i admit fully that i should be doing homework now. i didn't read about michelangelo and i didn't finish studying for my italian quiz. oh well, i will get to both... eventually and catch up on my journal entries for my lifestyle class. i guess you can tell i had a hard time doing real work this week.
of course it took facebook to make me realize that while i'm in la-la land here, things are still going on at home. case and point ben folds is playing at mary washington this semester. i only listened to ben folds every other day driving to school senior year (ask brett). then i got a facebook message from COAR (which is my student job during the school year) about volunteer opportunities after spring break. In days a new batch of Mary Washington students will leave on Alternative Spring Break, the volunteer trip that i led myself last year. it's just hard to remember sometimes that while i'm having the time of my life in italy, things are still going on at home. it's going to be so hard going back... it's going to be hard to go back to being normal kari. no more clubbing on tuesday nights because i was "in the mood," no more "walk abouts" during art history class, no more espresso and pastries:(
I haven't updated since tuesday and must report that i saw Michelangelo's David.... it may have changed my life. It's just hard to believe such a perfect form could be made of marble. my friend ruby summed the experience up perfectly "David is clearly experiencing one of those rare moments of clarity when you realize what you have to do, see your future, and go for it." His face shows fear, determination, and power all at once. When you think about it of course Michelangelo was able to achieve this incredible result; Michelangelo was about 20 years old was facing the same hurdle as David. Michelangelo had to show the world that he was the best, that he was going to be the man in history for his Renaissance sculptures and that he could distroy his competition.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, Monday, Monday
Hello all,
Well has been another fun and frivolous day in Italy... and believe me it was wonderful. I woke up around 10 (well technically first around 8 when Caitlin got ready for class) and cleaned my room and shifting my laundry around the room according to their levels of dry-ness. Laundry seems to turn into a 2-3 day affair here... 1 day to wash and hang, then another 1-2 days of waiting for the clothes to actually dry... nothing like a good exercise in patience. Okay, but back to my day. I read for the Nude in Modern Art in bed, however it was a little boring because it mostly just listed all the reason that David is the first Modern artists which my professor had covered in class. Anyways, then I showered and made brunch. I met Emily at 1:30 in front of Chanel to begin our little shopping adventure. I bought a pair of skinny jeans (my first) because I'm really tired of my clearly american boot-cut jeans and I bought a cute little white button down top. Emily and I shopped a bit more and walked around Florence until we found a good gelato place. When we were walking back towards school we found this really cool jewelry store that had all these hand-beaded braclets and necklaces. If I haven't bought those jeans I definitely would have gotten myself something there, oh well. In Italian class we reviewed the passato prossimo, apparently this is something that no one remembered. I felt bad for our teacher Beatrice. In Italian tomorrow we are all supposed to dress up like a famous person or animal for a "festa" in class to celebrate the end of Carnivale. I guess I will have to throw something together tomorrow.
And I guess I should just say it, because frankly I've already told a lot people anyways. Saturday night I met up with the Italian boys I met a couple weeks ago with my roomates. It was a lot of fun, and the night turned out to be a lot better after Caitlin pulled Matteo aside and asked who Andrea liked and he said "i'm pretty sure the blonde." Yada, yada, yada. . . now I have a date with Andrea tomorrow night and I am of course excited because he's well in Caitlin's words "dreamy," but I'm also nervous. I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing or what I'm supposed to wear. Mamma Mia! I have no idea how we are going to piece together normal first date conversations between my lack of italian and his lack of english. Besides the fact that both of us are pretty shy. So my fingers are crossed and hopefully I will not be disappointed.
Well has been another fun and frivolous day in Italy... and believe me it was wonderful. I woke up around 10 (well technically first around 8 when Caitlin got ready for class) and cleaned my room and shifting my laundry around the room according to their levels of dry-ness. Laundry seems to turn into a 2-3 day affair here... 1 day to wash and hang, then another 1-2 days of waiting for the clothes to actually dry... nothing like a good exercise in patience. Okay, but back to my day. I read for the Nude in Modern Art in bed, however it was a little boring because it mostly just listed all the reason that David is the first Modern artists which my professor had covered in class. Anyways, then I showered and made brunch. I met Emily at 1:30 in front of Chanel to begin our little shopping adventure. I bought a pair of skinny jeans (my first) because I'm really tired of my clearly american boot-cut jeans and I bought a cute little white button down top. Emily and I shopped a bit more and walked around Florence until we found a good gelato place. When we were walking back towards school we found this really cool jewelry store that had all these hand-beaded braclets and necklaces. If I haven't bought those jeans I definitely would have gotten myself something there, oh well. In Italian class we reviewed the passato prossimo, apparently this is something that no one remembered. I felt bad for our teacher Beatrice. In Italian tomorrow we are all supposed to dress up like a famous person or animal for a "festa" in class to celebrate the end of Carnivale. I guess I will have to throw something together tomorrow.
And I guess I should just say it, because frankly I've already told a lot people anyways. Saturday night I met up with the Italian boys I met a couple weeks ago with my roomates. It was a lot of fun, and the night turned out to be a lot better after Caitlin pulled Matteo aside and asked who Andrea liked and he said "i'm pretty sure the blonde." Yada, yada, yada. . . now I have a date with Andrea tomorrow night and I am of course excited because he's well in Caitlin's words "dreamy," but I'm also nervous. I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing or what I'm supposed to wear. Mamma Mia! I have no idea how we are going to piece together normal first date conversations between my lack of italian and his lack of english. Besides the fact that both of us are pretty shy. So my fingers are crossed and hopefully I will not be disappointed.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
heart of the matter
Today I awoke to a horrible dream, and by that i mean it's so weird only i would dream it. as background i have been ignoring calls from a guy i met last week for the last few days. anyways in the dream he called again and this time he picked up and proceeded to bitch about how i led him on and whatnot. What a jerk, yelling at me in my dreams. how rude! now i really don't want to see him again!
