I am actually posting this on the right day. Looks like everybody is getting two servings of my blog today. :)
Just another beautiful day in Italy… although even that does not seem to be enough for me to wake up when my alarm goes off. Sleeping is just easier than waking up and going to class. But I refuse to waste my time in Italy sleeping! Which is why I’ve decided not to at all tonight. Just kidding!
We ate breakfast and headed to CLIDA, used their working internet for a bit, and then went to class. We did grammar for the first two hours. I am NOT a fan, and of course I seem to be behind everybody else. My teacher is understanding, but I don’t want to slow the other students down. I may end up having to drop a level. Dr. Picone told me that would be fine… apparently I am the only student from UA who tested into level 3 anyway. But I am going to keep trying for as long as I can. That may only last until I get started on the little bit of homework my teacher gave us for the night. :P
After our break we just had a conversation for a couple of hours. Or, I should probably specify, my teacher and the students from Miguel (the Canadian Ivy League-ish thing) had a conversation while the rest of us just listened. I’ve discovered that I am actually pretty good at the listening thing. It is the speaking thing that seems to get me every time! I just get embarrassed and freeze up and make everybody think I’m lacking in the brains department.
It is kind of an ego check, which I guess I may have needed anyway. There are just so many people so much smarter than me. My teacher went around the room asking each person what they were unsure of that we had just gone over. Everybody else was saying, “niente,” (meaning nothing); before I even had a chance to answer for myself, my teacher Maria said, “molto,” (meaning a lot). Hahaha. Oh well. I would almost rather my teacher know I am slower than others than me have to try to hide it for the next month.
After class was over, I grabbed a yummy tomato and mozzarella sandwich and ran back to the apartment to put up my notebook so I wouldn’t have to carry it around. The group met back up at CLIDA to go on our afternoon trip to Settignano. We waited at a bus stop for almost half an hour and then spent another half an hour on the bus (my first experience with Italy’s public transportation system… not too terribly comfortable, but quite convenient).
Following a very hilly walk (So much walking today!), we arrived at a beautiful garden called Villa Gamberaia. Dr. Picone gave us a brief history of Italian-related things. History’s not my style, though, so I admit I didn’t pay the closest attention. I just sat there and appreciated the gorgeous view of Tuscany and of the gardens.
The whole group walked around taking tons of pictures and just looking at everything. It’s truly incredible how much more beautiful things are here. I appreciate the beauty in parts of Alabama, particularly Tuscaloosa on gameday ;), but not much I’ve seen can even compare.
After some time relaxing there, and sticking our feet in a pool that I would not have minded jumping in (even completely clothed), we headed back toward the bus stop. Our bus was waiting there, so we all had to run to catch it. I wish I’d had my camera out then… that sure would have been a memorable picture.
We had a crowded, sweaty bus ride back to downtown… but the gelato that Sara, Jessica, and I got afterward. Today’s flavor was tiramisu. YUMMY. Just what I needed.
Now we are back at the apartment trying to plan our weekend. If things work out correctly, we will be heading to Elba to go sea kayaking. It sounds amazing, and I hope everything comes together. :) I don’t know the next time I’ll be on the computer since we may be leaving right after we get out of class tomorrow. RIDICULOUS!
For now, I am just going to rest up before dinner. We may be going out with our host father tonight, which I am sure will be AMAZING. =) He is hilarious. And hopefully this will give me a chance to work off some of the million calories I am sure to consume tonight at dinner.
P.S. I miss all of you dearly! I hope everybody is enjoying America for me while I’m enjoying Italia. I can’t wait to see all of you when I get home… Until then, I am going to appreciate the time I have here. It’s already starting to fly by!
Just another beautiful day in Italy… although even that does not seem to be enough for me to wake up when my alarm goes off. Sleeping is just easier than waking up and going to class. But I refuse to waste my time in Italy sleeping! Which is why I’ve decided not to at all tonight. Just kidding!
We ate breakfast and headed to CLIDA, used their working internet for a bit, and then went to class. We did grammar for the first two hours. I am NOT a fan, and of course I seem to be behind everybody else. My teacher is understanding, but I don’t want to slow the other students down. I may end up having to drop a level. Dr. Picone told me that would be fine… apparently I am the only student from UA who tested into level 3 anyway. But I am going to keep trying for as long as I can. That may only last until I get started on the little bit of homework my teacher gave us for the night. :P
After our break we just had a conversation for a couple of hours. Or, I should probably specify, my teacher and the students from Miguel (the Canadian Ivy League-ish thing) had a conversation while the rest of us just listened. I’ve discovered that I am actually pretty good at the listening thing. It is the speaking thing that seems to get me every time! I just get embarrassed and freeze up and make everybody think I’m lacking in the brains department.
