One week from today..

Thought I would finish the post I didnt finish the other day. So this most recent weekend, wasnt the weekend everyone was away I just realized. That was the weekend before. This past weekend Friday night I went out with Kira and Sammy. We went to the Lion's Fountain, Kakuya, and then to Twice. We were all in really weird moods but it got better. Went back with Mike and Max to the boys apt for a bit then went to bed. Saturday we went to Central Park. It's this club thats mostly outside and has like 3 floors. Its pretty sweet and they play pretty good music. We went to the boys apartment first to pregame since drinks and shots there are 10 euro. Not okay. Kait decided to go home so I stayed with Kira and Sammy, it was a good time.

Monday I finished my research paper on Ferragamo and then we had a farewell dinner through LDM (my school). It was a pretty far walk and I was absolutely exhausted but it was worth it. We had a pesto pasta dish, lasagna, chicken, potatoes, and cake..and wine of course. WAY too much food but it was really good. Anyway we walked back and I passed out completely. Tuesday I had jewelery making at dawn as usual. I finished my bracelet and finally fixed my earring. So everything is done except my ring. Tuesday night, Cinco de Mayo, I went out with Kira and Sammy and we had a lot of fun. We went to Bigalow first and met the guys there then went to Twice. It was pretty empty at first but it got a lot more crowded very quickly like usual. So apparently I'm not used to drinking beer anymore because now I get the worst hangover when I drink it. I can drink like a bottle of vodka to the face and be fine the next morning but beer is like death. Not a good sign for going home.

Wednesday night was Full Up's seasonal closing party. They close when Central Park opens apparently and Obsession Wednesday switches to Central. They had all you can drink for 10 euro but you couldnt get near the bar. I got in line for like my 3rd drink at like 1220 and I stood there til 1, after ordering multiple times, where the open bar closed and it became a pay bar again. So i was like eff this thats not ok. Then me Kira and Sammy went over to 21 for a bit. I had never been there before, it was ok. The bartenders were pretty hot not gonna lie. I didnt really see the whole club cause we stayed by the bar but everyone I know that has gone there pretty much hates it. I didnt think it was that bad. Then we went back to Full Up and I just got irritated so I walked home early. Probably not a good idea to walk home alone but I was just pissed and needed to leave.

Thursday I had my last retail class THANK GOD. awful class. I had my mac thankfully and just sat on fb the whole time and browsed at clothes online. I wanna go shopping soooo bad but I am soo ridic broke. Anyway that day I had to pick up my ring which isnt exactly close. Then I went over to KIra's with Kelly and Katina. I got fucking retaretd while we were there. I drank half a bottle of wine before I got there, then a bunch of mixed drinks while there, and we smoked. I was a mess. We went over to Colle Bareto but privee was so crowded me and Kira went over to Twice. We had so much fun while we were there. It was a good night minus some minor details.

Yesterday I did nothing all day. Me and Kait went to Acqua al Due last night which was bangin. You order samplers of everything like salad and pasta and they bring you a bunch of diff ones. We also split a Filet covered in Balsamic that tasted like legit chocolate. It was incredible, I wanna learn how to make it at home. After that I decided to stay in last night which I never do on Fridays. I was in a bad mood and didnt feel so great so I just watched Bride Wars and went to bed. It was a pretty good movie, cute. Today we went to ZaZa for lunch and then went over to the Galleria del Costume. I had to go for my fashion history class. It was pretty cool, they had stuff from the 1500's still. It was over in the Pitti Palace where the Boboli Gardens are. there was also some Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent from way back which was really cool to see. i didnt really udnerstand why I had to go for class though since I knew what she asked us to look for already. After that we did a little window shopping, I found a bag I want before I leave. I need a new black one and I found a perfect one, its only 45 euro which is sweet. Then we attempted to find the place that buys back straighteners. The one I bought in the beginning never really worked so Jess left me hers when she left. Thought Id sell this one for some cash but it was closed by the time I found it. Then I took a nap and now Im waiting for Kira to call cause were going to Central Park again tonight. Im excited, that place is pretty effing sweet.

So the fact we're leaving in exactly a week is starting to really hit. Ive made great friends from the US and both from here that many I probably wont see ever again which really sucks. I plan on coming back for grad school but like if I dont who knows when I'll ever be back here. It's just really sad. Who knows when Ill be walking by the Duomo again everytime I have to go somewhere. In Canton the most exciting thing to drive by is like center of town, if that haha. Everything here is so pretty I am gonna miss it. Having someone from home here really helped being here and took away from missing home (Jess of course). We have always been friends but never really hung out unless she came to visit Hal at school. We even walked together at graduation ironically! haha But we're pretty close now, we have talked every day since she left.. I really wish she was still here! :( But I'll see her the day I get home soo I am excited about that! Im also excited to go home and see everyone else I miss. And get some normal food into my system. My protein is shot to hell and I never wanna see pasta ever again. I prob wont eat pizza for a long time either. I cant wait to have access to my whole closet, I am sick of everything I have here. And I have a brand new bed at home which I am pretty pumped about. I miss my pupppy soo much I cannot wait to see him! And I even miss my mom which I dont ever do since we barely get along. I wish my parents got to come, my father would have loved to see everything here since hes a major history buff. If I come back for grad school after working for a year Ill fly them over here for a week or 2. I have to get them some gifts before I leave. I got them a bottle of wine and the lemocello which i mentioned last blog. But i gotta get them something else. They give me so much money while I am here and I know that they really cant be doing that. Its hard everything is so expensive here. An unpaid internship last summer killed me money wise.

Speaking of internship.. Mel asked me to work a wedding yesterday in June at Fenway. I am pretty sure it is John Henry's wedding since he is sposed to be married in June. Who else would be married on the field? haha All the players will be there which is pretty cool.. just wish I liked baseball. Too bad its not a Patriots wedding. So this summer I am working for my dads friend at the Seaport Bar and Grille next to the ICA in Boston. Im pretty excited and I think I'll make some good money there. I will be hostessing, serving, bartending, and helping him with event planning. Pumped. Im just happy Im finally done with AE. I couldnt handle going back there again. Anyway I also applied for an intership in Natick. I really need a retail merchandising internship and American Girl is looking for an intern. Its been a week and they havent called, idk if thats cause Im not home yet or idk but I have perfect experience. Im gonna call Monday.

OK thats enough this blog is ridiculously long. And now Im pretty drunk off this wine. I have almost finished this whole bottle ah.

Ciao Ciao! <3

Final Days in Firenze :(

It's been a while since I have done this. The weekend after Jess left everyone went away so I just kinda hung out all weekend. Rather boring. But that Saturday I did go to Cinque Terre and met up with Kaitlynn and her family. It is absolutely gorgeous there. The water is bright blue, there are mountains, and all the buildings are different rainbow colors.. so cute! So in the first town (I cannot remember which is which) we sat and had a snack.. tuna of course! Best tuna sandwich I have ever had. Then we took the train to the next town where we had lunch. Basically we ate in every town. This town had a little beach and pretty little boats everywhere. Really Cute. It was unbearably crowded though. So then we worked off all of our food by hiking to the next town. Basically an hour and a half hike on this narrow path, all uneven and what not. I mean the hike was really nice and the view was amazing but it was a little hot out for it. I just wish I had worn sneakers. In that town we sat and had some dessert wine with biscotti, SO good. Cinque Terre is famous for a certain kind of dessert wine, Scciachetra. My parents asked me to get them a bottle of wine there so I got that and a little bottle of lemoncello for them. Its in a glass shoe and its hand painted! Too cute. Anyway we went to the last 2 towns quickly because our train was coming soon. We sat and had dessert and then went to find our train, almost got on the wrong one.

Kait's family is so nice, they basically treated my like their other child that day. They also took me to dinner with them at La Congrega in Firenze earlier that week. I am going to miss that place. Kait and I go there all the time, the waitress knows us and brings champagne on the house for us now which is really nice. We are going to go there on our last night and then get in one last waffle!

Anyway I got back from Cinque Terre around 10ish and I was absolutely dead. It was a very long day and I didnt get much sleep the night before either. So I stayed in and max came over. The next week was hell. I had one big group project due Thursday and then I had a research paper due Monday. I am just happy thats over now. But now we have finals coming up next week. Basically a joke. I went and picked up the top to my ring from the silver casting place yesterday. It came out so good! Im so happy with it. Now I have to solder it to the band after I take my final on Tuesday. In sewing we're working on a little like makeup or jewelry bag thing with pockets. He gave us a lot of freedom with it so we could choose our own fabrics, embellishments, closings, etc. The outside of mine is navy and I am going to put either a pink or white bow on the front. The inside is pink, white, and has flowered pockets. Ill prob use it for jewlery since I have no where to put any of that. We're doing that instead of taking a final which is nice, especially since its the day after my birthday. The last thing i want the day after I turn 21 is a fucking final.

Cant believe I am going to be 21 in 4 days! Sooo excited. Im kinda bummed I wont be home though, it would be nice to be with my best friends but I do love everyone here so it should be a good time. We will probably go to dinner somewhere nice and then I think we're gonna go to Mecca? for Lil Jon. My parents are really excited for me to be 21 and they keep thinking of restaurants to go to when I get back. Ann cant wait to have someone to booze with haha.

