I'm going to post a big ol' whopper about my break so far. You're going to love it. But uploading photos was really all I could get to tonight.
Until tomorrow? Hopefully?
Grace
so
14 years ago
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
It's Christmas Eve.
I'll try to catch you up very quickly on what's been happening with me.
I've spent glorious hours with camera in hand.
School let out after a day of singing and food and (yes, really) champagne in class.
I went to a Rotary Christmas lunch.
I saw another Caravaggio painting.
I went to Monza.
I got my hair cut by my friend Katharine from Maine.
I wrapped up all my Christmas gifts, and realized I'd lost one (still looking).
Marina bought me a coat for Christmas- she's really just too sweet.
I went and saw an art exhibition by Magritte, a really trippy french guy.
I made cookies with John and Mary.
I had Christmas Eve dinner with my tutor, Giorgio, and his family.
I went to Midnight Mass.
Still trying to write all my Christmas cards in time to give them to a friend who is going to America during vacation (She'll stick 'em in the post for me).
I'm tired. Details later.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
I love you all!
Grace
I've spent glorious hours with camera in hand.
School let out after a day of singing and food and (yes, really) champagne in class.
I went to a Rotary Christmas lunch.
I saw another Caravaggio painting.
I went to Monza.
I got my hair cut by my friend Katharine from Maine.
I wrapped up all my Christmas gifts, and realized I'd lost one (still looking).
Marina bought me a coat for Christmas- she's really just too sweet.
I went and saw an art exhibition by Magritte, a really trippy french guy.
I made cookies with John and Mary.
I had Christmas Eve dinner with my tutor, Giorgio, and his family.
I went to Midnight Mass.
Still trying to write all my Christmas cards in time to give them to a friend who is going to America during vacation (She'll stick 'em in the post for me).
I'm tired. Details later.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
I love you all!
Grace
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
I love Italy.
I hope I'm getting this point across.
Is it sinking in?
Are we on the same page here?
I have discovered that I don't just love the Italy you see in the travel books. Naturally, I love the Duomo. The Christmas lights over the canals get me every time. And I could spend an eternity in La Scala. But some of my most treasured moments are just part the normal routine. I like my walk to school. I hear men unloading trucks and by the way the streetlights look you could fool me into thinking it's nighttime still. I see the same people walking about the same time everyday and as I approach the metro I almost always see the owner of a nearby cafe wipe down his tables. I smile when I hear raised voices in the street outside my window. I get such a kick out of all the conversations I can manage to have in one day.
Today, I took the bus home. My ipod had died, so I pulled out a book and it was just as we were rounding the corner of Teatro Dell'Arte (cesare picco in concerto) that I looked up and observed my surroundings. I think that street has more trees than anywhere else in Milan. It wasn't raining (shocker) but the streets were wet. In the seat across from me sat an eldery Italian woman with a shawl and her thinning hair pulled up tight. I looked around at the others, everyone seeming lost in their own thoughts. Outside the windows I could see people in fur coats, high heels, leather shoes, but also those with unshaven faces, empty cups for change, and mats of newspaper. Nobody spoke on the bus. We trundled on, closer to my stop. Cafes, Pizzerias, Tabbachi, Metro stations, and traffic. Shoe store after shoe store. I hear the ring of a requested stop. I saw people get off and tuck their umbrellas under their arms. People got on and settled themselves into seats, sometimes letting out a sigh and setting their bags on their lap. I got up, pressed the red button, and as I took the short walk back to the Politis, I felt a very clear feeling of happy. Some happy feelings are just big explosions, or warm sleepy feelings. This was a thoughtful happy.
I guess it's starting to become real to me now (finally, eh?). Not just that I'm living it Italy, but that I like it. That I can do it. That it isn't that impossible to leave everything you know for everything you don't. Because a person learns. And the truth is, it's not all new. Most of it, but the important stuff stays the same. I'm still a friendly person. I still love a challenge. My good karma still rescues me just as often. And it's true when they say that people are people wherever you go. I'm also no longer worried that I'm not going to fit everything in. At the beginning I had a little anxiety that I wouldn't get to go everywhere that I would like to. This sentiment feels as foreign to me as Milan did when I felt it. I'm sure that I'm coming back to live in Italy for another chunk of time. Sure. Synonyms: positive, secure, without a doubt, confident (sometimes accompanied with "I can feel it in my bones.") I mean, I probably won't be in Milan again. My class keeps telling me that I have to get to Rome. Do you know how many Caravaggio paintings Rome has???
{side note:
You really don't need to be able to understand every single word a person says. You can almost always decipher their emotion, their personality-whether they are sarcastic, interested, easy-going, a goody two shoes, a little creepy, a party-goer, diligent, understanding, unsocial, or if they have a heart of gold. You can makes friends, strengthen bonds, and learn so much about a person without an enormous vocabulary. **facial expressions and body language- and Italians are SO good at this** p.s. this does NOT translate into "you don't need to learn Italian" but more like "don't stress"}
The moral of the story is: The big flashy stuff is great. I will never think of the Castello as anything short of spectacular, and as a tourist don't miss these things! But if you live here for a good chunk of time, enjoy the simple things too. Get to know people. Look out the windows. Walk down the narrow side streets. Go where the locals go. BECOME A LOCAL.
