Oatmeal and fresh air...and by fresh I mean senza a cloud of smoke every 5 steps!! Have I mentioned that I DESPISE cigarette smoke?!?!
Today was a MUCH better day than yesterday!! I had the weirdest breakfast yet though. The only choices I had were these graham cracker like things with the good jelly stuff (which is made here in Florence...so I think I may try to get some and bring it back with me!) OR one of those cake things I refuse to eat. The BEST part of my breakfast was my tea!! It was perfect...mainly because I put splenda in it instead of real sugar (thanks to my momma who sent me with a few packs of splenda!!!). Then, I got dressed, got my things together, bundled up (32 degrees outside this morning) and began walking to school!
The walk was the same as always...except my knees are bothering me!! They need a new pair of tennis shoes and new inserts (my tennis shoes are in Alabama...and my inserts I have with me are practically flat!! :( .... ). However, it is nice to be walking...I enjoy walking places! I wish I could do it more at home! When i got to school I just played on facebook for a few minutes and then went to class. Class was good...Maria seemed to be distracted today so we spent practically the entire morning copying sentences from the board and responding to them using the direct pronouns that I was struggling with yesterday! SO, this was great for two reasons: 1. I didn't have to struggle to speak and 2. I got a better grasp on what we are learning. I was also glad that Fiona was back!! However, tomorrow she wont be there until after our break...ughh...
Anyway, so during our break FIona and I went to the bar down the street. She had coffee and a nutella filled pastry thing and I had some peach juice. In these little juice thingys they sell lemon juice and peach juice. I have been wanting to try one and as I forgot my water at home today, I thought it was the perfect day to try it. IT WAS REALLY GOOD!!! I wish I could bring some home with me! It was sweet, but not too sweet...and for juice had surprisingly little calories...if I am reading the label right! So it was a nice break. I had an apple that I brought from the apartment with me as a snack...yay for no carbs!!
THe second half of class was pretty much the same as the first...more sentences. At the end we discussed clothing vocabulary..FINALLY a vocabulary lesson! Why couldn't we have done some of this each day!?!?!? It would have been SO helpful!!! However, at least we did it today!!
After this class, we had the "Oggi in Italia" class with Marco! THank goodness Tamsin asked about something and he talked about something the whole time. I know it was related to the Basilica we saw last night and something about restoration...but I was pretty lost most of the time. Then he asked me a question...really sir...like I know what the heck you have been saying for 20 minutes! Then i understood him to ask me what my favorite part of the church was...which that was the mosaic (see yesterdays blog for a picture). I was so happy to get out of this class...by this time I was starving! I had been planning to ask Tamsin if she wanted to join me for lunch. So as we were walking out I asked if she was going to get something to eat and did she want to join me for lunch!?!? (also, I asked Fiona about Siena, but I think they are planning to go somewhere else...and I reeeeeaallly want to see Siena). So, Tamsin agreed to go to lunch.
On our way we talked about where she normally eats lunch and that she normally eats alone. We both mentioned one of the same places for lunch (the place with sandwiches and wine) and then she told me about this other place with good wraps (ummm YES PLEASE!!!). As we walked she explained that she was an introvert and didn't mind spending time alone. I explained that I didnt either, but that I would love to have lunch with her whenever she would like. I am hoping that tomorrow we can maybe go to the place with the wraps!!!
So, I offered her one of my meal tickets (I will probably wind up with a few extra if I dont get someone to eat with me once or twice). So, we went to the place I go with my vouchers. It was weird, when we walked up they had moved ALL of their outside stuff. I mean it is too cold now to eat outside, but it was so strange to see it that way!! SO we sat upstairs and we had a great time. My same waiter served us and he told me that today I HAD to eat ALL of my food...okay sir...but then i might puke on your floor when my stomach rejects THAT MUCH food!!! I ordered this soupy stuff that had rice in it and then "fried eggs" because once again he insisted that I get to courses.
