An Italian/American Thanksgiving

Well, Happy Thanksgiving...though no one here really knows or cares about Thanksgiving!!

My morning started out like any other: I took a shower, got dressed and ate breakfast. I also checked my emails/facebook. I was super excited to have an email from Mike (in response to a request of mine) that included pictures of our babies...who aren't babies anymore!! Bama, Luna, and Nova are soo big now, but JUST as cute as they ever were! So that started my morning off with a smile! My favorite was Luna in a bowl; it amazes me what cats can fit in to. They are such sweet babies…I miss them!

#1 is Bama

#2 in the bowl is Luna

#3 (White) is Nova

On my walk to school I just tried to soak it all in. I wanted to take in everything…I just made sure that I looked around and took mental pictures. My throat was hurting so bad though and it was starting to make my ears hurt. I stopped at a bakery right by the school (the one with the Tiffany window display actually) and got a cup of hot tea. They had selections out for you to choose from, so I decided to try the fruity one. So, I fixed my tea with sugar and left.

Class was miserable. My throat was hurting so bad that I thought I might cry and it was still hurting in my ears. I am also so tired of Maria getting frustrated with me when I get something wrong. Today I was not the only one getting things wrong; everyone (all 3 of us) were having problems with the pronouns we were working on. I’m not really sure what makes her think that getting frustrated with me is going to make me learn or make the situation better. In fact, it makes it MUCH worse!!! I REALLY, REALLY wanted to just leave. The fruity tea was okay, but not great…however, it made my throat feel a little better.

During the break, I went to find some riccola lozenges because my cough drops were not working and I was almost out of sucrets. I went to the pharmacy first (which are like every two feet) and they didn’t have them, and so they sent me to the “tabacchi”. I bought a box and then went to get a small snack. I got one of the bars with the orange stuff inside and then headed back upstairs. The second half of my class was…ughh whatever! I was just ready to leave. I was headed to climb the stairs in the duomo. However, Fiona said that I shouldn’t go if I was sick because it was bad for your heart. I explained to her though that I had limited time and I would have to go do it. I was definitely not feeling like climbing steps, but again, I felt like I had NO choice.

So, I skipped class, the stupid art history class and went to lunch first. I went to the restaurant for my last lunch there. They had ribollita on the specials for the day, so OF COURSE, I ordered that. It came really quickly and immediately I was unsure of it because it had SO SO SO much oil…like there were pockets of oil. However, I started eating it. It was good, but NOT nearly as good as Signora Gabriella’s ribollita. I was really hoping to get a picture with my regular waiter, but once I was finished eating, he was nowhere to be found.

After lunch I went to get a ticket to the duomo. I went to one door and asked where to buy it and the guy told me that the church was free. So then I saw a ticket office to climb the tower. I bought the all inclusive ticket so that I could see the crypt, the baptistery, museum (if I wanted), and the climb up the tower. It was 414 steps. The steps were okay. There are a lot of spiral staircases in these buildings, which is really only bad on the way down...or when someone insists on passing you on them! There were a few “landing points” which was good because it really was made hard by not feeling well. One of the landings had a big bell on it...I'm assuming that it was the bell tower at one point. The view of Florence was beautiful. You could see so many things and I was really excited. However, I realized that this was not what I had intended to do, which was climb the dome; I did however, get a great view of the dome. I stayed up there for a while to take in the view and enjoy it…again, I wanted to soak it all in. Also, I needed the time to rest. I never knew what an extremely sore throat could do to you! It was beautiful up on the tower though, and TOTALLY worth it!!! I will let pictures speak for me:

After I went back down all of those steps (going down is more painful for me though), I went to see the inside of the church. It was gorgeous. My favorite part was the clock at the rear of the church. However, the tour book was right about the one in Siena being more decorative. However, I really enjoyed it. THe inside of the dome was gorgeous...as with all of the churches in Italy! It is just amazing that someone was able to do all of this with nothing but old school scaffolding; no modern day "technology" or anything. That's part of what is so amazing Once again I was just awestruck at the detail and beauty that God has inspired. I really will just have to let the pictures speak for me. Then, I went down into the crypt, which had original foundations of the church. It was neat, but I was really unsure of what I was looking at most of the time. The most interesting part of it for me was that it was so old and historical. The history in Italy is just amazing; so much more than the U.S. The ironic thing here is that this country has more history than we can even imagine, but yet has only been a unified country for 150 years (in fact, this year is the 150^th anniversary!). However, this creates a division in the country…they don’t have the same sense of unification that “we do”…well, I think we do…or we used to…or we should. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing the church and the crypt.

I had decided before I went into the church that I was going to go to the tights store (Calezonia…or something) to get my fun colored tights and cute boot socks before I went back to school. I didn’t buy them yesterday because I was still trying to decide if I wanted them. So, I still had 15 minutes before I had to be at my private lesson, so I went and bought the mustard yellow tights, these pretty “blue” tights, and then the cutest boot socks which are tan with darker brown at the top! I was really excited about them…I love colored tights (AND I was already wearing red tights that day!!!).

After I bought my tights/socks, I went back to the school for my private lesson. On my way I stopped to take a picture of this thing in the piazza that is like a bronze 3D "map" of the center of Florence! I always (well now always) enjoy these. I like Cristina. We did my homework and then just had conversation. The thing I like about having conversation with her is that she does not pressure me…if I cannot think of a word she waits patiently or she helps me out if she sees I am struggling. Also, if she can see that I truly do not understand, she prompts me in English. I know that this is not really their method, but here is what it does for me: IT KEEPS ME FROM GETTING ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED AND WANTING TO QUIT!! This helps me make progress, because when I am not overwhelmingly frustrated, I think better! Cristina and I talked about New York City, about me going home, about football, about coming back to Italy, and mamma’s bakery. She had told me about it before, but especially today because she said that they have apple pie. Ohh, we started our lesson with, “Buon Thanksgiving”! She is so cute! She said that her and a friend were going to mamma’s bakery tomorrow for lunch because you can get a “bagel”! Cirstina says bagel funny too…the a is more like the A in Alabama. So, we found out yesterday that mamma’s bakery closes at 5, so after our lesson I had to “hurry” there because it was across the river. She was excited that I was going here.

After our lesson I checked my email and I was excited to see an email from Erin that said we could skype today. She said to call her around 1 her time, which was perfect because that would be 7 my time and I would definitely be home and writing my blog/emails/facebook stuff. So, with that excitement, I headed to Mamma’s Bakery. The walk was a little longer than I anticipated. It was a little more hidden than I anticipated as well. I was feeling like I was in the wrong place, or I had missed a turn or something; so I stopped and ask this guy and he didn’t know a WORD of English…he kept saying, “Ponte Vecchio??? Pitti?? Ponte Vecchio???” I tried to just say “Mamma’s Bakery” thinking that he would recognize the name. However, he called another guy over and he said that it was just down the street.

