Time Flies

It's hard for me to believe just how fast everything is going now. This time last week I was on my way to the train station to meet my parents and go to Pisa with them.  Now I'm sitting in my kitchen with the place to myself, watching it rain and contemplating cleaning….hmmm. I think I'll blog for now.

As I said, I met my parents once they got back from Venice and we all went to Pisa. They were staying there for a few nights because that's where they were flying out of and they wanted to see some of the towns around there. We got there on Sunday and stayed at this hotel that used to be a Convent. It was very simple and refreshing. Because they were so full that time I stayed in a single room to myself which looked more like a prison cell, but it worked out just great. Sunday afternoon we went to see the Leaning Tower and that area, we didn't go in anything but just got  the pictures. It was pouring rain on our walk home and pretty cold. It stayed raining all that night and the next morning too. Originally on Monday we were planning to go to Cinque Terre but because of the rain we went to Lucca in the afternoon instead. By the time we got there the rain had stopped and the sun was attempting to shine again. We walked around for a while, climbed the tower with trees (one of the trees and my Dad didn't seem to get along too well), and then proceeded to meander to lunch and then shop for a bit. It was a nice day away. We went back to the hotel where I grabbed my stuff and then we headed towards the train station for some pizza and then goodbyes

 My parents had the joy of meeting Giovanni, a guy I work with at the Creative Corner. He teaches the violin and was on his way to his once a month lesson in another town and we saw him at the train station that morning when we were leaving and then when my parents dropped me off again that night.  In our down time those 2 days we amused ourselves with a bit of Poker, 31 (thank you Budkes), and Go Fish  needless to say my parents were a bit rusty but still could kick my butt.

I never thought I'd be saying goodbye to my parents in Italy. It was crazy. I feel beyond blessed that I was able to share a part of this experience with them.

The rest of the week was a blur as well. I got back Monday night in time to work on a paper that was due. It was the first one I handed in thus far and let's just say that economics and I don't really understand each other so I don't have a great idea of what I actually ended up writing on. My roommates all left for their long weekends on Thursday so I've had the place to myself which I have really enjoyed. Friday I slept in, figured out some things back home, and went to dinner with a group of people and one girls aunt. It was a blast! Yesterday, Alyssa and I were going to go to San Gimignano to rent vespas for the day and then take them to Siena. Half way there on the bus we finally got a hold of the place and they told us they were closed that day. So instead we just went to Siena for the day and walked around, shopped and explored some places we didn't see before  when we were there (Don't worry the vespa-ing will still happen before I come home). It was gorgeous this time of year! All the walking tuckered me out, plus the fact that I have been in a vicious battle with my health the past week, don't worry I think I'm starting to win.

As of today, the 31st, I have 33 days left in Italy before this adventure is over. I can't believe it. Some days I feel like I'll never get home and other days I feel like I won't have enough time here. Friday I figured out my schedule for the next quarter and that made me really excited. I love here, but I'm also excited to go home and back to Seattle. I'm thankful that I have things to look forward to. Hopefully when I'm back I can set up and start volunteering some time at Seattle Children's Hospital and try to work with their art therapy program, or just be there in general. Now that I'm in my junior year I really get to start zeroing on classes that I want to take and figuring it all out made me excited for school and class (I know that some of you may have just fainted when you read that, sorry). I also talked to some of my amazing roommates last night back in the rainy city, and once again I am looking forward to being a part of that house with those girls. I can't wait! And of course seeing that certain boy again will really complete the picture ; ) It's a bit overwhelming to think about how busy I'll be when I get back, compared to only having class and volunteering 3 hours a week and not having to go around and see lots of people here , I'll go to school, work, volunteering, and seeing all my friends/social life again. Before, looking at all this stuff for next quarter would make me homesick, and sometimes it still does, but mainly now it makes me really really excited for what I have waiting for me at home.

Life will be different when I get home and life will be a bit of the same. People will still be people no matter where they are in the world, and God will still God. Those are the main lessons I've learned so far. Life is incredible.



this should explain where my humor comes from




My prison cell/room with a little wash area




On top of the tree tower in Lucca



Our Convent at night



Saying goodbye in Pisa, I love you!




Siena




Alyssa and I experimenting with setting on my camera...




Hi



Mom and Dad's Visit so Far

Sunday night: showed them around my place, dinner at Il Teatro, the service was crappy that night because the theatre had a show. It didn't matter much to us because we were swapping stories. They told me all about Rome and how much fun with it they had. I should never doubt those 2 and their abilities to get place and discover things.

