Its hard to believe that our first week in Italy is over already, but what a fabulous week it has been! Since I last posted we've traveled to Florence, Arezzo and Anghiari, all of which are incredibly beautiful. We've also had our first family dinner with our host families, survived our first psychology test, and finally mastered our navigation skills of the streets within the city walls. We've taken probably 500 pictures, met some new friends and of course, had more delicious meals courtesy of Margarita.
Thursday was our first big adventure on our own. We were up at 6:30am bright and early to get ready and head out to Florence. We traveled there as a group, but it was up to us to navigate our way back on our own. We took the local bus to Arezzo and from there rode the train right into the heart of Florence. We hit the ground running from the start and took a two and a half walking tour of the city stopping to take pictures and sight see along the way. We saw the Duomo, the local market, the Ponte di Vecceo, the imitation Statue of David, and ended the tour by hiking up a hill where we could see the entire city laid out below us. It was absolutely breath taking. Once we reached the top we treated ourselves to strawberry smoothies and stood in awe of the beautiful city displayed in front of us. After taking an overload of pictures, Dr. Vitarbo turned us loose for the afternoon and wished us good luck as we set out on our first "big girl adventure" and took on the city. Allison, Ives, Samantha and I went to a nice little pizzeria right inside the city and took a break for lunch before starting our shopping spree. After that we went to Zara, which is Kate Middleton's favorite store so of course we had to check it out. We then ventured into the market and turned on our bargaining skills. We all bought Italian leather purses and lots of other goodies. Before we knew it we had spent two hours in the market and it was time to head back to the train station. Our day in Florence came to an end all too quickly. There was so much to do and see and simply not enough time to do it in. I guess that means I'll have to go back!
Yesterday, we all met our host families for the first time. Well, almost all of us. Winnie and I are paired together and our family was out of town this weekend, so we got the pleasure of having dinner with Sarah and her family. Sarah is basically the all in one coordinator of the Italy side of our study abroad program. She knows everything and everyone, takes care of all the paper work, plans our city excursions, coordinates our meals and anything else you can think of. She's absolutely fabulous and we just adore her. Sarah has three kids and her husband is a chef who is finishing his last year of college and learning to speak English. We had the best time last night playing and dancing with the children after dinner. They were too cute and before we left they told Sarah they couldn't wait for us to come back. We're hoping they'll all come to the palazzo tomorrow for lunch after mass.
Today we set out on another excursion, this time to Arezzo and Anghiari. We visited some churches, a museum with paintings of "the Legend of the True Cross" by Pierro Francesco, and ate the best gelato we've had yet - Menta! The best parts of today were simply walking around the quaint little towns and taking pictures of the amazing views. We also climbed the city walls - it was quite class looking in my bare feet and dress, but what can I say, I love an adventure.
Now its back to the palazzo to catch up on homework and studying. Tomorrow we're going to mass at 10 across the street in the main cathedral here in Sansepolcro and afterwards we're hoping to climb the bell tower! All in all, this has definitely been an incredible start to the best summer of my life!

 the cathedral in arezzo

arezzo town square

menta gelatto

climbing the city wall

anghiari

the beautiful poppy flowers 

The past two days have been filled classes, homework and some pretty yucky weather, but Italy is still somehow amazing. Ever since the earthquake we've had rain and thunderstorms so we've been cooped up inside the palazzo, but we've had the absolute best time.
Sunday was Eliza's birthday and our first day of classes so of course that called for a celebration. We spent the morning in class with Dr. Morris learning about the main theories of child development and then called it a day a bit early and I joined Katy on a little excursion to find a birthday cake and flowers for Eliza. We went down to this awesome bakery that was buzzing with people. It was the most interesting experience. I kinda felt like I was in a New York coffee shop during morning rush hour. There were people everywhere and you had to take a ticket number upon entering and wait for them to call you; it was like nothing I had ever seen before. The fun part was Katy and I trying to communicate with the lady to tell her we wanted a birthday cake: "una torta di cioccolato per un compleanno" was our attempt and after five minutes of hand signals we had our chocolate cake and were on our way. Our next stop was the florist where we watched the woman piece a bouquet together piece by piece and make it absolutely perfect! After we acquired our birthday items we were on our way back enjoy another delicious lunch courtesy of Margarita! I seriously could live with her; she's amazing! That night we went out in the pouring rain to a local cafe with glow in the dark stairs to "sip, savor, and socialize" for Eliza's birthday!
Monday was our first day of Italian class! We basically got a crash course introduction to some serious survival Italian. We had basic conversations with each other to teach us the phrases "my name is" "how are you" "what is..." "how much is..." and more. The best part about the whole class is our professor, she's basically the Italian Carrie Bradshaw!! She has the exact same big curly hair, tall and skinny, and has that unique fashion style; it's priceless. Before this trip is over we're going to introduce her to Carrie Bradshaw and Sex in the City!
The rain continued all day long so we spent the afternoon inside doing homework and watching movies that are based in Italy: Letters to Juliet and Under the Tuscan Sun. I mean it doesn't get any better than watching them when you're actually in Italy! We also decided that since we're missing out on the Bachelorette we're going to create our own rendition one night this week which would be absolutely priceless.
Today was our first adventure out into the city for our Italian Arts and Culture Class. We went to the Museo Civico where we admired various works of art depicting Jesus, Mary, the Last Supper and other religious events. What struck me as the most interesting, though, was the paintings of the Annunciation, not because that name is significant to my hometown church and elementary school, but because for the first time in my life I saw a painting that was supposed to be of God. Never before have I seen an artist try to depict what God looks like. It was so intriguing to me, and surprisingly enough, He looked exactly how I picture Him in my mind! For the rest of this afternoon that is basically all I have been able to think about, which is probably a good thing because I'm about to write my first journal entry homework assignment. We've only been here four days and we're already overloaded with homework. Don't these professors know we're in Italy! Guess I better get to the homework grind. Ciao for now!

