It pretty much started when I got out of bed and all I wanted to do was go back to sleep! I was exhausted and I had to take a shower, get dressed, try to finish my homework, and eat breakfast. Well, only two of those things got accomplished: I took a shower and got dressed. I did not have ANY time to finish my homework and breakfast, well....
This morning Matilde's mom dropped her off really early and they were all running around with her and I didnt want to have MORE carbs for breakfast and it was just weird...so I didnt even go to the kitchen because I knew they would want to force feed me more carbs that I need or care to have. I do not like the weird little cake things they try to give me because they have like 500 calories in them and are like the size of my pointer finger...NO THANKS....that many calories for something that will last you all of 5 minutes and then you are hungry again!?!?!? So, I just left without eating and planned to stop at the mercato for some yogurt and a banana...now THAT is a reasonable breakfast....ACTUALLY a reasonable breakfast is my oatmeal....oooooh how I am missing my daily oatmeal!!! So, I did exactly as planned and stopped for vanilla (ish) yogurt and a banana. I used the banana as a spoon and ate as I walked.
I was dreading class because I had not finished my homework and knew that I had to finish it before she asked for it. Thank goodness I had time to finish it before we started class. So from here the day goes down hill....therefore, once again, if you dont feel like listening to me be in a bad mood...STOP READING NOW AND COME BACK TOMORROW!!! :)**OR you can skip to where the pictures are...that's where the day gets better**
Class sucked...I absolutely HATE being the stupid one! I have never been stupid in my life, but I feel like they think I am the biggest idiot in the world with the slowest brain. Fiona was not here today either to distract Maria. I knew that this was bad news because it meant that she would make me talk and that as usual, I would not have the vocabulary to answer her. I was right...
During our break I went to get a small snack and ended up with this chocolate thingy that is everywhere here, "kinder" milk or something...anyway, I didnt really realize it was chocolate...but it had some sort of milky stuff in the center. It was good and honestly, I bite of chocolate was just the thing I needed!!!
After our break we started doing the grammar part...normally, this is my favorite because it means I wont have to speak. This WAS NOT the case today! I most definitely ended the class in tears because she didnt teach anything, but then had us doing exercises. I WAS SO FRUSTRATED that it drove me to tears. I definitely kept it hidden, but then I just left. I did not go to our conversation class with Marco because I knew he would want me to have a question about Italy (in Italian) and I didnt and I did not care!!!!!!!!!! So, I just left the building and walked around...I needed to walk off my frustration and anger. I tried on a skirt at ZARA and then I went to eat lunch at the same place. I had the minestrone with vegetables again today...it is much colder here today so it was the PERFECT day for some warm soup!!! After I ate, I walked to Tiffany (didnt have anything I really wanted or couldnt live without) and then I came back to the school to use the computers. I was slightly dreading my individual lesson because I knew she was going to make me talk.
So, here is the thing about me: I think you would all agree that you can pretty much ALWAYS read my TRUE emotions on my face. Ive never been good at hiding my emotions, or even if I try they usually still come across on my face. When I walked into the private lesson, it was no different. She immediately knew something was wrong. The thing I appreciate about Cristina is that she reminds me a little of another favorite teacher of mine who just attacks the problem head on...and that is what we did. She had me show her why I was so frustrated and then you know what she did?!?!?!? SHE TAUGHT ME WHAT TO DO....WHAT A NOVEL CONCEPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then, we did have conversation...but it went well. Because she is willing to help me figure out the words adn then when I do know them she is excited, it helps. So we talked about Rome, about making friends here, and then about Mike (weird to talk about that in Italian...hard to translate). Anyway, so she told me that I had to relax (surprise, surprise) and enjoy my time because I didnt know when I would get to do this again. She said that she wanted me to go to dinner with people, etc. etc. I finally just had to outright tell her why I dont hang out with Fiona and her roommate (because I am NOT going out to 1 and 2 in the morning and getting drunk...no thanks!!!). She said she understood and made a few suggestions.
