seatown

I know that everyone has been getting impatient, waiting for me to update my blog (Ashley), so I figured that I may as well, since I have access to a computer.

Yes, I did pay 150 euro for oversized baggage on my flight from Florence to Paris. Apparently, only International flights allow you to carry a semester's worth of stuff home... So, I was only allowed 20 kg of luggage... TOTAL. I had 45. Great. Oh well. I finally got into Le Mesnil Amelot after my taxi experience (I hate my taxi driver, whoever he was... He drove me in the completely opposite direction, and took a million hours when my hotel was 5 minutes from the airport). Hung out, walked around the town and watched tv in French, and ate some good French food from the local boulangerie.

On Saturday, I FINALLY made it homeee! Mom, Dad, Claire, Alissa, and Lauren were waiting for me at the airport.. It was amazing. It's good to be home, back in the states, back in Seattle, although I do miss everyone from Florence. It's raining (of course), and grey, but I love it.

Yesterday, I went into the Asthma and Allergy specialist and got all tested. I had 24 pinpricks on my two lower arms, and then ten on my left upper arm. I had markings and numbers all over me; I looked like I was scheduled for plastic surgery or something... You know how I hate my forearm-fat. So... I am allergic to:

1. Dust mites
2. Cats
3. Dogs
4. Molds
5. Alders
6. Maples
7. Lambs quart. (a weed? Not really sure what that is)

Soo... yeah, that kind of sucks, and I've been having terrible reactions since I've been home. Oh well, I'll live for another few days.

Mostly, I've been sick (from lack of sleep? Not really sure) and allergic, so haven't really felt up to much, but went to Cait's, and it was great seeing everyone, and Brynn's bridal shower was tonight, which was really fun. I can't believe she's getting married... Wow... Scary.. :) Ha ha don't worry dad (or Jeff).

Okay, I'm out. Sorry this post is boring. Just thought I'd get some stuff out there...

Ciao!

finito!

I am now officially DONE with finals! Woooooohooo!!

Now, I just have to go pack, and then tomorrow I am off to Paris. Sweet. And then I'm home! I have been gone for too long. Seattle must miss me.

Ciao, Italia!

napoleon

Well, today I am exiled from the house. Yesterday, Marzia kept asking Orsejda and I, "So you're going to be at school all day tomorrow, right? Because Antonio is coming and I haven't seen him for a month!" We got the hint. She was bustling around the house this morning, getting the bed all made up nicely. And I guess she was talking to Orsejda yesterday, and Orsejda was like, oh, I'm kind of sore from doing exercises today. And Marzia was like, oh, that's how I get after Antonio leaves!!! AHHH!! Too much information, Marzia! Somewhat disturbing, because she is 47 and my hostmom. But whatever, you go get 'im, Marzia.

Last night, I pulled out half my eyebrows in my attempt to study for my 20th Century Europe final. It's okay, though, because I guarantee that I'll pull the other half out today when I'm taking the test. At least I'll be symmetrical then.

Only two more days in Firenze.... Sad times...

And Jeff... no more arguing... Muah

Ciao

advent

I had pretty much completely forgotten that it was advent. Wow. I feel so out of the loop here, it is ridiculous. I miss lighting the candles on the wreath!

Today, Nick, Craig, and I went to the Duomo for mass. It was beautiful, and really cool to hear mass in the Duomo! Didn't really understand a lot of it, because it was in Italian, but it was still nice to go. I've missed it. It was neat, they were all decked out in their purple advent vestments. One of the priests was like, everyone, come closer! So we all sat right next to the altar. And if I got bored, I could just look up and see Michaelangelo's dome. It was pretty sweet. I don't think dad would have fallen asleep at that mass. It was too cold to, anyway. I was pretty freezing. I could not feel my feet, nor my hands, by the time I got home. Seattle is going to feel warm, I think...

Anyway, I can't believe I only have 4 more days here... at least all my Christmas shopping is done. And I got a Firenze seal! Awesome.

Ciao

ballerina

I have found my favorite stationary shop. It has tons of seals and sealing wax and sweet paper and journals, etc. It is amazing.

Went to the Oil Shop today... with Becky! It was so good to see her, and it is pathetic that it took us all semester to get together. Sad times. Also, her Pensione is incredible. It is huge, and beautiful, and all decorated for Christmas, and everyone she lives with is like a big family. Not fair... Oh well.

I also saw the cutest little puppies EVER today. They can't be more than 5 days old. They are tiny and sweet, and one rolled over and yawned at me when I tapped the glass. I wanted to take it home with me. I named him Miele, because that's what color he is. I want a puppy now.

Ciao

camouflage

Today, I got honked at by an army truck full of Italian men in the military.

I saluted them.

Then I saw the tallest Italian man I have ever seen in my life; he was at least 6'6''.

Strange day.





6 days left in Firenze.






11/30/05

Home

I hear my mountains calling my name. The shrieking wind brings their plea roaring across the water, foamy mouthed, and encircles my outstretched arms, around and round, dragging at my hair and clothes like dried leaves.

