Ciao everyone!
I figured I would update my blog today because I have officially been here for a month now! I can't believe it. The other day I decided 5 and a half months is not long enough; I should have chosen the year. I have experienced so much in the past month, but there is so much more I want to do! I feel like I will run out of time. Oh well, just an excuse to revisit this beautiful country :)
Yesterday I restarted school after a nice nine day break. School here is not my favorite place, but its not terrible, sometimes it is kind of nice. It is INCREDIBLY unorganized, which I don't mind. Normally about one class a day a teacher won't show up so we just hang out, the other kids study (I have nothing to study), or we watch a movie. Substitutes technically exist here, but they don't do anything. Also, because I am enrolled in Liceo Artistico (Artistic High School), I spend half my time at school attempting to be creative. Key word: attempting. Although they are unorganized, my school has tons of art materials that the art teachers at Patton could only dream of having access to. Oh, I have classified each of my teachers into two groups: "Ones That Care" and "Ones That Pretend I Don't Exist". To be quite honest, I think I prefer the latter. They give me the chance to sleep or listen to my iPod, aka: a nice break from the Italian that is constantly confusing and wearing out my brain.
FYI, I just took a 5 minute typing break because my host mom forced me to blow dry my hair. She thinks that I will instantly become sick if I: 1) don't blow dry my hair, 2) don't wear slippers around the house and 3) don't stuff myself with food at every meal. Just kidding about #3, but that's what it feels like most of the time!
Anyhow, I had a wonderful vacanze hanging out with friends, family, and just experiencing more of the Italian culture in general. My Italian is coming along very well, or so everyone else says. They haven't stood in my shoes and listened to the insanely fast babbling I hear a lot of the time! I have lessons twice a week and my teacher is great. She can speak very good english, which is helpful, although she speaks to me in Italian most of the time.
I found out today that I will be taking a day field trip to Torino with my school after Easter. That's 2 field trips planned already! My host brother is extremely jealous because his class never goes anywhere. Oh that reminds me! Alle (Alessandro: my host brother) found out today that he will officially be going to USA next year. Very exciting day for him!
I am definitely starting to settle in to this new life and I love it. I can't imagine not being here and I don't even want to start thinking about returning home (not that I don't miss you all!). I couldn't ask for a better opportunity, placement, and people in my Italian life!
Ciao ciao e un grande bacio per tutti! Xoxo.
Emma
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Just a Little Behind: 3 Weeks
To anyone....if there is anyone...who reads my blog, I am sincerely sorry for not keeping you updated. At all. But, I guess I will start now...
I have now been in Aosta for 3 entire weeks. Three weeks that are incomparable to any other 21 days of my life. Never have I met so many people, had so many misunderstandings (language barriers will do that to ya), learned so much, or eaten so much food in less than a month. It has been crazy, but the best crazy I have ever experienced. That is not to say that everything is always 100% dandy. I have stumbled upon a new feeling: homesickness. I have never been the child that wishes to be at home instead of exploring other places, but apparently 6,000 miles between you and your family, friends, and hometown can pull that feeling out of ya. Nonetheless, I have enjoyed my time in Aosta Valley more than any other experience and every day continues to get better and better.
This week I have no school (a full 9 days without torture) because of CARNEVALE! Carnevale is a huge festival celebrated in not only Italy, but many other countries as well. On Tuesday I will take my first trek away from Aosta to a town called Ivrea. Here I will witness/take part in the 'orange wars'. I can't remember the name in Italian right now...Google it. Basically, I will wear old clothes and rainboots, and walk around Ivrea getting pelted and pelting oranges at the other participants. Extremely exciting. Also, some of my friends in other chapters will be there so it will be an AFS filled day and I will get to spend some time with a few of the friends I made in Roma at orientation.
I. Eat. So. Much. It is crazy, not to mention uncharacteristic, as those of you who know me well can attest. Last night some friends and I went to a pizzeria where you can order 'giro pizza'. Giro pizza is the devil in disguise. It forced me to eat ten pieces of pizza. TEN. They bring out one pizza, everyone takes one piece, and then they bring out another. Every pizza is a different kind so you feel forced to try it...not to mention the sort of competition between the group to see who can eat the most. Quite the experience.
It is getting rather late here and I have an Italian lesson bright and early (for me) at 10:30 am tomorrow. So...
Ciao and buona notte from Italia!
Bacio,
Emma
I have now been in Aosta for 3 entire weeks. Three weeks that are incomparable to any other 21 days of my life. Never have I met so many people, had so many misunderstandings (language barriers will do that to ya), learned so much, or eaten so much food in less than a month. It has been crazy, but the best crazy I have ever experienced. That is not to say that everything is always 100% dandy. I have stumbled upon a new feeling: homesickness. I have never been the child that wishes to be at home instead of exploring other places, but apparently 6,000 miles between you and your family, friends, and hometown can pull that feeling out of ya. Nonetheless, I have enjoyed my time in Aosta Valley more than any other experience and every day continues to get better and better.
This week I have no school (a full 9 days without torture) because of CARNEVALE! Carnevale is a huge festival celebrated in not only Italy, but many other countries as well. On Tuesday I will take my first trek away from Aosta to a town called Ivrea. Here I will witness/take part in the 'orange wars'. I can't remember the name in Italian right now...Google it. Basically, I will wear old clothes and rainboots, and walk around Ivrea getting pelted and pelting oranges at the other participants. Extremely exciting. Also, some of my friends in other chapters will be there so it will be an AFS filled day and I will get to spend some time with a few of the friends I made in Roma at orientation.
I. Eat. So. Much. It is crazy, not to mention uncharacteristic, as those of you who know me well can attest. Last night some friends and I went to a pizzeria where you can order 'giro pizza'. Giro pizza is the devil in disguise. It forced me to eat ten pieces of pizza. TEN. They bring out one pizza, everyone takes one piece, and then they bring out another. Every pizza is a different kind so you feel forced to try it...not to mention the sort of competition between the group to see who can eat the most. Quite the experience.
It is getting rather late here and I have an Italian lesson bright and early (for me) at 10:30 am tomorrow. So...
Ciao and buona notte from Italia!
Bacio,
Emma
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