a heart attack.
After the chocolate drinks we shopped around for a while then headed back to the train station to go back to Milan. I slept part of the way but I really enjoy the train rides. They make me forget about how much I do not like Milan and the country is just so beautiful. After we got home, I worked on my paper a little bit more and went to sleep.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
July 25 & 26, 2010
Sunday and Monday have been some of the best days of my life. I have literally done nothing, besides work on my paper, sleep a whole heck of a lot, and talk to my family. I also went to the gym both days but it is so exciting to be able to not do anything because unless im sick, I never even get this opportunity at home. Both days I slept until at least 230 in the afternoon, however I did wake up for breakfast eat and went back to sleep. Once up I went to the gym, came home talked on skype and worked on my paper. So, unfortunately this is a short blog, these two days were the greatest.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
July 24, 2010
Today we woke up at 5 am and got ready to head to Florence. I got up and took a shower and so did Chelsea. I felt bad because I called Michael about 10 minutes before we left and they pretty much left without me so I had to cut Michael off and run out the door. We headed to the train station and I couldn't help to notice that both Jenifer and Chelsea were very grumpy about something. The train ride was nice. I fell asleep on the way. When we got to Florence, Pita and I decided that we needed breakfast. When we met back up with Chelsea and Jenifer we asked them if they wanted breakfast and they both snapped at us.. so, we grabbed McDonald's on the way out of the train station. Breakfast was so good. I was so excited when they had the MC muffin, hash browns and coffee! Today was going to be a great day!
After we grabbed breakfast we started off toward the Duomo. While Pita and Jenifer climbed the Duomo Chelsea and I decided to head for the Ferrari store. While we were almost to the Ferrari store we saw a Guess store and I told Chelsea we should go in since it was so big. Chelsea ended up finding a new purse, wallet, and bracelet. Go Chelsea!
We finally ended up at the Ferrari store were she bought her boyfriend cologne and on the walk back to find Jenifer and Pita, I bought a few scarves. When we met back up Pita really wanted to go shopping at this huge market so we did. I grew very quickly annoyed because there were so man people and I was really really hot. Finally we came across this church the Jenifer wanted to go into so we sat outside while she went in. After the church we decided to get lunch at this place that Chelsea had eaten at a few years ago and absolutely loved.
We got to the lunch place and found out that they had a max coca cola which of course meant that we had to order it. It was huge. Probably about 4 cans of coke in one glass with a lot of ice. They really knew how Americans liked their coke. I found that they had lasagna also so I ordered that. When it came out it tasted like chefboyarde from the can but it really wasn't. It was really good though.
After lunch everyone decided to go into another museum but I decided with my diminishing funds I didn't want to waste 4 Euro on something I would probably think was boring. So I sat outside and waited for an hour ( or did a great Italian pass time and I people watched for an hour) until they came out. After the museum they decided to stand in line at another museum ( i was starting to get angry because they wanted to see so many museums and I was going to have to wait outside) but I decided to go inside of this one. I was right I did find it extremely boring but I did get to see the birth of Venus which was really cool.
After the museum we started to head back to the train station to head home. Everyone was really tired. On the way back to the train station we found a gelato place and got some gelato then finally made it to the train station. We bought our tickets and sat for an hour until the train came. I slept on the train for about 30 minutes then stayed awake the rest. I saw the sunset and I actually really enjoyed seeing the country and how beautiful everything was. Once we got home I called my mother to tell her how much I missed her I also washed my feet because they were filthy then went to bed. It had been a great day and I really enjoyed Florence although I wished I could have seen Tuscany.
Friday, July 23, 2010
July 23, 2010
Today is Friday, Holy cow the program is over in a week! Im so excited. I have had fun while Ive been here but I think I was really shocked by the culture and everything and that I really didn't prepare myself as much as I wanted to for coming here. Im not really sure why I haven't enjoyed myself but overall I am glad that I came and I have made a few wonderful friends. Today, we had to be down stairs at 8 am because we were going to another Abbey. This one was bigger than the last and in my opinion prettier. After the Abbey we came back to the dorms and I took a nap. I was also able to do laundry so that I can go away this weekend with clean cloths.
I was really sad today when I was online paying my car insurance and I made a mistake in paying bills. BIG =(. I accidentally payed the remaining amount due on my car insurance which was almost $400 and I only owed $88. It sucks because it took a majority of my spending money. However being the optimistic person I am, at least I don't have to make another car insurance payment on my car or my moms car until October.
July 22, 2010
Today was a sort of slow day. I woke up and found at from the activities from the previous night someone went home and left the program. Even though I didn't really talk to her I was really sad that she left. I think that we have all been in that position but I think that some how you have to pull through. Also because everyone was still half drunk and hungover we did not have to be to class until noon and it wasn't even class it was the media room in the dorms. We watched a movie in Italian that was like old school horror. It was pretty funny. We ordered lunch half way through the movie and paused halfway through to eat. I got a calzone and it was so good! After the movie we all went back to our rooms and took about a 4 hour nap. It was such a difficult day haha. When I woke up I decided to go to the gym. Not realizing that mini golf was at 7:25 I stayed at the gym and missed going to mini golf however everyone told me I didn't miss anything because everyone got eaten by mosquitoes. Although staying home ended up working in my favor because I was able to interview Francesca about the Italian school system which was very cool and when everyone came home, Dr. Wright gave me a new idea about my project which I am again very excited about and in a teacher way ready to work on. After the events of the day I went to sleep. It was a really easy day, not to mention I don't think I changed from my sweat pants all day long. What a great day.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 21, 2010
Holy piggies the week is going be so quickly! I woke up and felt much better than the past two days. We went to lecture this morning and I was so much happier than yesterday. I even put makeup on today. Lecture was a little more interesting than yesterday because he wasn't so scattered with his lecture. I was able to listen and everything reminded me of how I took that art history class at NOVA and I actually really enjoyed learning about art history and that Sarah was blown away with all the work I had done when she took the course the following semester and struggled with it. After lecture we went to the local Italian version of Starbucks. It was a bit of a hike but I was so excited when I got there. After ordering and trying my drink I was so disappointed at the drink and the food. I decided that the food wasn't worth it but that if anybody ever asked, they had great service and that I would recommend it. After the coffee place we headed back to the dorms and took a nap. Tonight was going to be an exciting night because we were going to see Da Vinci's Last Supper. I was actually really excited on the inside but didn't want to seem too dorky about it all... We left for the Church and rode the metro to where we needed to go. I absolutely hate the metro. It is so dirty, hot and packed all the time.
