Pasta, Pasta, and more Pasta

It has been a slow week with classes starting, but a good one. Unfortunately I was sick again but it feels like everything is officially gone so that is very good news! It's also been an incredibly cold week as well. We have seen snow flurries the past few days and this morning, I took a run and could barely move forward with all of the wind gusts. We might be headed to Greve in the Chianti region tomorrow, but are unsure of the transportation with the recent snow. It might be another laid back weekend in Florence, but in the few weeks ahead I have a Venice Carnevale day trip with Kaitlin, Paris weekend with Kenan and Julia, then possibly Munich, and finally Rome with the school.  February is shaping up to be a pretty busy month, so I guess I'll be able to stand Florence for another weekend (just kidding guys, of course I can).

I will tell you we have been eating enough this week. I got a huge package of mushrooms at the store last weekend, so basically everything I have been eating has contained a little bit of olive oil, a little bit of herbs, and a little bit (or a lot...) of mushrooms. 

On Monday I made bruschetta for lunch (fit with mushrooms, parsley, olive oil, and sliced tomatoes!) The next day, I spiced up my food life with adding tomato and balsamic to my pasta (I wasn't sure how the balsamic would taste but it turned out to be pretty good! Then again, you can't really go wrong with such a simple meal). 

Then last night, I was really just pulling everything out of the pantry and decided to add apple and onion to my mushroom pasta. It was just for fun, but I ended up liking all of the flavors together and I'll probably try the meal again. So that's my week of mushroom delight. 

I must include Kaitlin's "drunken spaghetti" to my week of meals. We took taste the rainbow to the next level. Green spinach and red tomatoes for the salad, Purple pasta (that had been dyed by red wine) all served on our typical blue patterned plates. I must say, when i saw the meal I was a bit skeptical. I had never tried purple pasta before, but was definitely willing to. It ended up being one of my favorite meals we have cooked so far! The flavors were so unique and really delicious. I'll never turn my nose up to purple pasta again. 

Maybe I'll actually go to the supermarket, and not have to be restrained to just mushrooms and pasta. Stir fry? Chicken? Anything but pasta? Sounds good to me. If you have any (stove top) recipes (because we don't have an oven) send them my way! Believe me, I'll try anything.

Ebb and Flow

Ever since I was in the third grade and discovered the wonderful taste of olive oil and rosemary, my dream destination was Italy. A decade or so later, I am more than lucky to be able to fulfill my dream and I am taking a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. Cliche or not, I am so thankful to have such a great support system behind me. My friends, my parents, even my dogs... with their support and shared excitement, this trip is building up to be more-than-incredible.

I would be lying however if I told you I wasn't at all nervous. I've never been to Europe and never have been away from home for this long (5 months). As I get closer to the date of take-off (January 11--Less than a week!!) the ebb and flow of excitement and nervousness still exists. But each morning I wake up and realize I am one day closer to looking out my window and seeing that burnt orange color of Florence architecture. I am one day closer to living my dream.

I learned two days ago that I will be living in the center of Florence and...get this...ten feet away from the Duomo!! I will be living with 5 other girls from UNC in an apartment. It looks like there are plenty of markets right outside of our door, perfect for buying food for meals etc.

My classes are from 4:30 on Monday to 11:45 on Thursday. I am taking all things Italian that will hopefully immerse myself into the culture there: Italian Cinema, Italian Civilization, Sketchbook in Florence, Current Trends in Italian Cuisine, and finally Intermediate Italian. Classes do not start until January 31st, but the first couple of weeks, thanks to UNC, 30 other students and I will become acclimated with the Florence way of life and will take a 2 week crash course in Italian.

I have never been the best at putting my thoughts down on paper, so bear with me. (Even you Dad... I know you will be critiquing every word I write). But this is a small attempt at packing anyone who wants to join in my suitcase and share the adventure that lies ahead with them. I hope to blog as much as I can, but I am also bringing a journal (thanks to a certain someone) along the way to help keep track of my days: sketches, thoughts, experiences.

It is going to be a hard goodbye on Wednesday to friends and family, however I will always look at it as an "a presto" (or a see you soon)!

Ciao! Fino alla prossima volta! (Until next time)
-Ainslie