Arezzo, Cortona, and Everything in Between

Dramatic Pause. 

Aaaand we’re back. Time for an update on my recent excursions. Two weekends ago, we took a day trip to Arezzo and Cortona, two Etruscan towns. Both towns are situated up on hills, making them lovely spectacles and objects of gorgeous views. If you’ve ever seen “Life is Beautiful,” it was filmed in Arezzo. And “Under the Tuscan Sun” was filmed in Cortona. We ate lunch in Arezzo at this adorable Trattatoria. Wine racks lined the walls, Red and white tablecloths covered the tables. I ordered my favorite pizza, Cuattro Stagioni (Prosciutto, artichokes, mushrooms, and olives). Molto Buono.

Arezzo

Cara and I in Arezzo

Trattoria in Arezzo

Cortona was an adorable town. The road winding to the top gives any human being bus-sickness, but it was worth it. The hilly town has narrow alleyways, quaint shops, and breathtaking views of the valley below. I was in a leather shop when I got to talking with the shop owner. She was the sweetest British lady. When she was in college, she studied in Florence for a month, decided she was going to live here, fell in love with a Florentine, got married, and they’ve lived just outside of Cortona for 40 years. Loved hearing her story, though it didn’t help my hopeless romantic side in the slightest.

Cortona

                                          

Cortona

On Valentine’s Day, a couple of us went to a fragrance shop and a leather shop. Both are local businesses where they make their goods right there in the shops. The moment you walk into the perfumery, a huge whiff of about 200 fragrances fills your nostrils with scents of patchouli, lavender, rose, and a whole bunch of others. If you know me at all, you know I love to smell things, so this shop was so much fun for me. I ended up walking out with about three different fragrances spritzed on me. I wasn’t about to leave without testing a 150-euro perfume. And no, Mom, I didn’t buy any.

 Last week was also the week I partook in a cooking class. I truly felt like a Food Network chef. My dream had been accomplished. We made a Sicilian pasta dish with homemade tomato sauce and eggplant, cauliflower flan (don’t hate it until you’ve tried it), and panna cotta with a balsamic caramel sauce for dessert (kind of like a firm vanilla pudding, or creamy jello. It’s the only way to describe it, but it’s really good.). I intend to make it for anyone who wants it, so let me know and I’ll make you a true Italian dinner.

Alex and I were the designated dessert makers. We owned that Panna Cotta

Brewing up something delicious

The delicious Panna Cotta

This past Sunday, we took a bus just outside of the city near the small town called Fiesole. We took a tour of an Olive farm, Fattoria di Maiano, where they make literally one of the greatest tasting extra virgin olive oils I’ve ever tasted. The farm is also a bed and breakfast, so everywhere you look is picture perfect. The place was actually a filming location for a movie called “A Room with a View,” which I’ve never seen before. The olives are done for the season, but it was still cool to see the production machinery and taste some of it on a toasted baguette. Plus, I love learning anything from Tomazo, our 20-something guide. I think he works as a model on the side. Just a guess.

View from the farm

The restaurant at the bed and breakfast

                             

The farm also had animals

Also went to the Uffizi Gallery, the original offices for practically every Medici that ever lived. It was also the first art collection open to the public. Saw Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Springtime. Other works included Leonardo, Carravagio, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi, but this stuff is boring to read about. Just go see them, and you’ll see why I’m excited.

And we climbed the Belltower.

414 Steps. We're obviously on step 34 at this point.

 

Me being daring

Hey, it was a big drop. 

You are now up to date.

Ten Things

       Kathleen Kelly is to New York City as I am to Florence, for all you “You’ve Got Mail” aficionados. Except instead of the smell of bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, it’s the aroma of cigarettes and wine. Which leads me to the first installment of “Ten Things I love About Florence”

 1. The smell of leather and secondhand smoke down every street.

2. The concaved cobblestone streets around Santa Croce from all the wear and tear over the years. It’s really funny to watch people trip over themselves and walk like they’re drunk. By “people,” I mean “me.”

