Quick Update

Not too much to update on since the last blog I wrote. School has been going well. It's definitely been picking up speed. We had our first quiz on Thursday, which I think went well. Next week, we have our first oral presentation as well as our first exam. From here on out, there will be a test or quiz every week. I guess that's why they call this program an "Intensive Language Program". But it's fun. I didn't really realize how much I had learned until last night at dinner with my Italian family. When they talk, I understand bits and pieces, but for the most part, don't understand much. Then the mom (Carmen) looked at me and asked "Domani, che cosa fai?" I started to respond in Italian and they were shocked I had understood what they had asked. Usually they'll say something to me in Italian and then the dad (Giacomo) will translate. That totally made my night. Guess I really am learning =) I definitely think living in a homestay has helped my learning. It's hard not to pick up some Italian just by listening to my family talk as well as hearing Italian TV and radio when I'm home. Plus I've learned a lot of practical dad-to-day language I haven't learned in class.

My camera still isn't working, but I uploaded a few pictures from my friend's camera. The top picture shows Michaela and I out one night in Siena. Every Tuesday is "Black Night", which basically means the DJ plays hip-hop. That would never fly in the US considering it would be TOTALLY politically incorrect. But evidentally it's fine here. The middle picture is from one of my training sessions for the EMT program. We were learned all about stretchers, moving patients from all positions, and riding in ambulances. It's not as easy as it looks! And the last picture shows Michaela, Tamera, and I at our welcome dinner provided by the school. It was a blast. All of the teachers were there and we're actually allowed to drink with them. (Another thing that would never fly in the US.) Italians LOVE their wine =)

I was planning on visiting Pisa tomorrow, but I woke up with a nasty sore throat, so we'll see how I feel by tomorrow. Don't want to get sick and miss out on anything here in Italy! Ciao tutti! (Bye everyone!)

San Gimignano

So I added some pictures from San Gimignano. Unfortunately I'm having camera problems, so until I get that fixed, I'll have to rely on other peoples' cameras. But the pictures here show the beautiful view from the top of the town. And the other girl in the picture is my friend Michaela.

The soccer game on Saturday was amazing. Milan is one of the best teams in Italy and Siena is ranked about last. And.... we tied!! The fans went nuts. Siena scored in the first half and they held Milan until the last two minutes in the game. So we almost won. It was well worth going.

Last night I finished my training for the Miserocordia EMT internship. We learned about trauma scenarios. I'll start putting in hours most likely in a couple of weeks. (I want to get more Italian under my belt before I really start.) And we found out we may be on duty for the next soccer game! We'll have to be on call, but unless there's a problem we have to attend to, we'll get to watch the game and look official in our EMT uniforms. I'm really excited!

School is going well. We have our first quiz tomorrow. We have learned SO much Italian is only less than two weeks. I guess that's what happens with 15 hours of language a week.

This weekend I am planning on going to the beach in Grosseto and possibly Pisa on Sunday. I'll let everyone know how that goes! I hope everyone is enjoying the last of summer. Ciao!

First Week in Siena

Ciao!

Sorry I haven't written in so long! I been having trouble getting internet access. But things are going great here. School started this week, so that's definitely been keeping me busy. I also decided to participate in an internship here. The internship is through a program called the Miserocordia, which is an ambulence! So after 6 hours of training, I'll be riding on an ambulence in Siena. It requires getting certified in Italian CPR, which went fine, since I am certified in the US, but I had to learn everything in Italian! I hope I'll remember everything once I start. I'm really excited!

My home stay is going well. Lots of GREAT home-made food and LOTS of Italian Disney channel. (Since the boys are so young.) I don't think I can possibly watch another episode of Italian Sponge Bob Square Pants!

For my first weekend here in Siena, I went on a day trip with a friend to a small town called San Gimingano. It was so beautiful! There were amazing views and lots of culture to soak in. It was similar to Siena, but smaller and it had more tourists. We went into a few art museums and lots of pottery stores. San Gimingano is also know for their gelato, so of course we enjoyed some gelato while we were there.

This weekend the Siena soccer team is playing Milan here in Siena, so most of the UC people are going. It should be fun! I'll be sure to post pictures of that later.

Hope everyone's doing well at home. I miss you all. Ciao!

Greetings from Siena!

So I’m finally here! (Well I got here a few days ago, but I’m just now figuring out the internet situation here.) I’m really not sure how I made it, but somehow, after 12 hours of flying, a 5 hour layover in London, 2 taxi rides, a train ride, and a 3 hour bus ride, I’m finally here in my host family’s home in Siena. Once I arrived in Siena, I met with the UC program for a brief orientation, then explored the town a little with my new friends before meeting my Italian family. Their house is about 5 minutes south of the walled city center of Siena. It’s a cute and very tiny 3 bedroom house, but looks more like an apartment. And the family is so sweet! There are three boys, ages 3, 7, and 9: names Federico, Edoardo, and Francesco. The father, Giocomo, is the only family member who speaks any English, but the mother, Carmen, still talks to me in Italian. (I think she thinks I can secretly understand. I’m trying!) The boys share a room and I have my own room, which is about one third the size of my room at home. All the windows and doors remain open during the day, so the house is very light and open, and there are beautiful views from most places in the house. I think I’ll get to like it here. We had orientation yesterday and we had placement tests and an oral test today. Then school starts Monday! Cant believe the summer is over. I hope everyone is doing well at home. I miss everyone already! Ciao!

(P.S. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can figure out how to get them onto these Italian computers!)