Mamma’s Bakery: What a cute little place. The man who owns it is American and was so sweet. There were two girls in front of me ordering apple pie. I was a little concerned that I might not be able eto get an apple pie because there were only three pieces left. So, they ordered theirs and a coffee and then it was my turn. The hot tea was only 1 euro, what a steal (also because you filled your own hot water…Italians do NOT like to give you a full to-go cup). SO, I asked about the whole pie and he said that you could buy them, but you had to order them ahead of time. However, he had a lady that was supposed to come hours ago for her apple and pumpkin pie and if she didn’t show by 5, it was mine! I was a little sad about how much it was going to cost, but I knew if I could get it that it would be totally worth it! So, I ordered my slice of pie, which he only charged me 3 euros for because it was smaller than the pieces the two girls had and so he felt bad charging me 4 euros. I was grateful for this and also ordered a hot tea. Again, you could pick your tea and so I tried this vanilla one! I went and found a table. The two girls in front of me were saying, “now this feels more like Thanksgiving”; as I walked past them, I told them that I agreed. So, I sat and ate my pie, drank my amazing tea, and wrote out some blog thoughts. The pie was REALLY good; it had a lot of apples in it and the crust was amazing and topped with powdered sugar! It was nice to just sit and enjoy the “American” food! I had arrived around 3:45, so I still had a little while to wait. He offered to just let me call, but I couldn’t have headed home because it was too far of a walk. So, I went out for about a 15 min walk. When I came back he said that I could have it at 4:30, but only if I wanted the pumpkin pie. Well, I did not want the pumpkin pie because I don’t really like pumpkin pie and I thought that the family might appreciate the apple pie more (he agreed)…I mean what is more “American” than apple pie?!?!? So, I went and sat back down. It was interesting to watch these three Italian teenagers/20 somethings. The girl was wearing jean shorts and colored tights (A HUGE trend in Italy). They were funny to watch, just their dynamics! The two American girls were still sitting there too. They were talking about partying and stuff, which was kind of funny to listen to, but also kind of annoying. Around 4:50 he came and said, “It’s yours; Whichever one you want, or both!!!!!” I was SO excited because it was another semi-Eat, Pray, Love moment. She introduces them to Thanksgiving, and while this wouldn’t be quite the same, it was close…as close as I was going to get. So, I used their clean restroom and then went to get my beautiful pie. Literally, it was pretty and in a pretty little box. I knew that this was going to be a long walk home with my heavy purse, bag of tights, and now box with beautiful pie in it.

The walk home was nice. Florence is really pretty at night. The lights of the stores and the street lights are just beautiful. It was not easy to carry that pie though; I had to keep it flat and steady and pray that no one bumped into me!! I passed the two American girls from the bakery as I walked. I stopped in a tea shop and asked if they had Romeo and Juliet that Signora Gabriella makes, but it was so expensive. I stopped on the Ponte Vecchio and took a picture with the beautiful/colorful sunset. I had someone take a picture of me as well. The strange thing was that the couple I had someone take my picture, I had taken their picture inside the Duomo earlier. I don’t think that they recognized me, but I recognized them! I tried once again to just take it all in and enjoy it. The sunset was GORGEOUS from the bridge. There were a lot more Christmas lights hung, but none were lit! I was sad that they weren’t lit up yet.

I was really bummed when I got home and no one was home! However, I took that time to pack and work on blogs, and talked to my momma and daddy before they left for the Jackson’s Thanksgiving lunch. I was getting really bummed that I wasn’t there for Thanksgiving. I never thought I would care that much about Thanksgiving, but I was feeling kind of lonely. When I hung up with them I tried to call Erin but she couldn’t answer. So, I did some more packing. I didn’t want to leave it all for Friday evening.

When Signora Gabriella got home I gave her the pie and wine and told her that it was for Thanksgiving. She seemed happy, but went right to cooking. So I did some MORE packing and writing and then it was time for dinner. It was just the three of us (Lorenzo was at a work thing). Before we began, they were so sweet to toast to me and we all clinked glasses and then began eating. We had Gnocchi in tomato “sauce”. Then we had meat, which I knew was veal because I had seen it the day before. The meat was really thin and really good (and well done!!!). We also had some salad, which has some sort of dressing that you cannot see, but it is good. Every few bites are pretty salty, but it’s still good! Then….we had the apple pie. They asked me all kinds of questions about it; they wanted to know how to make it, did I make it, was it a common for Thanksgiving, and how many apples were needed for an apple pie, and other questions. They had never heard of apple pie and definitely never had it. I was really excited about this; it made me feel good to share something with them and for them to enjoy it. Signora Gabriella tried to give me a huge piece, but I traded with Guenda because I had already eaten a slice earlier. Their stomach capacity amazes me though. What also amazes me is how fast they eat; I don’t know how they do not have a consistent stomach ache from the amount they eat and the speed at which they eat it all. They offered the wine, but I said that we should just wait until Friday night (and they agreed that we should wait on Lorenzo and save him some pie!).

After dinner I talked to Gracie for a few minutes and then got ready for bed. I am feeling sad that tomorrow is my last day, but excited to get home all at the same time. NOT looking forward to the hours and hours on a plane!

After I got ready for bed and killed some time, I had a skype date with ERin. It was about midnight my time and we talked for about 30 minutes. I had been EXHAUSTED, but when I started talking to Erin, I was fine...energized even. I was just so excited to be seeing her face and hearing her voice!!! We talked about Thanksgiving, Erin needing to move to NYC with me, and life. Erin had made some of her favorite Thanksgiving foods, so she went to have Thanksgiving food and I went to sleep! Perfect ending to the day!

Giving Thanks

Well, this will be blog #2 for the day. However, I wanted to write 25 things that I am thankful for; 1 for each year that I have been alive. Some of these are reminiscent of a blog I did before I left about giving thanks (see October blogs if you are curious) and also of a blog I did about prayer requests (again, see October blogs if you are curious). However, the other day on my way home I stopped in the park and made this list of 25 things that I am thankful for this year. They are in NO PARTICULAR order as I started out trying to go chronologically through this past year (my 25th year!) and then lost interest in that and just started writing out my thoughts...so...here goes;
I am thankful for:

