First week in school!

My first week of school was not very eventful.  My schedule is like this:

Monday: 
Comparative Media 1230-3pm
European Issues 330-445pm

Tuesday:
Conversational Italian 830-945am
Practicum 330-6pm

Wednesday:
European Issues 330-445pm

Thursday:
Conversational Italian 830-945am

Not an extremely hard schedule to handle.  My comparative media is taught by a young Italian man who has many degrees, one I believe in Sociology, which I have been learning about in my last couple of classes.  This class seems to somewhat just drag on.

My European Issues class is fantastic.  My teacher is from the corner of Germany, Switzerland, and France, and speaks English very well.  Each week we are learning about a different European country and comparing it to America essentially.

My conversational Italian class is speeding right along, conjugating irregular verbs already because it ends March 25th.  I thoroughly enjoy my teacher as well!

Finally, is my practicum.  A practicum is required for students who are in particular fields of communication like the ones I am not.  I need a senior seminar for my concentration and so this class is considered my internship.  I am also the only one that is taking this class as an internship.  Essentially, I got out of the 20 page paper at the end of the semester.  So in this class we are dividing into 3 groups of 3 and creating a 5 minute documentary that will be shown at a museum after a panel of judges view them and decide if they are acceptable. 

Altogether, these classes are not too overwhelming, which is great considering I am in FLORENCE!  Below are more pictures from the school.

Rooftop views from school windows

Frescoes on the school walls

  

Studio for Architecture students

January 17th---Our attempt at a day trip to Pisa!

So we decided that a trip to somewhere in Italy might be a fun way to pass our time on Sunday, so Pisa it was.  There is of course the leaning tower and that was all we needed in order to be motivated to go.  We went to the train station, not really sure what we were doing, but followed the instructions on the self-serve machine in order to buy tickets.  One way tickets to Pisa for an hour train ride was about 5 Euros--not too bad for a solitary trip without tour guides.


The three pics are of the group that went to Pisa.  Maura, Emily, Ryan, me, Michael, Kiera, Tall Ryan, Elizabeth, and Dina. 

We made it to Pisa and realized quickly that it look a lot like Florence.  The same Fiumo Arno (Arno River) that flows through Florence flows right through Pisa!  Fancy that.  So again they look very similar with the tiny sidewalks, rude citizens who push you off these small sidewalks, and closed stores lined on both sides because it was Sunday.  Also, Pisa was a lot more cloudy then Florence seemed.

**If you notice--the white building is actually only a sheet with a picture of a building behind it, simply because they are building it behind the sheet**





 We walked about a kilometer and half when the tower seemed to peer out from behind various buildings.

 My first thought was that it was not as big as I thought it would be.  And it didn't look like it leaned as much as I thought it should!  After many, many, many pictures of each of us trying to place our selves in the same exact spot as the other person so we could "push" or "hold up" the tower, we realized it was a lot easier if the person taking the picture did the moving and we could stand wherever:

  Not that fantastic, but good enough since we took so many!  None of us went into the tower because it cost 15 Euros and well, I am sure we could find other things to spend our money on.  I went to one of the street vendors and bought some postcards to remember my experience!  We found one postcard of the tower lit up at night and decided to stay and have dinner until nightfall--hoping it would light up like the post card.  Unfortunately, after dinner, when we walked outside it was not.  Oh well, the postcard is pretty!

After a long day we ventured back to the train station and took our hour long ride home to Florence and then walked the kilometer and half back to our apartments.  The day was quite the success!

The explanation of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

First week in Italy!! January 9th-16th

Ponte Dei Vecchio


So this week has seemed so long and yet has seemed to go by so fast!  Already I have managed to cram so much into my schedule that at this point I am already getting tired of Florence!  I am ready to explore more of Italy and expand my experiences a little bit more.  It has taken me quite awhile to adjust to the time difference and I believe my first sleep through the night was Thursday night.  I went to bed at 10pm and woke up at 730am without waking up at all.

One of the many lecture halls

Saturday, January 9th consisted of me and Ryan walking all over Florence, exploring as much as we possibly could.  We even searched for the Kent State building and after our very long and tiring scavenger hunt we found it.  Our communication group was also treated by the Dean of Communication and his wife to lunch at what has now become our favorite restaurant to eat at with our best Italian friend Fatjon or as we like to call him "FJ".

