In Prague
On our way to Berlin tomorrow
London on Wednesday
KCI on Friday!!!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Remind me again?
Why am I a business major? Remind me again?
I really have no idea why I am a finance major. I don't even remotely like it.
I suppose its because I can't think of anything better to do.
If you can think of a better major for me, let me know and I'll gladly change it in a heartbeat.
I really have no idea why I am a finance major. I don't even remotely like it.
I suppose its because I can't think of anything better to do.
If you can think of a better major for me, let me know and I'll gladly change it in a heartbeat.
Friday, November 30, 2007
TGIF
Next Friday by this time, I will be out of Paderno and onto a train for the last of my traveling before I get home. In the mean time, I really want to go out of town/the country this weekend, but everyone else wants to stay and study for finals. Sheesh. I could go by myself, but that wouldn't be much fun. There is a group going to Venice again tomorrow and I love Venice, but I'd kind of like to do something new. Another group is going to Verona, but I'm not crazy about it. What I really want to do, is go to Belgium. Too bad so sad. A trip for another year.
This week was semi-busy. We had a big test on Wednesday in marketing and I think I did really well so that is good. A lot of people missed a big question on the test, but luckily I second guessed myself and asked the teacher to clarify a question and he saved me. Very sad. That night we played powderpuff. I was playing, of course, so I don't have any pictures, but it was fun even though the refs changed the rules and we weren't allowed to do running plays. We lost. After that was Bible study on the Atonement. We read Leviticus 16 and Hebrews 9 and 10. It was really long, but pretty amazing to see the Old Testament parallel the New Testament so perfectly. What an amazing sacrifice that as Christians our sins are taken away so completely and so freely.
Last night was the gourmet dinner. We went to this town named Marostica and ate in a restaurant in a castle over looking the city. The whole place was gorgeous and the Christmas decorations and wood burning fire place was wonderful, but the food was not nearly as good as the first two dinners. Also, the place was really too small for the number of people there so I didn't get many pictures (the claustrophobia, you know.) Plus, what pictures we did get were on a night setting so they are kind of blurry. Other people go some, so i might have to rely on those.
I had class all morning, napped this afternoon in an effort to recover from averaging 6-6.5 hours of sleep per night, and then went to class. I think I might go to the gym now if only for the sake of staying somewhat routine.
I'm posting a few pictures now. More to come.
"For Christ has entered, not into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."- Hebrews 9:24
EDIT: The gym is overrated. I changed my mind.
This week was semi-busy. We had a big test on Wednesday in marketing and I think I did really well so that is good. A lot of people missed a big question on the test, but luckily I second guessed myself and asked the teacher to clarify a question and he saved me. Very sad. That night we played powderpuff. I was playing, of course, so I don't have any pictures, but it was fun even though the refs changed the rules and we weren't allowed to do running plays. We lost. After that was Bible study on the Atonement. We read Leviticus 16 and Hebrews 9 and 10. It was really long, but pretty amazing to see the Old Testament parallel the New Testament so perfectly. What an amazing sacrifice that as Christians our sins are taken away so completely and so freely.
Last night was the gourmet dinner. We went to this town named Marostica and ate in a restaurant in a castle over looking the city. The whole place was gorgeous and the Christmas decorations and wood burning fire place was wonderful, but the food was not nearly as good as the first two dinners. Also, the place was really too small for the number of people there so I didn't get many pictures (the claustrophobia, you know.) Plus, what pictures we did get were on a night setting so they are kind of blurry. Other people go some, so i might have to rely on those.
I had class all morning, napped this afternoon in an effort to recover from averaging 6-6.5 hours of sleep per night, and then went to class. I think I might go to the gym now if only for the sake of staying somewhat routine.
I'm posting a few pictures now. More to come.
"For Christ has entered, not into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."- Hebrews 9:24
EDIT: The gym is overrated. I changed my mind.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
T-19 days
We got back to Paderno yesterday evening around 5:00. Germany was great for learning more about Luther and the Reformation, but I have to say- and I hope no one out there hates me for it- that it was my least favorite country so far. I told Brett "Remind me not to come back to Berlin." His response was "Uh, we already bought the tickets." (Haha! Maybe the Christmas markets will change my mind when we go back.) The small towns were neat to see, but of course that means that very few people spoke English. I remembered numbers one to three and beyond that, relied on body language and hand signals to get the point across. At one point a woman had to come explain the menu to me in Spanish so I could figure out what my options were.
I have to say that if I had to chose one thing I've taken away from studying abroad, it would be the importance of language. I say that as a student in an American University here where we live in a little english-speaking bubble. But the ability to communicate with people in their own language is invaluable. I would even say that if the person speaks a little more english than Italian for example, it is important to use what little Italian you have. (Different rules apply to the French who I'm told don't like foreigners butchering their language.) People are so much more patient with you after you have humbled yourself before them, if only in a small way. I'll be going home to a VERY difficult Spanish class, and will be excited to work on my skills. Its not just a grade anymore, its the opportunity to communicate with people from so many countries!
Back to Germany. We started off in Eisenach where we visited where he lived as a boy and where he hid in the Wartburg castle when the church was persecuting him and he was translating the Bible into German. We had to go through a German tour to get in and it was mostly about St. Elizabeth, but there was a little Luther in there and it was neat.
Thursday night we went to Erfurt and walked around a bit and ate dinner. I had Chili for my Thanksgiving dinner and Brett had a brat with sauerkraut. We went back to the hostel semi-early and studied Marketing for a while and talked. We slept about 10 hours since we had only slept one in the train station the night before.
On Saturday we woke up and went to the Mariandom (Dom of Mary) which is a University and church there. After that we went to the Lutherhaus where he was a monk. That whole ordeal was very confusing, but we'll just say that Brett and I made the piece of cheesecake that we shared for breakfast last in our stomachs until late that night. We had to do another German tour to get in, but this time the man spoke a little English so we got a little more of the information. We literally ran back to the hostel and grabbed our things and caught a bus to the train station. We arrived to the platform one minute before our train was leaving but luckily it was late. We were off to Wittenberg. In the rainy little town, a town of about 40,000 I'm told, we met a man who had studied in NY and spoke English. He went with us to the Lutherhalle where he lived while he was there. The whole place had been turned into a museum and we spent about an hour and a half there. By the time we left, the Church-castle where he posted the 95 Theses was closed. But don't you worry, he posted them on the outside door so we got to see it anyway. Haha. We had Chinese takeout for dinner around 7:30 and spent more time studying that night.
Yesterday morning we caught a taxi to the train station and took about 5 different trains to get to the Airport in Berlin where they made me very very mad. Anyway, we made it back to Paderno and were, as always, very glad to be back "home" in Italy. Brett went on to Venice to meet with Drew's parents and hang out there. I went to bed and woke back up at 1:00 for the KU v. MU game... yeah, about that...
Love you lots! Pictures to come this afternoon whenever Brett gets out of bed. He was up for a solid 24 hours and went to bed at 6am so we'll see what happens with that.
I have to say that if I had to chose one thing I've taken away from studying abroad, it would be the importance of language. I say that as a student in an American University here where we live in a little english-speaking bubble. But the ability to communicate with people in their own language is invaluable. I would even say that if the person speaks a little more english than Italian for example, it is important to use what little Italian you have. (Different rules apply to the French who I'm told don't like foreigners butchering their language.) People are so much more patient with you after you have humbled yourself before them, if only in a small way. I'll be going home to a VERY difficult Spanish class, and will be excited to work on my skills. Its not just a grade anymore, its the opportunity to communicate with people from so many countries!
Back to Germany. We started off in Eisenach where we visited where he lived as a boy and where he hid in the Wartburg castle when the church was persecuting him and he was translating the Bible into German. We had to go through a German tour to get in and it was mostly about St. Elizabeth, but there was a little Luther in there and it was neat.
Thursday night we went to Erfurt and walked around a bit and ate dinner. I had Chili for my Thanksgiving dinner and Brett had a brat with sauerkraut. We went back to the hostel semi-early and studied Marketing for a while and talked. We slept about 10 hours since we had only slept one in the train station the night before.
On Saturday we woke up and went to the Mariandom (Dom of Mary) which is a University and church there. After that we went to the Lutherhaus where he was a monk. That whole ordeal was very confusing, but we'll just say that Brett and I made the piece of cheesecake that we shared for breakfast last in our stomachs until late that night. We had to do another German tour to get in, but this time the man spoke a little English so we got a little more of the information. We literally ran back to the hostel and grabbed our things and caught a bus to the train station. We arrived to the platform one minute before our train was leaving but luckily it was late. We were off to Wittenberg. In the rainy little town, a town of about 40,000 I'm told, we met a man who had studied in NY and spoke English. He went with us to the Lutherhalle where he lived while he was there. The whole place had been turned into a museum and we spent about an hour and a half there. By the time we left, the Church-castle where he posted the 95 Theses was closed. But don't you worry, he posted them on the outside door so we got to see it anyway. Haha. We had Chinese takeout for dinner around 7:30 and spent more time studying that night.
Yesterday morning we caught a taxi to the train station and took about 5 different trains to get to the Airport in Berlin where they made me very very mad. Anyway, we made it back to Paderno and were, as always, very glad to be back "home" in Italy. Brett went on to Venice to meet with Drew's parents and hang out there. I went to bed and woke back up at 1:00 for the KU v. MU game... yeah, about that...
Love you lots! Pictures to come this afternoon whenever Brett gets out of bed. He was up for a solid 24 hours and went to bed at 6am so we'll see what happens with that.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Germania and Thanks
Brett and I are off today to Germany for the Luther Trail in appx. 55 minutes! Wish us fun and warmth! It's supposed to be highs in the low 40's and we'll be spending our days outside. Stinkin Germany in the Winter...
