Day 81: Top 5's for the Summer!

I promised it-- my top 5's for the summer!

Someone once asked me if I was the type of person who let life happen to me or if I was the type of person who made life happen.  Twelve weeks ago I may not have had a definite answer to this question.  Yes, I have passions.  Yes, I love adventure.  Yes, I have a zest for life.  But did I make life happen?  All I know is that I did this summer, and I couldn't be more please with this decision!

So after all the ups and downs, the plane rides and the train rides, the shopping and the touring... here we have it -- the top things from my summer abroad in Italy!  Enjoy :)

5 Favorite Field Trips

1. Ninfa Gardens and Organic Winery


2. Tuscany Week Visits (especially the first winery we visited)


3. Verona -- Juliet's Wall in particular


4. Maison Moschino and 10 Corso Como with Valentina in Milan


5. Terelli Costume Warehouse

5 Favorite Moments From The Summer

1. The Cab Ride to Patti's


2. The Temple Bar in Dublin (Cider + Son of a Preacher Man Karaoke + World Cup Game...)


3. Making it to and from London on our own


4. All of our Bachelorette showings/gatherings


5. Watching Italy's World Cup Game at our Italian friend's apartment

5 Things That I Learned

1. How to properly taste a wine


2. Ryan Air never leaves on time


3. Nothing really is Something (thank you Philosophy class with Rosella...)


4. Converting Czechs to USD is practically impossible


5. I really enjoy writing

5 Favorite Italian Cities

1. Positano/Capri


2. Florence


3. Siena


4. Verona


5. Ariccia/Nemi/Frescati

5 Favorite European Cities

1. London


2. Barcelona and Amsterdam are tied for 2nd


3. Dublin


4. Prague

5 Favorite Tourist Sites

1. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam


2. Big Ben in London


3. Sagrada Familia (and everything Gaudi) in Barcelona


4. Notting Hill in London


5. Everything in Rome

5 Regrets

1. Not going to the John Lennon Graffiti Wall in Prague


2. Not going to the IAmsterdam sign in Amsterdam


3. Not buying more at Florence's markets


4. Not going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa during our 5 hour layover in Pisa before London


5. Not checking two huge suitcases

5 Favorite Italian Meals

1. Tortellini with Leeks and Bacon in Siena


2. Butter and Sage Ravioli in Nemi


3. Everything at Old Bear


4. Pumpkin Ravioli in Milan


5. Calzone at Gaudi's Pizzeria in Rome

5 Favorite Non-Italian Meals

1. Every meal at Patti's! (B&B in Ireland)


2. Falafel in Barcelona


3. Pub in Prague (lentil soup, salad and Irish Coffee)


4. Belgian Waffle in Brussles


5. Prince Albert's in London

5 Favorite Gelatos

1. Lemon Cream in Positano (so good we got it twice in one day)


2. Peach and Honey by the Trevi Fountain in Rome


3. Oreo from Bambi's Gelateria in Ariccia


4. Any Caffe gelato! (preferably with white chocolate)


5. Limon and Frutta de Basco (fruits of the forest) at Lake Albano

5 Favorite Purchases

1. All my paintings from various places this summer


2. Leather Jacket from Florence


3. FEED Bag from World Food Program


4. Duty Free Longchamps


5. Converse Slims

I am sad to say this will be my last post from Italy... It has been quite the journey! 82 days... I didn't know if I would make it -- but I did :) and I love every single minute of it.  It has been one of the most exciting, most challenging and most rewarding experiences of my 21 years.  I have learned so much about myself, and about life in general.  Thank you for letting me share my experience with you, it has been one of my favorite things this summer (see "5 Things I Learned" list...)!

