Being Comfortably Confused.

Notte Bianca.

Running around to the all piazzas in Florence all night.

Music, acrobatics, museums and shops open all night.

Definitely one of the strangest events I've ever been to.

But I'm all about strange.

Watch this video to see some of the craziness 

on this night I will never forget :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvXtA2pODo

Being an American from England Speaking French in Italy

No joke.

Christina was speaking french (minimal) to the local Italians 

while she visited this weekend.

It was like having a sneak preview of what it will be like when my dad comes.

Always unsure of what will come out of his mouth to compensate for not knowing the local language.

Love you dad :)

Christina was my first visitor since I've been here in Italy.

It was so great to see a familiar face,

especially one I love so dearly.

Boy did we do pack our weekend full.

Thursday:

Pisa for the day!

Gianna joined us for some adventuring.

We explored the streets.

Gianna and I swing danced to a live folk band.

We ate pizza. Obviously.

Two a day gelato. Duh.

Friday:

Pino's sandwiches. The best.

The leather market. I found my bag. It was love at first sight.

We had lunch on top of the tallest building in Piazza Republica.

Perfect view of the Duomo.

Dinner with my dear friend Cara.

Sat on Santa Croce steps with the crew.

Saturday:

Stroll through the morning market to get ingridients for a lasagna dinner.

Bike tour of Chianti!

We had the most wonderful guides, 

and our fellow bikers became family.

After the tour we all went out to gelato!

Christina and I relaxed and made lasagna,

and decided against better judgement to stay up for the secret bakery.

We wandered around Florence until 1am and unfortunately,

the secret bakery we went to was closed.

Our beds never sounded so good after that haha.

Sunday:

We woke up early and climbed the belltower.

Such an incredible view of the duomo.

Next, off to church!

Incredible worship, incredible sermon (I'm picking up more of the Italian),

and best of all, incredible people.

Christina was able to meet my bible study leaders, the pastor and his wife, and bible study friends.

Fiesole (out in the countryside with an incredible view of Florence) 

for the afternoon.

Met up with Marian and her sister.

I got my care package from home!

Peanut butter, sunflower seeds, thumb drive, sunscreen, 

shoe inserts, ziplocs.

I would have never guessed those would be my main needs 4 months ago lol.

We had a nice steak dinner at 10:30pm.

We got a little cocky and didn't make a reservation.

Oops.

Our tummies were more than satisfied as we fell asleep that night.

Overall it was such an absolute blessing to be visited in Italy for an entire weekend by this woman. There is never a dull moment with this gem and we didn't waste a single second. She's back in England and I will continue praying for her family's adjustment to life there, and that the Lord puts encouraging people in their lives, opens their eyes to see the blessing he has provided them in England, and that he gives them direction in where he wants to use them in reaching people with the gospel.

Racing the Sun.

Woke up this morning to watch the sunrise 

from Piazza Michelangelo with some dear friends.

We were up so early that the secret bakery was still open, so I got my usual crema cornetti to take up to the lookout.

Florence is so quiet in the morning,

except for the birds singing to us as we climbed the steps to the Piazza.

I'm going to miss the sounds and smells of Florence.

The clouds kept us from seeing the sun actually rise,

but it was still a beautiful morning.

Took a picnic lunch to Fiesole.

For only being a 15 minute bus ride away,

I really need to visit this place more often.

It truly is a spectacular view of Firenze.

Entertaining Strangers.

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

A week or so ago I was sitting down by the river playing guitar on my big red blanket as the sun was setting when a boy from Spain came over and asked me if I spoke spanish. I said negatory (despite my 3 years in high school) and he thankfully knew enough english that we could keep up a conversation.

I told him about what it was like studying in Florence.

He was traveling around Italy for vacation.

He is from Valencia, but lives and studies in Czech Republic now.

I asked him if he played guitar, and he said he actually went to conservatory and knows quite a bit of classical guitar.

I handed the guitar over to the pro and he sat next to me for the next 40 minutes or so playing me classical spanish songs.

We talked about music, traveling, and life.

It felt like we'd been friends for the longest time.

We both just needed someone to talk to.

Someone to laugh with.

I will probably never see Jordi again,

but I appreciate God putting us together for that small amount of time.

Enjoying another person who he created and loves so dearly.

Being Educated in Paradise.

[courtyard of my school]

[terrace of my school]

Now that it is starting to get warm,

Florence is looking like an entire different city.

My school's courtyard was a hidden jem,

and now that the sun is out it is the perfect place to read.

The beach I found the first week we were in Florence is now inhabited with a few dozen people laying out in swimsuits daily now.

