Yesterday was not your typical first day of school. I mean how many people can say they had their first day of school at a language school in one of the busiest parts of Florence (and this whole city is always busy)?? It was an amazing day. Mostly because I finally got out and met some new people outside my two roommates (don't get me wrong they're great but sheesh I needed some girlfriends). I started the day with a workout...the beginning of a LOT of walking. Francesco has a little workout room in the apartment and I got on the bike for a bit. Oooh I am out of shape. I knew that but jeeeez. Oh well with all the stairs I'll be climbing that will soon change. Showered and left for my school at 8:45 for a 9 am start. Got to the office and was directed downstairs to a table of 10 other equally nervous looking girls. YAY! We're a mix. Most of us are American but we do have a girl from England, who I ended up spending most of the day with along with a few others, and a girl from Puerto Rico who studies in the States. Awesome. We got checked in and got our notebook and books (thank goodness they gave us books) and were sent right away to our first lesson with Elisabetta. She's our morning teacher and later I found out she's my roommate Omer's afternoon teacher. Cool! She's hilarious. Native Florentine and you can just tell she has a real passion for teaching her language. Which is totally awesome.
The best part of it all? 10 of the 11 of us are all in the beginner's course. Boy did I feel better about that. I was so nervous that everyone else would be fluent and I would be sitting there with no one. And as the day went by, the Italian that I learned my first semester of college (fall 2006!!! eeeek) slowly came back and I was understanding it so well. I'm sure by later today I'll reach the point of where everything is new (we move fast...it's only a 3 week course with TWO books). I just kept getting more excited as the day went by. Mainly because of my new classmates. I seriously love them already. By the end of the night (which was literally the end of the night...I got home at 1 am) 5 of us commented on how it felt like we had known each other forever, definitely not less than 24 hours. We had a morning break and headed across the street to get a quick snack (well I got water) and then back til 12:30. By then I was hungryyyy. Slice of the most flavorful pizza later on the lawn of the Stazione Santa Maria Novella with Jasmine and Mary Ellen and I was set.
In the afternoon, we have our lesson with Luigi and two other students, one girl from Brazil and a guy from Switzerland. Poor guy was in a room with 11 girls and one male teacher (note the sarcasm? haha). No but he's a really nice guy. Shy but we're all so not shy so he'll come out of his shell by oh today. Luigi is another amazing teacher. I love the teaching style of this school. Because we have such a small group, it's all about interaction. Most of the time we are going around the room asking our neighbor a question (in Italian of course) and answering to each other. Great way to learn the language AND learn about each other. The second best way is when we leave the classroom and (try to) speak it to the locals, trying to find out way around Florence. We all know "dove de la...." ( where is the...) VERY well already haha. And scusa (excuse me) because man is this place crowded. And it's only the beginning of June, barely into tourist season and summer abroad programs. I saw and heard SO many Americans yesterday, mostly students, which is cool.
After our lesson ended with Luigi (1:15 to 2:45....my shortest school day since like kindergarten), Jasmine, Mary Ellen and I headed back to my apartment for a little rest and to drop off our heavy books, because we wanted to explore. But first we had to meet with our social coordinator, Cassandra and our internship organizer, Anna. After that meeting I am STOKED on this summer. In addition to the day "field trips" that Linguaviva has planned for us, Global Experiences has 3 weekend trips and two socials (apertivo, the Italian style happy hour and the end of the summer goodbye dinner). So with Linguaviva, I am heading to Lucca on Wednesday (tomorrow or domani) because it is the Festa della Repubblica, which is the celebration day of Italy's unity. Lucca is supposed to be gorgeous. And Saturday, with GE, we're touring the Salvatore Feragammo factory (Italian SHOES!) to see how it all happens. Seriously can't wait. There's more but I don't have the schedule in front of me.
And that was my first day of school. I'll leave the afternoon adventures for a separate post or this one would be longer than long. Plus I have to get ready for another fun day =). Miss you all so, so much and wish you were here with me. Ciao e bacci a tutti.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
A Day of Highs and A Disappointing Low
Today started off amazing. I woke up at 8:30 and felt tons better than last night. I was beat last night and desperately needed sleep. So since I felt good, I decided to put on my not nearly used enough running shoes and go for a walk around Florence to figure out exactly how long it would take me to get to my language school. Well, it only takes me around 8 minutes so I decided to wander. I ended up in Piazza Santa Maria Novella where a Nike sponsored race/walk was about to begin. So I started as a bystander and then figured I would just follow them as some of them were walking. It was the best thing I've done here yet. Not only did I get (another) good workout in but I also got to really walk around Florence. Since I was in the safety of a group, I felt more comfortable walking around. Now I know that everything really is as close as my books say. Firenze is only 39.8 square miles, so not very big at all. After about 5K the walkers reached the piazza again and I headed off on my own back to my apartment. On the way I met up with a few guys from South Carolina and Tennesse who were in Florence for the weekend while studying at a school north of Venezia (Venice). After walking with them for a while and exchanging pointers, I went back to my place, grabbed some money and headed to the grocery store to finally get some food. After that I took another nap. Jet lag really kills you, huh? The afternoon was going good. I talked to my parents on skype (8 am their time) and said we'd talk later. Then something that I am really not happy about happened.
