So I probably should be researching for an oral presentation I have or studying Italian so I can just get the language but I just feel like this is way more up my alley right now. I had a great weekend but I was grabbed by the arms and held back from any real vigorous activity. It was definitely an uneventful weekend to say the least. Honestly, the highlight to my weekend was watching the Presidential Debate, which was quite boring and I felt like the answers were safe and nothing was really elaborated on. I also thought it was quite odd that McCain not once looked Obama in the eyes or speak to him directly. I had to watch it at a nearby school with many cool Democratic Americans that were part of the club Democrats Abroad. They served some really tasty treats and the building was so wonderfully old and classic. Afterward I went to a friend's house and cooked her some food because she is without her house mom and she doesn't know how to cook. It was quite odd working in someone else's cucina especially an Italian one. Things were real cute and small and we of course finished the meal with a nice espresso. I cooked up some rice and veggies and we bought some really delicious desserts and of course gelato.
It is just interesting to be so laid back being here and not being completely busy, but I might go to Romania and that would be quite a weekend. I just was exhausted and felt it would be fine to just take it easy and enjoy Florence through a different perspective. I went out but just to take a stroll, not to go to a discotec or anything like that. I did go to an Impressionist exhibit and it was very wonderful. They painted on a lot of what see mes like scrap pieces of wood majority Cigar boxes because they would be outside and just find a surface to paint on.
Oh I guess I did go to a Chianti Farm and it was very stupendous, and it was in an Old Castle and you could just sense the history. The scenery was gorgeous and we tasted some really delicious wine. I am not much of a drinker and I had about four glasses and it was a little much for me. Luckily they gave us snacks so we downed those in an effort to absorb the alcohol. I was going to buy some olive oil but it was ridiculously expensive and I guess I am in Italy so things I buy here will be authentic regardless.
I am finding some interesting sections in Florence like today I found a neighborhood that consisted mainly of Arabs because we were in search of this really good Egyptian bakery. They sell Kababs like no other here and I am definately going to buy one the next time I am around and in need of nourishment.
Oh and on the Thursday before the weekend we went to Prato where there is a Contemporary Art Center and we met one of the artists whose art is on display. He had some really interesting work and it dealt a lot with movement and mapping that movement. It was wonderful to talk with the artist and hear his meanings behind his work. He covered all the windows with this orange plastic and it made the room so red it was quite unbearable but soon we just got used to it. My whitebalance settings on my camera were outa control. He had copied a nautical map that is like a topographic map but for the ocean floor and he enlarged it for the entire wall, it was quite spectaculat. I'm excited because we now have access to a sweet library at the Contemporary Center and it has a great collection that I will not hesitate to discover for an entire day. I would have to travel about 30 min. but I cannot wait.
Well I will be heading to bed now because it is getting late and I need to just suck it up that I may have had one of the most unproductive weekends here so far. God-willing I am going to be doing some exciting things he's just giving me a break and letting me catch up on some down time.