Ah gotta go to dinner I'll finish later

Ciao Ciao

Lazy weekend

So basically this weekend Jess and I decided to be massive wastes of life. Thursday night we went to Cale Baretto and then to Twice. For some reason at twice every male in the room was punching each other. It was so dumb and a lame night, and a sober one at that. Friday we had make up class from Monday so I had Italian durning the day. After that Jess and I went to lunch, where the waste of life weekend began. Kaitlynn had left for Rome that afternoon so Jess and I just hung out in my room all weekend.

Friday night was an absolute shit show. First we got a cheese of course (starting a terrible weekend trend). We started off at Bigalow as usual, then Salemanca where the shot of tequila basically screwed me over for the rest of the evening. Then we ventured to Moyo in the pouring rain, gross. We had met up with her roommate and her friend too. Free drinks at Moyo also put me over the edge. At this point I probably didnt need any more booze haha. Thenn we went to Twice and Jess peaced out on me to go to Glamour with Mike Cagg! ahaha I was shitfaced when I saw him. Then we went to Central Park which was cool from what I remember. It's like all outside which is nice. It just opened a couple of weeks ago actually. It's also outside the city so you gotta drive, thank god Tyler took us there. We danced a little, had some champage, then we left there and went to Full Upaaa. Lets just say at this point I couldnt stand..

Anyway, next afternoon, Jess and I went to lunch and discussed the absurd events from the night before since we got separated. While we were out our hangovers hit us like a brick so we went back to my apt and sat in bed until that night. And we came up with our absolutely amazing plan post graduation. Since she graduates a year after I do, I will take a year off, make some bank, and then the 2 of us are coming back here for grad school. Polimoda 2011 waddddddup. Polimoda has a fucking masters in fashion event planning. Could it be any more perfect? The only issue is that it is only taught in Italian! ahahah gotta Rosetta Stone that shit before I come back. We started looking at apartments yesterday which look pretty sweet and somewhat affordable. We will just have to eat a lot of cheese.

Anyway That night we got a cheese of course (the trend continues..) and drank a bottle of wine. Then proceeded to leave obnoxious and hilarious video wall posts on Hal's and V's walls. We left Hal a 20 minute one and it fucking FAILED. SO MAD. haha so we made her "a shit one" in Jess' words. Then ventured to Bigalow again. After we sat and talked forever we went to Cale again. At this point my drunk was completely gone. We were in privee but it was so overwhelmingly crowded I almost had a panic attack. So I went home and got to bed at a decent time. 330 versus 6am is a big difference even though I slept just as long as I usually do.

Sunday was my dad's like 63rd? birthday I think haha. So we skyped in the morning, they went to Newport for the night. Then I did some errands/laundry/cleaned a bit then met up with Jess again. We hung out here then went to Aperitivo at Cale with her Italian/Spanish friends. Food was over by the time we got there so of course we got a cheese again. We made a pact that no cheese will be eaten until we are reunited. I am so fucking jealous she is going to eat Tspa today! AH hate you. But I will be home soon, too soon. Anywayyy then I went to bed and got up early to help her to the bus to the airport. Then I bailed on Italian and watched a million episodes of Heroes. Now I am doing this. I have to go to the bead store and get a pearl for my earrings for tomorrow then go to History. Lame. Anywayy enough of being a massive waste of life all weekend. But I dont know what I am going to do next weekend since EVERYONE is going to be away and Jess peaced out of the country on me. Kait's family is here so I think I am going to go to Cinque Terre with them on Friday for the day. It's beautiful there and everyone loves it so I am excited. Alright enough of this. Peace out

Ciaooo

Ugh is all that describes my life right now.  I'm going home a month from tomorrow.  Im looking forward to it for certain things but overall I dont want to leave.  It's like a dream over here, no real worries other than money.  When I get home I have to worry about finding an effing job, and a house which I still dont have for next year, classes, graduating in the spring!? fighting with my parents of course, and I am sure other unnecessary bullshit.  Why on earth would anyone want to leave here.  I mean I obviously miss people from home, but like half the people I miss I wont see until September anyway.  I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  Finals are in 3 weeks, and I have mad work to do before then too. Efff school.  And finding a job.  I have sent countless emails and not recieved a single response.  I am so screwed.  I would really rather not go back to AE unless I have to, and I dont even know if they will take me back to begin with.  Apparently they got realllly strict while I was gone.  

Too much has changed since I left, going home is going to be weird.  And I am actually going to have to deal with losing my grandmother.  Its been 2 months since she passed tomorrow.  Crazy..  I still havent decided if I want to watch her funeral yet. I think Im going to get a tattoo for her when I get back.  She always said big love, every time I saw her since I was born, it was her motto.  So i was thinking maybe that with a small heart in the middle on the side of my foot.  Idk.. gotta find the balls to go through with it first.  Bitter people like me need a reminder like that once in a while so why not.

Had an italian quiz today..bombed.  I remember a good amount of everything I have learned, but the part today I just dont get.  I am going to forget everything once I leave.  I barely use it here never mind at home, everyone speaks english here.  It was nice in Spain to get to use my spanish, or what I remember of it.  Jess and I were talking today about coming back.. she wants to do her co-op for her 5th year over here possibly.. and apparently her school has a master's in fashion marketing.  Definitely something I am going to think about.  Speaking of school.. jewelry making is going well. I am finishing up a pair of earrings I designed.  They're flowers, with 2 layers of silver, pretty big, that dangle and have fake pearls in the middle.  I was basically done until one of my solderings came off.  I had to resolder a piece so it burned the pearl, gotta buy a new one.  Anyway we also started making a ring again.  This one we carve into a piece of wax and then bring it to a jewler to have it made into silver.  Mine is a big ribbon.  It is so cute.  I am finally actually ok with something I have made.  The first ring is a mess and the earrings have caused me some trouble, but this so far I like.  We should finish soon.

In sewing today we started a collar.  I am getting better at this sewing thing.  Last week we learned how to hand sew, which I finished yesterday on my terrace in the 80 degrees. nothing like a little country and some sunn :)  makes me excited for this summer. 21, beers which I miss oh so much, country, and friends.. cant wait.  Anyway in sewing we also did a pocket and a sleeve.  The pocket was fun.  He let us choose our own stitch to put on the back.  Our teacher, Guido, is pretty funny.  He barely speaks any English and when he tries its hilarious.  Apparently his family was in the massive earthquake last week.  his fam is ok but his mother lost her home.  So sad.  My parents called me around noon that day, it was 6am at home so I was like well.. somethings wrong.  They were like ARE YOU OK? I was like um.. WTF are you talking about??  I had no idea there had been an earthquake.  I just woke up and went straight to Italian class.  It was closer to Rome but I mean some people dont exactly know where I am.  Some people said they felt it, it was around 330 am, and I was awake of course since I have effing insomnia, but I didnt feel anything.  Yeah speaking of that, when I get back I am getting some sleeping pills.  This has been consistent for years now and I cant deal anymore.  I dont like having to nap all the time and drink a thousand coffees a day, its annoying.  Especially with a roommate.  

Jess is leaving on monday :( WTF am I going to do! So sad.  We never hung out on our own at home, but I think we have become pretty good friends over here, sooo we'll prob hang out at home now I assume.  Messy I know you're reading this and saying ew that bitch Im not hanging out with her or ever eating a CHEESE again! hahah kiddingg<3>

Anyway thats enough talking about nothing all that important.

buona notte xoxo

ps... 21 in less than a month! AH. too bad its during finals week. fml

Easter in Greece

Finally back in Florence after a long long weekend.  Last I wrote was Barcelona I think? Since then just got back in the swing of things, class and going out and what not. My coat got stolen which is annoying, but I guess its one less thing to bring home. Last weekend we were supposed to go to Sienna with API but uh.. we stayed out too late and obviously slept through our alarm.  Smooth.  So to be productive we went to the Ufizi and looked at art.  I am not an art person, I didnt last very long there.  

That night we went to Space for Jens 21st and got a table/champagne and stufff. It was fun but I was exhausted from the night before.  This past week I didnt do much.  Kaitlynn's two friends from home came on Tuesday and we went out to Twice.  They're really fun, and it was a pretty fun night actually.  Minus the massive shard of glass I sat on, that was annoying, but hilarious because we were retarted and taping napkins to my leg.  Wednesday we didnt go out because we were leaving early for Greece the next morning.  Instead we stayed in and watched the hills and bitched about Spencer for hours.  ps.. 24 is out of control.  Trying to kill Jack Bauer is not ok and obviously is not going to happen.