Ciao for the last time from Ariccia, Italy :)

Day 80: Party at the Chigi

Ohhhh today! Today was a lot more fun than the "dull-do-nothing" day I had anticipated. Another time for the victory of "low expectations and being pleasantly surprised".  Well, we woke up and rent running to Genzano -- I thought my legs were going to fall off and Emily was going to have to call me a cab back to the Chigi. It was difficult. But I powered through. So, once I dragged myself home from the run, we hung around the Palace trying to regain our strength (or maybe that was just me).  I mustarded up the endurance to walk to Albano (another 2+ mile journey...) with Meg and Kasi because I was deadset on getting this particular Italian coffee maker. After a lot searching and almost giving up, we found the store!  I got my coffee maker (yayy!) and Meg and Kasi scored some gifts for home as well. I picked up a sandwich from the Porchetta stand on the way back "home" and ate it while watching one of my all-time favorite childhood movies... It Takes Two! Yes, I walked in to the Palace to find Katelyn and Stacy watching this Olsen Twin's classic -- I was in heaven. We reminsced on those elementary school years and watched Kirstie Ally find that "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars over the fence, world series kind of love".

The credits started rolling and I took that as my que... To start being productive. Dang. So I walked to my room, assessed the packaging situation and just dove right into it. Wow. That's all I have to say. Wow. I have got my work cut out for me with this packing deal. Halfway through I realized, "I don't think I can fit it all..." and so I had to start weeding out between the necessities and unnecessities. That helped a little... But I was still struggling for space. And I was so embarassed because I thought I had gotten so good at packing this summer -- what happened?!

After I worked up a sweat trying to zip my luggage I decided I deserved some rest, so I watched some Friends and then took a nap. I couldn't believe the time when I woke up (5:30), so I ran and jumped in the shower because we had our video presentations at 6:30 and our guests for our party were expected to arrive at 7'ish. Eek!

Yes, our guests for our Southern Hometown Meal Party were supposed to be arriving around 7'ish.  For those of you who can't read my mind and don't know what this party is... every semesters the students make Southern food dishes and have a kind of "appertivo-type" party for all of the Italians we've worked with over the summer!  The Italians were in for a treat with this group because (not to toot our own horn or anything) we are really good cooks!  Yes, we had everything from chicken salad sandwiches, fried chicken nuggets, baked beans, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, cornbread muffins, guacamole, margaritas, banana pudding, red velvet cake balls, puppy chow mix... we had quite the spread! And it was all delicious!

[caption id="attachment_1841" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn cooking her delicious fried chicken nuggets -- Now that's Southern! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1842" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Someone made PB&J's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1843" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A little of the spread we had set out... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1844" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A specialty drink we created in Barcelona... Loco Sangria de Cava! Made by placing Haribo Peach Gummies in the bottom of a wine carafe and filling it with champagne... delicioso!"][/caption]

Knowing the Italians, they didn't start arriving until about 8:00.  But once one came, they all started showing up!  Everyone from our teachers, to our cab drivers to our bus driver to our community friends... everyone was here.  It was so much fun -- we all had a blast (and I think they really liked the food too!). The best part of the night was when Renaldo, the sweet man from our wine tasting in Ariccia last week, showed up with this GIGANTIC STUFFED EAGLE!  Holy cow -- we were dddyyyiinnggg!! I guess he got word that Auburn's mascot is an eagle and he felt the need to bring this enormous mounted eagle to our party for the night -- who knows?!  But it was absolutely hysterical and we loved it!  And we love Renaldo too -- he was taking pictures of us left and right, and the best part was he could not speak a lick of English.  I wanted to talk to him so badly and I just could not think of any phrases to save my life... so I just smiled and nodded my head!

[caption id="attachment_1846" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Renaldo with his HUGE eagle! Look at the surprise on Peek"][/caption]

Everyone pose with the Eagle!

