So much to do before my flight HOME tomorrow at 2pm but I am so very excited! Here I come Vermont, better watch out!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
beating and conquering!
I promise to write a proper blog ASAP but as I am leaving for THE UNITED STATES on Friday at 2pm (as long as it doesn't snow like it says it is going to......), and I have 4 papers and 4 exams after vacation.... I am a wee bit swamped this week trying to get ahead of the game!!!!
As always, in bocca al lupo, baci e abbracci a tutti, and see you all oh-so-very soon!!!
As always, in bocca al lupo, baci e abbracci a tutti, and see you all oh-so-very soon!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
busy little bee
Things are craaaazy over here in Italia right now..... It's a scramble to get all the Christmas shopping done while attempting to conquer weeks worth of work so I won't have as much to do over break..... Then there is that whole packing thing.... That can wait until next Thursday.
Official countdown... I leave here one week from tomorrow and will be home in cozy, snowy Vermont a week from Saturday!
Wish me luck! In bocca al lupo!
P.S. "In bocca al lupo"("in the mouth of the wolf") means good luck. It often gets the response, "Crepi," which means, "He dies..." I love you italian language.
P.P.S. Double majoring in Anthropology and Italian Studies now! Planning a great senior year of italian, anthro, viola, gym, and a waitressing job.... Dreaming, I guess you could say!
P.P.P.S. Internship at the Gola Gioconda magazine is official! I will start going in January! Translating, event planning, researching..... I absolutely cannot wait!!!
Official countdown... I leave here one week from tomorrow and will be home in cozy, snowy Vermont a week from Saturday!
Wish me luck! In bocca al lupo!
P.S. "In bocca al lupo"("in the mouth of the wolf") means good luck. It often gets the response, "Crepi," which means, "He dies..." I love you italian language.
P.P.S. Double majoring in Anthropology and Italian Studies now! Planning a great senior year of italian, anthro, viola, gym, and a waitressing job.... Dreaming, I guess you could say!
P.P.P.S. Internship at the Gola Gioconda magazine is official! I will start going in January! Translating, event planning, researching..... I absolutely cannot wait!!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
happy december 6th!
I know December 6th isn't really anything too special but it does mean that Christmas is in 18 days and I will be home in about 12! So therefore I would say it deems a special announcement. This morning I woke up and headed downstairs for breakfast, only to find everyone just about ready to re-commence the decorating. I ran upstairs and grabbed my colored paper and proceeded to make three big 3D snowflakes and a long paper chain. The boys made me help hang ornaments on the tree, and then Silvia gave me a little blue ornament as a little gift to take home.
Anyway, the house is gorgeous, and full of lights and pretty little decorations and Christmas tunes!! It's great! And it snowed in Vermont and Massachusetts last night! Finally! Christmas is definitely on the way!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
happier than any clam i've ever known
Which isn't many, mind you, but I think it is safe to say that I am very, very, very jolly.
This morning I woke up to the sound of two little Italian boys singing Christmas songs in English. It was rather delightful. Then I heard two little knocks on my door. The boys were wondering if they could please show me a little present. As I followed them over to a gorgeous nativity scene that they had just set up with Silvia. There is even a little well with real running, bubbling water!
When I walked downstairs for breakfast, I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire living room covered in boxes of Christmas decorations AND a very lovely fake Christmas tree!! There was much bustling around as Lorenzo dug for ornaments and ran to Silvia asking where they should go and Filippo changed the Christmas songs every 4 seconds. It was very jolly!
After eating and enjoying the holiday bustle, I left to meet Breana and walk to the market at San Lorenzo to do some Christmas shopping. We found many lovely things, and we ever bartered and got beautiful little leather bags!!
From San Lorenzo, we wandered to Santa Croce where there was a mercatino, a little German Christmas market. We met our Italian friend Laura, Claire, Chrysanthe and Victoria and strolled for a few hours. I bought a few cute things, including some Christmas baby clothes pins for Silvia because she loves little clothes pins to close bags, and then two keychains for the boys - a santa and a snowman with the eyeballs that pop out. We tried the hot wine, and it tasted just like light, delicious hot mulled cider! Breana and I also ate a huge salted pretzel and the best freshly-made cotton candy (pure white) that I have ever tasted in my life!
