I Should Have Known Three Classes on Monday Was a Bad Idea

So so tired.  So much work. 

Amalfi Coast was awesome.  Blog post to follow.  Can't focus right now.  Stupid art paper.

Sicily blog post is also coming.  Also photos.

Class today was fine.  Cooking class - made eggplant parmesan (meh), cannoli (meh), orange salad (meh) and chocolate chip cookies (random - some students basically just made them).  Overall, just kind of meh.  Very heavy - made my tummy hurt.

Eggplant and salad

 Cannoli

Have part one of my cooking final next Monday.  Along with my second paper that's due.  Hate end of semester.  Will be more coherent tomorrow.

Ciao!!

This Week Really Should Not Exist

It is so pointless.  3 days of class, including one that was canceled.  Honestly.

So I didn't have art again today (yessssss - I like this whole sleeping in until 11:30 business).  Literature was fine - introductory stuff for Boccaccio so not that interesting but still fun.

And then I spent the rest of the day working on my paper, eating lunch, relaxing, etc.  For dinner, me, Liz, Jamie and Erika went out to Tijuana 2 since it was Erika's birthday this past weekend.  I got nachos - delicious and a frozen strawberry margarita which was amazing.

Yum yum margaritas

Now I'm sitting here, after finally taking a shower.  I couldn't take one last night because someone was doing laundry and again before dinner, I wanted to take a shower but someone was doing laundry.  Ugh.  And now it's back to working on my paper before going to bed.  What an exciting life I lead.

The good news is that tomorrow, we leave for the Amalfi Coast.  It's only me and Jessica going from my apartment but there are some other UNC students going, which will be fun.  But I'll be working on my paper probably until an hour before we leave, at which point I'll quickly pack and head out.  Hopefully I'll get enough done so that I don't have to stress over the weekend.  Let's hope so.

Ciao!!

I Thought We Were Done With Rain

Yeah, it rained again today.  Not amused, Firenze, not amused.

I spent the weekend in Sicily - blog post to follow (hah).  Long story short:  some parts were really pretty, a lot of it was icky and I don't feel the need to go back.

Today was fine.  Class was class, nothing interesting. 

In cooking class, we had five dishes:  some bread with different cheeses, oils and anchovies, stir-fried broccoli rabe, pasta with broccoli rabe, a fish cooked in tomatoes, onions, etc., and a dessert that was basically chocolate mousse with soft cookies.  Because I'm still sick, I can't really taste stuff but I'm pretty sure everything was fine.  Surprised I didn't hate the broccoli rabe but I'll have to try it when I'm not sick.

Bread and cheese

Pasta with broccoli rabe and stir-fried broccoli rabe

Fish

Dessert

Tried to work on my paper some - got distracted when swatting a mosquito led to a 45 minute attempt to get my shift key back on the keyboard (successfully I might add).  And now I'm working on my paper, updating this, and heading to bed.

Let's hope I feel better tomorrow.  I hate being sick.

Ciao!!

So Not Fair

Today was fine.  Except for the fact that I'm pretty sure I'm sick.  I'm coughing, my throat hurts, and I'm achy.  Hopefully it's just the weather change and I'll be over it soon.

Especially because we're leaving for Sicily tomorrow!! We'll be in Palermo and even though I'm not really sure what to do there, it'll be warm and sunny so I'm definitely excited.

Didn't have art today so I got to sleep in until 11.  That was really nice.  And literature was fine, nothing terribly exciting.

And then I spent most of the day lying in bed.  I did get some work done on my paper, which is good.  As soon as I have it mostly finished by the time I leave for the Amalfi Coast, I'll be happy.

Oh and we got gelato tonight - I got tiramisu and strawberry.  It was really good.  Yum yum.  Hopefully I'll have some good gelato in Sicily!! I'M SO EXCITED!!

Ciao!!

Cinque Terre

HAH.  I finally got this post up.  Only took me a week and half.

