Hercules will help me....

So,

Since the last time I posted I've been to my first museum here.  The Pitti Palace.  Its a Renaissance Palace from way back in the day.  The Medici family bought it and lived there for some time, decorating the inside of it with marvelous frescos and art.  They later sold it to another family and it continued to be the home of royalty in Italy until Italy became united.  Then it belonged to the state and was open to the public as an art gallery.  From the outside it doesn't look like much, but thats one of the pleasures of being rich.  On the inside its a whole other story.  Beautiful gardens that stretch farther than the eye can see, beautiful fountains, and a rich interior with fabric walls, high ceilings, and amazing art.  The place is simply jammed full of art.  Its very overwhelming b/c your mind just can't make since of all of it.  Its one of those museums where you appreciate the beauty of it, but its going to take many trips back to appreciate all the artworks.  So, nevertheless, I will be returning there.  It still has an old Roman bathroom in the palace, which they have open so you can see.  Thats real cool.  A beautiful bathroom.  I want one.  lol.  But I plan to take Keith, when he comes, to the gardens for a picnic.  The look gorgeous from what I could tell and I only got a small view of them from the upstairs window.  Just beautiful.  (And yes, my camera will accompany me when I return.)

Speaking of pictures, I took some of that wonderful little market that I fell in love with.  Everything is so fresh and healthy.  We don't do things like this back in the states, everything has to be FDA approved.  I wish I could take my mom to the market.  She would love it!  I was telling her about it on the phone but I really wanted to just make her come over here so I could take her to see the real thing.  So fresh. I also bought about 400 kg of dried fruit that day - and ate almost the entire bag of it too b/c its such a healthy tasty snack!

On Valentines Day, I was really homesick.  I hate Valentines Day too.  But I just wanted to be with Keith.  So, Saturday was a not so good day.  Now that its Sunday, I'm ok.  The weather was really nice today.  Sunny, high 40's.  Me and Caitlin walked around the city today.  Then later we went to the supermarket and bought food and stuff - then  made dinner at home.  It was italian sausage with pasta and tomatoes, and wine of course.  It was pretty damn good if I do say so myself, especially since we weren't 100% sure how to cook the sausage.  We boiled in water and then put it in the oven until it was "golden".  It was good.  

Me and a friend of mine thats in my painting and marble class are in the process of planning a trip to Paris.  We both want to spend (pretty much) all of our time in the Louvre and her friends/and my friends don't want to do that.  So we said we'd go together.  So hopefully this week we'll have a plan for that trip.  I'm very excited about it.  Nicole is a cool kid.  I'm glad I've met her on this journey so far.

I'm trying to think of things to update you on.  I'm addicted to Nutella by the way.  Its a hazelnut chocolate spread that you can eat on bread, or crackers or anything really.  Its amazing.  Megan bought a huge jar of it and I've been eating on it like crazy, so I got more of it today.

OH! I remember something funny.  On Thursday night Caitlin and I went out to a bar with Nicole and her Florentine boyfriend Leo.  The bar was real cool, low key with really good (and cheap) drinks.  They also played good music.  But Leo thinks my accent is so funny.  He started to intimate it.  Let me tell you, its hilarious hearing an Italian say "ya'll" and "reckon".  I about peed in my pants it was so funny.  And Leo took us to the secret bakery.  Its rumored (and I assume its true) that they are a couple bakeries that bake all the bread that the panini shops and restaurants use here in Florence.  And the "secret bakeries" are only open on certain nights between the hours of 12-3:00 am.  They speak no English but you can get a chocolate croissant for only one euro -- and they are delicious!  Its a little hole in the way place that doesn't look like anything from the outside, except the smell....the smell is the tell tell sign that you are getting close.  I felt so cool getting my chocolate croissant from the secret bakery.  

Anyways, thats all I have to update you on right now.  This blog entry is so unorganized that its killing me.  I almost can't stand to re-read through it.  Thats what I get for waiting longer between posts.  Anyways the next post is going to be straight up pictures.  A reward for reading through all this.  lol.  

Peggs.

Ha! Freshness....

Well today, I found the fresh food market and fell in love.  Its amazing.  No wonder everything tastes so delicious and fresh here - b/c it is!  Meats, cheeses, olive oils, fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, everything you could want.  And I keep wondering where all the groceries at the 'supermarkets' were.  Duh! Everyone goes to the market.  And now I will too.  I bought a HUGE bag of dried bananas, strawberries, and kiwis today....and ate the entire bag!  But it was good though.

