Non mi piace le ragazze

I don't like girls.

Or rather, I don't get along with girls, and I don't feel like I fit in with the girls here. OR rather, I don't get along with large groups of girls.

I've gotten to know my roommate Katie a lot better since we first moved in, and she's really sweet, but I don't feel like I can relate to the other girls in the program. A few of us went shopping today and I felt so awkward. They made me feel weird about everything I picked out (sorry I dress like I'm in my twenties and not sixteen) and I feel somewhat excluded. I know it's probably in my head, because Katie's assured me that no one has a problem with me, but it's not a very enjoyable experience. I just want Lara to get here on Tuesday so I can have a piece of home with me and spend time with someone who understands me. This city is so wonderful, and I still am enjoying it in spite of today, but I need to experience this city with people who allow me to get the most out of my experiences.

We're taking a train to Venice tomorrow, and I think it will definitely change my mood for the better. As historic and moving as Florence is, there are so many tourists (not that there won't be day-trippers in Venice) and so much movement that I'm having trouble taking it all in at times. Where's the pause button when you need it?

But I really do miss home. I've never appreciated being an American more, even though the Americans around me with their sneakers and cameras annoy the shit out of me. This experience is definitely changing me and allowing me to grow, but it's also confirming for me that I really do belong in Tallahassee, and the path that I'm going down is the one for me.

Maybe this is what people mean when they say you find yourself abroad.

Ciao,

Athena

Un lezione da un cuoco.

Buona sera,

Today was my second day of Culture in the Cuisine. The reading for the class was awfully boring, but I think I'm still going to enjoy it as a whole. Today we spent about an hour discussing the different social classes during the Italian Renaissance and how their economic status influenced the way they prepared their food. After our break we had a guest speaker come in, a chef and author who owns a restaurant down the street, and he spoke about renaissance customs involving food preparation. My professor, Sue, had to translate his lecture, but until I began falling asleep on my hand I understood a small amount of what he had to say.

At the end of the lecture, the only guy in our class asked him who cooked in his house--his wife or himself. The chef responded that his wife cooks, and went on to explain that although they have equality in their marriage, they do not have a modern marriage. He compared their lives to the sun and the moon, and rather than focusing on the fact that the moon revolves around the sun, he said that like the moon, his wife reflects the sun's light. He told us that the masculine force of the sun represents the things of the day, the fire and passion and physical labor associated with his role as the husband, and that his wife is like the moon, serene and calm and cooling. It was sweet, really, and he went on to mention that without masculine and feminine forces working together, their home would be unbalanced and could not properly function.

When he began explaining this to us, I thought he was going to tell us that his wife was dependent on him, but as Sue translated for us he said, "I do the masculine things. I pay the bills. But my wife keeps the money. She holds onto the money and gives it to me when I need to pay the bills." It's not often that you see people so dependent on each other and yet so comfortable in their roles, no matter how they define them. Plus, it's so very Italian of him to compare his marriage to the solar system. I feel like I'm walking around the set of Under The Tuscan Sun, with Italian men prancing about saying things like, "Francesca, your eyes are so beautiful...I wish I could swim in them."

Con affetto,

Athena

La storia del arte

Cara amici,

Today was my first day of Art History and I absolutely love it. I can already tell this is going to be an extremely challenging and enriching course and I'm going to love every minute of it. My professor, Nero (yes, like the tyrannical Roman emperor) expects a lot but I can tell he's going to give a lot as well. He told us that if we made an effort to get to know him and consult him about our work it would make a huge difference if our grade was borderline. I don't plan on having a borderline grade in this class, but he asked us a question and no one responded so I did. And he used my name in examples like ten times throughout the class. TEACHER'S PET TEACHER'S PET! I'd much better be a teacher's pet than the asshole guys who are studying here from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. They're seriously the poorest excuse for human beings and gentlemen that I've ever met in my life, and I don't appreciate them representing my university in another country.

I'm off to finish my reading for tomorrow and if I get it done I'm rewarding myself with some shopping. I think a leather bag is a good idea.

Ciao,

Athena

Un pezzo di informazione

Update:

Today I realized two things.

1. I accidentally purchased scented toilet paper at the grocery store. I don't think that's healthy.
2. Pumpkin stuffed ravioli purchased at the Mercato di San Lorenzo is legit. Mind you, that's fresh homemade pasta--not dried.

Going to read for class tomorrow!

Ciao,

Athena

Oggi e' stato il primo giorno delle lezioni.