We made it to church and only had a short wait before we were able to go inside the church. Once inside and finally seeing the painting It was sort of emotional for me. It was so beautiful and It had a sort of feeling to it that was indescribable. We were only allowed in the room for 15 minutes and we hurried out once our time was up. After the church we came home and everybody decided that they were going out for Karaoke. I genuinely did not want to go because I found out that something had happened with my financial aid account so I was completely annoyed with life that night. I'm sort of glad I didn't go because I hear there was a lot of drama that went on and I really hate drama, and not to mention it makes me sick.
We made it to church and only had a short wait before we were able to go inside the church. Once inside and finally seeing the painting It was sort of emotional for me. It was so beautiful and It had a sort of feeling to it that was indescribable. We were only allowed in the room for 15 minutes and we hurried out once our time was up. After the church we came home and everybody decided that they were going out for Karaoke. I genuinely did not want to go because I found out that something had happened with my financial aid account so I was completely annoyed with life that night. I'm sort of glad I didn't go because I hear there was a lot of drama that went on and I really hate drama, and not to mention it makes me sick.
July 20, 2010
Today was a pretty bad day too.. I still dint feel well and if fact I felt worse when I woke up. My ears hurts so bad, my throat was really sore, and I was exhausted just from waking up. Dr. Wright came in and asked if I wanted to go to the pharmacy and I said absolutely. Our group left to dorms after breakfast and made it to campus. After getting the lecture started she took me to the pharmacy where they gave me the Italian version of muccinex and theraflu. Both are nasty but I took them on the way back to class. When I got back into class I was suddenly so exhausted from walking all that way to the pharmacy that I didn't know how I was going to stay awake. I decided that rather than falling asleep I was going to play on the computer. I knew that playing on the computer meant that I would get in trouble, especially considering that I sit directly in front of her, but I didn't want to fall asleep either. After lecture I went back to the dorms and went to sleep. Again I slept for a while however today we went to take a tour of the old Opera house. Unfortunately I really don't remember anything that the tour guide said because I felt so lightheaded for some reason but I made it through the tour.
After the tour everyone decided it was a family dinner kind of night so they mingled around for a while debated on what to cook and who was going shopping, then we headed back to the dorms. We even stopped for granitas on the way home which felt indescribably good on my throat.
Finally back at the dorms I went to sleep. After a while Chelsea came in and checked on me and asked if I wanted dinner from upstairs. I said no because I was tired but she suggested that a full meal would make me feel better. I agreed so she was so nice and brought me dinner in bed. They had made grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and fruit. It was so good. After I ate, I layed in my bed and watched a ton of family guy from my laptop and finally went to sleep for the night.
After the tour everyone decided it was a family dinner kind of night so they mingled around for a while debated on what to cook and who was going shopping, then we headed back to the dorms. We even stopped for granitas on the way home which felt indescribably good on my throat.
Finally back at the dorms I went to sleep. After a while Chelsea came in and checked on me and asked if I wanted dinner from upstairs. I said no because I was tired but she suggested that a full meal would make me feel better. I agreed so she was so nice and brought me dinner in bed. They had made grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and fruit. It was so good. After I ate, I layed in my bed and watched a ton of family guy from my laptop and finally went to sleep for the night.
July 19, 2010
Today was a bummy day for me. I was still sick, however I made it to lecture today but not happily. I actually chewed off my nails today because I wanted to be in bed to badly but couldn't be. We got our grades back from the paper and I got an 85% which I was hoping for better but I'm planning on talking to her about how to raise my grade on the paper as soon as I feel better. After class I left and went straight to the dorms where I decided to take I nap. I text-ed Dr. Wright and told her that I was feeling well and that I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the activity of the evening. She text-ed back and said to let her know and that it would be OK if I didn't make it.
Well I woke up from my nap and I still felt horrible so I didn't go to the activity of the evening and I actually stayed in bed for the rest of the evening.
Well I woke up from my nap and I still felt horrible so I didn't go to the activity of the evening and I actually stayed in bed for the rest of the evening.
Monday, July 19, 2010
July 18, 2010
I woke up early today for my scheduled, well needed spa treatment. I first went to breakfast because I could not miss out on the American coffee. I actually really really enjoyed the breakfast. I think it's what cured my homesickness. Because it was raining and I was drinking coffee it reminded me of when I would stay at my grandmothers house before my mom started working at home. It felt just like when I was a kid and time didn't matter just that everything was innocent and grandmothers could make everything better. (And that's where I got my coffee addiction from. Cold days with coffee, wrapped in a blanket watching the rain and snow fall). Anyway, after breakfast I went to the spa and had a wonderful massage. It was completely to die for. I even got to shower in a stone shower; I took at least a 30 minute shower, it was so relaxing.