Having friends here for Thanksgiving has been great. Yesterday we had our big Thanksgiving dinner with the program and I like to think that with Thanksgiving dinner comes Christmas music. But of course, nothing screams HOME in my heart like the holidays. It was hard to turn on Nat King Cole , Johnny Mathis, Pavarotti, and Feliz Navidad and not wish I was home frantically making Thanksgiving dinner with my mom, picking out Katie's outfit, and yelling at my dad not to touch the brownies, cookies, turkey, you name it :-) The dinner was turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, pumpkin pie, cornbread and more, but not of it was right. The turkey wasn't fried. The stuffing was tart. The pie tasted like it had a cup of nutmeg. The mashed potatoes were runny. The cranberry sauce wasn't out of a can. Haha. It was wonderful to hear people stand up and say what they were thankful for, but it can't be the same as home. I felt truly homesick for the first time and it was hard to eat it all.
I'll be glad to be home... in three weeks. I'm not done yet!
"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"- 2 Corinthians 9:15
Having friends here for Thanksgiving has been great. Yesterday we had our big Thanksgiving dinner with the program and I like to think that with Thanksgiving dinner comes Christmas music. But of course, nothing screams HOME in my heart like the holidays. It was hard to turn on Nat King Cole , Johnny Mathis, Pavarotti, and Feliz Navidad and not wish I was home frantically making Thanksgiving dinner with my mom, picking out Katie's outfit, and yelling at my dad not to touch the brownies, cookies, turkey, you name it :-) The dinner was turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, pumpkin pie, cornbread and more, but not of it was right. The turkey wasn't fried. The stuffing was tart. The pie tasted like it had a cup of nutmeg. The mashed potatoes were runny. The cranberry sauce wasn't out of a can. Haha. It was wonderful to hear people stand up and say what they were thankful for, but it can't be the same as home. I felt truly homesick for the first time and it was hard to eat it all.
I'll be glad to be home... in three weeks. I'm not done yet!
"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"- 2 Corinthians 9:15
Friday, November 16, 2007
Breath of fresh air
It is Friday. That means I have nothing due (after my class that starts in 10 minutes) until Monday. That is two free days! Exciting.
This week was long with lots of papers, projects, tests, and activities for CIMBA. I survived (thanks to a few nights of staying up til 1:30 and getting up at 7) and now I'm ready for the weekend.
Tomorrow Allison and I are going to Venice to explore since she hasn't been there yet, gather some of the gifts for you all that we've decided on, and hopefully buy some boots. I'll be spending next Wednesday through Saturday in Germany doing the Martin Luther Trail with Brett for thanksgiving and it should be pretty chilly. After the program is over, we are also going to Prague, Berlin, and London with Drew, Allison, and Ashley. It should be a blast as Prague is supposed to be gorgeous, there are Christmas markets all over FREEZING Berlin in December, and we will see all kinds of cool things including a broadway show in London.
We are now trying to get ready to come home and see everyone. And trying to figure out how to make our bank accounts stretch and how to get all of our luggage home and how to survive finals... Although finals here should be a lot easier than normal.
Anywho, thats all for now. Time for marketing. This class is miserable. Wish me staying awake. Thats about all I can hope for!
Galatians 3:23-4:7
This week was long with lots of papers, projects, tests, and activities for CIMBA. I survived (thanks to a few nights of staying up til 1:30 and getting up at 7) and now I'm ready for the weekend.
Tomorrow Allison and I are going to Venice to explore since she hasn't been there yet, gather some of the gifts for you all that we've decided on, and hopefully buy some boots. I'll be spending next Wednesday through Saturday in Germany doing the Martin Luther Trail with Brett for thanksgiving and it should be pretty chilly. After the program is over, we are also going to Prague, Berlin, and London with Drew, Allison, and Ashley. It should be a blast as Prague is supposed to be gorgeous, there are Christmas markets all over FREEZING Berlin in December, and we will see all kinds of cool things including a broadway show in London.
We are now trying to get ready to come home and see everyone. And trying to figure out how to make our bank accounts stretch and how to get all of our luggage home and how to survive finals... Although finals here should be a lot easier than normal.
Anywho, thats all for now. Time for marketing. This class is miserable. Wish me staying awake. Thats about all I can hope for!
Galatians 3:23-4:7
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Fill zou in a bit
Heads up: heres the game. A lot of these keys are misplaced on this keyboard, but instead of taking the time to fix it you get to figure out what i mean when i type a "z" in place of a "y"
So we are went to Swiyterland and loved it. It has been the most beautiful place I have been so far with Austria taking second. I have to saz the the prices are a bit of a deterrent, but it was worth it. We ate at COOP (grocerz store) for most meals and that was easz and cheaper. On Saturdaz we went up Mt. Schilthorn to overlook the area. BEAUTIFUL! On Sundaz most everzthing was closed, but we wandered around and found some gorgeous views.
Mondaz we went to Paris and stazed there until last night. It was nice, but being in so manz different cities makes me verz accutelz aware of what I like and that is SMALL CITIES! We climbed half waz up the Eiffel Tower, saw some beautiful landscapes, and did lots of things I cant remember now. Zesterdaz we went to the Louve and -close zour ears Ariel, Katie, Cori, and manz others- was just not in a Museum mood so I just kept walking past all these famous things trzing to be wowed but just was not. I guess everzone has their dazs that are grez. (OH! That reminds me! Evan captured Brett singing "Tomorrow" from Annie to me. He was in a singing mood and kept thinking that "Thats Amore" was French. Loved it :-)
Last night we came to Barcelona. That was interesting... Our flight was delzaed. Not for long, just long enough to make us arrive at the metro station 15 minutes after it had closed. The line for taxis was about 2 hours long and after figuring out where we were, getting a rough idea of where we were going, and lots of Spanish speaking practice with about 10 different people, we found a taxi. He dropped us off at the nearest Plaza and we just wandered around looking for the hostel up and down the streets. A little before two in the morning I found another hostel where I stopped in and asked. This place is literallz just off the side of the road and the "sign" looks just like someones name on an apartment door. We arrived verz late, and verz frustrated (with the airline, with me for not looking up better directions than the website had given, with Brett for leaving all of our paperwork in Paderno, and with the hostel for not having a better sign) around 2:15.
We are alive and well and going to explore Barcelona todaz. I think the bozs were hoping for a more relaxed beach town, but it is what it is- big citz. Ill be excited to go to Valencia on Saturdaz even though I wish I could have made it to Seville. I might shop here since I think mz feet might fall off anz daz now and just enjoz reading. While Evan, Drew, and Brett have all knocked out hundreds of pages of book since weve been traveling, Ive made about 15. I cant read on planes and trains and busses!
Oh well, lots more to tell zou and lots of pictures Im taking to show zou when I get home.
ps- mom and dad and katie, i bought zou swiss chocolate and it was all i had not to eat it last night. zou are luckz! everzone else, souvenir requests? i dont know what to get zou all!
Love lots and lots! Write me emails!
So we are went to Swiyterland and loved it. It has been the most beautiful place I have been so far with Austria taking second. I have to saz the the prices are a bit of a deterrent, but it was worth it. We ate at COOP (grocerz store) for most meals and that was easz and cheaper. On Saturdaz we went up Mt. Schilthorn to overlook the area. BEAUTIFUL! On Sundaz most everzthing was closed, but we wandered around and found some gorgeous views.
Mondaz we went to Paris and stazed there until last night. It was nice, but being in so manz different cities makes me verz accutelz aware of what I like and that is SMALL CITIES! We climbed half waz up the Eiffel Tower, saw some beautiful landscapes, and did lots of things I cant remember now. Zesterdaz we went to the Louve and -close zour ears Ariel, Katie, Cori, and manz others- was just not in a Museum mood so I just kept walking past all these famous things trzing to be wowed but just was not. I guess everzone has their dazs that are grez. (OH! That reminds me! Evan captured Brett singing "Tomorrow" from Annie to me. He was in a singing mood and kept thinking that "Thats Amore" was French. Loved it :-)
Last night we came to Barcelona. That was interesting... Our flight was delzaed. Not for long, just long enough to make us arrive at the metro station 15 minutes after it had closed. The line for taxis was about 2 hours long and after figuring out where we were, getting a rough idea of where we were going, and lots of Spanish speaking practice with about 10 different people, we found a taxi. He dropped us off at the nearest Plaza and we just wandered around looking for the hostel up and down the streets. A little before two in the morning I found another hostel where I stopped in and asked. This place is literallz just off the side of the road and the "sign" looks just like someones name on an apartment door. We arrived verz late, and verz frustrated (with the airline, with me for not looking up better directions than the website had given, with Brett for leaving all of our paperwork in Paderno, and with the hostel for not having a better sign) around 2:15.
We are alive and well and going to explore Barcelona todaz. I think the bozs were hoping for a more relaxed beach town, but it is what it is- big citz. Ill be excited to go to Valencia on Saturdaz even though I wish I could have made it to Seville. I might shop here since I think mz feet might fall off anz daz now and just enjoz reading. While Evan, Drew, and Brett have all knocked out hundreds of pages of book since weve been traveling, Ive made about 15. I cant read on planes and trains and busses!
Oh well, lots more to tell zou and lots of pictures Im taking to show zou when I get home.
ps- mom and dad and katie, i bought zou swiss chocolate and it was all i had not to eat it last night. zou are luckz! everzone else, souvenir requests? i dont know what to get zou all!
Love lots and lots! Write me emails!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Cabin Fever
I didn't really go anywhere two weekends ago (except Bassano) and I didn't really make it out last weekend (except to Asolo) and I'm suffering.
Last Friday after a long week of random things, I stayed in. I wanted to do the "Add at a seat to the table" event where the students were paired with Italian families for dinner for the night, but there were only 20 openings and over 100 of us and I wasn't fast enough to get in line. Next time, hopefully! Instead, I stayed in, waited to meet with the travel agent and got some homework done. Brett, Drew and I watch When Harry Met Sally. They fought me long and hard on it and we had put in the Guardian, but Brett said that if mine was more than 15 minutes shorter we could watch mine. It was 45 minutes shorter so I won :-) I had forgotten the main topic of that movie, and although the sex talk was a bit much sometimes, it was funny and nice to just veg-out... even if there was no junk food.
On Saturday I got up and wanted to go to Venice, but the schedule didn't really work out. I got lots done and that night Brett and I went to dinner with our friends Rachel and Ryan, a couple from OU. We went to a little Enoteca, wine bar, then to a little ristorante where we spent way to much on some really good chicken. After that we waited for a few hours... and a few scoops of gelato... for a taxi.
