Sometime in June...

So, there seems to be some confusion as to when I am supposed to be blogging. Sorry for the chaos! It could be due in-part to the internet at the school being the LEAST dependable thing on the planet or my laptop deciding to finally quit on me... RIP MAC-y macbook. :'(

Since I have no idea what day I am supposed to be writing about, I will just go over my highlights since the last time my apartment blogged.

Did I mention in my last blog that Ive been shopping?! Yeah. Everyday. Shop shop shop. I thought I had a shopping problem in the U.S but I am literally like a kid in a candy store on the streets of Florence.

I have become really close with Carmen, Kathryn, Leanne, Alizsha and Payton. I spend most of my days with them and they are awesome. I cant wait to get back to Denton and hangout with my new friends :)

But back to Florence...

Until June 7th, I was pretty sure I had about as much interest in perspective drawing as I do the anatomy of an armadillo. As luck may have it(!!), my professors are actually pretty awesome at it. Bruce gave me a private lesson at the Piazza della Signoria where we were surrounded by sculptures Ive learned about in Art History and Art Appreciation...pretty cool. I sat on the ledge of the "stage"-like area looking out over the piazza and went to work in my sketchbook like Da Vinci...or maybe just with similar enthusiasm. Thanks Bruce! Im pretty proud of the progress I made!! June 7th-9th I spent with Carmen and Kathryn...shopping. Shocking right? Maybe not so shocking if you are on this trip with us. I found these really awesome leggings that are printed to look like destroyed jeans!! So I bought a pair for myself and my bff Rachel for her birthday :) On this particular day, I also discovered the awesomeness that is H&M. I have since been back to this store on at least 3 separate occassions and found really cool 80's inspired, baggy white, graphic printed, t's and tanks that hang off the shoulder. Not to mention the 4 pairs of bright coloured and printed sunglasses I purchased!

Leanne snapped this great picture of me incredibly excited to embark on our journey into the Bobli Gardens at Pitti Palace. Note my new outfit. Bet you thought those were real jeans.

Enough about my great new wardrobe.

On June 10th, we had a nice relaxing day that ended in Leanne, Alizsha, Payton and I cooking dinner together. We warmed up our bellies with a little Pecorino Morbido cheese with crackers and bacardi and cokes. We then made Pesto pasta with mushrooms and onions and baked breaded chicken. It was sooooo delicious.

My favorite day of all on this trip was June 11th. We met at the school WAY too early. I however, grabbed a redbull or two and was very excited about life. Once we got on the bus to go to San Gimignano, everyone in our group slipped into a deep deep sleep. Leanne and I however, were WIDE awake and decided to listen and sing along to Brooks & Dunn. Youre welcome sleepyheads :) Upon our arrival in San Gimignano at approximately 11am, the four best friends that anyone could have (myself, alizsha, leanne and payton) embarked on QUITE a whirlwind of an adventure. Our first stop was to fuel up. We ate lunch at 11am at this little cafe. Then, we found ourselves in a miscellaneous store where Leanne purchased a garden gnome, payton landed on brass knuckles, alizsha got mini knives and I made my most exciting purchase yet, a slingshot, complete with wrist-strap for enhanced launching capabilities.

WARRIORS.

Suited up and ready for battle, the four of us roamed the city until we found a nice shady spot to stop at sketch. It was at this location that my battle skills were put to the test. With Payton as my first victim, I was given the thumbs up and loaded my slingshot with a smartie (British version of M&M but BETTER) and let it rain on him. The mark it left on his back can only be described as hilarious. It was something like you would expect from a paintball fired at 60mph. I think I have found my calling. Thanks Payt! After we recovered from rolling on the floor laughing, we continued on our expedition.

Alizsha, Me and Leanne.

This was the beginning of the trail we stumbled upon that led us to one of the most amazing views I have ever seen.

Alizsha and Payton off on a wild adventure into the wilderness of San Gimignano.

Vineyards and orchards for miles. Tell me thats not one of the prettiest sights youve ever seen...

Well, after wrapping up our nature hike, we met up with the rest of the crew and got back on the bus to go to Sienna.

In Sienna, we took a long tour where we went into incredible churches, and experienced a little bit of life outside the bigger Italian cities. My only complaint would be the fact that walking around this city was much like going to the gym and warming up on the treadmill at the steepest incline possible...maybe even worse. I thought I was going to die. Must start working out more when I get home.

A re-occuring trend I have become quite fond of in this great land is how in love everyone seems to be. Everywhere I go, I see the cutest displays of affection between couples of all ages. Its not like in the U.S when you go to the mall on friday nights at see 8th graders making out at the mall. No, no. Its literally like love is in the air, everywhere you go.

I captured this Kodak moment somewhere in Sienna. How cute are they?!

Ahhhh...makes me want to go home and fall in love :)

I have so much more I could write about but considering the great detail I went into on these particular days, the average person's attention span and the high-note I just ended on, I think I will wrap things up here.

Hope I hit a soft spot somewhere for everyone out there reading this.

Ciao!!

Keara