Thursday, February 21, 2013

Mi piace i bambini!

I bambini!!!
As I mentioned previously I have the pleasure of working with children while I am in Italy. And as most of you know working with children is a passion of mine. Wednesday night we had the singing class. The children are so precious! I work with the babies ages 3-5 and sing songs such as "Where is Thumpkin" and "Twinkle Twinkle". It is also fun to watch the mothers be involved and try singing along with us!
Today, Thursday, I visited the local elementary school where I will be spending two-three hours a week working with different classrooms (4th grade and 5th grade) to help the students during their English lessons. I am instructed to create short lesson plans and help the teacher in any way possible during the class hour. We are currently working on pronunciation and songs from Grease. Two of the 5th grade classes will be performing parts of the play Grease at the end of the semester. Learning the songs is my favorite part! They all looked at me like I was crazy when I was singing Summer Nights! They have no idea how lucky they are to be working on this Musical!

I also had Art History today. LET ME TELL YOU, I am so incredibly lucky to be taking this class here in Italy. It is my first class of this type of study. Today we visited the Pinacoteca di Siena. My professor Roberto is brilliant and full of information. He is Sienese so learning from him is truly a treat.

This past weekend I did some hiking in the hills between Chianti and Siena. Vineyard after vineyard and very hilly! It was a different kind of hike, not one that I am used to, but beautiful nonetheless. There was a beautiful Church on the top of one of the hills that was spectacular.  Here are just a few pictures!




And here is one in front of my family's house and one when we went wine tasting!


Excited for my upcoming trip to Florence with my art history class and them my dad is coming to France for work so hopefully I'll fly out his way and spend a weekend with him!
Snow and rain in the forecast for this weekend so I am doing a few things around Siena. Tomorrow there is an Organic Market in the Fortress Square and after a short documentary film screening at school about the Entruscans. Saturday there is a free classical concert in the beautiful Basilica dei Servi. And a potential wine tasting in Chianti Sunday!

So many things to do, so little time!

A presto,

-kali 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Carciofi

Buonasera and Happy Valentines Day!

Last night we had carciofi (artichokes!) I was so happy! They were amazing.  So fresh. And yummy chicken drenched in fresh olive oil from Anna Maria's mothers tree. I am noticing the lack of salt in my diet, there is no salt in the bread, and no table salt. The olive oil is basically our salt. It was a great meal, just Anna Maria and myself. She looked up the words to one of my favorite songs by the Lumineers and she tried singing it with me! It's nice to have meals with her because she is very patient with me when I try and say my sentences in Italian. I am loving the language.. although--  la grammatica sono molto dificile (the grammar is very difficult!!!!!!!)  Elena is teaching me all the swear words. It's the best of both worlds.

One thing I did not realize about studying abroad was how willing I would have to be to change my sleeping, eating, and showering pattern! We wake up really early and I have to catch the bus by 8:00 AM to be on time for school at 9:00. There is hardly any snacking and NO NAP! We don't sit down for dinner until 9:00-9:30 PM ish. And I am not in bed until midnight or one when all my studying/homework is complete. The days are long but I don't think I would want it any other way :)

For photography our picture a day journal is probably the coolest journal I'm keeping. Yesterday on the bus I captured the most precious face of a child and it made my day. My favorite line I have mastered is "Posso fotografare il tuo bambino per la scuola?" "May I photography your baby for school?" It's has been well received and I have captured some exceptional moments! [Mari this is your shoutout -- I'm in love with my camera and obsessed with faces instead of landscape now! Thanks for being an inspiration and teaching me to always have my camera on me! If it weren't for that advice I wouldn't have captured some great moments! Can't wait to show you my pictures!]

Waiting in anticipation for my extra crunchy peanut butter.

ciao

-kali

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Addiction: Wednesday morning market!

Buon giorno!

Today has been a great day. I woke up in a really good mood because the sun was shining! Monday it snowed most of the morning and then drizzled rain through out the day. The weather reminds me of being in flagstaff!
Monday we took a class trip to the Duomo which was amazing. Old frescos and candles surrounded us as we walked in. Everything was written in Latin-- it made me want to learn it!   For my sustainability and literature class we have to keep a journal. And this weeks prompt is 'reflect on the ancient' and today I thought to myself, that's really easy living in such an ancient city!!
Yesterday during our Italian culture class we walked around the city and our final destination was St. Catherine's house. It was soooooo beautiful. I think I liked it more than the  Duomo. I went to sit in the Chapel after our class had been dismissed and prayed and reflected for about 15 minutes. Let me tell you- it was the most relaxing 15 minutes I've spent here. I have been overwhelmed with starting classes, a huge Italian exam Friday, permit to stay, and so much more. Luckily my mother is sending me JIFF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER in a care package!
Today we have to do our permit to stay stuff. I have been running all over town getting fingerprinted and the man that did my finger prints is actually our downstairs neighbor! He is also hosting an American girl named Kristin!! We occasionally ride the bus together and have since become friends! He was such a nice man and made the fingerprinting process a bit easier :)
Tonight (and every Wednesday night) I get to spend two hours with Italian children teaching them English songs!! Their class is called learning English through music! I will also be volunteering weekly at an elementary school during English lessons and helping the school put on a small production of Grease (one of my favorites!!)
I promised Makenzie I would get lost for her-- and this afternoon I did! I took streets I had never been on before, ran into four dead ends, and found a few gardens!