After the spa we packed and checked out of the hotel and started walking around a bit more. This was the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life because through the weekend because it was cold and raining and I didn't have a sweater or coat. After walking around and shopping a little bit more we stopped for a late lunch then headed back to the airport. Unfortunately on the bus back to the airport we go a 30 euro fine for having the wrong bus ticket. After rushing to the airport, getting a ticket and almost missing the plane we found out that the plane had been delayed.
Finally we made it back to Milan and back to the dorms around 10 pm at night and it concluded our fabulous weekend in Prague.
After the spa we packed and checked out of the hotel and started walking around a bit more. This was the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life because through the weekend because it was cold and raining and I didn't have a sweater or coat. After walking around and shopping a little bit more we stopped for a late lunch then headed back to the airport. Unfortunately on the bus back to the airport we go a 30 euro fine for having the wrong bus ticket. After rushing to the airport, getting a ticket and almost missing the plane we found out that the plane had been delayed.
Finally we made it back to Milan and back to the dorms around 10 pm at night and it concluded our fabulous weekend in Prague.
July 17, 2010
Chelsea and I slept in. We fully enjoyed our king size plush bed with down comforters and the AC down really cold. We decided to get up and get breakfast before the breakfast hour passed. Breakfast was so good. There were eggs, bacon, quiche, coffee, toast, everything! It was so good! especially the coffee. After breakfast we went back to the room and got dressed for the day of walking and roaming around Prague.
We started walking and shopping and taking pictures. It kinda sucked because you could tell it was going to rain and we were making our way to the church and it was on top of a huge hill. We finally made it to the top after stopping in numerous shops along the way. We also took the best pictures half way up the hill.
Finally at the top we made it to the Church and castle. I was really sad because my Nikon big Camera died but thankfully Chelsea was carrying around my other camera and we could still take pictures. At the Castle we found one of those really still guards and I took a picture with him.. It was so much fun! In fact all the police there were really really cute! I could've taken pictures with all of them.
It slowly started storming so we hurried down the mountain-hill thing and went back into town back to the chocolate store to but souvenirs.
After a long day of shopping and walking and rain, we went back to the hotel and rested up and started making plans for dinner. Chelsea finally decided on a real Czech cusine place so after getting re dressed we headed over to eat.
After dinner we came home and absolutely crashed asleep. It had been such a long day and we were so tired.
July 16, 2010
It's Friday! and Chelsea and I left for Prague, Czech Republic today! We started off in lecture which could not go by fast enough. Finally after lecture Chelsea went to lunch and I needed to bolt home and get my laundry done for the trip. Even though I was in a hurry, there is always time for gelato, soooo I got some gelato. I started my laundry and while my laundry was going I decided to work out. I find myself really liking going to the gym downstairs because I can plug my ipod in and almost always have the entire room to myself to work out in. After my laundry was finished I went upstairs and packed my bag. By that time Chelsea had come back and was also packing. Soon we had left for the airport and just nearly missed our flight. The plane ride was short. Only about an hour. I was really happy that I got to shit next to Chelsea because as weird as it sounds I was nervous to fly on a non American airline. However it all worked out. We finally made it to Prague and took the bus to the metro and the metro right to our hotel. It was wonderful how we walked right up from the metro and our hotel was about 20 feet from us. We checked into our 5star hotel and both jumped in the plush mattress with down comforters when we got to the room. It was the most beautiful sight I had seen in a long time. After playing around in the room and looking at everything I crashed because I was so tired from the excitement of the day.
July 15, 2010
Today was Sagan's birthday. We went to lecture this morning as usual and after lecture I stayed to work on my paper for a few hours. I was saved by the cappuccino I bought because I was so tired and not up to working on the paper. After the paper I came back to the room and took a power nap then got ready for the symphony. I was really excited to go to the symphony because I was in band for almost 10 years and music excites me. We were able to hear Schindler's list (which is my new favorite symphonic song) and chicken run which is unbelievably visual. I also loved that song. After the symphony we started walking so that we could find dinner. We eventually came to a Spanish food restaurant, which I was really really excited about. I ordered an enchilada which came out as a qasadilla but it was still good. I also tried the pina colada and had a coke. At the end of dinner Jenifer was about to get us a round of shot free for Sagan's birthday. When we were ready to leave we realized that we had sat there so long that we were not going to make the last train home and were going to have to take the bus so that's what we did. We ended up at Centrale station taking a cab. I took a cab with Sagan, Travis and Allison, they never really talk to me, or when I talk to them I feel like they look down on me so I wasn't really happy riding with them. We finally made it home and I went to sleep.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 14, 2010
Today we had to wake up early because we went to Lake Maggiore. We had to get on the metro and ride to Centrale where we caught the big train and rode it our there. The lake was gorgeous. It reminded me of the lake that the lochness monster lives in because it was so big and there was so much fog/smog hovering the lake. I was sure he was going to jump up at any moment especially when we were on the shuttle boat going to the first island.