So.  We decided, kind of spur-of-the-moment, to spend a day in Cinque Terre.  And since we decided so late, we decided to go with a tour group, a decision I'm not really sure how I feel about.

Regardless, we were up super early (like I think we left around 6:50) to meet to get on the bus to the first village of the Cinque Terre, which is about 2 hours away from Florence.

I guess I should explain.  Cinque Terre is a famous region that contains five tiny villages situated on the mountains and the sea.  Which makes it incredibly beautiful.  Theoretically, it is possible to hike between all five cities.  However, because of landslides over a year ago, the walk between the first two cities is closed.  I believe all the other paths are open though.  I'm not sure however, because, instead of hiking between the cities, we trained between the cities.

Which, eh.  I think I would have liked to hike them but training them definitely was easier.  I still want to, at some point - maybe not this trip though, hike between all 5 cities. 

So we started our journey at a road at the top of the hill above the first city, Riomaggiore.  After walking down some pretty perilous steps (yeah my knees enjoyed that first thing in the morning), we made it into Riomaggiore.  Which was beautiful, of course.  We didn't spend too much time here, pretty quickly getting the train to the next city but still.  There were steps leading to the sea that I really wanted to walk down.  I kept having to convince myself not to jump in the water because I was really tempted.

View of most of the towns from above Riomaggiore

Scary steps

Riomaggiore

 Look at that cuteness

Really though

This was decorating their train station...uh huh

Steps to the sea...ugh

The next city, Manarola, is where we spent a lot of time.  We even got a 2 hour lunch break here, which consisted of me buying a panino (prosciutto, mozzarella, and pesto) and us sitting out on these rocks for the rest of the time.  So yeah, I got a little sunburnt, but it was heaven.  So we basically followed our guide around Manarola, including going up a hill to get a great viewpoint of the city.  So yeah, there's some awesome photos so get ready to be jealous.

They are serious about this

If you can see where those people are on that far rock, that's where we laid out

Sorry for the girl's finger

Yay me and Manarola

Lucky lucky Italians

 Panino

After Manarola, it was off to Corniglia.  Which was harder than you might expect.  Our train was delayed by about 30 minutes, which naturally, threw off our schedule for the rest of day.  But after we finally made it to the train station, then came the approximately 365 steps up to the actual city.  It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, because the steps were wide and there were breaks because they wound up.  So yay stair climbing.

Once we got to Corniglia, we had about 20 minutes to walk around, so we didn't make it too far around the city but again, another reason to go back.  And it was really pretty being at the top of the mountains and being able to look out into the water.

You can get kind of an idea of the step-situation

Look at those Italians...mowing their "lawn"

A random cat came up and said hello!

Aw how cute

I wish we could have walked all the way down but alas

Corniglia

So after spending 20 minutes at the top, we had walk all the way back down the stairs to get the train to Vernazzo...oh goody.  But finally, we did make it.  Our time in Vernazzo was interesting because we had a fair amount of time but we ended up again, sitting on a rock in the water.  It was nice though.  I was able to put my feet in the water and even though it was really really cold, it was lovely.  And I still wanted to get in.

That was one of our "guides" who decided to ruin my photo by looking at the camera instead of away like a normal person

Ooh

Ahh

Woo

Me!

Waterfall near where we were sitting

Then it was off to Monterosso al mare, or just Monterosso.  We took the ferry over - which was nice, I like boats.  But it was also like 5 minutes so yeah.  Regardless, we spent almost no time in Monterosso.  I think we seriously got 10 minutes of free time where we walked down the street and back up on the beach.  It was still pretty but I can't say it's my favorite because we spent like no time here.

Ferry

Big rock in Vernazzo

Monterosso

All the way at the other end of Cinque Terre

Woo

After our brief stop in Monterosso, we got on the train again (surprise surprise) and took it all the way past Riomaggiore to a station where the bus could come get us.  So we got on the bus and headed back to Florence (about an hour and a half).  Once we got back in, probably around 9:30 or so, all I did was make dinner, take a shower, do homework and collapse into bed.  Exhausted but happy.