Pompeii, Sorento, Capri

Although I took a trip to these three places; Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri, I thought I would let you know how cool they were to go to. I wrote about them in my Journal but I never found the time to get to you all about them. It was so eye-opening to see Pompeii and all the history within it's gates. I loved the atmosphere but I will admit that it was quite dusty and we walked away pretty filthy. Our tour guide was a sweet man who had a real interest in the geological and archaeological information that Pompeii offers. He told us a lot of information and he really knew what he was talking about. A lot of Pompeii was reassembled but a few things were left how they were found. All the roads were left and they were so stable and you could tell they were just assembled meticulously and with time. It is a shame that things built now a days are made so carelessly and without an intention to keep it for a long time.
It is really cute because there are so many dogs running around like no big deal, and they all have so much character. I definately miss my animals but those guys were a little treat for me and I was able to pet a couple of them but they had little missions which were a priority to them. The one thing I bought from Pompeii was a bag of oranges which were supposed to be the best oranges in the world. I was not impressed to tell the truth, I have tasted better from the market by my house. I have been making fresh orange juice in the morning though and that has been a treat for sure.
In Sorrento it was a beautiful place with great views.
I think it is amazing how scenery can really make a trip, we had all kinds of weather the whole weekend and it made all the scenery have such a contrast for each location. I want to say it was easy for me to compare my trip to Capri to that of my trip to the Grand Canyon. We had great weather leading all the way up to the end which was the climax. When we were going to head to the shore, it started raining and things got really foggy. Basicaly we had to head back but in good time because it was a nightmare getting back to the main island. I would defiantely go back there. We found a great little road that let us to an unbelievable view with no other people. We saw all of Capri and just had time to rest and enjoy the atmosphere. I drew a little and I pressed a few flowers, I am really enjoying my journal being here and I am thankful that I have the desire to fill it up with memorable things. I think it will be a cool thing to show my children when I get a few, not anytime soon. It is crazy to be going to new places and just watching as things go on around me. I was just sitting around and an entire band just walked by playing for the people in the street. Anything goes around here, that's how I would best describe it. This entry is more of an image packed entry than anything.....
The andventures in capri were shared with Denise, Sarah Lynn and this crazy little lady from California. We were all a little random, but it worked out and for the most part visited all the places that Capri has to offer. They have a cute garden and a wonderful walkway to the shore but like I said before it got really wild on that walkway and we had to head back. It has been really great to find these calm places because I have wonderful and essential quiet times and just find God speaking loud and clear. God is so powerful and very quiet too so you have to give him time and let him talk to you when your both calm and hysterical. Also I have been just loving my bible and getting through some tough old testiment passages. I think it is teaching me a lot about discipline being here and reading tough books like Numbers and Deuteronomy. Who knows why I'm doing it but its a great experience none the less, and I love learning about History what better topic than the history of my faith.

Laughter

The other day is a day that I cannot believe happened. It was a spur of the moment type thing which I am so glad took place. Lynn is a girl from ISU that is also studying abroad and she is wonderful. She is a musician and always in search of music, literally she will stop listen and follow the melody to it's source. Any who, she is a go getter and likes to participate in fun genuine activities. So we read in a newspaper about this thing; The laughter of Yoga. It was started in India and the man that started it emphasizes how essential laughter is to the health of a person. He also just points out how the act of laughing fake or real will lead to more laughter. As you all know, I am a huge giggler and I will laugh at just about anything especially when I feel a little uncomfortable. Well we were all for it but we had to travel a ways so Lynn looked up where to go and told me to take the number 14 bus. I had no idea where I was going or how it was going to turn out but both Lynn and I had a feeling this would be just what we needed. I knew God was going to lead me the right way and set up a wonderfully new experience for me. I am so glad all the pieces added up to the final destination. I will admit I got on the right bus but it was headed the wrong direction so I had to redirect myself. So finally reaching the park we see a circle of people gathered in the distance. They were super cute with a little smiley face sign welcoming all.
The group was a mix of all ages and they were all very Italian. The entire thing was in Italian so we had to rely a lot on body language, luckily Italians talk a lot with their hands and help all those that are not fluent. We began by stretching and just taking deep breaths. It was so relaxing to be away from the center of the city and enjoy greenery and company with Italians. It was a little strange that we were all so quiet, considering the title of the activity, but in the background a small boombox played Micheal Jackson, Latin Music and other random songs. To hurry this up, we moved right into the laughing activities. It is quite amazing how quickly fake laughter leads to real genuine laughter. My favorite person to interact with was this old man who had yellow teeth and a unique cackle that just made you think of a really great story. It was so easy to laugh because of the circumstance, we did not know what they were saying and people looked different then we were used to seeing in America. By the end of the first activity, Lynn was literally tearing. Oh it was so great, we plan on bringing it to ISU and I plan on trying to bring it to the Vineyard. It was a work out for your abs to say the least. There is going to be another meeting and I will give up any activity to make it to the next one. If you really think about it, it is phenomenal how God made laughter a universal language. Even with the language gap, Lynn, Angela and I were able to communicate with those around us and probably have the best conversations of our lives. I'm getting deep but really think about it because it is a beautiful thing.