When we went to the first island I was blown away with the beauty of it. There were flowers everywhere and a castle that was completely gorgeous inside. While I walked through the castle I wondered what it would’ve been like to grow up in a place like this. The rooms were huge and there was even a ballroom. We went on to the next island that this island was bigger and even more beautiful. In this castle the entire basement was made of like sea rocks and lake rocks from floor to ceiling. It was such a cool thing to see. Outside to the castle there was a man painting and I was really sad when I didn’t have enough Euros to buy one of his paintings but I decided it wasn’t meant to be. Finally we got back on the shuttle and road back to the mainland where we found a beach and sat for a while. A few of us decided we were hungry and went to a restaurant just down from the beach. Many of us were elated that they had “American hamburgers” on the menu. We were blown away when the food got to the table and it was hot dog meat in the shape of a hamburger with cheese and ketchup. It was the weirdest thing but it was so good! After lunch we dipped our feet in the lake and decided to go home. When we made it to the train I fell asleep and woke up back in Milan. It was such good sleep because I was so tired but when I woke up I had been sweating really badly so I was really uncomfortable. Also when I got back to the dorm I realized that I had gotten slight sunburn so I showered and took a short nap. When I woke up I worked on my paper for a while then Chelsea decided she really wanted Chinese food.
Professor, Chelsea, Allison and Marie went on a mission to find Chinese food. It was so exciting when we found it, ordered and walked back to the dorms. The food was so good and we decided that we would have to go there again soon. After dinner I worked on my paper for about 30 minutes then went to sleep.
When we went to the first island I was blown away with the beauty of it. There were flowers everywhere and a castle that was completely gorgeous inside. While I walked through the castle I wondered what it would’ve been like to grow up in a place like this. The rooms were huge and there was even a ballroom. We went on to the next island that this island was bigger and even more beautiful. In this castle the entire basement was made of like sea rocks and lake rocks from floor to ceiling. It was such a cool thing to see. Outside to the castle there was a man painting and I was really sad when I didn’t have enough Euros to buy one of his paintings but I decided it wasn’t meant to be. Finally we got back on the shuttle and road back to the mainland where we found a beach and sat for a while. A few of us decided we were hungry and went to a restaurant just down from the beach. Many of us were elated that they had “American hamburgers” on the menu. We were blown away when the food got to the table and it was hot dog meat in the shape of a hamburger with cheese and ketchup. It was the weirdest thing but it was so good! After lunch we dipped our feet in the lake and decided to go home. When we made it to the train I fell asleep and woke up back in Milan. It was such good sleep because I was so tired but when I woke up I had been sweating really badly so I was really uncomfortable. Also when I got back to the dorm I realized that I had gotten slight sunburn so I showered and took a short nap. When I woke up I worked on my paper for a while then Chelsea decided she really wanted Chinese food.
Professor, Chelsea, Allison and Marie went on a mission to find Chinese food. It was so exciting when we found it, ordered and walked back to the dorms. The food was so good and we decided that we would have to go there again soon. After dinner I worked on my paper for about 30 minutes then went to sleep.
July 13, 2010
Today was another typical and rather boring day. We went to lecture this morning but after lecture I stayed at school for about 2 ½ hours working on my paper. I was so excited because I thought I was finished with my paper when I realized I had my header on all of the pages and when I fixed it I only had 8 and a half pages so I had to keep writing and find more information for my paper. When I came home I took a nap and after my nap I was able to talk to my mom for a while.
Everyone went out tonight however I chose to sat in and enjoy having the suite to myself for a while and also work on my paper. I sat on the veranda and listened to everyone eating dinner and talking. It made me really sad that I do not have a family like that and that my family is falling apart. It drew me back and actually made me cry that I am away at school and not with Michael and that if I were with Michael I would be happier. However when I was with Michael and I had to be a house wife I was bored and that wasn’t me, I have to remain strong and finish my degree strong so that I will be able to move around with him soon enough and we will be a happy family again.
Everyone went out tonight however I chose to sat in and enjoy having the suite to myself for a while and also work on my paper. I sat on the veranda and listened to everyone eating dinner and talking. It made me really sad that I do not have a family like that and that my family is falling apart. It drew me back and actually made me cry that I am away at school and not with Michael and that if I were with Michael I would be happier. However when I was with Michael and I had to be a house wife I was bored and that wasn’t me, I have to remain strong and finish my degree strong so that I will be able to move around with him soon enough and we will be a happy family again.
July 12, 2010
Today was a typical day. We went to lecture this morning and I came back after lecture to work on my journals that were due today. I had been keeping up on them for the most part except for the weekend. After I wrote my journals I worked on my paper for a long while today. I also took a nap for about 2 hours today.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 11, 2010
The train ride to Chinque Terra was much better than the one to Venice yesterday, we had comfier seats and there was more importantly air condition on this train. The train ride took longer than expected. We thought it was only going to take 2 hours but we found out it was 3 hours but it really didn't matter because the train ride was gorgeous. When we finally arrived in Monterosso we were blown away to how busy it was. We were expecting a slower paced little city on the edge of the coast and it was this at all. There were people EVERYWHERE! First we took a few pictures and needed to use the bathroom. It kind of sucked because we had to pay ,50 euro to use the bathroom and it was dirty. After the bathroom we started walking around searching for food. In search of food we kept running into really cute shops and started shopping, not as much as yesterday but we shopped a lot. I found these liquor bottles that were hand painted and the will fit my decor in my kitchen so I had to have them. I also found hand painted mugs, sugar and creme dishes but they were unbelievably expensive but I really wanted them but decided against them. Finally we found a place that was still serving lunch and we sat on this cliff over looking the town and the water and had paninis, cokes, and Chelsea and I had cocktails. We couldve sat there forever it was so gorgeous but we decided to continue up the road.
After walking for a while and stopping to take pictures every few steps we found decided that we were going to turn around because it was really hot and we found out that the next town was a 2 hour walk and we didn't have time for that. On our way back we found a hole in a fence that had a small trail following it so, of course we had to climb through it. We went through the hole and walked the small trail. It was pretty steep but it had steps all the way through it. We continued and finally came across this couple that was topless and doing inappropriate things for being in public. So we took pictures and kept going. We finally found the end and it there was a little bridge to like a small island and it was absolutely gorgeous. We stayed there for a while and took pictures and just sat and took in the sight.