I bought film today and I'm stoked stoked stoked. Now I'm just praying for sunshine.
xxoo
Grace
Is it sinking in?
Are we on the same page here?
I have discovered that I don't just love the Italy you see in the travel books. Naturally, I love the Duomo. The Christmas lights over the canals get me every time. And I could spend an eternity in La Scala. But some of my most treasured moments are just part the normal routine. I like my walk to school. I hear men unloading trucks and by the way the streetlights look you could fool me into thinking it's nighttime still. I see the same people walking about the same time everyday and as I approach the metro I almost always see the owner of a nearby cafe wipe down his tables. I smile when I hear raised voices in the street outside my window. I get such a kick out of all the conversations I can manage to have in one day.
Today, I took the bus home. My ipod had died, so I pulled out a book and it was just as we were rounding the corner of Teatro Dell'Arte (cesare picco in concerto) that I looked up and observed my surroundings. I think that street has more trees than anywhere else in Milan. It wasn't raining (shocker) but the streets were wet. In the seat across from me sat an eldery Italian woman with a shawl and her thinning hair pulled up tight. I looked around at the others, everyone seeming lost in their own thoughts. Outside the windows I could see people in fur coats, high heels, leather shoes, but also those with unshaven faces, empty cups for change, and mats of newspaper. Nobody spoke on the bus. We trundled on, closer to my stop. Cafes, Pizzerias, Tabbachi, Metro stations, and traffic. Shoe store after shoe store. I hear the ring of a requested stop. I saw people get off and tuck their umbrellas under their arms. People got on and settled themselves into seats, sometimes letting out a sigh and setting their bags on their lap. I got up, pressed the red button, and as I took the short walk back to the Politis, I felt a very clear feeling of happy. Some happy feelings are just big explosions, or warm sleepy feelings. This was a thoughtful happy.
I guess it's starting to become real to me now (finally, eh?). Not just that I'm living it Italy, but that I like it. That I can do it. That it isn't that impossible to leave everything you know for everything you don't. Because a person learns. And the truth is, it's not all new. Most of it, but the important stuff stays the same. I'm still a friendly person. I still love a challenge. My good karma still rescues me just as often. And it's true when they say that people are people wherever you go. I'm also no longer worried that I'm not going to fit everything in. At the beginning I had a little anxiety that I wouldn't get to go everywhere that I would like to. This sentiment feels as foreign to me as Milan did when I felt it. I'm sure that I'm coming back to live in Italy for another chunk of time. Sure. Synonyms: positive, secure, without a doubt, confident (sometimes accompanied with "I can feel it in my bones.") I mean, I probably won't be in Milan again. My class keeps telling me that I have to get to Rome. Do you know how many Caravaggio paintings Rome has???
{side note:
You really don't need to be able to understand every single word a person says. You can almost always decipher their emotion, their personality-whether they are sarcastic, interested, easy-going, a goody two shoes, a little creepy, a party-goer, diligent, understanding, unsocial, or if they have a heart of gold. You can makes friends, strengthen bonds, and learn so much about a person without an enormous vocabulary. **facial expressions and body language- and Italians are SO good at this** p.s. this does NOT translate into "you don't need to learn Italian" but more like "don't stress"}
The moral of the story is: The big flashy stuff is great. I will never think of the Castello as anything short of spectacular, and as a tourist don't miss these things! But if you live here for a good chunk of time, enjoy the simple things too. Get to know people. Look out the windows. Walk down the narrow side streets. Go where the locals go. BECOME A LOCAL.
I bought film today and I'm stoked stoked stoked. Now I'm just praying for sunshine.
xxoo
Grace
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I am a different person
because of this past weekend.
Where do I begin and how do I explain it? My joy and love for the world just keeps growing!!! I'm thinking about the world from different places and viewpoints and it just keeps knocking me over and taking me back and my mind is shifting to a whole different level. I'm not sure how to describe the moment when I'm faced with something that astounds me and hits me to my core. There is a mixture of AWE in its purest form- first that this thing exists, and second that I GET TO SEE IT AND EXPERIENCE ITS POWER. My heart swells and it feels near explosion. I try my best to completely comprehend what I'm seeing- to try to understand, but sometimes there is just a wall and all I can realize it that I CAN'T appreciate this thing to the fullest. It is too far beyond all that I am familiar with. It is from the earth, but a different world.
So what am I blabbering about?? Well, here are the facts. The concrete things that happened-
Saturday:
Danielle and Katharine came into Milan and stayed at my house. First we walked around the city and had dinner at our favorite pizzeria before coming home for the night. We stayed up half the night just listening to music and talking. It was one of the best conversations I've ever had. I love these girls so much! When we get together we always seem to be able to share and express ourselves- from critical points in our lives, our opinions and beliefs, to our HOPE AND FAITH.