Sunday was just more studying pretty much and booking stuff with the travel agent. The final plans: Friday night Evan (Brett's roommate), Drew, Brett, and I will head off to Interlaken, Switzerland. On Monday morning we'll travel to Paris and stay there until Wednesday night when we leave for Barcelona, Spain. We will stay in Barcelona until Saturday morning when Brett and I will head out for Valencia, Spain and Evan and Drew will fly back to Venice. Brett and I will leave on the same noon flight on Sunday. Yes, it is me and three boys, but my roommate and Allison and some other people from the program will be staying the same place as we are in Paris so I'll survive. Haha.
Anyway, its raining and cold and I have two tests this week and I'm sick of being stuck in here. I suppose what Dr. Neal Becker always says is true: it doesn't matter what the weather is like because if it is nice out, you will want to be outside and if its raining out you will want to stay in bed, and if its snowing you'll want to sled. You never want to go to class anyway so quit complaining about the weather. True. Fair.
Last night I attended more Kepner Tregoe leadership training. Maybe its not worth my time, but maybe it is. I stayed awake anyway and might have learned something so thats a step in the right direction :-) Tonight we are hearing a speaker on Business in Italy and tomorrow there is more KT. Test tomorrow and on Friday. Blah blah blah.
Thursday is Bible study! That is exciting!
Food for thought:
Last Friday after a long week of random things, I stayed in. I wanted to do the "Add at a seat to the table" event where the students were paired with Italian families for dinner for the night, but there were only 20 openings and over 100 of us and I wasn't fast enough to get in line. Next time, hopefully! Instead, I stayed in, waited to meet with the travel agent and got some homework done. Brett, Drew and I watch When Harry Met Sally. They fought me long and hard on it and we had put in the Guardian, but Brett said that if mine was more than 15 minutes shorter we could watch mine. It was 45 minutes shorter so I won :-) I had forgotten the main topic of that movie, and although the sex talk was a bit much sometimes, it was funny and nice to just veg-out... even if there was no junk food.
On Saturday I got up and wanted to go to Venice, but the schedule didn't really work out. I got lots done and that night Brett and I went to dinner with our friends Rachel and Ryan, a couple from OU. We went to a little Enoteca, wine bar, then to a little ristorante where we spent way to much on some really good chicken. After that we waited for a few hours... and a few scoops of gelato... for a taxi.
Sunday was just more studying pretty much and booking stuff with the travel agent. The final plans: Friday night Evan (Brett's roommate), Drew, Brett, and I will head off to Interlaken, Switzerland. On Monday morning we'll travel to Paris and stay there until Wednesday night when we leave for Barcelona, Spain. We will stay in Barcelona until Saturday morning when Brett and I will head out for Valencia, Spain and Evan and Drew will fly back to Venice. Brett and I will leave on the same noon flight on Sunday. Yes, it is me and three boys, but my roommate and Allison and some other people from the program will be staying the same place as we are in Paris so I'll survive. Haha.
Anyway, its raining and cold and I have two tests this week and I'm sick of being stuck in here. I suppose what Dr. Neal Becker always says is true: it doesn't matter what the weather is like because if it is nice out, you will want to be outside and if its raining out you will want to stay in bed, and if its snowing you'll want to sled. You never want to go to class anyway so quit complaining about the weather. True. Fair.
Last night I attended more Kepner Tregoe leadership training. Maybe its not worth my time, but maybe it is. I stayed awake anyway and might have learned something so thats a step in the right direction :-) Tonight we are hearing a speaker on Business in Italy and tomorrow there is more KT. Test tomorrow and on Friday. Blah blah blah.
Thursday is Bible study! That is exciting!
Food for thought:
"But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
So whats new? Not a lot of anything.
I just enrolled for the spring. Here's the rundown:
Fin 410
Span 340
Span 321
Fin 415
Blaw 301
and of course statistics!
I have two tests next week and I probably wont go anywhere this weekend, but maybe. We'll see!
I've been spending a lot of time in random passages of the Bible this week (lots of justification since that's what this week's Bible study was over). Studying? Not so much. But I got my Italian quiz back and laughed when I got a 96% on another quiz I didn't study for. I have my midterm tomorrow and I honestly probably wont study for that either. Why didn't I take that class for a grade? I don't know.
I feel pretty smart in that class and in Managerial Economics, but in International Finance I feel lost. I'm trying to be proactive from now on and follow the markets. We'll see what comes of that. One of the students here started an Investment Group and he will be teaching us how to research stocks, different ways to trade, and things like that. We are doing a virtual stock market game and also a virtual foreign exchange market game and I have NO IDEA what is going on. Maybe I will have learned something by the time I get home. All I know is, I don't like that the dollar is so weak. I understand that the Fed is trying to boost the economy by lowering the interest rates, but I really don't like the fact that it is 1.448 dollars to the euro and almost 2.1 dollars to the British pound. Its rough.
Well, I'm off to research now. Talk to you all later! Leave me messages or send me emails. I love them! (Thanks Cortney and RJ!!)
I just enrolled for the spring. Here's the rundown:
Fin 410
Span 340
Span 321
Fin 415
Blaw 301
and of course statistics!
I have two tests next week and I probably wont go anywhere this weekend, but maybe. We'll see!
I've been spending a lot of time in random passages of the Bible this week (lots of justification since that's what this week's Bible study was over). Studying? Not so much. But I got my Italian quiz back and laughed when I got a 96% on another quiz I didn't study for. I have my midterm tomorrow and I honestly probably wont study for that either. Why didn't I take that class for a grade? I don't know.
I feel pretty smart in that class and in Managerial Economics, but in International Finance I feel lost. I'm trying to be proactive from now on and follow the markets. We'll see what comes of that. One of the students here started an Investment Group and he will be teaching us how to research stocks, different ways to trade, and things like that. We are doing a virtual stock market game and also a virtual foreign exchange market game and I have NO IDEA what is going on. Maybe I will have learned something by the time I get home. All I know is, I don't like that the dollar is so weak. I understand that the Fed is trying to boost the economy by lowering the interest rates, but I really don't like the fact that it is 1.448 dollars to the euro and almost 2.1 dollars to the British pound. Its rough.
Well, I'm off to research now. Talk to you all later! Leave me messages or send me emails. I love them! (Thanks Cortney and RJ!!)
Friday, October 19, 2007
Today, it took some effort, but about 3 hours later than planned I made it to Bassano to shop and just wander around for a few hours. A few thoughts:
I went to buy floss: 4,15 euro. That is almost $6 for your standard floss! No wonder Europeans have bad teeth...
Contrary to popular American belief, about 50% of Italians (more among students) wear jeans. However, I'm convinced they hide the stores from the Americans because they want to maintain the distinction: Jeans in or above the shoes means you are Italian. Jeans outside of the shoes means you are American.
I found two candy shops and went in to get chocolate, but all they had were wrapped pieces that were super expensive. I bought gummy bears instead, but they were hard. Italians must not know that they are not for sucking, they are for biting. And for putting in ice cream.
Bassano had lots of shoe stores, but when Geox is the cheapest thing you can find, you know you are in trouble. I even walked in one store and realized the shoes were all Dolce&Gabana, Prada, Fendi and things like that. I didn't even know Fendi made shoes!
I finally got sick on the bus. Well, I made it about 10 steps off the bus before I lost it. It would have been much worse had I eaten anything other than a few gummy bears in the last six hours. How am I ever going to live in the mountains with a weak stomach like the one I have?
OOOh by the way, I had my first bit of homesick on Wednesday. I was walking to Alpina -I've really got to take a picture of that place so you all will know what I'm talking about- and the men on the streets were painting the lines. I love the smell of paint and gas. How sick am I? Then, I was sitting at Alpina having a cappuccino and working on Bible study when the sweet little old mom of the "mom and pop cafe" came out with a little calico kitten. She sat him next to me and I picked him up and put him in my lap where he slept, played with my scarf, and batted at my pencil for the next 45 minutes. When I left she asked me something containing the words "gatito" and "alla universita." My response was, YES, I would LOVE to take him back to the university with me. Too bad...
I'm going to go see if anything is going on with the few people left here. If not, I'll probably just crawl in bed with a book and fall asleep way too early :-)
I went to buy floss: 4,15 euro. That is almost $6 for your standard floss! No wonder Europeans have bad teeth...
Contrary to popular American belief, about 50% of Italians (more among students) wear jeans. However, I'm convinced they hide the stores from the Americans because they want to maintain the distinction: Jeans in or above the shoes means you are Italian. Jeans outside of the shoes means you are American.
I found two candy shops and went in to get chocolate, but all they had were wrapped pieces that were super expensive. I bought gummy bears instead, but they were hard. Italians must not know that they are not for sucking, they are for biting. And for putting in ice cream.
Bassano had lots of shoe stores, but when Geox is the cheapest thing you can find, you know you are in trouble. I even walked in one store and realized the shoes were all Dolce&Gabana, Prada, Fendi and things like that. I didn't even know Fendi made shoes!
I finally got sick on the bus. Well, I made it about 10 steps off the bus before I lost it. It would have been much worse had I eaten anything other than a few gummy bears in the last six hours. How am I ever going to live in the mountains with a weak stomach like the one I have?
OOOh by the way, I had my first bit of homesick on Wednesday. I was walking to Alpina -I've really got to take a picture of that place so you all will know what I'm talking about- and the men on the streets were painting the lines. I love the smell of paint and gas. How sick am I? Then, I was sitting at Alpina having a cappuccino and working on Bible study when the sweet little old mom of the "mom and pop cafe" came out with a little calico kitten. She sat him next to me and I picked him up and put him in my lap where he slept, played with my scarf, and batted at my pencil for the next 45 minutes. When I left she asked me something containing the words "gatito" and "alla universita." My response was, YES, I would LOVE to take him back to the university with me. Too bad...
I'm going to go see if anything is going on with the few people left here. If not, I'll probably just crawl in bed with a book and fall asleep way too early :-)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Has a week gone by already? Wow. Time flies when you're having fun.