I noticed that I had never shut my computer off, so I opened it to shut it down. The screen froze. So I restarted it and...nothing. Blank screen with a flashing folder with a question mark. I knew that symbol. The same thing happened to me last February, shortly after getting to school. It means that my hard drive crashed. Maybe it was from all the traveling, or maybe it was from all the use (yes Mom, I know I'm on it a lot). Panic hit me. Again for the second time in two days. Yesterday was when my converter went caput. Both times my mind went to my computer. I know my parents think that I am way too attached to it, but it really is a big part of my life. Silly I know but it has so much of ME on it. All of my work, music and photos. I have most of it backed up on my external hard drive but that's not the point. Oh and right now I'm using my housemates old desktop that he keeps for any students who come to stay with him. My first thought was buy a new computer. Way too expensive here. Second thought was to buy a cheap netbook. Also still out of my price range. So now I am going to go buy a converter (I still need to charge some things) and second I am going to buy a few more memory cards for my camera. It holds over 3,000 pictures but still. If I can't upload those at all until I get back, I'm going to have to keep them on disks. Delete unnecessary ones as I go but sheesh, 3 months in Italy with only 3,000 pictures? Not going to be possible. And when I get back in August, I can use my parents computer until I get a new one. I had planned to buy a new one anyways and I'll just have to buy one sooner than later and use the payment plan. And I have come up with this plan as fast as I wrote it.
So it comes to this. This summer will be a true test of my independence. Partial independence. On my own without my family, a real phone (i have a simple international phone with an italian sim card) and no computer of my own. We'll see how this goes. Any advice on the computer situation is appreciated. Thanks!
I noticed that I had never shut my computer off, so I opened it to shut it down. The screen froze. So I restarted it and...nothing. Blank screen with a flashing folder with a question mark. I knew that symbol. The same thing happened to me last February, shortly after getting to school. It means that my hard drive crashed. Maybe it was from all the traveling, or maybe it was from all the use (yes Mom, I know I'm on it a lot). Panic hit me. Again for the second time in two days. Yesterday was when my converter went caput. Both times my mind went to my computer. I know my parents think that I am way too attached to it, but it really is a big part of my life. Silly I know but it has so much of ME on it. All of my work, music and photos. I have most of it backed up on my external hard drive but that's not the point. Oh and right now I'm using my housemates old desktop that he keeps for any students who come to stay with him. My first thought was buy a new computer. Way too expensive here. Second thought was to buy a cheap netbook. Also still out of my price range. So now I am going to go buy a converter (I still need to charge some things) and second I am going to buy a few more memory cards for my camera. It holds over 3,000 pictures but still. If I can't upload those at all until I get back, I'm going to have to keep them on disks. Delete unnecessary ones as I go but sheesh, 3 months in Italy with only 3,000 pictures? Not going to be possible. And when I get back in August, I can use my parents computer until I get a new one. I had planned to buy a new one anyways and I'll just have to buy one sooner than later and use the payment plan. And I have come up with this plan as fast as I wrote it.
So it comes to this. This summer will be a true test of my independence. Partial independence. On my own without my family, a real phone (i have a simple international phone with an italian sim card) and no computer of my own. We'll see how this goes. Any advice on the computer situation is appreciated. Thanks!
travel post #5: My first day in Italy
I’m here. I am in FLORENCE. In MY room. And so far my roommates (I have three til Monday) are perfectly nice. Thank god Omer (roommate from Israel, totally cool guy) is a strong guy because the stairs up to our apartment are STEEP. Like scary steep. And I was about to collapse. But let me start from the beginning.
I left the U.S. at 5:45 p.m. EST. I arrived in Italy (Roma) at 7:35 a.m. local time. I got lucky and got my second flight with a group of about 35 “older” Americans who are headed on a week long tour of tuscany. All from the Boston area. Woo! And they helped. Saw that I was alone and let me tag along with them. Because let me tell you..Rome’s airport is frigging confusing when you’re trying to get to Terminal B from the arrivals terminal. It was a nightmare. Thank god we had almost 2 hours of a layover. Oh and the flight over from JFK was horrible. Well not horrible but definitely not the most comfortable. Like I said before, I know I’m short and don’t need a lot of leg room, but still, a girl needs to stretch out once in a while. Plus the cushions on the seats had a weird slant to them and my poor little booty kept going numb. (all from Saturday)
Sunday ----
Ok so continuing... After the 8 hour flight from JFK, we landed in Rome and went through security again and then went through passport control (first point of entry to the country). By this point, I had introduced my self to a woman traveling with her parents with the big group (they were older. she was older...I just tagged along). They were so nice. The older man had been studying Italian with a tutor for a few weeks so he was pointing everything out in Italian. Helped me a little. Then we got on the bus to get us to our plane to Florence, since it was just a jumper plane. I wish we had had that plane from JFK. The seats were way more comfy and it felt like I had more room. I fell asleep on that flight but seriously it was a 45 minute flight and I woke up to us hitting the ground.
