Bits and Pieces

So I realize that my blog posts have become a little less frequent than when I initially started, but I have begun to develop a bit of a routine here and my daily life wouldn't be all that interesting to read about. Today, for instance, I woke up at 8 and went to class from 9-3. (My class schedule MTW until the end of March is pretty rough, although I only have one class Thurs and no class Friday). Three two hour classes in a row with only a little bit of time in between. Afterward I came back to my apartment, went online for a bit and took a nap before my yoga class.

Yes, I am taking a yoga class - with about 4 other girls from BCSP and an assortment of other ERASMUS (exchange) students. My class starts at 6:30 every Monday night and lasts for an hour. It's definitely a lot different than other yoga classes that I have frequented in the states, but I am really enjoying it and I think it takes care of the "stretch and strengthening" exercises I am supposed to do in preparation for the half-marathon that I am scheduled to run at the beginning of May.

You may think I'm crazy for going to Italy and taking on such a task, but without running I would be so lost. It keeps my mind sane and my body healthy. Because trust me, if I wasn't running - despite all of the walking I do - I would come back at least 30 pounds heavier. Plus this way, I can still indulge in the amazing food and not have to worry so much about it. Moreover, running a half-marathon in Italy will be such an amazing experience. I ran my first half this past November in the Outer Banks and the feeling I had when I finally crossed the finish line was indescribable. I ended up with a pretty good time for my first one - 1 HR 52 MIN - although I'm not sure if I will actually be able to beat my time since training here is a bit more difficult, but it would definitely be awesome if I could. We are running the half in Trieste, Italy which is a Northern Coastal city and supposedly gorgeous when the weather is warm. Needless to say I'm pretty stoked.

I have also started volunteering at a middle school teaching English once a week to a classroom full of 12 year-olds. My first class was last week and it surprisingly went extremely well. The students were well-behaved and engaged in the conversations we were having in English. The only down side is that the class starts at 8:00 in the morning, but it is definitely worth it, and I lucked out that the school is maybe a 5-10 minute walk from my apartment, which is nothing. I have also been giving a lot of thought to taking a year off between undergrad and grad school to go teach English abroad in a foreign country and this opportunity will definitely give me a little experience in that field, and open my eyes a little bit to what I would really be getting myself into if I do end up deciding that that is what I want to do.

I can't forget to mention one of my favorite nights here thus far, which actually occurred just this past weekend. Allie's roommates decided to have an "international party" consisting of 5 Americans, 5 Italians, and 5 Spaniards. We were all charged with the task of preparing a few dishes indigenous to our native countries and would then sit down to a grand feast and great camaraderie. And of course, as the designated Americans we decided that it would be inappropriate to cook anything but cheeseburgers and french fries. But let me tell you, the burgers we made were some of the best I have EVER eaten. (Secret ingredient: Rosemary). But everything was fantastic. The Spaniards made tortillas and a traditional rice dish, and the Italians prepared a pasta with speck (a type of prosciutto), onions, and lettuce in a light cream sauce in addition to a large plate of fresh cheese and salami. It was so much fun. We even made sure to seat ourselves so that everyone would find themselves amidst mixed company with the one uniting factor that we could all speak Italian. That feeling of hospitality and comfort in the presence of good food and friends is irreplaceable.

That's one thing that I have found about the Italian culture that I really wish could carry back over to United States when I go back. The food is unrivaled by most in terms of taste, but it isn't just the eating that really defines Italian cuisine. A meal is more than just food. It's about family, friends, companionship, and the "experience" of the meal. You don't sit down for a mere 20 minutes and gulf down everything on your plate. You savor every bite and every moment of conversation with the people you are with - a process that often endures for 2 hours or more with at least 2 courses and of course followed by a caffè. When I went to Allie's apartment, we started dinner at 10 and I didn't make it home until 2. Needless to say it was a magical night, and the type of tradition I hope to absorb into my own life.

I will leave you with a group shot of all of the BCSP Spring 2011 students taken when we took our day trip to Ravenna.

Front and center - Allie and I of course! ;]