 3. Maria Grazia’s Tartufo Pasta.

4. The creepy guys on the streets that try to sell you umbrellas…..

5. The little Italian boys playing soccer in the Piazza de Santa Croce.

6. Old men wearing fedoras, oversized glases, and London Fog.

 7. The river walk.

 8. The Oil Shop. The. Best. Sandwiches. Number 4 is my kryptonite.

9. The quiet streets at 7:30 in the morning, when all the stores are just opening and the old women are walking their dogs that have their own sweaters.

10. The military guy in the glass triangle display-thingy that’s protruding out of a military building I pass by every day. I’m pretty sure he recognizes me by the two scarves I alternate every other day and the same pair of jeans I’ve worn for the last four days. One day I know we’ll be friends.

Fellowship in Florence

                This past Sunday, Laurel, Cara, and I ventured a little out of Florence to go to a church we heard about through word of mouth called Chiesa Logos. We took a trolley/train to get to the recreational center where the church is located. We walked into the room, the sound of a contemporary worship songs being sung, a tune recognizable to my ears, but in Italian. It was awesome. Though the congregation was small (about 50 people), it was so awesome to be worshiping the same God, only in a different language. If you’ve ever experienced something like that, it’s a wonderful experience. The message was also in Italian, but I enjoyed looking at the scripture references in Italian, and reading them in English in my Bible. It was kind of like a puzzle.
              We met the pastor after church, who is an incredible individual. In addition to pastoring this church, he also translates at church conferences from English to Italian, so it was very comfortable talking to him . He went to the Theological Seminary in San Diego and came back to Florence with his wife and three daughters to preach. His wife is American and an inspiring woman. I can’t wait to have a coffee date with her.
                Pastor Andrea was telling us after church about the spiritual burnout in Italy. Only 9% of Florentines are practicing Catholics, and less than 1% are Evangelical Christians. Italy is now further behind than India and many parts of Asia in spiritual revival. It was mind boggling to hear that, but also eye opening. The church is doing wonderful things in Florence, and Pastor Andrea asked to keep the church in our prayers, as the spiritual warfare is prevalent here.
                 We also attended an English speaking Bible Study on Tuesday nights at the home of CodyWilbanks. Cody, his wife Danielle, and their two little daughters moved to Florence two years ago to be missionaries and church planters. They started this Bible study last year when a couple of American students really just wanted to have some kind of Christian community while they were here studying. My heart was filled with so much joy Tuesday night when I saw a group twenty-some students who have the same desire to pursue Christ while studying here in Florence. The Bible study was awesome, filled with the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of other believers. Also pretty cool that many of them go to Grove City and know some people who I know there!
              The Lord has provided abundantly. There I was, a Doubting Thomas and worrier, and the Lord basically told me, It’s okay, Kate, I’ve got awesome plans in store for you. Philippians 4:6.

Ciao from the Terrace

        I am currently sitting on the terrace with Rachel, gazing out over the rooftops. I can see the Duomo on one side and Piazzele Michelangelo on the other. There is a slight breeze and the sun peaks through the clouds every so often. It’s about 58 degrees here, so a light sweater is all I need to be in heaven. The birds are chirping an Italian song, and the clothes are hanging out from the windows to dry. My croissant with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella is giving my fingers a shine from the butter and a satisfaction in my stomach. I brush the crumbs from my lap cause the croissant is so flakey and light. It’s times like these I lock into my memory for years to come when I remember the semester I was in Florence.

Learning My Way Through Florence

On the bus ride from Rome to Firenze

           I have officially been in Italy for a total of one week. Crazy crazy. It feels like I’ve done so much and been so many places already; I hardly know where to begin. Normally a vacation to Italy would require spending maybe a day or two in a city, but it’s crazy to think that I’ll be living in Florence for the next three months. I don’t want to bore you with intricate details on what I’ve done so far, so I’ll try to give you an overview as best I can. I landed in Rome where we were met by the ISA staff. Thankfully, I was flying with about 20 other ISA students, so we all herded together. We stayed in Rome for the first three days, touring the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican and its museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the magic of Rome at night. My favorite part of Rome was probably walking through the ancient ruins of the forum. To think of people roaming the streets in 700 BC, and there I am, walking on the same ground, it was just really awesome to think about.