1. A savior who died for me
2. A Father who loved me enough to allow His only Son to die for me
3. That I spent my 25th birthday with my momma, daddy, Erin, and Kimberly
4. To have spent (most of) my 25th year in Tuscaloosa with Erin
5. To have the BEST friends a girl could ever dream of/ask for/pray for
6. To have an amazing mentor/friend/professor whom I love to pieces and means more to me than she can ever imagine
7. To have some amazing women in my life who have set examples for me in many different areas of my life and who influence me each and every day: my momma, Dr. Hernandez-Reif (#6), Mrs. Malissa, Kelly A. (and her girls), April K., Frances, Ms. Hudson, Mrs. Kirksey, Ms. Shannon, Ms. Susan, Christy H., Heather Weaver, and other (particularly at "work")
8. To have a New York City family whom I love and cherish and miss very much
9. The opportunity to see Yale University and New Haven, CT (it prepared me for a few things: Fulbright interview, and in a weird way...Italy...funny how God plans things)
10. The opportunity to go to New York City in April
11. Opportunities to go to the beach and Charleston, SC with Erin
12. That I was able to successfully defend my thesis- and everyone who helped me get there (including but not limited to: parents, my committee, that list of women, my friends, and teachers at the CP, the parents who allowed their children to participate, and EVERYONE at the Children's Program)
13. That I have had THE BEST people to work with and learn from over the past two years
14. To have seen Meagan T. in October
15. To witness Broke and Christopher's beautiful wedding and beginning of a marriage based on their love for Christ
16. The lives spared on April 27th
17. That I feel God leading me back to New York City- for many reasons, but how fortunate/blessed am I to be led to my favorite place in the world?
18. The opportunity to come to Italy for a month and ALL that it entails
19. To feel led to a future business plan with my best friend in the whole wide world
20. To have redefined my normal (from prayer request blog)
21. To NOT be where I was a year ago today- emotionally speaking
22. The opportunity to celebrate my 26th birthday in New York City and Charleston
23. Graduation and the fact that I get to spend the week before it in Tuscaloosa with my loves
24. Parents who LOVE and SUPPORT me and never tell me I cannot do something. THey always find a way to help make my dreams come true!
25. ALL of the people who made me who I am today-
Family- including but not limited to: Susan, Mike, Pamela, etc.
Friends (past and present)- Kimberly, Scottie, Emily, Mallory, Barret, Katie, other high school "friends", Holly, Sarah, Alison, Ashley F., Becky, Mike, Alex, Brit, Meagan, Brooke, Erin, Heather, April, then refer to list of women!
Teachers (dance and academic)- Ms. Laired, Mr. Hallman, some middle school teachers, Mrs. Cornelison, Mrs. Mizerany, Mrs. ....oooh my 9th and 10th grade English teacher whose name is suddenly slipping my mind, Mrs. Frye, Mr. Allinder, Mr. Gumina, Mrs. Frendandez-Lee, Mr. Rosensteil, Mrs. Tarrant (counselor), Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Kirksey, Ms. Hudson, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Peeples, Dalana Serrano Moore, Dale Serrano Jr., Mrs. Marynell, Jennifer Davis, Mrs. Alisia, Cornelius Carter, Rita Snyder, Eileen Grace, Kristin Altfather, Holly Evans, and other Rockettes, Dr. Hernandez-Reif, and others I'm sure
"Other family"- Mrs. Cornelison, Mr. Cornelison, Stacey, Jeff, Logan, Carson, Steve, Grandmom, Aunt Diane, Mike of course, Fran, Sean, Michael, Nicky, Nonna, Eric, Anna, Christopher, and Gabriel
Children who have found a special place in my heart: Canzas (my first baby from my first job...the first diaper I ever changed...she used to beg to come home with me..or go to dance with me!), Chase, Ryleigh, Ruby (one of my favorite pictures EVER is with Ruby), Joseph, Harper, Francie, Margaret, Luke and his sister Lanie, Katelyn, PAYTON AND MACKENZIE (ooh I miss these girls more than they can imagine!!!), LOGAN AND CARSON (my "nephews"...even still...I will always love them), Sarah, Harrison, Ezell, Landry, Emily Dean, Annie Ruth, Ellie, Carter, Sylvia, Kellen, Coelton, Millie, Ella, Jake, and some of the preschoolers at the CP...I'm sure there are a few others, but these are names I'll never forget!!! My babies!

Etc. etc. Even people we dont remember or people we may not have gotten along with shape who we have become...so, just because they aren't listed here doesn't mean they didn't play a role in who I am today!

The facts of life....

We have 13 National Championships
Auburn has 2
It's just a fact; I cannot help it!

So what does this have to do with anything? Well, really we never need a reason to state these facts! ;) However, you'll find out in a minute.

So this morning I woke up before my alarm clock and my stomach was hurting again! The worst part was though, was that my throat was hurting AGAIN!! I say AGAIN, because before I left I had the worst soar throat that kept coming back...well, it's BACK!! Anyway, so I eventually drug myself out of bed and took a shower. Then I went to eat breakfast...same breakfast from yesterday! Then I got dressed (I saved my favorite three outfits for the last three days...Dont laugh...). SO, today I wore my the same outfit that I wore the first day of class (purple skirt, black tank top with black cardigan, tights, and UGGS). I got all of my stuff together, grabbed an apple for a snack, and left for the day!

The walk to school wasn't anything special! I did enjoy seeing more and more Christmas decorations! I LOVE Christmas time...it's so magical...I LOVE Christmas lights... I did stop for some hot tea on the way to school because I was hoping that it would soothe my throat; I found a place that had the Earl Grey tea that Signora Gabriella makes, and I was happy about that because I knew it would be better than the tea the other morning. So, I waited to drink it until I got to school. I arrived right at 9, but again, that's not a problem!

THe first part of class was GREAT!! I had my tea and we just had conversation for an hour and a half! :) We talked about food, Thanksgiving, football, soccer, etc. We discussed how Americans and Italians like their food (apparently it is "well known" that Americans do not like their steak red....I beg to differ...now I cannot stand ANY pink...ironic that we talked about this today!). I talked about how I dont really eat turkey. Then we talked about how we cook things...like apparently Fiona has an "aga"...not really sure....and we drew pictures on the board of our ovens...or agas. Since it was just me and Fiona, class was more fun. Then I told them that Saturday was a very important day...I explained the Auburn/Alabama rivalry and how we have 13 National Championships and they have 2 and that we are soon to have 14...well, I'm sure it's true!! I was so excited thinking about coming home and the game that I could feel a change in my demeanor. Then, my teacher said (in Italian of course) to Fiona that she cannnot imagine me so excited and worked up because I have such a calm and angelic face....she said that she hasn't seen me that excited about anything; she said that there was so much light in my eyes talking about it! Haha, she should ask me about New York City then! ;) Anyway, it was a great first hour and a half...though I was lost at the end when Maria and Fiona were talking about soccer and politics?!?!?

