What? Germany? Didn't I go on exchange to Italy?
December 6, 2007, my host parents and I packed our bags and got on a cute little yellow plane and flew to Stuttgart, Germany. WOO HOO! I was so excited. We stayed with Giuseppe's brother, Davide, and his wife Brigitte. When we first got there it was dark so as hard as I was looking out the window, I couldn't see a thing! We drove about an hour or 2 to the house. Still couldn't see anything it was super dark. We went inside and it was a small but a very pretty house, with lots of Christmas decorations and this big weird stove thing they use to heat the houses there. We had a big dinner, just talked and the families caught up and stuff, then went to bed. I could tell this wasn't going to be one of my typical vacations with the fam, where my Dad has every day planned and we get as much out of it as possible. The attitude was go with the flow and plan at the time..so I was a little aggravated because I wanted to SEE GERMANY! But I got over it and just was happy to be there.
Germany is EXACTLY how I imagined. Grey sky's, endless green, hilly landscape, with tiny, white houses with dark, pointed roofs scattered everywhere. With little yards and smoke coming out the chimneys. Like a country in the clouds. Everything was silent and still. It was so peaceful and there was no sense of hurry. It was really beautiful in its own way. Driving along the small highway in between cities I could spot over the fields all the little towns. Every single one has a church you can spot right away, taller then the rest of the buildings with a large clock and cross. They were amazing.
I was so excited to go to Germany at this time, because its Christmas! And Christmas originates from Germany. In fact, December 6th, the day we arrived, is the national holiday for St. Nicholas. Anyways Germany is also famous for their Weihnachten Markets at this time of year. Christmas markets. Ahh they were so cool! We went to a small one in our town, then a huge one in Ulm. It was like walking into a little elf town, like a little town in the north pole. Christmas music was playing, people everywhere, tons and tons of stands full of everything you can think of, and every decoration possible. Also lots of food stands and little huts people can stand under and drink their hot chocolate or tea or whatever and just talk. All the stands are lined in Christmas lights and it just was such a fun happy atmosphere. I was so overwhelmed I didn't even know what to buy or what to do, but I was lovin it! Also this Christmas market in Ulm was right under the towns cathedral, one of the largest in Germany. It just fascinated me.. It was huge and old and just so pretty. Inside it was like an echoe huge stone chapel kind of room, with beautiful statues and bells and beautiful stain class windows. I wish my pictures turned out better... but yeah it was amazing.
Also in Ulm we visited a very old street full of typical German houses. I loved it. It had the cobble stone small rode, and a river flowing by it. The houses lined the street, or on stilts in the water, with bridges and trees and wow it was just so pretty. The houses are beautiful with all these different colors, and they all have tall pointed roofs. I'd never seen anything like it. Oh and we also saw the Danube river, the longest river in Europe that goes through all of Germany. It was.....cool. Just a river haha.
Monday was my favorite day. Thanks to me bringing it up, and thanks to Isaac for telling me about it, we went to Neuschwanstein. You know, the gigantic castle that supposedly Walt Disney based his castles on? Ya..it was...incredible. I still can't believe it. We were driving in the car and it had been a while then I looked out the window, and up in the mountains I spotted this HUGE amazing magical castle ha. I was just thinking NO WAY the whole time. Cant be real! We walked up a windy road to the bottom of it. I turned and looked over the valley below. Breath taking. There was a lake...you could see the little houses..and of course the church.. Then I turn and look up at this unbelievable castle towering over me. I bought a ticket for the English tour, and got to go through it. You aren't permitted to take pictures so sorry. But just trust me...it was absolutely amazing. Every single wall covered with murals, so many sculptures, breath taking wood work...I kept trying to picture what is was like when the King (King Ludwig II) and all the people who lived in this castle..it just seems so unreal. So that was my first castle experience. It was hard for them ( my host parents and the people we were staying with) to understand how exciting and incredible this was for me...Because they are used to amazing monuments and things like this..I just had to say you have no idea what this is like...there is nothing like this in America the new continent..so let me be crazy excited ok! And I definitely was. I can't wait to visit all the other castles and things like that around the world (because I will someday).
Also in Germany I hung out with Brigitte's niece, who is American (half American half German). She moved to Germany with her mom when she was 14 (now 20). At first her english was a bit rusty butafter a little, it and all the good American sayings came rollin in. So that was fun to talk to her and find out more about Germany's history and what people are like in Germany and the life. She was really nice and took me shopping to some of the shopping streets. I would say shopping malls but they are just long normal streets lined with stores haha so not really malls. I also asked her if we could go back to the Christmas market. I really like those...haha.
So food in Germany? Zwei grillwurst bitte, mit semf und ketchup! I can't remember exactly how it went, but Sabrina (the half American) made me order all our food in German haha. That was "2 grillwurst thanks, with mayo and ketchup. Or..yeah something along those lines. Haha wow I have never seen so many types of "hot dogs" in my LIFE! and as big! That grillwurst was like a footlong hot dog in a tiny roll in the middle haha. I just looked at it and was like what the..where do I start. But once I did start I didn't want to stop! It was sooooo good. I will never go back to Oscar Meyers again. In the grocery stores they have ISLES full of just meat and salami and hot dogs and grillwursts and whatever else they are called. It just kind of made me laugh...silly Germans and their hot dogs. But ya very yummy. And yeah their bread is pretty good too...not that the Italians would admit that. I liked the fresh croissants in the morning or fresh super pretzels. Yumm.
Well the last part of the trip was the plane ride home. Such a weird experience. Its hard to explain...I was ending my vacation....getting on the plane...and going home. Right? But wait a second... I wasn't going home. I was going back to...Italy. I don't know how much you can understand without being in my position, but it was hard! I have been away for 3 months now! I miss my home and family and friends soo extremely much. It was really hard! I had to go on and continue being away from you all! I had kind of a little homesickness breakdown on the plane...it was really tough. But after a week of cloudy Germany, and flying in to beautiful sunny Cagliari, and seeing all the palm trees and the beach side...I did get that fuzzy home feeling :) Of course nothing compared to what it would be like going to Utah, but good enough.
So that's my trip to Germany. I loved it. I can't wait to go again. Now I am here in Italy, back at school, back to this life. We have one more week of school than 2 weeks of Christmas break. YAY! I am excited to see what Italian Christmas is all about. I will tell you all about it don't worry, just takes me a little while sometimes:) I am happy, life is great, and yeah! Thanks for caring about me still even though Im miles away! Well I hope you are all enjoying the snow and your holidays! Lots of love from Italy!!
Auf weidersehem!
Laurie
Monday, December 17, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
2 months down
Saturday, November 10th, was the two-months-in-Italy-mark.
Crazy huh? I can't even believe it. So much has changed! I now smoke two packs a day, drink everything insite, and an Italian bambino is on the way!
Of course, thats not true, but it is true a lot has changed! Like I got a hair cut. OoOooO!
So for an update..
Life has been the same old, with a few new stories. Halloween was kind of fun. It isn't that big here and not really celebrated. It has just started to come around these parts of Europe. In english class I explained to my class all the traditions. I got lots of "awww! Che figo! Bellissimo! Fortunata!" They liked it. That night I went with my friend Irene and her friends, by train, to Cagliari. We went to Angelo's house and ordered pizza. I was starving. This was the first time i have ever ordered pizza from home....so it came like 30 minutes later or what not in two big long boxes. Everyone ordered their seperate pizza, but they come all hooked in a long rectangle. It looked great. I was ready to dig in, when everyone agreed to wait for the last person to arrive. I was thinking oh dear....more waiting? Yep more waiting. One hour of more waiting. We all ate our pizzas cold...which didn't seem to be a problem for anyone else.. I was a little annoyed but oh well it still tasted good. After a few hours of talking and eating we left and walked the streets of Cagliari to a discotec where we would be spending our halloween night. Once again, we waiting about an hour maybe hour and a half to get it. It was CROWDED! Some people were dressed up but nothing special. We weren't, sadly. I wanted to. They save the good dressing up for carnival in the spring, I am so excited! But anyways. We finally got in the place, it was crowded as ever, my patience was a little thin I must admit, but I was fine in no time once I started hearing the beautiful Italian kareoke....oh dear......Nothing beats a bunch of drinking Italians singing kareoke! It was way funny. But after a while of that, it ended, and the dancing started. So that was fun. I won't tell you what time we got home...not important right? =)
The next two days we didn't have school. Holiday. I slept in.... Then we went to 2 cemeteries with the fam... to visit dead fam. The cemetaries are beautiful...always full of many people and tons of flowers. After I got home I went out with friends in the piazza. Then Friday and Saturday..normal...lunches and dinners at peoples houses... hung out with friends in town. So other things the following week....I went on a "date" haha not really a date. We just went to a cafè got drinks and I just listen to him talk for a few hours haha. Which was fine with me! I didn't understand everything hahah but just kept nodding and smiling. He was nice but I'm definatly not interested. Then I went to volleyball. Thursday I took the bus after school to Cagliari for the Italian course (which is going ridiculously by the way. Our teachers are crazy ancient retired ladies who all speak no english and have never planned a lesson yet, we don't learn anything, and its pointless for me to pay for the bus and go all the time, so I only go once in a while) like that thursday. I met up with exchange friends for lunch, shopping, then the course. Its fun to see everyone. For the most part everyone is improving lots on their Italian, some much better than others, but soon enough we will all be fluent!