Tamsin and I had GREAT conversation. SHe is also 25 years old and has her B.A. and her Master's in some sort of art history..something something. Anyway, she is the youngest child, but also kind of an only child because her much older siblings are actually half-siblings. She lives with an Italian family here adn there are other students living there too (American students at the time). She has been here for 4 months now and she's getting really good at Italian. She was very encouraging to me about getting up to speed. We talked about soooo much...about child dev., about her time here in Italy, about American English vs. the rest of the world's English, and much more!! It was so great to have conversation with someone that was intelligent AND didn't just want to talk about how much wine she drank the night before and the guys she met. SHe said that she and a friend do go out to dinner at least once a week and then go out for "cocktails". She said that I was welcome to come along and if I didn't want to go out afterwards, she understood! Yay!! :) So, I'm hoping that she will want to go to dinner one night this week! That would be fun! We sat at the restaurant for over an hour eating and talking. My "fried eggs" actually turned out to be an omelette with ham and maybe some cheese in it (though I think they may have actually brought me the special of the day...not the fried eggs). Anyway, both courses were really good, but of course I barely at them (compared to what my waiter friend wants me to eat). There was also cooked spinach on the side of the omelette...I had a few bites...but spinach alone isn't really my thing. However, it was a GREAT lunch!!
I also told her that I was planning to go to Sienna on Saturday and that if she wanted, I'd love for her to come along. She said that she would definitely think about it. SHe said she had some "monk" friends in Sienna and she would love to visit them. We discussed the fact that we dont know how to get to Sienna (i mean we know by bus, but where do you catch the bus?). Anyway, I told her that I would find out and if she wanted to join me I would love for her too...just to let me know by Friday! :) So yay!! I might have someone to go to Sienna with on Saturday! Plus, I asked her if she was going on the Chianti trip and she said she might. She went another month, but I encouraged her because I think it might just be me, Fiona, and one other girl! :) So, it would be fun for it to be just the few of us and I would love for Tamsin to come! Ooh and at lunch I was able to talk some about social competence, etc. We were talking about children from different cultures and being "spoiled" or unsocialized, etc. etc. and i was so excited to be able to use my knowledge from my thesis (H-R you'd have been so proud...I was confident in what I was saying and able to discuss it...yay!!)
So, I left lunch feeling pretty good!! It was really nice to have lunch WITH someone and to have made a connection...albeit a small connection, but a connection nonetheless. I LOVE Italy, but now that I know what it is like to have true friendships and ones that make your world so rich and animated and lively, it's hard not to have that (you all know who you are...I miss so many faces and voices right now that it is unreal!!!).
After lunch I had to "run some errands"...okay i had two important things to do... 1. get euros from the atm and 2. get some credit on my phone! I stopped in that bookstore (Edison) next to the school first though..I wanted to see if they still had the Eric Carle book I wanted in Italian! They did...sooo I made the somewhat irresponsible decision to get my money from the atm and purchase the book. I have been thinking about it since the day I saw it (which was like day 1 or 2 in Italy) and I think that is a sign that I reeeeeally want it...plus, it would cost a fortune to order from the U.S. later if I didn't get it now. So I went to the atm and then walked back to the bookstore and bought "THe Very Hungry Caterpillar" in Italian!! I was EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! I was excited to have it for myself and then one day if I'm a teacher, i can share it with the children in my classroom. I had a thought: the children (e.g. at the children's program) would recognize the book and the story, it would just be in another language...I think it's a great "cultural" book to have...something that is familiar, yet not. I'm VERY excited!! So now, the only thing on my "must have from Italy" list is a pair of shoes.
List:
1. Harry Potter in Italian - CHECK
2. Beautiful letter opener- CHECK (also Murano glass)
3. I decided I wanted some sort of stationary item (fountain pen/stamp/marbled stationary)...I ended up with the stamper (the kind that you use wax with) and it has a BEAUTIFUL Murano glass handle!! -CHECK
4. Children's book in Italian- CHECK...in the best way...Eric Carle!!!
5. Graduation dress- CHECK
6. Italian shoes- still on the hunt for the perfect pair
*and not on the list, I bought myself a small murano glass pendent that will serve as a charm for my beautiful charm bracelet (will forever be grateful to Mike for this FABULOUS present).
So, I think it has been a successful venture!! I tried to spend my money on things that would last me...things that I would have for a lifetime and could say, "I bought this when I was studying in Florence, Italy!" Ahh...that's an amazing thought!!!
So after I bought my book, I headed for the TIM store to buy phone credit. I stopped in the TIM store that is on my way "home", but there was a line and it was the rude lady who hated my broken Italian and made it VERY clear that she did not want to speak English. So, I decided to back track and go to the store with the really nice lady (the one who I later saw at the restaurant). However, on my way there I saw a store that had a TIM authorized seller and some other phone companies...soooo I stopped in there. Very nice girl working there and I got my minutes and I was on my way.