Last Friday there was a "program wide" (some people didn't have to/chose not to go) to Trieste. This is the far northeastern bit of Italy and borders Slovenia. On the way there we made two stops. One was at Redipuglia, Italy's largest war memorial. This massive WWII memorial holds is the burial site of 100,000 fallen soldiers. Sadly, only about 60,000 of those have never been identified. The whole site was overwhelming and at the top stood three bronze crosses, "symbols at once of the ultimate sacrifice and of the hope of ascension to God." Did you know that somewhere near 45 million Italians died in WWII? Regardless of fault (I've heard a few opinions here), what a tragedy.
After that we went to Miramare, a little seaside town. We saw the Castello and the gardens. Beautiful. (But not as beautiful at the Mirabell Gardens. I'll tell you about those in a minute...)
In Trieste we just wandered around and had a few scoops of gelato until everyone got back on the bus to go to Paderno. Brett and I stayed there, sat at the port for a few hours, wandered around a bit, and then took the train to Salzburg around 9:30 that night.
We arrived in the Sound of Music (or Mozart, depending on your taste) capital about 4:30 in the morning. We slept on the floor of the train station for a few hours before the security kicked us out. Though we were terrified to set out so early on the streets for fear of the 10 degree weather and my oncoming cold and Brett's lack of warm clothing, we hit the streets about 7:00. First stop, Mirabell Gardens.
We were walking down the street and I saw flowers and, naturally, the center of gravity became the garden. Brett's response was "is this famous or something?" My know-it-all retort was something to the effect of "DUH!" (I'd never heard of it.) As we walked through and took lots of silly pictures I started to recognize some of the scenery as backdrops from the movie. Lots of stone gnomes, ivy, a hedge maze, the Pegasus fountain, and ground cover in designs were gorgeous even on a cold, rainy morning.
We stayed there and spent some time in the Word, then went to the tour! This part of the story will be short (though it was wonderful, don't get me wrong!) The lake, terrace, gazebo, church where they got married, Nonberg Abbey, the trees the climbed on, the villa, the "I Have Confidence" road... oh it was wonderful. Brett was even singing along on the bus. Actually, he was sleeping, but his mouth was open so the picture kind looks like he was singing. Haha. I'm a nerd.
Anyway, we spent the evening wandering around the gorgeous streets, eating, and restaurant hopping to stay in the warmth. We walked up to the center fortress, but didn't go in because it was 10euro. Budgeting is tough!
Anyway, we left that night on the 1:30am train. That's the end of that story.
This week is simple: Operations Management test, Economics test, Italian quiz, Marketing test, and a seminar on the EU. LOOONG week. Today Ashley and Allison left to go to Prague. I was going to go, but I think the boys will want to go the week after classes so, last minute I didn't :-( Tomorrow Brett and Drew will go to Florence for the weekend and I will just spend the weekend in the Paderno-Bassano-Castelfranco area getting some stuff done and relaxing.
The end! Love you all lots!
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, bycanceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)
Last Friday there was a "program wide" (some people didn't have to/chose not to go) to Trieste. This is the far northeastern bit of Italy and borders Slovenia. On the way there we made two stops. One was at Redipuglia, Italy's largest war memorial. This massive WWII memorial holds is the burial site of 100,000 fallen soldiers. Sadly, only about 60,000 of those have never been identified. The whole site was overwhelming and at the top stood three bronze crosses, "symbols at once of the ultimate sacrifice and of the hope of ascension to God." Did you know that somewhere near 45 million Italians died in WWII? Regardless of fault (I've heard a few opinions here), what a tragedy.
After that we went to Miramare, a little seaside town. We saw the Castello and the gardens. Beautiful. (But not as beautiful at the Mirabell Gardens. I'll tell you about those in a minute...)
In Trieste we just wandered around and had a few scoops of gelato until everyone got back on the bus to go to Paderno. Brett and I stayed there, sat at the port for a few hours, wandered around a bit, and then took the train to Salzburg around 9:30 that night.
We arrived in the Sound of Music (or Mozart, depending on your taste) capital about 4:30 in the morning. We slept on the floor of the train station for a few hours before the security kicked us out. Though we were terrified to set out so early on the streets for fear of the 10 degree weather and my oncoming cold and Brett's lack of warm clothing, we hit the streets about 7:00. First stop, Mirabell Gardens.
We were walking down the street and I saw flowers and, naturally, the center of gravity became the garden. Brett's response was "is this famous or something?" My know-it-all retort was something to the effect of "DUH!" (I'd never heard of it.) As we walked through and took lots of silly pictures I started to recognize some of the scenery as backdrops from the movie. Lots of stone gnomes, ivy, a hedge maze, the Pegasus fountain, and ground cover in designs were gorgeous even on a cold, rainy morning.
We stayed there and spent some time in the Word, then went to the tour! This part of the story will be short (though it was wonderful, don't get me wrong!) The lake, terrace, gazebo, church where they got married, Nonberg Abbey, the trees the climbed on, the villa, the "I Have Confidence" road... oh it was wonderful. Brett was even singing along on the bus. Actually, he was sleeping, but his mouth was open so the picture kind looks like he was singing. Haha. I'm a nerd.
Anyway, we spent the evening wandering around the gorgeous streets, eating, and restaurant hopping to stay in the warmth. We walked up to the center fortress, but didn't go in because it was 10euro. Budgeting is tough!
Anyway, we left that night on the 1:30am train. That's the end of that story.
This week is simple: Operations Management test, Economics test, Italian quiz, Marketing test, and a seminar on the EU. LOOONG week. Today Ashley and Allison left to go to Prague. I was going to go, but I think the boys will want to go the week after classes so, last minute I didn't :-( Tomorrow Brett and Drew will go to Florence for the weekend and I will just spend the weekend in the Paderno-Bassano-Castelfranco area getting some stuff done and relaxing.
The end! Love you all lots!
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, bycanceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Hills are Alive
I'M LEAVING FOR SALZBURG TOMORROW! AND I'M SUPER EXCITED!
If you know me at all, you know what I'm talking about.
If you know me at all, you know what I'm talking about.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Back in the groove
Since we've been back things have already gotten back into the full swing of things. I have three tests and a quiz next week, and I'm pretty sure I'm still going out of town this weekend. Maybe Venice again, maybe Verona, we'll see.
So yesterday I got to catch up with Brett on all the goings-on of the trip and then dug back into homework and Bible study. Last night I had some time to catch up with Allison at La Piazza, one of the bars/coffee shops here. Good times.
Today I woke up early to do laundry. I thought that it would be safe to throw my new orange and green scarf in a delicates bag in with everything else in cold water... bad choice. Everything came out yellow. Socks, underwear, tank tops, you name it. Sooo that was fun.
We had Bible study tonight for like two hours and had to cut it short. The topic: The Nature of Christ. Very good. I'll have to write more about that later.
Now I need to go dig into more homework, studying, travel plans, and random assignments for the program. Keep leaving comments! I love to hear from you!
(PS- I added Allison and Scott's pictures so you can see their adventures in Rome, Greece, and Naples/Pompeii too.)
So yesterday I got to catch up with Brett on all the goings-on of the trip and then dug back into homework and Bible study. Last night I had some time to catch up with Allison at La Piazza, one of the bars/coffee shops here. Good times.
Today I woke up early to do laundry. I thought that it would be safe to throw my new orange and green scarf in a delicates bag in with everything else in cold water... bad choice. Everything came out yellow. Socks, underwear, tank tops, you name it. Sooo that was fun.
We had Bible study tonight for like two hours and had to cut it short. The topic: The Nature of Christ. Very good. I'll have to write more about that later.
Now I need to go dig into more homework, studying, travel plans, and random assignments for the program. Keep leaving comments! I love to hear from you!
(PS- I added Allison and Scott's pictures so you can see their adventures in Rome, Greece, and Naples/Pompeii too.)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Honey, I'm home!
Back at "home".
In clean clothes.
With my own bed and bathroom.
And off my feet.
These last 10 days have been a whirlwind! Let me fill you in with some of the highlights:
Friday September 28 I left my friends and went to meet my parents in Venice. How funny and cool to meet your parents sitting at a cafe along the grand canal on a Friday night?
Saturday we woke up in our luxurious hotel and went to wander around Venice. We took a water taxi to San Marco's square but the Basilica was too packed to go in. BEAUTIFUL from the outside though. You can see pictures of it (and of lots of other things) in my "pictures" on the top left of this page. It was packed with pigeons and people as it is famous for and was, truthfully, too crowded for me to enjoy fully. We went in a museum or two and shopped a bit enjoying the Murano glass, decorated masks, pashminas, and of course shoes. The Peggy Guggenheim was one of my favorite things we did that day with lots of modern art that is a nice change from all of the art that is so classical in all of the museums and churches here.
On Sunday morning we took a train to Rome. The Spanish steps (too packed to see the beauty) and the Trevi Fountain (beautiful, but even more so early in the morning when fewer tourists were there) were on both sides of our itty-bitty hotel so we enjoyed them and then got thoroughly lost in the windy roads. We walked through the ancient ruins, the Colosseum, Arches of Tito and Constantine, the Tomb of the Unknown solider and countless other things. That evening, after a bit more shopping, we met up with Brett, Allison, Scott, Drew, and Sean at the infamous and much appreciated Hard Rock Cafe. We all downed nachos and spinach and artichoke dip and everyone grinned at the sight of burgers and yes, I'm a nerd, a salad. After dinner my parents went back to the hotel and I hung out with everyone else walking through the streets of Rome, stalking the Celtics, and looking for something to do. By the time we all went home that night our clothes were sweaty and our feet miserably abused.
On Monday we did St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican museum. We never saw the Pope, but the art work and church history was wonderful. We saw so many famous paintings, its not even funny. My favorite though was Deposition by Caravaggio. Brilliant.