Ciao ragazzi,

I had the most perfect morning today. I woke up at about 7:30 (YES Dad, 7:30. I was awake. And functioning, like I always said I was capable of) and put a pot of water on the stove for tea. I got dressed and had my green tea on my balcony while I checked my email. It was glorious. Florentine mornings are kind of chilly until you get in the sun, even though the days are pretty hot in the summer. I finished my tea and made breakfast--two pieces of toast and a peach--and ate with my roommates. We left the house at 8:30 and got to a pastichieri (pastery shop) where some of my classmates were getting espresso and breakfast. I had already eaten so I didn't want to get anything, but I absolutely am tomorrow.

The class I had today was Culture in the Cuisine, a history of the influences of Italian food. It's taught by the director of the program, Sue, and she's fantastic. Today we talked about the different elements that influence the progression of food and culture in Italy and the region that was Italy prior to its unification. We focused on geography, climate, and conquest which was extremely interesting. I can already tell I'm going to enjoy this class. After about an hour of discussion we made our way to il mercato di San Lorenzo, a huge market near the train station. At night it's not a very good area but during the day there are vendors selling leather goods, clothing, and shoes outside. We went into the indoor market where you can pretty much buy anything edible. There are meat vendors, fruit vendors, bakers, spice venders. It's absolutely amazing. I got a slice of pizza today with sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula. It was messy but delicious.

I'm done with class for today! Tomorrow is art history and I'm really excited. I'm heading back to my apartment to read on my balcony and rest for the afternoon. Oh, and on the way home I'm totally buying "un coca-cola". There are some things America definitely got right.

Baci,
Athena

Sono andata al supermercato.

I need to start leaving my windows open so that I actually wake up to the sunlight, because my room was pitch black this morning and I woke up at 12:30pm. I went grocery shopping today, which was quite a feat. You think you know a sufficient amount of Italian until you realize that you have to figure out the word for bleach to make sure the detergent you're buying is okay for colors. Also--note to self, remember to weigh and label fruit before you bring it to the register. The tiny differences in the way of life here are so strange, but I'm starting to figure it out.

We hiked up a hill to Basillica di San Miniato today, which is on a huge hill behind my house that overlooks the city. It was gorgeous and the architecture blows my mind. Where ever I end up and wherever I own a home, I want it to be covered in detail like the buildings are here. DOWN WITH SUBDIVISIONS I WANT CULTURE.

Anyway--classes start tomorrow and I'm really excited. My first course is Culture and Cuisine, and I'm ready to learn more about the food I'm eating and the traditions behind Italian dining. It should be a really cool experience.

I've been working on postcards and letters tonight so I'll try to get them out soon. I have to go to a Tabacchi stand to buy stamps and then drop them off in a mailbox around town. Look in your mailbox sometime in about two weeks if I requested your address :)

Baci,

Athena

Un viaggio a Fiesole

Today was wonderful. We took a bus to Fiesole, which is the small town that overlooks Florence from the mountains. The view was gorgeous (pictures are on facebook) and we saw the Roman Theatre and the Roman Baths. A group of us stayed and got lunch--Pizza Margherita, so delicious. We got bus tickets and rode about ten minutes back into the center of Florence. I walked around with some of the girls from my program and we went into a gelateria--it was touristy and overpriced so I didn't get anything, but I did speak to the woman in Italian which felt pretty awesome. I tried a sample of Crema gelato with a sauce called salsa di aceto balsamico--it's basically a sweet balsamic vinegar sauce which sounds crazy, but paired with the creamy gelato it was really nice. It didn't taste like vinegar when it was mixed.

There's a festival tonight near Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge in florence with shops lining the sides. It looked like it was going to storm a minute ago but it cleared up so hopefully tonight will stay nice.

Hopping in the shower and then getting dinner! I'm so ready for classes to start on Monday. I miss you all.

Ciao,

Athena

A casa mia

Even in Italy, I think one needs down time. Today was exhausting. We stayed out late last night and then had to be at orientation at 10:45. One of my roommates had an extra laptop connector for a 3-prong US cord so I'm back online at the house now. After orientation I met up with Sarah Papadelias in Piazza del Duomo for a few minutes, and then some of the girl in my program and I searched the city for an H&M for what felt like forever (we found one by Ponte Vecchio--totally worth it because I found a dress for 9,99). Today was my roommate Katie's birthday so we went out to eat at one of the nicer place that accepts our meal vouchers. Afterward we went to a few pubs and then my roommates walked me home early and went back out. The Florentine night life isn't going anywhere, and I really needed some me time. I kind of can't handle the amount of girl on this program, so I'm crawling into bed and watching a movie on iTunes. That's what's nice about calling Florence my home for the next six weeks. When I want to be at home I actually can be.