I DO want to have fun...and I AM having fun!!! I just choose not to have "fun" late at night...at bars...with guys I dont know...and wake up the next day not remembering what I did and feeling like crap!! However, I am going to talk to the Australian girl, whose name I can never remember and see if she wants to go to Siena this weekend...and if Fiona wants to go...that would be okay too...I dont have a specific agenda in mind for Siena; I just want to see it!!!
So, I felt better when I left my private lesson....there were a few moments I wanted to cry, but she was so sweet, kind, and helpful. She said that I just need to let go and not worry about being the best student I can be and just take it all in!! I am trying soooo hard to do this!!! This is the biggest test of that I have had. Now, you may be thinking, "what about your thesis?!?!?" Well, that was different...in many ways...first, that was in English (well, most of the time ;) haha). Second, I had my own support system with that...literally have no one here in Italy...
It's not that I am homesick or anything, I just wish everyone was HERE!!!! And I wish they had oatmeal for breakfast...right now as I write all of this I am waiting to go on our "field trip" to "La Basilica di San Miniato". I have no idea who else is going and no idea what to expect...okay, well I suppose I will finish this tonight (when I am also desperately trying to write about Rome)!!!!
So when i stopped writing earlier, I found out that we were supposed to meet AT the church (Basilica di San Miniato)! No big deal right?!?!?! OOOOH NOOOO...this was the church that was near the Piazzale Michelangelo...the place I had to climb ALLLLLL of those stairs!! I got a text from Tamsin (Australian girl...FINALLY learned her name) saying that we were supposed to meet AT the church...then the lady at the school told me where it was! I was slightly freaking out because it is a good 25 minute walk from the school and all of those steps AND my feet/legs/knees were still hurting from ROme. However, I went to the bathroom and took off walking. I called Tamsin and told her to let Gabriella (director) know I was on my way. Then, I made it as far as the Pontevecchio and I saw a taxi stand...umm DUH...I definitely took a taxi! I knew I would have to walk the hour walk home, so it was WORTH IT to take the taxi...plus, I saw some beautiful homes and hillside up close. I made it there, and when I got to the top of the steps Gabriella was saying, "calm....be calm." How is it that everyone knows me so well!?!?!? However, she could probably just see that I was in a hurry, feeling bad for being late. **Although, one of the purposes of this trip could be for me to learn how to chill out...now, if grad school didn't QUITE do it...and my thesis didn't do it...then I dont know how this will..but I have two weeks to figure it out!!! **
So, as I climbed the steps I felt a bit of excitement about what I might see when I got to the top and turned around...and it made it ALL worth the hurry and the cab and the frustration over nobody at this school telling you what is going on in life!!!
The sunset over Florence was BEAUTIFUL...God is all of His glory....his beautiful paintbrush...it was amazing!! THe pictures I took do not even do it justice!! It would be hard to do it justice!!! Gabriella began telling me about the church and then Tamsin arrived. By the way, it was FREEZING cold up on that hillside...but again, all worth it. Then we went inside the church and it was beautiful as well!! Very dark and quiet, but beautiful!!! There is a lot of history in it...Gabriella explained it to us...something about a guy whose head got cut off and legend has it that he picked it up and carried it to a certain spot and something....then something about Charlemane (Sp!?!?!)'s wife loving it and he paid to have it redone when she died. Anyway, it was gorgeous!!
Then, Gabriella took us back outside, and I got some beautiful pictures of Florence at night.
Then, she offered to drive me part of the way...ummm...YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! So she drove me down the hill/mountain...and I was able to see her home....ON THE RIVER...GORGEOUS!! They are moving to the country, but their home here is beautiful!! I can only imagine what it must cost to live where they do. It was really big too...with a lot of rooms! They were so kind to let me use their restroom and then I was on my way. It took me AN HOUR to walk home...I took a few pictures of the centro at night...but mostly just focused on getting home. I have yet to feel unsafe walking home, which I am grateful for, but it was definitely a loooooong walk! My feet/knees/ankles/legs in general were definitely hurting..so, I put them up on the wall again to keep the swelling down. Now, i am about to write about Rome and wait for dinner! I am definitely hungry!!! :)
Dinner was good! Started with penne with tomato stuff and then what looked like a pork chop, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't and some really good potatoes. I literally almost fell asleep at the table during dinner, so there isn't much to tell!