I also did laundry today, which was horribly bittersweet.  I've been "recycling" my clothes, wearing them in different ways to put off washing them for a while.  But I had to today, I was running out of clean socks.  It was really expensive.  3.50 euro a load to wash (and I had two loads to do) then 3.5o euro to dry.  So total 10 euros to wash and dry all my clothes.  Not cool.  So, I think next time I might go to the less fancy laundry mat to do my washing, its a little cheaper (and less attractive looking) there.  But hey I'm a college kid, even in this country you've gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Anyways, I'm tired and want to go to bed.  I just wanted to post about my new found love for the food market.  :)  Its so cool.  I'm going to go shoot there very soon and post pics.  Until then...

Peggs.

Its a go, a VanGogh....

Lets see, what to update you on.  Ok, lets start with painting class.  Can I just tell exactly how different Marsha is from Boris?!  Total 180.  She knows Slash from Guns 'n Roses.  She encourages me to experiment with the paint, to feel out the different ways in which it moves, loves the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has taught at LdM for 16 years, and before that she worked as an art therapist to autistic children here in Florence, however, shes originally from California.  She is intense. Oils are her passion.  She believes that you just have to live life and not worry about precautions.  "I was your age in the 70's.  In the 70's you did whatever you wanted. So I laid on the ground and looked up at the Sistine Chapel.  I still do whatever I want."  Shes goofy.  She wears ATLEAST two sets of glasses around her neck. Her critiquing style is GREAT, constructive criticism at its best and always to point out at least one positive about everyones work.  Very low-key but serious all at the same time.

Needles to say, she is AMAZING and I love having her as my painting professor.  I'm going to learn great things from her.  

We are currently working on 3 acrylic studies on paper from still lives of our choosing.  Then one combination oil painting that is due at midterm, however, we have to finish them outside of class (aka homework).  And this coming Monday we'll be working with nudes (in oils) again and continuing to until midterm.  I'm very excited b/c I know I'll never get this opportunity at GC.

Italian is going well.  The homework is easier than I thought it would be.  I have my first quiz next Thursday (not this thursday).  Although my teacher doesn't speak very good english she is a very good actress.  

Today, I had marble carving again.  And the rock isn't speaking to me.  Jena (the teacher) says its just marble when there isn't any inspiration coming from it.  Heck its not even marble to me, its a rock right now.  So, I'm sketching, trying to get it to talk to me.  

Tomorrow I have World of Museums and we are going to our first museum!  I'm sooo ready for it too.  I feel like a slacker art-kid b/c I haven't been to one yet.  I'm waiting until this weekend.  I will for sure then.  Megan is going on a trip this weekend to the French Rivera.  I decided against going b/c its too soon for me.  I might travel a little later in the semester.  So this weekend its going to be museums and working on painting homework.

Oh and the italian oranges here at to die for!  They are soo good.  My friends that are in Valencia say Valencia oranges are great.  I want to try both to compare and contrast.  I know though that the Italian ones are so much better than what we get back home.  Yum...  

Yesterday one of my roommates, Caitlin fixed us dinner.  Truffle cheese pasta...it was very good, different but good.  Its a thicker pasta with light truffle evoo, and shredded truffle cheese on top. And tonight Megan fixed dinner, a capriese salad.  All it is, is a fresh tomato slice with a chuck of mozzarella cheese on top, salt, dark truffle evoo, and balsamic vinegar.  Dee-lish and simple.   I have no idea where I'm going to get these ingredients once I'm back home but I'll find them somewhere.  So, tomorrow night is my night.  Guess what I'm fixing?  Yup either a burger or a grilled cheese sandwich...b/c I want something semi-familiar.  :)

Speaking of which, I received WONDERFUL news last night...Keith is coming to visit during spring break, for-sure for-sure!  I am sooo excited!  I can not wait to see him, show him around the city, watch his face when he eats this delicious food, and take him to get gelato.  Its going to be the best spring break EVER...and only 37 days away.  :)

I had my first real bout of homesickness this past weekend.  Sunday.  I kept myself busy and it eventually went away.  But it was rough while it was there.  I'm ok now.  It just comes in small waves (sometimes big ones) every now and then.  I'm good though.  Its normal to feel that way sometimes.

Well I need to take a shower and hop into bed.  I've been staying up way too late, like 2:30ish.  So tonight I'm going to get in bed before 1:30, hopefully 12.  

