4 Month Mark

Ciao! And Buon Natale!

Sorry I didnt write for Christmas, lots of stuff was going on. So. Its been 4 months now! I really can't believe how fast its going! As far as Italian goes. I wouldnt say im fluent, but I can talk to people just fine. More or less, and understand almost everything. So I'm thrilled about that! But now I want to tell you about some of my mini adventures. Christmas was very interesting for me. Christmas here is very similar to Christmas in America in many way. But very diffrent in others. There's Santa, (Babo Natale) and they're prestents, and family dinners. But they're also panatone and pandoro! Thats some good eating! Best deserts of my life!

My host family and I spent Christmas Eve with my host moms side of the family and Christmas day with my host dads family. So I got to meet all they're relatives.

But the much more exciting part of my Christmas was going to the Alps! After an amazing Christmas lunch with Chico's family (my host dad) We all piled into the car and headed for the mountain house!

IT.WAS.AMAZING! The mountains are sooo tall and beautiful. I got to go skiing 3 days strait! And the weather stayed nice the whole time. Sure it was cold but the sun stayed out and oh it was just amazing!

This video (if it works) is just a small part of what I saw!



And so December is over.
An up and coming adventure that I'm nervous about is changing host families. This Saturday I'll be moving in with my second host family. I a bit bummed because I really like this family. But to quote my host mother.
"Its a shame you have to change families, but its just another part in your adventure. And it wouldn't be an adventure without change."

Tuscany

CIAO!!!!
So I went to the region of Tuscany this past weekend! For those who don't know Tuscany is one of the many regions of Italy, most famous for a)beautiful landscape b)Leaning Tower of Pisa. I did not actually go and see the Tower. Sorry
But I did see/tour two amazingly old castels. One had a ghost =) Named Bianca Maria who was looked in a room with a wild boar and a dog as punishment for falling in love with a servent. The door to the room was then covered by a wall as ordered by the king to make sure no one could ever save her. This story was legend untill after world war II when a bomb blew open said room reveiling the bones of an about 16 year old girl, a dog and the head of a boar. Creepy

I also went to the SEA! Yeay! It was so warm! I only had my sweatshirt on all day! So amazing!!!!! I wasn't actually on the beach though. There were cliffs and a small street along them. In english these cliffs I think are called The 5 points... but I'm not sure. If you want to look it up for real, The streets name is Via Dell'amore, which means Street of Love.

Now besides the amazing view you get to see on the Via Dell'amore theres a niffty little tradition for young couples... I say young because I didnt really see any old couples but im sure that older couples are aloud to participate as well... Any way. What you do it you and your boyfriend/girlfriend take a lovely strole down the Via Dell'amore bringing with you a lock. Any kind of lock you want. (When I say any I mean any... one couple brought a bike lock) When you get to the special spot. (see picture) You write your initials on the lock, then atach it to the gaurd rail, or were ever you can. (some less traditional couples attaced theirs to the fencing that keeps the rocks away from the people and vise versa) So thats the Picture above!

And that was my time in Tuscany! It was amazing!

Just some news for feauture events. The week after Christmas my family is taking me to their house in the mountains, where we will spend a week skiing in the Alps... Awesome! Cant Wait!

Thats it for now

Love and miss you all!

Thanksgiving!

Before I start telling you all about the important stuff. I'd like to apologize for my photos. My computer does not let me preview them before I post them. So I cant make my post look all nice and pretty for you all. I dont want you all to think I dont care anymore.

So onto the important stuff. Three months have past way to quickly! I can finaly understand peoploe even when they talk normaly to me instead of really really slowly. Which is awesome.

Now I'm sure you've heard, if you havent then I'm about to tell you. But I made a thanksgiving dinner for my friends and family here in Italy. It went really well! It was the first time I've cooked so I think it was a good thing that no one knew how it was suposed to taste. So that helped.
Every one said that they like everything so I hope they were telling the truth. Any way. I made a turkey. Madda named him William theres a picture of him above. I also made stuffing, mashpotatos, a soup... and sweet potatos with marshmellows. Everyone was looking at the sweetpotatos and me like we were crazy. But they all ate them and loved them so I guess thats a win. I'm glad they all gave thanksgiving a chance. And although making the food was stressful, afterwards was so much fun.
Gravy was also very interesting. But everyone enjoyed it and I had a blast. After the dinner and desert (Apple crisp go Emma!) My host parents had me explain what thanksgiving was and its history.

Any way thanks giving went really good!

Otherwise I dont have much else to report. December is pretty packed though. I get to go the Tuscany this weekend and the Montain after Christmas. I'm really excited!

Ciao!