Nipote - Nephew

Yesterday in class Claudio was asking us about our families and what they do, their names and ages.  So when it came to me of course I told him that I had a 2 month old nephew, named Brody.  All the girls oouuued and ahhhed.  So then I got my ipod out and showed them a picture of my adorable nephew.  Claudio grabbed at his cheeks and asked how you say that in English...and he was talking about chubby cheeks.  Gosh I miss my family!

Last night we had a very classy going away dinner at Entoeca Italiana (remember from my wine tasting/ the wine museum).  We had big round tables set up in the bunker around all of the glasses of wine on display, a very cool set-up.  Dinner conversation quickly led to me and what I do back in Nebraska.  This dinner convo was a definite confidence builder.  Two of my friends had seen my photography portfolio earlier in the day.  They couldn't stop complementing me on my work and couldn't believe that I also had my real estates license.  (sometimes I still can't believe it myself)  I am so fortunate to be blessed with two very hardworking parents that have taught me to work hard for my dreams.

Today in class we had the verbal and listening test.  Once again I think I did good, but really who knows.  Claudio asked me what my name was, what I preferred to do, how old I was, where I was from and what I liked to eat.  So tonight I tried talking with the waiter, well it kind of worked! HAHA! I ended up asking him "what how his name was" and if he like to dance.  And the response, "Mary and un po"  I really need to practice talking with the locals.  I feel like I will learn and understand so much better than by just writing down exercises from the book.

Tomorrow is a big day! We take the finial written test, catch a bus to Florance, then taxi to our APARTMENT! YAY! It will be awhile before I get another post up, up to 3 days.  We will hopefully get internet in our apartment right away, like I said it's my lifeline :)

A few things about Siena: (I might have already written, not sure, so I will make sure they are down in history)

• Very small city (55,000 people)
• Epidemic: Dog poop on the street which is also the sidewalk.  I feel that I had to look down so that I wouldn't step in it thus I was missing the gorgeous architecture.  Have not stepped in it yet (thank goodness)!
• Siena is known for their pici.  I talked about this already :) Very fat, thick spaghetti.
• The gelato is amazing - rich creamy goodness.
• Lots of hills with cobblestones for the streets (Can be dangerous walking)
• Very fast buses and classy cars.
• Take your umbrella (My Lorenzo) everywhere with you - you never know when it is going to rain.
• Over 100 churches 
• Tons of shops - clothes, purses, scarfs, shoes, boots, belts (NOT GOOD FOR ME)

Wow, my first two weeks in Italy have went so fast.  I have learned so much more Italian than when I got here, made new friends and bought a few new things for my wardrobe :)  Very happy to be moving to Florance tomorrow.  Wish me luck :)

P.S. Keep Sarah in your thoughts and prayers as she goes through the recovering process.  Its tough and not very much fun.  Love and miss my baby sister :)

P.S.S Breaking NEWS! My dad said he is getting internet at their house! Wow, never thought that would happen :)

P.S.S.S Breaking NEWS Part II! There was an earthquake here today about 4 pm, but I didn't feel anything.  Other students said they saw the building shaking.  I think I am just used to the boys next door being rambunctious.   http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Europe/Quake-rattles-north-Italy-felt-in-Milan-Florence/Article1-1001845.aspx
 

Pazienza - Patience

If anything I will learn patience this semester.  The change of pace is so different here that what I am use to.  Everything is just so much slower, which is great if you are accustomed to it. 

Have a ton of things to write about but its 12:21 am here.  I have a verbal and listening test at 9:00 am and then to study for the big exam on Saturday.  Hope to tell you all about it soon :)

Capire - to understand

Trying to keep up with this blog is crazy, but I am so glad I am writing it.  I love to look back at old post and its only been one day short of two weeks. 

Today class was much better with it only being a short four hours.  I started to like Claudio again and the Italian language.  After the discouraging test last week and a rough Monday I was in a slump.  But my test today was a true success story, if you work hard it does pay off.  I studied and memorized like crazy yesterday and whoop I did so good, I think! 

I have been learning so much about the culture of Italy and America in class.  Claudio goes through the language lesson very quickly so it gives us time to talk with him at the end of class about Italian customs, government, places and other European countries. 

Interesting facts from Claudio (this may not be accurate)

•  35 % of young people in Italy are unemployed
• 12% of the older generation are unemployed
• The avg. salary is very very very low compared to U.S.
• The most used word in the world is ok and the second is Coca-Cola.