Margarita's pasta is the best

The birthday girl!

"Sip Savor and Socialize" 

una torta al cioccolato per un compleanno

Winnie and SaraBeth on the glowing stairs 

Day two has been an absolute blast so far. After the best sleep I've ever had, we all gathered for breakfast and a short orientation session with the professors. We ventured out into the city again following behind our wonderful tour guides, Jana and Katie. They showed us all around and pointed out all the places we'd need to know of. The local grocery store, or the equivalent to our Walmart, is called the Pam. Since today is Saturday, it's also a market day, so we ended our little city tour by weaving our way through the crowded market scoping out all the fresh fruit, flowers and interesting clothing. After that we headed back to the palazzo where Margarita was busy cooking lunch. When we ate our first family meal together yesterday Jana and Katie told us that Margarita's cooking was the best cooking we'd find in Italy and not to judge it by our cold spread that she had prepared upon our arrival. Today, we found out they couldn't be more right. She had pesto pasta, personal pizzas, salad, turkey, peas and yet another chocolate torte made for us. I was in heaven!! I could have eaten everything on the table - it was that good! 

After lunch a group of us decided to go on a hike to Eremo di Montecastello - a local monastery. Coach - you'll be proud of this one - it was no short hike, it was 10 miles! About half way up the mountain some of us began to wonder if we'd ever make it to the top, but when we finally got there it was so worth it. The view was just breath taking and you could see the entire city down below. Needless to say we took tons of pictures. We also saw some monks who smiled and waved, but we didn't go into talk to them because we weren't dressed in the appropriate clothing. We had on our shorts and t-shirts since the weather was so warm, but the sign out front clearly stated that they request you wear appropriate clothing that covers your body, as do most all of the churches here. We did drink some holy water out of the fountain outside though!

We took some personal time to rest and recooperate at the top of the mountain and then started the long journey back down in the rain. After the 3 and a half hour adventure, we're finally back at the palazzo and resting before going out for dinner and celebratory gelato. Restaurants here close for ciesta and don't reopen til 7:30, so that makes meal time a little tricky. Hopefully by tomorrow our bodies will be fully adjusted to Italian time. It will be our first day of classes and the start to a full week of new adventures. We're going to the civic museum on Monday, Florence on Wednesday and Arezzo on Saturday! 

This is our family dinner room

So proud to have made it to the top

the inside of the little church attached to the monastery 

Fresh flowers at the market

The entrance to the monastery

WE DID IT!

Drinking my holy water!

one of my favorite pictures so far

Well, after two flights, a bus ride and zero sleep we finally made it to Sansepolcro, and boy is it beautiful! As soon as we arrived at the palazzo the street parade started processing down the main drag followed by a parade of fancy foreign cars. After watching in amazement, we quickly claimed our rooms, dropped off our stuff and regrouped back in the lobby. Dr. Vitarbo took us on a tour of the palazzo and then out in to the streets to show us some of the local favorites. There are two pizza parlors just outside our building and gelato places on every corner - I think I'll be very happy here! Margarita, our house chef, had a delicious feast prepared for us in the dining room for our first group meal. We had everything from salad to fresh fruit to chicken to cheese and bread and then to top it off she made a nutella and strawberry torte! After our bellies we're nice and full we returned to our rooms to shower and unpack and make a game plan for the rest of the evening. We're so ready to get out and explore this beautiful city but we're all so jet lagged from our travels. I think Ives, Allison and I are going venture out to some near by shops, probably - no, definitely - stop for gelato, and then call it an early night!
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and wishing us safe travels. Today marks the first day of the most amazing summer of our lives! Ciao!

Ives & Allison

Ives & I waiting to board in Atlanta

Watching the sunrise from the plane

Our first peak at Italy from the plane

The mountains

The view outside our window

Hey Yall!
I can hardly believe it, but in just four days I'll be on board a plane headed for Italy! Sansepolcro will become my home for the next six weeks where I will embark on the experience of a lifetime - summer study abroad 2012. I will be taking two classes while in Italy; one on the psychology of children and adolescents, and the other on Italian art and culture. Words cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to begin this journey and I hope that all of you will follow along on my adventures by reading my blog posts. I hope to be able to blog almost every day so that you will be able to experience this memorable trip with me! Keep an eye out for pictures and posts on facebook too! This is going to be an amazing summer and I am going to try to capture every moment!
Thank you all for your never ending support, prayers and kind words! I am so ready to make memories and see what this Italian adventure has in store for me! I'll post as soon as we arrive at the palazzo!
Ciao!