Now, I am going to take a shower, write some of Rome and GO TO SLEEP!! Ahh, but before I will do some Bible study...and in my prayers I will pray for a better day!!
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 I find that it applies to me on so many days and in so many ways!!!
So when i stopped writing earlier, I found out that we were supposed to meet AT the church (Basilica di San Miniato)! No big deal right?!?!?! OOOOH NOOOO...this was the church that was near the Piazzale Michelangelo...the place I had to climb ALLLLLL of those stairs!! I got a text from Tamsin (Australian girl...FINALLY learned her name) saying that we were supposed to meet AT the church...then the lady at the school told me where it was! I was slightly freaking out because it is a good 25 minute walk from the school and all of those steps AND my feet/legs/knees were still hurting from ROme. However, I went to the bathroom and took off walking. I called Tamsin and told her to let Gabriella (director) know I was on my way. Then, I made it as far as the Pontevecchio and I saw a taxi stand...umm DUH...I definitely took a taxi! I knew I would have to walk the hour walk home, so it was WORTH IT to take the taxi...plus, I saw some beautiful homes and hillside up close. I made it there, and when I got to the top of the steps Gabriella was saying, "calm....be calm." How is it that everyone knows me so well!?!?!? However, she could probably just see that I was in a hurry, feeling bad for being late. **Although, one of the purposes of this trip could be for me to learn how to chill out...now, if grad school didn't QUITE do it...and my thesis didn't do it...then I dont know how this will..but I have two weeks to figure it out!!! **
So, as I climbed the steps I felt a bit of excitement about what I might see when I got to the top and turned around...and it made it ALL worth the hurry and the cab and the frustration over nobody at this school telling you what is going on in life!!!
The sunset over Florence was BEAUTIFUL...God is all of His glory....his beautiful paintbrush...it was amazing!! THe pictures I took do not even do it justice!! It would be hard to do it justice!!! Gabriella began telling me about the church and then Tamsin arrived. By the way, it was FREEZING cold up on that hillside...but again, all worth it. Then we went inside the church and it was beautiful as well!! Very dark and quiet, but beautiful!!! There is a lot of history in it...Gabriella explained it to us...something about a guy whose head got cut off and legend has it that he picked it up and carried it to a certain spot and something....then something about Charlemane (Sp!?!?!)'s wife loving it and he paid to have it redone when she died. Anyway, it was gorgeous!!
Then, Gabriella took us back outside, and I got some beautiful pictures of Florence at night.
Then, she offered to drive me part of the way...ummm...YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! So she drove me down the hill/mountain...and I was able to see her home....ON THE RIVER...GORGEOUS!! They are moving to the country, but their home here is beautiful!! I can only imagine what it must cost to live where they do. It was really big too...with a lot of rooms! They were so kind to let me use their restroom and then I was on my way. It took me AN HOUR to walk home...I took a few pictures of the centro at night...but mostly just focused on getting home. I have yet to feel unsafe walking home, which I am grateful for, but it was definitely a loooooong walk! My feet/knees/ankles/legs in general were definitely hurting..so, I put them up on the wall again to keep the swelling down. Now, i am about to write about Rome and wait for dinner! I am definitely hungry!!! :)
Dinner was good! Started with penne with tomato stuff and then what looked like a pork chop, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't and some really good potatoes. I literally almost fell asleep at the table during dinner, so there isn't much to tell!
Now, I am going to take a shower, write some of Rome and GO TO SLEEP!! Ahh, but before I will do some Bible study...and in my prayers I will pray for a better day!!
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 I find that it applies to me on so many days and in so many ways!!!
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