Con affetto,

Athena

Il numero di telefono

Ciao,

Day three in Florence! Yesterday was the feast day for San Giovanni, the patron saint of the city. There was a parade in the city but I wasn't feeling well so I went back to the apartment and watched the soccer game--pretty devastating. When Italy scored their last point my neighbors were screaming, but when Slovakia scored my entire street was silent.

We had a meal last night as a group in the Piazza della Senoria. Cheese filled ravioli with sage and a butter sauce--kind of perfect. There was also sausage and chicken but the ravioli was the best.

I got an Italian cell phone today and I can receive free calls and texts, although I don't know what it charges you so if you're interested in texting me look up the fees with your carrier. If you'd like my number send me an email or message me on facebook. If you're simply creeping this blog and I never talk to you don't expect to receive my number.

Okay, time for un panino and then more boring orientation. Classes start on Monday, so I'm excited to enjoy this weekend.

Ciao,
Athena

Un buon pranzo.

Just had the best lunch of my life at a little sandwich shop called Natalino--prosciutto, mozzarella, fresh basil, tomatoes, and pesto on salted artisan bread. I think I'm in love.

Katie and I got lost on our way to the study center today, but I asked for directions from several sweet Italians and figured it out. I'm pretty proud of myself for that. Plus I got to see more of the city which was awesome.

We had a brief orientation this morning and we have more in about an hour. There are about 6 people from other schools, in Pennsylvania and NY. The guys are Frat-tastic (Direct quote, "Dude...we really need to pregame more before we go out so we don't waste money," "Yeah, bro. But I thought we pregamed pretty hard last night. We finished like three handles,"). Pretty glad they're not in my apartment. They don't speak any Italian either.

Right now I'm signed up for three classes to complete my minor in Italian Studies, but I spoke to the director and she says three is pushing it as far as the work load is concerned. Because I'm planning on teaching English, a minor in Italian Language (which doesn't require nine credits in Florence) would probably be fine, rather than Italian Studies. I'll decide next week if I'll drop Italian Literature or Culture and Cuisine, but I'm absolutely keeping Art History.

I need to get an extra connector for my laptop charger (it has three prongs and my adapter only accepts two) and then I'll upload pictures. I'm at the study center right now. Also--the study center has the cutest library in the world and it smells like old books and I could sit there all day (this is a shout out to you, Michael Shea, because only you understand how un-lame it is to smell old books). Anyway, pictures coming soon and I miss you all!

Baci,
Athena

Il mio primo giorno a Firenze

Ciao!

It's 9:30 here and I'm functioning on 4 hours of sleep. I have wireless in my apartment which is a surprise, I wasn't planning on it. Florence is AMAZING. I was smiling from the moment I stepped off the plane. The first thing I noticed is that the air here smells so much better. It's fresher and clearer, which probably has something to do with the fact that it's not America, but also the altitude. On my flight in from Switzerland I saw the alps out my window. It was amazing. I can't believe I'm in this continent. I can't believe I've finally made it.

My roommate Katie and I (we have 2 more girls showing up this week) pretty much have the cutest apartment on the planet. Pictures will be uploaded soon to facebook and posted here. We have a balcony and the cutest kitchen I've seen in my life. House Hunters International has nothing on us. We got gelato this afternoon in Piazzale Michelangelo and then we took a stroll to find the study center. We ran into Sue, the director of the program and she showed us a cute little bar where we got dinner later that night. It was kind of awkward because I attempted to order in Italian and got flustered, so the waiter hated us for being American probably. But tomorrow is another day and I feel a lot more ready to jump into the culture and the language.

Bedtime for now! I'm exhausted and I have orientation tomorrow.

Buona notte,

Athena

Prima il mio viaggo in Italia

Ciao!

With only a few days before my trip to Italy this summer, I've decided to try my shot at this blogging thing (so hipster). I plan to use this blog to keep my family and friends (i.e., you) updated on my studies and adventures during my six weeks in Florence. I can't promise that I'll be able to update every day, but I'll try to make a few entries a week if possible. I'll hopefully be uploading pictures to my facebook regularly as well.

Baci,

Athena

la lontananza accresce l'amore.