[caption id="attachment_1848" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Anddd everyone else jump in the picture! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1849" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn, Anna Curl, Meg and myself with our precious taxi driver this summer -- Patrizia!! She literally saved us from public transportation so many times. She always picked us up from the airport or wherever we were stranded at. We couldn't be more thankful for this woman. "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1850" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Anna Curl taking one for the team in this picture :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1851" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Becca, Katherine and I with the Eagle in the background"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1852" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Italian's feel the need to be gracious to their hosts and bring a gift upon their arrival to a party... but unlike Americans, they bring a CASE of wine -- not just one bottle! AND of white AND red wine -- what?!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Cinzia trying to decide what she's going to do with all of this wine... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1854" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Curl, me and Kat with our Loco Sangria de Cavaaaa :) "][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_1857" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn, Emily and Peek with some of the Italian's that were sweet to us this summer -- Francesco, Bruno and Bruno's wife"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1858" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Mary Lou was so nice -- she brought us little gifts to remember Italy by, they are key chains with two red horns on it. They are supposed to bring you good luck and protect you from evil :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1859" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Everyone getting their keychain "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1860" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Show what you got!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1862" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Kasi and me "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1863" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Mary Lou and me :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1864" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Cinzia making fun of how short we are... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1865" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A real picture with Cinzia! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1866" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Chigi Love!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1867" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Noelle and I with Bruno and Renaldo "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1868" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="The Eagle... it will go down in history for the Chigi Palace"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1869" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Me, Curl and Kasi with Susanna"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1870" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="The man LOVED the Eagle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1871" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="We made Francesco a sword and he was obsessed "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1872" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="And Cinzia got a ceramic tiger for her new apartment -- a little something to remember us by! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1874" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="And then we took it another step -- we dressed the Eagle in Auburn gear. Doesn't it look just like Nova (the Eagle that flies in Jordan Hare)? "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Renaldo loved it "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1877" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="If this doesn't scream "War Eagle" I don't know what does! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1878" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Eagle Lovin'"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1879" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Proud students! "][/caption]

We talked and laughed and ate for a long while, and then it was time for the gift giving.  On our packing list before we came was a gift from home, and these were to be given to our guests tonight.  I brought a Huntsville Heritage Cookbook (forgot that it was in English...) and I ended up giving it to Peek because everyone else had already received a present (and she could read it the best...).   When the time came to say goodbye, that's when it hit me -- we're really leaving.  And we may never see these people ever again... it was so sad!  It just baffles me how some people can walk in and out of your life.  Like Mary Lou, for example.  I love this woman and I have learned so much from her this summer, and  I may never see her again -- she was wishing us good luck with our lives!  Seriously depressing.  And Francesco... the nicest man to have graced this Earth.. and he loves us! It kills me to think I'll never see him again.  Then there's Cinzia... she was our leader for 81 days, there for us throughout every part this summer... and this is goodbye!  I can't talk about it anymore, it's draining me emotionally.

[caption id="attachment_1880" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The view from our kitchen window -- I'm going to miss Ariccia "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1881" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Look at the friends we've made over the summer!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1882" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Patrizia, don't leave!! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1883" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="We love all of our teachers"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1884" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Look at all the wine we had left over! What are we going to do with just one night left in the Palace? "][/caption]

Our guests slowly started leaving and we thought the party was over.... until Francesco broke out his guitar and started playing for us!  We all gathered in the common room and listened to him play (we may or may not have broke out in some karaoke as well...)

[caption id="attachment_1885" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Everyone gathering in the common room"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1886" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Francesco entertaining us :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1887" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Kat, Curl and Kasi piling on top of the bean bags"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1888" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Candid shot -- sorry guys for the unexpected picture"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1890" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Yes, we did You Tube "Sweet Home Alabama" so Francesco could hear it and attempt to play it on the guitar... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1891" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="This is my little nest area on Thursday night... still some ways to go before our flight Saturday"][/caption]

Our night in Chigi was so much fun and the party went swimmingly!  We ended the night around 1:30 and hit the sheets immediately.  Tomorrow is our last day... hard to  believe it's finally here.  Summer don't end, please. Ok?  OK!

Day 79: Bringing It In...

The Italian days are ticking away -- two to go until departure!

Not much to report from Italy, sad to say.  Today we took our final and turned in our surveys... it's so depressing, everything is wrapping up!  So instead of thinking of all that is ending and all that we are finishing, let's ponder the future with this...

via Pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com

Who has any idea what the future holds for any of us (besides the Big Man)? All we know is that we must live and love in the present.  We must dream big for the future and  we must be open to whatever opportunity comes knocking at our door.  I hope you will take this to heart, find your true passions and strive for them.  Don't let anything stop you.

