Does EVERYONE smoke in Italy?!?!?

The answer to that question is, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately for me, the person who HATES cigarette smoke and is convinced it (like jeans) are from the devil!!!!!

Also, to add to the list of things you thought you knew, but now dont: how to read a map and how to use a keyboard!!!!

It has been an interesting day to say the VERY least! It started out waking up in a very comfortable sleep. The bed is great! This seems strange to comment on, but I mean if it were terrible then it would be a long month! I was so nervous coming here that I would freeze at night because I sleep under my blanket, a sheet, the comforter, and then my big thick "Elyse" blanket. However, this bed has my blanket, a sheet, a fleece blanket, and then a feather down comforter. Some of you are thinking, "bleh, too hot." I am thinking, "it is PERFECT!!!!!!!" And really, that's all that matters! ;)

So I got dressed this morning, put on my make up, and by the way I am so grateful to have my own bathroom because I dont have to feel like I am in anyone's way! :) For my first day I wore my purple skirt, tights, blank tank top with black cardigan, colorful scarf, and my wonderfully warm UGGS (yes Erin, I know they are ugly...). It was so strange to not eat breakfast as soon as I woke up, and even stranger to wait for someone else to "make it". I really didn't like it because it meant I had to leave later than I anticipated, which turned out to be really bad because I got soooooo lost this morning. Breakfast was this weird cake thingy and then they offered me some yogurt. I was excited about this, but it was WEIRD...it was brown and did not taste like yogurt. However, it was good. They then gave me the keys to the building/apartment, and said I didn't have to be back at any certain time and dinner was around 8 or 8:30 (very late for me).
My attempt to take a picture of my cute outfit


Okay, so here is where the REAL adventure began. I left the apartment, and immediately went the wrong way! :( So I turn around and start walking. After this I got COMPLETELY lost. I was using a map that another student had highlighted, well it sucks! :( So one lady had already helped me, but then I got even MORE lost. Let me tell you, it was NOT a good feeling to be lost in a COUNTRY where your knowledge of the language is limited and your cell phone doesn't work yet (thus if I had reeeeeally needed to call someone, I couldn't). Thankfully, I ran into a man who was speaking English and was lost. He needed to look at my map and I needed to know where the heck I was going. At first I thought, "well, we weont be able to help each other", but he was just needed to reference a map. He was born here in Florence and lived here some, but his father worked in the Italian embassy in San Fransisco. Thus, he spoke fluent English and was also able to help me find my way. He was such a big help and got me on a road that would take me right where I needed to go. I was so grateful for him. I feel like the Lord placed him in my path.

So, I finally arrived at CLIDA and took the placement test. Let me say here that my need for "perfection" almost killed me in the first 2 hours of my day (needing to be on time, needing to know where I am/where I'm going, and making A's in Italian does NOT mean you remember it...). So I took the placement test and I sucked it up...but whatever! I met Gabriella and her husband, Alberto. They are SOOOOOOO SWEET!!!!!! They are friends with Barbara and Maurizio (my Italian teachers at Alabama). So after I took the test, they told me just to come back around 12:30 to go to lunch with Gabriella, Alberto, and another student, Fiona. However, I asked Gabriella where I could go to get an Italian sim card, and she sent Alberto with me. I had such a hard time understanding his Italian! :( It is so rapid and the words seem to run together and my brain doesn't think in Italian anymore...and really never thought fast enough for this! However, we went to one place and it was closed. So then we went back to the school for him to find another place and then we were off again. So we found it and went in and the line was soooo long and then as they were getting to me, the computers stopped working. After about 30 minutes, we left. I "remembered" where it was and Alberto said to go back later. So I walked back to the school and waited for lunch, which at this time was not too far away.

I sat down with Fiona and we started talking. She is from Edinburgh, Scotland and she lives in London. She teaches high school and has done the British equivalent of "Teach for America." She was super sweet and I was excited and hopeful that I had found a person to hang out with. Gabriella took us to lunch, which was a long walk. We saw the market and just enjoyed the walk. Gabriella would only allow us to speak in Italian, so needless to say, I didn't talk much. Fiona has been here for a month and understands a little more than I do, and she says i'll get there again. Alberto met us at the restaurant. So we went to this place with the most beautifully exposed brick EVER!! I was so unsure of ordering that Gabriella pretty much ordered for me. I had.....ummm...bruschetta with a TON of tomatoes on it. The oil tasted JUST LIKE Nonna's that she always put on Mikey's food. It was really good! I even ate a good bit of the tomatoes. Gabriella also let me taste her proscuitto. It was really good as well. THen my "second course"...what, don't they know I dont eat that much food!?!? In fact, the family asked me that last night. Anyway, was chicken with salad. IT was REALLY good, but unfortunately, I could not eat all of it. My stomach literally felt like it was going to bust. Then Gabriella and Alberto took us to get "coffee". Alberto and I had already discussed that I dont eat fish and dont drink much coffee. However, I tried it. Not for me though...too strong. We had a nice walk back to the school and Gabriella finally spoke in ENglish for me. SHe said that it was natural to be nervous and that I would be fine. She was so sweet and walked with her arm around me and just made me feel so welcomed. She also talked to me about the museum pass. Then they had to go and that left just Fiona and I to talk and walk.

