It helps to think we are made of the same things.

I'm starting to notice little things in my life right now that I really enjoy. Amidst the craziness of adjusting to Florence, Orientation, starting classes, and getting everything I needed (food, school supplies, apartment stuff), I feel like I'm starting to breathe for the first time since I've been here. Everything is starting to feel like home. I feel at ease, even with so much to do. More than anything, I think I just feel good. And for now, that is enough.

Today I didn't have class until three so I decided to get up and run errands. My apartment was quiet (I suppose people were sleeping or off to early morning classes), so I took my time getting ready. Ate some cereal with not-skim milk (because I'm a big girl and can get over it), and just sorta leisurely got ready.

I'm happy to say that I can buy bus tickets, stamps and envelopes, a mirror (YES FINALLY) and school supplies without having to use English once. It didn't hit me until after it was all over that I hadn't use English. I also realized that I know my way around my neighborhood (Duomo and around) pretty dang well. And I couldn't help but smile against the angry sky of Florence.

It rained, was extremely sunny, rained again, and then was cool today in Florence. My walk home tonight (Class got out at 7:15 and I printed some stuff in the computer lab at Villa Ulivi) was chilly but in a weird, comforting way, especially along with the purple and pink sky. The campus cat (An all-black, skinny, Italian cat) walked me from Villa Ulivi to Villa Natalia (basically across campus through this huge valley in the center of campus) where we then parted ways as I headed towards the bus stop.

My Econ class was better than I thought it'd be, though I'm going to an extra class tomorrow just to make sure. The professor is sweet and accommodating and the class didn't seem too bad.

I cooked dinner tonight mostly myself because Catherine kept cutting her finger or burning herself. Cooked carrots, penne pasta just with some seasoning, olive oil, and parmesan cheese, with garlic cheese bread. the kitchen is disgusting from the other girls. I don't know what possesses people to think that leaving dirty dishes is something everyone enjoys looking at, smelling, and then cleaning for you. I want to treat this apartment as if I'm going to be living in it for the next 3.5 months...oh wait.

I just finished up some Italian hw that was easy (so similar to Spanish rules), and now am about to go read the first two chapters of A History of Fascism, 1914-1945 by Payne, and I'm excited. I also need to memorize a map of europe and all of its capitals because my prof gave a hint of a pop quiz in the future. it's embarrassing how little i know about western european geography. I read an article earlier called Mario and the Magician (can't remember author and don't feel like moving), and for the first like 40pages I had no idea why I was reading it, but then by the end of it, I was blown away. It was terrifying. and interesting. and intriguing. and unnerving. I can't wait to talk about it in class tomorrow.

I can't say I feel like I'm a different person, but I feel really adjusted. stable. independent. There's something to be said about doing a study abroad program with hardly anyone you know in a country you don't know the language. I'm still daily frustrated by the people here, but some people I have met and my professors make up for it.

I'm also afraid of becoming addicted to coffee. Coffee is way cheap here and it's always served in very tiny cups. I told abby glackin the other day that i was sad there are no large coffees anywhere...but then i realized it's even more of an issue because, since theyre so small, i sometimes get more than one in a single day. The barista on campus is fabulous and so sweet that I can't tell if i'm going because I love all the coffees he's made me or because I need it to stay awake in class. Either way I think I need to be careful.

I think I'm in a weird mood.Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Three classes andthen rehearsal. so I better get a move on.

buonanotte.

becca

me and a cappuccino