OH! I forgot to tell you about the Wednesday market!!! Cheap cheap cheap! I think my favorite part is the food. So many vegetables and fruits freshly picked and TONS of artichokes right now. Luckily I love them! The fruit almost looks fake because it is so fresh. The Tuscan salami TO DIE FOR. The flowers are also absolutely breathtaking! I saw an orchid today and it reminded me of my yiayia. I hope she's proud of the women I have become. I think alot about her here, and buba. Luckily uncle Lou is going to set a Skype date up for buba and I!!!

AND THEN  there is the shopping! Everything for the most part is 10€ or less. This can be dangerous! Because it can add up fast! I bought a few things and have bought some Italian yarn to start Cooper's blanket (Jessie and Jeff's new born!)

I will post a few pictures when I have my laptop with me. I usually only carry around my phone because of the limited Internet.
For those of you that wanted it here is my address for letters/packages!


Siena School for Liberal Arts
Kali N Bills
Via Tommaso Pendola 37
53100 Siena, Italy

Ciao!

-kali


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Calcio!

Ciao tutti!

The days seem so long but I feel like my time here is flying by! One more week of intensive Italian and then classes start! My photography class is going to be my favorite (sorry Gioia!) I am SO EXCITED to start shooting with film. I have this desperate and hopeless passion for photography and I am thrilled that I get to work with film/photography in a country with so much gorgeous landscape! Art History will be taught by my Italian teacher, Roberto. He is brilliant and so knowledgeable about every detail having to do with Siena. Being Sienese he brings such a true love and passion for his city and it's history. Literature, Landscape and Sustainability will be taught by Gioia Woods. I am so excited to have her here! I have just finished our first required book which was about a naturalists journey through Italy. A remarkable story. 4 classes, 10+ excursions, 1 photo journal, 1 litlansus journal and ALL in such an amazing region of Italy. I am one lucky girl.

Sunday we visited Castello di Monteriggioni.  It was absolutely break taking! (Deborah-- put this on your list while you are in Tuscany if you have time!) We took the train from Siena to Castellina in Chianti and then walked to the castle. It is literally on the top of a hill. The walls of the castle looked ancient and the streets looked as if they were on medieval movie set. I was in photography heaven.


^^ A few of us from NAU including Prof. Woods! 


Unfortunately I got sick Monday and Tuesday and stayed home from school. Being away really makes me appreciate what I have at home because all I wanted was a hot bath!
Getting lost in the citta is my absolute favorite thing! With time to kill before the afternoon bus on Wednesday, I got lost.  I am beginning to get around quite well however getting completely lost is the best! I found the absolute perfect park to study in, the perfect cafe for a cheap cup of tea, and the best places to buy yarn! In the afternoon I had tea with our program director Miriam. We talked about adjusting to daily living, food, school and much much more. She has really created the perfect program for students whom love the arts!
Thursday night Prof. Woods (the visiting professor from NAU here with us) took the NAU group 'The Tea Room'.. and not only do I have another mother figure in Italy with me, we found a great place to study!!! The atmosphere is calming and the decor is subtle yet bold. The teapots are also stunning (as Anna Maria says molto bello).


Friday for class we had a culture class and Roberto took us all around inside the city walls describing parts of the city that were the oldest, pointing out different types of buildings and giving brief historical stories of how the city came to be the way it is now. Just an amazing morning all around. 

Friday night I had the best night of my life. I went for a short 20 minute run around my small Petriccio neighborhood and for my cool down I climbed this massive hill. Atop the hill was a turf field where 4 or 5 guys were playing soccer. I ventured over to the gate and asked if I could use the field or if I could kick the ball around with the guys. None of the men spoke English so it was really fun being able to try and ask/speak in all Italian. Sadly they told me tonight was a mens night and that the girls played on Mondays, but there were no teams my age. However just as I said thank you and started to walk away one of the old men told me to come back and walked me over to the gate of the field. I stepped on the turf and my soul was at peace! THE FIELD WILL ALWAYS BE HOME! I started kicking around with a few of the men warming up and most of them introduced themselves to me. During the warm up I got a pass from center mid where I stood waiting for the ball, took one dribble to the right and let the ball rip. Right into the top right corner of the net, I had made an amazing shot from midfield. ALL of the men stopped and stared. They all looked at each other in awe. Someone said something and EVERYONE burst out laughing, including myself -- even though I had no idea what they had said. When more and more showed up I figured it was my time to leave. Just as I was thanking them and saying goodbye they hustled me back and told me I was playing in the game with them! I was so happy! It made my night!! I played with them for about an hour and headed home on a super high! All of the men were 40+ with a few handsome young ones. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my Friday night any other way! It was one for the books. 
And I think my Coach would have been proud and I know he was watching me from Heaven. 

