il undici di agosto

Yesterday was La Festa di San Lorenzo! (Who happens to be my patron saint) I'm sure you all had crazy celebrations, and I didn't need to inform you. haha. But there was a huge festival in La Piazza di San Lorenzo which is just one of the giant squares in front of a huge beautiful church in Firenze. Italians celebrate Saint Lawrence by eating watermelon and lasagna and wishing on falling stars. No one was able to offer me any kind of explanation for that...but he is MY patron saint so I celebrated by drinking some giant beers and wandering around the city with some new friends. Nothing too crazy, but it felt so European to be outside celebrating at midnight with 80 year old nonne and 5 year old bambini. I don't feel like I hang out outside enough at home. Perhaps because it's a gillion degrees in Visalia. And drinking in public is illegal. Bummer. Also, I bought a hilarious t-shirt that I'm sure will make an appearance in a short while :) Speaking of hilarious, why is that robot holding that baby at gunpoint on that advertisement? I don't know. I don't speak Italian.
I got a 20 out of 30 on my first test at school. So I'm officially a retard and will not be surprised if they move me down to Gruppo 1. Sick. I understand like everything at school, but my speaking is horrible. I think it's because I speak English with everyone outside of school, but what the hell am I supposed to do? If I had to speak Italian with my friends we would sit in silence...
On the food front: Spencer and I found this CLUTCH panini shop near school where we can get a sandwich for 2.50. They have 29 different sandwiches, so we started with #1 yesterday and we plan to eat them in order. Maybe I'll start naming my blog days after the sandwich. And taking pictures like a hardcore tourist.
Some people in my class took a trip to the Medici Villa outside of town after school today. It's a giant palace that's obnoxiously furnished and gaudy, obviously. I finally understand where cheap Italian restaurants get the inspiration for their terrifying decor. Two words: red velvet. But the gardens were really pretty. And it is pretty insane to visit places like that with so much history, that people in Italy just casually live next to. It was so hot though, it was nasty.
I finally got around to hanging pictures on my wall yesterday, and it made me miss chu guys so much. I've been so blessed to have the people in my life that I do. Okay, I'm done being gay.
I hope this finds everyone well. I'll be sure to keep you updated on adventures. Va bene!