Cut to getting out of there. Grabbed my way too heavy luggage and booked it. Then I got outside and called my roommate (praying feverishly that my international phone that my aunt had given me would work). Confirmed that he was at the apartment. The began my real journey. I got on a bus for 5 euro (way cheap compared to the 22 euro taxi drive) and got dropped off at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione (Florence’s main train station). And started my trek to my apartment. Now, its really like a 7 minute walk, maybe from the station to my apartment. But when you don’t know where you’re going and you have nearly 100 lb in suitcase plus another (and I’m guessing cuz I didn’t weigh it) 20 lbs on your back....it’s a really long walk. I can definitely feel it today. My upper lats and upper back are sooooore. So are my thighs. Oi but that’s from the going up and down the stairs and the 6K walk I did this morning (more on that later). Finally, hot, sweaty and tired as hell (I barely slept. Airplanes are NOT conducive to sleeping comfortably), I finally got to my apartment. That is after using the little Italian that I DO know to ask where I was and how to get to my apartment. Then I saw the stairs of doom (they’re not that bad...but at that point they were). 40 quick steps heading nearly straight up. Again, thank you lord for giving me a strong roommate who wasn’t tired as hell.
I was delirious. I was so thirsty that my throat was dry and the water hurt going down when I finally got a glass. And man was I red. And sweaty. Totally awesome first impression right? Got my stuff in my room and changed. Nearly fell asleep. The owner got home and we did introductions. Toasted my arrival with a shot each of Lemoncello (you don’t take it like a shot....it’s delicious. lemonade liquer). Then Francesco (landlord) invited us to this charity festival thing that his friends were working. It involved cheap, good food. I was all ears and the only one who went along. That was fine. Had delicious thin crust authentic margherita pizza (I ate the WHOLE thing by myself....but I had only had a breakfast sandwich at like 7 am on the plane). Met some of his friends, and was surprised at how many of them spoke English. The fact that SO many foreigners know English along with other languages, makes me as an American feel lazy. Sure we take a language in high school but these people learn at least 2 all throughout school. I have a cousin who is quadralingual (I think). Oh side note....all of my roommates speak English. In Israel (Omer) you have to along with in Brazil (Fernanda). Again, being American = culturally lazy.
Anyhoo, got back to the apartment, chatted with my friend Dana in Canada (it’s very strange being AHEAD of her in time now...) and then hit the hay. Out like a light the second my head hit the pillow. And there you have my first day in Italy. My second day is half over and I’ll update you later on that. =)
I left the U.S. at 5:45 p.m. EST. I arrived in Italy (Roma) at 7:35 a.m. local time. I got lucky and got my second flight with a group of about 35 “older” Americans who are headed on a week long tour of tuscany. All from the Boston area. Woo! And they helped. Saw that I was alone and let me tag along with them. Because let me tell you..Rome’s airport is frigging confusing when you’re trying to get to Terminal B from the arrivals terminal. It was a nightmare. Thank god we had almost 2 hours of a layover. Oh and the flight over from JFK was horrible. Well not horrible but definitely not the most comfortable. Like I said before, I know I’m short and don’t need a lot of leg room, but still, a girl needs to stretch out once in a while. Plus the cushions on the seats had a weird slant to them and my poor little booty kept going numb. (all from Saturday)
Sunday ----
Ok so continuing... After the 8 hour flight from JFK, we landed in Rome and went through security again and then went through passport control (first point of entry to the country). By this point, I had introduced my self to a woman traveling with her parents with the big group (they were older. she was older...I just tagged along). They were so nice. The older man had been studying Italian with a tutor for a few weeks so he was pointing everything out in Italian. Helped me a little. Then we got on the bus to get us to our plane to Florence, since it was just a jumper plane. I wish we had had that plane from JFK. The seats were way more comfy and it felt like I had more room. I fell asleep on that flight but seriously it was a 45 minute flight and I woke up to us hitting the ground.
Cut to getting out of there. Grabbed my way too heavy luggage and booked it. Then I got outside and called my roommate (praying feverishly that my international phone that my aunt had given me would work). Confirmed that he was at the apartment. The began my real journey. I got on a bus for 5 euro (way cheap compared to the 22 euro taxi drive) and got dropped off at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione (Florence’s main train station). And started my trek to my apartment. Now, its really like a 7 minute walk, maybe from the station to my apartment. But when you don’t know where you’re going and you have nearly 100 lb in suitcase plus another (and I’m guessing cuz I didn’t weigh it) 20 lbs on your back....it’s a really long walk. I can definitely feel it today. My upper lats and upper back are sooooore. So are my thighs. Oi but that’s from the going up and down the stairs and the 6K walk I did this morning (more on that later). Finally, hot, sweaty and tired as hell (I barely slept. Airplanes are NOT conducive to sleeping comfortably), I finally got to my apartment. That is after using the little Italian that I DO know to ask where I was and how to get to my apartment. Then I saw the stairs of doom (they’re not that bad...but at that point they were). 40 quick steps heading nearly straight up. Again, thank you lord for giving me a strong roommate who wasn’t tired as hell.
