I currently have the worst cold I've ever had in my life. Ack! I've mostly been trying to drink a lot of water and make sure I have kleenex in my pocket and try my best to ignore it. It's hard though; I'm kind of sick of being a dripping ball of moucus that is rapidly coughing up it's own lungs.
On a more positive note, We went to the Gori collection this week. The Gori collection is this beautiful villa property up in the hills near Pistoia that has become the site of these amazing site-specific scultptural works. We had a wonderful guide to show us around on our four hour hike around the grounds. If you'de like to read about it, here's there site: http://www.sculpture.org/documents/parksdir/p&g/gori/gori.shtml . The collection is viewed by appointment only and there's a limit to how many appointments they book so it was really cool to be able to see it. I could talk about the work, but instead I'm going to tell you two embarassing things because they'll be more amusing:
1. it made me feel like a hobbit. It was all woods and fields and some sculptures, like these giant figures in rock which looked like Bilbo's trolls in the Hobbit, just made me feel like I was a Took (or at the very least a Brandybuck)! Yeah, I'm in Italy looking at world famous art collections and I'm excited because I can hum the lord of the rings theme song as I bound through the woods and actually feel legit. I'm the coolest person I know.
2. At the end of our long hike, we got to sit for awhile and eat or whatever. So we found this praying mantis hanging out inside this giant metal geometric sculpture. So I think it's a good idea to take a closer look and I start following it on all fours. Until it starts flying at me, I freak out, flail, fall backwards and-in front of everyone- smack my head against a metal beam behind me. You could have heard the ping of my skull against that thing a mile away. No permenant damage done besides a little bump though. Well, and the loss of dignity. But, it seems like that's not particularly one of my vital organs.
Well, embarassing stories aside, I don't have much other news. We went to some chapels. We saw some paintings. They were a lot cooler than I make it seem but I just don't feel like regurgitating all the awesome things Peter Porcal said.
I had my first critique and it went well.
That is all.

bella, bella

I haven't posted in awhile; since school started I've been a bit busy. So what have I been up to? Let's see...
The prize for the most beautiful place I've been to has to go to the piazzale Michelangelo. It's across the Arno river from us, in the oltrarno district. There's a lot of climbing to get to top. I remember huffing and puffing and sweating like mad on all the stairs and steep roads but then we broke through the barrier of trees, and this magnificent panoramic view of the city beneith us came suddenly into view. It was just staggering how beautiful it was. Seeing the cluster of the historical city center, the bridges over the Arno, the roof tops getting sparcer as the city thins near thye edges, the patches of fields, groves and yards quilting the hilsides that surround the city and the beautiful punctuation that cyprus trees give, dotting the landscape like exclimation marks. I felt for awhile before that day, that I was sort of missing something. Everything I was seeing was so beautiful but I didn't know how to look at it. On top of the piazzale, seeing Florence from above and the masive hills, gray layers as far as the eye could see, I felt like I finally got it, I finally understood her shape and her voice.
In less poetic but almost as exciting news, we were finally assigned our studio spaces for the year. I got the room I wanted most so I am very happy. The cuboard with the sewing supplies and encaustic supplies is in my room as well as doors opening onto the balcony and a great location: right across from the kitchen.
Most of our "library" is in the kitchen, two tall book shelves. And guess who the new librarian is? me. I'm currently cataloguing all the books, sorting them into sections, reorganizing the shelves. It's taking a bit of time and circumstances keep getting in the way. Yesterday I was really sick, I almost fainted in a chapel we went to see during art history class. I felt better at night time and this morning I seem to be fine except my tyrant of a cold doesn't seem to want to leave my body. I have to carry hundreds of kleenex everywhere I go and I keep sneezing on people.
Well, I have to go to class quite soon, so that's all I'm writing.
ciao!

Sunny Sunday

Today was much nicer temperature wise than the other days because it was very breezy. We leave all the windows and doors to the balconies open so when it gets breezy like that it is very cool all over the house. I sat out on the kitchen balcony with a bowl of grapes after breakfast and it was just perfect.
found out that EVERYTHING is closed on Sunday so you'd better have bought enough groceries beforehand. We were all taking it a bit easy because we went out dancing last night for Erin's birthday and man did we dance.
funny little anecdote: Sometimes when I try to speak Italian I end up saying it in French. Last night I tried to pretend I was french just for fun. I discovered I know so much more french than I thought I did.
In the afternoon we watched a bit of the ol' Doctor Who (I've already begun converting them. muahahaha!) then we went for a nice long walk. There was finally one little place open on the highway and they sold these delicious little deserts! When we got back I had a bit of a nap, then we had supper and then I did the dishes and made myself a cappuccino and did a load of laundry. Yes, you heard me right folks, I did a load of laundry. And I haven't even run out of clothes yet. I think this place is good for me.
I promise I'll get photos soon and do something exciting.
ciao for now.