Side note: let's discuss how beautiful the lights in this city are!!
When I got home, I brought the little presents to the boys and they absolutely LOVED them. Silvia said, okay a kiss for Sera! Filippo promptly came over and stuck his head in my direction so I could kiss it. So I did! Silvia cracked up and said, alright, or she can kiss you! Lorenzo then followed suit and let me kiss his head as well - our first moment of sibling affection!
Dinner was delicious tonight! We had fondue but with meat (fondue bourguignon?) in olive oil. We had pork, chicken, and of course, hot dogs! And Silvia's incredible roasted potatoes (I should mention that the toaster oven that she makes the potatoes in is located inside the pantry because it is not pretty nor as modern and fancy as the rest of the things in the kitchen... aka we often cook in the pantry....). For dessert we had castagnaccio which is a torte-type thing made with chestnut flour. The first few times I had it, I didn't like it all that much because it has a funny texture and not much flavor but tonight it was delicious!
I spent a few hours after dinner watching TV with everyone, snuggled under blankets in the living room with the semi-decorated Christmas tree. We watched a series of bizarre Italian shows including one called "Chi ha incastrato Peter Pan?" which is somewhat like the American "Kids Say the Darndest Things" except there is also a huge emphasis on the hosts of the show, two or three middle-aged men who talk with the kids and do their own little skits and challenges. Its funny how they don't realize that it's odd to discuss your testicles in detail on public television..... in front of 4-year-olds... This country is very interesting....
Anyway! Off to sleep I go! Wishing for snow in Vermont!!
Bacione!
This morning I woke up to the sound of two little Italian boys singing Christmas songs in English. It was rather delightful. Then I heard two little knocks on my door. The boys were wondering if they could please show me a little present. As I followed them over to a gorgeous nativity scene that they had just set up with Silvia. There is even a little well with real running, bubbling water!
When I walked downstairs for breakfast, I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire living room covered in boxes of Christmas decorations AND a very lovely fake Christmas tree!! There was much bustling around as Lorenzo dug for ornaments and ran to Silvia asking where they should go and Filippo changed the Christmas songs every 4 seconds. It was very jolly!
After eating and enjoying the holiday bustle, I left to meet Breana and walk to the market at San Lorenzo to do some Christmas shopping. We found many lovely things, and we ever bartered and got beautiful little leather bags!!
From San Lorenzo, we wandered to Santa Croce where there was a mercatino, a little German Christmas market. We met our Italian friend Laura, Claire, Chrysanthe and Victoria and strolled for a few hours. I bought a few cute things, including some Christmas baby clothes pins for Silvia because she loves little clothes pins to close bags, and then two keychains for the boys - a santa and a snowman with the eyeballs that pop out. We tried the hot wine, and it tasted just like light, delicious hot mulled cider! Breana and I also ate a huge salted pretzel and the best freshly-made cotton candy (pure white) that I have ever tasted in my life!
Side note: let's discuss how beautiful the lights in this city are!!
When I got home, I brought the little presents to the boys and they absolutely LOVED them. Silvia said, okay a kiss for Sera! Filippo promptly came over and stuck his head in my direction so I could kiss it. So I did! Silvia cracked up and said, alright, or she can kiss you! Lorenzo then followed suit and let me kiss his head as well - our first moment of sibling affection!
Dinner was delicious tonight! We had fondue but with meat (fondue bourguignon?) in olive oil. We had pork, chicken, and of course, hot dogs! And Silvia's incredible roasted potatoes (I should mention that the toaster oven that she makes the potatoes in is located inside the pantry because it is not pretty nor as modern and fancy as the rest of the things in the kitchen... aka we often cook in the pantry....). For dessert we had castagnaccio which is a torte-type thing made with chestnut flour. The first few times I had it, I didn't like it all that much because it has a funny texture and not much flavor but tonight it was delicious!