Like a speckled black and white that day replays in my mind. The lake shone glassy, glittering under the pale new sun, and my Needle stabbed at the cloudless sky. Deep-green forest sighed as I drove past, pressed hand to glass, watching the outline float and slowly fade.

Acid rain brings prayers and memories, ghosts, to slip along the bridge of my nose and play in my eyelashes. I feel the melting mountains, crying snow; their heartbeat pounds in mine. I whisper to the wind, letting it slide across chapped lips and take my words over white-tongued sea: I am coming home. Wait for me.

all i want for Christmas...

Yesterday was the last day of classes! Wohoooo. Elena even surprised us in Italian with some Spumanti and Panetonne, the big Italian Christmas cakes. Sweet. And we had cookies in Creative Writing. All in all, it was a day full of eating. After classes, I went Christmas shopping with Amanda. It was great.

We went to the Christmas bazar at Santa Croce, which was totally awesome. It was this random, International bazar that I guess they do every year. I found the Russian stand, where they were selling the little Russian nesting dolls, and saw the coolest chess-set ever. (I know, I'm a huge, huge dork) It was hand-carved, and the little pieces are in the style of the old Russian army. It was so sweet. So Amanda talked me into buying it. Got some presents for the fam, you know. So I pretty much got all my Christmas shopping done yesterday. Good times. The center was so beautiful with all the Christmas lights up. It makes me sad to think I'm going to be leaving this place so soon.

Now, to work on my second Witchcraft paper... blast...

Ciao

senility

I really can't believe that we had an Italian quiz today... Ridiculous... A week before finals, honestly. Is that necessary? No. Because we most definitely will not get it back by tomorrow (she takes forever), and thus I will not know what I got wrong, so I won't know what I need to study for the final.

Yesterday, Marzia had a few people over for dinner, and it was fun talking to them. It was really sad, though. One guy had lived in Paris for a while, so I asked him if he spoke French, so we talked in French for a while. And... I kept mixing up Italian and French. My sentences were some weird hybrid of Italian and French, with words of both languages thrown in there. It made me sad, I used to think in French all the time, and now I can't even get a measly sentence out there. I'm going to pick up a book while I'm in Paris and read it. Maybe Harry Potter? Hopefully that'll jolt my memory... C'mon brain, seriously.

Great, I was trying to remember a word for the fusion of different beliefs/elements/etc Sunday or something for my Witchcraft paper... it was hybrid... Don't you hate when that happens?
Au revoir...

lady lazarus

Last night, we went to Edi House for the last last last time... It made me sad! The waiter was like, oh, you should order something different! And Ashley and I were like, heck no, not for our last time! So margherita pizza it was, and strawberry and gelato for dessert. Aw, I'm going to miss Edi House. Wow, do we really only have a week and a day left? That is so insane. I cannot cannot believe it. Turned in my annotated bibliography today, and got our take-home for Creative Writing.
I was looking at all the scholarships that you can get for graduate work, and it made me all discouraged. There is not way I am going to get a sweet scholarship to study in England, which probably means I won't be studying in England, because it is so darn expensive. Argh, academic competition. I wish I could have inherited some of my parent's brains. I could have been a brain surgeon by now, or at least written the next novel on the American experience, or something awesome like that.
I know everyone has been looking forward to reading my poetry, so here is one piece. This is the one that my teacher thought was prompted by a suicide attempt, or something. So, just to let you know: No, I am not depressed. No, I did not attempt to commit suicide. No, it isn't even ABOUT suicide. Yes, I am perfectly happy. Yes, it is just a poem. :) Now, it's a sestina. (well, half of one, really) That means, the last words repeat in specified order (123456, 615243, 364124, plus the last stanza of three lines, which has all of them in it: 25, 43, 61). It's tricky. I actually messed up on the last line, so I had to change it (I put the words in a 1,6 order, instead of a 6,1). It used to read: "spilled blood congeals but not the memory, as new life rises from the dust." Like that one better, but oh well, I must conform to the structure. I know it's tough to follow, so don't think about it too much.


my looking-glass

laundry hangs out on the line, Myself there pinned. blood
gently dances, fluttering in the wind, strips cut by glass
shards of past life and love hung to dry. rain
pelts, tenderly caressing the torn bits and pieces, ribbons
blowing soundlessly: a black and white that time
forgot on an empty shelf, gathering dust.

a sigh rises from the depths of the Soul, full of dust
that plugs the air, sticky sweet in my eyes, while blood,
a running river, floats empty, dry. and time,
that slow immortal beast, lumbering plays the hourglass;
grains of sand seep slowly, form a silky-smooth ribbon
that melts and burns upon my wrist like rain.

these clouded windows, frosted with rage and rain,
reveal concealed pain. drumming pipes now lifeless lie, the dust
of my white lilies tied with your tongue’s ribbon.
and as it cut me to the Core, i saw reflected your blood-
red lips whispering (nothing) in my ear. my looking-glass
lies bleeding on the floor, shattered for the last time.