So Fiona is taking another class at a British school. She had to walk that way, so I walked with her. OMG was I so glad that I did. First, we talked about what all she had done while she had been in Florence. I told her that I wanted to go to Rome...and GUESS WHAT!!! SHE DOES TOO!!! I prayed this morning that I would meet a possible travel buddy, and I think I did. She would also like to go to Lucca and go back to Siena...I think I may have found a friend! :) So we just walked and talked...she's really sweet...and she's 24, so really close to my age!! We walked over the Ponte Vecchio and then more. Then she had to go in class and I left to walk back. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! I stopped and took some pictures and just took my time. I went in a few stores. I went in H&M because this guy, Mossimo, was trying to ask me if I wanted to walk to some piazza with him...Erin, he clearly surpassed the age limit...not to mention he was a total stranger! H&M had a purse JUST LIKE the one I spent weeks searching for at home. They also had a dress that I tried on...much cuter on the hanger. SO then I just walked the street and looked at post cards, took some pictures, and enjoyed the fact that I AM IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!! I went in the book store next to the school and made my first, and only purchase I pre-planned, the first Harry Potter book...IN ITALIAN!!! I figure it would be a good way to practice because I know the story so well, and at home I have the English version (thus, once I get home, if I get stuck I have the ENglish version of the book to help me get going again). SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking at the Pontevecchio and the Piazza della Repubblica where the school is located

Also, there is a Hard Rock Cafe next to the school...that is lame...not eating there...ever

Then I went back in the school and checked my email, was able to use a clean bathroom, and then went back out to walk around some more. I walked around the Duomo...beautiful by the way. In fact, this morning as I realized I was no longer lost, this was the first thing i saw and wow, was I awestruck. Then I just wandered around for a bit. I realized that it was starting to get dark, but I wanted to make the most of my day, so I went to find Tiffany. The street it is on reminds me of 5th Ave in NYC. It had Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier, etc. etc. I walked the wrong way (of course) for Tiffany, but when I found it I was....SUPER DISAPPOINTED!!! It was TINY, plus I couldn't see ANYTHING because it was packed with tourists. Now, I know I am a "tourist" here too...but not in Tiffany...Tiffany is like...well...the best thing ever...and I...well, it sucked compared to NYC (& Chicago, & LA, and even Nashville...). However, I did see some cool things on my walk to and from there...and now I've seen it and that's checked off the "list".
Then I made my way back to the apartment (not an easy feat). It was a looong walk. However, I got to see children out "trick-or-treating", but it was in stores. I also went in a "super mercato"; it was like a maze! They did have some name brands that I recognized: Activia, Herbal Essence, etc. I walked in a really cool book store and then just kept walking. It was getting dark. SO then I got confused on the street (thanks to the stupid map) that I was suppoesd to be on. I was on the correct street, but couldn't find the right apartment. It was getting dark and fewer people were around, but all of the sudden, my FAVORITE Bible verse (and one that will probably be my "life verse" because it has been so extremely comforting in so many situations), Isaiah 41:10 came to mind (well, really I felt the Lord saying it to me). All I could hear in my head was, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." This was so comforting because I was becoming a bit afraid. However, I saw a nice man and asked him where 72 was. He pointed me in the right direction and I was on my way. I found the building, climbed the stairs, and the building was dark. Then i couldn't get the door to open so I had to buzz the thingy. It was a weird door...the way I had turned the key I had actually closed it and they couldn't open it from the inside either. SO that was weird. Then I came in, talked to my daddy on skype, put the new Italian Sim card in my phone (that Fiona went with me to get), and now I have been laying here updating my blog. My legs are SOOOO tired and I am so tired as well. I think it will do me good to sleep in tomorrow. I think that Fiona and I may take a walk around the city tomorrow! Right now I am waiting for dinner.


Also, in the bookstore today I saw Eric Carle books in italian. The other book purchase I wanted to make was 1 or 2 children's books in Italian...I think I may have found them!!!!! Also, I saw some houndstooth stuff today...I wanted to give everyone a "Roll Tide", but figured they would have no clue what I was talking about!! However, Saturday (the pre-national championship game...haha...LSU game day...(though if you are reading this and DIDN'T know that Saturday, November 5th is the LSU game...what rock do you live under!?!? ;) jk...I know some people wont know), I will give some people a Roll Tide...and then again on Sunday when I find out that we won!!! ;)
That's right...I took a picture...no one should be surprised!!! Hopefully tomorrow I will get some pictures with my graduation present (35 mm...SLR camera).

Dinner is such a production in Italy! They take so long to prepare and the table is set so nicely! There are multiple courses, which I knew, but was totally unprepared for. Tonight I had a little less food than last night (thank goodness because I had a bigger lunch than normal). However, I got plenty of protein; chicken for both meals! Tonight we started out with a little bit of pasta (I had like maaaaayybe 5 pieces of penne pasta) and these like spinach/cheese balls. It was mostly spinach and they were SO GOOD! Then I had chicken that reminded me a little bit of some chicken Nonna made me one day and broccoli. The broccoli was EXCELLENT!!! The chicken was good too, but I LOVE broccoli! I also had a tiny piece of bread with the meat stuff on it from last night. It's good...but then I found out what it was...hold on to your hats...I ate liver! WHAT?!?!?!? Ughh!!! However, it wasn't bad! Then I was asked to try the veal (which looked disgusting) and I didn't really care for it...I prefer chicken, beef, or pork! However, the important thing here is that I TRIED IT!!! Many of you are probably shaking your heads saying, "no you didn't" or you just fell out of your chair in shock, but it is true.

