WhatAWeek

Ciao tutti!


So what has happened since my last entry...

We went to the Cemetery for photography class, and it was so awesome. It was interesting to see the different ways in which countries organize the headstones and rows. Italian cemeteries are full! to the brim, even as much as seeing a mans headstone on the side of the steps. It was a very cool experience and I captured a few images that I really liked...

This past weekend we went to Carnevale in Viareggio. Holy Moly. That is all I can really say. The floats that these people make are unbelievable. It is like nothing I have ever seen. They are huge, and completely bizarre. Most of them are political and are hard to understand from an American viewpoint.
Viareggio is on the coast, so we got to experience the beach for the first time, it was beautiful.

Here are some pictures. . .

Yes. That is Obama. Yes, that is a terrorist in his hat.

This past week was full of a lot of emotions and trials. All of the students had been feeling rather stressed out over the school schedule and on Thursday we had a meeting with the school. It felt good to really have our voices heard, on Monday we are going to have another meeting to try and sort through it.

Classes are still progressing fast. Art History is usually not in the classroom, instead we are on field trips throughout the town. Midterms will be here in a mere two weeks!

Yesterday, we were given the opportunity to travel to Rapolano Terme. We took a hike, met a local sculptor and got to see the studio space.

Today was a day of relaxing. I had an amazing sandwich, some gelato and enjoyed the girls of the program. It is nice to have some relaxation before April. Next weekend we are going on a Photography trip and to a local Siena Basketball game.

Hope all is well in the States :)

Liz

The Truth

Well the plain, flat out truth is that this program, this experience, is absolutely nothing like what I was expecting. I mean, in essence, Study Abroad sounds like 4 months of utter bliss. A sort of vacation from the world I normally experience at home, a chance to meet new people, see and try new things and become a better person. I got words of advice from a lot of people, things like "travel as much as you can" "don't take a moment for granted" "try everything", all he cliche sayings and expressions that you come to expect.

So this past month has been a total time of adjustment. Mentally, physically, everything. I guess I was expecting it to be like the experience I had in Alaska. That experience taught me more than I had ever imagined, and pushed me farther than I ever thought. I will remember that summer for the rest of my life. But the fact is, I am here to go to school. Granted, I love Italy and I am so grateful and excited for this opportunity, but my life isn't as glamorous as the idea of 4 months in Italy would leave one to imagine. I get up every morning, walk to school, and spend the better part of my day in classrooms, learning language and art history and photography. I do not get a spring break, or many breaks at all for that matter. My time to travel is very limited, very very limited. And in all reality, that's what I wanted to do most, travel. That is the vision I had in my mind of my time abroad, spending all my free time being in a different place. Seeing everything imaginable.

But alas, here I am. I do not have as much time as I wished to travel. So this past week I have taken a lot of time to figure out why, exactly, I am here. I know for certain it is not by accident, I am assured that it is a great opportunity, it was just up to me to find the reason behind it. So today, I have decided to look at things in a new light, to create new expectations and reasons for being in Siena. To make my time here, perhaps better than what I had envisioned.

Sure, not every weekend will be spent on trains or buses, to some far off land. But I can use this time to grow in many different ways. I have the opportunity to see works of art that some people can only dream of, a chance to learn a language that will help me better understand the complexities of other cultures. Five hours a week dedicated to photography which has become my passion, my excitement. A class where I am no longer allowed to use the spoken word to communicate and must force myself to experience life the way many others do.

Throughout my reflection I have also come to realize the "abroad" mentality that we all seem to develop. The idea that because you are abroad, you have so many amazing opportunities. Yet, we all seem to overlook those same opportunities in our everyday lives. Maybe because we don't want to "squeeze" something else in, maybe we aren't sure how to get started or maybe we just never take initiative and instead are waiting for something to push us in. I hope that if there is something you have always thought about, wanted to do, or use to do, you pursue it. Don't feel like you have to wait until x y and z line up before you can, just go for it. Being abroad doesn't increase the amount of opportunity you have in front of you, it only makes everything a new start.

In no way am I sad or bummed out to be in Italy, I do realize what an incredible opportunity is in front of me. I am not complaining or upset or anything of the sort. In fact, I feel refreshed, rejuvenated and content. And now that I have fully come to realize what this experience is  and embrace what it is, I can take it for all it is worth.

Carnavale this weekend!
So Stoked!

Ciao Tutti!

When In Rome...

Ciao Ragazzi!
It has been an eventful, and very full week! It started out by the six of us girls who live in apartments, moving to our new casa. It is located closer to school, and behind the main campo. Our new room is gorgeous, and all of them have sinks which makes it much more convenient. The kitchen and other common areas are smaller, and will take a bit of adjustment but it is nice having all of us on one floor now, dinners are much more eventful!
Our washer is seriously large enough to hold a shirt and 2 socks, maybe. So that should prove to be an adventure. Here are some pictures of the new room...

It was our first full week of our regular classes, which proved to be adventurous. I am taking Photography, Art History I, and Italian Sign Language along with the required Italian Language/Culture classes. They have all been enjoyable. Photography has a lot of assignments, and the first one was to take a photo a day! Ha, I think I have that covered. Here is my photo assignment, I am in love with how it turned out...

Our art history class went on our first field trip today to the local Siena Duomo, it's only breath-taking and gorgeous and amazing, no big deal.