We finally decided to head back. On our way back we ran into a German guy that was standing on the crossover bridge as though he were going to jump into the water. We asked him if he had ever done it before and he said no and after a minute he took a rock and threw it down to make sure he wasn't going to be pushed by the wind and finally jumped the estimated 3-4 stories off the bridge. I was so scared for him!
Finally we made it back to the train station and bought our ticket. We had about 30 minutes before the train was coming so we ran and got some gelato. The train ride home was longer because we had a lay over in Genoa but finally made it home sometime around midnight. It was such a great day and I plan on bringing my husband back someday soon.
July 9, 2010
It's Friday! Were supposed to be going to Venice and Chinque Terra Sunday. I am so excited. Today however we are stuck in class and there a bus strike today. We had to stay at school until somewhere around 3. We had morning lecture and movie in the classroom. Professor said it was better than the bicycle thief but I didn't think so. Both movies are about stealing so its just sort of depressing. After we finally made it home I took a long nap and did my laundry. Myself, Chelsea, heather, and Susie order take out. I got a four cheese pizza and after that pizza I decided I didn't want cheese anymore for a while. After dinner I did my laundry and went to sleep. I was an almost relaxing day and not too stressful. It was definitely annoying because of the bus strikes but... At least they let us know when they're going to strike.
July 10, 2010
Venice
Oh my goodness, Venice was such a long day. We woke up around 4:45 AM so that we could get ready to catch the bus, metro, and train all the way out to Venice. The train was in was terrible. The train was very cramped, there were people standing in the aisles, and it was really hot because there was no air condition in the car we were in. When we arrived in Venice I was thrilled! Venice is on my life's to do list and I did it! We walked around for a while looking at all the little shops. We decided we were going to try to find St. Mark's Square or something. We ended up walking around for hours and in circles unable to find it.
Somewhere around 4 in the afternoon, we felt like we were going to pass out. We hadn't eaten breakfast and we had been walking around shopping for the past 6 hours so we needed to find food fast. We had the roughest time finding food with the kitchens close in the afternoon deal. Finally we settled on a really expensive restaurant that we paid 4,50 Euro for a coke but got the best spaghetti I had ever had in my life.
After eating we walked around the famous bridge, finally found the Square and eventually made it back to the train setting us home around 1030 at night. It was a great day and Venice is absolutely great!
Oh my goodness, Venice was such a long day. We woke up around 4:45 AM so that we could get ready to catch the bus, metro, and train all the way out to Venice. The train was in was terrible. The train was very cramped, there were people standing in the aisles, and it was really hot because there was no air condition in the car we were in. When we arrived in Venice I was thrilled! Venice is on my life's to do list and I did it! We walked around for a while looking at all the little shops. We decided we were going to try to find St. Mark's Square or something. We ended up walking around for hours and in circles unable to find it.
Somewhere around 4 in the afternoon, we felt like we were going to pass out. We hadn't eaten breakfast and we had been walking around shopping for the past 6 hours so we needed to find food fast. We had the roughest time finding food with the kitchens close in the afternoon deal. Finally we settled on a really expensive restaurant that we paid 4,50 Euro for a coke but got the best spaghetti I had ever had in my life.
After eating we walked around the famous bridge, finally found the Square and eventually made it back to the train setting us home around 1030 at night. It was a great day and Venice is absolutely great!
Friday, July 9, 2010
July 8, 2010
Bloggy,
Today was a, what seems to be becoming, a usual day. I woke up early took a shower and had breakfast. We were allowed to sleep in for a fair amount because today we went to the out door open air market. We all went down to the bus and proceeded on to the metro to the market. The first thing I noticed about the market was the disgusting fish stand. Im really not sure who would buy fish from an out door market but it was there and it seemed to be doing alot of buisness. I continued through the market with Chelsea searching for our ingedients for our second family dinenr that we decided to have. I was out to get cherry tomatoes for salad and Chelsea was getting basil and oregano. Our group had decided to have chicken parmasan for dinner that night. At the marke they sold everything, purses, cloths, food, baby things, absolutley everything. I ended up buying my new cousin to be a bib that says something like my mom is bautiful or something. Tina will love it im sure, or if she doesnt she better tell me she does.
After the market, Chelsea, me, Lupita, and Jenifer headed back to the dorms. We stopped at a few places along the way and Chelsea ended up replacing her wallet. Finally we ended up back at the dorms and I decided to take a long nap because for some reason I didnt sleep well. I have a really hard time sleeping here, im sure if its because Im not used to sleeping with 5 other people within a 10 foot radius of me or if its the cot im sleeping on or what but for some reason I cant fall into a deep sleep here. I ended up sleeping for about 2 and a half hours.
When I woke up I decided to go to Esselunga (the grocery store) because I needed more granola bars (ive been living on those, fruit and cherrios). I also decided I would get utensils, a plate, and a cup so that I wouldnt have to eat with my fingers like I did last night.
After the grocery store I worked on my paper for a while finishing almost to page 6 of my very rough draft. My hopes are that Ill finish my paper tomorrow, enjoy the weekend in Venice, and edit the paper all next week and turn it in on Thursday. Hopfully I will also be able to get an interview with a teacher sometime soon. That would conclude a big portion of my research and I would be able to finish my extra project as well as my 2nd paper.