Monday: we had an early start with my tour around Florence showing them all the main attractions and then relaxed with a cup of coffee by the Duomo. Then I headed off to class and pretended to learn and take a midterm and quiz. While I was doing that Mom and Dad checked out the inside of the Duomo and the nearby market. Much rather would have been with them.  After my classes were over I met up with them at their hotel and we went to dinner at this place Dad had scoped out in the afternoon.  The food was good but the company and conversation were much better. I then took them to the favorite gelato place in Florence and while walking back to my place we discovered an organ concert. Mom was in heaven when we heard it. This tiny little church was doing an hourly long concert each night, it was beautiful and I know they loved it. It was a splendid ending to a day in Italy. The whole week it was so nice just to be able to talk and catch up on lives without a few thousand miles between us.

Tuesday: in the morning I went and painted for a little while and then Mom and Dad came to see the studio and steal me away. My prof and I had them give their input on why my self portrait wasn't looking like me…that was interesting and I didn't take anything personally.  After that we split up for a bit. Anyone want to guess what Dad did? If you guessed found a golf course you're right! Leave it to him to find one in Italy and go check it out. He had quite an adventure doing it, he walked there (quite a ways) then had to have an elderly woman translate for him once he got there. They became friends and she helped him find his way back. I swear you could drop the man out of an airplane and he'd make friends or see someone he knows within an hour. Just the way he works. Mom and I in the mean time went to this little town about an hour and half train ride away called Arezzo. It was really neat, pretty quiet. We were only there a short while and spent about half the time with coffee and sitting looking over a park just catching up.  I miss my mom time so it was good to catch up on some.  When we got back we parted ways for a bit and then met up later to go to my favorite pizza place and for gelato afterwards once again

Wednesday: We tackled hiking the Duomo in the morning. We could not have had better timing. It was a hazy morning and had been raining when I woke up. I met them there and we went right in to start climbing. By the time we got to the top the rain had stopped and by the time we got down again to the bottom it was pouring. It was insane being on top of the Duomo. On the way up and down you walk right along the ceiling being face to face with the frescos. If we hadn't been able to get to the very top I still would've said seeing those up close was still well worth  it. The top is much bigger than you would expect and we had an incredible view of the city and the storm coming in as Dad noticed. There's nothing like it in the world.  I left them to recover to once again go and pretend to learn something :P

That night I cooked for them at my house and then we got to skype with Jess and the boys. It was great to all 'be together' in that sense and just talk and watch Bear and Johan put on a show for us.

Thursday: In the morning I took them to see Michelangelo's Plaza which overlooks the whole city. While we were up there they were working assembling this huge marble pieces to create a 'window for the city'. It was fascinating to watch, kind of took away the attention for the view for a bit. After that mom and I perused the watercolor paintings up there (yes she had to get one) while Dad took some time to sit and write underneath David's butt (see picture below). It was a perfect day for it. In the afternoon Dad set off to nap and then explore the Uffizi while Mom and I conquered the city shopping. Quite draining but we accomplished all our goals (a nativity, gifts, and boots). I took them to dinner at a restaurant that is on the river which looks right out at the Ponte Vecchio. The food was incredible as well as the view. I think it was their favorite place. After that they chose to go back to the amazing gelato place from the 2nd night which we ate on the steps of the Duomo. Yea, I had gelato with my parents on the steps of the Duomo. After that we parted ways so they could pack for their next trip: Venice.



Mom with our discoveries in Arezzo





climbing the Duomo




WE MADE IT!



someone even managed to get a lock out onto the top of the dome

Mom taking in the Frecos



From my window, i stalked them




Skyping with J and Johan who couldn't sit still




Told you he was writing underneath David's 'you-know-what'




we are good looking people



I get to meet up with them on their way back and we'll all go to Pisa together. I get to stay with them for a night and hopefully do Cinque Terre again with them (cross your fingers for the weather) or something else. Then I'll leave them to fend for themselves and try to get back to the states. Dad says he doesn't know if they have the money to go back now….all the better for me then! I love my parents. End of story.

FYI

I have not been neglecting this just so you know. Before we went to Venice I had several written that I had tried to publish but for some reason my computer didn't want me to. Looks like my blog and computer have resolved their issues so now i will post all of these I've had waiting including recent ones. Some now are from a little ways back but i'll get them up here don't worry, it's just not going to be in order. I apologize if I've hurt anyones feelings.

Venice

Was beautiful. I fell in love with the water and the serenity of the place. There was no mopeds or cars whizzing by, therefore was much quieter than Florence. I would go back there in a heart beat. Luckily we had nice, though cold weather most the time. Sunday was pretty miserable but luckily we were either inside/leaving that day. I can see where it wouldn't be that great of place if the weather was bad. With the good weather though, in my opinion it was one of the prettiest places on earth.