Sunday, I was so tired that I slept and slept and slept which was really nice, but unfortunately I lost my entire day!  I think I eventually woke up at like 530pm!  Saying I had severe jet lag is an understatement!

Monday was our first day of orientation and we went on a two hour tour of the city from about 930-1130.  Another shorter orientation followed at 230-400pm and then finally we had kind of a celebration at 4-6pm with refreshments!

Tuesday was another orientation day that started at 930am and again went to 1130am.  Essentially, we were told the same things over and over again.  How to be safe, where to eat, where things were located, etc.  I finally got the internet on my computer while I was at school so I was able to update some stuff and check my bank account.  Later Tuesday night we went to this place that had a Beatles cover band, so we sat and listened to some American Beatles songs by 4 Italian men.  It was very interesting listening to them with their heavy accents and yet still be able to sing American songs.  Apparently, they perform every Tuesday night as the "Beatles".

Wednesday was another orientation day with more of the same information and I actually had my first Italian class at 9am!  I love my Italian teacher because he is so entertaining and uses humor whenever he can.  He barely speaks English, but appears to love answering any questions that I have.  There is a picture of him scratching his chin while we are in the big Biblioteca (Library).

Thursday we had another orientation and some of the girls cooked dinner for the group.  Also, we had orientation with Marcello who is the director of the Kent State Florence program. 

Friday we had another Italian class, and tried to go to a restaurant called Kitch which supposedly was an Italian buffet for cheap.  Well, it was cheap, but all Indian food.  Not my cup of tea for sure.  Apparently, that was a first because they usually only have Italian food.  Later that night I simply relaxed and prepared for class the next week.  

walked up this street...

Saturday we had a field trip to Medici Villa which was really neat.  We actually went to the house that the writer wrote Pinocchio in.  We climbed big hills and a saw a beautiful garden.  The pictures below are of Medici Villa:

Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures once we got into the king's palace-- it was however, beautiful and amazing!

Departing for Florence....January 7th 2010

 

Cleveland Airport getting ready to leave

 

The group at Philadelphia airport

 

Waiting to board our plane for Frankfurt, Germany

Getting to Italy was quite the ordeal!  I left from Cleveland at 11:30am and arrived in Philadelphia around 2:00pm. I walked around, tried to get my phone squared away with T-Mobile and called various family members.  The flight from Philadelphia left at 4:30 pm and I was on that very long flight for 8 hours.  Ryan and I ended up on the very last row with seats that didn't recline.  Our flight attendants were extremely nice and we ended up with free headphones!  I watched "Marley and Me", "Love Happens", and "Bride Wars" which were quite entertaining!  Ironically, I did not sleep at all!  We eventually landed and were ushered down steps to the outside and put onto busses.  Then we had to wait in line with our passports to be checked in at Frankfurt, and then we had to go through security again, which was quite complicated without boarding passes.  Security was also a mess.  Both my carry-ons were searched and I had to open them.  My computer was also removed and I was taken by some German official who didn't speak any English, so they could "scan" my computer.  We were put onto another bus and taken across the airport to our plane.  This flight felt like the longest one yet!  Ryan and I saw mountains which we believe were in Switzerland.  At this time it was was 8am and we finally arrived in Florence at 9:30am!  We were ushered to our luggage at the baggage claim and Ryan and I attempted to collect our 5 pieces of checked baggage!  A lady met us VERY soon after and we were put by twos into tiny taxis.  An envelope with keys, a map, and a schedule were handed to us along with 15 euros.  This was just the beginning of what I didn't know about traffic and driving in Florence.  Keira and I immediately put our seat belts on and held on for a very crazy ride.  I was sure I would only live a day in Italy.  After a roller coaster ride we arrived at our apartments and a man carried our luggage up stairs for us. 

 

Finally getting off our 8 hour flight!

The girl's apartment has 4 bedrooms with two bathrooms and I actually ended up getting my own room!  Although it is very simple it has a twin bed, a night stand, a very small three drawer dresser, an armoire, and a computer desk.  The first thing our group did was find a pizzeria across our apartment and met our favorite Italian family.  They love talking to us in Italian and selling their pizza to us.  Each slice is 2 euros, homemade and is very delicious!  I have quickly learned that sparkling water is not tasty and to ask for naturale water everywhere I go!  The water is only served in bottles and there is a charge of 1.50 euros or more per bottle.  This first day consisted of being exhausted and walking all over Florence!  My first dinner was actually at McDonalds and was not very good!  Surprise surprise!  It cost over 15 dollars for two combo meals!!  After dinner I went back to my apartment unpacked, studied Italian greetings, read up on Florence, and eventually showered at 330am!  I slept till 840 am and thought that wasn't enough sleep so I slept until about 11am!  Altogether, my sleep schedule is very screwed up!  More to come about my week!