Friday I woke up and a hair dresser lady was over coloring Sandra's hair. Sandra asked, do you want your hair cut or anything? And I thought for a second...then..sure! So I now have side bang things. Anyways Saturay was fun! Our school went on a fieldtrip to Nuoro, a BEAUTIFUL city in the mountains, north/center Sardegna. We all got on the bus, about 2 hour ride, then in the city we went to an art mues. It was really cool. Then we went to this park in the mountains for lunch. It was beautiful. There was a huge sculpture of Jesus on the top of this rock. It really was a beautiful park..everything was really green and the trees were so cool and the tables were all made of stone...it looked like a little village out of LOTR really. I had a nice packed lunch with bread, sandwhich, crackers and a juice smootie box haha. It was really cold up there too. After that we played some games I didn't understand then went to this old historical house. It was interesting. Then walked around the city a little then went back on the bus home. It was good to get to know everyone better and be more involved. That night was a festival in my town for S. Martino. There was a huge fire in the middle of the street. It was a smaller festival, but still alright. I went with friends and we just walked around and played a few games and such. Yesterday we had a big lunch with Irenes family...and went to the festival again. And here I am today doing my up-dating and emailing! So fun. Well thats about it with what I have done....Now some other up-dates and info.
My Italian is improving, still learning, still not perfect, but its coming along alright. I just have to stop tuning out, its really easy to do haha.
My math teacher is pregnant so we haven't had math class for the last 2 and a half weeks. They don't have subs here. Teacher doesn't come, then you just have an hour to do whatever. We have a new teacher now though...good thing I was missing math so much........
I had my first interigation. So school everyday you just have lectures and stuff in every class. There aren't many activities or varieties of teaching, just lectures and following along in the book, excersizes and worksheets here and there. And randomly, or planned, the teacher interigates students. Its like an oral test. I got an 8, which is good. I think its kind of cool..it is scary..but I can see how it has taught the students to be comfortable speaking in front of everyone, and retelling all the things they have been taught, and this is why they study so much-so they can do well on these oral exams! I think they are important and would be good for the american students.
Volleyball is good....our league games start up next weekend. I probably wont get a lot of playing time, but I am still excited!
I didn't know I would miss soccer this much, but I miss it like crazy! ok, it has been my life and for the last 9 years..but really! I live in a place all about soccer, its their culture! for the boys........ I wanna play!! I haven't played a real game on grass for like 3 or 4 months now. =(
Family life is great. No problems at all I am so happy and so lucky. A girl had to change families this last week....poor thing.
Food is good. I really like roasted chestnuts, we have those a lot. Yummmm. Now that it is winter a fire is often burning. I love it! Next time we go to a big grocery store im going to find marshmallows! They don't roast marshmallows! I have no idea who not. They will soon be addicted after I teach them the art of roasting and smore making. yuummmmyy. I'm sure I have gained weight but I don't care..every single exchange student around the world has. I do have to be carefull though...mmm nutella....
Friends are good. As I am understanding better, I am realizing who I like to be around more. Thats normal. I am happy to have friends though...a lot of the students in Cagliari only have eachother. Once again I'd say I am lucky.
Afterschool life is still boring and slow. But I have learned to accept that. So no worries.
The shopping is amazing here. But also extremely expensive so I haven't bought a lot. I wish I had a thousand euro monthly bugdget haha.
Hmm what else? OH whoever said that all Italian boys are beautiful definatly lied. The ugly smokers definatly outweigh the beautiful. They are rare. But oh well, I'm not interested, right? :)
Weather is still cold.. a bit windy lately. My school is a freezer. They all say, "oh you should be used to the cold!" My body is the same temperature as yours my friends, I still get cold haha. Plus with no snow its a different kind of cold. . If that makes sense. But summer starts in February. I think I can make it.
Well thats good enough for now I think...Again, email me if you have any specific questions! Also feel free to send me mail and packages! :D
Laurie Simkins
Via Cesare Battisti, 19
09025 Sanluri -CA- Italia
Until next time.
Laurie
Crazy huh? I can't even believe it. So much has changed! I now smoke two packs a day, drink everything insite, and an Italian bambino is on the way!
Of course, thats not true, but it is true a lot has changed! Like I got a hair cut. OoOooO!
So for an update..
Life has been the same old, with a few new stories. Halloween was kind of fun. It isn't that big here and not really celebrated. It has just started to come around these parts of Europe. In english class I explained to my class all the traditions. I got lots of "awww! Che figo! Bellissimo! Fortunata!" They liked it. That night I went with my friend Irene and her friends, by train, to Cagliari. We went to Angelo's house and ordered pizza. I was starving. This was the first time i have ever ordered pizza from home....so it came like 30 minutes later or what not in two big long boxes. Everyone ordered their seperate pizza, but they come all hooked in a long rectangle. It looked great. I was ready to dig in, when everyone agreed to wait for the last person to arrive. I was thinking oh dear....more waiting? Yep more waiting. One hour of more waiting. We all ate our pizzas cold...which didn't seem to be a problem for anyone else.. I was a little annoyed but oh well it still tasted good. After a few hours of talking and eating we left and walked the streets of Cagliari to a discotec where we would be spending our halloween night. Once again, we waiting about an hour maybe hour and a half to get it. It was CROWDED! Some people were dressed up but nothing special. We weren't, sadly. I wanted to. They save the good dressing up for carnival in the spring, I am so excited! But anyways. We finally got in the place, it was crowded as ever, my patience was a little thin I must admit, but I was fine in no time once I started hearing the beautiful Italian kareoke....oh dear......Nothing beats a bunch of drinking Italians singing kareoke! It was way funny. But after a while of that, it ended, and the dancing started. So that was fun. I won't tell you what time we got home...not important right? =)
The next two days we didn't have school. Holiday. I slept in.... Then we went to 2 cemeteries with the fam... to visit dead fam. The cemetaries are beautiful...always full of many people and tons of flowers. After I got home I went out with friends in the piazza. Then Friday and Saturday..normal...lunches and dinners at peoples houses... hung out with friends in town. So other things the following week....I went on a "date" haha not really a date. We just went to a cafè got drinks and I just listen to him talk for a few hours haha. Which was fine with me! I didn't understand everything hahah but just kept nodding and smiling. He was nice but I'm definatly not interested. Then I went to volleyball. Thursday I took the bus after school to Cagliari for the Italian course (which is going ridiculously by the way. Our teachers are crazy ancient retired ladies who all speak no english and have never planned a lesson yet, we don't learn anything, and its pointless for me to pay for the bus and go all the time, so I only go once in a while) like that thursday. I met up with exchange friends for lunch, shopping, then the course. Its fun to see everyone. For the most part everyone is improving lots on their Italian, some much better than others, but soon enough we will all be fluent!
Friday I woke up and a hair dresser lady was over coloring Sandra's hair. Sandra asked, do you want your hair cut or anything? And I thought for a second...then..sure! So I now have side bang things. Anyways Saturay was fun! Our school went on a fieldtrip to Nuoro, a BEAUTIFUL city in the mountains, north/center Sardegna. We all got on the bus, about 2 hour ride, then in the city we went to an art mues. It was really cool. Then we went to this park in the mountains for lunch. It was beautiful. There was a huge sculpture of Jesus on the top of this rock. It really was a beautiful park..everything was really green and the trees were so cool and the tables were all made of stone...it looked like a little village out of LOTR really. I had a nice packed lunch with bread, sandwhich, crackers and a juice smootie box haha. It was really cold up there too. After that we played some games I didn't understand then went to this old historical house. It was interesting. Then walked around the city a little then went back on the bus home. It was good to get to know everyone better and be more involved. That night was a festival in my town for S. Martino. There was a huge fire in the middle of the street. It was a smaller festival, but still alright. I went with friends and we just walked around and played a few games and such. Yesterday we had a big lunch with Irenes family...and went to the festival again. And here I am today doing my up-dating and emailing! So fun. Well thats about it with what I have done....Now some other up-dates and info.
