New excuse for being late to class...

So I don't actually know yet if I WILL be late to class, it is at 2 pm and it is only 11:30 right now... we will see. But what I am talking about is the fact that many streets downtown are blocked off (streets which the buses I take usually use) due to some kind of demonstration. So I walked the rest of the way to the library where I am now, and saw some crowds of people near Piazza del Duomo on my way - chanting things, waving flags and signs. At first I couldn't really tell what it was all about but then I definitely saw a couple red flags with hammers and sickles! Not sure what to think but it sure is something I have never seen before... and I just hope I can make it to class okay later!

I realize I haven't been posting as much - that is because things have gotten more routine, and as a result more boring! Depending on the day I have to leave the house slightly earlier or later, sometimes I go downtown before or after, but I take the bus to the university, do my classes, use the computer in the library there, and so on and so forth. I think I am still working on adjusting and still feeling sort of foreign and a bit "fish out of water" but I think that is to be expected. Courses are fine except that I really need to pin down the exact formats, dates, and coverage of my exams! I have definitely asked the same girl twice in one of my classes and still don't have much of a better idea... yeah I will work on it!

Tomorrow I am thinking of going to the gym first thing, then going to the Uffizi gallery for the first time, and then doing some more shopping. I really do like the jeans I got at this one store downtown, and they weren't too expensive, so I think I will try to get one or two more pairs. I am also in the market for a winter type jacket and badly in need of a pair of ballet flats to replace the ones I currently have - they are falling apart more and more by the day!

I am pretty excited about a couple weekends I have coming up - next weekend I will be going to Genova (Genoa) to visit my friend Deneb, who I met at my internship in DC this summer! She is from northwestern Italy and finishing up her degree in Genova. I will be staying over at her place, and this marks the first time I will be sleeping somewhere other than Firenze since I arrived in Italy! Then the next weekend I may go to Perugia, as there is a chocolate festival there (don't want to miss that!) and the NEXT weekend it is possible that Kristen (from Georgetown, she is studying in Strasbourg, France) might come visit me, if it works out! I would absolutely love to see her!

So right really I am just trying to keep up going to class, do something interesting and fun on weekends, and settle in more and more. I have to admit that it isn't always easy, but then again if I were at Georgetown I would be feeling like I was missing out on the abroad experience!

I think that is all for now - I will be sure to post about the Uffizi sometime soon!