On Tuesday we took another train to Florence and met up with Lauren. That girl was so excited to see friends! Even though she makes friends faster than I can read a newspaper article (haha. thats funny...) she is a family-oriented girl so "her second parents" and old roomie were very much welcomed. It was good to be around her again too. She is just too much fun and so very knowledgeable! Anywho, Florence was, you guessed it, packed with tourists. Aside from lots of sweaty bodies (we WAY underestimated the temperature when we packed) there were statues on every corner and everywhere in between. The Duomo was beautiful although I almost wished I hadn't seen the Vatican the day before as everything else paled in comparison. My mom and I tried to climb to the top, but got super dizzy in the spiral staircase and my dad was the only one that made it. We never went to the Uffizzi (sp?) because our feet officially gave out the afternoon of day 2 in Florence (day 6 altogether), but the fake David was quite a sight. The whole Piazza della Signoria was filled with amazing art. Lots more to say about that, but just know that if you ever go you have to visit the Piazza di Michelangelo that overlooks the entire city and the Arno. Gorgeous at sunset.
On Thursday morning we went to Trieste, Italy where we met Cindy and Adriana. Cindy drove us from there, across the border in to Slovenia and into Croatia where we stopped in Istria. This place is a tiny undiscovered treasure. There is a few of the sea from all of the central towns, but many towns sit right on the water. There is no sand, but the rocky shores sit right next to the little villages with cobblestone streets. It was very quiet and everyone thought we must be from either Spain or the UK, because no Americans are ever there. It was good to have Adriana to translate, but for the most part people spoke enough English to get by and it was much appreciated. With much larger portions of what was often better food than we had found in Italy, we gorged ourselves and walked around towns and drove around between them exploring. I don't have many pictures or many stories, but it was very relaxing and wonderful.
On Saturday evening they dropped us back off in Trieste and we made our way back to Venice to finish the trip in our favorite town. After dinner, a few souvenirs, and some tricky buses we made our way back to our little dirty but cheap hotel and crashed. Game over.
Are you tired of reading? I'm tired of writing. But I'm glad to be back and I'm excited to spend the rest of the afternoon "feasting" and enjoying the peace of Paderno.
In clean clothes.
With my own bed and bathroom.
And off my feet.
These last 10 days have been a whirlwind! Let me fill you in with some of the highlights:
Friday September 28 I left my friends and went to meet my parents in Venice. How funny and cool to meet your parents sitting at a cafe along the grand canal on a Friday night?
Saturday we woke up in our luxurious hotel and went to wander around Venice. We took a water taxi to San Marco's square but the Basilica was too packed to go in. BEAUTIFUL from the outside though. You can see pictures of it (and of lots of other things) in my "pictures" on the top left of this page. It was packed with pigeons and people as it is famous for and was, truthfully, too crowded for me to enjoy fully. We went in a museum or two and shopped a bit enjoying the Murano glass, decorated masks, pashminas, and of course shoes. The Peggy Guggenheim was one of my favorite things we did that day with lots of modern art that is a nice change from all of the art that is so classical in all of the museums and churches here.
On Sunday morning we took a train to Rome. The Spanish steps (too packed to see the beauty) and the Trevi Fountain (beautiful, but even more so early in the morning when fewer tourists were there) were on both sides of our itty-bitty hotel so we enjoyed them and then got thoroughly lost in the windy roads. We walked through the ancient ruins, the Colosseum, Arches of Tito and Constantine, the Tomb of the Unknown solider and countless other things. That evening, after a bit more shopping, we met up with Brett, Allison, Scott, Drew, and Sean at the infamous and much appreciated Hard Rock Cafe. We all downed nachos and spinach and artichoke dip and everyone grinned at the sight of burgers and yes, I'm a nerd, a salad. After dinner my parents went back to the hotel and I hung out with everyone else walking through the streets of Rome, stalking the Celtics, and looking for something to do. By the time we all went home that night our clothes were sweaty and our feet miserably abused.
On Monday we did St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican museum. We never saw the Pope, but the art work and church history was wonderful. We saw so many famous paintings, its not even funny. My favorite though was Deposition by Caravaggio. Brilliant.
On Tuesday we took another train to Florence and met up with Lauren. That girl was so excited to see friends! Even though she makes friends faster than I can read a newspaper article (haha. thats funny...) she is a family-oriented girl so "her second parents" and old roomie were very much welcomed. It was good to be around her again too. She is just too much fun and so very knowledgeable! Anywho, Florence was, you guessed it, packed with tourists. Aside from lots of sweaty bodies (we WAY underestimated the temperature when we packed) there were statues on every corner and everywhere in between. The Duomo was beautiful although I almost wished I hadn't seen the Vatican the day before as everything else paled in comparison. My mom and I tried to climb to the top, but got super dizzy in the spiral staircase and my dad was the only one that made it. We never went to the Uffizzi (sp?) because our feet officially gave out the afternoon of day 2 in Florence (day 6 altogether), but the fake David was quite a sight. The whole Piazza della Signoria was filled with amazing art. Lots more to say about that, but just know that if you ever go you have to visit the Piazza di Michelangelo that overlooks the entire city and the Arno. Gorgeous at sunset.
On Thursday morning we went to Trieste, Italy where we met Cindy and Adriana. Cindy drove us from there, across the border in to Slovenia and into Croatia where we stopped in Istria. This place is a tiny undiscovered treasure. There is a few of the sea from all of the central towns, but many towns sit right on the water. There is no sand, but the rocky shores sit right next to the little villages with cobblestone streets. It was very quiet and everyone thought we must be from either Spain or the UK, because no Americans are ever there. It was good to have Adriana to translate, but for the most part people spoke enough English to get by and it was much appreciated. With much larger portions of what was often better food than we had found in Italy, we gorged ourselves and walked around towns and drove around between them exploring. I don't have many pictures or many stories, but it was very relaxing and wonderful.
On Saturday evening they dropped us back off in Trieste and we made our way back to Venice to finish the trip in our favorite town. After dinner, a few souvenirs, and some tricky buses we made our way back to our little dirty but cheap hotel and crashed. Game over.
Are you tired of reading? I'm tired of writing. But I'm glad to be back and I'm excited to spend the rest of the afternoon "feasting" and enjoying the peace of Paderno.
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
—all things were created through him and for him."
Colossians 1:16
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
—all things were created through him and for him."
Colossians 1:16
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Dramamine for breakfast
Lets catch you folks up on life here!
Last weekend our excursion was to Lake Como. This is a large lake with several surrounding cities. One of the cities, Menaggio, is where our youth hostel was. Bellagio, where we "played", is a famous city of romance. The whole thing was very beautiful, but unfortunately, due to poor planning we didn't do anything but wander around the two cities. We took a bus from the train station to the town, but anyone and everyone who knows me knows that windy roads and I do not get along. I just tried to breath deep and ignore the Italian woman next to me asking questions, but after about an hour I told the group I had to get off or I would be sick. When we had to walk 45 minutes to the next town, they were not very happy with me. Needless to say, lunch was on me before we had to pay for another bus and continue on our way. I've decided that with these mountainous roads and crazy drivers in Italy, I should just start taking Dramamine like vitamins everyday.
Anywho. We wandered around, shopped (but neither Allison or I bought anything), lost my camera, found my camera, ate gelato, ate lunch, ate gelato, ate dinner... you get the gist. There are a few pictures on the website of that adventure. Check it out.
Monday was a catch up day, but while the other four are being diligent with their studies, I am doing everything I can to make myself study for more than two hours a day. This is NOT like me, but I just have too much free time. That sounds odd, but unless I know that I only have 45 minutes to get something done or some kind of set time frame like that, I will live in the world of, "eh. I'll do it later." To finish off the night, we all attended a lecture on ettiquite. Cori, you should be proud to know I scored a 26 out of 35. Room for improvement, I know. But the average is twelve! Fun facts: (1) Always hold your glass in your left hand at social events. (2) A man should walk before a woman going down the stairs, and after her going up. (3) In Europe, you butter your bread on the plate, not in your hand.
Yesterday was Happy Birthday to me. I had a test, did some laundry, went to class.. the usual Tuesday stuff. THEN I got a beautiful bouquet of pink gerbera daisies with baby's breath, a pedicure (to be redeemed), and a card from my best friend (no offense, Chyla). Then I went to the nearby coffee shop, Alpine, and worked on Bible study and After Bible study, we had a lemon and chocolate cake from Alpine. Even though there was no gift wrap or birthday party or dinner or wine or anything like that it was a perfect birthday with some of my best friends.
Today is rainy, but my Italian class went to Asolo for a mini-field-trip. What a beautiful city so close by! It rained the whole time, but I took my dramamine before I got on the bus, so it was [comparably] very fun.
This weekend my parents are coming. We will go to Rome, Florence, and end up in the Istria region with my aunt Cindy and cousin Adriana. Even though I will be packing ten days into a small backpack, I am excited for the adventures!
Keep us in your prayers. You know what to be praying for!
Last weekend our excursion was to Lake Como. This is a large lake with several surrounding cities. One of the cities, Menaggio, is where our youth hostel was. Bellagio, where we "played", is a famous city of romance. The whole thing was very beautiful, but unfortunately, due to poor planning we didn't do anything but wander around the two cities. We took a bus from the train station to the town, but anyone and everyone who knows me knows that windy roads and I do not get along. I just tried to breath deep and ignore the Italian woman next to me asking questions, but after about an hour I told the group I had to get off or I would be sick. When we had to walk 45 minutes to the next town, they were not very happy with me. Needless to say, lunch was on me before we had to pay for another bus and continue on our way. I've decided that with these mountainous roads and crazy drivers in Italy, I should just start taking Dramamine like vitamins everyday.
Anywho. We wandered around, shopped (but neither Allison or I bought anything), lost my camera, found my camera, ate gelato, ate lunch, ate gelato, ate dinner... you get the gist. There are a few pictures on the website of that adventure. Check it out.
Monday was a catch up day, but while the other four are being diligent with their studies, I am doing everything I can to make myself study for more than two hours a day. This is NOT like me, but I just have too much free time. That sounds odd, but unless I know that I only have 45 minutes to get something done or some kind of set time frame like that, I will live in the world of, "eh. I'll do it later." To finish off the night, we all attended a lecture on ettiquite. Cori, you should be proud to know I scored a 26 out of 35. Room for improvement, I know. But the average is twelve! Fun facts: (1) Always hold your glass in your left hand at social events. (2) A man should walk before a woman going down the stairs, and after her going up. (3) In Europe, you butter your bread on the plate, not in your hand.