Cheers to that :)

P.S. - I know these blogs are getting less and less interesting, but I have a good one coming -- My Top 5's for the Summer :)  Yep.  I promise that will redeem all of this mundane "I've been sitting around the Chigi all day" stuff.  At least I hope it will... Fingers crossed!

Day 78: Sweet Summertime

Tuesday -- August 3, 2010:

The Lake yesterday, the beach today -- my dreams of an ideal summer are coming true! Yes, today we had our last field trip -- the "Wild Card" field trip. The program decided to take us 2 hours away, on the coast of the Latium region of Italy, to a beach town called Sperlonga.  Even our teachers Francesco, Susanna and Jessica joined us for this day in paradise!

Our trip started at 8:30 when we departed for the beach by bus. With our 3 extra companions on the trip with us, it was a full bus load for Enrico -- but we managed. Everyone on the bus covered up with their towels (Enrico was trying to freeze us out) and fell asleep for the long bus ride! It wasn't until we heard Francesco say, "Wake up girls! Look out, this is Sperlonga!" So I look out the bus window and am greeted by the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea's coast. It was absolutely gorgeous -- I couldn't get to my beach chair fast enough!  We unloaded, hiked down this trail and made ourselves at home on this little sandy beach. You had to pay €7,00 for a chair, but I considered it an investment since we were going to be there all day. By the way, Italian beach chairs are awesome! They have these little shades you can pull over your face so you can read comfortably -- this trend has got to come to the U.S. beaches!

I laid my towel down, pulled out my book and stayed that way almost the entire day -- I was deadset on finishing Breaking Dawn, and I did!  The ending was almost better the second time. So I read my book, got in the water (still cold, but refreashing!) and listened to my new playlists on my iPod. It was a well spent afternoon in the sun.

At one point, Becca, Katie, Lindsey, Brittany and Caitlyn broke for lunch. I was surprised that this bar on the beach had the most tasty mozzarella! I got a caprese panini and it was delicious. We finished lunch and went back to our sandy spots. It was so nice lying there -- a breeze was in the air and the waves began to pickup as the day progressed, making for the perfect background noise to my peaceful afternoon. Does it get much better than this? (I found myself asking that alot this summer).

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="**See the bottom for details on pictures from today..."][/caption]







We stayed on the beach until 3:30, and then we headed back up the stony trail to the bus. Enrico picked us up and took us to our next spot -- the town of Sperlonga!  When we got off the bus and onto the alleyways of Sperlonga -- I was having flashbacks to Greece. This little town completely reminded me of Santorini -- it was precious!  So we wandered around for a bit, Francesco led the tour. Of course with Mr. Art History blazing the trail, we managed to see some old frescoes and paintings. Once we had seen practically everything in Sperlonga (it's not very big) we got some gelato. Perfect way to end a day on the beach!

Our bus ride back took us about 2 hours, so we were back at the Chigi by 7:00. I made the executive decision to get Pizza Maxi for dinner... My reasoning being: it may be the last time I'm able to get it, it is incredibly cheap and they just don't make it like that in the States. So, I had to get it. Right?  It was such a good choice -- I'm going to miss that delicacy when I go back. Sorry Dominos, don't mean to hurt your feelings.

After everyone had showered off their coats of sunscreen, gotten dinner and regrouped, we were ready for it -- the finale!  We got the common room set up (pack the bean bags in tightly, scoot the couch up and set up the computer with the surround sound speakers) and everyone was ready. Drumroll.......

I won't get into it too much, but I will say this : 1) good job Ali for letting Chris go at the right time --honorable move 2) her and Roberto are dang cute 3) Chris L., I'm available.

Sooo needless to say, today was a REALLY good day in the life :)  I'm going to sleep with a big smile on my face -- I have so much to be thankful for.  Ciao everyone!

** Only downside today? I was playing with my camera on the bus ride back, and somehow I managed to delete all my pictures from the past two days.... depressing! So no actual picture from Sperlonga, but I will be sure to get some from someone who wasn't dumb enough to erase their memory card and put them up asap!