My Italian is improving, still learning, still not perfect, but its coming along alright. I just have to stop tuning out, its really easy to do haha.
My math teacher is pregnant so we haven't had math class for the last 2 and a half weeks. They don't have subs here. Teacher doesn't come, then you just have an hour to do whatever. We have a new teacher now though...good thing I was missing math so much........
I had my first interigation. So school everyday you just have lectures and stuff in every class. There aren't many activities or varieties of teaching, just lectures and following along in the book, excersizes and worksheets here and there. And randomly, or planned, the teacher interigates students. Its like an oral test. I got an 8, which is good. I think its kind of cool..it is scary..but I can see how it has taught the students to be comfortable speaking in front of everyone, and retelling all the things they have been taught, and this is why they study so much-so they can do well on these oral exams! I think they are important and would be good for the american students.
Volleyball is good....our league games start up next weekend. I probably wont get a lot of playing time, but I am still excited!
I didn't know I would miss soccer this much, but I miss it like crazy! ok, it has been my life and for the last 9 years..but really! I live in a place all about soccer, its their culture! for the boys........ I wanna play!! I haven't played a real game on grass for like 3 or 4 months now. =(
Family life is great. No problems at all I am so happy and so lucky. A girl had to change families this last week....poor thing.
Food is good. I really like roasted chestnuts, we have those a lot. Yummmm. Now that it is winter a fire is often burning. I love it! Next time we go to a big grocery store im going to find marshmallows! They don't roast marshmallows! I have no idea who not. They will soon be addicted after I teach them the art of roasting and smore making. yuummmmyy. I'm sure I have gained weight but I don't care..every single exchange student around the world has. I do have to be carefull though...mmm nutella....
Friends are good. As I am understanding better, I am realizing who I like to be around more. Thats normal. I am happy to have friends though...a lot of the students in Cagliari only have eachother. Once again I'd say I am lucky.
Afterschool life is still boring and slow. But I have learned to accept that. So no worries.
The shopping is amazing here. But also extremely expensive so I haven't bought a lot. I wish I had a thousand euro monthly bugdget haha.
Hmm what else? OH whoever said that all Italian boys are beautiful definatly lied. The ugly smokers definatly outweigh the beautiful. They are rare. But oh well, I'm not interested, right? :)
Weather is still cold.. a bit windy lately. My school is a freezer. They all say, "oh you should be used to the cold!" My body is the same temperature as yours my friends, I still get cold haha. Plus with no snow its a different kind of cold. . If that makes sense. But summer starts in February. I think I can make it.
Well thats good enough for now I think...Again, email me if you have any specific questions! Also feel free to send me mail and packages! :D
Laurie Simkins
Via Cesare Battisti, 19
09025 Sanluri -CA- Italia
Until next time.
Laurie
Monday, October 22, 2007
WEEK 7
Its monday night. The start of week numero sette.
SO.. the last few weeks my feelins and emotions have been like a rollercoaster. I have felt really happy, because I am starting to understand so well and it is very exciting! I have felt sad because I found out my best friend is moving like 3 houses down from my home in Utah, and I wanted to be there so bad! Annoyed because here, when it comes to food, the answer no is not accepted. "LAURIE try this green stuff that smells like garbage! Laurie try this fish, I am sure you will like this fish!" no..I still don't like fish and I dont enjoy eating things that look like they have been regurgitated. BUT DON'T worry. I always try new things at least once. That is good enough right? Also, I have been frustrated that I am not fluent and don't speak perfect Italian.. which I know that is ridiculous, but I am just so anxious!! ON the brighter side, all a sudden my days got so much better! 2 weeks ago I was very bored and worring that my time was being waisted...but this last week was great! I wasn't bored at all! I listened to all saturdays conference session online and even watched a few on Sandras computer. I did a lot of financial lit (my annoying online class that I have to finish to graduate). Also I downloaded and watched the first two episodes of my favorite TV show smallville. But the quality was horrible, so I will just have to wait until I return to finish the season haha. OK, other things I did, Monday Sandra and I went shopping in a big, beautiful, new outdoor mall called La Corte del Sole. It was fun, very nice shops, very cool mall. After we went grocery shopping and bought all the ingrediants for chocolate chip cookies because Francy always tells Sandra they are so good, and that she has to try them. So she insisted I make them. Of course, that was fine with me, so I did!(more details on when I get to friday haha) Oh, I can't forget...... at the grocery store... I turned acorner.......and BEHOLD! I FOUND SKIPPY! Blessed skippy. Peanut butter has never tasted so wonderful. On we go....Tuesday I went to an aerobics class with Sandra. It was funny.. I am not a big fan of aerobics classes and such. But it was ok. And Sandra was very happy I went with her. That night..practice. Volleyball is still great. I am gettin better! Wednesday...normal day...Thursday I tried the step class with Sandra, and then volleyball. Friday, no school, because me and the 13 other exchange students went and visited a very old, famous, big, agricultural school in Cagliari. It was so interesting! I have never seen or been to one before. It was this huge, old school on a farm with every crop and plant imaginable haha. It was so to see these students just out in the field working..or in the classrooms studying plants haha..all learning to be farming technitions or whatever. Crazy! We also saw all the machinery used to make wine. We also went to the vinard and cut grapes off the vine, so they could show us how the machines worked! At the end of the day, everyone got to taste test different wines. They was delicious! Just kidding. I would not know, I politly declined all. But the others said it was good. Then they gave us all our own bottle. yippy, just what I wanted.
Back at home Friday afternoon, I made the beautiful chocolate chip cookies!!! Haha it was fun. I had a little audiance, Sandra and nonna, they were very interested in the complicated art of making american chocolate chip cookies. Anyways, they turned out great and everyone that tried them liked them a lot. Even Giuseppe. Ok Saturday....school. ...then a big lunch for nonna 's birthday! Brava. After, I went to my friend (my favorite friend I have met so far) Ilaria’s house. I met her mom and sister and grandma, we all had dinner, then just hung out talked and all that. Then me and Ilaria went to a birthday party of one of our friends from school. It was interesting..it was at this ..like big empty store house... there were drinks and food. Music. Just people talking dancing, hanging out. Typical party. Except more smoking and drinking I guess. It was alright..kind of lame. But thats ok. I still like meeting new people and being with friends. After I went home and slept. Sunday I woke up nice and early, got ready, and went to church! LDS church. It was great. I was so happy to go to Cagliari and see that red brick building that was so familiar to me. The floors were tiled in the whole building, like all the floors here. The chapel didn't have benches but chairs in rows. It was so interesting to hear the prayers and sacrament prayers and talks and hymns in Italian, I loved it. Everyone was very nice of course. We are going to figure out the bus schedule so I can go to church often. There were 6 other youngwoman, the ward was small of course. I think there are 3 or 4 branches on the whole island.... so weird! Not your new ward on every block in Utah! After, we spent time with family.
Well theres last week for you! Other than that, the weather got way cold all a sudden! brrrrr. I start the Italian course with Rotary tomorrow, I am very excited. Life is fantastic, it is getting busier, I am getting more involved, I understand better, I love my family, friends, the food..my Italian is improving... and basta! (thats all for now!)