Dinner was good! I was able to speak a little more Italian, but Guenda is kind enough to use English for me as well!! It is so bizarre sitting at a table listening to them talk and having NO clue what they are saying. I catch a few words here and there, but not enough to put all of the pieces together. I was excited to give them their gifts though. We were talking about Alabama and so I thought it was the perfect time! They taught me the word for houndstooth, which was piedapurro (or something like that...I dont know how to spell it). They said that there is a place here in Florence that shows American football! I was SO EXCITED, until I realized that the game would be at like 3 in the morning here. They said the place is always open, and they are going to try and figure out for me whether or not they are showing the Alabama v. LSU game! HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Overall, it has been a good day! Overwhelming, fun, confusing, too much food, amazing day!! I am hoping to sleep in some tomorrow since it is a holiday. I still feel EXHAUSTED!! However, then I am going to walk around and get my bearings so that Wednesday is MUCH smoother!!

Ohhh...Brad V., I passed a McDonald's this morning, but it was closed and I was lost so I couldn't have gone in!!!

The things you thought you knew in life:

1. How to work a shower
2. How to flush a toilet
3. How to plug something in
4. How to ask a question
5. How to turn a light on and off

For those of you who claim I am not a shy person (Mrs. Malissa...and others)...you should see me now! I am so nervous and unsure of myself...HELP!! Neal was able to at least help me with it a little bit via skype....It's just a lot more awkward than I anticipated! :(

Traveling Day(s)

Around 2:30 central time, Frances, my momma, and I left Birmingham for Atlanta. We made it there quickly and I was pretty much able to walk right up to the baggage drop and leave my suitcase. I am SUCH an expert packer (haha) that my suitcase was 50 lb ON THE DOT!! So then we went and sat down at Atlanta Bread so that I could eat something before I went through security. We sat and ate for a little over an hour, and let’s face it, I wanted to drag it out because I knew it would be hard to leave.

So, I made a "Flat Erin" (like Flat Stanley) to bring to Italy!! SO this is Erin getting on the plane with me!!!

However, we did eventually get up and walked to security. We took a few pictures and gave lots of hugs. Thankfully there was literally like 5 people in the security line. So we hugged again and then I kind of watched them walk away a little bit as I walked through security and I teared up some, but tried not to cry. It’s going to be so weird and sad not to see my momma and daddy for a month! Security was a breeze and I was on my way to the terminal. I had never been to this terminal before and it was a looong walk. There were also not very many outlets and I needed to plug up my laptop and eventually my phone. So I let my mom know I was at/near my gate and then I called Erin.

It was so good to talk to Erin. It was hard though to know that I wont just be able to pick up the phone and call her any time I want or need. We talked about our days and about Italy! I was so excited that she was able to go to the beach and enjoy that aspect of living in Charleston! I miss her like crazy! So anyway, we talked for a little while and then hung up for a few minutes. During this time I went to the counter at my gate and got new boarding passes and requested an aisle seat because mine had been taken away. The man explained that they changed the type of airplane and that’s why, but he was so sweet and said that he would put me down for the first available aisle seat and I was so grateful for that. So then I went and called Erin back for a few minutes. We said our “I love you’s” and made a “plan” to skype at least once, and we’re going to be doing our Bible study.

So then they were getting ready to board my flight. They called me to the counter and told me that they had an aisle seat for me and I was SO excited! I ran to the restroom one more time and then went to wait at the gate. It seemed to take forever to do this, but I spent the time updating facebook one last time, texting, and talking to my momma. Also during this time I got some of the sweetest texts/facebook messages & comments from friends and family! I just want you to know that all of your prayers and kind words mean so much to me and were so comforting as I prepared to board my first international flight. Erin and Dr. Hernandez-Reif were particularly comforting. It was also good to talk to my daddy, though I wish he hadn’t told me that Auburn was winning…BOO!!!

So it was finally my turn to board. The plane was HUGE….well, it was definitely the biggest one I’ve been on yet. I’ve been on some big ones from BHM & NYC to California, but this one was definitely the biggest. Right when I got to my seat this woman started speaking French to me and then English and she wanted me to give up my aisle seat because she would be “sick” if her husband couldn’t sit next to her, but I had to tell her that I just could not give up the seat. I felt bad, but after getting on, I just knew that it would be in my best interest (and those around me) that I have an aisle seat. So it worked out that the guy next to her husband because my aisle seat buddy. He was very sweet…a physics professor at Oklahoma University. We talked for a bit about school (mine and his), football, travel, etc. while we were waiting to leave the gate (which took FOREVER because they were shifting luggage around). I did get to talk to my momma for an extra 10-15 minutes which made me feel much better.

Then as we prepared to take off I started to get a little nervous. I had been praying and I knew that there were others praying for me at that exact moment, and WOW…the peace of God truly is beyond all comprehension. I was not nervous the rest of the flight. The first little bit of turbulence we hit threw me off, but I just reminded myself that it was because of the air outside and then I was fine. We did have a screen showing us where we were, so I saw that we flew up the coast and then headed out over the ocean. So despite the darkness outside (and he did have the window open) I knew the whole time when we were over the ocean; and guess what!!?!? IT DIDN’T FREAK ME OUT!!! YAY!! I did sleep a little bit. It was on and off, but at least it was some. Before I fell asleep I watched some of that “new” Selena Gomez movie, “Monte Carlo”. It was a cute little movie and they went to Paris and that was fun because that was where I was headed. They also served us a dinner of a really bad salad, pretty good pasta, bread, brownie, cheese, and something else. I ate a few bites of the pasta, the little cheese slice, and saved my bread and brownie. They had also told us they were going to be serving a light breakfast in the morning.

First glimpse of the sunrise!!! ERin in Paris!!!