Yesterday was Happy Birthday to me. I had a test, did some laundry, went to class.. the usual Tuesday stuff. THEN I got a beautiful bouquet of pink gerbera daisies with baby's breath, a pedicure (to be redeemed), and a card from my best friend (no offense, Chyla). Then I went to the nearby coffee shop, Alpine, and worked on Bible study and After Bible study, we had a lemon and chocolate cake from Alpine. Even though there was no gift wrap or birthday party or dinner or wine or anything like that it was a perfect birthday with some of my best friends.
Today is rainy, but my Italian class went to Asolo for a mini-field-trip. What a beautiful city so close by! It rained the whole time, but I took my dramamine before I got on the bus, so it was [comparably] very fun.
This weekend my parents are coming. We will go to Rome, Florence, and end up in the Istria region with my aunt Cindy and cousin Adriana. Even though I will be packing ten days into a small backpack, I am excited for the adventures!
Keep us in your prayers. You know what to be praying for!
"Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!"
(Psalm 119:33-40)
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!"
(Psalm 119:33-40)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Love alfalfa
I thought I'd take an extra day or two before I wrote since I'm not entirely convinced anyone is reading this. I thought I'd write you this little note:
"Dear [Friends], I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes! Love, [Samantha]. "
(As a past student of Isidro, I'm obligated to punctuate/quote that correctly)
Nothing much new in these parts. Here is the run down in bullet points:
Lots of love,
Samantha
"Dear [Friends], I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes! Love, [Samantha]. "
(As a past student of Isidro, I'm obligated to punctuate/quote that correctly)
Nothing much new in these parts. Here is the run down in bullet points:
- I am adding Italian to my schedule in hopes that it will be a class I actually like. I will do all of my work in Italian one one side of the paper and Spanish on the other so I make sure not to confuse myself
- Weather is getting colder. Its in the 50's/60's lately
- I bought new shoes on Monday at the mall, but I got terribly confused on the buses and it took about 6.5 hours instead of 3.5
- On Mondays I will be doing a study with a few random people through James. It is very life applicable and good. (Thats the short description)
- On Tuesdays the 5 of us did our first study on the Work of Christ- The Nature of God. It was refreshing to say the least.
- Allison, Scott, our other friend Scott are going to Lake Como/Bellagio this weekend. Brett isn't going and Drew and I are still undecided. Who am I kidding? I'll probably go.
- Last night I sat an extra long time at dinner just quoting jokes from Dressed to Kill and Monty Python and the Holy Grail with two guys. I was laughing pretty hard. People were starting to stare
- With the help of my personal coach, I have been trying to workout (mostly run) everyday. Maybe it will offset some of the pasta.
- I'm sick of mystery meat, pizza and pasta. I just want fish and veggies already!
- I haven't had enough chocolate lately.
Lots of love,
Samantha
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that is cannot save, or his hear dull that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2)
"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:25)
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2)
"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:25)
Monday, September 17, 2007
Mountains or beach? or both?
I really need to learn to update more regularly. There is just too much going on not to!
Lets see, last Wednesday and Friday I spent in hours of Kepner Tregoe training. The whole program is supposed to "Problem solving and decision making workshops" and it was helpful a little bit but the biggest things I learned are: 1) Flight attendants in the 80's must have done lots of drugs and 2)Don't blow up a beached whale.
Last Thursday my team and I did the DaVinci Challenge (the low ropes course I wrote about last time that Brett did two weeks ago). It was a lot of fun. Lots of trust falls, climbing of a huge wall, and "figure out a way to cross this rope" type stuff. Our group did really well regardless of some feuding, but one of the guys in Andrew's group, don't ask me how, fell off the wall and broke his arm. Not good.
That night Brett and I walked to Crespano del Grappa for dinner and went to this casual little place, but when we said we wanted to eat and not just drink they took us to this fancy room with tableclothes and wine glasses and whatnot. It was a budgeter's worst nightmare, but the food was good!
Then on Friday morning we found out that after spending the week searching for train tickets and fighting to keep the internet connection long enought to buy them, we would not be able to get tickets for the 6 of us (the usual plus our friend Scott) to make it to Cinque Terre. I went to the program office here and one of the women in charge spent about 20 minutes on the phone with the TrenItalia people trying to book and finally said it would be a bad idea because even if we all were able to just show up at the station and get tickets, we would probably get stuck in a town called Parma in the middle of the night trying to get more tickets to move on. The Scotts (Bird and Richer) didn't want to settle with a "no", so they jumped in a taxi without telling anyone and headed to the train station. Once, Brett found out, he and I weren't far behind in getting our own taxi and making it to the train station. Allison didn't want to risk it, and rightly so, so she stayed behind and went to a few shopping outlets with a girl named Whitney on Saturday and back to Asolo on Sunday.
The Scotts had left just shortly after 7 and there was supposed to be another train around 10. Well Brett and I made it there around 8:45, but the ticket office had closed at 7:40 and there was not other way of getting the ticket. Besides, Brett and I hadn't even been on any trains yet so we have no idea how the system works. We found out from a security man, one of about 5 people including us at the station, that you can get on and pay on the train. We did. 25 euro each. Then the next train another 30, then the next train 3 each, and on and on until we had spent about 13 hours and 65 euro. Keep in mind that this place is about 6hours away on a straight shot and the Scotts got their tickets at the ticket office for 18. I have to say though that they did get stuck in Parma just like Marta said they would and had to sleep outside the train station curled up by a nearby building.
Brett and I arrived in Monterosso around 9am and the Scotts in Corneglia shortly before. We hiked to the town between us (see the map) and met up there, in Vernazza. The whole trip was absolutely beautiful (see my pictures!), but it was quite a workout! Brett, Scott, and Scott each carried packs and sweat like none other but they just marched through it with me and the camera taking up the tail. You're welcome, parents :-) I knew you'd appreciate it.
The views were absolutely breathtaking. We tried to capture as much as we could (including some of the flowers we encountered. Those are for your Veronica! haha) Scott said, and unless I'm forgetting something I agree, it was the most beautiful place we had ever been. Even with all the tourism is was so quaint and real. Nothing was corporate or updated. Each building was a different bright color and the fishermen and suntanners and readers all lounged at the same beaches. We did manage to avoid the nude beaches too, so that was good. We hiked between all 5 towns and spent some time in Vernazza reading and napping since none of us slept much if at all the night before on all the trains. We finished in the far southern town and took a train back to Monterosso where we had dinner and caught a train back to Paderno. We made it to the station before the biglietteria (ticket office) closed and the tickets back home were only about 20 euro.
On the way back home we had lots of trains with about one hour layovers or whatever you call them in between. It didn't matter what the seats were like, we all slept most of the way back. In Bologna (haha) we curled up on our backpacks and slept in the middle of the floor of the train station while the janitor type people mopped the floor around us. I wish I had a picture but I was just way to tired to play with the camera at that point. We left at 8:30 on Saturday night and arrived in Bassano del Grappa at about 8:30 on Sunday morning. We took a bus to Crespano then walked to Paderno since nothing goes to Paderno on Sundays. Let me tell you, my feet hurt and we all smelled REALLY bad.
Jumping ahead to today: Class this morning, then we went running in the rain, this has taken me forever to write. In a minute I am going to lunch, to shower, to Castelfranco with Caitlin to get some shoes, towels, some headphones for people for Skype, and some wrinkle releaser. Fun stuff, you know? Haha. Then homework, Bible study, etc.
Lots more adventures to come but I'm sure you are tired of reading. I'll try to update again tomorrow. (Don't forget to check out pictures!)
Thought for the day: What makes gold valuable?... and where am I going with that question?
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
Monday, September 10, 2007
Lunedi
Is that how you say monday? I dont know. That is a guess.
Since I wrote my last post, I have had gelato three times. The place near us is more like ice cream but on Friday we went to the mall in a nearby (40min) town and had some that was really good and really italian. Loved it! I've also had pizza several times including one three hour excursion at the only restaurant we have found, Al Sole, and another night out with some girls. I had a glass of cabernet the first night but just a cafe macchiato (sp?) the seconde. It is funny to watch college guys get so excited about drinking wine. I have to say, to no one's surprise I'm sure, that even thought I'll have a drink here and there, it makes me sad to watch people get drunk. Especially in a place where there is so much to enjoy and going to other towns just for the bars seems like something you could do at home if you wanted to. On Saturday after I left the pizzeria, most of the others (probably about 20-30 people) went to Bassano del Grappa to a discoteca. They got there at 2 in the morning and didnt come back til about 6. Except that there was one girl missing, our new friend. She had collapsed on the dance floor from possible alcohol poisoning and ended up spending the night/morning in the hospital. Just try to explain why drinking is fun. Yes, some drinks may taste good so I want to enjoy them, that's fine. But alcohol for the sake of alcohol does not click with me. I have lots more thoughts, but I'll spare you.
Anyway, at the mall I was able to get a diffuser and a new pillow and some other essentials. Everyone was very patient with our linguistic inabilities, but I was frustrated with myself that I was making little to no effort to learn Italian when they were trying so hard to speak English with me. Granted, they have an incentive: a sale. Regardless, I have determined to spend more time with my phrase book and to learn what I can. Unfortunately, it is not as similar to Spanish as I had hoped. Back to the mall, they had lots of really cute really cheep shoes that lots of the girls indulged in. I ran out of time, but I will definitely invest in some for myself as soon as I get the chance. The clothes aren't really my style, but the shoes I love. Truth be told though, I'm not sure I care enough about them to make the trip back down the winding road that made me nauseous. I may just shop when I travel.
On Sunday we got up and walked to the Market in Crespano, a nearby town. There were everything from fresh flowers (of course I bought some!) to live crabs, belly button rings, licorice, and bunny rabbits. It was fun to wander the streets and watch the Italians interact. It was also nice to know that even though we stand out like a sore thumb in the streets, we are generally welcome as Americans. Brett and I bought some fruit and Scott bought some shoes, but mostly we just meandered.
When we got back, we had lunch and then "church." The five of us plus Drew's roommate watched a sermon on DVD by John Piper. I will certainly miss church and will certainly explore the catholic churches nearby, but it was nice to have some sort of organized something. Next week, our new found friend Ben and I will do worship too. Pretty exciting.