           We got there on Friday, threw our stuff in our rooms and then went right on to our first musuem visit of the San Marco. What blew me away was the fact that the whole place inside was a mosaic! It had to take forever for them to do it. We were able to go out on the top floor and go outside on the balcony. It was a great view of the whole Palazzo. From there we went to Palazzo Ducale which had a too much history for me to remember ;) But what I do remember was the prison that we walked through. There was a door connecting the 'court room' which lead right to the prison and execution room. The corridor between the rooms had a window over the water/city so the prisoners could take one last look at the world before they were killed or put away.  The doors to the cells were maybe 4 ft tall, I don't know if they were all little guys back then or if that was just something they figured prisoners didn't need. It was really interesting but also a lot of information to take in all at once. That night a group of us went to this local place and had a great dinner, we were there right when it opened and by the time we left the wait was 45 minutes. Venice doesn't have much night life, so I was in bed nice and early that night.

           The next morning we started bright and early with a visit to The Accademia Gallery, then the Scuola di San Rocco where we saw the world's largest painting and finally we went to the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. This was the first church we went to that didn't have any frescos. Kind of refreshing to see in a way (The humidity would have destroyed all the frescos). The church was beautiful and had some amazing sculptures and decorations, including a giant pyramid against a wall as a tomb for someone.  That was all in the morning! For the afternoon we hopped on a ferry to the glass island, Murano. Once again it was beautiful ( I feel like that's the only word I use to describe Italy). We saw a glass blowing demonstration, found a quite area by the water, and window shopped/shopped until our feet fell off. I was on my feet from 8am until 5 pm with the exception for 30 minutes all day. What an incredible day! Saturday night followed a similar pattern to Fridays, except for a friend and I went to go supervise a late night activity of people jumping an a canal to make sure they didn't get hurt. The didn't but I still think they were idiots for trying. Then I finally got back to my warm bed to crash, did I mention Venice was freezing cold? It was.

             Sunday we went to the Guggenheim Museum, which was Peggy's house and personal collection.  She had so many famous pieces it was unreal! This lady was loaded. It was once again a breath of fresh air to see modern art, not that I don't appreciate Renaissance art, but it can appear kind of repetitive after a while. Finally paintings/art without a real rhyme or reason. This is the kind of place I could have stayed all day. Sunday it rained all day and in the morning the water was about 3 inches from flooding over the canals and the gondolas weren't running because the water was too rough. Don't worry I still got a gondola ride in (on Friday and Saturday we used them as taxis). By the time we left Sunday afternoon the water had gone down a bit. Then we arrive back around 6:40 and guess who was waiting for me…..MOM AND DAD!!!!!!

view from the balcony on San Marco's

I wore these things to death last weekend

this wasn't a great idea once I realized how slippery it was out there....

correction

my parents apparently leave TUESDAY morning from the states and get to Italy Wednesday morning. So tuesdays the big prayer time day for everybody!

The Ups and Downs

Technology is evil. I finally got my computer back this past Monday after having it taken away from me for a week. Was it fixed? No. Did I know exactly why is wasn't? Not quite. I've been having an issue where my computer decides it hates me and whatever I'm doing, so it will shut down unexpectedly, usually while I'm right in the middle of something, and give me a pretty blue screen with a friendly message telling my computer hates me and this blue screen is it's way of protecting itself. So I decided to take it in to this little computer repair shop. What an experience. I had a full 'conversation' with the technician without actually verbalizing more than 4 words. Google translator was the whole source of our conversation, just typing back and forth; one of the most bizarre things I've ever dealt with. Anyway, they held my computer hostage for a week running all these tests and what not on it. Apparently although my computer is in a war with me, it is allies with everyone else. It passed all the tests and didn't shut down once, funny how that always seems to happen when you want something fixed. The guy said there was a little error on the hard drive but that would mean replacing the whole thing, which I wasn't quite on board with. So for now my life/computer use it quite exciting as I never know what/when it'll happen. It keeps my on my toes and sharp. At least that's what I tell myself to avoid throwing it out the window.  I am well aware that I should have gotten a Mac. Luckily when my computer's on it functions well, but it's an annoying thing to deal with. Right now I'm fighting the battle with lots of nice words and bribery. Hopefully it'll somewhat cooperate until I get home and can get it fixed and actually know what's wrong or finally throw it out a window.

On another note…. I GET TO SEE MY PARENTS IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!! I can't believe it! The time has come so fast. I always viewed their trip here as my half way point, so the fact that I'm seeing them soon is crazy to me. My time here is almost half over and I don't know where it's gone. The plan is for them to fly to Rome first and hang out there for a few days while I'm in Venice with school, and then we'll both get back the Firenze at the same time. From then on they are mine for at least 4, hopefully more, days! I have lots of activities planned for them, pray that they can keep up. On a more serious note though, pray that their traveling goes smoothly. I know for us that's been a big thing on our mind, so keep them in your prayers the next 2 weeks, especially Wednesday when they head out. I know they're excited to be here and I can't wait to show them around. Who ever would have thought I'd be giving my parents a tour of Florence…  After all of us are in Florence for a bit, they are going to check out the coast cities/towns for a few days and hopefully I'll be able to accompany them for a part of it. Then just like that, they'll be off again to the States. That'll be a weird goodbye…  I can't wait for it! I get excited just writing about it (and I need to sleep in just a little bit). The two weeks will fly by.