So at some point I woke up and I could see the sun beginning to rise. That was exciting!! I fell back asleep for about an hour or so after I ate breakfast (English muffin with egg on it and a cute little banana). Then when I woke up it was BEAUTIFUL outside. As we landed I took a few pictures. I was SO excited that I had made it through my first international/over the ocean flight without nerves and with an ever present sense of peace (thank you, Lord). So thank you for all of your prayers because I know that the only way I made it through that flight without ANY sort of medication (nothing, not even Nyquil) was all of mine and your prayers.

So the Paris airport was a little bit confusing, but not too bad. The lady at information helped me and was very kind. I stopped and bought a few post cards and then I had to catch a bus to my terminal. This whole time I am slightly freaking out because my phone wont work for me to call home. I am sure my parents are worried about why I haven’t called, but it was so stressful for me too. I made it to my area and bought a cheap Eiffel Tower keychain and went to the bathroom and then it was time for me to board my flight. It was kind of a small plan, but had 3 seats on each side. It was such an empty flight that each person had 3 seats to themselves. As our “lunch” my choice was a salmon sandwich or bacon sandwich. I chose bacon. It was weird though; it was cold with some sort of slaw or something on it. I took the bacon off after like 2 bites because bacon doesn’t usually set well with me. So right now as I am writing all of this I am on the flight from Paris to Florence. We just passed THE MOST beautiful snow capped mountains!! I mean it was BEAUTIFUL…God truly is an artist and what I just saw was simply him showing off because WOW!!!!! I cannot believe I am about to be in Italy!! I’ll finish this post later!!

The remainder of the flight was good! I got off the plane in Florence went right to the baggage claim (which was like RIGHT there because it is such a small airport) and went to get a taxi. I stopped to ask the lady at customs if they stamped passports and she said no. I was super bummed about this because it would have been my first one…and is ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!! I want that stamp…I’ll have to figure out a way to get one. So then I got a taxi and he brought me right here to the apartment. Getting up to the fourth floor with my 50lb suitcase, vera Bradley weekender, and my backpack was NOT easy! Thankfully, Gwendola (the daughter…and I hope I am saying this correctly) came to help me. The introductions were kind of awkward because I am so afraid of using my Italian! I HAVE to get over this…like ASAP!!!!

Anyway, they showed me to my room which has a beautiful window and the desk is right below the window so I am TOTALLY in love with this!!!! The room is a great size and I’m definitely looking forward to sleeping tonight. We had trouble getting my computer to connect to the internet (Erin will not be surprised), but it’s all good now!! They were also so kind to let me use their telephone to call my mom and let her know I was here. My phone DOES NOT work like t-mobile said it would!! Boo once again on T-mobile!!! Anyway, then I talked to Mike on facebook briefly and now I am hoping to talk to my momma and daddy on skype soon! I also had Mike text Erin to get her on skype, but then I realized she is probably in church!!!!

Wow, this blog is loooong and I think I will add a few pictures to this first one as well! I am so excited to have internet here at the apartment! It means I will be able to see friendly faces occasionally and keep my blog updated regularly!!!! YAY!!!

I'm so excited because I just got to talk to my momma and daddy on skype and then Erin on skype!!! That was amazing!!!!! Made me feel good about being half a world away!!!! OMG OMG OMG I'M IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So later tonight they came and told me to come eat. OMG!!! SOoooooooooooooooo much food, but so good! We started out with some weird paste like stuff on bread...one tasted kind of fishy and the other was beefy. Therefore, I tried both, but only ate the beefy one. And we had red wine! :) Then we had some soft of stuffed pasta...not sure what it was stuffed with, but man was it good! :) Then some roast beef (that was pink...so you'd be proud of me for eating it) and some salad. And then we had dessert (chocolate covered cream puffs) and then some coffee in little shot glass things... overall it was a WONDERFUL first meal! There was another sister and her husband here, and then a guy named Lorenzo! It was awesome! It made me miss my New York family though!! I was able to use some of my Italian...I just have to stop being so self-concious! Guenda, the daugher, complimented me on what I did know. I wanted to say, "I know sooooo much more...i'm just so scared to speak and be wrong." However, she speaks English very well and that's helpful!!

Dr. H-R...today was a 9 out of 10!!! :) So far, so good! :) *only missing one point because they didn't stamp my passport!!!

Now, I am soo full and going to bed!! I love you all and appreciate all of your prayers!!!

P.S. I'M IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is the day!!!!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

-Dr. Suess

Every time today that I have thought, "today is the day" this is the book that comes to mind!! Well, I spent my morning getting prepared. I took my Chili for a walk, relaxed, took a shower and dried my hair, and then have just been relaxing. I've made sure that I have everything and now I have about 2 hours until we leave for the airport. I am getting a little nervous now!! I know it's going to be fine, but you know!

I finally checked EVERYTHING off of my to-do list and I'm ready to go!! I got the instructions from t-mobile for unlocking my phone for when I get an Italian sim card, which is good!

Okay, so once again I'm asking for all of your prayers!! I am so grateful and I just cannot tell you how much I appreciate those that have already prayed with me and told me that they are praying for me!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Hopefully, my next blog will be from Florence!!!!! :)

Last full day in the U.S.

This morning started out slow!! My mom and I went and ran all of my last errands. We had to go get my bigger suitcase because last night I packed my medium size one and it was crammed FULL; AND it was only 32lbs. Then we went to the post office, wal-mart, t-mobile (where they told me I had to have my phone unlocked in order to put an Italian sim card in it...and that it could take a few days), the bank downtown to get euros, the bank close to my house (where the girl that has been helping us was super friendly as usual...she has been so sweet to us and I am going to send her a post card!!), home, then sam's, then Target to get an adapter/converter, Bama Fever (for one of my host family's gifts!), and then home. We have had a VERY busy day!!!