Italian Sign Language is fascinating. The class is silent, which is something that I didn't really think about. It's very different from what you expect in other classes.

This Saturday a group of us went to Rome to check out the sites, and tour the Borghese, which is UH-MAZING, if you ever get the chance, GO. I also saw the Colloseum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi fountain to name a few. It's really incredible to be standing next to all these things that you have read about your whole life. It's completely surreal. It was so exhausting, but so worth it.

I can't believe it is March already, I'm not quite sure where February went. This weekend we are heading out for Carnavale which is basically the Italian version of Halloween, but a bit cooler.

Until next time,

Liz

Fried Bologna and other things

I know, I know. I've been pretty much the slowest blogger ever. I just have to say though, in my defense 1. I am living in ITALY and 2. Blogger takes the greater part of a century to load my photos. In any case, here I am.

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to a local wine tasting. The restaurant and the wine was all great, but the room downstairs that housed all the wine was pretty stunning. It seemed they had every type, color and shape of bottle possible for wine making. We tried both a white and red wine, followed by a desert wine which is usually used for dunking cookies (a classier version of oreos and milk). Here are some pictures from that

Last weekend was spent in Bologna, Italy with 7 of us from the program. Besides transportation, the trip was pretty much unplanned. We all ended up having a great time, no thanks to Bologna. Don't get me wrong, it is still a place in Italy of which I am glad I went but it only made me appreciate Siena so much more. The city is dirty and huge and seemingly Americanized. By the end of the trip we all felt as though we had gone back to America for a short trip rather than spent the weekend in an Italian city. We did see a few cool things, and climbed to the top of the leaning tower right in the middle of downtown. We ate some awe-some gelato and had a delicious margarita (or 2).

Monday started our last week of intensive italian. PHEW! We took the final today and it wasn't the most confident I have ever felt on a test. I am making progress, slowly but surely. I will be very excited to start the remainder of my classes on monday.

The weather has been rather gloomy lately and being from Arizona, I don't too much care for overcast days. My first venture out into the rain I was in complete shock and awe of just how many people have umbrellas! Even if it is merely sprinkling,  every person you see will be umbrella covered. So note to self, if you ever come to Italy in February, bring an umbrella.

This afternoon we went on a hike up to Monteriggioni which is this very cool town on top of a hill, small, quaint and quiet. The hike was absolutely beautiful. Monteriggioni does not offer much, but their views are to die for.

We are also moving to a new apartment next week because the one we are currently in will be undergoing some construction that is predicted to be rather intrusive. Our new apartment is much closer to the campo, but the change is still weird. This apartment has already become comfortable, but I like change. I will post pictures once we move.

Tonight some of the girls are coming over to play a good ol game of UNO, drink some wine, and unwind from the week.

All is well.

Ciao,

Liz

San Gimignano, Paris and my first Concerto

Buona Sera!

Today marks week 2 of Intensive Italian Classes, and holy moly....I'm overwhelmed to say the least.

Friday after school, Lauren and I got dinner in the Campo and went to a concerto at the local theater, Handel e Napoli. It was so great! Good conversation, wine, pasta and a good concerto. What more could a girl ask for? Our tickets were only 8 euro and gave us our own balcony with great view! Here is a picture of the theater...

On Saturday we made a trip to San Gimignano which, for lack of a better description is amazing, and is comparable to Jerome in Arizona, only much cooler. It is a tiny town on top of a hill, towers surrounded by a beautiful wall. One of the main intentions of the trip was to eat at the world renowned Gelato shop they have there. To our dismay, it was closed! Sad sad moment that was. We did however have some gelato found down the street which was benissimo, as you can see by my dear friends below

Sunday marked 1 year that John and I have been dating "again" :) but since we were oceans apart, the day was spent relaxing, getting organized and a little bit of shopping. I went on a walk through town, ended up very lost and discovered some cool new areas of Siena. I eventually found my way back home, and may not ever be able to repeat my route, but it was well worth it. Here are some pictures I captured along the way

I booked my first, of hopefully many, trips to Paris! I will be there from April 1-3. I am SO excited.  I am also planning a London/Dublin trip in April. Much to look forward to.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Liz

Happiness

We have all used, or at least heard the phrase, "Happiness is a state of mind." For me, I have to say that I've always generally regarded the statement as true and went along my way. But last night, I was walking through the Pizza della Posta enjoying my pizza when I started to ponder the idea of actually living in Italy.

A lot of the members of the staff at Siena School are former Americans who for one reason or another, have decided to make their homes in Siena. As fun and exciting and all around amazing as this sounds, I could not help but wonder if this place too, would in a sense lose its charm. Do not get me wrong, Siena is beautiful and I could enjoy gelato and panini's on a daily basis. Yet, what makes your happiness here so much greater than happiness there?

For anyone who knows me, I am always focused on the where next, the future, the what is going to happen. I seldom take time to realize the value of today, the here (no matter where that is) and the now. Especially as Americans, we are driven towards something greater. As if what we are currently doing now is never enough.

So as I finished my pizza and headed back up to my room here in Italy I made a resolution to be better at my own state of happiness. To look around and find the good in what is here, along with the good that is to come. To be thankful for Italy, the chance to know them, but also be grateful for America and my home. So Whether you find your happiness in your family, your friends, your work, or your schooling, I encourage you to be overwhelmed with joy and love and appreciate all the opportunities given to you.

You can.
Where you are.
With what you have.

Ciao,

Liz