Update

OK,

So I do have some more Menaggio photos on the way, but they might take a while. And Cremona photos too! We all (Rotary kids) took a day trip to Cremona like a week or two ago. The Stradivarius comes from Cremona, and it's still a violin-making hot spot. We got to see a violin workshop and a violin- maker spoke to us about his job and answered our questions. Then we went to the museum where we saw some of the most ancient, beautiful, and valuable violins in the entire world. Really amazing. Then we tried to go up the tower (I'd already done it) but it was closing. Poor Murnik tried so hard, saying stuff like "Oh c'mon. They're young! They'll be up and down in a blink of an eye." But it didn't work. So we had a bit of free time and I went to check out this fabulous tea shop with Halcy and Danielle, while walking halfway across the city (this isn't saying much, really). We met back up with everyone and went to a local place for dinner. Yum yum.

Danielle spent the night at my place because her host family was out of town, so we got up early and made my host family pancakes. Not sure how much they liked them. The term "brunch" just didn't sit well with my host dad. He was all disoriented. Haha. Well, we tried. Danielle and I, at least, ate our banana pancakes with gusto. Actually now that I'm really thinking about it, banana pancakes are so UN-Italian that the confused look on Claudio's face is completely understandable. Besides, Italians aren't used to condensing two meals into one. Expanding two meals into three, MAYBE.

This past week in school I got an 8 in Philosophy! So that made me pretty happy. And an 8 in English, and I know I have a slightly gigantic advantage there, but she grades me hard people! Anyways, the grade really doesn't matter. The important part was how she went on about how proud she was that I have "really adapted to the European school system" and that I should take home the habit of "profound thinking" back to the states. What a cutie, eh? We were studying Shakespeare and I really can't help but get excited about that.

This past Saturday was a holiday here. It the celebration of the day that marked the beginning of the end of WWII. Guess what day that is? When the Americans arrived in Milan! I felt especially patriotic. But anyways, it pretty much meant that I was treated to an American weekend (No school on Saturday!). It was quite strange, I mus tell you, to be going out on Friday night. I had to rely on muscle memory, if you will. It was a lot of fun. I went out with Isa and my host brother and a whole bunch of their mutual friends to a kareoke bar (yes I did this) and then crashed at Isa's place real close by. We're talking about 12 people sleeping in one room. Gosh, it took me back to the days when my older brothers would have friends over and I'd tiptoe through the family room the next morning over endless teenage boys on the floor, sofa, armchair...good times. But anyways, I lucked out because I got to sleep on the bed with 3 other girls. The next day I went through the Duomo area and saw the end of some anti-fascism demonstration that was going on. Lots of dreds. I took a picture of people milling about after. Maybe I'll post it, just so you can see. I met up with a couple of exchangers and Italian host siblings for a quick aperativo near the Peace Arc. Sunday was rainy and I did very close to nothing all day.

I'm very excited for Rome, which I will leave for on Thursday!!!

Gosh, in general, I'm great! The weather, for the most part, has been beautiful which means I'm insanely chipper all the time. Nearly every time I come home I exclaim "Ma che bel tempo!!!" (What beautiful weather!).

Spring has arrived.
and Grace is diggin' it.

(Every time I used third person I think of the play Julius Caesar and how he always referred to himself in 3rd person, and then I always delete it. But this time, I'm staying strong. Yeah, I'm weird.)

Love to all,
Grace
xxoo

Part Three Menaggio

Part Two Menaggio

Part One Menaggio

more Venice (thanks Halcy)

Bergamo. Family Change. Easter.

HI Guys,

I’m in a really good mood, which is always a great time to write a blog, updating you all on what I’ve been up to.

Where did I leave off? I don’t think I told you about my day trip with Rotary to Bergamo. It’s a city not very far from Milan. The coolest thing about it is definitely it’s two different levels. See, the older and higher level of the city sits more up on the mountains, with a huge wall around the whole thing to keep the bad guys out (much like we’ve seen in places like Pisa, etc). It’s filled with tons of history and fun facts that I’ve mostly forgotten at this point but that I remember I really found interesting! Sorry! I do remember that they first had their baptistery in their church but deconstructed it piece by piece and put it together perfectly across from the church instead. The lower level of the city is a bit newer and reminds me kind of Milan. But also a bit like America. I think? I mean, it’s more American-like (AKA young) than most of the places here. I really loved walking along the path that follows the mural around the higher level. Beautiful vista!

