As the weather has brightened and I have been able to return to my three-mile runs each day, I have been able to do a lot of thinking about my time abroad. But speaking of my runs, I absolutely love running through this beautiful city and taking it all in, still not believing that I am here. I have had to alter the route of my runs now because of the crowded streets due to the tourists (there is SOOO much tourism right now!!!), but it is still so relaxing and beautiful.
Tonight Marielle and Patee made tacos, while last night I made Grandpa's pastina. Being here is so inspiring to cook, and I am dreading going home and not having the fresh ingredients that are here to cook with. I have been reading the book, Under the Tuscan Sun, which is a memoir about a woman and her husband who have a summer home in Tuscany. She talks about how inspiring Italy is to cook, and everything she says is so easy to relate to because I am experiencing everything she has experienced. I love reading it because of that, though I am disappointed in the actual plot and content of the book - I guess I have to watch the movie! Every night I want to cook something new, and tomorrow I am learning how to cook panna cotta - the cream dessert that I have begun to LOVE. I am so pumped to make it!
I have also been participating in a new hobby of mine - volunteering at the local pet shelter. Well, I haven't exactly gone there yet, but I have signed up because I feel so sad for the homeless and wandering dogs that are all around Florence. After being bit by the stray dog in Sicily, I have learned my lesson to not pet stray dogs anymore, and it tugs at my heart to not be able to give them the love and affection that they want. It really tugs at my heart and breaks it when I see homeless dogs walking around or sitting on a street corner in the shade because they are so hot and tired and hungry and thirsty. It just makes me think of Fluffy and how horrible I would feel if she were ever in that position. So, I e-mailed my advisor and asked her if there were any pet shelter volunteer opportunities, and she told me I can start going on Wednesdays... I am starting this week and am so excited!
I have also been thinking about how I can't believe how close everyone on our program has gotten. It's like we are one huge family. When I think about the program orientation in November and how none of us knew each other, it amuses me because now we all know every little thing about each other adn don't go a day without speaking to each other. It is going to be so hard to not see everyone when the semester ends and we go our separate ways, but we are starting to plan reunions, starting with my and Niema's 21st birthdays in August. It will be really fun to see everyone during the school year and I will always remember these people for the rest of my life because they have been a huge part of my experience here. It will just be really sad to leave them and this place, which I try so hard nto to think about but since the semester is dwindling down, I unfortunately have to! :(
Pictures will be added onto these posts later this week. I am finally done updating from the past four months and am ready to ice my hands!!!
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