Il ventotto di ottobre

I'm sure you're all dying to know how Vito is doing.
Well, I'm sorry to report that I have been actively ignoring his calls and text messages for the last week. It's just getting weird. But when I meet a new hilarious character of his caliber, I will certainly let you know.
As for the rest of my life...
Everything is just great. We've started planning some trips for the rest of the semester, and that's very exciting. Having something to look forward to makes weeks go by even faster, though! This weekend we're hoping to go to Assisi--it's not too much of a party town (though I have heard some craaaazy stories about those Franciscan monks. I think they can really get down.) But it's supposed to be absolutely beautiful. And we haven't really seen enough of Italy...Then ROME next weekend. I absolutely cannot wait for that. I'm not sure when things are happening, but we also planned trips to Interlaken, Switzerland; Venice; and Germany for Thanksgiving.
As for funny stories, which I feel like this blog has become primarily. I'd like to tell you all a little story about flesh. Last week my host mom Liliana asked me what I eat for breakfast in America. I said I didn't really eat breakfast (which is a filthy lie, I love breakfast) and that the baguette, jam, and cup of coffee she sets out for me every morning was just fine. She responded telling me that in London Francesco ate something for breakfast that you put in a cup of milk. (Keep in mind that Liliana speaks NO ENGLISH) She struggled for a few seconds trying to think of the English word for this mysterious breakfast food and settled on "flesh". Oh, is that so? Francesco ate flesh in England? No wonder we revolted against those pervs.
So when I sat down to breakfast last Saturday in the place of my baguette there was a coffee cup full of milk, and a box of Corn Flakes. Flakes, flesh. Tomatoes, tomahtoes. You know how it goes. But like I said, a COFFEE CUP of milk and a box of cereal. No bowl. I sat and looked from her to the box to the cup and back to her for a solid 30 seconds before she asked "Should I open it for you?"--well, Liliana, that's not what I was wondering..but sure--so she opened the box. And poured the cereal into my coffee cup. Hilarious. Took everything inside of me not to laugh at her. Who knew Corn Flakes were capable of confusing a person so thoroughly. Later on this week Mario walked into my room while I was getting dressed and apologized to me because he didn't know what to do with my Corn Flakes. Really, guys? There's a picture on the front. No assembly required.
I'm still obsessed with them. So many good stories. Last night after dinner we ate pineapple cake, and drank champagne. I have no idea why. That's not normal. It must have been someone's birthday or something, right? To paint a more complete mental picture, we were also watching "Meet the Fockers" in Italian as a family. Yep, that awkward movie with all the uncomfortable sex stuff. Good thing I'm not awkward...wait...
My bike also got stolen yesterday. That was really lame. But then I bought another one on my walk home. So, I guess that's a pretty pointless story. The new one is a half-turquoise mountain bike. It would have been an 11-year-old girl's dream. On the real, it probably was. Before someone stole it and sold it to me at this sketchy flea market store called "Mecca".
I wish I had more to report. Nothing too crazy is going on. We might be going to a Halloween party sponsored by the University tonight. That could be interesting...we're also going to a Halloween party at Paolo's house on Sunday night. That promises to lend itself to plenty of funny stories.
Can't believe I'm missing Oregon-USC. That actually causes me physical pain. At least I'm repping over here. Right? Did I forget anything?
Love and miss you all! Baci