I’ve changed host families and now live so close to my school it fills my heart with gladness. Gladness, guys. There is no other substitute word. It’s like 7 bus stops in the morning (about 15 minutes) and after school, if I’m not in a rush I can walk home adoring the amount of green I never imagined Milan containing. That’s what I did today and I gotta tell you- walking home in the sunshine is medicinal. It’s just good for your soul. Do you get how full my heart is of gladness about my proximity to my school? I’m really trying to drill it in here.

And my family is really sweet. There are four of them- Claudio, Marina, Giovanni (17), and Sylvia (13). I get along well with all of them. They asked me what I liked to eat and if they could get me things at the grocery store! I have my own room. When I go out with friends they are more than happy to come pick me up if it’s at a late hour. I’ve done a few things with Giovanni and his friends and they are super nice. Marina worries a bit too much about thing, and sometimes I just make her a cup a tea so she’ll chill out a little. Sweet a sugar, though. And Claudio is a cool dude, I can just tell. He does most of the cooking, actually. And he’s bearded! And Sylvia is a cutie pie. She’s already started drinking more tea and eating more fruit since I’ve come along!

Today was perfect. I came home and made myself a beautiful lunch (Sometimes I go to the Grandma’s, but she pretty much wants to force-feed me everything in her kitchen, so I don’t think I’ll be going there everyday). Then I went for a run, came home and bathed. I helped Sylvia with her English homework and we went for a long walk. It started to rain on our way home and we ended up running the last bit home (Marina called twice during that short span of time worried sick. God bless her.) Taking the elevator up, we were both out of breathe and the slightest bit wet- not to mention laughing our heads off. It started really pouring shortly after and the hail is still hitting the skyroof windows. The rumble of thunder- how beautiful!

And the icing on the cake- Asparagus for dinner tonight!!!

I also went to Menaggio with Giorgio’s family for Easter. I really enjoyed being around the tranquility of the lake, and just zoning out for a bit. Hiked a bit, took a boat and plane ride on the lake, took a lot of photos, read, listened to music, met relatives and friends, ate everything Valeria cooked (what a glorious cook!), and got to make some phone calls home. Didn’t open a school book all break.

Overall, I’m doing better than ever. Been going out more and more with friends and soaking up these last couple months. Becoming more active (with this weather, time spent inside is time wasted!) and buckling down just enough in school. ;) Spring fever hits everywhere, you know.

Tomorrow I’m going to Cremona for the day with Rotary and I’m going to get to see violins made!!!

Love to all,
Grace

Birthday + Life in General

So March 31 was my birthday! I have 17 years!

My Italian birthday completely surpassed all expectations. What expectations? I was just going to go for a picnic, really. You know, enjoy the weather (my absolute favortie pasttime)- but my class took it all out of my hands. On the Saturday night before my birthday (when I just thought I'd be going to a pizzeria with some friends) they threw me a surprise party! It was honestly one of the most touching moments of my life. I showed up at Bea's family's pizzeria and it was all dark and Bea was like "You're the first to arrive. The others are late." And me, being the oblivious person I am, had a little moment of sadness. I mean, I was late and the others still hadn't gotten there. I don't appreciate being ditched. But then Bea asked if I wanted to go in the side room to wait and as soon as I stepped in the lights turned on and my whole class jumped out at me admist tons of colored balloons and shouted "SORPRESA!!!". I was shocked to say the least. It was just so thoughtful! Here were these girls-that I had just met half a year ago, really began to communicate with a few months ago- throwing me a party for my birthday! And they all chipped in to get me a purse (there are a few girls in my class with this same brand of purse from paris or something and they got me one!) and afterwards we went out for a drink and took tons of photos. I went home and spent the night at my friend Kylee's. It was just so perfect, all of it. Then on the day of my birthday I went out for a picnic at Parco Sempione, which is the park next to the castle. That time I went with some different girls I knew from outside of my class, Giulia and Elisa. They're just adorable, and it was really relaxing. Then last night I went to the Politi's and had a birthday dinner with them along with Isa and Poalo and Halcy! It was delicious and a perfect ending to my birthday festivities. I think about this past week and I gotta tell ya- I have that fuzzy warm Hallmark feeling of being absolutely cared for.

Along with old relationships, I'm getting to know a lot of new people. I'm really excited for my last months! The weather is beautiful, I'm doing well in school, I'm going out with friends all of the time. And of course I can look forward to my mommy coming!

I'm spending Easter with Giorgio's family in Como!!
I change families tomorrow, wish me luck!

Happy Easter Everyone! Miss you tons.
Grace