On the go....

So, it is Saturday, 30 May at 12:20am. I am at my host family's home. What a first week. I haven't had an opportunity to blog at all! I am in Legnano now - arrived yesterday. I visited four museums just today and had an opportunity to ask a lot of questions. I was given many books which I think I will need to ship back to the States and not carry with me in my luggage. After the visits, Rebecca (my team mate) and I were treated with a special surprise - we were able to go into Milano to La Scala to experience an opera - it was written by T.S. Elliot - the Murder in the Cathedral. We were very fortunate to be able to experience this.

We were in Coma prior to this - molto bello! That was an amazing experience - of course everyone has been asking if we saw George Clooney's home - but unfortunately he wasn't home because I am sure our hosts would have arranged that for us if he was. One of the experiences while in Como was a chance to drive up to Brunate to the top of the mountain (Pre-Alps) and climb a watch tower dedicated to Volta (the inventor of the first battery) - we were able to see all of Como - quite beautiful! Switzerland borders Como. We were also able to see the Alps which was awesome because they still have snow on them. It was crazy because while in Como the weather was HOT -38 degrees celsius which is 102 degrees fahrenheit and then to see the Alps with snow was great.

Since I haven't been able to blog, I have used my iTouch a lot to type up my thoughts. That has been very helpful. We have done SOOOO much already and it has only been a week. It is truly an amazing experience. We have given three presentations thus far, visited MANY, MANY places for vocational and other visits and have met incredible people who have gone out of their way to make sure that our trip is absolutely amazing. There is SO much to tell! I have taken quite a lot of pictures. I have filled up my 1G and 4G memory cards already. Thankfully, Chris has dumped them onto his laptop - VERY NICE!

Tomorrow we get our first morning off so I get to sleep in - a bit. Hopefully this will help with the now permanent bags that are under my eyes. :) Speaking of bags, I must go to sleep. It is now after 1am here.

I hope to blog again soon....

oh, one thing I forgot, we were able to visit the Fratelli Rossetti shoe factory yesterday - that was AWESOME!!!! Then we were taken to the outlet where we were given a 20% discount - WOO HOO!!!!! I didn't buy any shoes though - hahahahahaaaa that is funny - of course I bought shoes. I did get an amazing discount - so no worries Eric - it is quite alright. Before the shoes I had only but one gift and that was for you! :)

WOW!

It is Wednesday (Mercoledi) morning at about 8:30am. We are waiting to be picked up to begin our day. What a FABULOUS four days we have had. This has been my first chance to blog. We have been on the go since our feet landed at the airport. Everyone is AMAZING!!! The experiences so far and the people we have met have been so wonderful and it is only our 4th day! :) We are TRULY fortunate!

We had our first presentation yesterday - that went pretty well. I think we are happy that we have gotten our first presentation out of the way. YEAH!

I have much to write - although I haven't had a chance to blog until now - I have been writing down my thoughts in my notes section of my iTouch - VERY handy!!!

Well, must go, Massimo is here. Will continue later with a recap! :)

Ciao!

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane...

My bags are packed and I am headed out the door. Sunshine (my dog) is trying to go with me. :(

Well, Eric is taking Chris and me to Pensacola where we will fly to Atlanta and then straight to Milano. I think it will probably be about a 10 hour flight. Not so bad. Lots of time to keep studying my Italian and practicing my presentation.

I am pretty proud of myself that I did NOT overpack. I figure I can always buy something in Italy! :) Sorry Eric.

Okay, must go. Will post some more later.

Ciao!

First Post

Well, tomorrow is the day I leave. I can't believe it is almost here, I better start packing! :)

I am extremely excited for this adventure to begin. The opportunity to meet new people, to learn about another culture more fully and to experience Italy's beauty is remarkable. Not knowing what to expect is quite fun.

I will be updating this blog and posting pictures - so check back periodically. I am sure four weeks will go by very quickly.

Until next post...