I was delirious. I was so thirsty that my throat was dry and the water hurt going down when I finally got a glass. And man was I red. And sweaty. Totally awesome first impression right? Got my stuff in my room and changed. Nearly fell asleep. The owner got home and we did introductions. Toasted my arrival with a shot each of Lemoncello (you don’t take it like a shot....it’s delicious. lemonade liquer). Then Francesco (landlord) invited us to this charity festival thing that his friends were working. It involved cheap, good food. I was all ears and the only one who went along. That was fine. Had delicious thin crust authentic margherita pizza (I ate the WHOLE thing by myself....but I had only had a breakfast sandwich at like 7 am on the plane). Met some of his friends, and was surprised at how many of them spoke English. The fact that SO many foreigners know English along with other languages, makes me as an American feel lazy. Sure we take a language in high school but these people learn at least 2 all throughout school. I have a cousin who is quadralingual (I think). Oh side note....all of my roommates speak English. In Israel (Omer) you have to along with in Brazil (Fernanda). Again, being American = culturally lazy.
Anyhoo, got back to the apartment, chatted with my friend Dana in Canada (it’s very strange being AHEAD of her in time now...) and then hit the hay. Out like a light the second my head hit the pillow. And there you have my first day in Italy. My second day is half over and I’ll update you later on that. =)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
travel post #4: My Best Friends
Ok I promise this is the last post in one day...I think. It’s about my best friends. Some I’ve known for years, one I’ve known for only a year. But I love all of them equally and care about them enormously. Samantha, Kristen, Heidi and Dana...you are my rocks. I love you all. And I just need to share how special you are to me.
Sam, I’ve known you since birth. Our dads were in diapers together and grew up together and are still friends, even though they need our nudging once in a while to contact each other. I have a binder in my room with a photocopy of every letter I ever sent you from age 6 to 16. You sent it to me for my 16th birthday. I love it. Sometimes I’ll read through them and laugh hysterically at how ridiculous we were as adolescents. We’re even in a book! Remember that alphabet book that my parents (I think) had made for me when I was little? In it, you and I go on an alphabet adventure one rainy day in Bay Shore. I love it. And these last four years of college. We knew they would be tough but my god we didn’t know they would be this tough. I’ve leaned on you and you’ve leaned on me and I know now that no matter the distance, our friendship is one for the ages. I love you and I know you know that, because I tell you all the time. I can NOT wait for our adventures when I get back in August.
Kristen, we started out rough haha. But over the years you’ve become like family and one of my closest friends. I can count on you to tell me when I’m being an idiot (which is quite often....sadly) and to tell it to me straight. You can always come to me and tell me about your adventures you don’t really tell anyone else. I love that about us. I can literally say anything to you and we can just laugh about it. Our families are like one big family. They’ll always be like that. You’re stuck with me biotch. You were one of the first people I met out in California and have remained steadfastedly in my life since. Even when you leave for a summer in Bolivia (crazy) and I leave for the next summer to Italy, we’ve always got each other. And we can always catch up like no time has passed.
Heidi, my favorite little squeakers redhead. I LOVE you. And oh the times we have had. And you, also are like family. I even chose your dad as my second godfather. I have to say I talk to him more than I do my first. I know we’re both crazy busy and we may not talk enough but I know that when we’re both home and have free time, we’ll find ourselves at Coffee Bean for hours on end =). Going to college together would have been amazing, but life had other plans. And that’s ok. You are another that I can tell anything. And you the same to me. Even if you think I talk too much about too many things. I will never forget my first memories of you, in fourth grade (yes this story) when you broke BOTH wrists and had bright purples casts on. That is forever ingrained in my memory and yes I am going to bring it up at your wedding. Along with the fact that until lately, you would spill SOMETHING everytime you were my house. Milk, water, ice cream, anything. And like you always do, you would laugh hysterically, til you couldn’t move and then clean it up and joke about it later with the rest of us. =)
Dana, my newest best friend. We truly have become BEST friends, against the most odds. Together for one summer, working on an insanely complicated event then pulled apart because well, you’re Canadian and live clear cross and up one country =). Thank goodness for MSN and facebook. I love you. You also know that because I tell you all the time. I know this has been quite the year for you, but everything will work out and who knows you and I could be traveling the world together someday. We talk EVERY day. I love it. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this summer with a 6 hour time difference. It’s bad enough when I’m 3 hours behind. Sheesh SIX hours ahead? ooh boy. And our friendship is just starting. But it’s one that will last. I can feel it. Here’s to years of friendships, world traveling trips and hanging out where ever we may be. And to endless nights chatting away.
My four best friends. I have a lot of friends, but you four are the closest to my heart. You will ALL be in my wedding and a grand old time will be had. And yes, I know, that so-called wedding is oh maybe 10 years off with a groom who still has no face =). But don’t all of ours? My point is, I would not be who I am today without all of you. And the rest of my fabulous friends.