Soo Thursday morning we hiked with all of our shit to the train station where the bus was for greece.  We went through Euroadventures and like 500 people went.  It was THE most unorganized thing I have ever experienced.  So we took the 4 hour bus ride to Ancona, Italy where we got on an over night cruise ship.  We drank on the deck and got pretty drunk and went to dinner.  Our service was terrible, no one got what the ordered, and basically Jeff was about to murder our waiter.  It was kind of funny at the end.  After that I was dead and just went to bed.  We were woken up at like 6 am the next morning by a Greek man coming into our room.  Not ok.  We then waited like 30 minutes in a wicked long line to get off the boat, where we proceeded to hike another effing however far away with all of our shit, to the hour and a half ferry ride.  Way too much traveling for the amount of time we went.  We went Thursday to Monday and spent thursday/friday  and sunday night/monday traveling.  So annoying.

We finally got to our hostel, the Pink Palace.  Legit HOT pink.  The whole thing.  I roomed with T and Cat, we unpacked a little and then had lunch and  hit the beach. I finally had tunaaa again. So exciting but annoying its only in other countries!  I passed out for a while on the beach and then we showered/napped and went to dinner.  Dinner was included, and basically felt like we were at camp in a giant mess hall.  After that we went downstairs which was their version of a discotech.  It looked like a bad sweet 16 party.  Drinks were like 2 euro though so we played thumper to pregame and got hammered.  Then we dance for a while etc.  It was a lot of fun but I was dead tired.  Then we went to bed and had to wake up at 715 am, to attempt to sign up for the booze cruise.  Mistake.  The line was insane, people were tired and yelling and pushing because people kept cutting.  The whole system was retarted.  Then we found out booze wasnt even included, and it was raining, so Cat and I just said fuck it and went back to bed.  Thank god we didnt go on the cruise because the whole thing was a massive porn cruise.  Everyone was naked and having sex with eachother, not my thing.  They also went cliff jumping and everyone that jumped came out bleeding and with massive bruises all over their bodies.  No thanks.  Youd have to push me to get me to jump of a 70 ft cliff.

Anyway that day Cat and I layed out on the rood with the girls and Jeff (since they decided to fucking dig up our beach that morning), where we played Im going on a picnik for hourssss.  I think I got some good color considering we were only in the sun for a day and a half.  That night was the Pink Palace toga party.  They gave us pink sheets and we had to make a toga out of it.  I could have been a lot more creative had I had any saftey pins.  Just a lot of knot tying and holding it all night to keep it together.  So annoying.  Dinner that night was disgusting, included again so I ate some cheetos.  Everyone came and drank in our room until the "RA" haha came and kicked us out. "You have 7 minutes.."  So DUMB.  So we went back down to the "palladium" (the disco) where everyone was in a bubble gum pink toga. So weird.  I didnt drink much that night for once.  It was a pretty relaxing weekend.  We drink way more in Florence.

The next morning we got up at 730 again to wait in line to sign up for ATV's.  We decided not to go back to bed, went to breakfast, packed all of our stuff, and then went ATVing.  It was so much fun.  It was so nice to see the water and everything from high up and the country side.  We drove so far and unfortunately when we parked trying to find food, T lost her key to her ATV.  We looked everywhere for it, we think it got flushed down the toilet in the bathroom we all stopped at haha.  So sine I wasnt hungry I offered to take her back to the hostel to get a spare key. So we drove back and forth several times, getting the key and then going back to get her ATV.  It was nice, we stopped and took pictures and then went and got some lunch.  Then we had to check out and take the bus back to the ferry to take the cruise again.  That process got old real fast.  There was a ton of drama on the ferry.. about drunk girls and passport losing.  Then rumors spread we missed our boat but apparently we had to wait until 1030 for the cruise anyway.  So we sat at the port for like 2 hours waiting.  The whole thing was exhausting.

Now I am finally back in Florence :) and relaxing in my bed.  I need to unpack and study for Italian though.  I did enjoy the trip, alot of people hated it, but it was just too much traveling and too unorganized.  Corfu was pretty though, the country side was really nice and so was the water.  Now its just the stretch until I go back the U.S. SO Crazy! anddd my 21st is a month from yesterdayy. So exciting. Although I will be here, and it will be finals week.  Gay.  Im at the point where I want to go home but I know I am going to want to come back immediately.  And I am not all too excited to go back to school either.  My schedule is going to kick my ass, housing is figured out but we still have no house, and from what I hear a lot has changed since I left.  Idk we will have to see I guess.  Anyway Im gonna relax now.

Ciao!  <3al

Grand Canariaa<33

So on Wednesday morning we flew off to the Canary Islands, specifically Grand Canaria.  We met up with Kaitlynn at the airport who I shared a room with for the rest of the week.  Me and Kait were picked up by the hotel transport thing, it was raining when we got there so we couldnt tell what the weather was going to be like the rest of the week.  When we got to our hotel, the IFA Continental, we immediately took and nap (after we had some issues with the rude men at the desk) then I got up for dinner and met T and Cat.  That night we went met the other girls where they had dinner.  Apparently the man who owned the restaurant, they met the night before, owns many things on the island.  And his name is "The Boss".  Creepy?  Yes. Well he took all 12 of us out that night to Pasha, where the champagne and vodka never ended.  The entire time in Canaries we never paid a cent for alcohol. Quite nice.   But that night I was basically a waste case.  I havent fully blacked out since high school and of course I did that night.  At the end of that night we ended up somewhere called Creme, which all I really remember was really creepy and underground.

The next day we got up early and went to breakfast.  I was still entirely hammered so of course having buffet bacon in front of me was rather dangerous. haha I ate sooo much!  Then we went and layed by the pool all day.   PS women there have no self consciousness what so ever.  Every one was topless and women who should not be in bikinis were.  It was gross.  Then we went to the beach and met the other girls.  The beach is gorgeous and the flowers there are so pretty! I forgot my camera when we went so I didnt get any pics :(   We also signed up for our booze cruise while we were at the beach.  I did not get much sun that day since I was so white to begin with.  Then we napped again, then I met the T Cat and Jen for dinner again.  Every meal we ate except one was at the hotel which was nice.  The food was not that bad.  The hotel was nice too but it was basically a German tourist hotel.  Every guest there hated us, we got the dirtiest looks ever.  The first night when we had gone out 3 of us had dresses on and we could not even stop to have a drink in our lobby the looks were so bad.  We B lined it out of the hotel.  

Anyway..  that night after dinner we went to the show at our hotel.  It was these 3 dancers, one was a girl the other 2 guys.  They did this crazy thing with these ropes with blocks on the end where they spun them and slammed them on the ground and stuff.  It was really cool but weird.  One man was really intense and had the greasiest hair ever.  Once he hit his hair with the things and you could see liquid fly everywhere. GROSS.  They even broke a cig out of a mans mouth. Scary.  Then we went and met Kelly and Kattina at their hotel.  They stayed at the Riu which was absolutely insane.  The place was huge and gorgeous and their staff loved them.  I guess you get what you pay for. We had a couple drinks then went back to our hotel to sleep.  I could barely look at booze after the night before so sleep was necessary.

Next morning we got up for breakfast, not looking out the windw before I put my bathingsuit on of course.  We got down and it was pouring. This day was the day of our booze cruise of course.  So we all went back to bed until noon, the cruise was at 1.  When we got up, it was absolutely gorgeous out! Island weather is amazing, its even more dramatic than New England weather.  So then we went on our cruise.  We had never ending beer/sex on the beach. which were an interesting bright orange color.  Weird.  Basically we got hammered on this boat in the sun, dancing whatever, and went drunk jet skiing.  So much fucking fun.  We met these guys that study in Barcelona while we were there that we ended up hanging out with the next day.  On the cruise they played this game on the way back where you and a male partner had to pop your balloon in a sexual position. haha so funny. some of them had whipped cream in them.  Of course Tiana was used as the demonstrator so she got to do allll of them haha. We took so many pics it was hilarious, especially since the boat guide was incredibly hot.  They also fed us on the boat, we had Paella. Which is a traditional Spanish dish.  It had meat and seafood in it, including prawns which are shrimp wth their heads and eyes and shit.  no thanks.  I didnt eat any of those just the rice. 

When we got back we were exhausted and I couldnt walk straight cause I felt like I was on a boat. I was so dizzy and falling over all night and I wasnt drunk anymore either.   We went to dinner and then just ended up staying in and went to bed.  

Next day was my last day in the sun.  We layed out ALL day.  The sun is exhausting at the end, I never want to do anything after a day in the sun.  I got my most color this day, if I had one more day I would have had a solid tan.  Im gonna go tanning before Greece next weekend! So excited that there was room for me. Its gonna be amazing.  So after we layed out all day we all went and showered.  Kait actually left around then to go back for Florence, so Cat T and I went out to dinner for once.  We went out with the 3 guys we met on the cruise the night before, Alex Matt and Tanner.  They were really nice and we went out with them for a bit after.  Now my flight was at 630 am on Sunday, so I had to leave the hotel around 345, but the clocks moved forward so technically I left at 245am.  I didnt wanna go back to the hotel cause I thought I'd fall asleep, so thats why I went out with them for a bit.  We went to some bar first where it was happy hour,  I was nervous and kept saying I should go back to the hotel.  T was like just have one drink then go back so, we ordered one drink and they brought us 3! We just looked at eachother and was like ok.. thats not happening. haha  They gave us party bags with leis and noise makers and glasses and stuff. So weird.  My fav thing was the little toy truck in it haha tooool.