Tonight we are going to Asolo where the graduate campus is. I'm told that its pretty beautiful, a classic Italian town with a great big castle and cobblestone roads and "the old woman bent over hiking up a mountain." Speaking of mountain, some of the students went and hiked Monte Grappa yesterday. Everyone came back very sore. Some couldn't make it to the top. Some watch a car go off the road at the top and watched the body bags be carried away. I'm not much of a risk taker, but I'm excited to try the trek. Scott and I will probably go with some people on Wednesday.
Welp, I have lots to say but I also have lots do before lunch and thats in 25 min so I'll away.
Ciao!
Samantha
Since I wrote my last post, I have had gelato three times. The place near us is more like ice cream but on Friday we went to the mall in a nearby (40min) town and had some that was really good and really italian. Loved it! I've also had pizza several times including one three hour excursion at the only restaurant we have found, Al Sole, and another night out with some girls. I had a glass of cabernet the first night but just a cafe macchiato (sp?) the seconde. It is funny to watch college guys get so excited about drinking wine. I have to say, to no one's surprise I'm sure, that even thought I'll have a drink here and there, it makes me sad to watch people get drunk. Especially in a place where there is so much to enjoy and going to other towns just for the bars seems like something you could do at home if you wanted to. On Saturday after I left the pizzeria, most of the others (probably about 20-30 people) went to Bassano del Grappa to a discoteca. They got there at 2 in the morning and didnt come back til about 6. Except that there was one girl missing, our new friend. She had collapsed on the dance floor from possible alcohol poisoning and ended up spending the night/morning in the hospital. Just try to explain why drinking is fun. Yes, some drinks may taste good so I want to enjoy them, that's fine. But alcohol for the sake of alcohol does not click with me. I have lots more thoughts, but I'll spare you.
Anyway, at the mall I was able to get a diffuser and a new pillow and some other essentials. Everyone was very patient with our linguistic inabilities, but I was frustrated with myself that I was making little to no effort to learn Italian when they were trying so hard to speak English with me. Granted, they have an incentive: a sale. Regardless, I have determined to spend more time with my phrase book and to learn what I can. Unfortunately, it is not as similar to Spanish as I had hoped. Back to the mall, they had lots of really cute really cheep shoes that lots of the girls indulged in. I ran out of time, but I will definitely invest in some for myself as soon as I get the chance. The clothes aren't really my style, but the shoes I love. Truth be told though, I'm not sure I care enough about them to make the trip back down the winding road that made me nauseous. I may just shop when I travel.
On Sunday we got up and walked to the Market in Crespano, a nearby town. There were everything from fresh flowers (of course I bought some!) to live crabs, belly button rings, licorice, and bunny rabbits. It was fun to wander the streets and watch the Italians interact. It was also nice to know that even though we stand out like a sore thumb in the streets, we are generally welcome as Americans. Brett and I bought some fruit and Scott bought some shoes, but mostly we just meandered.
When we got back, we had lunch and then "church." The five of us plus Drew's roommate watched a sermon on DVD by John Piper. I will certainly miss church and will certainly explore the catholic churches nearby, but it was nice to have some sort of organized something. Next week, our new found friend Ben and I will do worship too. Pretty exciting.
Tonight we are going to Asolo where the graduate campus is. I'm told that its pretty beautiful, a classic Italian town with a great big castle and cobblestone roads and "the old woman bent over hiking up a mountain." Speaking of mountain, some of the students went and hiked Monte Grappa yesterday. Everyone came back very sore. Some couldn't make it to the top. Some watch a car go off the road at the top and watched the body bags be carried away. I'm not much of a risk taker, but I'm excited to try the trek. Scott and I will probably go with some people on Wednesday.
Welp, I have lots to say but I also have lots do before lunch and thats in 25 min so I'll away.
Ciao!
Samantha
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I AM A LEADER!
EDIT! YOU CAN FIND (a few) PICTURES HERE: http://picasaweb.google.com/sillysammy012
Happy Thursday everyone! It is now Thursday afternoon here and we are all pretty tired. Our luggage came in Tuesday afternoon and we are all cleaner (learning to use the temperamental showers) and getting used to the food. We are all sleep deprived and exercise deprived and hair dryer deprived. I think I'm going to try to find a hair dryer with a diffuser online and just have it sent cause I don't know where to get it here. Paderno is very small and there are almost no shops. There is a tobbacci (sp?) across the street where we can buy the basics: notebooks, some snacks, small bottles of shampoo, etc. Other than that, I am still waiting to buy a new pillow, school supplies, some substantial toiletries, and stuff like that. There is a bus trip tomorrow and Saturday; Allison and Scott were responsible and signed up early for the bus tomorrow while Brett, Drew, and I are going the next day.
Since I bragged about the weather it has been fluctuating more. Yesterday morning was in the low 50's and it ended yesterday afternoon in the upper 70's. Today has been a more solid upper 60's low 70's day. I only know that because of when I pass the few hundred yards between buildings for meals. Allison, Scott, Drew, my roommate, myself, and about 60 others have been going through something called Rapport Leadership International Training. That consists of 7:30 mornings, 12:30 nights, lots of extemporaneous speaking, yelling, mind tests, and other really enjoyable things. No, I kid. It is not all that bad. Once we got used to the fact that the bald 6 foot tall and 300 lb trainers do not smile, and only shout like military colonels, we actually learned a lot. One of the big things I learned is that I really want to focus on encouraging others, not being prideful in my own "skills." Hold me accountable, folks!
While the rest of us were with Rapport, Brett has been doing stuff with Kepner Tregoe (sp?) decision making seminars as well as the DaVinci Challenge. The rest of us will conquer that next week while he gets to go through Rapport. I am excited to finally have some free time and time to breathe. I thought about going out tonight with others to celebrate the end of Rapport, but I am just running on entirely too little sleep. I attribute my possible potential head cold to this. (Be praying it doesn't hit me or the others! We can't really spare the energy right now!)
I will post pictures as soon as possible, but my roommate and I are sharing one very slow internet connection and the pictures don't want to load.
We will be having more meetings every day for the next two weeks with the exception of tonight where we get to sit back, relax, and work on homework. Haha. Then on Sunday, we'll go to church (that we can't understand) probably listen to/watch a sermon, and have Bible study. The 5 of us will have one, and we are thinking of starting another for other people in the program. Be praying about that please.
Prayer request:
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:10-12)
PS- I haven't tried the gelato yet, but you can bet that will be happening VERY soon! :-)
Monday, September 3, 2007
Llegamos! Wait... how do you say that in Italian?
We arrived! It took a long while, and there is quite the story though. Now that I'm settled in, I'll share. It's long, but read on; it's worth it!
On Friday afternoon Brett, Allison, Scott and I arrived at the airport and what do you know? Our flight was delayed/cancelled til 8:00 (rather than 6:30) so we would have missed both of our connecting flights. Luckily we had planned on arriving a day early but we tried everything we could to get on another plane that night since we were supposed to be meeting our friend Drew in Chicago for the remainder of the flight. Unfortunately, the next flight was Saturday morning. Since Drew had left his phone at home, Brett had to struggle to find his dad's phone number and his dad was able to call the airport, page Drew, and tell him to call us when he got to Chicago. Brett got the call from Drew's dad telling him he had just talked to Drew from a payphone at the airport. We were able to call Drew on that payphone and explain to him the situation and tell him to meet us at the hotel in Venice where we would change the reservation from being under my name, to his.
Even though a killer rash had appeared on both of my arms, we had a grand ole time. With Drew all settled and our boarding passes for the next morning, we played games and chatted until way too late figuring that we would be able to sleep on the plane. The next morning, the shuttle we were supposed to be on was too full so we had to wait another 30 min for the next one (again, good thing we planned on leaving early!) We got to Chicago around 11:30 and decided -a less than unanimous vote- to go out into the city to meet Scott's aunt during our 6 hour layover. She made us lunch, showed us some really beautiful views, and we walked around for a while before we got back on the train to the airport. Again, we boarded the plane for an economy-plus beautiful flight.
On this one Brett and Scott each slept about an hour and us girls fought to try to make ourselves sleep but no such luck. We were really regretting staying up until 3am the night before. Anywho, we arrived in Frankfurt (a very confusing airport), Brett bought a sandwhich that was one of the more disgusting things I've ever smelled in my life. Scott was the only one to even come closed to eating it and after he had swallowed confessed through a face of near-vomit that it tasted just like it smelled. Again, we very little food, no sleep, and my rash flaring its ugly head worse than ever, we were on our way to Venice.
This is where it gets good. We got off and waited for our luggage. And waited. And waited. And Waited. And it never came. None of our bags. None of our seven bags came through. We filed claims and got on the bus to go meet Drew. On the bus, we were completely lost and only got off because the spotted the Hotel Ducale out the window. Went inside and looked for Drew, proud that we had made it. No Drew. No where to be found. Oh and by the way, the woman at the front desk didn't speak much English, but she managed to tell us she hadn't seen him at all. So we set out looking. Walking up and down the streets of some unknown town near Venice, Allison and I spotted him after about 20 minutes. We went to get back on the bus to the airport to catch the bus to catch the train to catch the bus to Paderno del Grappa which left at 5:00 with the rest of the students. (At this point it is almost 4:00)
Let's skip ahead: 3 hours, 20+ euros, 2 busses, and zero food later, we got on the correct bus back to the airport. Problem being, the last train to Castelfranco was at 7 and we didn't arrive at airport to take the bus to the train until 6:55. After talking to the bus people and the taxi people and the information at the airport, we found out two things: 1) No one has ever heard of Paderno del Grappa, 2) We were in big trouble.
We arrived at the train station in Venice Mestre around 8:00 only to confirm our fears that there were no trains to Castelfranco til the next morning. Starving and tired, we went to get food. On a Sunday night. Do you know what is open on a Sunday night? NOTHING. Anyway, we found a pizzeria that wasn't very good, ate there, and headed back into the wild with two options: 1) Get a hotel and go the next morning, 2) Get a taxi. So what did we do? Got a taxi at 9:30 for 5 people and 2 pieces of luggage (Drew's) to Paderno. Cost? 160 euro. That is- with the exchange rate at the airport- about $270. Painful. Pain.Ful. (Did I mention my arms still hurt?)