Ciao,
I am finally writing, it is quite difficult to stay up to date with journaling, bloggin, photo uploading and emailing. This girl is breaking a sweat with all this. Things here in Firenze are wonderful and I am really getting the hang of the streets, for a while I was getting all turned around once I got to the Duomo which should not be happening, cuz even tourists get it right. Well I just enter it from different perspectives and end up walking in circles till I eventually give in and get out a map. The tricky thing about Firenze is that each street is named something different after it meets up with another street. So after each corner starts a nuovo street. (I'm gonna put in as many Italian words as I know; multo piccolo)
This weekend I decided to stay here and I just explored the surrounding area, and guess where I found myself.... At the Santa Croce, I swear that place has stollen my heart. I just can't resist going there and seeing the activities happening around it. There was a market in front with some musicians and some puppet performers. It was fun to bring my medium format camera and people watch. I met up with a few friends and we ended up going to a near by market and purchasing some food which eventually turned into a picnic. It was so nice to sit in a park and enjoy some quality time with some friends, and we had some really tasty treats. Pineapple, Raspberries, cheese rolls and some cookies. Afterward we made our way to the antique market across the street. I definately wanted to purchase a painting because I need to have one on my wall just for a more homey feeling, but I know I will get attached and then I won't know how to get it home.
To conclude that day we ended up going to a a bar where there was a Pearl Jam cover band playing, really glad we didn't pay to get in because it was quite male, simply put unenjoyable.
On Sunday I ran into some more friends and we ventured to the Florence Leather School which is connected to the Santa Croce. Long story short if you enter through the gift shop, it's basically a free entrance to the Santa Croce. I was so excited, and I wound up spending a few hours inside the confindes. I met a student who is also planning on traveling after school lets out and she said I might be able to tag along with her for a Holiday in Switzerland. Woun't that be amazing, I hope that goes through. Later on that day I made it to church and I really enjoy it. The worship is contemporary and it is a little community of foreigners. We all get a long pretty well and we have a few events planned to get more of a community started. I can see really awesome frienships sparking from this community.
Well besides that, I am fine and dandy and I have been blessed with not feeling under the weather even with so many other students getting sick and not responding well to the change in the season. Keep me in your prayers and I will try and keep you updated on more of my adventures. Buon Giorno

Florence

Wow, I am amazed at the advancement of technology. I am able to have this lovely little website to keep you all updated on my whereabouts and to know how I am doing.
I am blending in quite nicely here and I am beginning to really get the flow of things. I am loving the reduction in vehicle size and just how many people are walking about. I have noticed a difference in my diet, much more carbs; faccacia, rolls, pasta, the list can go on. People enjoy carbs around here and I am not complaining. I am thankful that my Mom taught me to cook just about anything because I've been putting together meals from an odd assortment of goods in the fridge. I am planning on checking out more of the museums because now I have a Amici di Uffizzi pass which rocks, I have access to all of the state museums and front of the line too. I feel like I have that fast track pass at six flags. Italians have a contagious way of life that I have been familiar with as long as I can remember. They are pretty clean, seriously it must be that I live in a touristy area but I always see someone sweeping something. It is a laid back mentality which I relate to I just wish I knew more Italian because I know I would love meeting the people and truely understanding their way of life. I could see myself living here in the furtue, not long term but it could work for longer than I plan to stay this semester. Italy is in a bit of an economic crisis but the EU is holding onto them and helping it not seem so bad. My friend Olga who lives here for school informed me of the irresponsibility that Italy practices with their ecconomy and just how lax they are with labor laws. It is quite amazing how vast the world is and how easy it is to get sucked into the overwhelming things going on just in the states. We are fortunate to have internet because it is so crucial being here to be up on the times and know even just what's going on in Italy because I try but fail at reading Italian.
I have been taking a lot of photos but I have been unable to upload them, not because I havn't gotten around to it but because the uploader will not download to my computer, if anyone can help me that would be wonderful. I have looked online and still no luck. I will need to look more into that. Good news, I met a photographer on the street just yesterday and he is actually quite established. He works for NBC, CBS, Harrington College and an Aboreum. He was listing all these things and I got a little lost but he gave me his contact information and he stressed that I need to get a hold of him or he would be disappointed. I think I am getting the hang of this networking thing, you just have to start a conversation, people will for the most part just keep going on and on about themselves. I love to listen so there we go.
I think it is good that I am here, it is helping me grow and I can see just more of who I really am from living life through a different perspective. I have the opportunity to be more of an observer while being here. The problem is that observers do not participate and I am at that point where I am itching to participate fully here but when talking to my mom she just told me to lay low for right now and that I will enventually get more in the flow of things and truely interact.