Around 5 PM all the ladies in my suite went downstairs and rode the bus to the University to meet everyone else to go to the Brera gallery of Art. We ended up only a block away from the market we were at earlier that day. The gallery was pretty boring except for when I was able to see The Brothal of the Virgin. I took a art history class through NOVA and I studied this painting and even wrote a paper on it so it was pretty cool to see it in person. However the only thing I could think when I saw all the paintings was that they have been retouched and fixed so I could not see the beauty in them. Needless to say the art gallery was REALLY boring.
After the art gallery we all came home except for a few and started on our 2nd family dinner. Susie and D. Wright were making the sauce, I cleaned my tomatoes and cut up the bananas. After we cooked we moved everything out to the veranda and eat outside again. My stomach started to hurt when I started eating and I started feeling really sick so I had some of the fruit we cut up instead of eating the chicken parmasan. I didnt end up cleaning up anything because my stomach hurt so I went downstairs and checked my email to see if Michael had emailed me and I went to bed. I started, for the first time while traveling, feeling really homesick and I feel asleep sort of crying and wondering what my husband was doing and what life will be like in our new home soon enough.
Today was a, what seems to be becoming, a usual day. I woke up early took a shower and had breakfast. We were allowed to sleep in for a fair amount because today we went to the out door open air market. We all went down to the bus and proceeded on to the metro to the market. The first thing I noticed about the market was the disgusting fish stand. Im really not sure who would buy fish from an out door market but it was there and it seemed to be doing alot of buisness. I continued through the market with Chelsea searching for our ingedients for our second family dinenr that we decided to have. I was out to get cherry tomatoes for salad and Chelsea was getting basil and oregano. Our group had decided to have chicken parmasan for dinner that night. At the marke they sold everything, purses, cloths, food, baby things, absolutley everything. I ended up buying my new cousin to be a bib that says something like my mom is bautiful or something. Tina will love it im sure, or if she doesnt she better tell me she does.
After the market, Chelsea, me, Lupita, and Jenifer headed back to the dorms. We stopped at a few places along the way and Chelsea ended up replacing her wallet. Finally we ended up back at the dorms and I decided to take a long nap because for some reason I didnt sleep well. I have a really hard time sleeping here, im sure if its because Im not used to sleeping with 5 other people within a 10 foot radius of me or if its the cot im sleeping on or what but for some reason I cant fall into a deep sleep here. I ended up sleeping for about 2 and a half hours.
When I woke up I decided to go to Esselunga (the grocery store) because I needed more granola bars (ive been living on those, fruit and cherrios). I also decided I would get utensils, a plate, and a cup so that I wouldnt have to eat with my fingers like I did last night.
After the grocery store I worked on my paper for a while finishing almost to page 6 of my very rough draft. My hopes are that Ill finish my paper tomorrow, enjoy the weekend in Venice, and edit the paper all next week and turn it in on Thursday. Hopfully I will also be able to get an interview with a teacher sometime soon. That would conclude a big portion of my research and I would be able to finish my extra project as well as my 2nd paper.
Around 5 PM all the ladies in my suite went downstairs and rode the bus to the University to meet everyone else to go to the Brera gallery of Art. We ended up only a block away from the market we were at earlier that day. The gallery was pretty boring except for when I was able to see The Brothal of the Virgin. I took a art history class through NOVA and I studied this painting and even wrote a paper on it so it was pretty cool to see it in person. However the only thing I could think when I saw all the paintings was that they have been retouched and fixed so I could not see the beauty in them. Needless to say the art gallery was REALLY boring.
After the art gallery we all came home except for a few and started on our 2nd family dinner. Susie and D. Wright were making the sauce, I cleaned my tomatoes and cut up the bananas. After we cooked we moved everything out to the veranda and eat outside again. My stomach started to hurt when I started eating and I started feeling really sick so I had some of the fruit we cut up instead of eating the chicken parmasan. I didnt end up cleaning up anything because my stomach hurt so I went downstairs and checked my email to see if Michael had emailed me and I went to bed. I started, for the first time while traveling, feeling really homesick and I feel asleep sort of crying and wondering what my husband was doing and what life will be like in our new home soon enough.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010
Dear Bloggy,
Today was a good day. I slept well last night. While everyone went out drinking I stayed in my room and played on facebook all night and even got some homework finished after all of that I took a Tylenol PM and slept like a baby all night long. We even got the opportunity to sleep in this morning. I was really happy. When I woke up the morning I took a shower and went to the grocery store. I was kind of nervous going to the store alone but once I was there it wasn’t bad at all. While I was at the store I realized how screwed I was because everything is in Italian and that I needed laundry soap and wasn’t going to be able to pick out soap that I needed. The aisle was separated by soap and softner just like at home. I ended up opening the tops and looking at the liquid to see whether it was soap of softner. I hope I bought the right stuff.
After the store everyone in the bella suite got ready and we all ventured to the University to be able to meet D. Wright to go to the Chiaravalle which is a 12 century Abbey run by monks. It was completely gorgeous. The architecture, landscaping, everything! It leaves me at a loss for words. I just loved it.
When we were on our way home, Chelsea and I decided to take a different route home than everyone else. It was fun and when Chelsea tried to tell me where we were going to come out at I laughed and related it to the Gelato shop that I was familiar with. So naturally on the way home I needed to stop for gelato because it is so delicious. I am getting better at ordering in Italian even thought I think the people taking my order are laughing at me on the inside. Im really happy we stopped though because I found that they make tiramisu gelato and today I fell in love. I was so unreliably good.