I was kind of bummed that it was a dreary, rainy day! However, it was a great day!

The guys at the bank downtown were also very friendly and I was excited to have my first euros...I was bummed that the exchange rate sucked today, so it cost a good bit of money, but oh well. I thought it was weird that the bills are all slightly different sizes...hmm...

I was also excited about wrapping the family's gifts, only to find out that they will probably unwrap them at customs in Italy! :( However, even if they do that, at least I'll have the bows (especially the houndstooth one!).

The tall red one is the wine cork in the second picture (which for some reason won't turn). The houndstooth one is an Alabama ornament. So, I tried to think of things unique to my home and naturally football came to mind! I hate that they will probably unwrap my gifts, but they are pretty for now! :)

I spent the evening packing and weighing the new suitcase. I have 95% of my things packed and ready to go.
It still doesn't feel real to me. Everyone is so excited that I'm going to Italy and they are so excited for me...but it hasn't hit me yet! I dont think it will until I land in Paris and realize that I am in Europe! Even then I dont think it will feel real that I'm going to Italy!

The only thing that really bummed me out tonight was that when I got my email to check in, and I was confirming everything it showed me that they didn't save my seat selections. I like triple checked them the night that I booked my flight. It changed my aisle seats and I was kind of upset. I was able to reserve an aisle seat for my flight home (Amsterdam to Atlanta), but I have a window seat over the wing for tomorrow night's flight. Thankfully though it's only one person to climb over and I'm hoping that I sleep most of the time. Perhaps it will be helpful to have something to lean up against.

Anyway, so tomorrow morning I am going to take my Chili Dog for a walk, take a shower, double and triple check all of my stuff, and then we are leaving around 2:30 to go to Atlanta!

**Sorry this blog is all over the place...it's a reflection of my brain right now! I promise to do a better job as I continue!!**

99.9% of my to-do list for the week is COMPLETED!!!!

Prayer

Today I have checked most of the things off of my to-do list that needed to be checked off today. My mom is off work tomorrow, which is good because we will be able to get things done. Thankfully, my suitcase only weights 32 pounds but is PACKED FULL...so i think I am going to have to take my big red suitcase. While I wish this were not the case, I just don't think my other one will hold anything that I wanted to bring back...like AT ALL!! I'll know more about that tomorrow.

Anyway, so it was a good preparation day. I am having some anxiety about not having had ANY contact with the family. I feel so unsure of arriving in Florence without having spoken to them. We got a thing on our house phone tonight that will allow me to call them tomorrow. Therefore, in the morning I will call them, which will be early evening their time, and see if I can at least speak to them. I am wondering now if I should have done this sooner, but I never heard back from them via email and I didn't have any way of calling them. It is causing me a little bit of stress, but I am trying not to sweat the small stuff (though I'm finding it hard to categorize this as small).

A great part of today was talking to Erin on skype! It is going to be so weird to not see her face for so long...to see any familiar faces for so long. I wish I could put everyone in my pocket and take them with me!! That being said, I will be overjoyed to receive emails/facebook messages/comments/etc because it will be contact with the familiar! It's going to be such an amazing experience, but I would still like some contact with my favorite people!

I would also like to share some prayer requests with anyone reading this. I am in constant prayer for this trip, but it would mean the world to me if I could share some of my prayer requests and know that others are praying with me. So here goes:

1. Safe travels (i've never flown internationally...so a bit nervous)
2. That the family is loving, warm, and kind. Also, that we mesh well together.
3. That I can find at least one person that is genuine, kind, welcoming, and open to traveling around with me a bit. I would love for this person to share my same faith, values, etc.
4. Safe travels within Florence and within Italy. **walking to and from school, exploring Florence, exploring the country, etc** Also, that I dont encounter any people that I feel threatened by or unsafe around.
5. Health
6. Erin and I will be starting a bible study that we are doing together
7. That the language comes back to me and I am able to converse with the locals (and OF COURSE, increasing my knowledge and understanding of the language). Also, that the learning is experience (language, culture, etc) is a positive, fun, exciting, beneficial, and life changing one.
8. That others would see Christ in me. That I would be able to go there and hold true to my values and my faith.
9. That this experience pushes me further along the path of learning to let go of control, let go of expectations for perfection, learning patience, and defining my sense of "normal".

Please know that any prayers are greatly appreciated; more than I can express. This is such a dream come true, and I am so thankful that God has allowed me to have this opportunity. I feel so blessed and I am so grateful. This is partly a gift to myself for making it through these past two years (life changes...both hard AND easy ones, course work, THESIS, ricidulousness, etc), but it's also the realization of a dream from undergrad. Getting to go to Italy is happening in a MUCH different way than I first anticipated, but I think this is THE BEST way!

P.S. It's been encouraging for some of you to tell me you've been reading! I know it will mean so much more once I am over there and will be in desperate need of sharing with people.