We have in depth discussions about many events that have been occurring in the US as well as here in Italy.  Obviously the many shootings was first on the list to talk about.  Claudio thinks that it all starts within the family. The mother or father gives the child a phone or computer.  Pays no attention to what they are playing or who they are talking too. 

This leads to children playing games alone in dark rooms for hours on end.  And do you know what kinds of games they are playing?  Games full of people shooting, robbing, raping and getting rewarded for doing those things.  No parent is there to watch the what their child is playing or even in some cases parents play with them.  This is a problem.

My Views
Claudio is so on point.  This is an epidemic in our country.  I don’t believe that video games are the only reason for mass shootings, but other things as well: Young people all over the world are not taught discipline, respect, hard work and dignity.  I could go on for days and days, but I will stop my rant. :) Okay one more: (Starting to get overwhelming with all 160 students in one hotel.  Many are from very well off families and I think this is just a vacation for them.)  Three days and I am off to my apartment in Florence with 3 other girls (who are awesome)!

I have been having the most wonderful food over the last couple of days:  Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce and Sausage, penne pasta with garlic, pine nuts and tomatoes,  different types of cheese with honey & cashews, Gorgonzola Pizza, panna cotta (kind of like flan), dessert pizza with nutella, and of course Vino.  

Tonight I had a cooking class.  Very awesome the food was amazing.  It was like I was on the set of food network...

• Pappa col pomodoro - Bread Soup.  Back in the day they only used to make bread once a week, so by the end of the week the bread was stale and dried out.  So then they made soup of it.  Start by putting extra virgin olive oil in a pan and adding garlic.  Then adding a few other spices and bread.  Add tomatoes and cook for an hour...one of the best soups I have ever had.  Right up there with the Sandstone’s tomato bisque.  I do have the recipe...can’t wait to cook for everyone when I get back to Nebraska :)

• Pici all’aglione - Thick, hand-rolled (by me) pasta, like fat spaghetti.  Dough is made only from flour and water.  Then we made a spicy sauce to mix in with the pici.  YUMMMMM!

• Tiramisu -  Talk about the best I have ever had...also have the recipe.

I am off to study for the big finial on Saturday...

{P.S.  My sister is doing very good.  She is at home in Burwell.  Finally got to chat with her for a bit tonight :)

Got this from my baby sister tonight! She looks so good...she is sooo cute! Love her!

(P.S.S will try to add more photos tomorrow.  The internet is too slow tonight :(

Long Day/Short Post

Sorry all! I haven't been getting the post up like I should be.  Today was crazy long with 6 hours of class (all Italian all six hours with little English) , the hotel internet broke down and my sister had surgery.  The internet is my main communication tool with my family...it's like a lifeline.  I miss being able to talk to my family or friends at any minute of the day.  Really learning about things that I take for granted everyday. 

Anyways, Sarahs surgery went well.  I did get to FaceTime my mom and dad for a bit after she got out.  I am hoping to talk with Sarah before I go to bed.  I also have a test to study for tomorrow....So I will be writing a big blog for you tomorrow.  Good NITE!

First weekend in Italy

Saturday

First day of no class and I got to sleep in.  My morning was filled with a well needed sleep.  For the afternoon we took a day trip to San Gimignano.  It was a little disappointing as it was raining and very foggy out.

San Gimignano is the city of beautiful towers.  The city is like Siena with it being walled in on a hill.  There are 15 towers still standing today, but back in the 1200’s there were 72 towers.  It was originally a Etruscan village.  It is named after the bishop of Modena, San Gimignano, who is said to have protected the city from Attila the Hun.

It was a very thriving city in the 1200’s because it was between Florence and Rome.  Many pilgrims stopped and stayed in the city for a few days on their pilgrimage.  Many wealthy families also lived there and that is why there were so many towers.  To build a tower was to prove that you had wealth and power.  It was a great competition to see who could build the tallest tower.

Inside the bottom of the tower there was a museum and about 4 different rooms with fresco’s in them.  One was of vice vs virtue of a young man leaving his parents home to go explore the world.  He instantly ends up getting his money stole from some prostitutes.  After he goes back home again it shows him marry a nice woman and living till the old age of 35, which was common during that time.

Since it was so foggy and rainy we didn’t get to see all of the towers at once, but you could see them if you walked close to them.  We even had the privilege of climbing up one.  Lots of steps and a ladder at the end to crawl underneath the bell to get to look out over the side.  It was a beautiful sight and well wroth the climb to the top.