So yeah, that was my experience at Cinque Terre.  Beautiful and definitely want to go back and hike the whole thing.

Ciao!!

At Least the Weather is Nice

Sorry for not blogging yesterday.  I got distracted.

More photos are up - I just put up the Paris ones from Spring Break.  Ireland is coming next!  And I am working on the Cinque Terre post, I promise.

Yesterday was fairly uneventful.  Class was fine, nothing terribly exciting but nothing terribly boring.

Went shopping at the big Conad.  Made spaghetti with ground beef and onions - surprisingly pretty good but I made wayy too much considering I won't be here this weekend.  I also got a baguette.  Yum yum I had forgotten how much I like French bread.

Let's see, then we went to library and I worked on my art paper for a little bit.  I think I'm doing okay but it's hard to tell until I start writing.

And then last night, me and the roommates just kind of decided to drink wine and play card games.  We actually had a lot of fun and we even went to the secret bakery.

Unfortunately that means I was exhausted this morning.  And I can't tell if I'm getting sick or not.  I think it's just the weather change messing with me, so I hope I feel a lot better tomorrow.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Yeah class today was also fine.  Took a quiz in Italian - aced it.  Had lunch - baguette slices with salami, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella.  Yummy.  Had spaghetti for dinner - also yummy.  I think I might get another baguette tomorrow.  I can probably eat an entire one in a day.  I will probably accept that challenge.

And now I'm doing this, finishing up homework and relaxing.  Nice.

Ciao!!

Monday Funday

Okay it wasn't really a funday but it rhymed so I thought it was cute.  Well, it was kind of a funday.  I still had to get up early though.

Insert more promises about getting caught up and photos up here.

Saturday didn't do much.  Me and Jessica did sit in the Boboli Gardens at Palazzo Pitti for about 2.5 hours which was really nice.  The weather has been really good here.  Supposedly, all the rain and cold is behind us, but we'll see.

The only thing I did of note on Sunday was I did a lot of booking for my three weeks.  Got all my flights booked except for one and I've found places to stay for just about everywhere.  So I'm doing good.

Class today was fine.  In Holocaust, we had a Holocaust survivor come talk to us.  Essentially, her family moved around a lot and hid until they were able to get into Allied-liberated territory.  Let me make one thing clear:  I appreciate and have immense respect for every single person to come out of this terrible time period alive.  Everyone's story is unique and incredible, simply for the fact that they survived.  However, I must admit (however rude of me) that there are some stories that more interesting than others.  And, when your story is just that you were hiding, it's not terribly interesting.  So yeah.  That was that.

Italian class was fine.  I honestly feel like such a know-it-all in that class but I can't help it.  Languages are easy for me and it doesn't take me long to learn how to do something.  And the other girls in my class need help.  Really though.  Especially one girl who sits next to me.  Good lord.  It's just pathetic.

Cooking class was pretty good though.  The teacher loves me.  Like I've said earlier, there's 12 or 13 of us total and everyone except 3 of us all know each other and are friends.  And they're loud and obnoxious.  So they're always talking over the teacher and not paying attention while me, another girl and another boy all don't know each other so we're quiet and we pay attention.  And we help clean up.  So the teacher knows who we are and always asks us how we're doing and stuff.

So today, after most of the food was eaten and tasted, the group basically just left without really helping to do anything.  So after they left, the teacher told me and the guy (the girl was out today) that we could sit and eat in peace for a minute without the others.  And she told us that the other students are not as excellent as us.  So I really am not worried about this class because I'm pretty sure she'd give me a 100 just for not being a shithead.  So anyways.

Today we had four dishes:  pizza alla napolitana (aka margherita pizza which in Italy is pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil - not like margarita pizza in the US), a stewed eggplant and tomato dish, deep-fried mozzarella sandwich, and struffoli (fried pastries with a honey-orange glaze).  It was all pretty good actually but the struffoli were probably my favorite.