I spent a few hours after dinner watching TV with everyone, snuggled under blankets in the living room with the semi-decorated Christmas tree. We watched a series of bizarre Italian shows including one called "Chi ha incastrato Peter Pan?" which is somewhat like the American "Kids Say the Darndest Things" except there is also a huge emphasis on the hosts of the show, two or three middle-aged men who talk with the kids and do their own little skits and challenges. Its funny how they don't realize that it's odd to discuss your testicles in detail on public television..... in front of 4-year-olds... This country is very interesting....
Anyway! Off to sleep I go! Wishing for snow in Vermont!!
Bacione!
ballets, operas and other wondrous things
Tonight was fantastic!
We got all dressed up and headed over to the Teatro Comunale to see the ballet of Carmen. They took the Carmen Suite and retold the entire story in a short ballet. It was beautiful! Colorful, happy, entertaining and gorgeous! Then, surprise! There was a little opera afterwards - Campanile. I had no idea that we had tickets to two short back-to-back shows, it was great!
Afterwards we wandered and found a snack and then headed home because it was bitterly cold and windy! Come on winter!
We got all dressed up and headed over to the Teatro Comunale to see the ballet of Carmen. They took the Carmen Suite and retold the entire story in a short ballet. It was beautiful! Colorful, happy, entertaining and gorgeous! Then, surprise! There was a little opera afterwards - Campanile. I had no idea that we had tickets to two short back-to-back shows, it was great!
Afterwards we wandered and found a snack and then headed home because it was bitterly cold and windy! Come on winter!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
addendum
Also notable: Friday night I am going to see Carmen, the ballet, with Breana and some of the other girls. It was a Christmas present fro Monica and Giovanna/Smith and it should be fantastic!!
http://www.maggiofiorentino.com/?q=progbiglietti
Christmas really is a pretty divine season........
http://www.maggiofiorentino.com/?q=progbiglietti
Christmas really is a pretty divine season........
holiday warm fuzzies: ben & jerry's, christmas carols, la fiorentina...
My host padre just left the house wearing a LIME green hat. Adorable. And I just helped Lorenzo study Spanish. Probably even more adorable.
I have no real point for this blog.... only to share some holiday cheer with everyone. I always become a big mush during the holiday season.... I am never stressed and always happy. It helps that I love making lists so I obsessively think about Christmas presents and what things I want to do during the holiday season...... I love it all. So far I am thinking that when I return home, I must do the following things:
Christmas shop on Church Street
have a Christmas party with my girlies
hang out with my pals from work this summer
snuggle with the boyfriend
watch lots of TV with my mamma
play in the snow [please let there be snow soon.... just not when my flight comes in!]
work... somehow.... somewhere..... ideas?
bake cookies
make beer with my dad
celebrate New Year's with the entire family [aka Isadora's family]
sleep. a lot.
read for pleasure....
eat breakfast at the Wayside!
go to the movies
get a crepe at the Skinny Pancake
hang out with Chad and Georgeee
relax.
and unfortunately..... write two 8-10 page papers and two 4-5 page papers..... what?
Smith really knows how to make sure we still have plenty of work overseas.... Although I am decently sure that it is just the Florence program that is this intense.... That being said.... I am feeling very good about it all.... it feels good to be working this hard in a foreign language and be surviving somewhat reasonably. Next semester is going to be much better though! I will be taking one class at the University of Firenze, therefore I will have minimum work throughout the semester but one big oral exam in front of the entire class at the end..... Then I am hopefully taking a translation corse taught by Giovanna if I am selected after doing a little translation test.... Then a Modern Art History course which will have the most work, like Art History this semester, then finally, a History of Cinema class where there are mostly likely no papers, just some tests. Doesn't seem nearly so bad after all the work I've done this year! And! This semester ends roughly January 26th. We have about one week free, and then one February 2nd or so, we leave for Sicily for a week! And then second semester starts. It will be the perfect long vacation to re-adjust to Florence and get over being homesick! I can't wait!
Big plans this weekend. Friday I am going to go to the Galleria Palatina to see the work by Rafaello that I need to write my art history paper about, and then Breana and I are going to the art history library of the University of Fireze to start our research. Friday night we will probably do something grand. Saturday day we are getting the whole crew together to go to the German Christmas market at Santa Croce, and Sunday I think we are going to go to a Fiorentina game!