Sam, I’ve known you since birth. Our dads were in diapers together and grew up together and are still friends, even though they need our nudging once in a while to contact each other. I have a binder in my room with a photocopy of every letter I ever sent you from age 6 to 16. You sent it to me for my 16th birthday. I love it. Sometimes I’ll read through them and laugh hysterically at how ridiculous we were as adolescents. We’re even in a book! Remember that alphabet book that my parents (I think) had made for me when I was little? In it, you and I go on an alphabet adventure one rainy day in Bay Shore. I love it. And these last four years of college. We knew they would be tough but my god we didn’t know they would be this tough. I’ve leaned on you and you’ve leaned on me and I know now that no matter the distance, our friendship is one for the ages. I love you and I know you know that, because I tell you all the time. I can NOT wait for our adventures when I get back in August.
Kristen, we started out rough haha. But over the years you’ve become like family and one of my closest friends. I can count on you to tell me when I’m being an idiot (which is quite often....sadly) and to tell it to me straight. You can always come to me and tell me about your adventures you don’t really tell anyone else. I love that about us. I can literally say anything to you and we can just laugh about it. Our families are like one big family. They’ll always be like that. You’re stuck with me biotch. You were one of the first people I met out in California and have remained steadfastedly in my life since. Even when you leave for a summer in Bolivia (crazy) and I leave for the next summer to Italy, we’ve always got each other. And we can always catch up like no time has passed.
Heidi, my favorite little squeakers redhead. I LOVE you. And oh the times we have had. And you, also are like family. I even chose your dad as my second godfather. I have to say I talk to him more than I do my first. I know we’re both crazy busy and we may not talk enough but I know that when we’re both home and have free time, we’ll find ourselves at Coffee Bean for hours on end =). Going to college together would have been amazing, but life had other plans. And that’s ok. You are another that I can tell anything. And you the same to me. Even if you think I talk too much about too many things. I will never forget my first memories of you, in fourth grade (yes this story) when you broke BOTH wrists and had bright purples casts on. That is forever ingrained in my memory and yes I am going to bring it up at your wedding. Along with the fact that until lately, you would spill SOMETHING everytime you were my house. Milk, water, ice cream, anything. And like you always do, you would laugh hysterically, til you couldn’t move and then clean it up and joke about it later with the rest of us. =)
Dana, my newest best friend. We truly have become BEST friends, against the most odds. Together for one summer, working on an insanely complicated event then pulled apart because well, you’re Canadian and live clear cross and up one country =). Thank goodness for MSN and facebook. I love you. You also know that because I tell you all the time. I know this has been quite the year for you, but everything will work out and who knows you and I could be traveling the world together someday. We talk EVERY day. I love it. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this summer with a 6 hour time difference. It’s bad enough when I’m 3 hours behind. Sheesh SIX hours ahead? ooh boy. And our friendship is just starting. But it’s one that will last. I can feel it. Here’s to years of friendships, world traveling trips and hanging out where ever we may be. And to endless nights chatting away.
My four best friends. I have a lot of friends, but you four are the closest to my heart. You will ALL be in my wedding and a grand old time will be had. And yes, I know, that so-called wedding is oh maybe 10 years off with a groom who still has no face =). But don’t all of ours? My point is, I would not be who I am today without all of you. And the rest of my fabulous friends.
travel post #3: Long Island, I Love You
Ok so I wanted to keep each of these posts focused on a single topic, which is why there’s so many of them. I need to get all these thoughts down on paper before I lose them. I wanted to talk about Long Island. Sure it’s overshadowed by the greatest city on earth (well in some people’s opinions) but it has its charms and quirks. I love it. Maybe it’s because I was born there and desperately wanted to move back for so long (junior high sucked. Seriously), but I just love it. I love how it looks, how it sounds, and even how it smells (sometimes). The houses make me smile. They all look similar but have their own quirks. It’s mostly the brick houses, with the perfect red brick like my dad’s parents house or the big wooden shingled houses like my mom’s parents (they don’t live there anymore and I think it would pain me not to run into that house if I stopped by...it was my first home). They just look so cozy and homey.
I still want to move back and with graduation fast approaching (December will be here before you know it folks) and with me not having strings attached anywhere, I can go ANYWHERE. Anywhere there’s a winery who wants me. Which means I have a lot of options. When I told Samantha this, immediately she said “OMG when you get back in August, we’re going out East!” Out East. That also makes me smile. Down to the shore. Robert Moses, Jones Beach, Fire Island. All those names make me so happy. I have yet to go to Fire Island, but oh be warned in August...I will go. So L.I. is now added to my list of relocation possibilities (or not): stay in Nor Cal, go to Oregon, Toronto (Canada....that would make a certain favorite Canadian of mine extremely happy) and now Long Island. Who knows.
Even driving into Brooklyn made me happy. It’s not my favorite of the five buroughs but it has it’s charm. Again, the red brick and the white painted wrought iron fences with the flags hanging out and the humidity of summer hanging in the air, just tempting you. I saw a commercial that showed a little girl running around in her bathing suit at dusk, catching fireflies in a jar and watching them with a look of pure wonder on her face. I used to be that little girl. There are no flreflies out in California. At least, none that I’ve seen. That really makes me want to go back. For an extended period of time. I’m not saying I would move there permanently, but I would like to live there again. I also want to live all over the world soooo who knows how that’ll go.