The tourists count is going up each day.

To look on the bright side, I'll say that means more opportunities 

to talk to interesting people ;)

Pizza Pasta Mafia.

That moment when you realize...

They probably don't have Italian Seasoning in Italy.

Italian sodas taste like American sodas.

Americans don't quite understand real Italian culture and cuisine.

http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-italian-dishes-that-arent-italian-at-all.php

Slowing Down.

The Napping Park - Florence

Slow me down oh Lord slow me down
Help my heart to hear Your sound
Speak into my life Lord speak now
Slow me down oh Lord slow me down

Clear my mind oh Lord clear my mind
Bring me peace that I cannot find
Take my worldly thoughts, break my pride
Clear my mind oh Lord clear my mind

-Robbie Seay Band

Limited Resources.

How do you keep a basil plant from falling out of the window?

Umbrella and a hair tie.

Persistence.

Remember that post I did that had the picture of this dog?

Now I know this dog.

I've been petting this dog that lives in the workshop next door every day I see him outside for the last two months. 

No response.

Italian dogs are like cats. They don't really care about you.

They walk away casually while you're petting them 

and don't look you in the eyes.

That's the response I got from this sweetheart.

The other day I was walking home and all the children 

were getting out of school. 

I saw the neighbor dog wandering through them all, and I crouched down in the midst of all the craziness, grabbed his face with my hands and started rubbing his ears.

Tail wag.

The first time I could tell that this dog was even acknowledging me.

Today I walked past him on my way to class and petted him like always.

On my way home I saw that he was laying down by the door of the workshop from a distance and I was in a hurry so I walked along the street planning to skip saying hello this time.

As I walked past the workshop all of the sudden there he was at my feet.

He had gotten up and ran over to me.

The owner was laughing and seemed perplexed 

at what this dog had just done.

I think this is such a beautiful picture.

Persistence of loving on people is not all for nothing.

We may never see the results in our own lifetime.

Or one day we might be able to see that slight tail wag.

And if we're lucky, we'll see the running towards us.

Everyone desires to be loved.

I pray that God continues to give me opportunities here in Italy to love people and pursue them as Christ has pursued and been persistent with me.

Finding a Humble Abode.

This weekend I ventured with my dear friends Hannah and Carter Ann 

to the beautiful coast of Italy.

We reserved a caravan in Cinque Terre, hopped on a train, 

and headed off to paradise.

Cinque Terre is one of my new favorite places in Italy. 

It is up there with Florence, which has been the place to beat since day one.

Turquoise water, cliffs, beaches, and the most colorful houses I've ever seen.

I think it is the most beautiful place I've ever been.

And I'm lucky enough to get to go back next weekend!

The first day we started out in Levanto which is a city right next to Cinque Terre on the coast. We did a hike from Levanto to... who knows where but if was a hefty 4+ miles away lol.

There were gaps in the tunnel where we could climb out on rocks,

and find trails that went up the cliffs.

The last 2 miles of the walk were in a damp, dark tunnel.

We weren't exactly anticipating that, 

but that's why you go on trips with your friends.

We made 2 miles of tunnel fun haha.

Walking home to the campsite in the dark was...interesting.

We didn't realize that the bus that took us 

to the campsite earlier had crossed over a small river. 

Since it was too late at night to catch the shuttle, we had to run across it.

It's fine. haha.

Once we got back we put on country music and played some cards in our caravan to wind down.

Overall a fantastic cozy experience staying in the caravan.

I recommend it to anyone going to Cinque Terre!

We went through the actual cities of Cinque Terre on day two.

As I said before, I'm obsessed with the coast of Italy.

Manarola was my favorite of the five cities.

There were so many different places you could go in Manarola 

to get different views of the city.

Trains were late, and at one point on the way home we had 4 minutes between trains at the train station to go get our bags from the parking lot (campground people brought them to us), buy our next train tickets, and board the next train to La Spezia. And we DID IT.

I had the biggest adrenaline rush.

It was as if my child was stuck under a car and I could only lift the car if I retrieved 3 bags and bought train tickets in under 4 minutes.

We lifted the crap out of that car.

At the next train station the man at the information booth told us our train wasn't coming because Tuscany was on strike.

He rerouted us, put us on a nice train that had separate cabins 

(like in Harry Potter!!), 

called the conductor of that train to make sure we didn't get kicked off because we did not have the right tickets, 

AND charged my phone because its battery was in the red 

and our e-tickets were on it.

God sure provided in that moment.

Like he does in every moment.

Here's a video of our trip :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EFqRhsnz14&feature=youtu.be