For break I washed my apple and sat down at the computer...however, the apple was BAD!! So, I ran to the bar and got one of the bars with the orange stuff inside of it (it's kind of like a nutri-grain bar!). I checked emails/facebook...it's funny me to see who all is awake at 3 am in Alabama... after the break we did...GRAMMAR! Bleh! There was one minute where I was thinking, "ughh forget this...I'm so done...!" I was almost in tears for a minute, but it was mainly because I need a little more time to think and she just puts so much pressure...I hate it!! She gets kind of frustrated with me, but I want to scream, "if you'd give me half a second more I'd be fine...!" Oh well, it passed and we just did more grammar and then left.

Marco's class was fine...we talked about Napoli and whether it is safe or not; then about stereotypes of Italians...etc. It wasn't anything TOO interesting, but it was my last class with him! The class went a little longer than I would have liked, which NEVER happens! After class I walked down with Fiona and Tamsin (after I left my notebook and stuff upstairs because I didn't want to carry it around with me). We talked for a minute and planned to have lunch or something Friday since it is my last day! Then, we went our separate ways. Fiona was going home and to buy "loo paper"! What is this you might ask...because I wasn't sure what she was saying...it's toilet paper! :) I was headed to find gelato for lunch...ice cream makes my throat feel better! So, I also wanted to go to Via Neri because I felt like I'd seen a lot of boots in stores on that street. So, I did more walking than necessary because I missed the street. I ended up NOT seeing any shoes, but I did get my gelato! I had mint, chocolate, and some caramel! It definitely made my throat feel better, but I was still hungry! :( So, I had about 20 minutes to get back to school. I stopped in a few stores that sold wine, oil, pastas, etc. I didn't see anything worth buying, but they are really neat stores! I particularly like tihs little sandwich shop type place that has "serve yourself wine" outside...and it's inexpensive...I'm thinking that this is an "only in Italy" type thing!!! Then, as I took a different path back to the school (hoping to see some shoes) I stopped at this sandwich cart thing...I chose the sandwich with prosciutto, lettuce, and tomato on it. They sold little bottles of wine for 1 euro and other stuff. I just had the sandwich though. I ate about half of it as I walked to the school, and sadly I STILL did not see any shoes! :( The sandwich was good; the only weird thing about it was that the bread (top half) had salt on it...yuck...i tried to scrape as much of it off as I could!

My time with Cristina was really good! We mostly talked (successfully...well, for the most part) and we did my homework for tomorrow! We talked about what I did this weekend, plans after I come home from italy, what I bought in Italy, Thanksgiving, Alabama/Auburn game, and then different foods and things here in Italy vs. America. We talked about the American bakery here in Italy and she showed me on the map where it was; she said the pumpkin pie and apple pie are good, which is good because I think that is where me, Fiona, and Natalie are going tomorrow! Ohh she also asked me my favorite book and so we talked a bit about books and movies (books vs. movies). It was really good! I was very pleased with how well it went...I didn't know all of the vocabulary, but she helped me out! Oooh we also talked about Christmas and Christmas trees! :) I left that lesson feeling very good and happy about how things went! :) YAY!

After my private lesson, I sat down at the computer and checked my emails and then i was off again. This time I was headed to the atm machine, then to the place with cool tights (i didn't buy anything this time...but I am going back tomorrow for 1 or 2 things), then i walked around the Duomo to see if any of those stores had shoes. Sadly, I once again did not find anything. I did however walk down a random street and found this neat "grocery store"! They had the "jelly" I was headed to find, but it was in a different container and I wanted the glass one. It was just a neat little store...very antique looking. I found some neat stores, but still not boots! :( I walked into the stationary store, but still didn't really want to pay that much money for paper! I was getting really discouraged about the boots! THat was THE PERFECT pair in Lucca...I just keep looking for something that looks similar! So after this, my original destination was the place that makes this "marmeletta"!

It was not far from the apartment, so I walked pretty much the same route home. I changed one part thinking that it was a short cut, but I was WRONG! Oh well, exercise is good! :) I cut through the park, and got a BEAUTIFUL view of the sky! I love that because I walk everywhere in Italy, I am able to see and appreciate the beautiful sky/sunset almost every day! I do see and appreciate it at home sometimes, but often I am inside or in a hurry or in a car (where I do still notice it); there is just something about being out in it...feeling the "fresh" (sometimes) air and beautiful sky with beautiful scenery...yay for that! So, I walked a way I haven't ever been, but I got to see more of Florence, so it was nice. I passed some cute little shops. However, I was SUPER disappointed that the jam place was JUST the place they make it...they didn't sell it! I walked ALL THAT WAY for nothing; though as I was walking I kept getting the sense that this might be the case! I did see this one cute "bar/caffe/whatever" that was SUPER decorated for Christmas! I LOVE IT!!! So, I started walking to the apartment! I randomly stopped in a little grocery store and found THE "marmelatta" in the jar, just like I wanted it to be...so yay!!! :) I stopped in this super cute little sweets store that was really decorated for Christmas!! I bought some chocolates to bring home (Sarah Mason...I will share with you!!!!). We had to wait on the lady to unlock the store (there was a woman with her two sons waiting as well). One of the boys tried to go in the door before me, but she jerked him back and said (in Italian of course), "women first"; then he tried to go in before her and she did the same thing again! I'm not going to lie, I thought it was HILARIOUS!!

So I came home and started writing my blog, but then I decided to get up and make progress with packing. While I was doing this, Mauito decided to join me! Italian cats are JUST as curious as American cats...I suppose it really is just a cat thing! ;) I pretty much packed until it was dinner time!!! I was having a bit of a rough evening...ughh...perhaps my choices in songs on youtube was not helping though!!!

Dinner tonight...well, dinner was um, interesting. So we started with pasta, though it's getting to where it has less and less oil/cheese and it's just pasta...which is okay, but it doesn't have much flavor! Then, then came the second course...a meat patty (kind of like a hamburger, but I'm almost 100% positive that these are NOT beef) and some salad (which just has some sort of liquid on it that every few bites is REALLY salty!). So, my meat always has cheese on it, which I'm NOT going to complain about. However, when i cut into my meat...it was MOOOOOing at me!! YUCK...there was red stuff running on my plate, but I just politely kept as straight a face as possible and tried to cut the brown parts off and eat that. Guenda noticed what i was doing and told her mom that I liked it "ben cotto" or well done! She took the plate and went to cook it more for me!! Omg I was so grateful because literally ALL but the very outside edges were RED...not pink...RED...like raw meat! Ironc huh? First we discuss it in class and then it happens to me! YUCK YUCK YUCK!!! So, when she came back, it was well done...for the most part! However, I ate it all! After we finished eating, Guenda and I talked about football (and she asked if women played...haha I thought it was funny that she knows so little about football that she thought women might play!), she also asked me to explain football (all I explained really was that you tried to get the ball into your own endzone and that the field was 100 yrds. and you do it by running or throwing the ball...that was the end of her comprehension anyway). We also talked about Christmas and what time I needed to be at the airport.