So, an ode to Long Island. I love you. For all that you are. You make me happy. You make a little sad. Overall you remind me of where I came from and what I’ve accomplished and done with my life so far. I thank you for that. I can look back on when I’ve visited and remember exactly where I was in my life at that time. Like a snapshot. Maybe someday you’ll become a movie.
I still want to move back and with graduation fast approaching (December will be here before you know it folks) and with me not having strings attached anywhere, I can go ANYWHERE. Anywhere there’s a winery who wants me. Which means I have a lot of options. When I told Samantha this, immediately she said “OMG when you get back in August, we’re going out East!” Out East. That also makes me smile. Down to the shore. Robert Moses, Jones Beach, Fire Island. All those names make me so happy. I have yet to go to Fire Island, but oh be warned in August...I will go. So L.I. is now added to my list of relocation possibilities (or not): stay in Nor Cal, go to Oregon, Toronto (Canada....that would make a certain favorite Canadian of mine extremely happy) and now Long Island. Who knows.
Even driving into Brooklyn made me happy. It’s not my favorite of the five buroughs but it has it’s charm. Again, the red brick and the white painted wrought iron fences with the flags hanging out and the humidity of summer hanging in the air, just tempting you. I saw a commercial that showed a little girl running around in her bathing suit at dusk, catching fireflies in a jar and watching them with a look of pure wonder on her face. I used to be that little girl. There are no flreflies out in California. At least, none that I’ve seen. That really makes me want to go back. For an extended period of time. I’m not saying I would move there permanently, but I would like to live there again. I also want to live all over the world soooo who knows how that’ll go.
So, an ode to Long Island. I love you. For all that you are. You make me happy. You make a little sad. Overall you remind me of where I came from and what I’ve accomplished and done with my life so far. I thank you for that. I can look back on when I’ve visited and remember exactly where I was in my life at that time. Like a snapshot. Maybe someday you’ll become a movie.
travel post #2: Pit Stop in NY for less than 48 Hours
So before I headed over to the beautiful country of Italy, I stopped over in New York, my birthplace. Now, people try to tell me that since I moved out to California when I was only 6, I’m not a real “New Yorker”. I say, psshhh to that. It’s my home and I was old enough to remember how it was to live there, and be surrounded by family. Now that family is pretty far flung, as they’ve mostly left or moved to different parts of Long Island in the last 15 years. But being back just brings back a flood of emotions and memories, both from when I lived in NY and on one of my many visits. It was a quick visit. I got in at 8 p.m. Wednesday and left by 5:45 (late takeoff...not happy...but that’s for a different post) Friday. Not even 48 hours. But I packed those full.
Wednesday night was spent with my aunt and her family in Brooklyn. Low key, pizza for dinner with the tv flipping back and forth between the Mets game and the Yankees game. Thanks to my uncle for being nice enough to put the Yanks on....theirs is a Mets household. Even though my cousin went to school Thursday morning with a brand new “New York Yankees 27 World Championships”. Hell yes. We’re working on him. Thursday was my favorite day. I drove into work with my aunt and because of L.I. traffic got to have a good talk with her. She’s my godmother and I don’t talk to her nearly enough, besides only seeing her once in a blue moon. Spent a little time at the office and met all her coworkers, who all knew exactly who I was and where I was going and “oh I’ve heard so much about you!” What can I say? My aunt loves me =).
Then came my favorite part of my favorite day. My best friend since BIRTH (yes birth, ask my parents) picked me up and OH I was so happy to see her. I hadn’t seen her since 2007 and 3 years is far too long of a time to go without seeing your best friend. I have a few best friends but Samantha is my truest, longest, oldest best friend. There’s a picture to prove that we’ve known each other since before I was born. Seriously.
So Sam picked me up and we attempted a few crazy last minute errands on my behalf, which failed miserably. But it’s ok I had a backup plan. Got lunch and went back to her new house. Now she and her family recently built a new house in a different part of L.I. and I hadn’t seen it yet. And I have just memorized her new address. I still have her old one ingrained in my head from writing letters back and forth all throughout junior high and early high school (Facebook? That didn’t exist just yet). So I got the grand tour, then we headed back out West to say hello to my dad’s mom who I also hadn’t seen in 3 years. And I don’t know what came over me but by the time we left I was on the verge of tears. Talking to her and looking at old pictures and looking around the old house just made me so emotional. I did choke up. I know why but it’s hard to put it in words. She’s old. She’s not in the best shape (although she still lives on her own). I know that this next visit at the end of the summer may very well be the last time I see her and that breaks my heart. I joke about her sometimes but I do love her. She took and my late grandfather took care of me when I was younger while my parents were at work. There’s a button picture on the wall of me with the both of them when I was 3. I nearly grabbed it because I want it near me all the time. Ah I’m tearing up thinking about it right now.