Anyways, so now I a) am NOT giving out my number and b) being less friendly
Today I spent the afternoon walking around Florence with my roomate Caitlin. We went to San Marco which was a convent. There was a really beautiful garden courtyard, chapel, small museum of altarpieces, and they let you walk upstairs to see the rooms where the nuns slept. It was small, but a nice little visit. Afterwords we stopped at a pastry shop and I ate the most delicious cream-puff of my life sitting on a park bench while Caitlin proceeded to feed the birds crumbs from her panino. We window shopped for awhile and stopped for a coffee. At 5:00 we went to the english mass at the Duomo. It was nice to actually understand the readings and homily this time;) There something to be said for hearing the mass said in an old church so steeped in history, it just feels special. Afterwards we shopped some more (big surprise, I know) and I bought my first shirt here... maybe I'll wear it tonight. Finally we came home around 8 and I made some pasta. Now I'm going to start getting dressed because at 11 I'm meeting the Italian boys (with my roomates) from the first weekend I was here. None of us have seen eachother since the "battle of the bands" so hopefully it's not awkward. last time we met i developed quite the little crush on andrea (an-dray-ah) so we shall see what happens tonight.
Anyways, so now I a) am NOT giving out my number and b) being less friendly
Today I spent the afternoon walking around Florence with my roomate Caitlin. We went to San Marco which was a convent. There was a really beautiful garden courtyard, chapel, small museum of altarpieces, and they let you walk upstairs to see the rooms where the nuns slept. It was small, but a nice little visit. Afterwords we stopped at a pastry shop and I ate the most delicious cream-puff of my life sitting on a park bench while Caitlin proceeded to feed the birds crumbs from her panino. We window shopped for awhile and stopped for a coffee. At 5:00 we went to the english mass at the Duomo. It was nice to actually understand the readings and homily this time;) There something to be said for hearing the mass said in an old church so steeped in history, it just feels special. Afterwards we shopped some more (big surprise, I know) and I bought my first shirt here... maybe I'll wear it tonight. Finally we came home around 8 and I made some pasta. Now I'm going to start getting dressed because at 11 I'm meeting the Italian boys (with my roomates) from the first weekend I was here. None of us have seen eachother since the "battle of the bands" so hopefully it's not awkward. last time we met i developed quite the little crush on andrea (an-dray-ah) so we shall see what happens tonight.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Kari + Giotto + Raphel + Titian = LOVE
Hello again,
Well it's Friday aka first day of the weekend. I rang in the weekend last night with the roomates and Emily. We started at the American bar (mostly because their drinks are really cheap), then went to Astor and Amadeus, and ended up at the club Twice. At Amadeus we met guys from BC that are in NYU's program and I was talking to Matt and we were having a nice little chat and then the bartender (Peter) hands him the remote control to the TV and instantly I am invisible because ESPN is present. So we left for Twice. The premise was to reunite with Bonnie and Jade but we never found them. We danced for awhile and had to switch locations a few times, the guys were being really handsy so eventually we gave up and called it a night. We got home and made pasta at home with Bonnie and Jade... a nice second dinner at 4am. only in Europe.
Today I slept forever;) Then I went to the Uffizi Gallery alone. It was perfect, I was glad that I got to have my moment with my art alone. I ran into a friend there who invited me to go with his group, and felt a little bad saying "sorry I just like having my own time in museums". Oh well. It was incredible seeing such important artists. In Giotto's Madonna and Child altarpiece you can see how important he was as an artist, he was really the first to paint Mary as a woman, a real woman. She is not idealized, she has a physical presence. Seeing Titian's Venus of Urbino was another incredible moment especially because we have been spending a lot of time with her in "the Nude in Modern Art." It was nice to not feel prudish in front of the painting... I was able to appreciate her as art, as a stunning example of female beauty. Another big moment was seeing the Caravaggio room, I love his "Baccus." The grapes, inviting wine... Caravaggio knows how to engage his viewer. I promise this is the last painting I will bring up today, but Parmiganino's "Madonna of the Long Neck"... even more rediculous in person. Her body is insane, she literally would be at least 7 feet tall, and Jesus shoot he's probably taller than me. Insane.
After the Uffizi, I joined my roomates and we went out for Gelato (never gets old, I promise) and window shopped. I found a pair of boots I liked a lot that were 50 euros... I'm thinking about trying them on tomorrow and just biting the bullet and making my first big purchase... I deserve it. I also I'm starting to think I need to buy a pair of skinny jeans so I can blend in a little better... and they would look good with the boots I want. It's a shame money doesn't grow on trees.
It going on 8, so I'm going to eat dinner in a bit and then shower and get ready to go out again. La Vita Italiana e bella:)
Well it's Friday aka first day of the weekend. I rang in the weekend last night with the roomates and Emily. We started at the American bar (mostly because their drinks are really cheap), then went to Astor and Amadeus, and ended up at the club Twice. At Amadeus we met guys from BC that are in NYU's program and I was talking to Matt and we were having a nice little chat and then the bartender (Peter) hands him the remote control to the TV and instantly I am invisible because ESPN is present. So we left for Twice. The premise was to reunite with Bonnie and Jade but we never found them. We danced for awhile and had to switch locations a few times, the guys were being really handsy so eventually we gave up and called it a night. We got home and made pasta at home with Bonnie and Jade... a nice second dinner at 4am. only in Europe.
Today I slept forever;) Then I went to the Uffizi Gallery alone. It was perfect, I was glad that I got to have my moment with my art alone. I ran into a friend there who invited me to go with his group, and felt a little bad saying "sorry I just like having my own time in museums". Oh well. It was incredible seeing such important artists. In Giotto's Madonna and Child altarpiece you can see how important he was as an artist, he was really the first to paint Mary as a woman, a real woman. She is not idealized, she has a physical presence. Seeing Titian's Venus of Urbino was another incredible moment especially because we have been spending a lot of time with her in "the Nude in Modern Art." It was nice to not feel prudish in front of the painting... I was able to appreciate her as art, as a stunning example of female beauty. Another big moment was seeing the Caravaggio room, I love his "Baccus." The grapes, inviting wine... Caravaggio knows how to engage his viewer. I promise this is the last painting I will bring up today, but Parmiganino's "Madonna of the Long Neck"... even more rediculous in person. Her body is insane, she literally would be at least 7 feet tall, and Jesus shoot he's probably taller than me. Insane.
