Is he gay? No I like girls.

The first week of classes is almost over! And by classes I mean 3 hours of Italian a day followed by 2 hours of tutoring on Tuesday and Thursday. All of this while running on about 4-5 hours of sleep a night.

Lunedi was the first day of Italian class. Everyone in 101 was in the same room the first day, and this led to quite the packed space. Our teacher on Monday was Enriqa, and she refused to speak any English to us. We've actually learned a lot in the past 4 days and it's really helpful that the teachers don't speak in English. We go to school in Idea Verona, which is connected to Don Bosco which is one of the high schools here. Class lasted for 3 1/2 hours, with a half hour break in between. After class Lauren, Kalyn, Alex and I went to the hippo (our new favorite spot) to get some lunch. Matt also met us there by coincidence. He went there by himself and the hostess just brought him right up to us! After having a veggie sandwich Kalyn and I had to go to the postoffice to declare that we were living in the city. This took forever because they went by last names and we were the cutoff. The rest of the group waited for us at the hippo while we were there, and about 15 of us went to Vodafone to get our new sim cards and a cheap plan. We ended up being there for 2 1/2 hours! It was awful, but we now can all text each other for free which is great. Of course on the way to the grocery store we had to get some gelato (I had mint) which I had never had before! It was so amazing. Finally, a grocery store! I only got a few things (and of course a 3 euro bottle of wine) to last me for a few days. They go shopping all the time in Italy because their food is so fresh! That night a group of girls went over to an apartment to get to know each other and hang out which was really fun. We all brought over a bottle of wine to drink and got pretty wasted playing never have I ever. On the walk home (at 3 am) Kalyn, Lauren, Mia, Maura and I stopped at this huge gate to climb it and take pictures with it. Mia and Maura still hadn't finished their bottles so we drank those there too. When we finally got home I passed out!

Martedi the Italian 101 class got split into two classrooms. After learning some more great words and phrases, Mia, Maura and I went to the bank to take out money and then to a little cafe to grab a sandwich before heading back to Idea Verona for tutoring. I was so stressed after tutoring because I felt like I couldn't say anything! Afterwards we stayed at the school until 6 using the internet, and then I went back to Lauren and Kaylns apartment to see it. We wanted to watch a movie before eating dinner with their roommates so we turned on Mama Mia and all ended up falling asleep. I walked home from their apartment around 9:30 and found out that it's only a 10 minute or so walk which is really nice! I finally got to unpack after that and I found my iPhone (which I thought I lost. Huge fiasco. Bruce had to turn it off for me and everything)! I went to bed a little earlier than usual which was nice because I felt a lot more rested for class in the morning.

Mercoledi class was the same, and after we decided to buy a ticket to have lunch at the school. For 4 euro we got a lunch of pasta with ragu, spinach (which I decided not to try) a yogurt, and fruit. A deal if I say so myself! Maura had to go to the postoffice after that, so I went to PAM and then walked back to the apartment by myself. Around 5:30 I went to Kalyn and Laurens so we could walk together to cooking class. We signed up for cooking class and got split into smaller groups because it is at a woman named Francescas house. Our group was Kalyn, Lauren, Lily, Megan, Alyse and I. Francesca would make the food in front of us and then we were able to watch her cook it and then we ate! We made spaghetti first. Francesca cut up tomatoes and added olio (olive oil), l'agilo (garlic), parsley, and peppers. This was the spaghetti sauce. After that we made chicken which was cut into small pieces and then cooked with olio, zenzero (ginger), walnuts, rosemary, olives, a little bit of honey, and raisins. We also made a cipola (onions) and pepper mix which was amazing! Oh and we had this pizza dough that was made into this puff bread things (we learn pizza next time, and the dough). SO GOOD! After hanging out there for a while we walked to Leah and Brittas apartment for a pregame. There were so many of us! We finally got to Campus around 11:30 for what we thought were going to be these amazing 50 euro cent shots. Turns out they set up a card table in the back corner which was packed and then gave these mini shots of random alcohol. But we knocked back about 4 each anyway. Lauren and I walked up to the bar and all of a sudden these guys handed me an empty glass for beer and Lauren got one too. We made friends with them and sat and hung out (and drank) for the rest of the night. They were out celebrating a birthday and they spoke Spanish so we were able to bust out our Spanish speaking skills which was nice for a change. We even taught them how we do "social!!" before we drink. After a lovely 40 minute walk home once the bar closed I decided to make this tiny frozen pizza that I bought. Both Maura and I made drunk food and then when I went to bed Maura left the oven on all night! We are so lucky this place didn't burn down. It was however nice and warm in the apartment when we woke up!

After a lovely 4 hours of sleep Italian class was calling. Being up and having to actually participate and attend (sorry Mom and Dad--sometimes I don't go to class at home) class is a new change. The teacher called on me and asked what time I went to bed. I responded with quattro (4) and she was very confused. Oh her name is Gaia. But anyway Gaia asked if I meant 16:00 and I said si at first because then I was confused. But then I finally figured it out and she was shocked haha. The two other girls that went after me said 3:30 and anch'io (the same) so she asked if we had been to a discoteca. We yelled no, Campus! Apparently the other teacher had to wake Lauren up (by petting her, you know totally normal) and then also found out that we went out. Our teachers love us. After class Lauren, Kalyn, Courtney, Mia, Maura, and I went to a pizza place. I got a gorgonzola pizza which was extremely good! Then off to tutoring we went. It went a lot better today because our teacher for tutoring (Enriqa) spoke un po d'ingles (a little bit of English) to us and just reviewed what we learned in class.

Now it's time to make some dinner (I'm thinking poached eggs?) and then get ready to go out! We're pregaming and then going to Campus for Erasmus night, which is international students night. Oh Campus, you are becoming my Kams!! Love it!

Oh one more thing...we're starting to plan our trips!! This weekend we have a planned trip with Claudio to Mantova, Soave, and Montagnana. It's also one of our friends Birthdays so we'll be celebrating that. But anyway, the weekend after we are going skiing in the Alps for a day, then I have a free weekend (but I really want to fill it with something great). After that we are going to Milan for a Friday and Saturday because we have a Claudio trip on Sunday, and then the weekend right after my birthday we are going to Venice for Carnival!!! And I already know that we are going to Greece for a little during Easter break for Kalyns birthday. I can't wait to travel everywhere!