Italia, Vengo!

Ciao a tutti.

Vi comunico che l’appartamento dove soggiornerete è in Via Zeffirini, 1 (4° piano) Firenze (zona Viale Corsica – non lontano dall’aeroporto).

Nominativo sul campanello: Degl’Innocenti.

Woot! So I have an apartment in Florence! I'm so stoked. At first I wasn't as excited about Italy as I felt I needed to be. But with this news as well as the plans to get my Visa, I feel that everything is falling in place. I think it's finally hitting me.

Earlier this week I was pretty down. But now I feel so much better. Last night really picked me up, especially after working on the panel. I haven't had that much fun in a long time.

I still have so much to do before I leave, but I'm excited to know that things are a little more organized on the Italian end than the last time I went through the program. So - sweeeeeeet!

Time to head to class.

Oh. And I gave in - I returned to ansi.

Sono un italiano, un italiano vero!

Gentilissima Sig.na Castaneda

In data 23 settembre 2008 sono terminati i lavori della Commissione incaricata di valutare le domande pervenute per l’ammissione ai corsi previsti dalle Borse di Studio per la Formazione Professionale “Mario Olla”, anno 2008/2009.

In tale seduta la Commissione ha deciso di accogliere positivamente la sua domanda.

La invito pertanto a trasmettere la sua accettazione al corso, entro e non oltre il 30/09/2008 sottoscrivendo la presente lettera nello spazio previsto.

La informo che il Centro Diffusione Imprenditoriale della Toscana (CEDIT) si metterà quanto prima in diretto contatto con lei, per tutte le comunicazioni inerenti al corso stesso ed a tutti gli ulteriori aspetti organizzativi del suo viaggio e del suo soggiorno. I corsi inizieranno, indicativamente, i primi giorni di dicembre.

Resto pertanto in attesa di ricevere urgentemente la presente lettera, da lei controfirmata e per via fax, e le invio i miei migliori saluti.

Yes, it is official! I am going to Italy! Althought I am using exclamation marks, the excitement I should be feeling hasn't really hit yet. I suppose it just hasn't quite hit me yet.

However, it is super nice to finally know. Now I can actually plan accordingly. And since the dates for the course is December first as opposed to the beginning of November, my plans are going to change. I'm dropping my tutoring course and picking up the full 3 units of Art 106 instead of the 2 unit special problems course. More paperwork. Ugh.

It's nice, though, going later. Means I can finish up the graduate school applications and prepare for the GRE. The extra month is great! I just feel like I have so many things to do. Get a visa, finish applications, finish my classes, figure out all the details of the trip (which I will probably be informed about at the last minute in true Italian fashion), study for the GRE, take the GRE (o.0;;;;; GAH!), and a bunch of other things including socializing and trying to not freak out.

In the fun center (not that all this Italy talk isn't fun), but in other fun news, I am working on a short fim for the Art History Club Halloween Party (which has yet to be totally named). Making posters on Friday (maybe) and then working on a script and stuff so we can plan.

This weekend is going to be packed! Maybe that's why I'm anxious. Tournament this weekend, but I am missing Saturday to go into SF with the Art History Club to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the SFMoMA. Sunday I have games in the morning and hopefully in the afternoon (go team go!) followed by a Chapter meeting in the evening (if I can make it anyways).

I'm going to miss out on my yey relaxing kick the soccer ball day this Sunday. This makes me very sad. I had a lot of fun last Sunday. And what makes me even sadder is the fact that I may not even get to play on the team. The season starts in January and I won't be back in the States until March. I was so stoked to have a uniform (Racing Club style) with the number 10 or 11 too!!!! Kinda made me all excited to be on a team again with my number and stuff. It's possible I am more sad since I looked a some of the news reports from Quinnipiac and saw the new rookie wearing my number (apparently she's crazy nasty, so at least yey for representing #11). Regrets really suck. A lot. Heh.

On a happier note - I'm going to Italy (!!!). I definitely need to be more excited. I suppose I just have a lot of things on my mind as usual. Bah!

CC

Friends

Davis, Calif. - Sometimes I forget how incredibly lucky I am to know such awesome people. Fortunately I was able to remind myself this past Saturday when Devin hosted one of our gatherings. As usual he made his amazing pizza, Alex made his tamales, and I brought a bottle of coke and some sort of snack (this time it was Fudgecicles).

It wasn't a movie night, but instead a night of creativity and thought. Rachel worked on her LARP costume and ended up making the coolest mask for one of her mage characters. Aaron sharpened his knives on Devin's wetstones and worked on his knots. Alex made his famous tamales and surprised with some horchata; if I remember correctly I told Alex I loved him about 8 times that night. Carola worked on some knitting before running off to catch some sleep. Devin worked on his chainmaille, which is looking really awesome. He's got a good portion of the chest done as well as the shoulders and parts of the sleeves. Rachel's boyfriend, along with Alex, bummed around on the internet and I read "Empire" by Orson Scott Card. It was a really enjoyable evening.

What I love best about getting together like that is that while we do our own things we end up getting into some great debates and conversations. I really like the fact that we challenge each other to think about various issues. We don't always agree, but we're all extremely open to new thoughts and ideas. I'm usually the first to admit that I really hadn't thought about something in a particular way.

I suppose these debates and random thoughts are due to Aaron. He always throws out his ideas and starts the conversation going. And while we get into the a discussion on defining heritage, ethnicity, nationality, and racism we can easily joke around at the same time. It's just a room of people doing what they enjoy and at the same time throwing out ideas and thoughts. Usually they're the ideas that you don't talk about often - the ideas that you think about while you're on the John or when you're unable to sleep. Thoughts you don't usually share with anyone except your significant other. I really like that.

I ended up finishing Empire last night. I really enjoyed it. Just like my friends it challenged me to think about and even question my own ideals. I questioned whether or not I fall into the trap of stereotyping when I try desperately not to.

At the same time it scared me, because I have met people who go to the extreme when it comes to their political and religious beliefs. It's scary to think that one person can carry so much fear and so much hate for a certain set of people.

Anyways, I'm starting to ramble due to the hour and I should try to get some sleep.