Buon fine settimana!

Have a good weekend!

As for me, I will hopefully be spending it studying and in bed. Temperatures are dropping here and my hibernation desires are out in full force. Therefore, my birthday will hopefully revolve around a warm bed, maybe some wine, perhaps a dinner and cozy intimacy that seems mandatory with the rising possibility of snow. I can’t help but remember back to last year’s birthday and spending it in Rome. But this year quiet is the key.

Before sleep and sweet dreams take over, I do want to wish Jessica and Claudia (my birthday buddies) a very happy day on Sunday. Also, though she is too young to read, my darling god-daughterZoë turned 3 on Wednesday and today I had the pleasure of seeing pictures of her. Thanks Darryl and Lori for sharing. One day I’ll be there for her birthday. Please let her know that.

However you spend your week’s end, enjoy it. Hustle bustle Mondays are at hand.

Illuminated Shoes

My across the street neighbors are Gucci. Well, some of the official Gucci offices here. They bought up tons of property in Florence several years ago and restored most off them. As neighbors go, they aren’t bad. No loud noises at night, they keep the place tidy, good people really. But interestingly enough, they seem to care a bit too much about fashion.

I realized this one night when I forgot to shut the shutters. I looked out and there were beautiful shelves, lighting up the room. I kept trying to determine what could possibly be so important and eventually (luckily for my curiosity’s sake) a well-dressed man came in and reverently picked up a shoe. Yes, all of that space for shoe display. They are even men’s shoes (I guess Gucci designs mens shoes?). After the surreal shock wore off, I shook my head, blinked my eyes and went to bed. To a girl in sensible shoes, it seems a bit too much after all. However, I can’t help but wonder if now in my dreams the men will be at least well shod.

As for what I’ve been up to, well, let’s just say I can’t complain. Went back toGrossetto and then Sunday to Terme di Saturnia. Umm, yeah, if you check out the links to that, you’ll see why I can’t complain. Oh, and I picked oranges. But that is another story all together.

Classes are going well. More later.

Routine!

Spending a week in the midst of a balloon pine forest on the sea was perhaps good for my mind (oh the elegant limbs of the trees’ embrace), but my spirit craves action. And finally I have it. My Italian lessons began yesterday. By classes, I mean full on immersion. I am the only non-Spanish speaker in the class and therefore, none of the chit chat or slipping into English for me. Hopefully this strategy will prove effective — it feels like it is. But the real joy is in doing something beyond my past few weeks of luxe, calme, volupte. Waking up, occupying my mind, hours meaning something — I’m in a bliss state this way. Without it consciousness slides into nothingness and relativity slips away. We all need some bit of routine to truly, wholly appreciate the moments of beauty, pause, and thought. Well, not all of us; maybe just me.

Unfortunately I am still limited to Internet points. As all things Italian go, so does my schedule for connectivity. In other words, it will happen when it happens and not before. So, I’d like to say in 2 days, but we’ll see. Yes? Then pictures and long ramblings, I promise.  Until then, wish me luck with classes and communication in general.

Sea bound

Bufana caused delays. Bufana being an old woman who gives children candy or rocks or something and celebrates the coming of the wise men to the wee babe. And yes, the Italians do love their holidays and trains do not always run on schedule because of it.

So, today, at last, I’m headed to the sea. Planning on picture taking, lounging, pasta eating, wine drinking and when I return perhaps I’ll have a more serious take on life here. Still restricted to Internet Points, but will soon get over all of that. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I’m back to my normal caffeine addiction. So far, a cappuccino and espresso and it isn’t even noon yet.

Note to some fellow bloggers: I have difficulty posting to some blogs due to some scripts not being allowed. If you haven’t heard from me, know I am reading just unable to post. When technological challanges are conquered, I’ll be there!

Quick bits

So, here I sit an an internet point spending money on my need for communication. Fortunately, it looks like I will have wireless at my Santo Spirito apartment. Unfortunately, Umbi (short for Umberto) and I couldn’t get it to work before my laptop died. Tomorrow will be spent purchasing power adaptors. However, that is why I now sit on a Friday night like a true geek tapped into the Net. Oh well.

Luckily the week ahead looks better and involves quiet days at the seaside, hopefully writing, lounging and making my adventure slow down to the sound of waves. And there may be a day spa involved. Surprisingly, I have not taken full advantage of the wine and food yet, but these are both goals I’m aspiring to.

Several of my friends are going through difficult times right now. That is the hardest part. Knowing that I am needed elsewhere and wanting to help. To those of you that may be wrapped in a layer of sadness, please know I am really there and you definitely are in my heart and mind. Love to everyone and hopefully better communication will follow.

At last

Arrived safely. Walked around Venice in a jet-lagged daze. Saw some friends. Celebrated New Year’s. Meet some new friends. Still exhausted. The first day found some cloudy bits occupying my mind that has to do more with not speaking the language than anything. See, my Italian friends here have in the past had a multi-national crowd to it and I have always had a non-Italian friend around. Now, it is all Italian all the time and naturally, understandably, they speak Italian when together. So to say I’ve been in a fog is an understatement. Immersion hopefully will be the best teacher because that is what I’m experiencing. My schooling starts January 15th and then confusion will unwrap itself to reveal clarity. Since 2006 was about self discovery, I hope 2007 to be about communication and all of its facets. Buon anno!

When I’m not so out of it, expect more of the details of what’s going on. Lots of fun so far. But now for some unpacking and nesting in my rented room.