Chocolate, Paints & Family

I've never really been a chocolate person. I'd choose a burrito over chocolate cake any day, and that's still true. But I had the best chocolate of my life at the Chocolate Festival in Piazza Santa Croce by my school. The chocolate fountain with whipped cream on top was the best thing I've EVER tasted (until the chocolate hardens five minutes later). The festival is gone, but I still find myself wanting to sample the chocolates in every store.

I wanted to take a painting class while I was here but did not. I pass the coolest art/home supply store on my way to school every day. I'm going to buy some paints, a palette and 2 or 3 brushes. Along with some paper. Problem is, I don't know anything about painting supplies - hopefully a few employees can speak English. Acrylic or oil? I have no idea.

I'm extremely nervous that I'm not going to be paired with a family through the Family Club. 40 students interviewed and there are only 20 families!! I find out Sunday and I hope hope hope hope hope I get it.

Fotografie

cool ring I got from a street vendor:

Forever.

Music makes the world go round

I've been loving the music from Skins lately.

Frames can't catch you when you're moving like that.

Everything gets done in Italy, but much slower. Every time I speak with someone to accomplish a task, they are very personable, very helpful, and usually very slow. But it's refreshing. The fast pace in the states is definitely stressful. I went to Fiesole with two of my friends. They carried their digital SLR cameras (one of them is a Photo major) and it made me want one. At some point, I want to get one and actually learn to use it well. Actually, it would be fun to go old-school and re-learn how to use my mom's. It's a hobby I always wish I was more passionate about, but I think I just like to admire other people's photographs.

All my teachers are women here, and I love them all. I've had favorite teachers in Tampa, but the style is just different here. I don't want to call it easier (although it hasn't been difficult so far) but they're more creative, unique and use their hands a lot more (ha!). My favorite classes are Italian and International Terrorism. I also like travel writing because my teacher is cool, but so far she's basically offered zero constructive writing criticism. I think it will be hard to measure up to my recent journalism professor.

I can't wait until my first train ride. I'm thinking about going to the train station and buying the cheapest ticket to somewhere an hour or two away. I just want to stare out the window at the Italian countryside and take a lot of pictures. Although I'm finding that my digital camera does NOT do Italy justice.

Maybe I'll be lucky when I get paired with a family. Some of them, apparently, invite you to travel to their homes by the beach.

love and miss any of you PA people that might be reading this!

Pictures will come later.

Day #5

It's day 5 in Florence and I'm realizing a blog is not going to work out. There is so much going on I hardly have time to think. It's a good thing though! I'll try to write in it occasionally.
I'm going to start an ongoing list of cultural differences:

1. The couches at the public library are EXTREMELY low to the ground (you're sitting maybe half a foot of the ground). Difficult to get up.
2. Barely anything can be ordered "to go." Cappuccino and expresso are very rarely served in cardboard cups (and when they are there is no a lid). I asked for a slice of pizza to go so I could sit with my friends somewhere else, and the woman gave it to me on a single napkin. 

Also:

1. So far, there are not as many creepy or aggressive Italian men as everyone suggests.
2. The weather today (Sunday) was freeeezing cold. But apparently these are the 3 coldest days of the year and it will be warmer in 2 weeks.
3. Some Italians seem annoyed when Americans cannot speak their language. Others love trying to have broken conversations with us in English. Overall, Italians seem very happy. Especially ages 50 and up. 

Skins.

I'm currentlyyy annoyed that MTV is following the first episode of the original Skins scene by scene, but leaving out the character traits. Sid and Cassie are the best in the British series, Stanley and Cadie in MTV's version do not measure up. Why would MTV only keep 2 of the characters original names? It doesn't make sense. I didn't watch the whole first episode, but I don't really want to. I'm still on the second season of the British series and I love it. Chris has been added to my favorite characters.