Until next blog-
Laurie
SO.. the last few weeks my feelins and emotions have been like a rollercoaster. I have felt really happy, because I am starting to understand so well and it is very exciting! I have felt sad because I found out my best friend is moving like 3 houses down from my home in Utah, and I wanted to be there so bad! Annoyed because here, when it comes to food, the answer no is not accepted. "LAURIE try this green stuff that smells like garbage! Laurie try this fish, I am sure you will like this fish!" no..I still don't like fish and I dont enjoy eating things that look like they have been regurgitated. BUT DON'T worry. I always try new things at least once. That is good enough right? Also, I have been frustrated that I am not fluent and don't speak perfect Italian.. which I know that is ridiculous, but I am just so anxious!! ON the brighter side, all a sudden my days got so much better! 2 weeks ago I was very bored and worring that my time was being waisted...but this last week was great! I wasn't bored at all! I listened to all saturdays conference session online and even watched a few on Sandras computer. I did a lot of financial lit (my annoying online class that I have to finish to graduate). Also I downloaded and watched the first two episodes of my favorite TV show smallville. But the quality was horrible, so I will just have to wait until I return to finish the season haha. OK, other things I did, Monday Sandra and I went shopping in a big, beautiful, new outdoor mall called La Corte del Sole. It was fun, very nice shops, very cool mall. After we went grocery shopping and bought all the ingrediants for chocolate chip cookies because Francy always tells Sandra they are so good, and that she has to try them. So she insisted I make them. Of course, that was fine with me, so I did!(more details on when I get to friday haha) Oh, I can't forget...... at the grocery store... I turned acorner.......and BEHOLD! I FOUND SKIPPY! Blessed skippy. Peanut butter has never tasted so wonderful. On we go....Tuesday I went to an aerobics class with Sandra. It was funny.. I am not a big fan of aerobics classes and such. But it was ok. And Sandra was very happy I went with her. That night..practice. Volleyball is still great. I am gettin better! Wednesday...normal day...Thursday I tried the step class with Sandra, and then volleyball. Friday, no school, because me and the 13 other exchange students went and visited a very old, famous, big, agricultural school in Cagliari. It was so interesting! I have never seen or been to one before. It was this huge, old school on a farm with every crop and plant imaginable haha. It was so to see these students just out in the field working..or in the classrooms studying plants haha..all learning to be farming technitions or whatever. Crazy! We also saw all the machinery used to make wine. We also went to the vinard and cut grapes off the vine, so they could show us how the machines worked! At the end of the day, everyone got to taste test different wines. They was delicious! Just kidding. I would not know, I politly declined all. But the others said it was good. Then they gave us all our own bottle. yippy, just what I wanted.
Back at home Friday afternoon, I made the beautiful chocolate chip cookies!!! Haha it was fun. I had a little audiance, Sandra and nonna, they were very interested in the complicated art of making american chocolate chip cookies. Anyways, they turned out great and everyone that tried them liked them a lot. Even Giuseppe. Ok Saturday....school. ...then a big lunch for nonna 's birthday! Brava. After, I went to my friend (my favorite friend I have met so far) Ilaria’s house. I met her mom and sister and grandma, we all had dinner, then just hung out talked and all that. Then me and Ilaria went to a birthday party of one of our friends from school. It was interesting..it was at this ..like big empty store house... there were drinks and food. Music. Just people talking dancing, hanging out. Typical party. Except more smoking and drinking I guess. It was alright..kind of lame. But thats ok. I still like meeting new people and being with friends. After I went home and slept. Sunday I woke up nice and early, got ready, and went to church! LDS church. It was great. I was so happy to go to Cagliari and see that red brick building that was so familiar to me. The floors were tiled in the whole building, like all the floors here. The chapel didn't have benches but chairs in rows. It was so interesting to hear the prayers and sacrament prayers and talks and hymns in Italian, I loved it. Everyone was very nice of course. We are going to figure out the bus schedule so I can go to church often. There were 6 other youngwoman, the ward was small of course. I think there are 3 or 4 branches on the whole island.... so weird! Not your new ward on every block in Utah! After, we spent time with family.
Well theres last week for you! Other than that, the weather got way cold all a sudden! brrrrr. I start the Italian course with Rotary tomorrow, I am very excited. Life is fantastic, it is getting busier, I am getting more involved, I understand better, I love my family, friends, the food..my Italian is improving... and basta! (thats all for now!)
Until next blog-
Laurie
Monday, October 8, 2007
Lunedì
Goooodddnessss haven't you guys forgotten about me yet? Do I really still have to keep updating this?
jussssttt kidding. I will tell you anything you want to know.
well..what do you want to know? any requests? if so, email me...soccer_rocker44@hotmail.com.... and until then... I'll just start babbling!
My Monday (Lunedì)
I woke up on my small, firm bed, sprawled with my arms and legs off the sides (just how I like it) to the tune of my alarm clock on my phone. The sun was shining brightly through my large window on the opposite wall. Today I woke up at 7:30. Mornings that I didn't shower the night before, I wake up at 7:15. So, I got up, opened the window to air let the fresh air in (that is what I have been told to do everymorning. its pleseant) and then headed to the bathroom. I washed my face, then walked around the corner to the kitchen. I was not wearing any shoes, which is actually not normal. Here in Sardegna, you wear sandels around the house or slippers, because the doors get dirty fast because of dust and other things. So you don't want your feet to get dirty! But I dont really care. Anyways...mm breakfast..what shall I have today? I though. Well guess what! Sandra is the best..she now buys me "latte fresca." FRESH MILK! NORMAL YUMMY MILK THAT GOES BAD and has an experation date under a year long!! YAY!! It. tastes. so. good. SO I had me a glass of that, with two pieces of mini toast (no nutella today..man I'm good) and a banana. Then I got ready for school...Sandra was running on the tredmill...Nonna downstairs....Peppucio (giuseppes nick name) off at work. Normal morning. I finish getting ready about 5 minutes before the bell rings, but don't worry, we buz open the gate, walk down the steps, climb into Sandra's adorable mini neongreen car, and off to school I go, through the doors, to my class. I am greated with CIAO CIAO CIAO LAURIE from everyone. So friendly, I love it.
PRIMA ORA ( i hope you can guess what that means) io ho avuto arte historia. I had art history. AHH I wish I understood better! I find it soo interesting! We learn about all the wonderful european art! I can't wait until I understand better in that class.. I think I will really enjoy it.
SECONDA ORA I had english. I am very impressed with my classmates. Allora, (so/listenup) here you have 2 englishes. English literature and history, and english the language class. I am impressed because the whole class the teacher speaks english. and the kids can follow so well! It really is impressive. Right now we are learning about the Tutors and humanism and the reformation and stuff. Good to know...Very interesting from an Italian point of view since it has a lot more to do with them than America (obviously) Anyways, I like my English teacher...she is good. Marta is her name.
TERZO ORA....hm my class had English Language.. so I went with prof. marta and we worked on some stuff...figured out my classes for this week.. etc. I don't stay in one class, like all the other students do of course, I have to switch according to what I need to study and my level. So yeah thats fun... soon we will have a final timetable and I will know my definate classes..but for now we have to plan out the days.
SO. I don't think i will be taking that all year. No thanks...
QUINTO ORA.. TEDESCO! german! my favorite class. I walk down the hall to the next classroom with Prima class. (first class... they are 13/14 years old) I love it all the little kids its fun! But its my favorite class because the teacher is MY FAVORITE and german relates better to english. My teacher is a tiny woman(young, like twenties for sure) with dyed red hair. Did I write that in my last blog? Can't remember. oh well. Anyways, I love her, and treats me like an adult.... kind of hard to explain. But yeah, my favorite class.
usually school ends then, at about 12:50. But twice a week we have an extra hour. Today was one of those great days.... Math.
worse.
PHYSICS!
Its another language class for me. One I have absolutly no idea or understanding of. I have never taken physics before...and I certainly have no idea what all those symbals and equations are leading up to..especially in italian. Nap time? yeah I think so. But luckly physics is only some classes. Most the time, basic algebra... hmm there we go. I'm smart again!
Bell rings... put my books in my bag....and out the door with my classmates! We walk down the street to a cute little piazza...a lot of kids go there, because its where the bus stop is..so those who live out of the town ride home, others like me hang out until I decide I'm ready to leave. Its fun I am becoming more talkative ( like my usual self..slowly its emerging...soon I will be bursting and talking a million miles per hour like them) Today my guy friends told me all about Italian soccer. wow.. All the positions, their names, and their roles here in Italy. Oh, then they had to go through and name all the best players for all the positions. Oh and then they outlined a few more plays. Then they ask me if i have heard of this player, or this player, or this player, etc etc. no..no.. no.. beckham? yes! haha. By the end of this year I will be an Italian soccer whiz. Hmm well then they start talking to eachother... I kind of trail away...then CIAO! im outa here. I walk down the little alleyways to my cute orangeish yellow house. Home sweet home. I buz in..and pranzo is cooking. Lunch. yum yum yum. what a great thing to come home to. a fabulous fresh meal. Today was skinny french bread (it changes everyday, really...so many kinds of bread) a really yummy green soup. i put little chunks of cheese and cut up tomatoes..tastes amazing. after I didn't feel like the sausage, so I just had lots of zuccini and juice. Perfect. For dessert, boiled apples... sounds weird... And I don't know what else is in the water...but ahh its so good. its like applesauce almost..but solid enough to keep the apple shape. Anyways, very good, perfect dessert.