OOOOH before I got to the first TIM store, I saw these two girls (and a guy) walking with a map and something they said caught my attention and I asked them if they needed help. They said yes and I told them that I might no be of much help because I'd only been here two weeks, but I miiiight be able to help them. THey were looking for some sort of mall with a something and I didn't recognize it. Then, they asked about the Piazza della Repubblica...well of course I know all about that since I walk there EVERY SINGLE DAY!! I pointed down the street and told them that where they could see the sun hitting the buildings, that was coming from the Piazza...I told them it was where the merry-go-round and such was located. They were so excited that I was able to tell them. THey were only in Florence for two days. Then they asked about the best gelato I'd had. I told them that it was unfortunately in Rome, but I pointed them to the place that Fiona suggested to me (the first Italian gelato I had) and that if they crossed the Ponte Vecchio (which this same street leads to) that they would not only get some beautiful pictures this time of day, but if they took a right and went to the next bridge they could have the gelato I was referring to! I was so excited to be able to help someone out and they were so grateful!! It has been nice to pass on advice or places to see/eat that others have given me! :) It was kind of the same feeling as when i am in NYC and someone stops me and asks for directions...I LOVE to be able to help them!!
So after I bought my cell phone minutes, I headed home. My feet were hurting by now and I was ready to sit/lay on my bed. WHen I got home there were a bunch of people in the living room which turned out to be Matilde's mom, Matilde, Signora Gabriella, and some other people (one girl named Rebecca). Then i saw Matilde's mom and her hair was different...very cute though. So I came to my room and started working on blogs, uploading pictures to shutterfly (I have 225 free pictures to order by thursday), I have homework to do, and then something to write and email. I hate that I am behind on blogs...it takes me FOREVER to catch up...especially with something as busy and exciting as Rome!
I had some tea and it wasn't nearly as good as this mornings..though I did spot this weird thing sitting on the table that said, "aspartame" and yes Momma, every time I see this word...I think of Mike and the way he pronounced it!! :) SO it was a container with aspartame "pills" in it. I had seen them use it when i first got here, but couldn't read the label, so I didn't know what they were. I used one, but didn't do anything and therefore the tea was not nearly as good as this morning's tea. So, since then I have just been working on all of those things listed above. I am about to work on Rome's blog and then do some homework before dinner.
Even though I got 8 1/2 hours worth of sleep last night, I am still EXHAUSTED!!! When I get home i will sleep for a week...eat nothing but oatmeal, some fruit, a few veggies, and maybe some salad....and this will be in the brief time that I am awake!!!
Also, I have decided that as one of my "souveniers" I am going to ask Signora Gabriella to hand write one or two of my favorite recipes on the note cards I brought...they aren't recipe cards, but they will serve the purpose. I'm thinking that even though I found recipes for Spezzatino and Ribollita, I will ask for these two recipes. I'm also excited for Nonna to make spezzatino when I go to NYC...maybe she knows Ribollita too?!?; though that one was explained as a "traditional tuscan" dish and I dont think that Nonna is from Tuscany...however, I'm sure she knows how to make it!!
Dinner was REALLY good...we started out with TINY gnocchi that had oil (or maaayybe butter) and some cheese!! DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lorenzo said that in Tuscany they call it..Tropolino (which in Italian means "Little mice"...YUCK!!). However, it was so good! Then, we had these reeeeeally thin pieces of chicken that were done with batter and "fried" in the pan...it was good, but the piece was soooo good that I could not eat it all!!! With that we had this bread with potatoes cooked on top of it..sounds weird...but it was AMAZING!! Signora Gabriella said that it was just potatoes cooked on bread with pepper...hmm...I'm guessing if I did this it would turn out to be A DISASTER... Also, the wine was good! ;) So, I am FULL...and about to shower, do my homework, maybe some P90X ab stuff...goodness knows I could use it and then GO TO SLEEP!!!
Last night I got 8 1/2 hours worth of sleep...and it STILL hasn't been enough! PS sorry there are no pictures in this blog...
also, on the way home today I found a place to get a cannoli next week... or maybe Friday
Power just went out...weird...Lorenzo fixed it though...I wonder what made it go out
Clearly, the end of this blog is all...what's the phrase?!?!? Stream of conscientiousness
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