Adjusting

5/9/10

I have already taken to writing the date in the European manner, as well as keeping time using the 24-hour method, both of which have always made more sense to me. One thing I am not used to yet, is the Italian slow paced way of life, I am not used to having nothing to do or no internet to occupy my time, I have heard this will change my outlook on life (that is yet to occur, although last summer did, so I am sure I will feel the effects soon). I am ready for classes and things to start, which they do tonight (the day I am writing this (and probably not posting)) with welcome dinner, then orientation and things tomorrow. I have started to make some travel plans, I believe Oktoberfest in September, London/Oxford for our fall break in October, my parents come in November, probably to meet me in Venice, and maybe Greece the other 3 day weekend, as well as trips to Rome and maybe Florence. I also have the two weeks after classes to think about: maybe Spain, and Paris, I would also like to fit in Amsterdam and some time in Germany. I have so much that I want to do! I am excited by the prospect of classes starting, call me a nerd but I am ready to get back to learning and taking trips! I feel as though this semester will be a totally new experience for me both mentally and emotionally. I am already learning about myself in ways I didn’t think I would.

It is so exciting to make new friends in my roommates, but I definitely miss my school ones as well: they are my nutty and dysfunctional college family that I wouldn’t trade for the world!! I also really miss Austin and everyone there, it has been weird to go from living with all guys for 3 months back to living with all girls, as much as it is similar it is also a totally different atmosphere. The food, as everyone told me is great, and somehow I have re-found a love of sweet things and have eaten so much gelato already! It has taken me some time to adjust to the time difference, probably because I could barely sleep on the plane over here, then stupidly took a 4-hour nap the day I got here, messing it all up. The goal for today is to stave off my desire to nap and get it all back on track! So right now we have no power in our downstairs, which is apparently a fact of life in Italy, and we just have to kind of wait and see if it goes back on, if not we have to find and flip the breaker (ahh!) The weather and everything like that has been great, high of like 80, but chilly at night, just perfect if you ask me!

Today, we (4 of the 5 girls in our apartment) got up late (oops) and walked around a little (it is what the Italians do) and went to the medieval district, to take some pictures and see more of Orvieto. After which we browsed the few open stores and had lunch by the Duomo, so it was a little expensive, but quite tasty! Now I am writing a blog update, fighting the desire to take a nap, and enjoying the outdoors in our courtyard, patio thing. That’s all for now, more after our welcome dinner, and orientation tomorrow!

jlm

6/9/10

We went to orientation, and got a tour of the school today, which is where I am now using the internet. I only have class 3 days a week (Mon, tues, thurs) the rest is devoted to trips and free time. I also don't start class until 10, which I could get used too! Beyond this I don't have the energy to write a huge update until later (as I have still been having tons of trouble sleeping at night!) 

jlm

24 (plus a few hours)

I am sitting in Philadelphia airport waiting out my two-hour layover. One of the 3 legs of my journey is done. For the last 24 hours whenever I have talked about being nervous people tell me not to worry that I will have the time of my life. But I can’t help but be a little scared and overwhelmed about the journey I am undertaking. Around me middle age vacationers chat excitedly about their 2-week trips.

Part 2: I made it to Orvieto safely. The train from Roma to Orvieto was the only minor speed bump. I forgot about assigned seats on some Italian trains, and happened to get on the last car (#8) when I needed to be on # 3 and had to haul my luggage and self through the masses of shoving Italians to my seat. But once there I just had to stay awake so I didn’t miss my stop in Orvieto. After a nap that was 2 hours longer than I intended, I un-packed some, I am waiting to do all of the arranging until my roommate gets here. That being said for the next 3 months I am living in an “apartment” which to me is more reminiscent of a condo but whatever, with 4 other girls. It should be fun, but I feel as though this summer has prepared me for living with new people. So for now we are all just kind of hanging out and exploring and stuff I guess until Sunday night when we have a group dinner and then orientation and other things of the like on Monday. On  the way from the train station to my home (that’s what the apartment thing is now being called) I got to see the outside of the school, its looks nice, and close. It is right in the square (Piazza) with the famous Orcieto cathedral (duomo), which is absolutely beautiful (look words in Italian I am learning! Kind of). The rest of the city, which I will explore soon, looks quaint, not quite as small as Torrnereccio from last summer, nor as chaotic and busy as Roma. 