We sat and talked at the table for an hour or so...then Sandra watches beautiful, a soap opera... or cleans something... I hang around for a little...go to my room to organize it...check the computer... study.... little things. Today I went running on the tredmill for 5 kilo's or something..woopie. Then I showerd, and got ready, and went out with my friend Giorgia. She came around the house at 6:30/7. We walked like 20 feet to the piazza..where everyone is there talking, enjoying life. Tonight it was really fuN! Usually I meet a few new people, talk here and there, but don't speak a whole lot..just kind of sit back and watch. But tonight I was just relaxed and being myself and talking a lot and stuff. It was good! So that was fun. Home again. Small dinner.. Some meet and vegetables and no bread for me tonight. Gota go easy sometimes. A few biscotti for my dessert... talk some more....help clear the table...and off to my room! Where I decided to write this.
Now...if you aren't bored out of your mind... something is wrong. But, I just thought I'd let you see a typical weekday. OH, there are different variations, promise.. but not to far off =)
life is good
I hope your excited to read about Tuesday tomorrow!
joking..
Love
Laurie
jussssttt kidding. I will tell you anything you want to know.
well..what do you want to know? any requests? if so, email me...soccer_rocker44@hotmail.com.... and until then... I'll just start babbling!
My Monday (Lunedì)
I woke up on my small, firm bed, sprawled with my arms and legs off the sides (just how I like it) to the tune of my alarm clock on my phone. The sun was shining brightly through my large window on the opposite wall. Today I woke up at 7:30. Mornings that I didn't shower the night before, I wake up at 7:15. So, I got up, opened the window to air let the fresh air in (that is what I have been told to do everymorning. its pleseant) and then headed to the bathroom. I washed my face, then walked around the corner to the kitchen. I was not wearing any shoes, which is actually not normal. Here in Sardegna, you wear sandels around the house or slippers, because the doors get dirty fast because of dust and other things. So you don't want your feet to get dirty! But I dont really care. Anyways...mm breakfast..what shall I have today? I though. Well guess what! Sandra is the best..she now buys me "latte fresca." FRESH MILK! NORMAL YUMMY MILK THAT GOES BAD and has an experation date under a year long!! YAY!! It. tastes. so. good. SO I had me a glass of that, with two pieces of mini toast (no nutella today..man I'm good) and a banana. Then I got ready for school...Sandra was running on the tredmill...Nonna downstairs....Peppucio (giuseppes nick name) off at work. Normal morning. I finish getting ready about 5 minutes before the bell rings, but don't worry, we buz open the gate, walk down the steps, climb into Sandra's adorable mini neongreen car, and off to school I go, through the doors, to my class. I am greated with CIAO CIAO CIAO LAURIE from everyone. So friendly, I love it.
PRIMA ORA ( i hope you can guess what that means) io ho avuto arte historia. I had art history. AHH I wish I understood better! I find it soo interesting! We learn about all the wonderful european art! I can't wait until I understand better in that class.. I think I will really enjoy it.
SECONDA ORA I had english. I am very impressed with my classmates. Allora, (so/listenup) here you have 2 englishes. English literature and history, and english the language class. I am impressed because the whole class the teacher speaks english. and the kids can follow so well! It really is impressive. Right now we are learning about the Tutors and humanism and the reformation and stuff. Good to know...Very interesting from an Italian point of view since it has a lot more to do with them than America (obviously) Anyways, I like my English teacher...she is good. Marta is her name.
TERZO ORA....hm my class had English Language.. so I went with prof. marta and we worked on some stuff...figured out my classes for this week.. etc. I don't stay in one class, like all the other students do of course, I have to switch according to what I need to study and my level. So yeah thats fun... soon we will have a final timetable and I will know my definate classes..but for now we have to plan out the days.
BREAK TIME go outside on these big cement steps around the courtyard. Beautiful weather..like I have said.. its perfect. so perfect you don't even think about it. Never too hot. or too cold. just right. Everyone pulls out there snacks and lights up. Woo hoo. I didn't bring a snack today, but usually jsut a pack of crackers or an apple. Typical. And of course I didn't light anything up. Bell rings 15 minutes, back to class.
QUARTO ORA Ruggeri... ah.... religion... you see... if this were a class teaching about different world religions I would find it so interesting! but a) its the school priest who is the teacher b) i cant understand him at all c) its him just..preaching the whole time.. from what I can get..SO. I don't think i will be taking that all year. No thanks...
QUINTO ORA.. TEDESCO! german! my favorite class. I walk down the hall to the next classroom with Prima class. (first class... they are 13/14 years old) I love it all the little kids its fun! But its my favorite class because the teacher is MY FAVORITE and german relates better to english. My teacher is a tiny woman(young, like twenties for sure) with dyed red hair. Did I write that in my last blog? Can't remember. oh well. Anyways, I love her, and treats me like an adult.... kind of hard to explain. But yeah, my favorite class.
usually school ends then, at about 12:50. But twice a week we have an extra hour. Today was one of those great days.... Math.
worse.
PHYSICS!
Its another language class for me. One I have absolutly no idea or understanding of. I have never taken physics before...and I certainly have no idea what all those symbals and equations are leading up to..especially in italian. Nap time? yeah I think so. But luckly physics is only some classes. Most the time, basic algebra... hmm there we go. I'm smart again!
Bell rings... put my books in my bag....and out the door with my classmates! We walk down the street to a cute little piazza...a lot of kids go there, because its where the bus stop is..so those who live out of the town ride home, others like me hang out until I decide I'm ready to leave. Its fun I am becoming more talkative ( like my usual self..slowly its emerging...soon I will be bursting and talking a million miles per hour like them) Today my guy friends told me all about Italian soccer. wow.. All the positions, their names, and their roles here in Italy. Oh, then they had to go through and name all the best players for all the positions. Oh and then they outlined a few more plays. Then they ask me if i have heard of this player, or this player, or this player, etc etc. no..no.. no.. beckham? yes! haha. By the end of this year I will be an Italian soccer whiz. Hmm well then they start talking to eachother... I kind of trail away...then CIAO! im outa here. I walk down the little alleyways to my cute orangeish yellow house. Home sweet home. I buz in..and pranzo is cooking. Lunch. yum yum yum. what a great thing to come home to. a fabulous fresh meal. Today was skinny french bread (it changes everyday, really...so many kinds of bread) a really yummy green soup. i put little chunks of cheese and cut up tomatoes..tastes amazing. after I didn't feel like the sausage, so I just had lots of zuccini and juice. Perfect. For dessert, boiled apples... sounds weird... And I don't know what else is in the water...but ahh its so good. its like applesauce almost..but solid enough to keep the apple shape. Anyways, very good, perfect dessert.
We sat and talked at the table for an hour or so...then Sandra watches beautiful, a soap opera... or cleans something... I hang around for a little...go to my room to organize it...check the computer... study.... little things. Today I went running on the tredmill for 5 kilo's or something..woopie. Then I showerd, and got ready, and went out with my friend Giorgia. She came around the house at 6:30/7. We walked like 20 feet to the piazza..where everyone is there talking, enjoying life. Tonight it was really fuN! Usually I meet a few new people, talk here and there, but don't speak a whole lot..just kind of sit back and watch. But tonight I was just relaxed and being myself and talking a lot and stuff. It was good! So that was fun. Home again. Small dinner.. Some meet and vegetables and no bread for me tonight. Gota go easy sometimes. A few biscotti for my dessert... talk some more....help clear the table...and off to my room! Where I decided to write this.
Now...if you aren't bored out of your mind... something is wrong. But, I just thought I'd let you see a typical weekday. OH, there are different variations, promise.. but not to far off =)
life is good
I hope your excited to read about Tuesday tomorrow!
joking..
Love
Laurie
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Ciao Americans
CIAOOOOOOOOOO
How is everyone?? Good I hope.
Well now I'll do my duty of updating y'all. Yep, the Italians say y'all all the time. No actually..they don't... but that would be funny.