Then we went to China White which was cool.  We had some champagne and danced and stuff then I was like fuck I gotta go haha.  So went back to the hotel and got my suitcase, left for the airport.  I paid airport transport an of course they refused to come get me so I took a cab which cost me 40 euro.  I have to send a nasty email to Alpha rooms who we booked through.  This was only the beginning of terrible things to come.

So my flight at 630 to Barcelona went fine.  We unfortunately had to stop in Tennareef for a tech stop and to pick up more people.  Annoying.  Got to Barc around 11ish, and my flight to Rome was supposed to be at 430.  Nope.  Delayed until 8.  Which meant I would miss my connection flight to Florence.  Everyone was flipping out because the reason it was delayed was because theyre retarted and over booked.  Never fly Alitalia.  There is a reason they just went bankrupt, because they SUCK.  So by the time the flight came at 8, I had already been up since 9am the day before from when we went and layed in the sun all day.  I never napped while we were out there either which was a huge mistake.  So Im at like 36 hours awake as it is.  We get to Rome and we missed the Florence flight by 10 minutes.  They couldnt fucking delay that one for 10 minutes knowing we were all going to miss it?? Fuck that.  So everyone had to go find the next flight which wasnt until 5 pm the next day.  Pissed.  They were like here get on this shuttle and go to this hotel, we are paying for it.  Ok fine whatever I was going to just get the refund and take the train the next morning because I had to be back for class sign up.  Nope.  By the time I had to go figure out where my bag was, which I never did so I filed a claim, the shuttle to the hotel had stopped.  And the cab to the hotel was 40 euro and I only had 30 at the time.   I walked around outside for a bit basically crying because I was in Rome with no money, by myself, exhausted, had no suitcase, and my phone was dying so I couldnt call my parents back.  My mom was freaking out when I told her what happened.  She was like you never should have gone to Italy blah blah being unreasonable as usual.   So I sat in the airport until 5am the next morning when they claimed they would give me the refund (why they couldnt do it the night before i dont know).  So at this point ive been awake for almost 48 hours.  I didnt sleep at the airport cause I didnt trust leaving my bag so I just read the whole time. Ive been reading Mercy by Jodi Picoult which is really good, Ill have to read her more often.  So at 5 I asked for my refund, they said wait until 6.  So I waited til 6. While I was sitting there this nice but kind of creepy old man kept asking me to watch his stuff.  I was looking at it saying to myself, please be a bomb, please just blow up and end this.

Finally they were like ok theres a flight at 9 thats booked but you can go on stand by.  So I waited for 3 hours with the possibility that I wouldnt get on the flight.  And I only waited because I was hoping if I went to florence airport I wouldnt have to go back there to find my luggage.   So I thankfully got on the flight, which was delayed again.  I also had not eaten more than once during this entire 2 days.  I was too tried and upset to eat.  So we flew to Florence and I had never been so happy to be somewhere that was not my real home in my life.  So I got to lost and found for my bag and theyre like, we're on strike. FUCK YOU youre on strike.  Like I wasnt even mad.  I was like this would happen, of course this is happening.  So i laughed and got in a cab and went home.   The only reason I waited 3 hours for the plane instead of taking the train was to find out where the fuck my bag was. So then I went and ate with kait finally and then I signed up for classes (which I only got 3 out of 6, another stress Im having) and then slept until the next morning.  And of course I have bronchitis during this whole mess, so I didnt go to class either.  I called Alitalia multiple times yesterday, and had my dad do it since I had no voice they couldnt understand me.  They said my file for my luggage didnt exist.  I was like fuck it Im calling Florence Aiport.  I called and they were like your bag actually just arrived. So I got on the bus and went and got it.  Thank God.  Never been so happy in my life.  So in total I was awake for 50 hours straight, lost my bag, the airport went on strike(when does that EVER happen?), got bronchitis, and basically slept but didnt sleep in an airport.  Of course I was entirely alone during this whole thing too.

During the lack of luggage I couldnt shower either cause my towel and everything was in my suitcase.  thank god its back.  I am never flying Alitalia again except on the way home cause my flight is booked already (which PS is in one month and a half??!)  So now I have to go do an oral presentation with no voice. Fun stufffff.

Ciao!

Ciao.

Barcelonaaaa!

First off, Barcelona is gorgeous! I totally could have studied there for the semester and I definitely was able to speak better there.  I know way more espanol than italiano. So we left last friday after a week of midterm hell.  Midterms were not as bad as I expected, but I overstudied for several of them.  The only annoying one was my sewing midterm.  Considering its my major, I really gotta work on my sewing skills or lack of them.  Me, T, and Cat all took a cab to the airport for our flight to Rome at 11 am.  We had a pretty long layover in Rome and I basically read an entire book.  Our flight to Rome was delayed so it made the layover shorter.  The flight to Rome however was awful.  Cat and I were legit praying.  I thought we were going to die it was so turbulent.  We kept dropping and some woman behind T was puking the whole time.  It was awful.  But we finally arrived in Barcelona, and checked into our hostel.  Our room was rainbow, orange purple and green walls with rainbow striped blankets.  Basically a room full of happy and no one could ever be depressed in it.  Jen met us at the hostel, she also stayed with us for the week, girls hilarious.

So that first night we went to the Hard Rock Cafe.  We had never been so excited to see american food in our lives.  We were also starving which was so dangerous.  I got chicken fingers of course.  I havent had chicken fingers more than twice the entire time I have been here, not normal!  Anyway after we waddled out of there after eating so much we went back to the hostel and took a nap.  The plan being to wake up at midnight and get ready...that didnt happen.  We slept until the next day.

The next day (Saturday) we got up and went to find Subway.  More american food.  I finally had tuna! effing love it and miss it sooo much.  Tunas not normal in Italy so I stay farrr far away from it.  Then we went to STARBUCKS. ahh heaven.  I could have died happy after eating that day.  Then we went and sat at an outdoor cafe in some center which I cant remember the name of, it was reall y nice. As we were sitting discussing where we should go sightsee, Jen was like Hey there's this really cool artist here name Giotti. Accent and everything.  Nope, his name is Gaudi.  So we decided to go see the big temple he built.  He died about 50 years ago and built a million things in Barc that look like they're melting.  Apparently he died by getting hit by a train.. what a way to go.  Anyway, we got in a cab and said bring us to Gaudi! haha The temple was so cool.  I cannot believe people can build stuff like that.  There was fruit at the top of some of the pillars which was cool.  It also had the stations of the cross through out it.  Then we had a photo shoot in the park, where I realized my camera does black and white with color accent which was cool with the purple trees.  On the walk balk Cat pointed out the Christopher Columbus statue. Of course we took lots of pics and looked majorly touristy.  Too bad it was not CC. ahah we got some laughs out of it later though.

That night we went out to dinner and had awesome pizza.  We also realized people dont dress like they do out in Florence so we basically looked like hookers.  Then we went to Chupitos (shots in spanish).  Its basically a shot bar where they have hundreds of shots listed on the wall for 2 euro each.  We took a couple that were on fire which was bazaar.  Then we got some free drinks and met some Irish men. Love the accents.  After we went to a club called Opium and luckily didnt have to pay a cover.  We were invited in VIP by some French men, but one of them unfortunately roofied Tiana so we bounced immediately.  After Jen met her true love at the coat check.. ahah Ronnnny

The next day (Sunday) we slept kind of late and went to BK for lunch (terrible) then we went and walked all the way down Las Ramblas (the main road in Barc.) to the harbor.  Las Ramblas was weird.. there were people dressed as things everywhere trying to make money, you actually see that alot in Europe.  Rarely in the US but everywhere here.  People paint their whole bodies to look like metal and stand still for hours.  Absurd.  They also sold flowers and chickens and stuff on that street.  There was also Dunkin Coffee (not Donuts).  Barc was way more commercialized than Italy.  The only commercial thing we have in Florence is like 2 McD's.  At the harbor we walked around, took some pictures in front of the water and Christopher Columbus statue (the real CC, Cat).  After that we attempted to go out for dinner.  We had the worst dinner of our entire lives.  Jen and I both ordered burgers.  Not realizing they were Vaella. Aka VEAL burgers.  Disgusting.  So I ate the bun for dinner and we payed about 16 euro each for that dinner.  We spent the whole time making fun of it and now its hilarious.  At the time I was pissed.  Then I ate a roll of mentos. Awesome dinner.

That night we went to the bar next to Chupitos because Chupitos was closed.  Carolyn turned 21 at midnight so we all sang and whatever.  It was nice.  Then we went off to Opium again but they tried to charge us 15 euro.  So we went next door to Shoko.  Which had a creepy drag queen.  Then we split in half and some of us went to Catwalk, including Jen's  love aha.  At one point Cat and T left so it was just Jen and I.  We had some fun met some people then decided to go home.

