Neve

So, I guess that snippy little comment I made about not missing trudging through the snow in Worcester upset the weather gods...because they decided to show me what was up yesterday.
When I got out of my language final (that went very well, thanks for your prayers, kids) it started snowing here! What?! Didn't I move to the Mediterranean? Apparently that doesn't mean what I thought it meant. (I thought it meant it didn't get cold). And it has been quite nippy this week. (I can't use that phrase without imagining Clark Griswold in that department store...) But I had no idea it was going to result in an actual snow storm. Dealing with the snow has been annoying, but it's almost worth it because the Italians reacting to it is HILARIOUS. I mean, I'm not pretending to be a snow-expert. I haven't forgotten that I'm from Visalia, California. I remember that epic day in January 1999 when snow stuck to the ground and school was canceled. (I've chosen to block out that St. Paul's had a teacher in-service that day and we didn't technically get a snow day...) But back on track: I have spent the last two winters in western Massachusetts, and I've seen how this stuff is supposed to be handled. Spoiler alert: Italians are not prepared for snow.
The whole city basically shut down yesterday. There were no cars on the road. No buses were running. In fact, the buses that were running pulled over to the side of the road and abandoned ship--as if it were the apocalypse. For some reason I loved the snow-covered scooters. That's something I don't think I'd get to enjoy at home. I sat in my room yesterday listening to all of the little kids in my building having snow ball fights and making snow men in our parking lot. Pretty hilarious. I've never really been able to enjoy the snow like this because at school everyone is miserable at this time. And, I guess we don't have little kids or dogs to laugh at as they romp in the wintery wonderland.
Although the Italian "system" (i.e. plows and public transportation) was not prepared for the storm, there were some individuals who were more than prepared. Like this jackass skiing down the side of the road last night. Are you kidding me, sir? Or the hundreds of Florentines wandering around the city in MOON BOOTS today. They're actually Moon Boots. They're even CALLED Moon Boots. Less stylish than usual, guys. This city is always breathtakingly beautiful, and it may be even prettier dusted with snow. Maybe.

Today, Liliana and I exchanged Christmas presents. I regifted a set of soap and lotion that someone gave me when we were at that villa in the country 2 weeks ago. I mean, I put it in a bag and stuff. She didn't know. And she gave me this. Yep. Freakin' awesome butterfly make-up case. Complete with glittery lip gloss and eyeshadow. Things that my real mom wouldn't let me have when I was 10: that. Lils is pretty much the cutest little lady ever. I bought Francesco and Mario this movie called "Amici Miei" that they talk about all the time. I'm gonna miss these goofballs when I leave for my epic Christmas adventure on Monday.
I can't believe I leave on Monday. December 20th has always seemed so far away. But, I guess you can't really argue with the chocolate advent calendar...dude's lookin' like a grocery store in Poland. (Thanks for that phrase, Modge.)
On Monday evening I will be arriving in Palma de Mallorca (it's okay. I didn't know what it was either http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorca) and meeting up with everyone's good friend Quirky. The two of us will spend a lovely Christmas honeymoon for 6 days in Palma before we head to Barcelona until the 30th. To ring in the new year we're heading to Paris to meet up with a huge group of Holy Cross study abroad kids. Apparently it's the thing to do every year. On January 3rd Quirky and I, joined by our friends Katie and Carolyn, will head to Berlin for 3 days before I return home to Firenze and begin miserably studying for my Museology final in January. Not a bad Christmas break, right? I absolutely can't wait. So much nonsense will ensue. Don't worry, you'll hear all about it.
Pretty weird that I won't be in the V for Christmas, though. I know I'm missing the Christmas party tonight. I hope someone e-mails me a picture of my dad in his red pants. This will be the only Christmas I spend away family and friends, though. I can handle that. It just means I'll need to make up for it in years to come, suckers.
But really, I love and miss you all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cubgWvBfs24
The only thing I don't miss: Pops' weird Irish Tenors Christmas CD.
Baci

Buone feste!

Important side note: we asked a group of Asian tourists to take this picture. We figured, who will think this is least strange? Because, let's face it, it was pretty strange. And we decided we were safe asking Asians.
So Adair and Jenna each gave their camera to a fanny-pack toting tourist and we posed like the adorable family that we are. However, I noticed part way through the photo shoot that there were not two, but three cameras capturing this momentous occasion. "Oh, hello, Asian man with the pink Cannon Powershot. I hope you got me from a good angle." I hope that pic framed on his mantle.
So, here's to you and yours.
From, our little Florentine family.

