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(Updates)

Soo this post is a long time coming. There isn't a *ton* to write about but I have had some big changes recently here in Firenze!

First of all, a nice anecdote from last week. I went to the supermarket near the house to pick up some items, and I saw someone I knew there! It was Francesca, the secretary from my orientation school (who I also saw socially in a group one night in November). I remember leaving feeling like wow, I have made a home for myself here, even if it is a temporary one. You know you've been in a place for a while when you see people you know around like that!

The excitement really picked up last Friday though. That was the day I was reunited with Britney, Megan, Margaret Leigh, Sarah, and Neza. All of them are students at Georgetown who are studying here in Firenze spring semester. I am no longer the only one in my direct matriculation program! Now instead of one-on-one time with Lucia we meet up as a group, and she's been working to get the girls oriented to Firenze.

On Friday, I went to orientation school and said hi to everyone after they had finished their placement tests. Their orientation will be a bit different though, because they are all together in a class whereas I was naturally with other students at the school. The nice thing though is that they have Trinita, who was my teacher, and I loved her! I hope they are all loving her as well. We had a nice long lunch with Lucia Friday afternoon, then did a bit of walking around the city. Our first few days it was tough because none of the girls had their cell phones yet, so we had to agree in advance on places and times to meet up. It was like a time warp back to the "olden days." ;-)

On Saturday I met up with the girls again, for lunch and some walking around, before we met up with Lucia to go see Santa Croce. It was actually the first time I'd made it there, but I think the wait was worth it as I got to basically listen to Lucia tell us about the church, and she is very knowledgeable! Aside from the impressive architecture and artwork, Santa Croce is notable b/c it is the resting place for some big names - Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli among others! So right I was glad I did that. Afterward, we enjoyed walking around the chocolate festival in Piazza Santa Croce, in between trying to hide from the cold and the rain. After that, I took most of the girls to Yellow, one of my favorite restaurants in Firenze, for a fun dinner. Especially those first couple days, it felt really nice to be in a group again, with people I knew from home, sharing a common experience and feeling connected to Georgetown again. While at times I relished my independence last semester, I also had lonely moments that made me realize what it means to have companionship and friendship, and I realized that maybe wanting to spend time with other Americans wasn't as much of a "weakness" as I had thought before.

Sunday, I met up with some of the group again and we worked on finding cell phones and internet solutions for them. Since it was Sunday we had not a ton of luck, but we did walk around and explore more of the city (well, parts that were new to them). Monday I had lunch with them again and they got some bureaucracy stuff done with Lucia - the ever lovely permesso di soggiorno, for which you pay 60 euros but few students actually receive... however it's something you have to do legally and a necessary annoyance.

Tuesday, I had lunch at the villa for the first time this semester. Bridie invited me up and it was a nice thing to do as long as I was just hanging out when the other girls had class. The group at the villa this semester seems really nice, and I knew a few of the girls there already. Bridie and then some of the other students were asking all about being engaged and wedding planning, which is fun attention to get! As I encounter everyone though, I do have to keep explaining why I'm not wearing my engagement ring - it's in the US because it was being re-sized. However, my parents are going to bring it to me when they arrive in Italy in a couple weeks, and all will be well and good then!

At the lunch, Bridie invited me to a wine tasting that she'd organized for everyone, and that was last night. It was my first actual wine tasting here and I very much enjoyed it! I also went out with some of the group afterward and got to catch up with Bridie a bit. Considering how little time we actually spend together, I consider her a good friend. We share a lot of the same experiences, above all our host family (she lived with them a few years back), and that creates a common bond.

All things considered, I've had a very social past week in a much different way than ever last semester. It's nice to have a combination of being very settled here, yet also having all of these people from Georgetown that I can choose to hang out with and who are really nice and open. I have a feeling that between all the people here now and all the visitors I'm going to have this semester, it's really going to fly.

Two other notes -
1) My trip to Spain is getting ever closer! I bought a guidebook the other day with a lot of practical info in it, which makes me feel prepared. I have also been working out some of the practical details and plans. There's definitely more to do, but as it gets closer I get more excited! I will be heading to Granada on Tuesday (February 3), then making my way to Cordoba, and then Salamanca by Friday. In Salamanca I'll be meeting up with Kristen and Molly (two close friends and future roommates from Georgetown) and we'll spend the rest of the weekend in Madrid! I think it's going to be a whirlwind, tiring trip, but an amazing adventure. Having studied Islamic history, I couldn't pass up the chance to visit the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba, and I am just so excited to revel in the awe, the beauty, and the history of it all! I probably won't blog from Spain, but you can bet when I get back I will have plenty to share!

2) Cristina's cooking. I keep reminding myself not to take it for granted. That and, I must take some of her wisdom back to the US with me... yum. The other night she made orange flavored risotto and it was heavenly! She described how to make it for me but I think at some point I'll need to make written instructions to take back. I have been so lucky with food this year!

Alright I think that's a good update for now. Tonight I think I'm seeing a movie with at least some of the group, Saturday I *may* be headed to Siena, and then of course come Tuesday I'm off to Spagna! I hope you all are well!