Sunday: We took a train from Milan to Brescia with my host family and some friends of theirs (including my 3rd host family). We saw (apart from the city itself which has some arches that are older than our American civilization) two main things. The first half of the day we spent in Santa Guilia- Museo Della Città . In the evening we went to Van Gogh exhibition. These last two sentences are heavy. They are immense. Read them! I still can't wrap my mind around it. I saw remnants of civilizations that existed more than 2000 years before- IN THE SAME CITY. ON THE SAME EARTH. I saw incredible pieces of art that were created before Christ was born. I saw mosaic tiled floors that were so beautiful, complex, and perfect that I just wanted to cry. I saw a cieling covered in precious blue stones that NO LONGER EXIST. I was face to face with Corinthian columns -with some of the first bronze scultures ever made in the history of our world- with the history of Santa Giulia who was stoned and crucified for her unfaltering belief in Jesus Christ. I touched parts of buildings that were constructed by laborors more than 2,000 years ago! Is this getting through?! Because I'm not sure I still understand! AHHH. And then, after a break- walking through the city and stepping into a cafè- we returned to see the Van Gogh exhibit. Emotion. From the most hopeless portraits to the most vibrant countryside, I was struck immediately by a particular feeling with each piece. You can see things in a textbook or even in one of those big ol' books on the B&N sales rack- but nothing hits you like the real thing. I can't even begin to explain. His hands created something I was a foot away from. His skies. His faces. The hands. The colors.
This weekend- there are not words, but I did my best to try to describe what it meant to me.
As for other parts of life, this is my last week of school before the holidays. I have two Italian lessons left with Rotary. I'm scrambling around trying to get my Christmas shopping done. The nativities here are so cool, I'll post a photo soon. Pretty much I'm feeling like one of the luckiest people alive and I can't stop counting my blessings.
Love,
Grace
Where do I begin and how do I explain it? My joy and love for the world just keeps growing!!! I'm thinking about the world from different places and viewpoints and it just keeps knocking me over and taking me back and my mind is shifting to a whole different level. I'm not sure how to describe the moment when I'm faced with something that astounds me and hits me to my core. There is a mixture of AWE in its purest form- first that this thing exists, and second that I GET TO SEE IT AND EXPERIENCE ITS POWER. My heart swells and it feels near explosion. I try my best to completely comprehend what I'm seeing- to try to understand, but sometimes there is just a wall and all I can realize it that I CAN'T appreciate this thing to the fullest. It is too far beyond all that I am familiar with. It is from the earth, but a different world.
So what am I blabbering about?? Well, here are the facts. The concrete things that happened-
Saturday:
Danielle and Katharine came into Milan and stayed at my house. First we walked around the city and had dinner at our favorite pizzeria before coming home for the night. We stayed up half the night just listening to music and talking. It was one of the best conversations I've ever had. I love these girls so much! When we get together we always seem to be able to share and express ourselves- from critical points in our lives, our opinions and beliefs, to our HOPE AND FAITH.
Sunday: We took a train from Milan to Brescia with my host family and some friends of theirs (including my 3rd host family). We saw (apart from the city itself which has some arches that are older than our American civilization) two main things. The first half of the day we spent in Santa Guilia- Museo Della Città . In the evening we went to Van Gogh exhibition. These last two sentences are heavy. They are immense. Read them! I still can't wrap my mind around it. I saw remnants of civilizations that existed more than 2000 years before- IN THE SAME CITY. ON THE SAME EARTH. I saw incredible pieces of art that were created before Christ was born. I saw mosaic tiled floors that were so beautiful, complex, and perfect that I just wanted to cry. I saw a cieling covered in precious blue stones that NO LONGER EXIST. I was face to face with Corinthian columns -with some of the first bronze scultures ever made in the history of our world- with the history of Santa Giulia who was stoned and crucified for her unfaltering belief in Jesus Christ. I touched parts of buildings that were constructed by laborors more than 2,000 years ago! Is this getting through?! Because I'm not sure I still understand! AHHH. And then, after a break- walking through the city and stepping into a cafè- we returned to see the Van Gogh exhibit. Emotion. From the most hopeless portraits to the most vibrant countryside, I was struck immediately by a particular feeling with each piece. You can see things in a textbook or even in one of those big ol' books on the B&N sales rack- but nothing hits you like the real thing. I can't even begin to explain. His hands created something I was a foot away from. His skies. His faces. The hands. The colors.
This weekend- there are not words, but I did my best to try to describe what it meant to me.
As for other parts of life, this is my last week of school before the holidays. I have two Italian lessons left with Rotary. I'm scrambling around trying to get my Christmas shopping done. The nativities here are so cool, I'll post a photo soon. Pretty much I'm feeling like one of the luckiest people alive and I can't stop counting my blessings.
Love,
Grace
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Where did I leave off?