As my third day draws to a close

It's my third day here. The past two days I've spent aquainting myself with the city, mainly to prevent myself from ending up hopelessly lost when I try to get somewhere. I'm so proud of how organized I've been! I bought a map and spent a good few hours yesterday making a list of important addresses (the studio, grocery store, atm machines, banks, the market, etc.) and looking them up on google maps. I even wrote out the most important directions.
I was in a bit of a panic for awhile because I couldn't find any stores or banks that would cash travelers checks or an ATM machine that would take my visa card and debit. Finally after a bit of research I found a good bank that will cash my travelers checks and with a plus machine outside that takes both my cards. unfortunately, to withdraw larger amounts than my daily limit from my debit, I have to find an american bank, which I've had no luck with yet. But, at least I'm not panicking because I only have three euros in my pocket anymore!
We've been having communal dinners at night with our friends across the street and tonight was our turn. Julia and I made some pasta with a wicked tasting sauce. Fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, onions, etc.
There's a little wine store a couple of blocks away that the other guys found. we went there today to get a little bottle of white table wine to go with our meal and the owner is very nice. he speaks pretty good english and he gave us lots of good tips about Florence and how to avoid the tourist treatment and find the real florence life (and prices).
Clothing in this area is very cool but a little pricey, even if it's on sale. I had to buy a little dress because I was sooo hot! I didn't bring cool enough clothes because I didn't expect it to be quite this humid and hot. I'm hoping to find the thrift stores tomorrow.
Guess what I also bought for one euro? a batman comic in italian! so awesome! There's this stand that sells all these old comics in italian and there were so many cool ones. what a great way to help me learn italian. I am actually getting better at it though. I've got a lot of the basic phrases down now. I can say I'm sorry, excuse me, hello, good morning, good night, thank you, your welcome, how much does this cost, where is..., and a couple other things. I know some words too, like plate, knife, fork, tomato, etc. And it's only my third day. pretty snazzy.
On Sunday we are planning on taking a trip to the beach in Piza. Tomorrow is Erin's birthday so hopefully we'll go out for dinner or something. We've decided to surprise her with flowers and breakfast when she wakes up.
I think that's about it. So far I'm just getting myself oriented and familiar with the neighborhood before I really start doing any site seeing, just so I feel comfortable for when school starts. Which is Tuesday! I'm pretty excided because I want to get back to work and I have so many ideas already.
ta ta.

I've Arrived!

I'm just about to head to bed, but first I will relate the events of my arrival.
September 1st:
We went to the airport a good few hours before my flight just to be safe. The boarding went just fine and Grampa stayed with me until just before I had to get to my gate around 3:30. I admit I cried a little bit. Getting on the plane was exciting and a little nerve wracking, especially when we took off and I could see Toronto quickly disappear, getting tinnier and tinnier.
The first flight to Paris went by rather uneventfully. The food was surprisingly good. I had a bit of trouble falling asleep and the descent really hurt my ears even though I chewed gum, but those were my only complaints. I had a window seat and seeing the stars was incredible.
At some point during this flight, it officially became September 2nd:
The airport we landed in at Paris, (Charles de Gaulle? I can't remember how to spell it) was a lot more exciting than pearson but a great deal more confusing. It took me awhile to find gate 2G (I had to take a shuttle bus) but eventually I got there in lots enough time to catch my next flight.
By the way, why are the security bag checkers at airports always such jerks? All the other airport staff is so nice but both airports the security check people were very rude.
The flight from Paris to Florence was only two hours compared to eight. I had been largely unimpressed with the general lack of intrigue or romanticism at either of the airports despite their grand statures, but leaving the check point at the gate, walking a shorts ways down the air field and seeing the much smaller AVRO RJ-85 sitting there with the roll-up steps just like in the movies, I suddenly felt as if for the first time I had found this elusive cheesy airport film noir essence that I had been hoping for. Unfortunately I was so tired by this point I slept through most of the two hours, waking up just long enough to see a long stretch of mountains beneath us. It occurred to me that I've never seen mountains before. I'd always assumed I'd see the rockies before any other mountains but now I was seeing these. They were beautiful. I could see villages and cities nestled sporadically amongst them and pockets of cotton candy clouds pooling between peaks. Then I fell asleep again.
When we landed it, there was zero hassle. I found my baggage easily, they glanced at my passport and waved me through and I promptly found a taxi. Luckily he could speak a little English. It cost me almost 25 euros to get to the apartment.
This was were I had difficulty- no one was home! I hadn't got my key yet and my room mate was supposed to me there to meet me and let me in. I had too much luggage to carry and it was so bloody hot! I wandered around searching for a pay phone but everyone told me there were none. I went to the grocery store near by and bought some water and waited outside the apartment. I was very afraid they had gone out sight seeing and I would be stuck here all day in the sun with no idea where to go. Luckily I got in after an hour, hour and a half or so. That was a relief. Apparently see thought I had said I was coming on the 3rd.
Soon we went out to meet up with Sylvia our coordinator/professor and she showed us a few places and gave us some tips. It was really hot though and I hadn't eaten or slept in a really long time so Julia (one of my roommates) and I decided to walk home ahead of the others. Of course, we ended up getting lost. By the time we found our way home I was so exhausted I collapsed and slept for four or five hours. My first siesta. A very long siesta.
I was woken up when our landlord arrived to go over our contract, give me my set of keys and talk to us a bit. He was just leaving by the time I got dressed but he was very nice and hurrah! I now have keys.
As the afternoon began to fade to evening I found I had the apartment to my self for a couple hours since everyone was out. I bought some pasta and chicken from a place down the road and ate it on the balcony where I could watch the sun set. It was finally beginning to cool off to that wonderful pleasantly warm evening temperature. The food was wonderful and looking out over the earthy red and brown roof tops to mountains far in the distance was just amazing: it was the first time I had time to just soak it all in and realize where I was.
Turns out Erin, Allie, and Shane, (some other students) have their appartment right across the street from us so later they came over and we hung out a bit; talked about our plans for the next few days and how excited we were for the eight months ahead. We walked to the park, ate some pizza and then decided we'd all meet up in the morning. And now we're all caught up!
CIAO!
PS: the apartment is amazing, my room is beautiful!! I can't wait to get a camera so I can take pictures!