After this week I have come to this conclusion and have really taken it to heart: Life is short, life is beautiful. Cherish the little moments and love unconditionally. 

a presto,

-kali 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Petriccio

My first week of intensive Italian is over and I am so happy I moved into level two! This language is so confusing though! Connor and I studied for two hours today in a small cafe called Meet Life Cafe. It was very comfortable and I ordered my tea all in Italian! I was so proud of myself!!

This past week our school day ended at noon every day. So we had afternoons to explore and/or attend student life meetings or group activities. Every day after school I have been practicing my Italian with my new friend Andrea. He doesn't speak any English and makes fun of my Italian. And he's also good looking :) and I have taught him a few very important phrases in English. "I am lucky" and "You are beautiful!" He also asks about my mother all the time because G is the one who introduced us. 

Most of the mornings start out chilly and out of my window I can see the rolling hills of Tuscany gently covered by the morning mist. I take bus 5 every day from Petriccio to Piazza Sale which is about a 20 minute bus ride and then a 15 minute walk to school. Every morning the sweets in bakery windows tease me every step of the way! By mid morning the fog disappears to reveal some of the most magnificent views I have ever seen. And of course the best part about my half day is catching some afternoon rays in Il Campo!! 
Here is a picture of Il Campo one night when a few friends and I got a few bottles of wine, some cheese, and a loaf of bread and just hung out!

Sunday: Our group went to the theater on Sunday night. And I thought it was very beautiful. Very different then any modern dance performance I have ever seen. I didn't understand any of the words in the songs and there for had to search for emotions on the dancers' faces and in the movement of their bodies. I feel like Mrs. Wilson would have loved it :) 

Saturday: We visited beautiful Museo Civico. Miriam, our program director, took us though the museum explaining certain fresco's. My favorite one pictured the affects of bad government and good government. And the museum also had wonderful views of the city beyond the city wall. The detail in these old paintings is so significant it is beyond me. I was truly amazed. Listening to Miriam describe the fresco's and their deeper meanings was truly a blessing. If I had gone in and looked around on my own I would have thought "How cool. Old paintings." But with detail and descriptions I understood more of the frescos meaning. 



Tuesday: I had a very nice lunch with one of my classmates while we reviewed notes and tried speaking to an older man who was making us speak Italian! He made us re-order in Italian after he taught us how to say what we wanted in English. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help us students learn the native tongue. 

Wednesday: AHH! The mercoledì mattina mercato (Wednesday morning market!) It is fabulous. Everything is cheap and you can get so many things! I know where I will be every Wednesday when I don't have class!!!! 

Friday: Friday morning Anna Maria said "TGIF" even though she had forgotten what it actually meant in english, we had a good laugh. In class we learned about the famous PALIO that takes place twice a year here in Siena. Not sure if I mentioned contrada's or not, but during the Palio ten out of seventeen contrada's compete for victory. It is a marvelous occasion and the Sienese people are very connected to their roots making the Palio  very special event for them. 

Friday afternoon we met at the Enoteca Italiano and all I thought of was how much my MOTHER would love it. You take a windy staircase down to the cellar/basement level filled with different types of wine from each region of Italy. In total there were 62 shelving units. We then went upstairs to taste a bottle of Pinot Grigio. White isn't my favorite but just being there with my classmates and friends was a unique experience and so much fun!!
Here are a few pictures!





This week I had at least one meal alone with each one of my host family members. Dinner Tuesday night my host mother, Anna Maria, was a hoot. We laughed so hard together. She tried to explain that the cheese we were eating came from a sheep. She explained it likes this: "The formaggio comes from the animal that goes "BAAAH"!!!" 
My dinner with Lorenzo this week consisted of talking about the Disco's, drinks, and school. He also puts up with me practicing my conjugations of each verb I have learned so far! He studies engineering and is very sweet! He also brought up the super bowl today at lunch and I got really excited!! And he said we will watch a replay of it Monday! 
Breakfast is usually with Elena. And she teaches me all the curse words and small phrases that Anna Maria would never say! Elena studies chemistry and it's nice to talk to her about girl things. 
Friday night we all had dinner together and I really really enjoyed being all together. Even though they are so busy with their own lives for them to invite me into their home for a semester is very much appreciated. 

Classes are starting to slowly trickle into our weekly schedules. After two more weeks of intensive Italian we will start meeting regularly. I am sooo excited to start my film photo class! 

ok that was alot. i will try and start posting shorter blog posts! 

ciao

-kali