So I got sick this week. It wasn't even that bad, but my host mom got really worried. Which was nice of her. I stayed home a couple days and slept a lot as I hacked up half my lungs. I'm feeling a lot better. Yesterday I went with my host family to the countryside and it was the closest thing I have seen to VA in a long time. I walked through FIELDS. My shoes were MUDDY. I can't even tell you how good it felt. It was spiritual. Today I went out with friends but only under the condition that I wore this enormous abominable snowman coat of Marina's. I didn't try to fight it. I would have lost. I don't plan on wearing it again. But I think I'll be able to avoid it, because all Marina said when I got home was "Now you know it is a choice if it is very very cold." Well, obviously not in English. And I replied "Yes Marina, I know it exists." and we both laughed. I'm still a little stuffed up and sniffly but most of the coughing has gone away. :)
Everyday there are more Christmas lights up in Milan. I absolutely love it. It's officially Christmas time! I am ready for all of the carols and the snow and the telling everyone just how much you love and appreciate them. Speaking of which, I love and appreciate all of you who are reading from back home! I walk around this city and I feel so exceptionally blessed. It'll just be a normal ol' day and then I'll turn the corner of a street and the view will take my breath away. The Castello has lights up that change with the music. I'll have to go and take a video because it's just too cool. As for photos and all that, I can finally put up some Duomo photos I took a couple weeks ago. Enjoy!
Love,
Grace
Everyday there are more Christmas lights up in Milan. I absolutely love it. It's officially Christmas time! I am ready for all of the carols and the snow and the telling everyone just how much you love and appreciate them. Speaking of which, I love and appreciate all of you who are reading from back home! I walk around this city and I feel so exceptionally blessed. It'll just be a normal ol' day and then I'll turn the corner of a street and the view will take my breath away. The Castello has lights up that change with the music. I'll have to go and take a video because it's just too cool. As for photos and all that, I can finally put up some Duomo photos I took a couple weeks ago. Enjoy!
Love,
Grace
Saturday, November 29, 2008
One Of The Most Ridiculous Things I've Ever Tried To Do
is learn German IN Italian. When your mother-tongue isn't involved AT ALL it makes it a lot harder for information to stick in the brain. I feel like the all the words just slosh around long enough to find an escape route and leave. So that is why I'm extremely happy with myself because I studied only German last night and during first block, and during second block I did a vocabulary test AND an oral exam and I think that (if we were to convert my grades to the American system) I got at least a C on both tests. Maybe more. In America I would be disappointed, but I'm feeling pretty ecstatic about it here.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving + Snow
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful day and I have so much to be thankful for this year especially. About 10 of us exchangers met at Mary's house after a morning of cooking and celebrated together. It felt so nice to be together and it was OK to miss our families because we've made a new type of family here through this experience. I just felt really happy all day long thinking of everything I'm grateful for and all of the things I've been blessed with.
Then to top if off, I woke up this morning to it SNOWING! It's snowed once before but it was quite insignificant. But today it's been coming down for hours and it's so beautiful. I doubt it will stick but it sure is fun to watch! It looks like Milan starts winter before Ashland does, anyhow. I am COLD.
Ciao!
Grace
Then to top if off, I woke up this morning to it SNOWING! It's snowed once before but it was quite insignificant. But today it's been coming down for hours and it's so beautiful. I doubt it will stick but it sure is fun to watch! It looks like Milan starts winter before Ashland does, anyhow. I am COLD.
Ciao!
Grace
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
una brutta cosa
Since I have arrived, two people have commited suicide by throwing themselves in front of the metro. This has really shaken me and is just an example of the crazy things you encounter when you leave your small town.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Cold & So Beautiful I Can't Stand It!
So it's Sunday night and I need to write about my weekend while all of the memories are crisp and fresh. (Another thing that is crisp and fresh is Milan. Today was the most beautiful weather I think I've ever seen here. But don't let me get ahead of myself. We must start with yesterday.)
I met Katharine and Danielle in the Amsterdam airport. They were so interesting and just super nice and I was totally stoked to be living in Milan with them. But then, as I discovered later, not everyone lives in the city. They both live in areas outside of the city and a good distance from me. So finally we made plans for them to come into Milan and stay a night with me. I asked Marina and she said yes!
Saturday after school Danielle's mom brought both of them to my house and Jody came too. We took the cutest walk through Brera (one of my favorite parts of the city), ending up at the famous art museum La Pinacoteca di Brera. We spent a good two hours+ enjoying every single room in the museum. We discussed the paintings and beyond. For me, it was (shockingly) my first museum and I was just so excited to finally be there, I could hardly contain myself. The art feels different here. Amazing art can be found in many museums, but here in Italy it all feels so connected. I don't know how to explain it. It feels so much more real, the religious paintings feel so much more significant, and the artists are Italian. It is rooted in their history and their culture. When I see a painting in D.C. I marvel at it, don't get me wrong. It's impossible not to appreciate Leonardo. But guess what? Now I'm appreciating Leonardo in the country where he lived. When I look at his art, I realize that somewhere here in Italy, centuries ago, Leonardo was changing the world. I'm here, and he was here. I saw The Last Supper. I was in a room that he spent 3 years of his life working in! UM HELLO? And this isn't even just about Da Vinci. So much of the art just made such of an impression. Together we moved from room from room, and we were noticing all the little details that so many paintings had in common. Our questions accumulated as we all lamented our lack of Bible knowledge. There are so many signs and special details that the artists added and we just couldn't stop wondering, " Why, what does this mean?"