that fragile soul of glass withstands the falls of time,
hair streaming ribbons across the pillow, tears washed away with rain;
new life is birthed from the dust, while memory lingers like uncongealed blood.

noel

Well, Ashley's alarm didn't go off on Friday morning, so we did not get to go to Pompeii. I was pretty dang bummed, because I've been looking forward to going there since 6th grade Latin class with Ms. Lanier, but oh well, hopefully my life will take me back there at some point. I HATE YOU ASHLEY! Ha ha just kidding. So we went Christmas shopping instead, which was fun because all the stores have lights and decorations out. We even found some meringue Santas, reindeer, angels, etc. etc. in the bakery downtown. Very cute. Mom said it snowed in Seattle the other day... Darn! I want it to snow! I hope it snows when I'm home for break :)

So, I've just been hanging out all weekend, working on school stuff. I've kind of given up, I just don't want to do work anymore! Semesters are soooo long, I don't know how everyone does it. I can't believe Jeff started in October, and got off two weeks before me. Unbelievable. Orsejda and I have been watching the OC in Italian, and I've had to fill her in on everything. I miss The OC! I miss watching it with everyone in Jeff's room, our little weekly ritual. It's funny that their voices are so different, though; it kind of takes away from the whole thing.

I was looking at the Seattle Times' website, and found an article about the whole "Happy Holidays," and "Holiday Tree" debacle. I just think this whole debate is ridiculous. Christmas is a Christian holiday, yes. You do not have to go to mass or get a Christmas tree or presents, no. There are numerous holidays around this time, yes. Are people really so pessimistic and cynical that they don't want to be wished "Happy Holidays?" I just don't understand. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, that's fine, but don't begrudge Christians their right to celebrate a really important day in their religion, even if it is over-commercialized. I hate political correctness. There's my rant for the day.
Back to work on my Witchcraft Annotated Bib.
Ciao!

Apollonia Madizza

Well, I had my LAC presentation today, which went fine. Although Prof. Luchetti did interrupt me halfway through to ask a question, causing a 5 minute discussion involving the whole class (oftentimes our presentations will turn out like this, no biggie). The subject? Mullets. She didn't know what a mullet was. We had to patiently explain to her the hairstyle that every single youth seems to have over here in Europe, especially Spain. She claimed that no one has a mullet. Is she kidding? Every other young person I see has one. Ridiculous. We even somehow translated the phrase, "Business in the front, party in the back." But other than that, it was fine. She actually wasn't too brutal, which was a nice change.
On a slightly more pathetic note, I watched The Ring in Italian last night with Orsejda. Possibly one of the scariest movies ever, although I am a wimp when it comes to scary movies. I like the thinking scary movies... You know, the ones where you have to figure things out and stuff. But movies like The Ring just scare the heck out of me. I had my ears plugged half the time. Awful.. I'm terrible, I know. I do want to see The Saw, though.. :) Jeff? When we get back? K, it's a deal. It's just a good thing that the phone didn't ring, because I probably would have peed my pants.
Now, I am working on my third (LAST!) annotated bibliography for The History of Witchcraft! Awesome. Here's a little to-do list of things I need to do before I leave (because I love t0-do lists so much...) :

1. Write Annotated Bibliography for Witchcraft
2. Write 1st Witchcraft take-home final paper (Due by Monday the 12th)
3. Write 2nd Witchcraft take-home final paper (Due by Monday the 12th)
4. Edit and turn in 6th "Going Home" submission, as well as any other poems I want to be edited
5. Do take-home Creative Writing final (due Friday the 9th)
6. Study for Italian Quiz on Tuesday (I KNOW, who gives a quiz the week before finals?! Elena e pazzo!)
7. Do Italian review worksheets
8. Study for 20th Century Europe final
9. Take 20th Century Europe Final (Tuesday the 13th, 3:15-5:15)
10. Study for Italian final
11. Take Italian Written and Oral final (Wednesday the 14th, Oral- 8:30 am, Written- 11:00 am)
12. Get 20 Euro deposit back from Library (by Wednesday at 4pm)
13. Get 30 Euro deposit back for key (by Wednesday at 5pm)
14. Do some Christmas shopping
15. Get all of Marzia's recipes

(Red=Done)

So, yeeeah... not too bad. I was so psyched when I saw the announcements for those deposits! Awesome... I had wondered where some of my money had gone in the beginning of the year. I also just heard tell that Paperback Exchange will be closed starting the 4th until after we leave, so I will NOT be able to sell my books back... Darn it. Oh well, I'll live. Okay, time to get back to work... And tomorrow... Pompeii!! I just hope Amanda doesn't have some crazed tape-worm living in her (her stomache has been hurting)... Because then I would be sad, and she wouldn't come with us... Lame...

Au Revoir, mes amies... (man, I've forgotten all of my French. Is that right?)