Nothing in particular

Long time no talk, faithful followers.
I kid, I know basically only my mom reads this--and even then I have to remind her to.
It's been vewy vewy quiet around here lately, hence the lack of updates on my shenanigans.
But everything is still going very smoothly, cannot believe that it's December 9th already. How did that happen? (Alright, I know I say that every few weeks, but it really does blow my mind.) It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around these parts. In fact, today I decided to walk around my neighborhood and put Johnny Mathis in my headphones as I enjoyed all of the lit-up store windows. However, it was approximately 60 degrees today. So, it doesn't feel like my last two Christmases. Can't say I miss trudging through the snow, Holy Cross. Sorry.
Speaking of things that are sweet about not being at school: yesterday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception or the "Immaculata". Again, something that is not acknowledged in the U.S. of A. I blame the Puritans. But it was a "festa" here, and the lovely people at CLIDA decided to take us into the countryside in Chianti to an amazing villa/winery for lunch. Casual...It was so beautiful! We had an amazing lunch, tasted delicious wines, and wandered around the grounds of this incredible Tuscan villa. I've decided I would like to own one eventually. Not a bad lifestyle, I don't think. Naturally, my plans to marry a Columbian drug lord are already in the making. Any objections? Lovely.
When I got back from my walk this afternoon, though, I was greeted by a little red bubble on my e-mail informing me that I'd received a message. Who's it from? Oh, just some ridiculous Italian man that Jenna and I met at a bar on Saturday night when I was watching the Civil War (GO DUCKS!) This guy was an absolute riot. When he asked where I was from in California, as all Italians do--even though if you say anything other than San Diego or San Francisco they stare at you blankly--he replies, "Oh, is that near Fresno?" (keep in mind, all in Italian) Because apparently some Italian basketball player left to play for Fresno State. "ze Bulldogs" Yeah, man. "Ze Bulldogs". Anyways, he sends me this e-mail just kinda asking what's up. Because he got my e-mail address off of my facebook. Italians, you need to relax. Please pay extra attention to the very last line. Since I'm sure the rest of the Italian nonsense doesn't mean much to most of you. Out of control.
Last weekend we went to see Fiorentina (Florence's soccer team) play Cagliari (evidently this is a place in the south of Italy. Sounds like Canada to me. Va bene) It was a lot of fun. Although soccer will never compare to college football, Fiorentina fans were absolutely out of control. Luckily, we were surrounded by American college students...so we didn't get caught in any scuffles. Just looking like goofy ass posers decked out in scarves and beanies that they bought 10 minutes before the game started. You can't see my jersey in this picture, thank goodness, and I apologize for my bare back. I guess I didn't need to share this picture. Woops.
I thought Francesco would be impressed with me for going to the game, so when I came home I showed him my ticket and told him how fun it was. He told me that the people at the games are mostly Americans nowadays. Long story short: he wasn't impressed. Maybe he was just upset because Katja had left that morning. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the girlfriend from Ukraine came to visit last week! More awesome awkward host family stories.
The first night she was here we had a fancy dinner. I'm talking, we had a tablecloth out and everything. The Rizzi's had met her once before- she came to visit this summer when they started dating-I learned. But this was the newest member of the family's (I like to consider myself) first encounter. It quickly became obvious that as much as I tried to pretend like I lived there- serving her food, telling her to try stuff, asking if she needed anything- that the real Rizzi's still consider me a guest in their house. Pretty hilarious. I mean, it didn't stop me from acting like Francesco was my older brother and I needed to grill her. Nevermind that, though, because our conversation quickly turned to politics, then to Russia, and then I learned that the story of Anastasia ISN'T TRUE. Thanks, Katja, come in my house and crush my fantasies, why don'tcha?! Liliana was really upset too, actually. It's fine. I saw the mail order bride a few more times over the next week, but we didn't have any other significant interactions.
So I'm currently just kinda hanging out. We have three more classes of Museology. Thank the Lord. And another week of language class until our finals next Thursday and Friday. That blows my mind. I hope you're all praying for me. I need it.
As usual, miss and love you all. Baci!