This last weekend me, Sandra, and Giuseppe went to there friend's (Paola and Stefono) beach house in Baccumandara, this little peninsula. It was gorgeous. Bellissimo. The house was cute and medium sized.. white with red roof. There was a pathway in the backyard down to the beach. In the summer this beach is very crowded, but at this time of year it was basically empty. Giuseppe fished.. I swam.. We all just relaxed. Then Paola went to the house and came back with snorkling gear! So me and Stefono geared up, and snorkled awayyy!!! It was so fun I absolutly love snorkling. Stefono are both scuba certified also, I am so jealous! There wasn't too much sea life but I still loved every second. In the evening we had a homecooked dinner. Like I have every day for lunch and dinner. Home cooked, fresh, amazing Italian food. I love it more and more every meal. The next morning Stefono drove me on his motorcycle to Cagliari to meet my friend Erica who is another exchange student. We walked along the beach Poeto, then went back to her home. She lives in one of the hundred apartment buildings. They are all so cute. We ate some bread for lunch, and then she showed me around Cagliari. It is amazing. I love all the colorful buildings and tiny streets. It makes me so happy to see all the clothes hanging to dry, and the mini scooters. I love the tall buildings and the old architecture. I especially love the old churches and squares. All the stores were closed because it was sunday, so it was very peaceful and just a good day! After that.. back home!
School is going great. It is still very hard to understand. Even though I am understanding more and more each day, it still just isn't quite enough to get the major point across to me. But, taking notes and translating works just fine. I love my beginning German and French classes, even though I'm in the 14/15 year old class haha. But boy is it hard learning GERMAN and FRENCH in ITALIAN when I speak ENGLISH! haha but its ok I'm getting it! I think.... Anyways.. biology is great, I can understand most everything because they are all words I can relate to. Italian literature and Philosophy on the other hand are a bit harder... and Art history is almost impossible. But again.. the note translating procedure is great. English is easy of course and so nice on my brain haha. I still like my class very much. Everyone is super nice. AH I just can't wait to understand and talk at regular pace!! In good time.. I know.. but I can't wait. Other than that everything is good good! It is getting colder though.. dang it. Good thing I packed some winter clothes!!
Volleyball is great!! Yesterday we had our first in-door, with volleyballs practice. Before we were just conditioning on the track. It was so fun yesterday. I like being one of the tallest! I wonder if the net is a little lower here than in America... haha. It will be nice to understand all the stuff my coach says... I'm sure that will come in handy. For now, people just ask capito? And I say uhhh poco.... and then they explain in their best English haha. Today I don't have volleyball.. but am going to Cagliari to play........ SOCCER! woo hoo!!! Or maybe just futsal, but either one, I am SO excited. I'm going to play with Paolas sisters team. I'm not sure exactly whats going on, I will have to tell you later. But yeah, any way to play is great!
Well... nothing else is too new! My family is great, I meet more friends everyday, I am adapting smoothly without any problems. I love it!
Pictures on there way!
Arrivederci!
Laurie
How is everyone?? Good I hope.
Well now I'll do my duty of updating y'all. Yep, the Italians say y'all all the time. No actually..they don't... but that would be funny.
This last weekend me, Sandra, and Giuseppe went to there friend's (Paola and Stefono) beach house in Baccumandara, this little peninsula. It was gorgeous. Bellissimo. The house was cute and medium sized.. white with red roof. There was a pathway in the backyard down to the beach. In the summer this beach is very crowded, but at this time of year it was basically empty. Giuseppe fished.. I swam.. We all just relaxed. Then Paola went to the house and came back with snorkling gear! So me and Stefono geared up, and snorkled awayyy!!! It was so fun I absolutly love snorkling. Stefono are both scuba certified also, I am so jealous! There wasn't too much sea life but I still loved every second. In the evening we had a homecooked dinner. Like I have every day for lunch and dinner. Home cooked, fresh, amazing Italian food. I love it more and more every meal. The next morning Stefono drove me on his motorcycle to Cagliari to meet my friend Erica who is another exchange student. We walked along the beach Poeto, then went back to her home. She lives in one of the hundred apartment buildings. They are all so cute. We ate some bread for lunch, and then she showed me around Cagliari. It is amazing. I love all the colorful buildings and tiny streets. It makes me so happy to see all the clothes hanging to dry, and the mini scooters. I love the tall buildings and the old architecture. I especially love the old churches and squares. All the stores were closed because it was sunday, so it was very peaceful and just a good day! After that.. back home!
School is going great. It is still very hard to understand. Even though I am understanding more and more each day, it still just isn't quite enough to get the major point across to me. But, taking notes and translating works just fine. I love my beginning German and French classes, even though I'm in the 14/15 year old class haha. But boy is it hard learning GERMAN and FRENCH in ITALIAN when I speak ENGLISH! haha but its ok I'm getting it! I think.... Anyways.. biology is great, I can understand most everything because they are all words I can relate to. Italian literature and Philosophy on the other hand are a bit harder... and Art history is almost impossible. But again.. the note translating procedure is great. English is easy of course and so nice on my brain haha. I still like my class very much. Everyone is super nice. AH I just can't wait to understand and talk at regular pace!! In good time.. I know.. but I can't wait. Other than that everything is good good! It is getting colder though.. dang it. Good thing I packed some winter clothes!!
Volleyball is great!! Yesterday we had our first in-door, with volleyballs practice. Before we were just conditioning on the track. It was so fun yesterday. I like being one of the tallest! I wonder if the net is a little lower here than in America... haha. It will be nice to understand all the stuff my coach says... I'm sure that will come in handy. For now, people just ask capito? And I say uhhh poco.... and then they explain in their best English haha. Today I don't have volleyball.. but am going to Cagliari to play........ SOCCER! woo hoo!!! Or maybe just futsal, but either one, I am SO excited. I'm going to play with Paolas sisters team. I'm not sure exactly whats going on, I will have to tell you later. But yeah, any way to play is great!
Well... nothing else is too new! My family is great, I meet more friends everyday, I am adapting smoothly without any problems. I love it!
Pictures on there way!
Arrivederci!
Laurie
Friday, September 21, 2007
People in front of me on our 4 kilo walk to the cheisa.S. Maria... well I'm pretty sure that was was they were saying. In the cheisa
Some of the stands at the festival
Me at the beach, Poeto
Marina Piccola
Some of the stands at the festival
Me at the beach, Poeto
Marina Piccola
This is what an Italian cemeteries look like. Those are all the tombs. Sandra is putting flowers in her father's.
This is the parade outside our friends house in Sarrda, a city close to Sanluri.
This is one of the family group things.Monday, September 17, 2007
SOo where did we leave off...
On friday I had my first volleyball practice. It was good! Of course I didn't really understand very well, but this girl Simona was wayy nice and helped me the whole practice, knowing what to do with the drills and stuff. Oh man it felt so good to just be playing sports again! Goin to practices! I miss it a TON! It was a good work out, all went well. Since girls don't really play sports here at all, the team is made up of the girls that actually wanna play. So that means my team is made up of a range of ages from 14-28 or something hahaha. It was different, but all good. In America I didn't really stand a chance of being a super good volleyball player because I am not 7 feet tall like the rest of them. But here its perfect, I am one of the tallest. That night we had dinner with best friends of the family, Francy's Godmother and Father. and their daughters who are adorable. It was way frustrating not understanding them because they kept talkin to me and I wanted to talk back so bad! They were soooo cute. We had pizza. The little kids pizzas had hot dogs and french fries on them haha. The other pizzas had horse meet, which is very popular, and there was a veggie one..I had a cheese one but tried this zuccini one which was good. Yeah...pizza here has some crazy stuff on it I'm learning. After dinner, friends from the neighborhood came and picked me up and we hung out at the piazza. It was fun.. we just sat on a bench then lots of other teenagers come, join you, and all hang out. You just talk and take it easy.
Saturday was cool. So.... this weekend it was a holiday I guess and you celebrate St. Maria... I am pretty sure that is her name. It is hard to completely understand as I am sure you can guess why. ( Knowing italian would help.. ah Im learning!) We went to Sarrda, a neighboring city, and met up with family friends. There was like a little parade on the street... it is hard to explain...but families dress in their historic clothes.... hmm you will have to see the pictures to get what I mean. So a bunch of families pass, and St. Maria is the end of the parade. At one point I leaned over and asked Irene, a girl my age who, now, is my friend haha, anyways I asked her what do we do at the end and she leaned over and told me in her shotty english, that we all go under the Saint. I was soo confused. But a few minutes she was like OHH no no no, not under, we all go behind her! So it made more sense. SO when S. Maria passes , everyone follows for 4 kilometers. It is tradition. So we walked and walked and walked way slow... to the big church where there was a big festival. I was with Irene and her friends, it was fun, they were all very nice.