When we got home we met everyone up in the kitchen to plan our family dinner and eat like Stephanie day. We planned to eat pork, veggies, fruit and potatoes. Travis, Lupita, and Stephanie went to the store and picked it all up. We need to eat like that more often because it came out to 16 euro which is only about 1,5 per person! Travis and I ended up cooking. He cooked the meat and I cooked all the sides. The food turned out great and we even decided to eat dinner on the veranda tonight since it was so gorgeous.
After dinner, I worked on my paper a little more and emailed my husband for a while. Im starting to miss him too much and can’t wait to see him. We’re planning for me to go see him in San Diego as soon as I get back from Italy. I absolutely cannot wait because I just miss him so unbelievably much.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
After buying my fan and putting the extra comforter across my mattress for more padding I slept MUCH better last night. Michael again was my alarm clock this morning, which I love waking up to his call. It still blows my mind that I am half way around the world from him and that I am even on this trip. I am so fortunate.
Today after I woke up and took a shower I walked down the hall to cup a cup of hot tea from the breakfast room and I must say that this hot tea situation may actually replace my hot coffee in the morning. It will even reduce my calorie intake in the morning! I also came back and ate one of the bananas I had in the room.
From here Chelsea and I left the room to go down stairs to meet the group to get on the bus to go to school. The bus rides in the morning are so unbelievably crowded but I was very productive because I read one of my text books on the way to school and I got a decent amount finished.
At school we had a lecture on Italian culture and society. It was a great lecture and there was a lot of information. There was even a lot of information about the education system so I have more to write on so I’m pretty excited.
After making it through the lecture Chelsea, Susie and I decided to get McDonalds for lunch since it is only 3 blocks from campus. We went in and ordered, I got a double cheeseburger but it came plain and I didn’t have too much success in ordering ketchup for my fries. We decided to dine upstairs. We had so much fun talking. Susie is really interesting and I actually like to hear about her boyfriend he seems great. I think it’s really cute how she said she was not the settling down type until she met this guy and now she asked him the other day when he was going to propose to her. It reminded me of Michael and I.
When we were finished this was when our day went to the south really quickly. Chelsea stood up and realized her purse was gone. We looked around for it and realized that someone had taken it. She ran around looking for it and looking for anyone who may had taken it but it didn’t help that nobody spoke English and that apparently the person that took it was long gone. Susie called Professor Wright and she had us come back to campus and write down all the things she had in her purse. The most important was her 650 in Euros and her credit cards. Chelsea ended up calling her mom and her mom took care of a lot of things but Chelsea and Professor Wright had to go to the police station to file a report.
While all of that was getting settled the rest of the class had to watch a movie in Italian about neorealism. After the movie we headed home and watched the sunset over the Alps on the veranda while enjoying wine. Some of my other suite mates went out to the bar however I stayed in and worked on homework and mainly facebooked all night then finally fell asleep.
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5, 2010
I didn’t really get to sleep last night which makes me very sad. Michael called me at 7 this morning to make sure I was awake (which I was) but with his call I got up and took a shower. When I was finished showering I got ready and sat on the computer for a while. Chelsea and I went to the first breakfast hosted by the residence then came back to the room to continue getting ready for our first day at the University.
We went down to the lobby to meet everyone to walk to the bus together. I was so sad when Jenifer and Lupita didn’t make it down on time and we left without them. I was so sad. We made it to the University and it was so magnificent. Everything was gorgeous. I originally thought that the pebbles walkways were gorgeous too, but when I finally decided that they are murder on your feet I decided I hated them. We sat at school for a while and Met John Pietro who gave us our Id codes to get onto Wi-Fi and gave us all of the information we needed for the international student get together that evening. To my surprise Jenifer and Lupita made it to school, I’m not sure I would’ve tried to make it, I would’ve been too scared. During our lunch break we walked around the Duomo and some people shopped and some people went and got food. I got food and gelato. Chelsea and I then opted to catch the bus back to the dorms and were elated when we made it successfully home.
I took a short nap then started working on my paper. Before I realized it, it was almost time to head down stairs for the international student get together and Chelsea and I had wanted to go to Media World. So I jumped up and got ready and we ran down to Media World where I got my fan! I am super excited to have a fan. I hated last night and being hot and uncomfortable. I do not function very well in those conditions. Hopefully tonight will be better.
After the Media world adventure we left for the International student get together. It was in this castle that left me speechless. It was so stunningly gorgeous. When we went through the gates we signed in and were given a small gift bag with a shirt and various other items. We also ate and mingled with other students. I think Lupita was invited out to a bar and naturally this meant that our entire group was invited and we ended up walking around forever and my legs became extremely chapped. We finally made it back to the dorm and I put my new fan together and took a shower. Now I’m exhausted and ready for more adventure tomorrow.
We went down to the lobby to meet everyone to walk to the bus together. I was so sad when Jenifer and Lupita didn’t make it down on time and we left without them. I was so sad. We made it to the University and it was so magnificent. Everything was gorgeous. I originally thought that the pebbles walkways were gorgeous too, but when I finally decided that they are murder on your feet I decided I hated them. We sat at school for a while and Met John Pietro who gave us our Id codes to get onto Wi-Fi and gave us all of the information we needed for the international student get together that evening. To my surprise Jenifer and Lupita made it to school, I’m not sure I would’ve tried to make it, I would’ve been too scared. During our lunch break we walked around the Duomo and some people shopped and some people went and got food. I got food and gelato. Chelsea and I then opted to catch the bus back to the dorms and were elated when we made it successfully home.
