Terrible Tuesdays.... or not!

Today officially began at 4 o' clock this morning when I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep. We all know its because I was so excited about the next three days of Italian language at 8 o'clock in the morning... but I will say I am surprised that I survived the day. Classes from 8 to 5:30? Not exactly something I signed up for, but in the end it was easy to get through it because the last five hours were full of exciting experiential education classes--- hands on learning; something I've been craving ever since I got out of high school.

I'm incredibly excited about my "Current Trends in Italian Cuisine" class. I was ready to make food before, but when I found out how much we were experimenting with food, my excitement rose and I knew I made the right decision with taking this course. Dishes we will prepare this semester range from Crab stuffed with ricotta and asparagus to a homemade chocolate gnocchi.  I didn't even know you could put those two together! Today in class we spent time going through the market learning how to buy foods there rather than cooking them. Let it be said all of our stomachs were grumbling by the end of class. Luckily, the girl at the bread booth is always making samples for everyone to try.

After cooking, I headed right over to my Sketchbook in Florence class. When I arrived I learned we had an exam today right when class started. Immediately, I tensed up and started to wonder if a non-art major like myself had what it takes to participate in this class, especially with one student around me saying he had taken professional art classes since they were 11 and another saying she had been studying art in Florence for 4 years now. Turns out I did okay, obviously not the best but I got a good critique from my professor and she really got me jazzed about the class. Basically we are learning how to build sketchbooks and throughout the semester, we will be visiting some of the most famous museums in Florence and in the world to sketch the work of the masters and everything we see in everyday life. It brings me back to the days of Mrs. Wu and IB textbooks. Since the whole class is focused on building a chronology of sketches and annotations rather than the night before the project is due, I simply cannot wait for this class to really begin. I will treasure those high school sketchbooks forever; I can't imagine how this one will turn out.

I couldn't have been happier to return home and see a comfortable chair and FOOD (not that I haven't eaten enough here.) I decided to try something a little different tonight (and by little, I mean microscopically different) and sauteed mushrooms and paired it with some angel hair pasta. It turned out to be really good and really, really simple..... Either or, it was a successful dinner. Good news came as well-- A beautiful place on the Gulf of Orsei of Sardegna is officially our destination for Spring Break! I'm excited for a week of relaxing, hiking, sightseeing, and maybe even a little sun!

But for now it continues to be winter and it is SNOWING. And its supposed to continue. Wishful thinking, inside out pajamas and all of the other silly things to do to keep the snow coming will be happening tonight. Maybe walking in a winter wonderland will help get me up before seven tomorrow morning? Let's only hope. A Presto!

Sorry about the lack of pictures guys... hopefully Florence will be covered with the white stuff tomorrow so I can snap a couple... hundred.