Next day (Monday) we went to Subway again for lunch and had tuna again! :)  We met up with JT and then the rest of the girls and went on a open top bus tour of Barc.  It was absolutely gorgeous that day, we should have gone to the beach.  But the tour was nice.  We went to Gaudi's house and this park he made.  It was so cool.  Part of it was actually the tunnel thing that ANTM did one of their season finales in with Caridee and the other girl dressed as zombie wives or whatever.  Really cool to see. Gaudis house was adorable.  It was pink with hot pink and green trim.  So cute.  And there were palm tress everywhere.  It was like another secret garden.  So far for secret gardens we have 1. my yard  2. the boboli gardens 3. parc guella (gaudis park).  We also saw the Barcelona stadium and some colleges, etc.  Then we went to Rita Blue for Carolyns birthday.  We had amazing food including chicken fajitas and nachos  covered in goat cheese and stuff.  Everything was so good.  And the restaurant was really cool looking.  We were saying how cool it would be to bring a place like that back to the US.

That night we went to Chiputo's for the second time.  I had a princess shot which had candy in it and a Harry Potter and some others.  Harry Potter was the absolutely worst shot I have ever taken.  Straight triple sec. On fire. ugh so gross.  But it was cool, when it was on fire he shook something at it to make it spark like magic.  Haha im a tool. Me and V love harry potter so I felt it was necessary.  Movie this summer V during the mid day again so no one sees us? ahah

Then we all split up again and some of us went to Jamboree.  It was ok, I was sober byt he time we found it  and I didnt wanna spend more money.  The place was also really smokey so my eyes hurt.  PS you can smoke EVERYWHERE in spain.  It sucks, especially when you're eating. (Jen loved it ahha)  So, Cat and I ended up going home early which was good after a couple tiring days.

Next day (Tuesday) we didnt do anything.  We were all dead and stayed in bed ALL day.  So bad but necessary.  We went out to our little pizza place for lunch and then went back and relaxed more.  I finished my book finally and then we went to dinner at Rita Blue's sister restaurant, Margarita Blue.  Everything there was also amazing, including the daiquiris we got.  In T's words, YUM.  We also actually ran into Mamie, Alyssa and Maria there.  So weird!  It was nice to see them though.  We decided to walk back from there to our hostel.  Terrible idea.  I thought we were going to die.  We power walked the whole way and on the way were offered hash, cocaine, and a gigolo.  Not so comforting.  Barc isnt exactly the safest place to be.  One of our friends was robbed 150 euro at an internet cafe.  The guy like climbed under her desk she was at.  So fucked up.  That night we stayed in because we had to get up at 9 for our flight to the Canary Islands the next day.

Overall Barcelona was a good time and I loved it there.  Everything was gorgeous there and so cool.  There was so much to see though I wish we had more time there.  We unfortunately never got to see the beach but we did in the Canary Islands!  Which I will write about in my next post.

Ciao!<3

march..

So the last 2 weeks have been rather boring.  I spent about 8 days in my bed dying, that was fun.  Never have been sick so long and not left my room ever.  Going to the doctor here was interesting.  I walked in, he looked at my throat and checked my breathing, never told me what was wrong with me and just wrote me a prescription. 40 euro for what? especially since you dont need a prescription here to get drugs at the pharmacy.  He put me on antibiotics which I honestly dont think helped that much since my throat still sort of hurts.

Tuesday I finished my ring in jewelry making, being sick put me kind of behind.  I also kind of messed it up at one point in the vice so its a little bent out of shape. Whatever I dont think I will wear it anyway since it is a little big.  After I finished my ring I started my earrings.  I have to go buy a stone to put in the middle, but theyre going to be silver flowers that I actually drew myself :) That night I went out for the first time since like 2 weeks ago.  Me and Kait went to red garter for dinner then Twice after.  Twice was pretty empty that night which was really strange.  We also got there early to meet up with tyler so there was no one there.  It was weird to be there when the lights were still on, we noticed soo many things we never noticed before. Probably should lay off the booze..  That night the bartender made me a GIANT june bug.  June bugs are my favorite shot, however I do not want my favorite shot in a massive glass. Gross.  I have to figure out how to make them so I can bring them back!  Hal would love them.. shes into all that tropical shit haha

Last night I had to write a paper on Louis Vuitton and Prada's window display.. fun, not.  Then I watched 24 from Monday which was absolutely fucking INSANE. Cant believe how good this season is.. I really hope its actually on next week. Midterms start in a little over a week. MID terms. cannot believe we're half way through here already! its so crazy.  But after midterms.. I will be well on my way to Barcelonaaa! then off to bask in the sun on the Canary Islands.  Cannot effing wait. It's gonna be so sick.  And hopefully I will be able to go to Greece.. it is full right now but theyre adding more spots I guess.  It will be weird not to be home for Easter, but I wont care if I am in the sun!

Thats about it.. going to Twice tonight (shocking)  Tomorrow I have to go to the sewing lab and finish some hemming and maybe head to the Ferragamo museum again.  I have to go for another class and I have to write my final paper on something so I figured I would do Ferragamos shoes since I have to be there so often.  Hopefully it will stop raining tomorrow.

I found out I have to take 2 summer classes as soon as I get home which I am not too happy about.  I have to take Marketing Principles and Consumer Behavior at Umass Boston like a week after I get home.  Thank god the assistant dean in the uri business school has a soul though.  She helped me more than I have ever been helped my entire career at uri.  As most non business majors know it is impossible to get into business classes there, and she is putting me in my 3rd one the day of registration thank god.  So now I can probably graduate on time! since I dont have a choice that is relieving.  Anyway thats enough.

Ciao

The Eugology

If you measure a life by love, then Jo Potter’s life was filled to overflowing. She walked through this world with a natural grace, an inherent kindness and a selflessness that inspired all who met her. It is a well worn cliché to talk of how much people are loved by others but, in Jo’s case, the living truth of how many people loved her, has been nearly overwhelming to us. She was even cherished and admired by both of her son-in-laws.     2 for 2 in the “Son-In-Law” Department? Now that’s amazing, but its typical Jo! Since her passing, her daughters, Ann and Joan, have heard from so many people, some of whom they thought Jo had barely known, about how they knew that they could always count on her, about how thankful they were for her friendship , and of how much their mother was loved. And as you hear story after story, you begin to realize that Jo was so loved because she was so loving. It was easy for her, it was genuine, and everyone who came into her presence knew it immediately. 

 

She was born in Brookline, the only child of Irish immigrants. Her life then, and at many times since, was far from easy.  But, from the start, her spirit was as indomitable, as her optimism was boundless. The challenges only served to reinforce her self sufficiency, her independence, and her commitment to hard work. These lessons informed her life, becoming interwoven into its very fabric and into everything that she did.  

 

After starting her family with her husband George, she returned to work at Dedham Medical Associates where her career spanned twenty-five years. She began as a part-time transcriptionist but quickly rose to positions in the administration, eventually serving as assistant administrator. She was a role model for so many women in the early 1960’s, when juggling family and a demanding career was still a novel idea.

 

 In characteristic style, Jo’s retirement had little to do with slowing down. She remained every bit as active as she had been during her career. She loved to travel and indulged her curiosity for life with many trips to interesting spots around the country and abroad. She loved the beach and got there as often as she could. A true New Englander she always got in the ocean, even in the frigid waters of Maine. And when her arthritis made walking quite difficult this past summer, she still managed to make a trip to the beach and to take a dip. Over the last 16 years, she devoted her life’s energy to Glad Rags and its mission of protecting the children of Massachusetts. She loved the community of women at Glad Rags and their friendship was a source of great joy to her.

 

Jo took particular delight in family activities, especially those involving her beloved grandchildren: Ali, Katie and Conor. Sharing these moments with them was worth any sacrifice, although, for Jo, it was never really a sacrifice. What she did for others was always to their credit, not hers. She attended every concert, swim meet, hockey game, lacrosse game and graduation that she could, even driving to Maine a couple of years ago despite our protests. Ali, who is studying in Italy and so could not be here with us today in person, although she’s very much here in spirit, has great memories of a family trip to Disney with her grandmother. Even though it was obvious that Jo was in pain from her arthritis, she was with them every step of the way and clearly seeing Disney World through the eyes of her then, 10 year old granddaughter.  Ali also remembers spending many New Years Eves with Grandma Jo, attending the fireworks in Westwood and then going back to her apartment for hot chocolate and popcorn.

 

If her family was the light of her life, then her Catholic faith was her rock. She served as a Eucharistic minister, ministering to those in need, until she was physically unable to do so. Her greatest pleasure was attending mass. In the last year, as her health failed, it was only through the gracious generosity of so many of you here today, that she was able to continue to attend. We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, for this and for every other kindness you showed Jo over the past few years.   

But although Jo’s struggles with her health seemed to intensify, she was like the Phoenix, constantly rising out of the ashes after each setback, somehow, at times, seeming stronger for the ordeal. We all came to believe that maybe she was going to live forever. So, now that she’s gone, it’s a little hard to believe. Hard to imagine a world without Jo. But maybe, we’re missing the point, because Love does not die. Of all of the many unique expressions associated with Jo, the one that was most purely hers, that most captured her unique spirit, was “Big Love”. At the end of a visit or a phone call, she would always say “Big Love”.  And that love that she gave to each of us is ours forever: to light our smiles when we’re happy; to warm our hearts when we’re sad; and to share with each other, as we are doing here today. And this Love will not die with us, it will go on. So, Jo, thank you for all the laughter and the tears that you shared with us; and for the comforts given and the challenges met.  God’s speed to you on this next stage of your journey and, of course, “Big Love”. 