I took a short nap then started working on my paper. Before I realized it, it was almost time to head down stairs for the international student get together and Chelsea and I had wanted to go to Media World. So I jumped up and got ready and we ran down to Media World where I got my fan! I am super excited to have a fan. I hated last night and being hot and uncomfortable. I do not function very well in those conditions. Hopefully tonight will be better.
After the Media world adventure we left for the International student get together. It was in this castle that left me speechless. It was so stunningly gorgeous. When we went through the gates we signed in and were given a small gift bag with a shirt and various other items. We also ate and mingled with other students. I think Lupita was invited out to a bar and naturally this meant that our entire group was invited and we ended up walking around forever and my legs became extremely chapped. We finally made it back to the dorm and I put my new fan together and took a shower. Now I’m exhausted and ready for more adventure tomorrow.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4, 2010
July 4, 2010
Happy Independence Day! Today we slept in until 11:30 in the morning. I felt like I could’ve slept all day. Lupita and Jenifer’s room was like an ice box and I was so comfortable, though my bed isn’t very comfortable and my back hurt when I woke up, I was so exhausted from being up for 48 hours I could’ve slept anywhere! When we woke up I ran down to my room so I could change then I met my group on the 7 floor kitchen and we went over a few things about the trip. Just simple, don’t spend too much time with your roommate because you may kill them, the power in the Bella suite will hopefully get fixed today or tomorrow, etc. Then I went back to my room and moved a few things around, unpacked a bit, and organized some things. We then went down the block with our new Italian-American friends to have a fourth of July picnic. The picnic was so much fun and all together there were about 25 people there. A gypsy who had a baby ended up coming up and asking us for food and everyone said no because when she left they told us that if we would’ve given her food the rest of them would’ve come and stolen food from us.
In the evening we went to the opening dinner. It was a very short ride by bus and the food was very good. We had about 3 starter courses, 2 entrees, and 1 desert along with coffee. I didn’t like one of the main entrees at dinner it tasted horrible and like I stuck my head in a fish bowl; it tasted so fishy! We were at the restaurant for four hours talking until close to 11PM. By the time we got home I laid in bed however most of the girls stayed up until near 2A.M. and I really never feel asleep. The beds here are horrible you can feel every spring! This is going to be a very long month with this horrible bed.
Happy Independence Day! Today we slept in until 11:30 in the morning. I felt like I could’ve slept all day. Lupita and Jenifer’s room was like an ice box and I was so comfortable, though my bed isn’t very comfortable and my back hurt when I woke up, I was so exhausted from being up for 48 hours I could’ve slept anywhere! When we woke up I ran down to my room so I could change then I met my group on the 7 floor kitchen and we went over a few things about the trip. Just simple, don’t spend too much time with your roommate because you may kill them, the power in the Bella suite will hopefully get fixed today or tomorrow, etc. Then I went back to my room and moved a few things around, unpacked a bit, and organized some things. We then went down the block with our new Italian-American friends to have a fourth of July picnic. The picnic was so much fun and all together there were about 25 people there. A gypsy who had a baby ended up coming up and asking us for food and everyone said no because when she left they told us that if we would’ve given her food the rest of them would’ve come and stolen food from us.
In the evening we went to the opening dinner. It was a very short ride by bus and the food was very good. We had about 3 starter courses, 2 entrees, and 1 desert along with coffee. I didn’t like one of the main entrees at dinner it tasted horrible and like I stuck my head in a fish bowl; it tasted so fishy! We were at the restaurant for four hours talking until close to 11PM. By the time we got home I laid in bed however most of the girls stayed up until near 2A.M. and I really never feel asleep. The beds here are horrible you can feel every spring! This is going to be a very long month with this horrible bed.
July 3, 2010
Today July 3, 2010
Yesterday, I left Dulles airport at 5:05 PM and arrived in Frankfurt, Germany at 7:10 AM. The plane ride was fun; it was probably the most turbulent plane ride I have ever taken. It took about 7 ½ hours but the time flew really quickly because I watched Toy Story 2 in German. It was still really funny. When I arrived in Germany I had to transfer terminals and that was a bit difficult but I made it and fell asleep at the gate during boarding but woke up when they called our section. The plane ride from Germany to Italy was only an hour long but we flew over the Swiss Alps getting there. There are absolutely gorgeous. Upon arriving at the dorms we checked in and went to the market. I bought bananas, oranges, Gatorade, and cheerios. These are the things that I’m most comfortable and I don’t think I’ll get sick from. After the market I took a nap and during my nap someone woke me up because they realized the power was out. Big =(…….. From here we woke up and went on a scavenger hunt. We took the bus to the train and took the train to the Duomo which is a big shopping area. This was my first experience with a gypsy. When we were coming up from train this man at the top of the stairs and handed me a bracelet then proceeded to tie in around my wrist. Justin, a guy in our group came and pulled me away and told me that he was going to make me pay for it. So I guess I kind of stole it then? I guess I’m pretty good to have stolen from a gypsy!
When we made it home we walked to a pizza shop that Heather had met the owner of before everyone arrived in Milan. I was dying of thirst so I got a coke which was 2 Euros! I also got a small 4 cheese pizza (that I ordered in Italian!) that turned out to be similar to a large pizza from Dominos. It was huge!!! We stayed at the restaurant for about 2 hours talking and laughing. It was so much fun! We walked home from the pizza restaurant and Chelsea and I moved our beds up to the 7 floor and had a sleep over with Lupita and Jenifer because our power was still out. After we moved the beds, I took an ice cold shower because I couldn’t figure out how to make the shower be hot and went back up to Lupita and Jenifer’s room. We watched the rest of Mrs. Doubtfire in Italian and I feel asleep.
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