When we left, as I said, I was about to cry. So I needed to get out of there before I really did start crying, which would make her cry and well two women crying never leads to stopping anytime soon. Just ask my mom (more on that later). Sam and I got back in the car and took off back to her place for her mom’s at home birthday dinner. Picked up dinner to go because the birthday girl shouldn’t have to cook on her special day and bam I was 12 again with my best friend’s family who love me as their own. Except now, Sam mixes drinks for us and gets her mom buzzed on her birthday. Love it.
And just like old times, I spent the night, unplanned (very funny) and her bed is big enough that we were both in it and didn’t disturb each other at all. That is true friendship. Sam is like another sister to me and I’ve already informed that (needless to say) she’s in my wedding (that wedding that is no where near being ready to happen....oi vey). And this morning (Friday) we woke up and just like when I would visit when I was younger, her mom made us Mickey Mouse waffles =). Headed back to Brooklyn to pack up my things (I hadn’t planned on staying over and omygoodness my room was a mess..of course) and then Sam dropped me off at JFK. And as soon as I went to hug her I got this panicked feeling. I choked up, teared up and started crying. All while trying to maneuver a huge backpack and two huge rolling suitcases. I must have looked ridiculous.
And here I am a few hours later, somewhere over the Atlantic, on my way to Italy. Sitting amidst strangers. Ahh the possibilities of this summer.
Wednesday night was spent with my aunt and her family in Brooklyn. Low key, pizza for dinner with the tv flipping back and forth between the Mets game and the Yankees game. Thanks to my uncle for being nice enough to put the Yanks on....theirs is a Mets household. Even though my cousin went to school Thursday morning with a brand new “New York Yankees 27 World Championships”. Hell yes. We’re working on him. Thursday was my favorite day. I drove into work with my aunt and because of L.I. traffic got to have a good talk with her. She’s my godmother and I don’t talk to her nearly enough, besides only seeing her once in a blue moon. Spent a little time at the office and met all her coworkers, who all knew exactly who I was and where I was going and “oh I’ve heard so much about you!” What can I say? My aunt loves me =).
Then came my favorite part of my favorite day. My best friend since BIRTH (yes birth, ask my parents) picked me up and OH I was so happy to see her. I hadn’t seen her since 2007 and 3 years is far too long of a time to go without seeing your best friend. I have a few best friends but Samantha is my truest, longest, oldest best friend. There’s a picture to prove that we’ve known each other since before I was born. Seriously.
So Sam picked me up and we attempted a few crazy last minute errands on my behalf, which failed miserably. But it’s ok I had a backup plan. Got lunch and went back to her new house. Now she and her family recently built a new house in a different part of L.I. and I hadn’t seen it yet. And I have just memorized her new address. I still have her old one ingrained in my head from writing letters back and forth all throughout junior high and early high school (Facebook? That didn’t exist just yet). So I got the grand tour, then we headed back out West to say hello to my dad’s mom who I also hadn’t seen in 3 years. And I don’t know what came over me but by the time we left I was on the verge of tears. Talking to her and looking at old pictures and looking around the old house just made me so emotional. I did choke up. I know why but it’s hard to put it in words. She’s old. She’s not in the best shape (although she still lives on her own). I know that this next visit at the end of the summer may very well be the last time I see her and that breaks my heart. I joke about her sometimes but I do love her. She took and my late grandfather took care of me when I was younger while my parents were at work. There’s a button picture on the wall of me with the both of them when I was 3. I nearly grabbed it because I want it near me all the time. Ah I’m tearing up thinking about it right now.
When we left, as I said, I was about to cry. So I needed to get out of there before I really did start crying, which would make her cry and well two women crying never leads to stopping anytime soon. Just ask my mom (more on that later). Sam and I got back in the car and took off back to her place for her mom’s at home birthday dinner. Picked up dinner to go because the birthday girl shouldn’t have to cook on her special day and bam I was 12 again with my best friend’s family who love me as their own. Except now, Sam mixes drinks for us and gets her mom buzzed on her birthday. Love it.
And just like old times, I spent the night, unplanned (very funny) and her bed is big enough that we were both in it and didn’t disturb each other at all. That is true friendship. Sam is like another sister to me and I’ve already informed that (needless to say) she’s in my wedding (that wedding that is no where near being ready to happen....oi vey). And this morning (Friday) we woke up and just like when I would visit when I was younger, her mom made us Mickey Mouse waffles =). Headed back to Brooklyn to pack up my things (I hadn’t planned on staying over and omygoodness my room was a mess..of course) and then Sam dropped me off at JFK. And as soon as I went to hug her I got this panicked feeling. I choked up, teared up and started crying. All while trying to maneuver a huge backpack and two huge rolling suitcases. I must have looked ridiculous.
And here I am a few hours later, somewhere over the Atlantic, on my way to Italy. Sitting amidst strangers. Ahh the possibilities of this summer.
travel post #1: Airlines
Ok this is going the first (well last to be read) post of a few in one day. But it’s really not. I just haven’t had a chance to actually post them to the internet =).
