So I made it to Italy safe and sound. There were only a few bumps along the way including an unexpected travel expense of $400 for a missed flight thanks to the Chicago Transit Authority. However, I made it and it's absolutely beautiful. Beautiful isn't even a strong enough word. Everything is so aesthetically perfect. The buildings are all shades of yellow with terra cotta rooftops and the streets wind around with uneven cobblestone pathways. I can't imagine trying to wear heels.

I thought I was comfortable with my Italian but being here and actually having to speak it has made me so insecure. I have made several friends though who are willing to help me and answer all my silly questions. Claudia was an exchange student at OU last semester and is taking my friend Jenny and I to her parent's house to have homemade lasagna and then we will go dancing in Florence! She is really sweet and eager to help us with our Italian. I am greatly appreciative of her hospitality and she has introduced us to so many nice Italians who want to take us all to their hometowns! We will go to Cortona with another girl, Elena, soon. Another Italian, Lorenzo came with us to dinner and taught us all about the food on the menu and taught us slang. Whenever we see a cute boy we've learned to say "C'e un figo!" which means, "There is a babe!" Only more like "a piece", haha! I've also learned way too many cuss words. When we have a few glasses of wine it is much easier to speak Italian, probably because we're more relaxed…

Today we officially started class. We met for our art history class in a bar (which is actually just a coffee shop, though all the coffee shops sell alcohol as well). I also have decided to enroll in a class at the university that will be taught in Italian, I'm trying to challenge myself! I hope to be fluent when I return to the states.

Tid Bit: Today I was walking in a park and found a small bar to get some wine. I went in and asked for a glass of Chianti Rossi and the woman working said "veloce veloce!" Which means hurry, hurry. So I ordered and paid and she gave me a plastic cup full of tasty Chianti and said I had to go because she was closing (everything closes SO early). So apparently you're allowed to freely walk the streets and drink wine. It was awesome. The Chianti here is outstanding…considering this is where Chianti originates! So off I went into the park with my wine to watch the sunset over the Apennines…absolutely breathtaking.

I don't want to write too much or you will get bored. Tonight is Thursday and every Thursday at Crispy's is KAREOKE!!! Italians love their karaoke…and those who know me, know I do too. Ciao for now!