I don't know why but today it seemed like we had a much smaller class.  But anyways, me and the boy were in charge of the pizzas.  We each made one and mine was totally better.  Just saying.

Look at that crust.  Look how nicely it's rolled out.  I think I have a future career in this.

Stewed dish -  not really sure what this was...I don't think anyone else was either

Deep fried mozzarella sandwich...oh yeah

 

 Struffoli - just as addicting as you would think

 My pizza!! Looks kickass right??  It was

Hm let's see, after class, I meandered home, enjoying the awesome weather.  And then I've just been messing around, thinking about doing homework (hah) and now doing this.

So yeah.  That's about it.  I think.  

Ciao!!

Class on Fridays...What a Stupid Idea

I promise I am going to get caught up.  I am still working on the Cinque Terre blog post and on uploading photos but it's getting there, slowly but surely.

Yesterday and today were pretty uneventful.  Class was fine, same as ever.  Art was boring, literature was fun.  Although yesterday in art we went to the Academia and got to see the real original David.  It's still mind blowing to think about and see in person.  I really want to touch it.

Apparently, because the marble used for it was such terrible quality, it's starting to crack.  Can you imagine if the original David broke?  I mean, we still have copies but just think what that would be like.  Kids couldn't see the original anymore.  Scary stuff.

Last night we ended up going out to a bar with some people from UNC and Liz and her friend.  It was actually a good time (secret bakery included) but this morning was a bit of a struggle.

My art paper got moved back about 2 weeks.  So that's nice.  I'll probably still try to get it done relatively soon though.  And I'm staying in Florence for the weekend.  I need a weekend of rest.

Tonight we went to Gusta Pizza for dinner and they made our pizza in the shape of a heart.  It was so cute.

See?

Done a little more three week planning.  Booked my flight to Paris.  Found a hostel for Lisbon but haven't booked yet.  Definitely moving in the right direction.

Oh and I'm feeling better.  Yay!

Ciao!!

It's Only Wednesday?

I swear, time is passing slower than normal.  Probably because I'm procrastinating writing my paper.

Nothing eventful today.  Class, lunch, hanging out, all as usual.

Feeling kind of sick so hope that goes away.

More three week planning.  OCD is kicking in.

Class on Friday.  Bleck.

Probably won't do anything this weekend.  Except write my paper and sleep.  Sounds good to me.

Ciao!!

Spring Break: Ireland Part 3 and Home

SATURDAY (DAY 4)

We woke up on Saturday, had breakfast in the hostel (toast with Irish butter and raspberry jam again...yum yum addicted) and found out we had a new driver.  My first glimpse of him was when he was wearing a golf cap and drinking a juice box.  So I figured he'd at least be interesting.  And I wasn't wrong.  His name was Mike (nickname Wally) and he was just fine.  Informative, funny but still.  I missed Shaun.

Anyway, today was the day we were heading back to Dublin and making a few stops along the way.  Our first stop of the day was at Blarney Castle.  The castle was cool and all, but by this point, I've seen lots of castle-looking things in ruins.  But it was still beautiful.

The main attraction, of course, is kissing the Blarney Stone.  And walking the Wishing Steps in the Rock Garden.  And donating to the witch statue.  But don't worry, I'll explain them all.  First, castle pictures, since we walked around the castle first and went up to kiss the stone.

Castle on a hill - what a surprise

River running by it

To educate yourself

Ooh ahh

 

The very top of the castle

Me with the view into Blarney

The Murder Hole - the hallway is below this so that when intruders came, you could attack them from above

So once we climbed to the top, it was time to kiss the stone.  It was surprisingly fast, easy and not that scary.  So you follow the edge of the castle around to find the stone that's been built into the castle.  You lay down on the ground, grab the iron bars and lean back to kiss the stone as an old Irish man holds you and helps you back up.  Don't worry, it's pretty safe because there's metal bars that prevent you from falling through but still.  It was awesome.  And now, supposedly, I have the gift of gab.  Impressed?