Thanksgiving

While I may not be in the United States for Thanksgiving this year and thus will most likely not be celebrating Thanksgiving, I already know what I am thankful for:

-Parents who love me and support my dreams. Who encouraged me to move to New York City and now to go to Italy. I love them soooo much!!!
-Erin who is the BEST friend I've ever known and will ever know. A friend who tells you the truth no matter how hard it is to hear, a friend who prays for you, a friend who stops what we are doing to pray, a friend who loves in the best and worst of conditions, a friend whom I miss more than words can even express.
-April Kendrick who has been a great friend and helper. She has been so kind and helpful to me over these past few months and whom I love so much!!
-Mrs. Malissa- a beautiful, loving, wonderful friend whom I love like another mother and she means the world to me.
-Dr. Hernandez-Reif- one of the kindest, most loving people I've ever known. She has been so good to me and I love her more than she can ever know!!!
-Kelly (& her family)- they welcomed me into their home and lives and they just mean so much to me and I love them. I have learned so much from all of them and I appreciate that.
-Meagan- a beautiful friend who has been there for me and I miss her more than she knows!!!
-Brooke- you couldn't ask for a more lovingly honest friend who loves the Lord. I love her!!
-Britt- a friend who always goes the extra mile for everyone and deserves all the love in the world (and has mine)
-Alex- one of the first friendly faces I met in grad school! Alex always knows how to make me laugh and is such a beautiful, kind friend who loves the Lord.
-Heather- such a wonderful person and I have learned so much from her and she has helped shape my practices in the early childhood classroom. She has loved on me when I needed it and I love her so much.
-Everyone at the Children's Program- These people welcomed me in and loved on me and taught me so much and I just LOVE them!!!
-Ms. Hudson- I have known Ms. Hudson for a while now, but she has been so loving and encouraging over the past two years and it does not go unnoticed!! HDFS will have a huge hole in it come January.
-Everyone upstairs in HDFS- Mrs. Kirksey, Mrs. Horton, Dr. Sherwood, Craig, and others!
-My New York family- I love and miss them!!!
-FINISHING MY THESIS!!!!!!!!!!!! So thankful to be finished with Ridiculous and the Ridiculousness!!!!
-Graduating soon!!!
-The opportunity to take this trip to Italy! It is such an amazing feeling to see dreams come true! I love to see my own come true, but others' dreams as well.
-I am thankful that my best friend Erin is getting the opportunity to live her dream. I dont think she knows just how brave she is moving so far away from "home", but I do! She is so amazingly strong and brave and I know it was a looong wait, but I truly believe that she is right where God wants her to be. She did not seek evil to see her dreams come true (Bible verse I referenced in a previous post), and now she is in Charleston!
-For everyone that has made me who I am today! It's too many people to list and for some of them I am thankful for what they did OR didn't do...all the same, it helped me get here today!

Mostly right now though, I am thankful for the graduate school experience. So many things have changed for me in two years. They have been the hardest, most life changing years of my life, but they taught me to dance in the rain.

Marking off my list

Today was a relatively uneventful day. I marked some things off of my list. The most exciting part of my day was getting two really good travel books from the library. One is "Florence & Tuscany" and the other is for Rome. Tonight as I was marking pages in them I had this, "OMG OMG OMG I'M GOING TO ITALY" moment. Again, what is that?!? I'm going to Italy!!! How in the world did I ever get so lucky??

Today I also got to talk to some amazing people in my life!! :) I think I am going to have a really hard time not consistently calling my family and friends to tell them about all of the amazing things I am seeing and doing. I'm going to do my best to update my blog every day and email as many people as possible.

Also, I will send a mass email Monday afternoon to let everyone know that I arrived. I will actually arrive in Florence Sunday afternoon (Sunday morning here). However, I dont know that I will have internet access until Monday afternoon.

Today was better!

So this time next week it will already be my second full day in Italy (and a day off from class because Nov. 1st is a national holiday over there).

Having said that, I have a FULL week of preparations, which is being complicated by the extremely soar throat I have because the medicine I took for it KNOCKED ME OUT!! However, I did do everything on my to-do list for Monday! :) YAY!!! The only thing I have to do is to keep studying for my trip. I am trying to remember as much of my Italian as possible so that I dont get over there and look like a COMPLETE idiot. Plus, I hate not remembering things!! I'm trying not to stress too much about remembering vocabulary and stuff, but this is where the perfectionist in me comes out (yes Dr. Hernandez-Reif, I remember what we discussed, but it's soooo hard for me not to want to do the best I possibly can). However, I know that once I get over there and I'm surrounded by the language I will begin to pick it back up and then some! I'm getting a little nervous about my one-on-one lessons twice a week. I am so afraid I will freeze up!! Oh well, I cannot worry about that today. Worrying does not add a single minute to my life and the Bible tells me not to worry, but instead pray.

THE GREATEST MOMENT OF TODAY was when I got an email saying that my thesis is COMPLETED!!!! It has been signed off on by the dean of the graduate school and there are no more changes!! I AM FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that is left to do now is walk across the stage on December 17th. YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!! NO MORE RIDICULOUSNESS!!!! I never have to deal with the ridiculousness again...hopefully!

Okay, so I also did some research on calling to and from the U.S. and Italy today. Not that I expect anyone to call me, because it is going to be expensive, but should anyone choose to call or text me (or the other way around...though I wont do it without your permission) here are some of the rates:

AT&T: For you to send an international text message it will cost you $0.25 and for you to receive a text from me it will cost you $0.20. For you to call me or me to call you: if I call you from a landline or you call me on a landline # it will cost you $0.09/minute and if you call my international cell phone or I call you from the international cell phone it will cost you $0.26/minute.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile likes to make this more complicated than it should be. So, from what I can gather, to send OR receive an international text message is $0.20. Sorry, but I cannot figure out the calling information. T-mobile's website SUCKS!!!!

Also, today I got a message saying that crimson mail is now an actual gmail account, which is screwing up a lot of things for me. It means i cannot have both of my emails open at once on my computer and cannot open my crimson mail on my phone. However, it does mean that people with crimson mail can actually be a follower of my blog and comment and such. I do love gmail... for many reasons!

Okay, well I am going to go study Italian!!

Stress Level

Unfortunately, my stress level is high. I don't want Italy to be a stressful event. Now, the money and the converter/adapter are stressing me out!!!