After the Uffizi, I joined my roomates and we went out for Gelato (never gets old, I promise) and window shopped. I found a pair of boots I liked a lot that were 50 euros... I'm thinking about trying them on tomorrow and just biting the bullet and making my first big purchase... I deserve it. I also I'm starting to think I need to buy a pair of skinny jeans so I can blend in a little better... and they would look good with the boots I want. It's a shame money doesn't grow on trees.
It going on 8, so I'm going to eat dinner in a bit and then shower and get ready to go out again. La Vita Italiana e bella:)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tentative Spring Break Plans.... thoughts?
Honestly I'm mostly blogging because I don't feel like doing my journal entry for lifestyle in renaissance florence OR do my italian reading comprehension homework... imagine that?
However, after talking to Caitlin in our room I think we have a decent plan for spring break... I like to call the trip "Kari and Caitlin Take Eastern Europe by Storm" and in it we would spend 10 days visiting Croatia, Istanbul, and Budapest. This seems like a good idea A) no one else will be doing thus I don't have to feel like the typical American in Italy for once, B) it will be cheaper than France/ UK/ etc, and C) I don't think I would ever devote 10 days of my life to Eastern Europe again. The only downside is that I probably won't make it to Morocco this semester, and I was looking forward to saying I've been to African and they speak my language (francais). Nothing is planned yet, but for once I think I'm headed in the right direction for spring break.
I had my favorite class today (Nude in Modern Art) and A) I realized that I am in love with probably the only straight, attractive, male art history professor, B) feel in love all over again with the artists Ingres and Manet, and C) picked "my nude" for my oral presentation and paper. She's Gustav Klimt's version of Danae. Danae was told in an oracle that her child would kill her father thus was locked away by her father. Zeus comes to her in the form of golden rain and alas the oracle comes true. I love Gustav Klimt so I'm actually looking forward to the assignment.
However, after talking to Caitlin in our room I think we have a decent plan for spring break... I like to call the trip "Kari and Caitlin Take Eastern Europe by Storm" and in it we would spend 10 days visiting Croatia, Istanbul, and Budapest. This seems like a good idea A) no one else will be doing thus I don't have to feel like the typical American in Italy for once, B) it will be cheaper than France/ UK/ etc, and C) I don't think I would ever devote 10 days of my life to Eastern Europe again. The only downside is that I probably won't make it to Morocco this semester, and I was looking forward to saying I've been to African and they speak my language (francais). Nothing is planned yet, but for once I think I'm headed in the right direction for spring break.
I had my favorite class today (Nude in Modern Art) and A) I realized that I am in love with probably the only straight, attractive, male art history professor, B) feel in love all over again with the artists Ingres and Manet, and C) picked "my nude" for my oral presentation and paper. She's Gustav Klimt's version of Danae. Danae was told in an oracle that her child would kill her father thus was locked away by her father. Zeus comes to her in the form of golden rain and alas the oracle comes true. I love Gustav Klimt so I'm actually looking forward to the assignment.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Venice
Me in front of Doge's Palace (where the Duke of Venice lived)
View of San Marco
water, me, etc.
on one of the little bridges
oops dead end, might as well take pictures;)
(NOTE: thank you Emily for sending me pictures)
So about Venice. We took the train early to get to Venice around 12:30. We had to switch trains twice and accidentally got on a fast train out of Prato, instead of the regular train which we had paid for. So we did have to pay an upcharge along the way (rookie mistake). The train was pretty comfortable and I think now I've figured it out. I hope so at least, otherwise it's going to be a long train ride to Rome.
Seeing Venice from the train and then after when we left the train station was literally breathtaking. It's hard to describe how beautiful the old Italian building look juxtaposed against the sparkling water and crisp sky. We decided to skip the water bus and leisurely walk through Venice to the San Marco area where our hotel was located. (oh for background I went this weekend with Emily and Kimberly). It was pretty, pleasant, better than I thought it would be. We grabbed lunch at a little cafe and kept on walking. At some point along the way I dropped my camera which is now broken. Good thing I was in such a good mood, because I completely skipped the moment of rage against the streets of Venice. (btw I guess tomorrow I will have to take my camera some where to see if it can get fixed otherwise I will be making a purchase in a few days).
We found our hotel without too much trouble and it really was pretty cute, again better than I expected. In the afternoon we visited St. Mark's Basilica. It was incredible (tied for my favorite part of Venice). The size of the church is truly incredible and then with the mosaics everywhere, it truly is a sight to behold. We then walked by the water and I bought a mask (touristy but necessary). We warmed up with hot chocolate in a cafe and window shopped until dinner time. It was really hard to find an affordable place in Venice for dinner so we ended up eating at a place that was the cheapest we could find, but still overpriced. At least my spaghetti alla carbonara was delicious. Friday night was a bit disappointing. We didn't really find many bars and the only one that seemed crowded wasn't well all that great, so we called it a night early.
Saturday was packed because it was the start of the carnivale. There were plenty of people walking around in masks and/or in full costumes, which is just a little strange. At one point I had the ultimate art history dorky moment- everyone was taking pictures of these people in carnivale costumes and I walked completely around so I could get a view of the "Tetrarchs" behind the costume-man. I felt a little bit like the grinch at Christmas. Saturday we paid to walk up St. Mark's basilica so we could get a view of the city, it was well worth it. We also visited the Doge Palace (where the Duke of Venice lived). The palace was very pretty and it was cool to walk through the attached prison, creepy but cool. Saturday we also went to the Peggy Gugenheim museum in Venice- it definitely is tied with St. Mark's for my favorite part of Venice. The collection was amazing- I saw three Jackson Pollack paintings, a landscape by Kandinsky (probably my favorite in the collection), several by Picasso, Kalder mobiles, and so much more. It was heaven. Also, it was nice to see some modern art after being bombarded by the Renaissance all over Florence.