It was a GREAT day, but a blah evening...I was in SUCH a funk. However, I had signed on skype to see if my daddy was signed on (and he wasn't), but after I did, Kelly facebook imed me and asked if i could skype. She said that Sarah Mason was at the Children's Program with her and they were trying to get skype to work! PERFECT TIMING!! I was in desperate need of familiar/friendly faces!! God is so good! So, I talked to Kelly, Sarah Mason, and Caroline (Mrs. Shannon's daugher) and then Sarah Mason took me out in the hallway and I got to see a lot of friendly faces that I miss soooo much! I saw Sydney first (who is so cute and pregnant!!), then I saw Mrs. Lisa and Libby (who is getting so big), then I saw T.K., THEN I SAW HEATHER!!!!!!!, then I saw Mrs. Shannon for a few seconds, but she had to help parents! One of the highlights though was Courtney holding Kellen up and him grinning at the computer and waving and blowing me a kiss...OOOH how it melts my heart!!! I cannot wait to see all of my people at the children's program and all of my babies!!! I'm hoping that Kellen smiling and waving when he saw me/heard my voice is a sign that he hasn't forgotten me!!! It was THE PERFECT pick-me-up!!! PERFECT!!!! I was so so so excited to see them!!! Oooh and I got to see baby Jack (Shana's little boy)...soo tiny and sweet!! I cannot wait to see everyone when I get to Tuscaloosa!! Thank you Kelly and Sarah Mason for getting on skype with me and for taking me to see everyone (well, at least some...not everyone I guess!! ;) ). Kelly also tried to cal Mrs. Malissa and Dr. H-R, but everyone had already left for the day! :( Oh well...

So after this I just worked on my blog and then went to bed...I was EXHAUSTED!!!

"I've found time can heal most anything, and you just might find who you're supposed to be." -Taylor Swift; "Fifteen"

Today has been a pretty good day!! I couldn't sleep last night because my mind was sooo excited about all of the upcoming things in my life! :) I love Italy, but I'm also ready to come home and see people that know me and love me and I know them and LOVE them!!! Anyway, I was so awake that I had to turn my computer back on and do stuff until I was so tired I couldn't hold my eyes open! I had the strangest dream too: I was in NYC and they were filming Sex & the City and they needed someone to wear a dress of Sarah Jessica Parker's and travel with them to the next location or something and they chose me...I can't explain the dream...but it was weird...

So, of course, on the day that I set my alarm clock to be a little later, I wake up 45 minutes BEFORE my alarm clock and CANNOT go back to sleep! :( What is that about?!?!? However, I took that time to read emails, fb, etc. and do my homework. Then I finally got up and took a shower, got dressed, and went to eat breakfast! Today, I took pictures of my breakfast set up (the top picture!) and food so that you all could see what I am talking about!!! I think Thursday or Friday morning I am going to stop in this place (same place I got tea to go the other day) and try their breakfast...it says they have a full breakfast (american, continental, etc...or something to that effect). Or, I might stop tomorrow and ask if they have oatmeal...and if they do, Ill probably kiss and hug them and then order a HUGE bowl of it! ;) So after breakfast, I put on my make up, gathered all of my things, bundled up, and I was out the door! Lorenzo had told me that it was REALLY cold outside today, but when I walked out, I had to pull my scarf off of my face...it was not NEARLY as cold as it had been.
This is the little toast thingys I've talked about!
The picture on the right is the jelly stuff (I am going to try and find this store). The picture of the food in the packaging is the graham cracker thingys.

Then of course the food on the plate is my breakfast (two things with the "gourmet nutella stuff" and two with the jelly stuff). P.S. The packaging of the graham cracker things says that 8 of them and a glass of milk...and you're good to go! It was good to find out that one cookie thing only has 22 calories...interesting...
Now, for some observations I have made over the past 3 1/2 weeks: 1. The cars/motorcycles in Italy are good about respecting pedestrian crossings!! I like that. 2. The Italians drive like New Yorkers...with no regards for lines and lanes! 3. The buses do not care if they take your head off with their side mirrors. This has almost happened to me a few times...literally! Like, I could feel the wind of the side mirrors. Okay guys, I understand that the roads are small, but SO ARE THE SIDEWALKS!!! It really is very dangerous!! 4. A foul odor comes from every other building you pass...it's like sewage or something!!

Anyway, so I got to school (right at 9, which is fine because at 9 my teacher always leaves the room to smoke or use the bathroom), and about 10 or 15 after we started our lesson. I'm just going to give a blanket statement for the first half of class: IT SUCKED...I almost cried again! Here's why: this is hard for me, it was difficult learning it at UA, but now when I cannot understand what is going on or the explanations that are given, it is EVEN harder! I do not like being bad at something and I REALLY do not like being talked to like I am an idiot...and YES, today she did...it was NOT just my perception! The fact that their sentence structure is backwards is hard for me...REALLY hard for me...it was the hardest thing about the language the last time! I was so frustrated with myself and frankly, pissed off at her, that I wanted to cry and leave. I have not felt this bad about myself or this frustrated with something since Cornelius Carter's dance class(es). I know I can't always be "perfect" or really good at something, and perhaps I haven't been trying hard enough, but I wanted this to be a fun AND learning experience. So far, it's been fun and I have learned, but I've also wanted to punch Maria in the face for talking to me like I am an idiot! Honestly, it just made me long for Friday to come and it made me happy that I wouldn't have to be there anymore after Friday! I hate that feeling...but I am still enjoying Italy and taking it all in...I am just wishing school away! Here is what I will try to remember:
Like success, failure is many things to many people. With Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again. -W. Clement Stone


FOr break I went to the bar and got a yogurt (omg I was so excited to see Vanilla yogurt) and a peach juice! I had forgotten my water bottle :( and I needed something to drink! The second half of class was better...we did something I was familiar with AND remembered how to do! It went by rather quickly and I was SO grateful that we didn't have Marco's class. However, they came and told me that my private lesson was canceled AGAIN, but I do hate that Cristina is sick. So, this kind of threw a kink in my plan because I wanted to have private lesson today and relax after, because it would end so late. Then, I wanted to go to Pitti (museum/garden) tomorrow and the Duomo on Thursday. THe only reason I was upset about this plan being thwarted was that I did not have my big camera with me today! So, once I found this out, I made lunch plans with Fiona and then planned to go to Palazzo Pitti, today. I am at least thankful that I have an awesome point and shoot canon camera!! :)