However, there were good things about today! I made my to-do list for this week, which is A MILE long!! I also went to take some "graduation pictures" today! It was a beautiful day for it because it wasn't too cold and the sun was shining!! These are two of my favorites!













After we went to Railroad Park to take pictures, we went to Wal-Mart and got an adapter (which turns out to be one I dont need...I think...). Tonight we started looking at adapters and converters because apparently I need a converter for a hairdryer and to charge my computer(?). Last night definitely reached that point where it was becoming not fun for me anymore. Not knowing so many things is STRESSING ME OUT!!!! So, tomorrow I will just start working on my mile-long to-do list.

Stress

Today was another stressful day. The people at the bank didn't know what to tell me about money and I tried the UA study abroad people for some advice on things and their response was, "oh um the lady who could help you is working on a project until next Thursday. Perhaps you can try back then?" Really? Really...I had one question and you couldn't help me??

I did however get the phone situation straightened out. I will be getting an Italian SIM card which will go in my phone and I'll purchase prepaid stuff over there. So, I will be able to call the US and text (and also call within Italy) and i'll just used it until my prepaid stuff runs out. My parents are going to get something through t-mobile which allows them to text me and call me. However, I do not encourage anyone reading this to call or text me because it will potentially cost you a good bit if you do not have an international plan. Tomorrow I plan to check on AT&T's international stuff (e.g. if I text someone with an AT&T phone, how much will it cost them). So, once again if you want to talk to me pleeeeeease just email me (gmail or bamamail). I plan to check both of them regularly! Facebook will also be good...or you can comment on the blog and I will answer you!! :)

Email addresses:
Elyse.McLaughlin@gmail.com
McLau001@crimson.ua.edu

Hmmm...what else...today I talked to Neal on skype and he was very helpful in easing some of my worries.

Studying

So today has been a studying kind of day...studying my camera and Italian! Not a whole lot of success with either one, but I suppose some is better than none! :)

It was a good day! I got some of the things on my to-do list marked off; thank goodness!! I got to talk to Neal today too...briefly on both facebook and on the phone! :) I also talked to April and that was fun! :) Then i went and got a hair cut...a MUCH needed haircut!!
















BEFORE............................................................................................AFTER

BEST PART OF THE DAY: skype with Erin!!!! I love her so much and I'm so happy I got a tour of the apartment! I got to see my fluffy niece Maddie, but poor Molly is still hiding! Mom and dad were sweet...except the whole "War Eagle" thing! :) I wish I could put Erin in my pocket and take her to Italy with me...and then when I come back I wish we lived in the same city again!! Point is: I LOVE AND MISS MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!!!!!!

WORST PART OF THE DAY: Right now! Trying to figure out this international calling/texting issue. Bottom line here is: DO NOT TEXT ME, CALL ME, LEAVE ME A VOICE MAIL, OR EXPECT ME TO DO ANY OF THESE THINGS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!! The cost is complicated on my end and is potentially very expensive on yours!! I will primarily be emailing and updating my blog (& facebook if I have time). I need EVERYONE to understand that if you have not heard from me in a few hours/day it does NOT mean something is wrong. It simply means that I am (hopefully) having fun, learning, or have no access to internet because I am having fun/learning. This is going to be a time of very little communication from me! This will be an interesting experience on my end as well, as I will want to call everyone and tell them everything. However, that is the point of this blog.

This is STRESSING ME OUT TO THE MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, to sum it all up: talked to people I love and became stressed about communicating with the people I love while I'm in Italy!!

Goodbyes SUCK

So today I had to leave Tuscaloosa for a while (though I miiiight get to tailgate some Saturday, but that does not count). I am very sad to know that it will be about 6 weeks until I see all of my loves in Tuscaloosa. It was a good day though! My thesis is FINALLY turned in for the LAST TIME...I hope; got to spend the entire day with some of the people I love the most...and also, I got my tassel for graduation (already have everything else).

The hard part was giving hugs at the end of the day. Everyone at the Children's Program and the babies there have been so encouraging to me and it was hard to say bye (though it isn't forever or anything, it was still hard). Also, I was so bummed that I didn't get to see Kelly, Courtney, or Kellen this afternoon.

The hardest part was the end of the day. The last "see you later(s)" were the worst!!! Of course, being me, I cried. Is anyone surprised...I'm guessing the answer is, "NO!!!"

However, I did get to talk to my bestest friend in the whole wide world on my way home. I was so excited to hear Erin's voice and we have a skype date for tomorrow!

Anyway, so...preparation for Italy...well, I did make copies of my passport, credit cards, etc. I broke in my new brown boots!!! Tomorrow I am going to get a haircut (so...probably take off about 2 inches)!! Umm...tomorrow I also have to go to the bank and order traveler's checks in euros...so weird.

It's so weird...everyone keeps saying how GREAT Italy is going to be...and I know that it will be, but I am a little nervous. I will HAVE to speak the language. It wont be like my Italian classes where I could just ace the quiz/test/homework/essays and move on. I was so shy in "conversation class", but NOW...I have to do it!! Also, I should say that I probably will NOT be falling in love while in Italy! I know that some think I will, but dont get your hopes up!

Best advice so far comes from Dr. Hernandez-Reif, who knows me TOO well I think (paraphrasing): be realistic; nothing and no person is perfect. Italy will be amazing, but it will not be perfect.

This is important advice for me because I have high standards for things and I do often strive for perfection (okay, okay...I ALWAYS strive for perfection). However, she is right, and I want to fully enjoy the experience.

Also, another piece of advice/instructions I was given by Dr. Hernandez-Reif was not to stress about the class/any test or quizzes that are give. Again, knows me all too well! Though I definitely took it to heart and will do my best to remember both of these things!