After that delightful experience (p.s. we saw Il Bacio) we met up with John and Kylee and went to a pizzeria. It was a lot of fun and I think we all were just ridin' the feel good wave. We couldn't stop talking about how lucky we were. As we walked home, Danielle, Katharine, and I had one of those talks that seem to encompass so many big life themes and the sharing of ideas, experiences, and perspectives. I hadn't had such a good talk since I arrived.
We woke up at 7:30 AM to the sound of Ben Harper on my alarm clock. By 9:10 we were outside the Duomo and were already amazed by the sunshiney weather. The sky was a bright and clear and the cold breeze blew on our faces, giving us pink cheeks. We met Jody and Kylee in front of the Duomo. And after running through some crowds of pigeons just to see them fly, we went to the back of the Duomo and bought tickets to climb the stairs and go on the roof. The only time I had done this before was with Giorgio and my Rotary club one dark rainy night. This morning the weather couldn't have been better and it did not disappoint. I would camp on the Duomo roof if someone let me. I'd get all kinds of frostbite/flu combinations if there was 24hr availability to the roof of the Duomo. It is truly amazing and although I took photo after photo no recreation came close. I saw the snowtopped peaks of the Alps. I looked down and saw marathon runners following a course around the Galleria. I saw churches and bell towers galore. I could see the Castello. And the marble gleamed under the brilliant sun.
I will continue this tomorrow, I need to go to bed.
OK, sorry for the wait.
So the highlights of Sunday went on to include seeing La Conversione Di Saulo by Caravaggio which was an incredible experience. There was an enormous line in the Piazza della Scala to view the painting. We also took a stroll down Via Torino (we bought roasted chesnuts and linked arms. and yes we sang a xmas song) and saw the canals under a darkening sky. We just keep imagining how wonderful everything will look when all the Christmas lights are lit. Right now they just keep appearing in different places hung on metal skeleton structures. I want them to light up!
I think that covers it.
Moral of the Story: I had a great weekend and I might just be the luckiest person in the universe.
Thank you Rotary!
I met Katharine and Danielle in the Amsterdam airport. They were so interesting and just super nice and I was totally stoked to be living in Milan with them. But then, as I discovered later, not everyone lives in the city. They both live in areas outside of the city and a good distance from me. So finally we made plans for them to come into Milan and stay a night with me. I asked Marina and she said yes!
Saturday after school Danielle's mom brought both of them to my house and Jody came too. We took the cutest walk through Brera (one of my favorite parts of the city), ending up at the famous art museum La Pinacoteca di Brera. We spent a good two hours+ enjoying every single room in the museum. We discussed the paintings and beyond. For me, it was (shockingly) my first museum and I was just so excited to finally be there, I could hardly contain myself. The art feels different here. Amazing art can be found in many museums, but here in Italy it all feels so connected. I don't know how to explain it. It feels so much more real, the religious paintings feel so much more significant, and the artists are Italian. It is rooted in their history and their culture. When I see a painting in D.C. I marvel at it, don't get me wrong. It's impossible not to appreciate Leonardo. But guess what? Now I'm appreciating Leonardo in the country where he lived. When I look at his art, I realize that somewhere here in Italy, centuries ago, Leonardo was changing the world. I'm here, and he was here. I saw The Last Supper. I was in a room that he spent 3 years of his life working in! UM HELLO? And this isn't even just about Da Vinci. So much of the art just made such of an impression. Together we moved from room from room, and we were noticing all the little details that so many paintings had in common. Our questions accumulated as we all lamented our lack of Bible knowledge. There are so many signs and special details that the artists added and we just couldn't stop wondering, " Why, what does this mean?"
After that delightful experience (p.s. we saw Il Bacio) we met up with John and Kylee and went to a pizzeria. It was a lot of fun and I think we all were just ridin' the feel good wave. We couldn't stop talking about how lucky we were. As we walked home, Danielle, Katharine, and I had one of those talks that seem to encompass so many big life themes and the sharing of ideas, experiences, and perspectives. I hadn't had such a good talk since I arrived.
We woke up at 7:30 AM to the sound of Ben Harper on my alarm clock. By 9:10 we were outside the Duomo and were already amazed by the sunshiney weather. The sky was a bright and clear and the cold breeze blew on our faces, giving us pink cheeks. We met Jody and Kylee in front of the Duomo. And after running through some crowds of pigeons just to see them fly, we went to the back of the Duomo and bought tickets to climb the stairs and go on the roof. The only time I had done this before was with Giorgio and my Rotary club one dark rainy night. This morning the weather couldn't have been better and it did not disappoint. I would camp on the Duomo roof if someone let me. I'd get all kinds of frostbite/flu combinations if there was 24hr availability to the roof of the Duomo. It is truly amazing and although I took photo after photo no recreation came close. I saw the snowtopped peaks of the Alps. I looked down and saw marathon runners following a course around the Galleria. I saw churches and bell towers galore. I could see the Castello. And the marble gleamed under the brilliant sun.
I will continue this tomorrow, I need to go to bed.
OK, sorry for the wait.
So the highlights of Sunday went on to include seeing La Conversione Di Saulo by Caravaggio which was an incredible experience. There was an enormous line in the Piazza della Scala to view the painting. We also took a stroll down Via Torino (we bought roasted chesnuts and linked arms. and yes we sang a xmas song) and saw the canals under a darkening sky. We just keep imagining how wonderful everything will look when all the Christmas lights are lit. Right now they just keep appearing in different places hung on metal skeleton structures. I want them to light up!