With them coming that means the next week is going to be crazy for me. Not only do I need to get ahead so I can enjoy my time with them here, but I also have midterms this week. The school part is really coming into play now. I have no idea what the tests like are here compared to home, they gave us a good idea but I am still skeptical just what the end result will look like. I'll admit that I feel prepared for one and am terrified of taking the other one (International Economics). I catch a break though with my painting class. On Thursday we only have a critique as our midterm.  That just means I have to find time to finish all my paintings before then, oh boy. The thing about being so busy this next week is that it'll fly by. My parents coming is the best motivation for me to get things done and out of the way. At the moment I'm not too stressed/overwhelmed but come Wednesday and then next Sunday night, it could be another story.

I'll let you know if I somehow 'fail' study abroad. Hmm, I wonder if that's ever happened...



The Evil




I have to finish this! but so far, ta-da!



I FOUND A VINEYARD

I can not believe I haven't talked about my amazing wine tasting experience yet. Please forgive me for depriving you.  A little while back (i think 2 weekends ago) our school set up this amazing vineyard tour for us at a place called 'Fattoria Lavacchio' which is a Tuscan farm (vineyard) as well as an olive grove. Incredible.

When we first arrived there we were met by an employee who gave us the tour, because it was a Saturday we pretty much had it all to ourselves. It had poured the previous day so they couldn't work in the vineyard (no live action) but we still got the concept pretty well ourselves. Luckily the day was gorgeous. We walked past the vineyard on our way to the warehouse type area to see the process. There were these gianormous cylinders in which they started the process of slowly crushing the grapes, and then looping it back through and doing it a few more times. Then he talked about the barreling and the significance of the wine being stored in a big barrel vs a small barrel (whites are always in small barrels, reds it depends), and wood barrel vs not wood (adds different flavor to the wine, most of their wood is imported from France). From there we went on to see an area where they work on their white wines in an open air sort of room where they let the grapes dry out. The guy who was giving us the tour is actually the man in charge of tasting the grapes to determine when they are ready and so on. I asked him if I could apply for the job and what sort of qualifications you needed.

After this educational part we headed back to the main house and their private restaurant area. This place is set up to be a Bed and Breakfast as well, that offers everything to guests. We had our 'snack'  outside by the pool area under the gazebo and indulged in chicken liver on toast, chips and more with our first wine taste. Everything was delicious.  Once we had achieve a base layer on our stomachs we then went into the restaurant for our full lunch and continuation of wine tasting. The food was unbelievable. The farm has it's own old windmill to grind their own flour. We found out after lunch that because their windmill is still made out of wood (modern but with wood) that they can't sell it but can use it for their own baking. The bread…well there's nothing quite like it and I was sad to discover there was no way we could purchase it. Everyone will just have to go there and try it for themselves.  The food continued to impress us, although the wine may have helped our opinion along. Let me enlighten you on something, in Italy wine tasting (at least where we were)isn't so much swirls and sips, but glasses and gulps. That's a bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea, there was a lot of wine and all of it was very good... That's at least what I'm told, maybe once I'm 21 I'll go back and enjoy it ; ) (that one's for you Dad).  I had some of the best wine there and also one that was less than delicious. Apparently there are so called 'dessert wines' which are practically a syrup. That one was not a hit with our group….blah, but the other ones made up for it.

In true Italian style, after we finished our lunch we sat along the pool side gazebo area again as we finished the feasting with espresso. We checked out the windmill on our way out which was pretty spectacular, but everything that day was spectacular.

These things are massive! one of them had a wine glass perched on it, so they can 'check on the wine periodically'

The big guns

See the weird brown, gross looking thing? I ate it and it was good



The good life



From inside the windmill

It was a perfect get-a-way from the crazy city to a rather calm and quite vineyard. I didn't get my horseback riding in there, but found out they do offer it…maybe I'll have to look into that more :) 

i will get better

I will get better at updating this. I will get better at updating this. I will get better at undating this. I PROMISE! This is a warning also that once again I'm about ready to go blog crazy in the next day or 2, so be prepared. Some things to look forward to hearing about

1. Vinci - that Leonardo guys home town

2. complaining about computer issues (my excuse as to why the blogging has been poor)

3. school/painting

4. Siena and San Gasdfjkadhfkasnf( the city of towers, don't worry I'll look the name and spelling up for the blog)

5. midterms :(

6. PARENTS COMING IN T-4 days, i get to see in T-7 DAYS!!

7. Lots of awesome pictures

consider yourself warned if reading this...but by then it might be too late. CIAO