A New Face in a Far Place: December 2011

Hello my blog monsters, how are we doing today? I'm reporting to you from my stone step in the sunshine of my city center. What could be sweeter? I'm waiting to go birthday present shopping with a friend but I can only pray she's taking her time. I am quite content here. I have people in my sight, music in my ears and warmth in my heart.

This week marks my third month in Italy; I cannot believe that I've been here for such a short time but I really haven't felt the comfort of Casa 1055 in decades. I am better and worse and invincible and vulnerable. Did you follow that? Me neither. However, no matter what my current emotions involve, I have created (or maybe discovered) something in myself that cannot be diminished. It's a spark, a glow, call it what you please. It's a peace / tranquility / realization - it keeps my smiles bubbly and my spirits high. It's the sincere understanding that I am lucky. Yeah, to be in Italy but what the hell - also to be healthy and happy and loved. Maybe I have too much thinking time on my hands or all the philosophy I'm studying in school is giving me a fever... oh well. This is me now!

Despite my peaceful routine, I still walk
around like....

By the recommendation of Mamma Carla, I have joined two "groups." I don't know how to better explain it but it reminds me a little of youth group in the volunteering aspect. However, our discussions are running a little deeper. In one, we have started a discussion on politics - impact, importance, Italy, etc. Sounds dead-beat boring but it's a really useful way to become informed and listen to the educated opinions of some friends. In the other, I am more active. We are smaller in numbers and therefore have greater freedom for a broader discussion. We just began a six-week debate on the death penalty. I, of course, am quite the useful tool for them. So many questions, so little time! I'll keep you updated- this should get interesting.

School is status-quo. Friends are status-quo. Family is, hey - you guessed it, status-quo. Mamma Carla hid one of Fede's Christmas presents in the house so my parents and I love to spend our quiet evenings watching him tear the place up in search of his golden treasure. He's still the greatest guy ever; I'm obsessed. I'll tell all my lovely Christmas-is-coming stories soon, promise. Until then, stay beautiful.

"Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it."

A few weeks ago, Bologna was hopping with excitement to get prepared for the big bad Cioccoshow. What's that, you might wonder? HEAVEN ON EARTH. There were little stands set up all around the city piazza overflowing with all the types of chocolate you can imagine. To make the full round, you can easily lose an hour there. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), I pass the square on my way to/from school every day. So.... guess who had to stare at this like the little kid in the candy shop for an entire week? This winner. I will neither confirm nor deny the alleged four times I made an appearance.

The best was going with Gloria, Ylenia and Elena after school that Saturday. We made google-y eyes until the sellers offered us free samples and split the costs and the chocolatey goodness of everything else. Welp, there's my breakfast/lunch/dinner! I'm stuffed and feeling sick for days.

There's not much to say but so much to see, so I'll shut up so you can look around and be jealous.