Today, I slept in and went to mass (in Italian) at Santa Croce. It was a beautiful experience, but next time I really should read the readings in English first. The piazza in front of the church was filled with craft vendors, I guess this is a once a month occurrence. I had fun looking, maybe next month I buy a few things while they are here. Then I walked to the market and picked up groceries for the week. Eventually I will have to start some homework, but it has been nice to just enjoy being home again.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Giovedi Typica
Today was pretty busy. I had my "Genius of Michelangelo" class at 9. It was good, we talked about Vasari's biography of Michelangelo and then took a field trip to Michelangelo's house in Florence. The house still has two of Michelangelo's early sculptures and some of his architectural drawings. Honestly it's pretty sweet here. Instead of listening to a lecture about works that I rarely can see in person at home, we talk a sculpture and then take a short walk and see if for ourselves.
After class I had to call my landlord so he could pickup the money for our apartment internet bill. After lunch I buckled down and studied for my italian quiz and prepared for my little oral presentation "la giornata typica di Kari". The quiz was okay, and the presentation....cosi/cosi. I really need to speak more Italian because I still keep saying all my little connecting words (with, but, for, etc) in french, not italian. In the middle of my story, my teacher said "eh francese...hmm". At least I'm not speaking English.
I booked a ticket to Amsterdam with Emily, we're going March 6-9, i believe. Now there's talk of going to Budapest and Prague for spring break, who knows. We shall see.
Tomorrow I leave for Venice early (bahhh I have to leave my apartment at 6:15). However it is the opening weekend of Carnivale so it will be well worth it and hopefully I will sleep on the train. I have to pack in a bit and then I might go out with my roomates tonight. I kinda feel like unless I'm tired at 11pm and can actually get to sleep early I might as well have a little fun and sleep on the train. Hopefully I'll have lots of pictures to put up on Sunday.
After class I had to call my landlord so he could pickup the money for our apartment internet bill. After lunch I buckled down and studied for my italian quiz and prepared for my little oral presentation "la giornata typica di Kari". The quiz was okay, and the presentation....cosi/cosi. I really need to speak more Italian because I still keep saying all my little connecting words (with, but, for, etc) in french, not italian. In the middle of my story, my teacher said "eh francese...hmm". At least I'm not speaking English.
I booked a ticket to Amsterdam with Emily, we're going March 6-9, i believe. Now there's talk of going to Budapest and Prague for spring break, who knows. We shall see.
Tomorrow I leave for Venice early (bahhh I have to leave my apartment at 6:15). However it is the opening weekend of Carnivale so it will be well worth it and hopefully I will sleep on the train. I have to pack in a bit and then I might go out with my roomates tonight. I kinda feel like unless I'm tired at 11pm and can actually get to sleep early I might as well have a little fun and sleep on the train. Hopefully I'll have lots of pictures to put up on Sunday.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
pick-a-little, talk-a-litle
ciao,
it's been an odd last 24 hours. yesterday started pretty normal, i went to class in the morning came home to make myself lunch, did some laundry, read a few short stories from brett's book, went to italian... after class i checked email/facebooked, then went downstairs to cook dinner with bonnie and jade. then out of no where jade asked if bonnie wanted to go to barcelona, i guess because she found a cheap ticket on ryan air....
anyways now Bonnie, Jade, Caitlin (i think), and I are all going to Barcelona together for a long weekend at the end of April. It should be nice. I honestly never really thought i would like spain, until I saw "Vicky Christina Barcelona" by Woody Allen at University Mall. I don't know if I secretly hope live out Scarlete Johanson's character in that movie for a weekend. Regardless, I will be drinking sangria and eating tapas in April and my flight (roundtrip) was only 38 Euro.
I also talked to Emily and I think we're going to book tickets to Amsterdam for a weekend in early March. You have no idea how excited I am for Amsterdam. I have wanted to go there since I waltched "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (based on the Vermeer painting). I can't wait to see the canals and walk on the same ground as Vermeer and Rembrandt years before. Finally in Amsterdam I will have my redeption after suffering through "Northern Baroque Art" with prof. Och last spring semester. Also, Amsterdam has one of the largest collections of Van Gogh paintings. So yes, I am very excited to see the land of my people and maybe legally smoke a joint too (c'mon i only said it because obviously everyone was thinking it).
I'm still deciding on where to go for spring break, currently I am leaning towards going to the Greek Islands with two of my roomates or potentially convincing someone they want to go to Moroco or someplace equally as exotic. Anyways, i keep waiting for something to really pull me.
After all the travel talk, everyone was antsy so we decided to go out. Looking back it was probably a poor decision, because waking up at 8 for class this morning was pretty brutal. We started at an Irish bar which was pretty fun, then stopped at Astor but it was pretty dead so we basically used their bathroom and left, then we went to Amadaes. Honestly I wasn't too bad, but I really shouldn't have had a shot of tequilla at the last bar, however the bartender was being flirty and well why would you say no to free alcohol? I felt perfectly fine in the morning once I downed a water bottle and ate my gummy vitamin. Would I ever do that at home on a Tuesday night? NO, of course not, but here everything is a little different.
Well i think that's been everything, I have a sufjan stevens song stuck in my head (Holland) and that's what I will leave you with:
it's been an odd last 24 hours. yesterday started pretty normal, i went to class in the morning came home to make myself lunch, did some laundry, read a few short stories from brett's book, went to italian... after class i checked email/facebooked, then went downstairs to cook dinner with bonnie and jade. then out of no where jade asked if bonnie wanted to go to barcelona, i guess because she found a cheap ticket on ryan air....
anyways now Bonnie, Jade, Caitlin (i think), and I are all going to Barcelona together for a long weekend at the end of April. It should be nice. I honestly never really thought i would like spain, until I saw "Vicky Christina Barcelona" by Woody Allen at University Mall. I don't know if I secretly hope live out Scarlete Johanson's character in that movie for a weekend. Regardless, I will be drinking sangria and eating tapas in April and my flight (roundtrip) was only 38 Euro.