 

An Irish Funeral Prayer

 

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without  effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting,  when we meet again.

Really wish I could have been there but putting my own part into it really helped me feel like I sort of was there.

RIP<3

 

 

Carnivale

So I am a bit behind here.. last time I wrote I had just found out about my grandmother.  I am definitely a lot better than I was the first couple of days.  I was a mess because I knew I couldn't go home and it killed me.  I felt guilty going out and should have just stayed home but tried going out anyway.. that was a mistake. But I guess my cousin video taped the funeral for me so I have the option of watching it when I get home.. don't really know how I feel about that.  And they put a poem at the end of the eulogy that I picked out.  The eulogy was really nice, I will probably post it at the end of this.  Apparently I am also getting her bedroom set since mine is pretty old.. but I the whole sleeping in her bed thing is rather creepy.  Eek good thing I dont go home for 3 more months and I only live at home for like 4 a year... 3 more months? thats it!? This is insane.  It is almost March and I got here in January. Where the hell did the time go?

Last week was not really eventful partially due to the fact I was a hermit in my bed for about 4 days.  In jewelry making we still are not done with our rings.. we should finish tomorrow though.  I am not looking forward to filing silver for 5 hours.  Sewing last week we learned different seams.  We learned the French seam, the Jean seam, the shirt seam, and a regular seam.  I am not very good at this sewing business.  I need way more practice.  I just cant sew straight which is kind of a problem. 

Thursday in Retail buying concepts we went on our field trip to the Ferragamo Museum.  Absolutely loved that trip.  The Museum is full of all the incredible and unique shoes he designed through out his life time and even some of the ones his daughter did after he died.  All the shoes for the movie Australia were designed by his daughter, who took over the company after his death.  There was a room dedicated to the movie and other shoes from other movies.  The way he designed his shoes was by making a wooden model of the shape of his clients foot and then making the shoe from that.  The museum had some of the celebrities wooden models including Katherine and Audrey Hepburn's.  There were also receipts from other celebs and pictures on the wall.  Overall it was really cool, I might go back with Kaitlynn so she can see.

Thursday night we went to Twice as usual.  This was the night I should have stayed in cause I was just a miserable human being.  Tyler however did take us to a secret bakery at like 6am though which was pretty sweet.  Apparently one of the bakeries that makes all the baked goods for all the cafes and stuff sells things illegally through out the night.  They are not an actual store so they are not supposed to do that.  The entrance is all dark and you are not allowed to talk while in there.. and sometimes if you dont go with an Italian they wont sell you anything.  We all got these mini pizzas that were amazing.. fresh out of the oven.

Friday we didnt go out because we had to get up at 5am for Milan Saturday morning.  We took a 4 hour bus ride to Milan and then had a 2 1/2 hour tour.  Worst tour ever.  Our tour guide went so slow, like I physically could not walk that slow.  We saw the gothica Duomo of Milan and all of the fashion.  The fashion is amazing there.  We saw mad paparazzi there.. apparently Danny Divito was there.  I could however have gone without seeing Milan while I was here.  Not too much there, and I am really happy I didnt go there for the semester as I originally planned.

Then we took a 2 hour bus ride to Verona (romeo and juliet anyone?) where we stayed in the not so nicest hotel.  They gave us a decent dinner and then we just went to the hotel bar and had the worst wine on the planet.  Then went to bed since we had to get up at 645 the next day for Venice.

Venezia is absolutely amazing and I am in love with it.  It is gorgeous and the water is aaaamazing.  It was carnival though so there were people everywhere.  You could barely move anywhere.  I bought a pretty mask and a couple for people at homee.  Gotta start doing the whole gift buying thing even though I am broke!  We had lunch and then went on a gondola ride which was so cool.  it was an exhausting day though, I could have gone home earlier than we did.  Then we had another 4 hour bus ride back.  I was dead last night.

We booked spring break last week! So excited.. we're going to Barcelona for 5 days and then the Canary Islands which are off the coast of Africa for 4 days.  So pumped!  I need to book Greece for Easter weekend too.  Its a booze cruise to Corfu Greece and everything is included.  Everyones going so I really need to book that.  

Anyway this is long enough, gotta go for a run since I have to be in a bathing suit in less than a month! AH!

Ciao!

Grandma<3

My grandmother passed away last night. I didn't really think that she would this time.  After all the times she has been so close she always beats it but I guess it was just her time.  She was in a lot of pain so she's peaceful now.  My father said I could come home but now my mother is saying no.  And it's my mothers mom who passed so I feel I should listen to her.  Even though flights are really cheap right now she still wont let me.  She was my only grandparent left and we were really close so I feel like I should be there.  I also wanted to bury the rosary beads with her but I wont be able to now, even if I mail them, they wont get there on time.  If I came home it would have been tomorrow morning until Monday and I would have missed so much here but I dont even care.  I spent like 2 hours on the phone today trying to see if I can make up a quiz I would miss and finally got them to let me.  And now I cant even go home.  A foreign country alone is the last place you want to be when one of your closets family members dies. God this sucks.  I might go over to the Duomo and light a candle or something for her this week.  Her funeral will either be Thursday or Friday so I will probably go one of those days.  We're going to Milan and Venice this weekend which I am now no longer excited for.  I would rather be going home.

And if you were with me tonight,

I'd sing to you just one more time.

A song for a heart so big,

God wouldn't let it live.

May angels lead you in.

rip grandma.. i love you always

Valentine's Shinanegans

It's Sunday evening and we just got back from the Boboli Gardens.  We finally did something productive! haha It was so pretty there, it reminded us all of the Secrert Garden.  Which kind of reminded me of home since everyone says the jungle I live in reminds them of the Secret Garden. boo :(  It was so nice out today and I definitely wore too much clothing.  Trecking up the awkward steps at the Boboli was rather exhausting and it was too hot out for winter clothing.  Anyway after that we just went to the grocery store to get ingrediants.  Kaitlynn's cooking one of her fav meals for us tonight.  Apparently I am up next but I don't cook soo I dont se that ending well.  Tiana and Kat cooked THE most amazing dinner for us the other night though.  We had ricotta and spinach niocci (sp?) and baked risotto balls.  I def gotta get those recipes from them.  That night we just ate dinner/drank wine and stayed in. It was a very funny evening..."I mean honestly.. have you ever had a bad ball?" aha

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  I think that holiday is bigger here than at home.  There were couples EVERYWHERE.  Me and Kait went to Reviour to get "the worlds best hot chocolate" and it was full of couples.  The hot cocoa was legit dark chocolate melted into a cup.  I struggled drinking the whole thing it was so filling.  But they did this cool chocolate floating  thing in it that said Reviour on it.   Then we did some shopping and I bought something at Zara for the first time ever.  I also found this adorable jewelry story where they make all their jewelry in the store.  So cute and def what I want to be able to do when I go home.  I bought a little flower clip for my hair, something small since the store wasnt exactly what I would call cheap.

Last night we went to dinner as a group for V-Day.  G made us reservations at a restaurant over the Arno.  It was really nice, we had a lot of wine (Tiana maybe a bit too much haha) and ordered pasta and stuff.  We were there for a really long time though, which is how family style dinners are here.  So then we went to Twice after and had a lot of fun.  And every night I spend less and less money and its fabulous haha.  Last night I spent $0 and got shitfaced.  Loves itttt !

My grandmother is doing a little better.. she sat up on her own yesterday I guess which is a step after breaking your back.  My parents have been very difficult to get a hold of since theyre always at the hospital.  I tried calling them lke 40 times yesterday and never got in touch which really freaked me out.  I was a stressed out mess at dinner.  Anyway now I'm exhausted and have a ton of work to do for tomorrow so I am going to go do that.

Ciao

Junebugs!

Lets just say last night was beyond interesting. We went to Twice as always and it was their Black and White Party. And we finally figured out the name of the shots we're obsessed with, June Bugs! how cute.  We're always like you know that yellow banana thing? Haha. Yeah we had a few too many of thosee.  I was also completely violated last night but it was rather hilarious. haha we wont get into that. But lets just say albums have been named after it.

So we got emails today from housing.  We got our second noise complaint for parties happening after Kait and I leave.  Starting to get rather pissed about that cause you get 2 written and they kick you out.  We did however get locked out last night because someone bolted the door shut so we had to bang on the window to wake someone up but that was only part of the noise complaint.  We sent a nasty email to them today.  Im not getting fucking kicked out for something I am not involved in.

Apparently its not a good day.  I just talked to my mom and apparently my grandmothers in the hospital again for the like 4th time this year.  Apparently she was sick and fell and no one found her for over a day.  I guess she fractured her back which is pretty effing bad when you're 86.  Idk why my family continues to let her live alone.  80 effing six and living alone? Not a good idea.  I guess her nurse who comes every day but the day she fell, came the next day and couldnt get in so she left.  Effed up.  I was going to bring the Rosary beads I bought at the vatican home with me but I think I might send them to her now.  I hope she gets better soon but I honestly dont think shes got much longer.  Shes a fighter though.