I think that covers it.
Moral of the Story: I had a great weekend and I might just be the luckiest person in the universe.
Thank you Rotary!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Trains & Cremona & Blue Skies
Being intelligent really is a valuable thing. Sometimes I can pull it off. Sometimes it is simply beyond me. During my trip to Cremona, well- it was out of sight completely. Jody and I managed to get off at the wrong train station. We got confused by our tickets and didn't quite get to Cremona on the first try. But the station didn't look right so I asked a nearby man where we were and if, say I wanted to get to Cremona, was this the wrong place to be. It was. So after having a good laugh at the situation we set off to find the information desk. I explained it all to the man behind the window and asked which was the next train to Cremona. After telling us we'd been stamping our tickets wrong (and not to do it again), he pointed out the window to the train adjacent to him and said that it went to Cremona. We setting off running down the stairs, Jody calling out that the train was about to leave and we had to hurry! When we ran up another staircase we found ourselves on the other side of the station and NOT near our train. We ran back to the information desk. I asked some teenage boys HOW to get to our train. I glanced at the man at the information desk and he was pointing to the door RIGHT NEXT TO HIM. Right in front of us. The obvious choice.
We hurried onto the train, in case the stupid-people-haters were out to get us. It was intensely hysterical. But then once we got on the train it was completely empty. It was JUST us on the entire train. First we took advantage of this, taking photos and dancing around. But then we started to wonder where this train REALLY went- probably to some unknown location where the information desk man waited for us. *creepy music* We were relieved when we finally got to Cremona. The station was much less sketchy than where we were before. We went and waited by the newspaper stand where we were supposed to meet this girl Margot. Jody asked if I was sure we were in Cremona, because she hadn't seen the sign. I went up to the newspaper stand man and asked once again, "Dove siamo?" (Where ARE WE? Why am I always asking this question?).
Luckily, we were in fact in Cremona- But we had no money on our cell phones and we were kind of just waiting for one of the girls to either call us or meet us. Nobody met us. Nobody called. And after a good half hour by the newspaper stand we went into the warmth of the train station café instead. We sat there for a while, then decided we better go find some payphones. Finally, as we were calling Margot walked up. Relief. Then we went back to her house with her while she explained that she and Elise had a mix up and thought the other was picking us up. Let me just say that the kids in Cremona have it MADE. Their houses are ridiculously huge, first of all. Margot's place could fit like 6 or 7 families. It's like a maze, too. Margot showed us around and opened the door to one room she "seriously discovered 2 days ago." I could have paid for this trip with the change found under the cushions of these people's couches.
So then after dropping all of our stuff off we met up with the other 3 kids in Cremona and got something to eat. Then we went to Brandon's house and hung out there for a while with his Italian brother and all of his friends. After that we headed into the center, where just about everyone goes every Saturday night. It was a fun night. Cremona is just really cute and everyone was really nice. I spent the night at Margot's and the next day we all went to the center and climbed up the church bell tower, which they say is the highest brick building in Europe. After climbing it, I believed it. The view from the top was amazing and we could see all of Cremona. We got some pizza and gelato before Jody and I had to catch a train back to Milan. I really enjoyed hanging out with the kids from Cremona and I have a feeling we'll be taking some trips together in the future. :)
Today was a BEAUTIFUL day. The weather was truly a blessing. The sun shone and there was a chilly wind but not too cold and the sky was easter egg blue. I couldn't even contain myself. I got home from school and immediately called Marco to tell him I was going running. I trecked back across the city to go to the track by the Polytechnical Institute, where the Politi's like me to go since there are always tons of people. I didn't mind. It was so worth it. I got home not too long ago, showered, and drank some lemon tea. I'm feeling rather good and am completely satisfied with how my Monday has gone so far.
:) I'll steal some of Jody's photos of Cremona as soon as I can. I couldn't take photos because my batteries went dead after the train.
Ciao, Bacci!
Grace
We hurried onto the train, in case the stupid-people-haters were out to get us. It was intensely hysterical. But then once we got on the train it was completely empty. It was JUST us on the entire train. First we took advantage of this, taking photos and dancing around. But then we started to wonder where this train REALLY went- probably to some unknown location where the information desk man waited for us. *creepy music* We were relieved when we finally got to Cremona. The station was much less sketchy than where we were before. We went and waited by the newspaper stand where we were supposed to meet this girl Margot. Jody asked if I was sure we were in Cremona, because she hadn't seen the sign. I went up to the newspaper stand man and asked once again, "Dove siamo?" (Where ARE WE? Why am I always asking this question?).
Luckily, we were in fact in Cremona- But we had no money on our cell phones and we were kind of just waiting for one of the girls to either call us or meet us. Nobody met us. Nobody called. And after a good half hour by the newspaper stand we went into the warmth of the train station café instead. We sat there for a while, then decided we better go find some payphones. Finally, as we were calling Margot walked up. Relief. Then we went back to her house with her while she explained that she and Elise had a mix up and thought the other was picking us up. Let me just say that the kids in Cremona have it MADE. Their houses are ridiculously huge, first of all. Margot's place could fit like 6 or 7 families. It's like a maze, too. Margot showed us around and opened the door to one room she "seriously discovered 2 days ago." I could have paid for this trip with the change found under the cushions of these people's couches.