I also talked to Emily and I think we're going to book tickets to Amsterdam for a weekend in early March. You have no idea how excited I am for Amsterdam. I have wanted to go there since I waltched "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (based on the Vermeer painting). I can't wait to see the canals and walk on the same ground as Vermeer and Rembrandt years before. Finally in Amsterdam I will have my redeption after suffering through "Northern Baroque Art" with prof. Och last spring semester. Also, Amsterdam has one of the largest collections of Van Gogh paintings. So yes, I am very excited to see the land of my people and maybe legally smoke a joint too (c'mon i only said it because obviously everyone was thinking it).
I'm still deciding on where to go for spring break, currently I am leaning towards going to the Greek Islands with two of my roomates or potentially convincing someone they want to go to Moroco or someplace equally as exotic. Anyways, i keep waiting for something to really pull me.
After all the travel talk, everyone was antsy so we decided to go out. Looking back it was probably a poor decision, because waking up at 8 for class this morning was pretty brutal. We started at an Irish bar which was pretty fun, then stopped at Astor but it was pretty dead so we basically used their bathroom and left, then we went to Amadaes. Honestly I wasn't too bad, but I really shouldn't have had a shot of tequilla at the last bar, however the bartender was being flirty and well why would you say no to free alcohol? I felt perfectly fine in the morning once I downed a water bottle and ate my gummy vitamin. Would I ever do that at home on a Tuesday night? NO, of course not, but here everything is a little different.
Well i think that's been everything, I have a sufjan stevens song stuck in my head (Holland) and that's what I will leave you with:
"All the time we spent in bed
Counting miles before we said
Fall in love and fall apart
Things will end before they start
Sleeping on Lake Michigan
Factories and marching bands
Lose our clothes in summertime
Lose ourselves to lose our minds
In the summer heat I might..."
Counting miles before we said
Fall in love and fall apart
Things will end before they start
Sleeping on Lake Michigan
Factories and marching bands
Lose our clothes in summertime
Lose ourselves to lose our minds
In the summer heat I might..."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Today's One-Liners
italian man with two friends: "i am single, I cook very well"
caitlin to me: "wait was he serious?"
-
emo teenager to me: ciao! dolce!
(honestly, should teen-angst-ridden teen age boys be calling out "sweetie" on the streets?)
-
leather vendor: "americana! hiiiiiii!"
-
man on the corner: [offers half-drank cappuccino to me] "you like? we go to bar?"
me: quickly turns the corner and signals no way buddy
-
[after I just finish my cappuccino in the student cafeteria sitting alone reading Italian (aka thinking i'm safe)]
male american student: [clearly had been looking at me the whole time] "So how is the coffee here?
him: yada yada yada he takes this as an opportunity to ask me my whole life story, my favorite bars here, and if i like to dance at hip-hop clubs........ uggg why couldn't he let me read my italian and write in my journal---why?!!!!!
***Moral of the story, in Italy it is impossible to become friends with the opposite sex. It is also impossible to go a day without receiving unwanted attention. With the Italians I at least expect it and it's easy to tune out. These American guys are intense, they know they are low on the lists of American girls and Italian women- forget it, they won't even give an American guy the time of day. This just means whenever American boys have an American girl nearby, they feel they have to try really hard to get her, too bad it just annoying.
caitlin to me: "wait was he serious?"
-
emo teenager to me: ciao! dolce!
(honestly, should teen-angst-ridden teen age boys be calling out "sweetie" on the streets?)
-
leather vendor: "americana! hiiiiiii!"
-
man on the corner: [offers half-drank cappuccino to me] "you like? we go to bar?"
me: quickly turns the corner and signals no way buddy
-
[after I just finish my cappuccino in the student cafeteria sitting alone reading Italian (aka thinking i'm safe)]
male american student: [clearly had been looking at me the whole time] "So how is the coffee here?
him: yada yada yada he takes this as an opportunity to ask me my whole life story, my favorite bars here, and if i like to dance at hip-hop clubs........ uggg why couldn't he let me read my italian and write in my journal---why?!!!!!
***Moral of the story, in Italy it is impossible to become friends with the opposite sex. It is also impossible to go a day without receiving unwanted attention. With the Italians I at least expect it and it's easy to tune out. These American guys are intense, they know they are low on the lists of American girls and Italian women- forget it, they won't even give an American guy the time of day. This just means whenever American boys have an American girl nearby, they feel they have to try really hard to get her, too bad it just annoying.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Siena
On of my many pictures from the look-out point
me! and Siena
The Cathedral
More pictures from inside, you see the beautiful stone used and mosaic floor
Yesterday I took my first day trip with a group of American students from my school. We met up at 8:50 to catch our bus, big surprise people were late/we realized we were waiting in the wrong spot for the bus. No worries, we got on the next bus to Siena and arrived around 11. I personally didn't do any research beforehand, so I had no idea what to expect so what you're supposed to see in Siena. We wandered to the large piazza in Siena and took lots of pictures there. Unlike Florence cars are not allowed in that area, which is nice because as a result it has a much more calmer atmosphere. Shortly after it started raining, big surprise- it only rains basically everyday here in winter. We found a cafe and got sandwiches for lunch, and made our way to the Duomo in Siena. We each purchased the group pass to get into the Duomo, museum, crypt, and bapistry. The cathedrale was beautiful, truly incredibly awe-inspiring. Ever surface is addressed, outside and in. The floor is covered in mosaics which display different scenes from the Old Testament. The technique used on mainly of the mosaics almost gives it a modern, stylized, Asian feeling- which was interesting, I'll have to read more about it. The large interior has stripes of black and white marble, it really is incredible. The side walls of the church have large paintings of different biblical scenes as well. When you see the beauty of Cathedrale it is impossible not to see God's presence. How could man create such beauty without divine inspiration? It was also nice that despite the tourists wandering through the inside, the side chaples and area in the front by the altar are still given respect. I sat in one of the side chapels dedicated to Mary and prayed for awhile, it was very peaceful. I could describe more, but it's hard to capture the beauty and scale of this place. You simply need to go there yourself.