I'm still having trouble uploading pictures.  So if you've managed to stay with me this long (I know I write a lot) without pictures you must truly love me.  Thanks.  I'll have to go to the school library where I'll get a better connection to upload pics.  Until then....

Peggs.

"I'm American too...I'm from Uruguay..."

Alloro (well...)....

Since the last time I've posted I had Jewelry Making class.  We started making a simple ring.  Its very interesting to learn how to do.  I got to use the torch.  Yeah :).  It was fun.  I have a male teacher for that class.  Apparently the ratio of women to men in this city is close to 5 to 1.  And not many guys are studying abroad here.  My largest class is my Museum class with 21 people, all girls!  Its just different.  I like the different kinds of people here though.  Back home (especially at GC) its all the same: mostly white, middle to upper class people.  Here you've got everybody.  Whites, blacks, Asians, Koreans, Italians (of course), homeless, rich, poor, middle class, snotty, humble, pink hair, mohawks, trendy clothes...just everyone seems to be represented here.  And you don't smile or look at people as you walk down the streets here.  Heck, I'm used to smiling to everyone back home.  Here thats a no no.  My roommates are a little more used to that then me b/c they are used to visiting NYC.  Its still an adjustment for me.  

The streets are tiny here, which is why they drive such small cars here.  The streets were made for horses not SUVs.  And the way they drive...oh my.  Crazy, fast, and experienced.  When crossing the streets here its required by law that the cars (and mopeds) stop for people, unless there is a crosswalk but thats only at two lane roads.  So you just walk out in the street and the cars are supposed to stop.  Ha ha...I still look both ways.

No classes on Fridays are working out for me.  I went to the painting studio to work for a while today.  Didn't get a lot done unfortunately.  I still have a lot of homework to do for that class.  I'll probably try to knock some of it out of the way tonight.  

Time is weird.  I feel like I've been here for a really long time already but the days are flying by.  Its so strange.  We only have 13 weeks left and we know this b/c most of our classes only meet once a week and we counted how many classes of each we have left...13.  I've already been here for a week.  I really enjoy it.  Every time mom or dad call they ask me if I like it and want to stay...as if I'm going to come home early.  lol.  Some times I can't believe I'm really here and doing it.  I worried so much before I left that I wouldn't be able to adjust.  But I'm doing fine really.  It just surprised me how well I've adjusted.  Don't get me wrong some things are really strange to me but I just like to think of it as different.

Thursday night the roomies and I went out for the first time.  We went to a little bar called JJ's Cathedral, which was right next door to the Duomo.  We each drank a "Snakebite" (a pint for 5 euros) which consists of Fosters beer, cider, and some fruity stuff.  It was dee-lish!  I'm slurped it down and later felt some slight side affects of doing so.

The three of us.

Megan sporting her "Snakebite".

And later Timmy joined us and showed us around more of Florence.

He's been here for about a month.  So he was a little more familiar with some parts of Florence.  And Saturday night, Timmy had us over at his apartment (which is on the other side of the Arno) and fixed us dinner.  Sausage and pasta.  We brought the wine.  It was fun hanging out.  Makes me wish my BF was here, fingers are still crossed for Spring Break.  

Today, I worked on some homework, spent about an hour updating my iCalendar, and then went out and took some pictures.  It gets dark here around 6:00.  So mostly, I just walked around and enjoyed the scenery.

Well I've been trying to upload more photos on here for the past 24 hours and its not working...therefore I give up!  Maybe later in the week you'll get more photos.  Until then....

Peggs

Just step between the rain drops...

Yup, its still raining here in Florence.  But I have an umbrella and rain boots now!  10 euros at the street market.  Well, I've had more classes since the last time I posted.  On Tuesday I had Marble carving and Italian Language.  Let me tell you, marble carving is a work out.  We started that day too.  Picked out a piece of marble to practice on and practiced for 2.5 hours. Dang, its hard work too.  My arm was sore the next day.  And the funny thing is that my professor for that class is shorter and thinner than me and packs a powerful hammer swing.  She's  really small and very impressive.  At first I couldn't picture myself doing well in that class.  However, she showed us examples of past student's work (including Mary Carlton's piece - I recognized it!) and insisted that everyone of those students were beginners as well.  So, that made me feel a little better.  I'm still not sure that I'm going to be successful with marble carving but...I'm going to stick with it and be proud of whatever my outcome is.  

Italian language is going to be hard for me.  My teacher is very young and doesn't speak good english.  But every language class is a challenge for me.  So I've already done my Italian homework in hopes that I'll be better prepared for class tomorrow.  