So then after dropping all of our stuff off we met up with the other 3 kids in Cremona and got something to eat. Then we went to Brandon's house and hung out there for a while with his Italian brother and all of his friends. After that we headed into the center, where just about everyone goes every Saturday night. It was a fun night. Cremona is just really cute and everyone was really nice. I spent the night at Margot's and the next day we all went to the center and climbed up the church bell tower, which they say is the highest brick building in Europe. After climbing it, I believed it. The view from the top was amazing and we could see all of Cremona. We got some pizza and gelato before Jody and I had to catch a train back to Milan. I really enjoyed hanging out with the kids from Cremona and I have a feeling we'll be taking some trips together in the future. :)
Today was a BEAUTIFUL day. The weather was truly a blessing. The sun shone and there was a chilly wind but not too cold and the sky was easter egg blue. I couldn't even contain myself. I got home from school and immediately called Marco to tell him I was going running. I trecked back across the city to go to the track by the Polytechnical Institute, where the Politi's like me to go since there are always tons of people. I didn't mind. It was so worth it. I got home not too long ago, showered, and drank some lemon tea. I'm feeling rather good and am completely satisfied with how my Monday has gone so far.
:) I'll steal some of Jody's photos of Cremona as soon as I can. I couldn't take photos because my batteries went dead after the train.
Ciao, Bacci!
Grace
Friday, November 14, 2008
Well folks,
We have entered the rainy season. For the past two weeks, it's just been plain gross. Now don't get me wrong, the cold I love. I can handle that. I'm ready for the upcoming months of hot beverages and seeing my breath and wearing earmuffs. I'm so down for that. But getting my feet wet every single morning on the way to school is just not fun. As my lovely new friend Jody said "If the sky was a person, it'd be dying". I have begun cheerful morning tactics to combat the near inevitable horrible mood from wet feet. I'll listen to podcasts of Lake Woebegon or Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!. God Bless NPR. I always show up at school smiling. (Although, my English has improved since I began doing this, and I'm not sure if it's entirely in my best interest).
But some lovely things have happened lately and continue to happen just in time to raise my spirits (wet feet and all). I saw Ra Ra Riot last night, an American band playing here in Milan. It was actually at a not-so-popular discoteca in the outskirts of the city. I went with Paulo, a boy I know who lives mega close to the place and a couple other people. After waiting entirely too long and having to suffer the Italian who played as an introduction- Ra Ra Riot took the stage, and I really just loved the whole thing from that point on. :)
School is getting both better and worse. I'm getting to the point where I can start to try. I can understand everything
about half the time even if some key concepts, context, and advanced vocabulary still passes me by. I can usually get a twisted version of what they are talking about, so I feel good. The trouble is, now I have to work. Hahaha. The teachers have caught on so they all keep asking me things and then I get overwhelmed. For example, the Philosophy teachers seems to think that I know what is going on in her class and has said very nicely that I can take a test whenever I want. I might understand a conversation they have in class, but I have absolutely no idea what theme we are discussing, which philosopher, or what the test would be about. Not to mention that I have to look up about half the words everytime I open the text book. Fortunately, she isn't the pushy type and I think I'll just start by trying to explain a paragraph I read in the book, etc. The point is, I'm starting to study more than just Italian these days. In fact, in a few minutes Marina is going to help me do my German, because (as usual) I have no idea what is going on. I must say I am enjoying the bizarre experience of being clueless. It really is an eye-opener for me about anyone who decides to come to America and tries to learn English. Seriously, Bravo.
This weekend I'm going to Cremona! I'm pretty excited :) I'll try to take a lot of photos to share with you. Thanks again for reading and I'll try to keep updating as often. I'm beginning to cough these days, and I'm sure the same cold season has begun back home. Everyone drink tea! And buy some Ricola!
Love from Grace
But some lovely things have happened lately and continue to happen just in time to raise my spirits (wet feet and all). I saw Ra Ra Riot last night, an American band playing here in Milan. It was actually at a not-so-popular discoteca in the outskirts of the city. I went with Paulo, a boy I know who lives mega close to the place and a couple other people. After waiting entirely too long and having to suffer the Italian who played as an introduction- Ra Ra Riot took the stage, and I really just loved the whole thing from that point on. :)
School is getting both better and worse. I'm getting to the point where I can start to try. I can understand everything
about half the time even if some key concepts, context, and advanced vocabulary still passes me by. I can usually get a twisted version of what they are talking about, so I feel good. The trouble is, now I have to work. Hahaha. The teachers have caught on so they all keep asking me things and then I get overwhelmed. For example, the Philosophy teachers seems to think that I know what is going on in her class and has said very nicely that I can take a test whenever I want. I might understand a conversation they have in class, but I have absolutely no idea what theme we are discussing, which philosopher, or what the test would be about. Not to mention that I have to look up about half the words everytime I open the text book. Fortunately, she isn't the pushy type and I think I'll just start by trying to explain a paragraph I read in the book, etc. The point is, I'm starting to study more than just Italian these days. In fact, in a few minutes Marina is going to help me do my German, because (as usual) I have no idea what is going on. I must say I am enjoying the bizarre experience of being clueless. It really is an eye-opener for me about anyone who decides to come to America and tries to learn English. Seriously, Bravo.