We arrived TOGETHER around 10:30 last night with very little food in our stomachs, very little money in our pockets, and 3 sweaty three day old clothes. Oh by the way, my bed puts the phrase "sleep like a rock" to shame. I turned my pillow on it edge just to see if it slouched at all; it stands straight up like the Great Wall of China.
Let's tp off my morning, shall we? I went to shower and the water wouldn't turn on. Joyfully, (by effort, not default) I put back on my dirty clothes and headed to breakfast. Yogurt and cereal with warm un-pasturized milk was not really what my stomach was asking for, but we each ate it and moved on. The rest of the day was seminars, more nasty food, class, reading, and doing random nothings.
So much more to say, but you are tired of reading and I'm tired of typing. Also, I have lots of pictures to post but my camera cord is in my luggage. I' m working on getting Skype but I did get my cell phone today. The number is +39-3484654619 and Brett bought us minutes, but I haven't tried using it yet. Incoming calls are free though!
Closing thought: Without friends, we would not have been able to exhort each other with 1 John 2:15-17. This passage is our team motto right now, and it kept us all smiling yesterday. What a blessing.
Til next time, lots of love from the BEAUTIFUL (did I tell you the weather is amazing?) yet unknown Paderno del Grappa
PS- According to the airline website, our luggage has been found and now we are just waiting for it to be delivered. Pray for patience for us until then!
On Friday afternoon Brett, Allison, Scott and I arrived at the airport and what do you know? Our flight was delayed/cancelled til 8:00 (rather than 6:30) so we would have missed both of our connecting flights. Luckily we had planned on arriving a day early but we tried everything we could to get on another plane that night since we were supposed to be meeting our friend Drew in Chicago for the remainder of the flight. Unfortunately, the next flight was Saturday morning. Since Drew had left his phone at home, Brett had to struggle to find his dad's phone number and his dad was able to call the airport, page Drew, and tell him to call us when he got to Chicago. Brett got the call from Drew's dad telling him he had just talked to Drew from a payphone at the airport. We were able to call Drew on that payphone and explain to him the situation and tell him to meet us at the hotel in Venice where we would change the reservation from being under my name, to his.
Even though a killer rash had appeared on both of my arms, we had a grand ole time. With Drew all settled and our boarding passes for the next morning, we played games and chatted until way too late figuring that we would be able to sleep on the plane. The next morning, the shuttle we were supposed to be on was too full so we had to wait another 30 min for the next one (again, good thing we planned on leaving early!) We got to Chicago around 11:30 and decided -a less than unanimous vote- to go out into the city to meet Scott's aunt during our 6 hour layover. She made us lunch, showed us some really beautiful views, and we walked around for a while before we got back on the train to the airport. Again, we boarded the plane for an economy-plus beautiful flight.
On this one Brett and Scott each slept about an hour and us girls fought to try to make ourselves sleep but no such luck. We were really regretting staying up until 3am the night before. Anywho, we arrived in Frankfurt (a very confusing airport), Brett bought a sandwhich that was one of the more disgusting things I've ever smelled in my life. Scott was the only one to even come closed to eating it and after he had swallowed confessed through a face of near-vomit that it tasted just like it smelled. Again, we very little food, no sleep, and my rash flaring its ugly head worse than ever, we were on our way to Venice.
This is where it gets good. We got off and waited for our luggage. And waited. And waited. And Waited. And it never came. None of our bags. None of our seven bags came through. We filed claims and got on the bus to go meet Drew. On the bus, we were completely lost and only got off because the spotted the Hotel Ducale out the window. Went inside and looked for Drew, proud that we had made it. No Drew. No where to be found. Oh and by the way, the woman at the front desk didn't speak much English, but she managed to tell us she hadn't seen him at all. So we set out looking. Walking up and down the streets of some unknown town near Venice, Allison and I spotted him after about 20 minutes. We went to get back on the bus to the airport to catch the bus to catch the train to catch the bus to Paderno del Grappa which left at 5:00 with the rest of the students. (At this point it is almost 4:00)
Let's skip ahead: 3 hours, 20+ euros, 2 busses, and zero food later, we got on the correct bus back to the airport. Problem being, the last train to Castelfranco was at 7 and we didn't arrive at airport to take the bus to the train until 6:55. After talking to the bus people and the taxi people and the information at the airport, we found out two things: 1) No one has ever heard of Paderno del Grappa, 2) We were in big trouble.
We arrived at the train station in Venice Mestre around 8:00 only to confirm our fears that there were no trains to Castelfranco til the next morning. Starving and tired, we went to get food. On a Sunday night. Do you know what is open on a Sunday night? NOTHING. Anyway, we found a pizzeria that wasn't very good, ate there, and headed back into the wild with two options: 1) Get a hotel and go the next morning, 2) Get a taxi. So what did we do? Got a taxi at 9:30 for 5 people and 2 pieces of luggage (Drew's) to Paderno. Cost? 160 euro. That is- with the exchange rate at the airport- about $270. Painful. Pain.Ful. (Did I mention my arms still hurt?)
We arrived TOGETHER around 10:30 last night with very little food in our stomachs, very little money in our pockets, and 3 sweaty three day old clothes. Oh by the way, my bed puts the phrase "sleep like a rock" to shame. I turned my pillow on it edge just to see if it slouched at all; it stands straight up like the Great Wall of China.
Let's tp off my morning, shall we? I went to shower and the water wouldn't turn on. Joyfully, (by effort, not default) I put back on my dirty clothes and headed to breakfast. Yogurt and cereal with warm un-pasturized milk was not really what my stomach was asking for, but we each ate it and moved on. The rest of the day was seminars, more nasty food, class, reading, and doing random nothings.
So much more to say, but you are tired of reading and I'm tired of typing. Also, I have lots of pictures to post but my camera cord is in my luggage. I' m working on getting Skype but I did get my cell phone today. The number is +39-3484654619 and Brett bought us minutes, but I haven't tried using it yet. Incoming calls are free though!
Closing thought: Without friends, we would not have been able to exhort each other with 1 John 2:15-17. This passage is our team motto right now, and it kept us all smiling yesterday. What a blessing.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flest and the desires of the eyes and pride in possesions- is not from the the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of the God abides forever."
Til next time, lots of love from the BEAUTIFUL (did I tell you the weather is amazing?) yet unknown Paderno del Grappa
PS- According to the airline website, our luggage has been found and now we are just waiting for it to be delivered. Pray for patience for us until then!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Ready yet? Of course not!
It is now 4 days (depending on how you count) until takeoff! Have I started packing? No. Am I worried? No. Am I excited? YES. But I don't think the fullness of it all will hit me until I am in Frankfurt or Venice in an airport where I don't understand the language, culture, or customs. [I do mean customs as in the baggage/passport checkpont by the way.]
In the mean time, I'm enjoying my last few days with the family, playing with the kids (a.k.a. cat and dog), reading by the pool, and being able to eat whatever I want. EXCLUDING pasta.
Although I don't doubt that this adventure will have its fair share of culture shock, I am a little sad that I don't get the full cultural submersion that Katie did in Spain by staying with a family, being forced to utilizer her spanish all day everyday like it or not, and having/getting to make friends and travel with people that she did not live with or go to school with or share many things in common with. Nevertheless, I know I will experience my fair share of frustrating and eye opening moments even with such close friends my by side.
Scott, Brett, Allison, and I fly out of KC on Friday evening. We will meet Drew in Chicago then go on to Frankfurt and then to Venice where we will stay for the night. The next evening we are off to Paderno del Grappa, our itty-bitty home. In Paderno we will meet the rest of the students from the program. There are about 100-120 of us total, and I have to admit that I know at least 8 including myself. A bad thing? Maybe. But it will sure keep me from being lonely! We are going to hopefully travel together and definitely do Bible study together. What a huge blessing to have friends and believers with me!
Even though we all know each other, we have agreed to go potluck with roommates. I'm excited to get to know mine since all throughout college I have never lived with someone I didn't know!
Prayer requests:
For travel- That we would not be anxious as we get ready to leave and are in very confusing airports. That we would all get enough sleep on the planes and that jet lag doesn't hit too hard.
For roommates- That we would all have good relationships and be able to enjoy and learn a lot from each other.
For family- That the family and friends we are leaving behind would be comforted as parents, siblings, and friends have less contact with us.
The next time I post, we'll be in Italia! Amazing, huh?
In the mean time, I'm enjoying my last few days with the family, playing with the kids (a.k.a. cat and dog), reading by the pool, and being able to eat whatever I want. EXCLUDING pasta.
Although I don't doubt that this adventure will have its fair share of culture shock, I am a little sad that I don't get the full cultural submersion that Katie did in Spain by staying with a family, being forced to utilizer her spanish all day everyday like it or not, and having/getting to make friends and travel with people that she did not live with or go to school with or share many things in common with. Nevertheless, I know I will experience my fair share of frustrating and eye opening moments even with such close friends my by side.
Scott, Brett, Allison, and I fly out of KC on Friday evening. We will meet Drew in Chicago then go on to Frankfurt and then to Venice where we will stay for the night. The next evening we are off to Paderno del Grappa, our itty-bitty home. In Paderno we will meet the rest of the students from the program. There are about 100-120 of us total, and I have to admit that I know at least 8 including myself. A bad thing? Maybe. But it will sure keep me from being lonely! We are going to hopefully travel together and definitely do Bible study together. What a huge blessing to have friends and believers with me!
Even though we all know each other, we have agreed to go potluck with roommates. I'm excited to get to know mine since all throughout college I have never lived with someone I didn't know!
Prayer requests:
For travel- That we would not be anxious as we get ready to leave and are in very confusing airports. That we would all get enough sleep on the planes and that jet lag doesn't hit too hard.
For roommates- That we would all have good relationships and be able to enjoy and learn a lot from each other.
For family- That the family and friends we are leaving behind would be comforted as parents, siblings, and friends have less contact with us.
The next time I post, we'll be in Italia! Amazing, huh?
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