Today I only had one class, The World of Museums.  I couldn't decided if this class was going to be a favorite of mine or not until I went to it.  Its going to be awesome.  For one thing, I feel like I'm ahead of everyone b/c of how well I was prepared by all of Dr. D's classes. Secondly, we are going to a museum during class every other meeting time.  :)  Which I'm pumped about.  The textbook for the class is easy reading too.  Overall, I think this class may be one of my favorites.

Tomorrow I have Jewelry Making and language (again).  I'm excited about jewelry making, I hope I take a lot from that class.

I made myself spaghetti for dinner tonight at the apartment (- the hamburger meat).  It was good.  Although, I have been eating the Italian equivalent of Ramen Noodles a lot for snacks and lunches b/c its cheap, quick, and easy.  And its good too.

One more day of classes and then its the weekend.  In case I forget to mention it before, studio classes here are 5.5 hours long, counting a 30 min lunch break.  That is taking some adjustment to (esp. in marble carving -- its hard to keep going).  But give it another week and I'll be used to it. 

I also bought some post cards today.  Next on my list is to find a tobacco store that sells stamps.  Maybe I'll send one to you.  Until then...

Peggs.  

"Are they in the right place, Ms. Coots?"

So, today is Monday, Feb 2.  Groundhog day back home, nothing special here except for the fact that classes started today!  I was soo nervous.  What if classes are more advanced here and I can't make the par? or What if my teacher doesn't speak good english? or What if I can't find the building my class is in?  Lol.  I had so many "what if's" running through my head this morning while I was getting ready.  And yes, I did get lost on my way to class, of course.  I passed the building 3 times before I realized it was right in right of me.  I was 10 minutes late, and you know how I am about being late.  My hands were shaking like I was an addict or something.  But I calmed myself down and found the right building, and classroom (and I wasn't the last one in either).  My first (and only class) for Mondays is...Intermediate Painting with Marsha Steinberg.  Painting!  What if I'm not advanced enough for 'intermediate'?!  This was my main concern.  However, first thing off we had an entrance exam.  Which usually would've made me crazy with worry, however, was a very calming idea b/c I knew that if I didn't need to be in that class then the teacher would be able to tell from my test.  It was a reassuring thought. And....I passed! But listen to what the exam was...a nude painting: on paper with black and white oil paint only.  There were two nude models, a male and a female; and we were to focus on one only.  The test lasted about 1.5 hours.  I was really pleased with my work too considering it was my first nude painting with oils.  My entire class passed, all 8 of us.  Afterwards, we gessoed some paper and headed to the art supply store where I spent 196 euros for that one class.  Crazy huh?  Not much I can do, I needed the supplies. Then we had a lunch break.  I ate at a wonderful little sandwich shop that gives a student discount.  Then it was back to class where we looked over the syllabus, claimed our lockers and cubby holes, and put the room back in order.  Marsha (my teacher) is very nice and she loves my last name (haha).  She seems patient enough but I feel like shes going to like challenging us, which is a great thing.  The class is going to be a heavy load.  A painting every week just about. Finally I'm on a regular painting schedule!  And homework! I already have a lot of homework for this class.  Before next Monday I have to: paint a color chart in my sketchbook, do six mini paintings using primary colors and their complements, gesso some more paper, and bring in some FOUND OBJECTS for our next project.  So, I'll be spending some time in open studio.  But I'm excited about this class.  And I'm making friends already.  Some of them have noticed my southern "twang" and thinks its cute.  Many of the students I've meet so far are from the north eastern part of the US or from England.

Well, thats all for today.  Oh and it rained again today.  Straightened my hair for nothing.  Supposed to rain all week too.  Oh well.  I like the rain.

Until later...

Peggs

Un piovoso domenica pomeriggio…

Or in other words: a rainy Sunday afternoon.  After I woke up I really didn't do much, and it started getting to me, so I went for a walk (with my camera along with me).  In my opinion it was the best kind of rain.  Not too hard but not too misty either = use your jacket hood and not the umbrella.  I started off by heading towards the Arno River.  I took some pictures there.

Then, I circled up to the Duomo; which is my permanent landmark.  If I can make it to the Dumomo, I can make it home.  And you can see if from just about anywhere in Florence.  This one of the doors ( I don't know which one -- its either the south or north door).  Its pretty amazing to see something in real life that I've only seen in Dr. Decker's class.