This weekend I'm going to Cremona! I'm pretty excited :) I'll try to take a lot of photos to share with you. Thanks again for reading and I'll try to keep updating as often. I'm beginning to cough these days, and I'm sure the same cold season has begun back home. Everyone drink tea! And buy some Ricola!
Love from Grace
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
???
So I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I go home and have to start eating lunch at school again. I mean, I think of the lunch line and cringe. I imagine packing my lunch and I'm puzzled. What is going to happen when I don't get to go back to the house for a home-cooked meal? Where am I going to find the same mozzarella?! How am I going to recreate a portable version of all of the Italian goodness?
I just don't know.
I just don't know.
Monday, November 3, 2008
This past week
was really great for me. Going to Como was an enormous treat, and I've been staying really busy in and out of school. My lessons with Suora Ada are getting so much easier to do. I really feel like I've accomplished a lot with my Italian and now I am beginning to study and perfect my past and future tenses. When I got here, I didn't bother with trying to learn anything but the present. When I needed to explain something about the past or future I just announced it. I would say "In the past" and then continue on with present tense. It was ridiculous to try to memorize anything else at that point. I picked up on passato prossimo quickly enough and I use that any chance I get. But now I feel very comfortable studying futuro, imperfetto, etc. and it feels so much easier to process. In school, during my free period, Jody and I studied different tenses of "dire", "potere", and "fare" which are the verbs "to tell", "to be able to", and "to make, do". We spent probably less than an hour drilling, but when I went to my lesson this evening with Suora Ada I was able to use what I learned so easily! Living here does tend to invite opportunities for ongoing practice. I am also trying to make what I say not just understandable- but correct. My grammar isn't the best yet. BUT I AM FEELING SO GOOD. It's not yet been 2 months for me, and I already feel like I have come so far. So you have caught me at a moment of great satisfaction. I know this is manageable- I just have to tackle all of my challenges one by one and have patience with myself. This is one of those things that doesn't happen overnight. But maybe it can happen over 10 months! :)
Ciao,
Grace
Ciao,
Grace
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Latest
My tutor is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Thank you Rotary for your impeccable system. I've been having minor difficulties with my family situation, so I went to my tutor, Giorgio and his wife Valeria. We talked through them and found a solution. Giorgio also said that if I ever just need a weekend away I can stay with them. He'll even take me up to his house in Como. (Yes, he really does go to the same golf club as George Clooney. And right now Giorgio is in Rome for an important meeting with the new pope- he has a photo of himself with the last one on his mantel. Also the President of Czech Rep. wants Giorgio to be on the Italian Consulate, I think. So he's going to Czech and is going to see if I can come too. I said to him "Giorgio, You're a big deal!" and he says "No, you should talk to my wife. She is much better. And all of this *gesturing to his house, etc* is not important. You come into this world with nothing, and you leave it with nothing. The only thing that lasts is the love in the hearts of your friends and family") So Giorgio is great. And now I hope that my own family dynamic will be a lot smoother these next two months. After I talked with him, I went out with his daughter Ludovica on her vespa to have dinner with her two cousins. It was nice, they have a beautiful dog, they were really friendly, and we all made fools of ourselves with a kareoke machine.
Also, because of all these Italian protests/festivities I will not be going back to school until Monday, and it's Wednesday so you KNOW I'm happy about that one. I baked my class chocolate chip cookies and brought in a lot of different candies to wish everyone and good vacation and and Happy Halloween! I'm still not sure what I'll be doing for the next few days, but I'm pretty sure a daytrip to Como is on the agenda, as is finding a horror movie/cinema. We'll see. I will be sleeping in tomorrow, no doubt about it. As for now, I have a lesson in an hour, so I better get myself together.
I love you all!
Grace
Also, because of all these Italian protests/festivities I will not be going back to school until Monday, and it's Wednesday so you KNOW I'm happy about that one. I baked my class chocolate chip cookies and brought in a lot of different candies to wish everyone and good vacation and and Happy Halloween! I'm still not sure what I'll be doing for the next few days, but I'm pretty sure a daytrip to Como is on the agenda, as is finding a horror movie/cinema. We'll see. I will be sleeping in tomorrow, no doubt about it. As for now, I have a lesson in an hour, so I better get myself together.
I love you all!
Grace
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Photos!
OK, so some of these are obviously of La Scala, the theatre house here in Milan. I'm pretty sure I wasn't allowed to take photos- so to get the full gravity of the situation you should google it, because I had to sneak these and I don't think they portay the absolute magnificence of the place. The big box with the fancy chairs that you see, is meant for guests of honor- like the Queen of England. The fiat 500 is officially my dream car. The other shots are just photos I took walking around near my school.
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