After class, Natalie, Fiona, and I went to the voucher restaurant and had lunch. We got to sit upstairs where it was nice and warm and cozy! :) Our waiter, my favorite man, insisted that today I would eat ALL of my food! Haha sir...that is funny! So I ordered the grilled veggies and then the fried eggs with a side. I didn't really want to order two things, but I felt as though i should. So, we had some olive oil with our bread and the grilled veggies were okay...but I dont want them anymore, and then our main meals came! Mine was the fried eggs with cooked spinach on the side (with waaaayyy too much garlic in them), but I ate all of my eggs and some of my spinach (he was already upset that I didn't finish the vegetables!! I'm sorry sir, but I just cannot eat that much food! We had good conversation; we talked about traveling and i told them about the good food I had in Siena, then we talked about movies, etc. etc. It was nice to eat lunch with them (AND it was nice to get out of school so early!). After we finished we were all parting ways. Fiona was going home to read, Natalie was going back to school to use the internet until they had to meet their British Institute class at Palazzo Vecchio, and I was headed to buy one more post card stamp and then go to Palazzo Pitti. I bought my stamp, mailed my last post card, and then was on my way. I stopped and looked at a few pairs of shoes along the way, but NOTHING! :( I am contemplating buying a coat instead! I have seen so many cute ones since I've been there; though of course, once I had this thought I haven't seen any of them again! :(

So, the walk to Palazzo Pitti was nice...it was actually warmer outside than it had been in the school, but the school is always FREEZING!!!!! It was actually a GORGEOUS afternoon to be outside because the temperature was nice and the sky was BLUE!!!!!!!! I stopped and took some pictures on the Ponte Vecchio, and had a girl take my picture, but she did a horrible job! :( Oh well! Let me just take this opportunity to say that I feel so blessed with the weather situation this past month. Before I came here, EVERYTHING said that November was the WORST time of year to come to Italy because all it does is rain. I think we've had 2 or 3 overcast days and maybe 1 morning of rain?!?! How fortunate am I? I just pray that it stays this way until Saturday morning!!!

Anyway, so I bought my ticket and went in. The building is HUGE!!!!I was mainly concerned with seeing the gardens as I am rather bored looking at a bunch of art and stuff that doesn't mean anything to me. However, I went in the first exhibit. It was really cool! My favorite part were the ceilings, and I took a few pictures, but then all of the sudden they said no pictures. I had not seen a sign that said it, but oh well. Then, my next favorite part was this room with a lot of different crucifixes. There was this one, I took a picture (all of the "guard watcher people" were leaving their rooms...like maybe time to get off work early or something, so there was no one to tell me I couldnt), but the picture DOES NOT do it justice! Again, I am just awestruck at the beauty and splendor that God has inspired here on Earth and the beauty that has been created to represent Jesus' death...it is just, wow!! Italy has been a great reminder for me of what Jesus gave for me...He gave it ALL!!

So then I headed to the gardens. THIS was the real reason that I was there, and I was NOT disappointed. THey were simple, yet elegant. There were amazing views of the city and yet it was so quiet and you felt so secluded. There were times that no one else was even around me. It was so peaceful. A few times I had this overwhelming feeling of being in "The Secret Garden" and now I desperately want to watch that movie!!!! So I wandered through the gardens a bit and I stopped at one place that was secluded and had a great view of the city. There was a place to sit and so I just say and took in the sights and breathed fresh air (thank you for no smoke). It was nice to just sit and smile and remind myself that I am in Italy...and that I have survived Italy...and that I have learned a lot about myself and about Italy and about the culture. I really enjoyed just sitting there, but eventually I knew I had to move on! From there I thought it was cool that I could see Santa Maria Novella (church I visited yesterday) and the train tracks leading out of the city! :) SO I walked around some more and got some more beautiful views of the city. Eventually I made my way to the highest point of the gardens and they over looked some beautiful hills and trees and homes! I think that they were some of what I was seeing the day I climbed the steps to the Piazzale Michelangelo. You could also see San Miniato, the church that Gabriella took me and Tamsin to the other day! Anyway, the sun was getting lower and it was putting this golden light on everything...I am convinced that the BEST time to see any panoramic view of Florence, or any Italian city, is to see it between 3 pm and 5 pm (in the winter of course) because the sun bathes everything in this rich golden orange glow!!! It reflects really well off of the Italian terracotta (I think that's what it is) rooftops! At this point, my stomach was starting to hurt...I wasn't sure why, but I could tell that it was going to be hurting for a while! :( Below is the place I sat for a while!

I started making my way out of the gardens and started to realize that I wasn't going to get to see other exhibits, which I was fine with because I really only wanted to see the gardens and I DEFINITELY got my moneys worth!!! :) That's all that is important...right!?!?!? At this point, I was starting to feel REALLY bad!! I had planned to get some gelato this afternoon after the museum (and believe me...I earned it from all of the stairs and hills I had climbed), but my stomach was just hurting too much!! On my way home, the only thing I stopped for, other than cars, was to take a picture of a window display that a bakery had (a bakery that I pass almost every day). I noticed all of the Tiffany blue stuff, and then I saw that everything in their window display was wrapped in Tiffany blue and they had black and white pictures of Audrey Hepburn in the display as well! SEE EVERYONE LOVES TIFFANY...AND NEW YORK!!! Yes, tomorrow, given that I feel better, I WILL find something to buy from them! So I booked it home...and was able to lay down in my bed!!! That definitely made me feel better! I got to play with Matilde for a little bit...I love how excited she gets when I come in!! She was like screaming and running to me! This morning when her dad was dropping her off, I passed them on the stairs and her face just lit up when she saw me...ooh that of course just melted my heart!! So I played with her for a little bit and then she and her mom had to go! **Side story: so, i've noticed that they keep calling me "tata" to Matilde and she says it too...I've been curious about it, but it wasn't until today that I was 100% sure that they were saying, "tata"! So, I looked it up and it means, "nanny"! Hmm...I thought this was weird, but I guess it works...and it's easy for Matilde to say and she does say it when I come in and when she is running to my room!**

As Matilde and her mom were leaving, Signora Gabriella offered me some tea, and I accepted thinking that it would make my stomach feel better! I was excited to smell that it was the Romeo and Juliet tea again! I like this tea, but it's weird...she makes it with the actual leaves and then has to pour it through a strainer...ok, it's not weird, but I just never make tea this way! I am a lazy American and I used already per-proportioned tea bags (which she does too when she's not making this). Anyway, it was really good and because they always leave me alone in the kitchen to drink my tea alone, I just brought it to my room and laid down while I had it and worked on my blog. My stomach is just all over the place...one minute I feel a slight urge to throw up and the next I'm fine! I'm feeling nervous about dinner!! What will we have?!?! How much will we have?!?!? And will it make me feel worse?!?!?