The festival was cool. There is music playing everywhere, a mini carnival of rides and games and such, and a bunch of stands. The stands sold all kinds of things, whether it was food, jewelry, shoes, purses, underwear (yeah .. weird haha), food, clothes, basically anything. Just like this big flea market or something. They have like these really really long grills with all kinds of meet... whole pigs (gross looksin) swards with eels cooking on them.. all kinds of fish and stuff. yeah...Um all the sellers were african american.. I don't know if that has any significance..but I have never seen black people just living normally in Italy..they are always sellers and stuff. Hm who knows. So me and my friends just had fun lookin at the stands and eating and whatnot. Since I have been here I haven't spent more then 5€. They buy me everything!! I ask and try but nope they won't have it. Even food at stands, Irene insisted on paying. I really do try. I can't say I don't like it haha, but it is different! They are very relaxed with their money. Certainly no tight wads haha. Sunday we went to Irenes house again and had a hudge lunch with friends and just hung out. It was funny, the big meals have like 5 courses or something.. I am not sure how many, i will count one day. They are always bringing out more food..but anyways this man was passing me some meet to try and he was lookin in the dictionary to see what is was called and he was like "meet of kid!!" I was like... what the............. lemme see that. so i looked and sure enough it said kid. So I was really confused, but then saw above it the word for goat and then remember a baby goat is called a kid. Ha so no worries, Italians aren't canibals. Also, after lunch, you just stay at the table and talk and talk and talk and talk. People go take naps in the house, then come back and talk and talk and talk. Its fun! I got tired, went inside on the couch, slept for an hour, came back, and continued talking. Or in my case, saying ridiculous sentences all in the wrong order that make probably little sense. but hey, im trying.
School! I got up around 7:30, got ready, and Sandra drove me to school which is really close and I will probably start walking soon. When I got there, Sandra pointed to a group of people and told me those were my class mates. She called one over, Hilary, and I went with her to meet everyone. Its weird, most of them were smoking..just right there in front of the school. No biggie, everyday thing ha. They were all dressed super nice even in the hot weather. Everyone was just outside talking.. all the what.. 150 students at my school? I know, thats so much. The kids go from elementary to highschool. So quite a range of ages. But since I go to private school there are only 11 in my class and probably like 200 max students in all haha. So different, but I like it! I like the people in my class, and am excited to become very good friends! I don't think i could handle going throught all of highschool with the same class though..I would get so bored.. but this year will be fun. My english teacher was soo nice and is very good at english (of course) so that was nice talking to her. When the principal enters the room, everyone stands up. I picked up on that one haha. So after like 20 minutes we went to the little chaple or whatever in the school and had this mass kind of thing. It was.... interesting!! I didn't understand a word. And randomly we would all stand up and sing and sit down and stand up and sit down. And repeat things. After that, school was over! It was only 2 hours today. And tomorrow and the next day. Then it goes until 12:30 until the end of October. Then from then on 8:30-1 or 1:30. Woo hoo.
WOW that is way too long for anyone to read. But if you have made it this far, ciao!
Laurie
On friday I had my first volleyball practice. It was good! Of course I didn't really understand very well, but this girl Simona was wayy nice and helped me the whole practice, knowing what to do with the drills and stuff. Oh man it felt so good to just be playing sports again! Goin to practices! I miss it a TON! It was a good work out, all went well. Since girls don't really play sports here at all, the team is made up of the girls that actually wanna play. So that means my team is made up of a range of ages from 14-28 or something hahaha. It was different, but all good. In America I didn't really stand a chance of being a super good volleyball player because I am not 7 feet tall like the rest of them. But here its perfect, I am one of the tallest. That night we had dinner with best friends of the family, Francy's Godmother and Father. and their daughters who are adorable. It was way frustrating not understanding them because they kept talkin to me and I wanted to talk back so bad! They were soooo cute. We had pizza. The little kids pizzas had hot dogs and french fries on them haha. The other pizzas had horse meet, which is very popular, and there was a veggie one..I had a cheese one but tried this zuccini one which was good. Yeah...pizza here has some crazy stuff on it I'm learning. After dinner, friends from the neighborhood came and picked me up and we hung out at the piazza. It was fun.. we just sat on a bench then lots of other teenagers come, join you, and all hang out. You just talk and take it easy.
Saturday was cool. So.... this weekend it was a holiday I guess and you celebrate St. Maria... I am pretty sure that is her name. It is hard to completely understand as I am sure you can guess why. ( Knowing italian would help.. ah Im learning!) We went to Sarrda, a neighboring city, and met up with family friends. There was like a little parade on the street... it is hard to explain...but families dress in their historic clothes.... hmm you will have to see the pictures to get what I mean. So a bunch of families pass, and St. Maria is the end of the parade. At one point I leaned over and asked Irene, a girl my age who, now, is my friend haha, anyways I asked her what do we do at the end and she leaned over and told me in her shotty english, that we all go under the Saint. I was soo confused. But a few minutes she was like OHH no no no, not under, we all go behind her! So it made more sense. SO when S. Maria passes , everyone follows for 4 kilometers. It is tradition. So we walked and walked and walked way slow... to the big church where there was a big festival. I was with Irene and her friends, it was fun, they were all very nice.
The festival was cool. There is music playing everywhere, a mini carnival of rides and games and such, and a bunch of stands. The stands sold all kinds of things, whether it was food, jewelry, shoes, purses, underwear (yeah .. weird haha), food, clothes, basically anything. Just like this big flea market or something. They have like these really really long grills with all kinds of meet... whole pigs (gross looksin) swards with eels cooking on them.. all kinds of fish and stuff. yeah...Um all the sellers were african american.. I don't know if that has any significance..but I have never seen black people just living normally in Italy..they are always sellers and stuff. Hm who knows. So me and my friends just had fun lookin at the stands and eating and whatnot. Since I have been here I haven't spent more then 5€. They buy me everything!! I ask and try but nope they won't have it. Even food at stands, Irene insisted on paying. I really do try. I can't say I don't like it haha, but it is different! They are very relaxed with their money. Certainly no tight wads haha. Sunday we went to Irenes house again and had a hudge lunch with friends and just hung out. It was funny, the big meals have like 5 courses or something.. I am not sure how many, i will count one day. They are always bringing out more food..but anyways this man was passing me some meet to try and he was lookin in the dictionary to see what is was called and he was like "meet of kid!!" I was like... what the............. lemme see that. so i looked and sure enough it said kid. So I was really confused, but then saw above it the word for goat and then remember a baby goat is called a kid. Ha so no worries, Italians aren't canibals. Also, after lunch, you just stay at the table and talk and talk and talk and talk. People go take naps in the house, then come back and talk and talk and talk. Its fun! I got tired, went inside on the couch, slept for an hour, came back, and continued talking. Or in my case, saying ridiculous sentences all in the wrong order that make probably little sense. but hey, im trying.
School! I got up around 7:30, got ready, and Sandra drove me to school which is really close and I will probably start walking soon. When I got there, Sandra pointed to a group of people and told me those were my class mates. She called one over, Hilary, and I went with her to meet everyone. Its weird, most of them were smoking..just right there in front of the school. No biggie, everyday thing ha. They were all dressed super nice even in the hot weather. Everyone was just outside talking.. all the what.. 150 students at my school? I know, thats so much. The kids go from elementary to highschool. So quite a range of ages. But since I go to private school there are only 11 in my class and probably like 200 max students in all haha. So different, but I like it! I like the people in my class, and am excited to become very good friends! I don't think i could handle going throught all of highschool with the same class though..I would get so bored.. but this year will be fun. My english teacher was soo nice and is very good at english (of course) so that was nice talking to her. When the principal enters the room, everyone stands up. I picked up on that one haha. So after like 20 minutes we went to the little chaple or whatever in the school and had this mass kind of thing. It was.... interesting!! I didn't understand a word. And randomly we would all stand up and sing and sit down and stand up and sit down. And repeat things. After that, school was over! It was only 2 hours today. And tomorrow and the next day. Then it goes until 12:30 until the end of October. Then from then on 8:30-1 or 1:30. Woo hoo.