Kat and Tiana are cooking dinner tonight so we're going there soon.  All we have done today is slept and layed around, minus going to the housing place to try and yell at them but no one was there.  But then again we didnt go to bed until 6am so I think we deserved a day off.  I still dont know about Pisa or whatever tomorrow.  Gotta figure that out before I get drunk haha.  Idk where were going though tonight, prob Twice or Full Up?  We'll see.  K I gotta get ready.

Ciao!

Al

Week 3 already?

Welp, we're onto week 3.  Madness. So weird because I feel I have been here forever but we're running out of time here every single day! I'll tell you one thing though that I miss about home, clean air.  It smells absolutely awful pretty much everywhere. Do not understand that. But Italia does have something we do not have in the US anymore.. crispy m&m's! my favv, so exciting :)

Anyway, I had my first actual sewing class today (we had a sub last week).  Apparently I cannot sew straight seams so Im gonna have to work on that considering this is my career? Our professors daughter was in our class and was hiding under tables and stuff.  She was so cute! She wrote us each personal notes and said we were going to be best friends haha!  Yesterday I worked on my ring some more in jewlery making.  We worked on the setting for the stone (5 hours of hell basically).  The filing and sawing for so long made my fingers bleed by the end. This class is no joke. And soldering is so difficult.  Especially when you're soldering 2 pieces together and not just 1 piece.  Soldering is when you melt a tiny piece of metal into a ball with a blow torch (intense huh?) and then have to place the balls on the crack of what you are trying to solder together.  Then after you melt the ball again ontop of your piece and it "solders" and holds everything together.  Then you put it in the Pickling (acid) until it turns white.  So cool.

Tonight we're going to wings again.  Last week we got there so late that there were no wings left so I got a burger instead.  This time Jess is coming though which I am excited for!  Then we're going to Full Up I think.  I should be reading but whatever. 

 Last night I tried to figure out what I have to take next year.  I am so confused between PR, TMD, and professional electives.  I have taken 6 classes almost every semester of college and I am behind?  Someone please explain that to me!  I either have to take 6 classes one semester and then 7 the other. Insanity for senior year.  So I think I am going to take Textile Markets online over the summer.  Apparently it is a really hard class so we will see.  Some of the classes I will be taking though sound pretty cool so I am excited for that.  I definitely like classes in the U.S. better. Speaking of next year.. I need a home soon and I know my search is failing miserably over here. Also trying to find a summer job preferably in the event planning business which isn't going well either.  I do have Eagle though and I have some Raf events lined up which will be good cause I am mad broke already! 

So my family finally figured out skype.  Only took them 2 1/2 weeks.  Dont know how I feel about that haha.  Although I did get to see my puppy :)  He freaked when he heard my voice.

I think we're going to either do a day trip to Pisa this weekend or stay somewhere for a night and do Pisa one day and something else the next.  That should be cool.

I wish I could talk to Kimbo!  Her pictures look aaamazing.  Totally thinking I should have gone to Aussie like my original plan! haha Drinking on the beach every day? Who could complain?  I think Kim and I are 10 hours apart so it is going to be difficult to chat.  We're gonna have to emaill.

Alright thats enough for now.  

Ciao!

When In Rome..

Its Monday evening around 5pm.. got back from Rome last night around 9.  It was pretty fun but I definitely like Florence better.  We left Fri morning around 7am and I basically slept the whole way.  When we got there we had a tour with our lovely tour guide Fabrizio.. aka Fab.  We saw the Spanish Steps, the Panthenon (which by the way only costs 250 euro to get married in, but you have to make your reservation 3 years in advance!), and the Trevi Fountain which is so pretty.  Of course it rained during the tour though.. never get any sun around here.

After our tour we went to the best salad place ever with a bunch of the girls which was nice.  Then we went back and took a quick nap at the hotel.  We stayed at the something Argentina? haha idk.. it was kinda nice, the stairs were such a bitch though. Thenn we discovered the elevator. :)  So after all that and showering and what not.. 12 of the girls all went to dinner.  Everyones was pretty good except poor Molly whoa sked for pepperoni and they gave her giant salami haha.  They kept bringing us these really cool shots for free too.  Thennn we went on the mission to find the Ice Club.  We got lost of course, Rome is huge.  My feet definitely took a beating that night.  After we finally found it only some of us went in.  They gave us those cool cloak things and gloves.  We got frozen suns which were melon and something, which were amazing.  We drank them and took pictures in our own personal igloo! haha then we got cold and left.  We tried to find a bunch of other places but it was basically and irritating night of getting lost and we all lost any buzz we had from dinner so we just went to bed.

Saturday we skipped the tour in the morning to sleep a bit.  Then Kaitlynn, Molly, and I went to lunch and went shopping where I bought a pale yellow clutch.  After that the other girls and the guys and I basically ran to the Vatican due to false info on when it closed.  It was amazingg. St. Peters church is incredible and absolutely huge.  We climbed to the top, all 320 stairs, in this creepy skinny sideways stairwell.  But the view at the top was totally worth it.  You could see all of Rome, so we took some pics and then went down to the gift shop.  I got my Grandmother really nice Rosary beads which I think she will love.  She told me she was going to pray for me every night I was gone so she will get some use out of them I am sure.

That night we did the Spanish Steps pub crawl.  At first we were all annoyed since it was pouring and they said there was a bus which there was most definitely not.  We were all like eff this we hate rome we just wanna be back in florence at twice and be vip! haha  The first bar we had a free shot, unlimited beer and wine and pizza for an hour.  Basically none of us ate before so we got hammered there before we left.  Then we went to another bar where we had a free shot we had to take at the door and they took a picture of you. I am sure it was an ugly picture since the shots were awful haha.  Then we spent about 30 minutes in line for the bathroom, got a drink/shot, and left for the next bar.  

The next bar was fun.  Once again, free shot/picture at the door, and then we kept getting this incredible yellow shot thing.  Lets just say I spent way too much money that night haha.  Then we moved on to a really nice club called Gildea.  Apparently it costs 30 euro to get in which we didnt have to pay and like 10 euro for a drink.  It was really nice and requires men wear jackets there.  We were all so drunk though we did not realize how absurd the place was.  There were naked people dancing on blocks and the girl was singing creepy background music.  Then there was this man that looked like a jacked Pop Eye holding a GIANT potato.  Like this never crossed our minds as weird until the next day.  There was a guy walking around dressed as a sailor but with no pants on and then another like deranged pirate creepin in the corners.  So weird.  I also ran into Katie and Ashley there (URI girls).  They were in the other group of the pub crawl so I didnt see them til the last place.

Sunday we were so hungover.  We had to check out by 10 but our tour wasnt until 130.  Basically we went and sat for coffee for an hour then went to eat for another hour haha.  So lazy.  Then we had a bus tour of Rome and saw the ruins and stuff.  Then we got out and went to the Colosseum which was realllly cool and pretty.  Overall Rome was nice but I definitely wouldnt wanna live there.  But.. they do have a Hello Kitty store which was so cool.  Adorable but overly priced.

So now its back to class wooo.. not.  I am totally going to fail Italian.  She does not teach in 1 word of English so I am screwed.  I had Ann send me my Italian book thats actually in English so hopefully that will get here soon. Anyway, gotta get to history of italian fashion booo.

Ciao,

Allie

Meet me in the club.. its going downn

Hiiii.  It's thursday evening, and officially the weekend.  Last night we went to Full Up and Young Jock was there.  We were like 2 inches away and he asked on of the girls for her number aha.  I would never have been able to spot him on my own, his entourage sure helped. aha

Anyway, I had a 9am this morning, Retail Buying concepts which will be pretty cool.  It has rained all day.  It stopped so we went shopping.  I got my first piece of Italian leather (a bag) and went to H&M to get some going out clothes and a jacket.  So when we left it was downpouring.  Of course I had no hood and forgot my umbrella.  It was quiet a walk back to our apt where I took a hot shower to feel better.  I think I am getting a bit sick, I have had a sore throat and now I have a cough.  Lovely, just in time for Roma.

Roma is tomorrow.  Gotta be up so early so I am not going out tonight.  I am going to Aperitivo with Jess and the Italians now though.  Its when restaurants let you buy 1 drink and then they give you food, and usually you get the second drink cheaper I think.  Anyway its nice, you dont pay for food.  K gotta go I am getting picked up.. Who would have thought I would get in a car while I was here.

Ciao!

<3al

rain rain go away

Apparently all it does here is rain. It has rained for 3 days straight and is going to until next week.  Even this weekend when we go to Rome, it will rain. Kinda pissed about that.  I dont feel like walking around in the rain for about 18 hours straight. Whatever at least it is Rome and not boring old Canton or the smallest state on the planet.