In the museum I had several dorky art history moment, first being when I saw a sculpted marbel medallion by Donatello. It is such a gift to be in the presence of all these great artists, but most especially Donatello, Michelangelo, and all the other great artists who forever changed art. Seeing the Maesta by Duccio was another huge moment for me. Honestly, any time I see a painting, sculpture, or building in person after studying it in books or slides, my heart just stops a little. Seeing the original is a very powerful experience, especially when you have the heightened respect for it after studying it individually or as its role within the major moments in art. The Maesta is incredibly important because it is one of the first painting in which the art principals of the middle ages began to be abandoned for the life-like painting style of the Renaissance. My only complaint is that it feels inauthentic to view an altarpiece in a museum. These really belong in a church, the museum atmosphere is certainly respectful but I just doesn't have the same overwhelming feeling of God's presence. However at least a countless number of non-religious or non-Christian people are exposed to images of the madonna and child, who would never seek them otherwise. I think art and simply beauty in general can convince even the non-religious that some greater power must certainly exist.
Aside, from the Cathedrale, my other favorite part of the day was when we climbed these narrow, spiral stairs up the tower to a breath-taking view of Siena. It was incredible, honestly. You could see the cathedrale, all the little roofs of the houses and shops, the rolling hills in the background. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I took at lot of pictures up there, but really I promise that they don't even begin to capture the view.
We saw a few other places and walked more around the city. We ate gelato, I had my first chocolate gelato here and it was delicious. At 5:30 we left to walk back to the bus and for the first time I arrived back to home in Florence. Everyone agreed they were too exhausted to cook, after such a long day, so we decided to find this Mexican restaurant that Morgan and Emily had heard about. I was skeptical, because honestly I have yet to see anyone who looks hispanic in Florence. We found the place and let me tell you it smelled so good, however the place was completely booked the entire night--not even if we split up or sat at the bar:( We asked another person if they knew where a Mexican restaurant was and they mentioned a street where there potentially was another Mexican restuarant, we walked for awhile but never found it. Eventually we settled for an Italian resturant which really just didn't hit the spot last night. Oh well.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Weekend
Hi,
Yesterday I officially finished my first week of classes here, good news I like them all. It's kinda nice to have a semester where I'm just doing classes that appeal to me, verses checking off requirements to my degree. Thursday night I went out to celebrate finishing my first week of classes with Caitlin, Emily G, Emily B., and Morgan. I had a lot of fun, we started at a close American bar and took advantage of super cheap drinks, which were WAYYYYY stronger than I anticipated, oops, you live and you learn. Oh yeah, this is actually pretty funny.... I definitely told off some American boy in the bar because he outright ordered over petite Caitlin and I. At first I figured I would be flirty and simply ask, "ahhhh what was that? we got here first" except when he turned out to be a complete well, fill in your choice word, I wasn't going to stand for that. So yeah I'm pretty sure it was one of my outright most rediculous moments, my sass-o-meter definitely hit the roof. Caitlin appreciated it, and I think was slightly impressed;) Oh yeah, then he came over a little later when I had my drink in hand, but I was still too pissed off to care. Then we left for "21" one of the clubs in Florence. It was fun, really fun. I danced and I danced and then some more.... Italians are a little more touchy than i like, after awhile the whole language barrier got a bit much and I signaled to Caitlin to take a break out by the bar. Some American guy came up to me and was laying it on pretty thick and I wasn't really interested, but some how I was persuaded that yes I did want to dance with him, so back to the strobe lights we went. He was cute and a decadent dancer and sang louder than me to "single ladies".... enough said i was happy. The thing is, American guys here realize that they not going to be any girls first choice here, so they work hard to keep you happy. It is the exact opposite to any party at Mary Washington.
Today I met up with people to plan/ buy tickets for a day trip to Siena tomorrow and Venice for Carnivale on the 13th. I went grocery shopping, it was pretty laid back. It rained more today, it's rained all week, I hope tomorrow we get better weather. I would like to get some pictures of Siena in the sunshine.
More another day,
loveeeeeeeeee me
'
Yesterday I officially finished my first week of classes here, good news I like them all. It's kinda nice to have a semester where I'm just doing classes that appeal to me, verses checking off requirements to my degree. Thursday night I went out to celebrate finishing my first week of classes with Caitlin, Emily G, Emily B., and Morgan. I had a lot of fun, we started at a close American bar and took advantage of super cheap drinks, which were WAYYYYY stronger than I anticipated, oops, you live and you learn. Oh yeah, this is actually pretty funny.... I definitely told off some American boy in the bar because he outright ordered over petite Caitlin and I. At first I figured I would be flirty and simply ask, "ahhhh what was that? we got here first" except when he turned out to be a complete well, fill in your choice word, I wasn't going to stand for that. So yeah I'm pretty sure it was one of my outright most rediculous moments, my sass-o-meter definitely hit the roof. Caitlin appreciated it, and I think was slightly impressed;) Oh yeah, then he came over a little later when I had my drink in hand, but I was still too pissed off to care. Then we left for "21" one of the clubs in Florence. It was fun, really fun. I danced and I danced and then some more.... Italians are a little more touchy than i like, after awhile the whole language barrier got a bit much and I signaled to Caitlin to take a break out by the bar. Some American guy came up to me and was laying it on pretty thick and I wasn't really interested, but some how I was persuaded that yes I did want to dance with him, so back to the strobe lights we went. He was cute and a decadent dancer and sang louder than me to "single ladies".... enough said i was happy. The thing is, American guys here realize that they not going to be any girls first choice here, so they work hard to keep you happy. It is the exact opposite to any party at Mary Washington.
Today I met up with people to plan/ buy tickets for a day trip to Siena tomorrow and Venice for Carnivale on the 13th. I went grocery shopping, it was pretty laid back. It rained more today, it's rained all week, I hope tomorrow we get better weather. I would like to get some pictures of Siena in the sunshine.
More another day,
loveeeeeeeeee me
'
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Carrie Bradshaw kind of day
another day in paradise. let me unfold...
