"Hows your First Month of Italy been?"

It's felt like a whirlwind!

apartment-Florence- Italy-school-studio-homework-cooking-drinking-socializing

it just keeps going....

Last time i posted i mentioned getting a bike!

Biking through this city is the best way to see it. I have a basket, which makes grocery shopping and carrying materials a lot easier, and a bell to ring at annoying tourists who don't look where they are walking. also biking through the nearby countryside is a great and cheep way to enjoy the weekends.

some things i've noticed about Italians

- The women here age beautifully! I'm speaking about the majority here... Middle aged women just don't carry the same weight, and stresses they do in America. Their wrinkles form differently. Instead of sagging faces the lines recede around high cheekbones. Their wrinkles look like a timeline of their smiles. Also they dress and carry themselves with confidence and sexiness.

- They don't get out of your way. if your walking on a side walk and someone Italian is approaching you your going to get walked into if you don't move. They have a certain entitlement to their surroundings, very evident in their body language.

- They LOVE Obama

-Hand gestures and practically a language in and of themselves... use cautiously!

- The Italian men worth knowing.... don't speak English... guess ill be learning Italian after all ;)

Some fun things i've done that are worth mentioning

- Went to Cinque Terra ( 5 lands) it is on the coast of Italy (look for link to pictures at the bottom) it was a beautiful day, we floated in the sea which is the most beautiful salty water EVER. Cinque terra is made up of 5 cities and you can hike or take a train between them. my friend kate and i decided to do both. they are each very similar and very beautiful. it looks a lot like the coast of California with the mountainous roads.

- Stopped by a wine festival happening around Florence. Dont know much more about wine, however i had a great time drinking it and strolling along the Arno, wine glass in hand.

- Got a bit sick over the last week, so i've spent some quality time in my apartment getting better

- Found a weekly flea market and enjoying the fresh outdoor market down the street from my school.

Side note: in our school's courtyard we have lots of fruit trees. I've never seen lemons, limes, pomegranates, and peaces all growing!

- On a Tuesday night while strolling around Florence we came across a HUGE concert going on infront of the church Santa Croce. The joined into the crowd and enjoyed the Italian Rock. it was a very lively crowd and tons of chanting and dancing. the next morning in class i found out that what i had been to was a huge organized Fascist rally against the Mafia! its was ridiculously fun!

Art

-So i have entered into a new relationship. i know i know, "Julie don't get involved while your abroad!!!!!" but this time its different, because its with a piece of Marble.

I fell in love with a gorgeous piece of pink marble my first week of school and almost immediately came up with a maket and started going at it. At first the whole relationship was mostly physical. It was me, taking off large chunks at a time trying to find the form. As i spent more and more time with it, and started getting closer to the sculpture inside we started having issues... Somehow, i keep fucking things up between us. Taking off too much, making rash decisions, changing my mind. Marble isn't happy at the moment and neither am i. We are trying a break and will see how we feel about each-other in a week. I will keep you updated.

What's coming up?

This weekend i will be out in Chanti for the grape harvest, my teacher is having my class come out to the country where she has an apartment and we will meet her neighbors with vinyards and sketch and hang out in Tuscany! Its grape harvesting season so everyone is very excited!

I have booked flights for fall break! i will be in Barcelona and Amsterdam. Super excited!

I am also looking forward to seeing my parents next month when they taking a trip out here to see me!

If you haven't already seen them, here are some pictures

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=154489&id=505318377&l=854809b40e