La Dolce Vita

Second week is done. Things are continually getting better here in Perugia. I am learning more and more in class, and understanding more and more but still need to do more work outside of class to ‘catch’ up to my other classmates. We finally were told what book we needed to buy, and everyone was complaining how much it cost (20 euro) and I was happy how much it costs, my books at UNI cost 5 times that much for one book. But, now that I have my book I can do more and more exercises at home when I am bored and have nothing to do. Class is going really well and I am still very thankful to everyone that helps me out in class, including my professor. I knew my smiles would pay off!

Now that the first week and things are over with and I am settled in, I have been thinking about the rest of my time here in Perugia. And I realized, I have no idea what I am doing for school after March. My class now goes until March, but I was never told what I do after that. And Study Abroad at UNI has been no help. I don’t know if I will be continuing studying Italian at my university now or if I am moving to the other university in Perugia, which is called Umbria. At Umbria I would be able to study subjects more directed towards my major and potentially would be able to transfer credits back to UNI. That is not totally confirmed. But, if I stay at my university now, Stranieri (foreigner), I would study Italian the entire time I am here in Italy. If I chose to do that, I would most likely come back to UNI with no transferable credits from Stranieri. But, I could if I wanted, transfer to the University of Iowa next fall and double major in Italian and Sociology. (I have already looked into it mom and dad, and the costs are fairly similar than UNI), but the only bad thing would be I would have to move out of my parents basement! Hahaha. Just kidding, that was only a temporary thing. SO, I have options. But need to figure out my plans as soon as possible. I enjoy learning Italian, but looking towards my future, I don’t know how Italian would help me in the United States, besides jumping out on paper in an interview. Then again, who says I will live in the United States my whole life. .. this next week or two I have some big decisions to make I think. We will see! I have to ask some questions at Stranieri as well as find Umbria University and speak with them. Which will probably lead to nowhere at first but will give me something to start with.

I started cooking this week too. It’s been great. I first made some pesto penne, but I made the mistake of cooking to much pasta so wasted quite a bit because I hadn’t bought anything to put my leftovers in yet. So I ate as much as I could. I will admit, it wasn’t the best pasta I have ever had, but I have potential I think. How hard is pasta to mess up anyways, right? But, it still tasted good, I don’t know if it tasted good because it was actually good or because I was proud of myself and convinced myself it tasted good. Regardless, I like cooking now. I made pasta last night as well, and again cooked to much noodles. So, it is a learning process I think. The one thing that is hard for me to get used to is there is no microwaves! Anywhere! I don’t think they exist in Italy. And I don’t have an oven. Just two burners that are more like hot plates but it takes too long, so I just eat my leftovers cold.

I am a juggler now as well, my new hobby. My friend Ozan who I believe I have talked about before showed me how to juggle and I picked it up very quickly and am convinced everyone can learn quickly. Alls you need is good hand eye coordination and your set. Ozan and I are even going to make me my own juggling balls with balloons and rice. I can’t wait! Right now I practice with oranges in my room when I have nothing to do. I love juggling.

Life is good, I am in Italy and I feel it would be a sin to complain about live because I am living in Italy right now. A place I have always dreamed of visiting, and now, I am living here. Crazy. I am very blessed with everything I have and very thankful. Undoubtedly, one of the best experiences of my life so far. And am very excited for what is to come, but still am taking things slow and enjoying the moment of the now, I think its important to not only look forward to what is to come in life but to remember how good life is in the now, we are all very lucky to be here, to be where we are. Stop and smell the roses sometimes.. If there is one thing I have learned here in Italian so far, is they always stop and smell the roses. There is no urgency, whatever needs to get done will get done in time, is the mindset. Enjoy the moment, and it doesn’t hurt to live in Italy, because every moment is a great one. I think in the states we are so consumed with deadlines, agendas, and countless commitments; that we forget who we are and what is most important, we forget what life is all about. And even though Italy has horrible heating systems, no microwaves, and no mustard; they know how to live life in the moment. They know how to stop and smell the roses. La Dolce Vita. And if there is one thing I hope to take back to America is that. The sweet life.