After the tower climb I tried my first gelato, tiramisu.  It was so rich and creamy...yummy!  Then we had the 40 min bus ride back to Siena.  From there I had my first official night out in Siena.  We started out going to dinner, which I had lasagna again.  Then we went to a dance hall.  And everyone knows how much I like to dance.  We were lucky enough to find a live band that was playing American jazz, Johnny Cash and blues.  It was fun to do the twist and shout all the way over here in Italy. 

The band was really good.  Two guitar players, drummer and lead singer and piano player.  The piano player was wearing a white suit jacket with his hair slicked back..haha. He played with his hands, elbows and feet on the piano.  Very talented man, and also cute ;)

Sunday

Very relaxing day.  Homework, blogging, facebooking and a little shopping.  I bought my first purse from Italy today.  A red leather cross-body purse.  It is amazing.  Made in Italy and for a bargain :)  Well next I get to skype the family, Mom, Dad, Sarah, Brett, Taylor and Brody :)  So excited to see them all. 

P.S.  Please keep my sister in your prayers as she has knee surgery on Monday.  We all know its not fun.  Wish I could be there with her.

Long Week

FRIDAY!!!! It really has been a long week.  I feel like I have been in Siena for a month.  I have only been gone from the states for 10 days. 

Class today was not as much fun as I had hoped for.  I got pretty bummed out after I got my quiz back.  I had messed up an entire section.  I still did pass, but its just so difficult.  The whole week had caught up with me.  Learning another language can be very difficult, esp. if your not good at memorizing things.  Claudio did speak the most English he has ever spoken today but not while teaching.  We had a great discussion on the difference of culture from U.S to Italy and throughout Europe. 

Claudio is very concerned about all the children that drink Coke.  All the sugar that the U.S intakes and the diabetes is on the rise.  There really is so much less sugar in their diet here along with them using olive oil instead of butter. Claudio said this is their gold.   The climate is just right for growing olives.

Claudio also talked about the difference of pace.  His and most Italians view is that you only have 24 hours in a day, so you need to relax and just do what you can.  That is not how it is in the states....GO GO GO and make sure to get tomorrows work done today too.  Which I think I am hardwired to GO GO GO! My parents are the craziest (in a very good way) and most hardworking people. 

Also, he talked about how dinner is something special to be shared.  This is where we had something in common.  I think that my family is so close because we did gather around the dinner table and enjoy each others company.  I can still remember the seating chart and you could never change it or there would be disaster.  Such a special time from my life :)

Oh boy!

I am very tired tonight...it's 12:35 am here and 5:35 pm yesterday in NE (how crazy)!

Today was great.  Claudio helped me on my first quiz in Italy.  He said he wanted everyone to have a perfect score.  I can handle that kind of teacher.  :) I think I am starting to understand the language a little better.  I did order all in Italian last night at dinner.  Whoop, whoop!  I thought I ordered a glass of wine and whoops I ordered a pitcher of wine.  :)

This afternoon I went on a trip to Chianti Sculpture Park with a tasting of typical Tuscan food.  The sculpture park was amazing.  It was located about 40 mins from the walls of Siena up in the hills.  We had to take a very cruvey small road (was very car sick )! But it was well worth it.

The owner himself gave us a tour of the park.  You start on top of the hill and work your way down and then back up.  About every 50 yards there is a new piece of art.  The art is an integration of art and nature.

How they explain the park...

• Diversity of cultures
• Represented by artists from all over the world
• Variety of materials.
• Each artist has been invited to visit the wood in order to choose a location and subsequently submit a site-specific proposal.
• This accounts for the harmony of the sculptures with the trees, the sounds, the colours, the light, and other elements of the wood. 
• In fact, these man-made works do not extend beyond the limits of nature; rather, they integrate with it and enhance it.

Down the hill from the park was his house/gallery.  He lives, works and plays all in one place.  He had such beautiful art in his home as well as in the park.  He had an amazing view of the Tuscan mountains and hills.  His house is also a historical landmark, once a terracotta factory.  

We then had a tasting of typical Tuscan food.  We had bruschetta, cold meats, cheeses, olives, wine and croissants.  Then for a last treat we had oranges.  They where amazing, juicy and the best oranges I have ever had.

 

If you like art please check his websites out:

http://www.chiantisculpturepark.it/en-thepark.htm

http://www.solartgallery.it/

Good night!

P.S.  I am so glad that I was born and raised a country girl and from Nebraska.  I can not even count how many times I am thankful per day.  One point:  learning to pee outside and squat.  Point two:  leaning how to make the best out of a situation.  Point three:  well Nebraska people are just better.  :)