Well, dinner actually made me feel better. We started with pasta con olio e Parmesan! Then, we had the BEST meat...I think it was like pork tenderloin, but if not, it was AMAZING and then some salad. They also had this sauce to go with the meat that was really good! It was a GREAT dinner! Then, because Guenda had been looking something up on the internet, she got on facebook. She wanted to be my friend...then, I got my picture and she wanted to see pics of everyone!! I showed her my momma and daddy, my room, my animals, my best friends, a few pictures of campus, a few pictures of football, and we had a good time! SHe also asked about MIke...that was difficult to explain! Anyway, it was great! She was shocked to find out that I was leaving on Saturday! It felt good to have conversation with her and have a better feeling for how she feels. It was really nice; made me VERY happy!! Now, let's just hope my stomach chills out and we'll be good to go!! :) Also, on her facebook, there is a baby picture of Mauito...PRECIOUS BABY KITTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was also sad tonight to find out that my cd drive in my computer does NOT want to play my dvd's. Today I was REALLY wanting to watch "Under the Tuscan Sun"! Oooh well.... so, I am going to postpone my shower until the morning because I'd rather lay in my warm comfy bed and get some extra sleep....hopefully! I am having a hard time controlling the anticipation of coming home to everyone and everything that I miss!!! I just keep telling myself to slow down and enjoy the time I have here...because this will never come again!!! :(

Roll Tide...it's Iron Bowl week...which means Roll Tide is an appropriate response to EVERYTHING!!! So, Roll TIde to that!!


Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
Steve Jobs

No man ever achieved worth-while success who did not, at one time or other, find himself with at least one foot hanging well over the brink of failure.
Napoleon Hill

IT'S IRON BOWL WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To celebrate the beginning of Iron Bowl week, today I wore: jeans, UGGS, Homecoming Tshirt, UA columbia fleece, and my houndstooth scarf!!! ROLL TIDE! So my morning started off well I suppose...just got dressed and ate my strange breakfast and got my things together for school. I had decided that because I had class until almost 4 today (to make up for leaving early last Wed.) that I was not going to go anywhere after class, so I didn't need anything extra with me.

My walk to school was noting special really...same as always...quite boring and cold!

Class was...boring, but thankfully went by rather quickly. We just did pronouns, etc. Thankfully I did all of the exercises correctly (only minor mistakes...and only a few of those). I was just antsy today and did NOT want to be there...I think part of me is just ready to come home and part of me is just tired of school (I mean I love school, but have no desire to be in class right now...I'm ready to walk at Graduation instead!!!). Anyway, the break was good and then the last part flew by pretty quickly! Then, it was time for Marco's class...which we had for almost 2 hours because he was not going to be there tomorrow. Thankfully, Cristina had come in class earlier and moved our private lesson to tomorrow...I think I would have died if I'd had regular class until 12:15, Marco from 12:15-1:45, and then private lesson from 2-3:45...TOO MUCH!! SO, thankfully they were broken up and I have one tomorrow! Anyway, class with Marco went well...we talked about the unification of Italy and then about Italian hang gestures. However, there was one point where I literally almost fell asleep right in his face...we were sitting in chairs gathered around a table with a map on it...I mean my eyes were SO close to shutting that it was pathetic...it's quite boring to sit in a class for an hour and a half and not be able to fully follow a conversation....anyway, there were some funny moments and some moments where I knew what was going on, but they were (and are) rare!

After class, Fiona got GREAT news that she had been waiting for all morning: her placement for her 2 year teaching program (the one like Teach Across America) was supposed to come in the mail today. She was telling me this morning that she really wanted to be placed in London and not Birmingham or somewhere else. I told her I was from Birmingham! ;) Anyway, she also explained that while she lives in London, she is living in her parent's apartment there. Her dad works for the bank in Scotland, but comes to London once a week for business and so she lives in their apartment...must be nice! Anyway, she wanted to be placed in London because she already has a place to live, she has great friends, and she LOVES London. After Marco's class, she had a text from her mom telling her that she had been placed in............LONDON!! She was soo sooo sooo sooo excited!! I was definitely excited for her and she kept apologizing for being so excited, but I told her that she was much calmer than I would be (and will be) if I had just gotten a job in NYC. It was really fun to be able to share that moment with her!

Fiona had to get to class, and Tamsin was going to lunch with someone else (she invited me, but I really need to use more of my coupon thingys...), so I went to the restaurant for lunch. The lady who works there served me, but didn't even ask what I wanted, she just said, "minestrone, right?" Haha...I just said yes and went with it...even though I had been considering the eggs again...oh well! I had some olive oil with my bread and then the soup was yummy! Today it had rice in it and it was really good! I ate rather quickly and then left. I went back to the school to pay the remaining balance for the program and used their bathroom and then I was off. On my walk, I tried to take streets that I had not been down because I am still in search of a shoe (though I still say the ones in Lucca were PERFECT, just too narrow... :( ). However, I went in one store to look and this song was playing. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, but then I noticed the words, "other cities make me sad (I think that's what it said) but I love New York. I love New York. (and it said that part multiple times before moving on)" Now, I was excited, because who loves New York City more than I do?!?!? I'm convinced that there isn't anyone (well, not anyone who isn't from there!). Also, I passed a store with THE PERFECT houndstooth dress, now, if only it weren't like $200...

I decided that I needed to take my "free" afternoon to mark something off my to-do list...so I decided to go to Santa Maria Novella (yes, the same name as the train station...but it's a church and piazza as well). So, I headed that way and the piazza was very pretty! The front of the church was beautiful as well. Then, I decided to see how much it cost to go inside and told myself that if it was 5 euros or less, that I would go in (this seems like I am being cheap, but right now I want to save my money for other things). I walked to the ticket booth and it was only 3,50 euros, so I decided to go in. I was rather disappointed though to find out that you could not take pictures. **oooh side story, these two Asian girls that were standing behind me in line were LITERALLY standing where I could feel them breathing on me...now, this has happened to me MANY times here in Italy. Is this a cultural thing in Asian countries?!? Dr. Jeon is the first person that come to mind for me and I dont remember her EVER standing that close to me or anything...anyway, I don't mean this statement to be rude or anything, I truly am curious as to whether it is a cultural thing??** The inside of the church was gorgeous...I did sneak a few pictures, but not of the things I REALLY wanted pictures of, which were two huge crucifixes and then this tomb thingy with Jesus' "body" in it. Explanation: 1. There was this one crucifix that was so realistic looking and they had done such an amazing job of creating a look of agony on Jesus' face that it just make me stop dead in my tracks...it was breathtaking...and not in a "beautiful" way, but rather an , "OH MY GOSH...THANK YOU Jesus for taking the nails for me because it looks more painful than I can bare!!" WHich, is something that I should thank Him for more often...but this crucifix just literally took my breath away 2. The "body" of Jesus was breath taking in this same way. The picture it was under was titled, "The Trinity"! THe picture had Jesus as he had just risen from the tomb, surrounded by people and angels. Under that (in what appeared to be more of an underground tomb) were bones...the bones were in the exact position of the body in the tomb (which was not a painting...it was 3D). And then in the "tomb" there was a (fake) body of Jesus that had the places for the nails in his hands and feet. It was just striking and again, just made you want to thank Him for doing it for you!