I have been traveling via airplanes since I was 8 months old (yes I know, I’m spoiled). But I have no recollection of that trip except looking at photos of me, sleeping in a stroller while my parents and grandparents stood in front of the Tower of Pisa and the ruins of Pompeii and various other ancient structures around Italy (yes my first plane trip was to Italy...I was a lucky kid). Because I have been traveling since I was young, and have traveled a fairly decent amount (I think this is my 30th plane ride?) I have watched the airlines decline over the years. Not only in the sense that they aren’t as prosperous as they once were, but how much they give you for your buck.
Back in the day, you bought a plane ticket, and you also got a blanket, pillow, snacks, headphones (for free) to listen to the in flight movie and included beverages and a meal on the long flights, like transcontinental flights (i.e. LA to NY). Now, thats definitely not the case. On my flight from LA to NY this week, we were offered drinks. Oh and a tiny blanket (thank goodness I’m not tall) and a pillow. Those have downsized. No food, no snacks and the plane’s DVD player had broken. So sad. Also my computer was dead (totally not related to the airline) but that made the 5 and a half hour flight seem like it was 10 hours.
On my flight to Italy (so far...I’m writing this mid-flight...thank goodness for strong computer batteries) we HAVE received snacks and drinks (and you don’t even have to pay for the alcoholic drinks! but i don’t think it’d be wise to drink on a plane) and a meal (kind of nasty but hey they gave us something). I guess if you’re going to fork over $1000-$2000 for a plane ticket across the Atlantic, they have to give you something. Oh and they’re not the happiest staff in the world. Not too happy to be jumping across the pond again I guess.
Oh and I have to mention that the gap between what the “economy” customers get compared to what the “business” and “first” class customers get is absurd. I have been fortunate enough to travel to Italy several times (6 to be exact) and this is the second time flying coach. And I am promising myself NOW that I will make a life for myself where I can afford the little luxury of buying at least a business class ticket. Up there in the front of the plane, passengers have room to stretch out (yes I know I’m short but sheesh even I need to stretch out), and obviously get a few more little luxuries. Back in coach, passengers are sandwiched in like sardines. Presently, on my Italian flight, I am in a row of a 2-3-2 configuration, while up front, it is a 2-1-2 configuration. Oi vey. I don’t know how any person taller than 5’5” can put up with being buckled in so tight. I know that when my parents fly internationally, they have to fly business because my dad stands at 6’3”....he would SO not like to be back in coach.
Ok I think that’s enough ranting for now. I know the airlines are doing their best in this economy, but it just makes me wish for the “good ol’ days” when you got a meal included, especially a Happy Meal with a cool Airport themed toy =). Ahh childhood memories bring me back.
I have been traveling via airplanes since I was 8 months old (yes I know, I’m spoiled). But I have no recollection of that trip except looking at photos of me, sleeping in a stroller while my parents and grandparents stood in front of the Tower of Pisa and the ruins of Pompeii and various other ancient structures around Italy (yes my first plane trip was to Italy...I was a lucky kid). Because I have been traveling since I was young, and have traveled a fairly decent amount (I think this is my 30th plane ride?) I have watched the airlines decline over the years. Not only in the sense that they aren’t as prosperous as they once were, but how much they give you for your buck.
Back in the day, you bought a plane ticket, and you also got a blanket, pillow, snacks, headphones (for free) to listen to the in flight movie and included beverages and a meal on the long flights, like transcontinental flights (i.e. LA to NY). Now, thats definitely not the case. On my flight from LA to NY this week, we were offered drinks. Oh and a tiny blanket (thank goodness I’m not tall) and a pillow. Those have downsized. No food, no snacks and the plane’s DVD player had broken. So sad. Also my computer was dead (totally not related to the airline) but that made the 5 and a half hour flight seem like it was 10 hours.
On my flight to Italy (so far...I’m writing this mid-flight...thank goodness for strong computer batteries) we HAVE received snacks and drinks (and you don’t even have to pay for the alcoholic drinks! but i don’t think it’d be wise to drink on a plane) and a meal (kind of nasty but hey they gave us something). I guess if you’re going to fork over $1000-$2000 for a plane ticket across the Atlantic, they have to give you something. Oh and they’re not the happiest staff in the world. Not too happy to be jumping across the pond again I guess.
Oh and I have to mention that the gap between what the “economy” customers get compared to what the “business” and “first” class customers get is absurd. I have been fortunate enough to travel to Italy several times (6 to be exact) and this is the second time flying coach. And I am promising myself NOW that I will make a life for myself where I can afford the little luxury of buying at least a business class ticket. Up there in the front of the plane, passengers have room to stretch out (yes I know I’m short but sheesh even I need to stretch out), and obviously get a few more little luxuries. Back in coach, passengers are sandwiched in like sardines. Presently, on my Italian flight, I am in a row of a 2-3-2 configuration, while up front, it is a 2-1-2 configuration. Oi vey. I don’t know how any person taller than 5’5” can put up with being buckled in so tight. I know that when my parents fly internationally, they have to fly business because my dad stands at 6’3”....he would SO not like to be back in coach.
Ok I think that’s enough ranting for now. I know the airlines are doing their best in this economy, but it just makes me wish for the “good ol’ days” when you got a meal included, especially a Happy Meal with a cool Airport themed toy =). Ahh childhood memories bring me back.
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