4 weeks & counting...

So, I have officially been here for four weeks, it's crazy. Time is flying by sooo fast. I just wish I could make time stop sometimes and stay in the moment forever but yet other times, I wish I could speed time up and return home. Okay, so I am going to try and reflect on the last four weeks in Florence as my friend had asked me the other day what my best moment in Florence had been thus far...

Best Moment: I honestly couldn't tell you yet. Honestly, it has all been a bit overwhelming. Packing up/ moving to live (if only temporary) in a foreign country is scary transition but for me to be able to do it and adjust is a huge accomplishment. However, the language barrier is still frustrating although the more shops/ stores we go into, there are more and more English speaking Italians. They know little English but enough to communicate. I wish I knew more Italian to be able to communicate. It is definitely something that I need to work on while I'm here. Overall though, it is has been an exciting experience so far.

Worst Moment: Yesterday, I was followed in the grocery store. There is a little grocery store down the street which I have been to several times. I was wandering around the store a lot because I didn't know what I wanted to buy but it seemed that every time I turned the corner there was this man in a white sweatshirt texting on his phone, he wasn't shopping, nor did it look like he was looking to buy anything, he just kept appearing around every corner. I then assumed that when I went to check-out he would get in line behind me and sure enough he did, just quickly grabbing a soda bottle off the shelf. He quickly counted out his money and threw it at the cashier before I even had time to grab my bags. I had forgotten my cell phone in the apartment so I had no way of calling anyone to come meet me. So instead of walking straight out, I stood off to the side of the registers to make sure he would leave but sure enough he stood off to the other side of the registers. My heart was racing now, I had no idea what to do, I stood there for a few minutes and when he looked the other way, I grabbed my keys between my fingers and sped walk down the street as fast I could. I walked in the street on the other side of the parked cars instead of on the sidewalk because it was not as well lit as the headlights from the oncoming cars. About halfway home, I turned around and he wasn't there, I made a mad dash to my apartment and finally when inside, I knew I was safe. I cannot be for sure he was following me but my instinct told me he was so I listened to it. For four weeks, I have felt completely safe up until last night. Never again will I walk to that grocery store at night without a cellphone and a friend.

What I miss the most: My family. I have gone weeks and weeks without seeing my family before but I guess it is just different because I am in another country and I can't just drive home whenever I want to. The time difference is also hard because I always want to call my mom in the morning, like around 9, 10, or 11 but then I think and realize it is only 3, 4, or 5 in the morning there and that she is probably sleeping. It's not even like I want to talk to her about anything important, I just want to call. I also miss driving. We walk EVERYWHERE here and the exercise is great, but sometimes I just miss being able to get in my car and drive fast to wherever I want to go. Oh, and weirdly enough... I hardly ever watch TV while at home but I miss being able to watch some of my shows.

What I have mixed feelings about: My cell phone. I miss being able to text/ call whoever I want in my cell phone. I have a cell phone but it costs a lot of money and the time difference is frustrating. I miss my cell phone but I also think it is good for me to have a break from it because we are all so attached to the cell phone (especially texting world). I think it important to not be so attached to an electronic device. I used to tell the time by my cell phone because I always had it in my hand but now I feel naked without my watch.... because like a normal human being, I am telling the time by my watch for the first time and not my cell phone.

My FAVORITE class: Everything Chocolate: From Therapy to Pleasure. Not only is the class subject amazing but so is the teacher. Chocolate is one of my favorite things in the world so what's not to love about a class that is all about chocolate. We learn about chocolate, we make the chocolate, and most importantly we get to taste the chocolat when we're finished. The teacher is a world champion chocolatier so he definitely knows what he's doing and his sense of humor just makes the class so much more enjoyable.

My LEAST favorite class: Marketing Mix. So far, I just do not enjoy this class. The material is presented in a very boring way and it is hard to listen to a teach lecture for 2 and half hours especially when the English is not perfect and my mind tends to wander in this class so it makes it difficult to concentrate but honestly, it's really not that bad and probably much better than taking marketing in the States.

Wine: We have tried a lot in our wine class but there are definitely a few that are excellent and others that I definitely would not drink again. I can't wait to learn more about wine as it is such a big part of Tuscany and the Italian culture.

Favorite Dessert: Hands down, GELATO. We even tried a new gelato place today which was along the river. For one euro, you get a generous amount of gelato. I tried Strawberry Cheesecake and Cookies... the flavors were alright but I will definitely try some of the other ones next time.

Favorite Food: Gnocchi. It's like pasta but made with potato, egg, and flour. It is so good anyway it's made, I am going to try to attempt to make it myself this weekend. A close second though, Tripe. I know I talked about it in my last post so I won't again but it's definitely one of my new favorites.

Traveling: Outside of Florence, I have only been to Venice, Rome, Fiesole, and Pisa but of the two Rome was definitely my favorite. Rome is a lot bigger than Florence and we had no idea where we were going but I loved it, I hope that I'll have the chance to visit it once more within the next few months.

Weather: It's completely unpredictable. One minute it's raining, the next it's bright and sunny, then it's cloudy, then maybe it's snowing, then raining again. You really just never know, EVER. Always bring your gloves, hat, umbrella, and sunglasses with you because you honestly never know when the weather will change even within a few minutes.

Brittany Moment: A Brittany moment is when I have or almost have a mental breakdown because something isn't going my way. One of these moments was when it was snowing/raining and I meant to step on the rock to avoid a huge puddle in Rome but my foot slipped and I stepped right into the puddle with my sneakers which were soaked for the rest of the day. I wanted to cry, scream, and pout. I'll thank Emily from preventing this from happening as she brought me into a restaurant, let me take off my shoes, and bought me the BEST hot chocolate ever. If it was not for that.. the rest of the day may very well have been ruined and I probably would have a complete breakdown right there in the street.

What I want to accomplish: I really want to be able to cook. I learn a lot in my Mediterranean Diet class and we do cook but it not completely hands on (the teacher does a lot of it) and I have some great Mediterranean recipes but it is hard to repeat the recipes in our apartment because supplies are so limited so I am still lacking on my cooking skills. Also, the stove is really hard to regulate so I'll admit I even overcooked the pasta one night. :(

Upcoming: Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Parma & Modena, Greece, Piemonte & Cinque Terre, Germany, Nice & French Riveria, Tuscany, Pienza, Montalicino, & Montelpulciano and hopefully more!