WOW that is way too long for anyone to read. But if you have made it this far, ciao!
Laurie
Friday, September 14, 2007
PICTURES!!!!
ok. I am not sure how to label right by the picture so here is how it goes:
My school
Cagliari
Beach
Rafaella, Martina, Sandra
Sandra, me, Giuseppe
Nonna from above.. I was on my front porch thing taking the picture down
The back court yard\garden
Street in front of my house
My room
Kitchen
View when you first walk in the house
Street from the balcony
Other exchange students, kristen, kevin, erica, cornelius, tiffany
Cagliari from the plane
My bed
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Let the blogs begin.
WELL! I made it! Here is my first "travel log." haha I feel like a dork saying that..but oh well. ENJOY
PLANE:
For the most part I like plane rides. But WOW that was one long flight! My first flight to minneapolis i was just trying to relax and calm down after that very sad departure. At my gate waiting to go to Amsterdam, I met Tiffany, Kristen, Cornelious, Kevin, and Erica- all exchange students. All on there way to Sardinia except Kevin, who is exchanging in Sicily. They are all super cool and nice. And of course we all related because we were all in the same position. The flight to Amsterdam was 8 hours. SOoO long, but I had my own tv, choice of movies, tv shows, games, and music. I watched a movie...slept a little... yeah. It was fine and went by pretty fast. I was soo disoriented with the time changes. Because we were stuck in the airport, we didn't even get to see much of Amsterdam, but it was still cool to be in Amsterdam. Then to rome we went. I was in Rome!! How cool is that. But...not that cool because again we were in the airport with a normal desolate airport surroundings. There we met up with 2 more exchange students, both headed to Sardinia. Then we boarded our small plane to Sardinia. When I got off the plane I found my luggage right away and was greated very warmly by my family and Francescas friends. It was cool! I was very happy. My mom and dad are young italian hotties. And my nonna (grandmother) is adorable. We then got in our little car and drove on a normal looking highways at a good speed to Sanluri, the city where I now live.
SANLURI:
Sanluri is soo cool. It is full of small twistly turny alley-looking streets lined with cute old appartments, houses, shops, cafès, botiques, etc. The streets are so small and you drive about 40 through all of them and use your horn a lot. Right around the corner from my house is the town piazza, or square. It is where teenagers hang out. It looks fun, I am excited to see what its all about. Most of the streets are one way streets. Ah, and all the cars are so cute. And the driver is on the left hand side, same as americans. My house is adorable, I love it. It is a small gated apartment looking building; you open the gate and my grandma lives on the bottom level (level with the street). Me, Sandra and Giuseppe live up the stairs. It is small but SO CUTE. My room is great. I have my own computer and small cute bed. The kitchen is nice and little..and we all share the bathroom. Which will take some getting used to, but isn't bad. Through the back door is a small court yard where the laundy hangs to dry and a small garden is found =) I love it. Also there is a small wash room out there and also a small shower. I like to use the shower out there its bright and fun. Its private, don't worry.
FOOD:
My first breakfast was gross... The leave there milk out and warm it up in a mug, then pour in the cereal. It tasted like hamster food. But no worries, later that day we went to the super pan ( grocery store) and Sandra insisted I pick out foods I like. So I got a few boxes of cereal. =) Anyways... Also with your cereal you usually have crackers or cookies..dipped in warm milk, cafè, or tea. They were good. You have lunch around 2. The food is similar to lunch food you would have in America. You snack once or twice until you eat dinner, which is around 8. Everyone sits down together.. and many plates with food are on the table. For example, a plate with cut pieces of beef... ALWAYS a basket with bread.. ummm chicken, pasta, slugs, over cooked veggies.. just all kinds of random little helpings of food. But I like it, it tastes good!! You take your time eating. Then sit and talk for like a million hours. Its not bad!! I am a fast paced girl, but I will get used to it easily! Maybe not when the homework piles up though.. we'll see. Anyways the food is good. The gelato is very good too.. haha =)
THE PEOPLE:
Everyone is so cute and instyle. I am the tallest girl in my town I swear. Italian women are TINY!!! And very cute. All dark hair and tan skin. The boys are also very cute. Cute hair and clothes. Everyone is really nice, I have felt welcomed.
SoOOoOo there are some basics! So far I have seen the city, been learning TONS of the language, and... today (wednesday) we went to the beach in Cagliari (the capital of sardinia) it was soo pretty!!! Crystal clear water. Very fine sand. I loved it. The weather here is PERFECT! Not to hot, cold, or humid. Seriously perfect. I feel comfortable all day. I love love love it.
Ok thats enough for now! Ciao! !!!!
PLANE:
For the most part I like plane rides. But WOW that was one long flight! My first flight to minneapolis i was just trying to relax and calm down after that very sad departure. At my gate waiting to go to Amsterdam, I met Tiffany, Kristen, Cornelious, Kevin, and Erica- all exchange students. All on there way to Sardinia except Kevin, who is exchanging in Sicily. They are all super cool and nice. And of course we all related because we were all in the same position. The flight to Amsterdam was 8 hours. SOoO long, but I had my own tv, choice of movies, tv shows, games, and music. I watched a movie...slept a little... yeah. It was fine and went by pretty fast. I was soo disoriented with the time changes. Because we were stuck in the airport, we didn't even get to see much of Amsterdam, but it was still cool to be in Amsterdam. Then to rome we went. I was in Rome!! How cool is that. But...not that cool because again we were in the airport with a normal desolate airport surroundings. There we met up with 2 more exchange students, both headed to Sardinia. Then we boarded our small plane to Sardinia. When I got off the plane I found my luggage right away and was greated very warmly by my family and Francescas friends. It was cool! I was very happy. My mom and dad are young italian hotties. And my nonna (grandmother) is adorable. We then got in our little car and drove on a normal looking highways at a good speed to Sanluri, the city where I now live.
SANLURI:
Sanluri is soo cool. It is full of small twistly turny alley-looking streets lined with cute old appartments, houses, shops, cafès, botiques, etc. The streets are so small and you drive about 40 through all of them and use your horn a lot. Right around the corner from my house is the town piazza, or square. It is where teenagers hang out. It looks fun, I am excited to see what its all about. Most of the streets are one way streets. Ah, and all the cars are so cute. And the driver is on the left hand side, same as americans. My house is adorable, I love it. It is a small gated apartment looking building; you open the gate and my grandma lives on the bottom level (level with the street). Me, Sandra and Giuseppe live up the stairs. It is small but SO CUTE. My room is great. I have my own computer and small cute bed. The kitchen is nice and little..and we all share the bathroom. Which will take some getting used to, but isn't bad. Through the back door is a small court yard where the laundy hangs to dry and a small garden is found =) I love it. Also there is a small wash room out there and also a small shower. I like to use the shower out there its bright and fun. Its private, don't worry.
FOOD:
My first breakfast was gross... The leave there milk out and warm it up in a mug, then pour in the cereal. It tasted like hamster food. But no worries, later that day we went to the super pan ( grocery store) and Sandra insisted I pick out foods I like. So I got a few boxes of cereal. =) Anyways... Also with your cereal you usually have crackers or cookies..dipped in warm milk, cafè, or tea. They were good. You have lunch around 2. The food is similar to lunch food you would have in America. You snack once or twice until you eat dinner, which is around 8. Everyone sits down together.. and many plates with food are on the table. For example, a plate with cut pieces of beef... ALWAYS a basket with bread.. ummm chicken, pasta, slugs, over cooked veggies.. just all kinds of random little helpings of food. But I like it, it tastes good!! You take your time eating. Then sit and talk for like a million hours. Its not bad!! I am a fast paced girl, but I will get used to it easily! Maybe not when the homework piles up though.. we'll see. Anyways the food is good. The gelato is very good too.. haha =)
THE PEOPLE:
Everyone is so cute and instyle. I am the tallest girl in my town I swear. Italian women are TINY!!! And very cute. All dark hair and tan skin. The boys are also very cute. Cute hair and clothes. Everyone is really nice, I have felt welcomed.
SoOOoOo there are some basics! So far I have seen the city, been learning TONS of the language, and... today (wednesday) we went to the beach in Cagliari (the capital of sardinia) it was soo pretty!!! Crystal clear water. Very fine sand. I loved it. The weather here is PERFECT! Not to hot, cold, or humid. Seriously perfect. I feel comfortable all day. I love love love it.
Ok thats enough for now! Ciao! !!!!
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