It is kind of an ego check, which I guess I may have needed anyway. There are just so many people so much smarter than me. My teacher went around the room asking each person what they were unsure of that we had just gone over. Everybody else was saying, “niente,” (meaning nothing); before I even had a chance to answer for myself, my teacher Maria said, “molto,” (meaning a lot). Hahaha. Oh well. I would almost rather my teacher know I am slower than others than me have to try to hide it for the next month.
After class was over, I grabbed a yummy tomato and mozzarella sandwich and ran back to the apartment to put up my notebook so I wouldn’t have to carry it around. The group met back up at CLIDA to go on our afternoon trip to Settignano. We waited at a bus stop for almost half an hour and then spent another half an hour on the bus (my first experience with Italy’s public transportation system… not too terribly comfortable, but quite convenient).
Following a very hilly walk (So much walking today!), we arrived at a beautiful garden called Villa Gamberaia. Dr. Picone gave us a brief history of Italian-related things. History’s not my style, though, so I admit I didn’t pay the closest attention. I just sat there and appreciated the gorgeous view of Tuscany and of the gardens.
The whole group walked around taking tons of pictures and just looking at everything. It’s truly incredible how much more beautiful things are here. I appreciate the beauty in parts of Alabama, particularly Tuscaloosa on gameday ;), but not much I’ve seen can even compare.
After some time relaxing there, and sticking our feet in a pool that I would not have minded jumping in (even completely clothed), we headed back toward the bus stop. Our bus was waiting there, so we all had to run to catch it. I wish I’d had my camera out then… that sure would have been a memorable picture.
We had a crowded, sweaty bus ride back to downtown… but the gelato that Sara, Jessica, and I got afterward. Today’s flavor was tiramisu. YUMMY. Just what I needed.
Now we are back at the apartment trying to plan our weekend. If things work out correctly, we will be heading to Elba to go sea kayaking. It sounds amazing, and I hope everything comes together. :) I don’t know the next time I’ll be on the computer since we may be leaving right after we get out of class tomorrow. RIDICULOUS!
For now, I am just going to rest up before dinner. We may be going out with our host father tonight, which I am sure will be AMAZING. =) He is hilarious. And hopefully this will give me a chance to work off some of the million calories I am sure to consume tonight at dinner.
P.S. I miss all of you dearly! I hope everybody is enjoying America for me while I’m enjoying Italia. I can’t wait to see all of you when I get home… Until then, I am going to appreciate the time I have here. It’s already starting to fly by!
By the way, the picture at the top of my last post was actually from today. But I put it on the wrong entry and can't figure out how to delete it. Just know it is of the garden I went to today!
stephie!
ReplyDeletei am enjoying reading about your adventures and looking at your beautiful pictures, although i've been so caught up in work i've been slacking a little... it sounds like you're having a blast! i miss you entirely too much, by the way. you know what might help, though? you could air-mail me some gelato packed in dry ice. :D that would do the trick. have fun sea-kayaking this weekend!!!! and keep seeing the beautiful sights, tasting the deliciousness, and trying your best--regardless of the challenges/intimidation/eventual outcome--in your class. i'm proud of you for trying to stick with your class, by the way. you can do it :) and even if you decide to go to 2, you'll still learn a ton.
looking forward to reading more of your adventures! love you & miss you!
buona fortuna,
roli
stephie!
ReplyDeletei am enjoying reading about your adventures and looking at your beautiful pictures, although i've been so caught up in work i've been slacking a little... it sounds like you're having a blast! i miss you entirely too much, by the way. you know what might help, though? you could air-mail me some gelato packed in dry ice. :D that would do the trick. have fun sea-kayaking this weekend!!!! and keep seeing the beautiful sights, tasting the deliciousness, and trying your best--regardless of the challenges/intimidation/eventual outcome--in your class. i'm proud of you for trying to stick with your class, by the way. you can do it :) and even if you decide to go to 2, you'll still learn a ton.
looking forward to reading more of your adventures! love you & miss you!
buona fortuna,
roli