Anyway, I must be off to read some of my Italian book for Literature - Io Non Ho Paura - I Am Not Afraid. One of my future 8-10 pages papers. Woohoo!
Wish me luck!
Baci a tutti!!!
P.S. Perhaps I should mention the other two things that I listed in the title.... First of all, Christmas carols. Love them. Need more. Enough said. Yesterday Giovanna found the little fake Christmas tree for the sede and Breana and I decorated it while listening to the Christmas songs on my iPod. We also started making snowflakes and paper chains..... Sigh. So great! Secondly, and way more importantly, there is now a BEN & JERRYS IN FLORENCE! Literally across from the Duomo. I teared up a little when I discovered it yesterday afternoon. I now get to walk by it twice a day! I might have to go this weekend..... It's like Florence knew I was missing Vermont so it brought Vermont to me!! Thanks, Florence!
I have no real point for this blog.... only to share some holiday cheer with everyone. I always become a big mush during the holiday season.... I am never stressed and always happy. It helps that I love making lists so I obsessively think about Christmas presents and what things I want to do during the holiday season...... I love it all. So far I am thinking that when I return home, I must do the following things:
Christmas shop on Church Street
have a Christmas party with my girlies
hang out with my pals from work this summer
snuggle with the boyfriend
watch lots of TV with my mamma
play in the snow [please let there be snow soon.... just not when my flight comes in!]
work... somehow.... somewhere..... ideas?
bake cookies
make beer with my dad
celebrate New Year's with the entire family [aka Isadora's family]
sleep. a lot.
read for pleasure....
eat breakfast at the Wayside!
go to the movies
get a crepe at the Skinny Pancake
hang out with Chad and Georgeee
relax.
and unfortunately..... write two 8-10 page papers and two 4-5 page papers..... what?
Smith really knows how to make sure we still have plenty of work overseas.... Although I am decently sure that it is just the Florence program that is this intense.... That being said.... I am feeling very good about it all.... it feels good to be working this hard in a foreign language and be surviving somewhat reasonably. Next semester is going to be much better though! I will be taking one class at the University of Firenze, therefore I will have minimum work throughout the semester but one big oral exam in front of the entire class at the end..... Then I am hopefully taking a translation corse taught by Giovanna if I am selected after doing a little translation test.... Then a Modern Art History course which will have the most work, like Art History this semester, then finally, a History of Cinema class where there are mostly likely no papers, just some tests. Doesn't seem nearly so bad after all the work I've done this year! And! This semester ends roughly January 26th. We have about one week free, and then one February 2nd or so, we leave for Sicily for a week! And then second semester starts. It will be the perfect long vacation to re-adjust to Florence and get over being homesick! I can't wait!
Big plans this weekend. Friday I am going to go to the Galleria Palatina to see the work by Rafaello that I need to write my art history paper about, and then Breana and I are going to the art history library of the University of Fireze to start our research. Friday night we will probably do something grand. Saturday day we are getting the whole crew together to go to the German Christmas market at Santa Croce, and Sunday I think we are going to go to a Fiorentina game!
Anyway, I must be off to read some of my Italian book for Literature - Io Non Ho Paura - I Am Not Afraid. One of my future 8-10 pages papers. Woohoo!
Wish me luck!
Baci a tutti!!!
P.S. Perhaps I should mention the other two things that I listed in the title.... First of all, Christmas carols. Love them. Need more. Enough said. Yesterday Giovanna found the little fake Christmas tree for the sede and Breana and I decorated it while listening to the Christmas songs on my iPod. We also started making snowflakes and paper chains..... Sigh. So great! Secondly, and way more importantly, there is now a BEN & JERRYS IN FLORENCE! Literally across from the Duomo. I teared up a little when I discovered it yesterday afternoon. I now get to walk by it twice a day! I might have to go this weekend..... It's like Florence knew I was missing Vermont so it brought Vermont to me!! Thanks, Florence!
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