Okay, bed time...a lot of Italy things to do tomorrow!!

Well, I wasn't expecting that

Last night I emailed the school in Florence with a few questions. I had not heard back from my family in Florence and so I just addressed some of my questions to the school instead. The thing I had been most curious about was the age of the daughter in the family (so, my family is a mom, daughter, and their cat). I was shocked when I opened the email and it said that she was 40. Now, it doesn't bother me that she still lives at home or anything (my dad thought I was saying that), but I just did not expect that at all. I am hoping that she will be friendly and helpful when it comes to me exploring other parts of the country. I am still hopeful that she will accompany me one weekend to another city.

On another note: Rome needs to get it together. I need to see all that Rome has to offer, and the riots/protests are making me a little nervous to go there. I simply cannot travel to Italy without seeing Vatican City, il colosseo, etc. So, ROME...GET IT TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did have an exciting moment this morning of "OMG I AM GOING TO ITALY!!!!" Surprisingly, this is the first BIG moment I have had like this. I remember that same feeling before I moved to New York City. I would have days of nerves and sadness (because I didn't know how long I would be gone), but then I would have these moments of "OMG I'M GOING TO LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY!!!!!!" Now, this is slightly different as I am not moving to Italy, but I'm still going!!! I cannot believe that this dream will be coming true. I LOVE it when dreams come true. However, whenever I get wrapped up in dreaming or planning for dreams to become a reality, I am reminded of Proverbs 13:19 which says, "It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them." I like to plan, but I have to be careful of over planning and not submitting to the will of God.

I am very excited though that in the next two months two dreams will become a reality: 1. Italy!!!!!!!!!! 2. Graduate with my Master's in HDFS

Also, I finally found another pair of skinny jeans today!! Did I mention that I HATE jeans...I really do think that they are from the devil sent here to torture me!! Yuck...jeans...

Packing

Well, today was kind of a big day...I started packing. I packed a lot of my toiletries and stuff. However, the hard part was packing clothes. Ughh...first, i hate winter clothes because I do not like to wear jeans OR long sleeve shirts. What I do like are scarves and tights and leggings!!! :) Clearly, I have mixed feelings! I have found a good balance of pants and dresses/skirts and THAT makes me excited! This is what I have so far...


I have had to do a little shopping, but I am trying to take a minimal amount of clothing so that I can shop in Italy! I have decided that the one really nice purchase I want to make in Italy is a dress for graduation. I did find these shoes today...I think they will be my "all-around shoes" in Italy...any thoughts?!?!?



No?!?!? Okay...I'll take them back! ;)

Well, I am going to get back to making my packing excel spreadsheet. This should be interesting. I will be packing a lot of my things in ziploc baggies to save room. If anyone has any packing tips please let me know!!!

Two Weeks...

Two weeks from right now I will have been on the plane for about 2 hours...

I'm not too nervous...YET!!!

Any suggestions!?!?!? Anyone have any tips or bits of knowledge I need before I leave?!?!?

Email

Today was an uneventful preparation day. I probably should be doing more, but I haven't been feeling well and I had other things to do today (physical therapy and errands with my momma).

However, tonight I did email the family that I will be staying with. I just gave a brief introduction of myself and asked that if there was anything they thought I needed to know prior to my arrival to please let me know. I am excited!! I hope that I hear from them soon! I can't wait to find out about the woman and her daughter. I am really hoping and praying that the daughter is close to my age and willing to travel on at least one of my weekend excursions.

So, while uneventful, my Italy thing for the day will hopefully lead to some exciting news for my trip.

Also, for those who are reading this and think that they may want to post comments, etc. I just wanted to let you know that all you need is a gmail account and you can post. Okay, I just looked it up. You can post using a gmail sign in, blogger sign in (which is basically gmail i think), or you can do it anonymously (meaning without a comment) but then you should include your name in the comment so that Ill know it is you!! :)

Something I did find the other day that made me excited: So most people know that my favorite jewelry (and the only jewelry I really wear) is Tiffany & Co. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Tiffany jewelry. One day last week I was looking at the new Tiffany graduation charms and I thought about how there HAD to be a Tiffany in Italy and I wanted to know where. Well, it just so happens that there is one in Florence; WAIT FOR IT THOUGH....................................................................................................................................................
A MERE 4 MINUTE WALK FROM THE SCHOOL!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!??! Ok, so I wont be shopping there because I'd rather spend my money on traveling to other cities, but I will definitely be going to see it and take some pictures!! I love Tiffany & Co.

A new adventure

I have kept a blog once before titled, "This is My Life"! So, it only seemed appropriate to title this one the same, but in Italian! So, Questa è la mia vita means, "this is my life."

My plan is to chronicle my preparation for traveling to Italy for the very first time, and then of course every day (or almost every day) of my four week trip to Florence, Italy. I hope to put pictures in this blog, but forgive me if they are very few. However, if it's pictures you're wanting, just check out my facebook page. If you do not have facebook, I will email you any additional pictures you might find interesting! :)

Ok, so here we go...I have 25 days until I leave for Italy (October 29th). My flight is at 9:10 pm out of Atlanta, Ga and I will pass through Paris on my way to Florence, Italy where I should
arrive around 3 pm on Sunday, October 30th.















I think it's also important for me to say that I am actually nervous about this trip. Those who know me, know that I am not too excited about flying over the ocean, etc. However, I am praying for calm nerves and I am asking for others to pray as well. I really like this quote because it reminds me that I'll never fully live my life unless I step out on faith and just do things...