Parli Italiano?

Buon giornoooo! Without a definite date, it's safe to say I officially have TWO months until I leave. It feels like last week that I was refusing to talk about my application in fear of jinxing my acceptance. As far as preparations go, I guess I have started moving quickly on those. Drumroll please...at nearly sixteen years old, I am buying my first backpack. Woot woot! P.S. I'm about two exams and a paper away from never being homeschooled again. Goodbye forever, Miranda Academy - you have served me well these last ten years. I took a six-week Italian class that recently ended; my Monday nights are so lonely now! My teacher, signora Vigliotti, insisted that I had to write most of the students' work on the board, claiming she was preparing me for the "big, bad, and very mean Italian teachers!" She's the beauty rocking that purple and zebra look in the front row.

My Italian Class

Excluding myself, the class was entirely filled with sweet people about twice my age...at least. No biggie though, that's just my typical crew. Besides the numbers, letters, greetings, food, weather, time and classroom basics, I also picked up some really useful phrases and questions.
Ho fame! - I am hungry!

Quanto costa? - How much does it cost?
Dov'é il gabinetto? - Where is the toilet?
Vorrei un biglietto per... - I would like a ticket to...
No mi sento bene. - I don't feel well.
Mi sono perso. - I'm lost.
Sono una studente straniera dagli Stati Uniti. - I am an exchange student from the United States. 

So now what? If she lost all else, Katie could still rule the world with her sweet talk skills. They are so great that she managed to casually mention my trip to her boss.

Just two best friends
getting to know each other.

Lynn was then nice enough to let me borrow her Italian Rosetta Stone!  Looks like we know how I'll be spending my summer... Grazie, Grazie, Grazie, Lynn!

But my "thank you's" don't end here. About 25 thank you notes, a tired hand and an empty stationary box later, I have officially told each of my sponsors how appreciative I am for their support. Since my donations come in various forms, I will keep everyone updated on the real fundraising number. What is it now? Oh, funny you should ask....I have officially received just over $1,000 from my very loving friends and family.  :) 

Ready to hear about my host family? Good, me too. Stay tuned...that's comin' up next!