I went to class at 9, Lifestyle in Renaissance Florence, for the first time. My professor was sick so basically we got out two hours early (sweet). Plus he told us that basically the last hour and a half each class is going to be a field trip, man i love this place. Then I walked home, and crawled back into bed and watched my favorite episode of arrested development (Pier Pressure). I got up again at 11, played on the internet and made myself a salami sandwich. At 1:30 I headed down to the student center to process my permit to stay, but I finished really quickly so I spent some time walking around. I bought a purple scarf from a vendor and then decided to walk to the big vendor area. After being hit-on by too many sketchy guys i wasn't really able to enjoy shopping anymore, so I walked to the school cafeteria and bought a cappuccino. I drink my cappuccino and journaled for awhile until one of my friends asked to join me. Italian class was great today (i totally remembered my direct object pronouns like nobody's business). After class I went to the market to pick up a few staples, and was so proud of myself for not speaking a word of english inside (well except to two American guys- who don't count). Walking back i got a few comments from the Italians, but this time it was different, well it wasn't but I was different. Earlier today I was thinking about how condesending men are to women here on the street, but later it occurred to me that really women do have power here. You don't see women drooling in the streets over men, well unless they are tourists, but men constantly praise women. So yeah, it's tacky but I also feel like, damn right I'm glad these strangers can validate me a woman- I am after all. But I have the control, if you ignore them it stops.
So yes, it was nice to have an "oh yeah I am a smart, pretty girl" why shouldn't i be reminded of it constantly. well not constantly, but daily. This is when I felt a little bit like Carrie from Sex and the City. NOTE: this does NOT apply to sketchy construction workers at home or fred-necks, I have my limits.
Also, I cooked dinner tonight and it was soooooo good. The roomates all ate and I invited Emily and Kimberly over, it was nice. I made sort-of like stove-top baked ziti. I cooked penne and mixed a sauce with the crappy tomatoe sauce from yesterday, ricotta, olive oil, and spices... let me tell you it was good. I'm guessing someone will be asking me to cook again here;)
I went to class at 9, Lifestyle in Renaissance Florence, for the first time. My professor was sick so basically we got out two hours early (sweet). Plus he told us that basically the last hour and a half each class is going to be a field trip, man i love this place. Then I walked home, and crawled back into bed and watched my favorite episode of arrested development (Pier Pressure). I got up again at 11, played on the internet and made myself a salami sandwich. At 1:30 I headed down to the student center to process my permit to stay, but I finished really quickly so I spent some time walking around. I bought a purple scarf from a vendor and then decided to walk to the big vendor area. After being hit-on by too many sketchy guys i wasn't really able to enjoy shopping anymore, so I walked to the school cafeteria and bought a cappuccino. I drink my cappuccino and journaled for awhile until one of my friends asked to join me. Italian class was great today (i totally remembered my direct object pronouns like nobody's business). After class I went to the market to pick up a few staples, and was so proud of myself for not speaking a word of english inside (well except to two American guys- who don't count). Walking back i got a few comments from the Italians, but this time it was different, well it wasn't but I was different. Earlier today I was thinking about how condesending men are to women here on the street, but later it occurred to me that really women do have power here. You don't see women drooling in the streets over men, well unless they are tourists, but men constantly praise women. So yeah, it's tacky but I also feel like, damn right I'm glad these strangers can validate me a woman- I am after all. But I have the control, if you ignore them it stops.
So yes, it was nice to have an "oh yeah I am a smart, pretty girl" why shouldn't i be reminded of it constantly. well not constantly, but daily. This is when I felt a little bit like Carrie from Sex and the City. NOTE: this does NOT apply to sketchy construction workers at home or fred-necks, I have my limits.
Also, I cooked dinner tonight and it was soooooo good. The roomates all ate and I invited Emily and Kimberly over, it was nice. I made sort-of like stove-top baked ziti. I cooked penne and mixed a sauce with the crappy tomatoe sauce from yesterday, ricotta, olive oil, and spices... let me tell you it was good. I'm guessing someone will be asking me to cook again here;)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Classes
Ciao! Today was my second day of classes and so far mostly good. This morning I had "The Nude in Modern Art" and LOVED IT!!! My professor is really engaging and we spent the entire 2 1/2 hour block analyzing two paintings, one by Girodet (sp?) and the other by Jacque-Louis David. A few other paintings were interjected from time to time. Basically, it sounds like we are starting in the Neo-Classism period (David) and moving forward in history to about 1950...which means we hopefully will study Picasso's Mademoiselles d'Avignon towards the end. I could go one for hours about the lecture and what I learned, but I'll save that conversation for Ruby, a fellow art history major here.
Italian class is rough. The time is not the best (4:30-5:45 Monday-Thursday) and I really feel like my vocabulary is horrible. In my defense Federico didn't test us on vocabulary so I never really felt the need to memorize it last semester. I hope to catch on quickly. Also, after trying to speak in Italian to vendors/Italians at large, sometimes I find myself speaking in broken english or silently gesturing to my roomate Caitlin or friend Emily, before I realize they understand me. It's weird.
I don't really like maps because I find them confusing, also I think I'm slightly dislectic and that doesn't help. So basically the first three or four days I just didn't go anywhere alone, honestly today was probably the first time I navigated the streets alone. Basically I know to get to class I need to walk up and over to the left on the map, so I just head in that general direction and hope for the best. So far i've made it to class ok, so I consider that I real victory. Finding my way back to the apartment is never hard, i just always end up at the Duomo and then from there find the street with the stores I like and start looking for the "Rape of the Sabine Women" which is outside in the piazza right by my turn.
Also I don't remember if I blogged or journaled about this, but the stairs up to my apartment are torture. I have four flights of these narrow, sloping concrete stairs from clearly a LONG time ago-- especially on the second flight up it really feels like you could easily fall and well not move until someone else needs to use the stairs. On the plus side I'm getting a great leg workout everyday.
OH YEAH, last night they had a welcome reception for everyone at Lorenzo de'Medici (like a thousand or so people). It was at this AMAZING (we're talking frescos on every wall, gold guilded everything, sculptures around the corners... clearly a swank Medici lived there in the Renaissance. Anyways, it was fun I went with Emily and a posse of her friends and bumped into all the roomates and a few other people I've met here. Plus it was free dinner, dessert (3 kinds!), and wine (well only one glass).... way better than the first night at seaco fo-sho!
that's all, love kari
Italian class is rough. The time is not the best (4:30-5:45 Monday-Thursday) and I really feel like my vocabulary is horrible. In my defense Federico didn't test us on vocabulary so I never really felt the need to memorize it last semester. I hope to catch on quickly. Also, after trying to speak in Italian to vendors/Italians at large, sometimes I find myself speaking in broken english or silently gesturing to my roomate Caitlin or friend Emily, before I realize they understand me. It's weird.