The Internet Finally!!!!

Hello fellow followers!!!

I finally have technology at my fingertips for the first time since Wednesday!  I got my international phone from this tiny office place and with it I got 90 minutes of free internet so I took full advantage of it!  I have noticed however that my fingers are not used to typing whatsoever!  It is very strange to try and relearn how to type quickly.  I have been journaling my experiences so when I have internet in my apartment I will be able to type them up so you know what has happened to me so far!  I have been trying to take a bunch of pictures which I will also post in the future.  Italy has been pretty good so far, rains a lot, but is like nothing I have ever experienced before.  I have wondered the city for hours, mostly walking in circles, but trying to learn how to get to places.  Our "Communication Group"  (the people in the communication program I went with) has traveled together mostly and we have found one restaurant that we like in particular.  Well, actually two, but one is a small, very small, pizzeria with very delicious homemade pizza.  The family who owns it speaks hardly any English and so far we have gone every day to eat a couple slices.  They are extremely nice and love to try and decipher our terrible Italian skills.  Italian men also enjoy us American women, staring at us while we walk huddled together on the tiny sidewalks, muttering Italian to each other or simply shouting "Caio Bella" out to us! 

Altogether, these last couple of days have felt like 4 weeks and I can't wait to be able to know where I am going and understand the Italian language better.  I will keep you posted as much as I can until I get internet in my room and of course I will post my pictures as soon as I can!  I miss you and love you all!  Thanks again for all of your prayers!!! 

2 days till lift off!!!

So.... I started packing today and managed to fit quite a bit of stuff, which I am super excited about! I can't believe that I am actually heading to Europe--I never thought it would actually happen so the realization is slowly beginning to set in! I don't know if it would have happened if my mom wouldn't have supported me as much as she has!! So thanks mom,

at least I know you are excited for me! I have no idea what to expect as far as cost of food consumption, traveling to other countries, or even the weather, but I feel prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for anything thrown my way. Right now the flight is my biggest concern! After flying to and from Texas last week and being delayed on more than one occasion, I should prepare myself for a lengthy amount of time in the airport. Also, what does one do while on a plane for 8 hours? That is a very long time! I won't even mention the flight home in May is 9 and a half hours--I will worry about that when that day comes.


Anyways, the time between leaving and now is shortening and I only have a couple more items on the "To Do List" which is very good for me! I will miss all of you very much and will try and stay in contact with everyone as much as I can.

Remember you can always email me at:

kyleigh@kyleighlane.com


And thanks to Grace Community Church in Universal City, Tx for all of your prayers and support!!






These picture are in Ohio and what I will gladly be leaving behind for a semester, even though some are quite beautiful!!

Places I have Been

Where I have been so far!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

My flights have been purchased and I will officially be in Florence, Italy on January 8, 2010!  I am so excited and can't wait.  I am thinking about studying up on Italian now before I leave so I am not a complete idiot over there.  I do have to take a Basic Italian Conversation class, but I figure being a little prepared never hurt!  Now all I have to do is figure out how to pack everything I want to take!  Does anyone have any ideas???

Florence, Italy

If you weren't sure where Florence was on the map, now you know!  On some maps it is called Firenze, I am assuming the Italian name!

Welcome to my Blog!

I have created this blog so ya'll can follow me while I am studying abroad in Italy! Communicating will be more difficult while over there because of the cost, so this blog will help allow ya'll know what's going on in my life. I plan on posting pictures with a small caption as often as I can so I don't forget where they come from and hopefully I can post a blog everyday about my new adventures. I am terrible at writing in my journal (sorry Mom!) but I would like to write in it while I am walking around and then type them up on my blog at night before I go to bed. Whether or not this will happen, we shall see! Soo essentially, bare with me and hopefully you will be able to enjoy Europe through my pictures and words! **Remember to vote on my poll on the left of this page**