So I just had my first jewelry making class.  Way more intense and cooler than I thought it would be.  We started a ring today which is gonna be prettyy effing sweet at the end.  We used blow torches like no other and tons of acid.  Weird.  And will not be able to do things like this when I get home, sooo my plan on skipping out on school, moving to Mexico, living in my car, and selling my jewelry will most likely not work.  Sorry Lauren you wont be able to come with and sell your body with me.  Anyway, the ring we started is silver and mine is going to have a lavender stone set in it.  The band itself took 5 hours today.  But totally worth it.  We're making earrings, another ring starting out with a wax mold, and either a bracelet or a necklace.  She said if we have time we can do more which I am happy about.

I really wish 24, oth, and gossip would hurry up and download.  What else would I do on a rainy day but catch up on the mad shows that I miss over here.  And you cannot watch online, gotta buy on Itunes.  My Itunes bill is gonna be absurdly high by the end of this semester.  There's no way I am missing out on 24 when it is this good.  Thank god I only had one class today.  Cannot handle being in class here for some reason, I get way too ancy.  Maybe because I know I am missing out on being outside here.  But all it does is rain anyway so I guess it doesnt matter.

So still since I have been here I have not really talked to anyone from home.. basically Brackett and Lauren, Melissa sort of, and randomly Gerard yesterday forever? haha Even when I call home the first question is, why are you calling? I can tell Ann greatly misses me as always.  And Henry, the poor technology retarted man that he is, has tried skyping me for 3 days straight.  Cannot figure it out.  Which I am kind of happy about as we dont talk at home, why talk here? Anyway, oth is almost done therefore I have way more important things to do than type.

Ciao!

al

p.s. totally found american coffee today which i am pumped about.. we all know i am not a friendly human being before i have my coffee. and its mad cheap for like an enormous sized coffee.. and they even steam the milk for a normal coffee, so like foam but not a latte, found that weird. anyway, that made my day :)

who would have thought we would actually have to go to class here?

    Ciao! So, class started today.  I had Italian this morning which was a bit intense.  I dont remember anything from last year and she spoke in Italian the entire time.  Although I have remembered a bunch after being here for a week it is not nearly enough.   Cant  believe we have only been here a week.. it seems like we have been here for like a month.  We hang out with a few locals and finally have figured out how to get places without getting lost which I wouldn't think would happen that quick.  I have the history of italian fashion tonight until 830.. not too pumped about walking alone in the dark.  At home I am not one of those girls thats afraid to go anywhere alone, but honestly you have to be here.  You cant even walk out alone during the day without getting freaked out by some creepy italian man saying ciao bella or mama mia at you about 50 times a day. Unnecessary.  You think guys in the U.S. are pigs? (I sure did) wellll come to Italy. They are incredibly rude and inappropriate.

Anyway, although there are creepy men roaming everywhere, I sure as hell do not miss home.  It is entirely drama free minus about 10 minutes the other night. The only thing I miss is mac and cheese and other normal food, and a select bunch of people, anddd puddles.  I did find a bagel this morning.. pumpped.  I do miss my bud light though, all I have had here is vodka, random hard booze, and wine.  And Kim of all people knows I should not drink vodka aha. Kimbo's leaving for Aussie in like 3 days so i need to talk to her before she goes, since the time diff will make it very hard for us to chat often if at all! 

Yesterday Jess and I basically had Jess and Allie day aha. We went to lunch then randomly made dinner at my house (pasta of course since that is all we eat here = death by carbs). Then we went to her Italian friends house to "watch the superbowl".  Well we got there too early and we played hours of Smash Brothers on Wii, new found tip is Peach is the shittt. Who would have thought I'd come to Italy and play Wii. I am going there every time I am remotely home sick.. which I dont think is gonna happen sooooon.  So then we realized we were exausted so we skipped Red Garter and each went home.  I watched Lakeview Terrace on Itunes (that shit is expensive).  Pretty good although Samuel was a bittt sketchy in that movie, well, he is in every movie, which is like every movie on the planet.  OK nap time before fashion.

Ciao! 

<3al

first firenze postt- lots to catch up on

So I am finally here in Firenze.. it's day 6 I a pretty sure. Alot has happened since we got here. Our flight to Rome was completely empty which was awesome.. we all layed down on our own entire rows to sleep.  Tylenol p.m. and red wine saved my life that flight, passed right out.  Our flight to Firenze was delayed which was rather annoying since everyone was exausted at that point.  When we arrived API picked us up, my luggage was there amazingly.. I was expecting that to be lost, and then we went to the hotel.  Hotel Baglioni was where we stayed which was really nice.  Our room had three beds where me Kaitlynn and Mel stayed, we had huge stain glass windows overlooking the piazza down below. That night we had a meeting and a welcome dinner, nothing special.  That night was beyond interesting.  We went out with about 35 people to somewhere "close".  Of course we wore heels and of course it was not close. Try like 5 miles away. It ended up being 4 of us girls at the end and we found a really nice bar called Slowly. Our drinks had crazy fruit coming out of them.

So Tuesday we had our first real day.  We had a tour at 830am of the city and saw basically all the main spots including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, etc.  The Duomo is HUGE. Like yeah looks huge in pics but it is so overwhelming when you stand next to it.  Walking near it at night when no one is around is very creepy but pretty at the same time.  The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is really pretty especially when standing on one of the other bridges from a distance.  It has all gold shops through out it.  After our tour, Kaitlynn, Tiana, and Kat who I have become pretty good friends with went to lunch with the guys.  Then we had another meeting and that night API took us to dinner.  First we took a super crowded bus over the Arno River so we could see the whole city lit up at night from a distance.  We also saw the David Statue which was cool.  Then we went to "the best Pizza in Florence". Lie. Good but I wouldnt say it was the best.  That night us girls and the guys went out to Twice, which has sort of become our place.  We have made good friends with the owners and they get us free drinks/tables all night which is pretty sweet since a drink here is like 8 euro aka like 10 bucks in the U.S.

Wednesday we moved into our apt which is really nice.  Everything has been redone and it is pretty close to everything like Marcato Centrale and the Duomo.  Also close to one of the only places that sells bagels.  That is HUGE for me.  Our apt has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms which is nice since many only have 1 bathroom.  That day we went to IKEA to get bedding and stuff.  Katilynn and I bought matching duvets and rugs to make our room cute.  That night I finally got to see Jess! We went out to Moyo with her Italian friend which was nice.  Hopefully I will be seeing her tonight too :).

Thursday we had survival tours in the morning, which actual saved our lives.  It helped us finally find a straightener and a blow dryer which was driving me insannnnne and mattress pad things to make our beds or cots better. After that me and Kaitlynn went to pizza and then we went out to Twice again with the guys. And I even ran into Rich from work!  He is studying in Rome for the semester but they did a couple weeks here in Florence first.

Friday was probably one of the better nights we had.  We went to Twice again and Tyler, one of the owners, got us vipp! loves itttt. Grey goose makes any person happy :) That morning we had Lorenzo de'Medici orientation.. pointless.  They repeat everything thats been told to us already a thousand times.  And I was exhausted, we never ever caught up on our jet lag.  Every night this week we have gone to bed at like 4 and gotten up before 830. So after that I went back and napped for a few hours.  Then we grocery shopped for the first time... so overwhelming.  The best thing we bought was olive oil, parmesan cheese, wine, and bread which we basically live off of.  Kailtynn and I made a cute little home dinner last night which was reaaaally good.  First cooking experience over here woop.  Hard to do with no oven or toaster. Props to us! I skyped with Brackett today which was nice and I have talked to my parents a couple times but thats about it on the home front.  I bought post cards today so I will send those soon.

So that leads me to today, Saturday.  We went to American brunch today at The Diner.  We needed it.  All we have eaten since we got here is pasta and pizza each once a day.  These people eat way too many carbs.  But we're losing weight because we walk everywhere.  I swear we have walked more than a marathon since we arrived.  Then Tiana, Kat, Kaitlynn and I walked around for a while.  We tried to go to the Boboli (sp?) gardens but they were closing.  So we shopped a bit then came home.  Now I am about to shower and either go out with the girls to Space or go out with Jess.. not really sure what I am doing yet.  One of the club promoters wants us to come to Space tonight so I am not complaining if stuff will be free again.  Certain things here are mad cheap but some are ridiculous.  They charge you for water when you go out to eat and just for sitting at the table.  Aaaabsurd.

We start class on Monday which I dread but am slightly excited for because of sewing and jewlery making.  Those classes will be pretty interesting.  We are also going to Rome next weekend which will be really fun too.  I know we plan on going to the Ice Bar everyone always goes to so Im excited to see that.  They said we would miss home but honestly I dont see that happening any time soon.  The lack of stress over here is amazing and everything is so beautiful. So basically I am not coming home. haha  The only annoying thing are the creepy Italian men.  You can look like hell ran you over and back up again and the men will go insane when you walk by.  The best lines the girls have gotten have been things like oh you dropped something..look down.. My number, my heart! and are you looking for a boyfriend? and singing pretty woman when we walk down the street.  I cant even go for a run here its so effed up. Good thing we walk everywhere. 

Ok I need to eat some more bread and olive oil and showerr

Ciao!

<3al