I don't really like maps because I find them confusing, also I think I'm slightly dislectic and that doesn't help. So basically the first three or four days I just didn't go anywhere alone, honestly today was probably the first time I navigated the streets alone. Basically I know to get to class I need to walk up and over to the left on the map, so I just head in that general direction and hope for the best. So far i've made it to class ok, so I consider that I real victory. Finding my way back to the apartment is never hard, i just always end up at the Duomo and then from there find the street with the stores I like and start looking for the "Rape of the Sabine Women" which is outside in the piazza right by my turn.
Also I don't remember if I blogged or journaled about this, but the stairs up to my apartment are torture. I have four flights of these narrow, sloping concrete stairs from clearly a LONG time ago-- especially on the second flight up it really feels like you could easily fall and well not move until someone else needs to use the stairs. On the plus side I'm getting a great leg workout everyday.
OH YEAH, last night they had a welcome reception for everyone at Lorenzo de'Medici (like a thousand or so people). It was at this AMAZING (we're talking frescos on every wall, gold guilded everything, sculptures around the corners... clearly a swank Medici lived there in the Renaissance. Anyways, it was fun I went with Emily and a posse of her friends and bumped into all the roomates and a few other people I've met here. Plus it was free dinner, dessert (3 kinds!), and wine (well only one glass).... way better than the first night at seaco fo-sho!
that's all, love kari
Monday, February 2, 2009
Battle of the Bands.... Italia style
So last night with friends i met these italian boys Luca and Mateo, and today Mateo called and invited me and my roomates to see Luca's band perform at Prato in this "Battle of the Bands".... so the five of us girls were getting ready all over the apartment and headed out at 9 to meet them at the bar from the night before. Mateo drove us (somehow we all fit into one car) to Prato where we met up with Luca who was getting ready to go on with his band. We decided to go along with the pub atmosphere and share 2 pizzas and everyone got drinks. The first band was heavy metal (at least Mateo gave us a warning), the second band looked OLD (as in the youngest member was maybe 45-- I made a reference to Old School and at least my roomate Caitlin thought it was funny). Next was Luca's band, they actually sounded really good and of course we were all very excited to see our friend play:) The final band was also pretty good. The thing about italian music is they seem to sing in english or at least phrases in english even if they don't necessarily make sense. I guess it's just trendy to follow american music, i dunno.
After leaving the bar we walked back to the cars (this time Luca drove too, so me and Caitlin drove back with Mateo and Andrea, the other three with Luca). They took us to Piazza Michelangelo (where I had gone during the day to take pictures). The view was very pretty at night, I was trying to talk to Andrea about the Duomo (he is an engineering student, so i figured he would have something to say). However with my lack of italian and his lack of english the conversation was very short. Then they drove us most of the way home, we walked together for a bit and finally Jade said "I feel really bad for making you walk all the way here and back"... so then we said our goodbyes. Once they were HOPEFULLY far enough away that they couldn't hear us, we all starting saying which one we thought was the cutest etc, we were probably talking fast enough that they couldn't understand anyways.
I'm pretty sure my night was A) the best night before the first day of school and B) much better than watching some stupid football game.
Well now it's going on 12 and it's time for me to get on with my day.
Kari
After leaving the bar we walked back to the cars (this time Luca drove too, so me and Caitlin drove back with Mateo and Andrea, the other three with Luca). They took us to Piazza Michelangelo (where I had gone during the day to take pictures). The view was very pretty at night, I was trying to talk to Andrea about the Duomo (he is an engineering student, so i figured he would have something to say). However with my lack of italian and his lack of english the conversation was very short. Then they drove us most of the way home, we walked together for a bit and finally Jade said "I feel really bad for making you walk all the way here and back"... so then we said our goodbyes. Once they were HOPEFULLY far enough away that they couldn't hear us, we all starting saying which one we thought was the cutest etc, we were probably talking fast enough that they couldn't understand anyways.
I'm pretty sure my night was A) the best night before the first day of school and B) much better than watching some stupid football game.
Well now it's going on 12 and it's time for me to get on with my day.
Kari
Sunday, February 1, 2009
pictures
Pictures!!!!!!!!!!
attempts to stops people from buying fake bags
The view from Piazza Michelangelo, look the the Duomo!
Same look-out point
It's really hard to take group pictures.... but we tried
Me by the Arno River
sitting after lunch
attempts to stops people from buying fake bags
The view from Piazza Michelangelo, look the the Duomo!
Same look-out point
It's really hard to take group pictures.... but we tried
Me by the Arno River
sitting after lunch
We tried to go here and see the Boboli gardens, however they are included in the group museum pass which i don't have yet, so another day I will actually go inside.
so i guess i live here?!
welllllllllllll. it's happening, i'm starting to adjust. never once did i think "i could have just stayed at school" today. yah me! i know this would happen. me and julia met up with kimberly and emily and together we walked around florence for hours, it was great. it's hard to explain, but everything is just so beautiful here. you turn a corner and forget how gorgeous the street before it was until you see it again. we climbed this huge flight of stairs and were able to get to this great look out point where we could see the whole city/town. the duomo looks gorgeous from above. we window shopped and ate dinner. it was just a perfect day. tonight i went out with jade and bonnie (my other two roomates) and we went to this private italian club (they had already gone two nights before). i thought it was really nice, it was small but the drinks were good and cheap:) andddddd after we had been sitting awhile these italians guys our age came up to us and asked if they could join us (obviously we said yes). they weren't sketchy, just nice. they tried to speak english to us, or at least help us understand. they seemed to think timbaland and justin timberlake were the same person, this of course HAD to be corrected when "sexy back" came on at the bar. okay, i'm getting tired and my battery is dying so i will have to finish this some other time. plus i have tons of pictures to add (aka if you are reading this now, get excited for the rest)
love! kari
love! kari
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