| xoxo |
[Mar. 28th, 2006|12:10 pm] |
i miss you all. i am going to be an asshole and ask you to give up your lives in america and come live with me in an enormous italian villa, please come!
i love you! |
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| i'm craving some french fries |
[Feb. 17th, 2006|08:08 pm] |
Today was cloudy and I was in a shitty mood. Probably because I went to bed at 2:00, got up at 2:15 to puke up a bottle of wine, then woke up at 7:15 so I could go into Florence and research the art of pietre dure (a type of mosaic made with semi-precious stones, originated in ancient Rome and was revived during the Renaissance, there now you've learned your new thing for the day). So as cool as marble inlayed tables really are I definitely could not have cared less when i was getting jostled around on the bus for half an hour. But thanks to the healing powers of the cappuccino and my blatant disregard to the state of my checking account, it turned out to be a relatively good day. Spent the morning touring a pietre dure workshop and museum it really is amazing how they are able to make these elaborate designs by piecing together little tiny pieces of stone. If you are still reading this and want to see what this stuff looks like check out the link: http://www.architectural-heritage.co.uk/01Repro_Items/benches/PietreDureTable2.htm Anyway after our interview went to the Pitti Palace -- where the Medici, Florentine rulers during the Renaissance, lived -- today it is a museum. Checked out the Costume Gallery which was awesome all sorts of clothes everything from Scarlet Ohara-esque gowns to Valentino outfits worn by Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. After the museum went to the Boboli Gardens....actually "gardens" is an exaggeration its more like a gigantic conglomeration of hedges with some fountains stuck in here and there and really great views of Florence. Ate lunch watched some asshole American videotape ducks swimming in a fountain (wtf...have you never seen a duck before? do we not have ducks in america...GD tourists). Then had a wonderous afternoon shopping bought some overpriced shoes, a necklace, a scarf and a random sweatshirty thing. Anyway sorry to bore you with the details I am going to go lay in my bed and eat chocolate but I'll leave you with some random observations about Italy:
1. They have condom machines on the streets kind of looks like an ATM except it says DUREX across the top.
2. Instead of driving Escalades the young gangsters drive full-sized sedans -- with our entourage of "family sedans" we would be the shit here -- everyone else drives "smart cars" which are about the size of a mini cooper.
3. Showering is completely unnecessary (Whitney, i found our people!). In fact, I think BO counts as a type of cologne here it may even serve as a pheromone since it is an escpecially common trait amongst young italians (males and female).
Oh by the way learned at dinner that there are 10,000 American students studying abroad in Florence! |
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| felice san valentino (one day late) |
[Feb. 15th, 2006|05:11 pm] |
XOXOXOXO
My Carrie Bradshaw moment:
So yesterday I was talking to a girl who is in a relationship and she was asking me if I had a valentine. When I said "no" she gave me this pathetically sympathetic look and I couldn't help but wonder...why do coupled people assume that singles are always looking for a relationship? Is it unacceptable to be alone and happy? I mean I think its great if you are in a relationship that makes you happy, but I'm not and I honestly don't feel bad about it. I guess I just object to people who make you feel like you should feel bad because you aren't going to receive a box of heart-shaped Russell Stovers on Feb. 14th.
So anyway sorry for fueling Valentine's Day propaganda slash sounding like a bitter old maid slash probably offending everyone who is happily relationship-ed.
I really just wanted to send my love to all of you!
(Scene ends with Annie bouncing down the streets of Florence listening to Basement Jaxx, smiling like a moron and wearing a really great dress and Manolo Blahniks) |
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| semi-ambitious move on my part |
[Feb. 13th, 2006|09:44 pm] |
So wow i can't believe i actually set this up that's a pretty big step for me considering how technologically retarded i am. But I guess i just don't want to clog people's inboxes with obnoxious "look what i did" study abroad emails. If you care to hear it you know where to find me.
Anyway its week six of villa life in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. Currently i am having a love affair with nutella (chocolate peanut butter is the most amazing creation ever) and 3 euro bottles of Chianti. Last weekend went to Roma. I guess the easiest way to describe it is AMAZING! I was having daydreams of being Audrey Hepburn (in Roman Holiday) the entire time. Had an faboulous moment Saturday morning sitting in Piazza Narova basking in the morning sun and Bernini sculptures, chomping on some bread and nutella (told you i am obsessed) and watching italian babies throw confetti. All the sudden out of nowhere someone starts playing "Stairway to Heaven" it was wonderful and strange all at the same time.
I saw "the church" (St. Peters), the Vatican museums (as in the Sistine Chapel), the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc. Its weird actually seeing things that you have been hearing about for your entire life. I mean it sounds so stupid but the colosseum didn't really exist for me until about three days ago...some things just aren't real until you actually see them for yourself. I really want to go back for Easter and maybe say "hello" to the Pope (even though he's an asshole who hates gays).
I love the light here its so bright it permeates everything and has this silvery quality about it that seems almost celestial. Being from Minnesota maybe I am just in awe that I need sunglasses in February.
So I have a great story for all you romantics who are obsessed with Italy (ahem...Ashleigh). Professor Marriotti, my art history teacher, came here 30 years ago to study art history (obviously), fell in love with an italian man and never left. Now she lives in a beautiful neighborhood overlooking Florence, speaks only italian at home (except when she's mad at her husband then she speaks english) and wears trendy boots and silk scarves. I have to say I am a little in awe of this woman, especially because she is probably in her 60's but could pass for 45.
So lately i have been having seriously problems with animal shit. Friday morning I was just coming down from my Vatican tour euphoria walking across Bernini's square when all of the sudden a pigeon came by and oh so discreetly relieved itself on my shoe. I think god was giving me shit for being such a tourist, hahaha (ok not funny). Then today when i was sprinting down the streets of Sesto knocking over old ladies left and right when I managed to sink my foot into a fresh pile of dog poo. I didn't really think it would be that big of a deal (I tried to wipe it off) so went to class and half-way through thought I started to gag. But the best part of the whole experience was when the next class walked into the room and two girls (within thirty seconds of each other) commented about how it smelled like shit. I just shrugged and ran away to find a stick.
Anyway sorry for random rambling about shit, my professor, etc. I am off to read (fall asleep). Love you all! |
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