From the ground, all the way at the top, where that broken area is, that's the stone

Even from inside the castle, it's pretty high up

It's a one track system

Getting read to kiss the stone

 Actually kissing the stone!!

 Laughing as I come back up

So it was pretty unreal.  You always hear about kissing the Blarney Stone and it's awesome to be like, "Oh yeah, I did that."

After we came down from the kissing the stone, we decided to go find the Rock Garden and the Wishing Steps.  So, if you're uneducated about Blarney Castle legend, as I was, legend has it that a witch lives in the Rock Garden.  During the daytime, she is imprisoned in a stone but at night, she comes alive and steals firewood from the kitchen of the estate.  In exchange for this, she has to grant people's wishes if they follow certain protocol on the Wishing Steps.

The deal is, you have to walk down and back up the steps backwards, with your eyes closed, thinking of nothing but your wish the whole time.  It's pretty difficult but I did manage to do it.  And we found the Witch's Stone and I left her some pennies, so I should be covered.

Yup, these steps

 Coming down

And back up

Creepy huh

After walking around the gardens, we realized we like had no time left to get lunch, so I grabbed a sandwich at the local grocery store and ate it on the bus.  Then, we had a pretty long drive back towards Dublin and our last stop at the Guinness Storehouse.

We did make one stop along the way - we got to get out and see from afar the Rock of Cashel, some sort of monument of some kind.  So I took a picture.

Yeah it was far away and sunny, leave me alone

That brought us to our last and final stop, the Guinness Storehouse.  Not before singing on the bus though, so my mission of singing in Ireland was accomplished.

The Guinness Storehouse was pretty cool.  The ingredients section wasn't that interesting.  I mean, it was pretty and all, but there wasn't anything unique about it.  We did, however, get to learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, something I had been interested in all along.

Turns out there are 5 steps to pouring Guinness and this cute little graphic explains them, but I'll go into more detail.

Cute little graphic

Step 1:  Get the right glass.  Easy enough.

Step 2:  Hold it at a 45 degree angle under the tap with the golden harp on the glass pointing directly down.

Step 3:  Pull the tap handle all the way towards you so the glass begins to fill.  When the line of Guinness reaches the bottom of the harp, tilt the glass so it's back to straight up and down.  When the line of Guinness reaches halfway up the harp, stop and put the glass down.

Step 4:  Let it settle so that the head can form.

Step 5:  Push the tap handle away from you, filling the glass the rest of the way up until the head just goes over the rim.

DONE.

So naturally, we got to pour and drink our own pint.  Delicious.

Getting started

Look at that pour

That is a pro right there

Delicious

The other cool thing about the Guinness Storehouse was the Gravity Bar at the very top.  One of the  highest points in Dublin, you can see the city all around.  Unfortunately, we had wasted too much time on the lower, less interesting floors so we basically had time to run around, take a few pictures, and then race back downstairs.  We ended up being the last ones on the bus but oh well.

View

View

View

After our stop at Guinness, we were returned to Paddy's Palace, exhausted but thrilled with the past couple of days.  We ended up going to a pub up the street for dinner, where I got a baked potato with chili on it (delicious) and then passing out, since we had to get up early again for our flight back to Florence.

SUNDAY

After almost missing the airport shuttle and freaking out about the time change, we did make it to the airport, made it on our flight, made it back to Pisa, got the bus back to Florence and made it back to our apartment with little to no problems.  I was able to go out and get groceries, which was nice and we spent the day recovering and sleeping.

MONDAY

We had the day off of class so I basically spent the day doing the same thing I did yesterday.  Recovering, reorganizing, beginning to blog about my trip and preparing for registration.  So nothing too interesting.

And that concludes my Spring Break posts.  Finally.

Ciao!!