For those who are really dedicated and would like to send me snail mail (or packages! Yay) my address is:

(Name)

c/o Centro Studi Città di Orvieto

Piazza Duomo, 20

05018 ORVIETO (TR)

Italy

For those who aren’t quite as dedicated but still love me I appreciate email, skype, and the like as well.

When communicating keep in mind I am 7 hours from central time, and 9 from west coast time. So plan accordingly if a more immediate response is desired.

Love everyone more soon. 

How I am getting internet right now: We thought the internet cafe would close for siesta and then re-open, false, It closed for the day at 2: that is Italia for you. So while we were standing there frustrated a cute italian guy asked us what we needed we told him internet. He proceeded to tell us the restaurant he works at down the street has internet and told us the password. So now we are sitting on the step next door using the internet, and old man just walked buy and clicked his tongue and shook his head, a sign I am sure of his disapproval 

TOMORROW

I leave tomorrow at 11 am central standard time. Less than 24 hours and I am so nervous I could vomit. I needed to put it into words. Now I must return to packing and defensive driving. 

Leaving Austin...

My visa arrived the other day, my tuition got paid today, I found out book information as well as sent my program director my flight itinerary. With less than 2 weeks to go this is really starting to become a reality. AH

The first realities that I must deal with, are however that I am leaving Austin in 2.5 days, and not heading back to WU. As I watch all my friends post updates about opening days, and move in I am tinged with nostalgia, the start of school the last two year has been exciting. I am going to miss all the fun that accompanies this return to normalcy, and catching up with my friends about summer and our separate lives. I am also going to miss making the 2000 mile drive with my Dad, road trips with him have become somewhat of a tradition and I didn't get one this summer. Change means I am growing up I guess.

I have to leave a job in Georgetown that I didn't like for a long time, but in the last month have grown to enjoy and make some great friends. I will miss the kids (and occasional adult) that I spent this summer working (and a lot of playing) with. I thank my friend and boss Stephanie for the wonderful opportunity and look forward to maybe coming back next summer. Thanks for everything everyone!!

While I work and in other free time I have made mental and physical check lists of things I need to do and take care of before september 2nd, but the one that I am avoiding is thinking about packing. It is such a daunting task, and one I will surely avoid until the last minute. Which will as usual cause over-packing. Maybe I can encourage myself to plan ahead this time.

My last thank you of this post goes to my room-mate and high school best friend Amar. Thanks for everything, for letting me live with you, for hanging out all the time, for introducing me to your kick-ass friends (I see why you love Austin so much) for cooking tasty dinners with me, and for introducing me to some awesome music. You have been a focal point of my summer. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.

With that I close, and also want to say that blog writing is strangely therapeutic. This is coming from a girl who has NEVER kept a diary in her entire life.

Visa, and some preperation

About a week ago I took a day trip to Houston to get my student visa to allow me to stay in Italy for three and a half months. After a slight mishap with plane tickets, (which were later corrected and faxed) it was all taken care of and now I just have to wait for my visa to be processed and sent back.

I have about 2 and a half weeks left in Austin this summer, and man has that been an adventure in and of itself. It has been a blast and is passing way to fast. I still have so many things I want to do! After Austin I will be back home in Plano for about a week to wrap things up, and do little things: Haircut, dentist, packing ect.

Then off on my adventure to Orvieto, by way of 2 planes and 2 trains, I am starting to get a little nervous about setting off for a country where I only know enough of the language to order a drink, and maybe ask where the bathroom is, and a program where I know nobody. It will be like freshman year of college all over again.

I will miss my Willamette friends dearly they have grown to be my family over the last 2 years, and not seeing some for a while will be hard. Which is one of the reasons why I am writing this, too stay in touch. Also because I am terrible with real diaries, and picture taking, so I hope this will help me crystalize and really think about my adventures and travels.

Countdown to departure 25 days.

Until later
Jess