After I left the church, I decided to walk down another side street before heading back to the apartment! I was really glad that I did...wait, so I knew Guenda worked somewhere near Santa Maria Novella, but I thought they said a pharmacy. I looked in two and didn't see her, so I gave up. However, I was walking down this other street and came to this building that looked interesting and it had what I am going to call a "tourist marker" (meaning a sign with information about the building). It sounded interesting, and reminded me a bit of C.O. Bigelow that Erin loves so much! :) Well, it was a similar concept, except MUCH older!! It's name is "Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella". Apparently, it has sort of been in existence since the 1200's and it one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. I decided to go in, and the building was BEAUTIFUL, then, as I was taking a picture, much to my surprise, I saw Guenda behind one of the counters. I walked around for a bit because she was busy helping people. The other rooms were beautiful. They were selling different products in each room. Then, I went back and saw Guenda. I told her that I didn't know that's where she worked, I just happen to come in there. She gave me a list of the things they sold (which is printed on fancy shmancy paper!) and told me to look around. I went back through all of the rooms, and called my momma about the room scent thingys that hang up, she said to buy them. Theeennn I discovered the room sprays...OMG I fell in love with the Christmas one, but almost $50 American dollars for that?!?!!? NO MA'AM!!! UH HUH...NOOOOTTTT happening...I'll just go to Bath & Body works when I get back!! However, the place was beautiful and it was nice to see where Guenda works! She seemed happy that I saw it; AND hopefully it will give us something to talk about tonight at dinner.
**Erin: you would have DIED in this place...apothecary jars TO DIE FOR!! I wanted so badly to bring them all home with me and give them to you! However, they weren't for sale! Ahhh I see so many reminders of you friend!! Anyway, if you ever get to come to Florence, this place is a MUST for you!!! Also, I read on the paper (which I will show you...) that they sell the products in the U.S. (NYC maybe?!?!?!). Anyway, the whole place reminded me of something you would have LOVED!!!!
I took a few pictures, said bye to Guenda and was on my way! When i left, I walked a little more down that street, but there was nothing to see so I turned around. I decided to walk home via the short cut from the train station. I took a few more pictures of the church as I walked and then took a picture of the train station. At this point I was having the strangest craving for a diet coke/coke zero! Thinking that getting a small coke at McDonald's would be cheaper, I stopped in there, but that was WRONG...so I moved on. I went into two different bars that didnt even have sodas. Then, I found one! I got a coke zero in a bottle and was strangely VERY excited about this!! Who in the world knows what made me suddenly crave a coke zero, but it was good!

On my way home, I decided to stop in the park and sit on a bench for a while. THe sky was beautiful and I wanted to take it in. So, while I did this, I wrote my list of 25 things that I am thankful for this year. I decided to do 25 because I am 25 years old. Now, i know I made a list before I left, but this will be my official Thanksgiving list, so you'll have to wait until Thursday to read it! It was nice to sit in the park and write though! It was fun to watch people feed the birds and a duck and people walking their dogs! As I was finishing my list, it was getting colder and the sun was setting, therefore, I made my way to the apartment. And, I finally got a picture of one of the trucks with all of the signs on it!

When i got home Matilde, here mom, and Signora Gabriella were in Gabriella's room doing something. WHen Matilde saw me she came running...OOOH melted my heart!!! THen she ran around with me for a few minutes. Then, I asked them if I could take a picture with her!! She just melted my heart letting me hold her and wanting me to pick her up! She is so sweet and precious! After we took a picture we played some more. She loves to play chase with me and then when i pick her up she just giggles so loudly! I LOVE children!! I was soooooooo excited to get a good picture with her as well! So, hopefully this week I will get pictures with the rest of them! :) Oh, and Mauito came to visit me after Signora Gabriella made some really yummy tea! It smelled better than it was, but it tasted good as well! It was called, "Romeo and Juliet"! THe smell was very sweet, like cotton candy! I love Mauito...and really want to bring him home with me!! I took this picture the other day...it's my fave so far...it looks like he is desperate to escape, but he had just seen a bug! He really has been a good sport about letting me take his picture!! This is another favorite of me and Mauito, even though it is dark! :(

After that, I just came to my room to write! I finished yesterdays blog and started todays!!

One of the highlights of my day: Erin Farella saying that she might be willing to move to NYC one day! Erin, DO NOT tease me!! I will take you up on this! THEN I was able to talk to Erin on gchat for a few minutes...AMAZING!! And, at the same time I was talking to April on facebook! Who is a lucky girl!?!? ME!

SO, I talked to April until dinner. While I was talking to her, Guenda and Signora Gabriella were DEFINITELY having a fight...Guenda was yelling and slammed her door a few times...AWKWARD...So, I was assuming it would just be SIgnora Gabriella and I for dinner, which is fine with me because I always do better with conversation when it is just the two of us...and tonight was no different! We had AMAZING conversation (well, for the two of us). I started out by trying to ask about recipes and she thought I was trying to tell her when I left (but we did get that out of the way), and then I asked her if she would write a recipe or two for me! YAY!!! She said yes and I asked for Spezzatino and Ribollita! :) Hopefully she'll give me one or two others as well. Then I told her about Thanksgiving...she had NO CLUE what I was talking about, and then I told her about the Alabama/Auburn game and how my plane landed one hour before it started. She laughed! I told her we might have to watch it on tv in the airport! Then we talked about soccer in Italy! THen we talked a little about thanksgiving food and Christmas food! :) It was GREAT! The food was good too! We started with some pasta con olio e formaggio! :) Then we had meet with cheese on top, though I'm pretty sure this was veal because I saw it in the packaging earlier...but it was more the consistency of like beef cooked in a stew...anyway, it was good! Then I had a mandarino and a few grape! Which, by the way, grapes with seeds officially freak me out! Just sayin'!! :) Now, to take a shower, see if my daddy is on skype, and GO TO BED!! Ooh, I miiiiight start the Rome Part II blog...sorry guys...been too busy living life!

Tonight I also did some "packing". And by packing, I mean I laid out all of the things I bought, and found receipts for MOST of it...I thought I had done such a good job of keeping up with receipts, but oh well. Then, I threw away A LOT of unwanted paper and bags and such. I am trying to prepare for packing. I dont want to bring back anything that is not necessary!! SO, I have all of my stuff laid out and I'm a little nervous about the weight of my stuff, but it will be fine! I'm a good packer, so I'm not tooooo worried! Okay, now bed...later than I anticipated...I have a feeling I will be exhausted again tomorrow...oh well, life is fun...and I only have a few more days! Then, when I get home I'll probably sleep for 24 hours because my days and nights will be SO messed up! :(