Jenn and I at the Coliseum 

           We arrived in Florence on Thursday where we, my roommate Rachel and I, met our host mom, Maria Gazia. She waited patiently by our bags that arrived earlier and greeted us with a kiss on the cheeks. Our apartment is situated a little bit outside of the center of the city, which I like because it gives us a little more of a homey feel in this part of the neighborhood. The flat is located on the third floor with a beautiful terrace that wraps around part of the building. The apartment is very spacious and Maria Grazia has decorated it well. She makes us breakfast every morning and dinner on the weekdays, so we get a taste of Italy without having to make it or go out for dinner. One of the many perks of a homestay! Rachel and I both settling in well to our room with our pictures of home next to our beds.

View of the terrace

Beautiful view from the terrace                                    

                I’m starting to learn my way around the city slowly but surely. I mentally run through the streets and demographics in my head before I approach them so it actually looks like I know where I’m going. If I can get to the Duomo, I can basically get anywhere. Basically. I can’t wait until going to the market becomes second nature to me. I’m also working on my “walking face,” which requires looking at the sidewalk and not smiling. Apparently, smiling is not mandatory when walking in Florence. But I know in everyone of the people’s hearts I walk by, they’re smiling inside. The locals are very nice, and I do my best at trying out my Italian, though they quickly figure out I’m a lousy American. I was proud of myself the other day when I did some finagling for a scarf for about 10 seconds in Italian, until he said something I couldn’t understand and I had to blow my cover as an American. Sigh, it didn’t last long. Eventually, my goal is to order something without them replying in English.

At Piazzale Michelangelo

Italy Bound

             I have to be honest, I almost forgot I had a blog. Shame on me. The truth is I am returning to the blog world to inform you that I am going overseas. I will be studying abroad in Florence, Italy starting in January. Studying abroad is something I have dreamt about my whole life. I haven’t done much travelling outside of the United States if you don’t consider Canada and Mexico. But I know the travel bug is in my blood, and if I had the opportunity to go to every country in the world, heaven knows I would. Now that I have the opportunity to go to Italy for the semester, I can’t help but feel like it’s a dream. For those of you that have been before, I used to envy you. Now that I will be one of those people, it’s almost like a shock to my system. To be immersed in a country with breathtaking landscapes, beautiful people, rich history, irreplaceable art, and food that puts America’s to shame is something I’ve longed to experience.

            While I’m there, I will be taking four classes, a contemporary Italian art class (something I know zippo about), Renaissance Italian Architecture History, an advanced painting class (yikes!), and an Italian class. I’m hoping my years of Spanish in high school help me out a little bit with understanding the language, but the truth is I hardly know any Italian. Mom and Dad got me an Italian program for Christmas. All I’ve learned so far is how to say is “hot” and “Turn right.” At least they’ll know how I like my coffee and how to get to the Duomo with only right turns. Trust me, that takes talent. But I’m going with an open mind to learn and I’m praying the complete immersion will help me adapt to the new culture. I’m looking forward to my classes, and I’ll keep you updated on how the language barrier is holding up. I’m hoping to lower it swiftly and painlessly.

            Because I am going with a program not directly connected to my school, I know hardly any, scratch that, no one else going. This excites me and makes me nervous at the same time. I enjoy the thrill of knowing no one, but I’m also the kind of person that likes to know if I will click with at least some, if not all, of the other students going. It’s just one of those things that you’ll never know until you get there. The other thing that excites me about this is the thought that it is basically God and I going on this trip. Because I don’t know anyone else yet, I will have to rely on the Holy Spirit more than I have before. This is something you can pray for me, as I will not have the same Christian support and fellowship as I have had at school for that past three years. This is an exciting and trying time for me, and I ask for your prayers. This is my mission field, and I don’t want to lose sight that Christ works in every area of the world and following God’s Will is not just for stateside.

              Let me know if you decide on visiting Italy between January and May, and perhaps we can grab gelato at my favorite Gelataria! I’m sure I will have many. Arrivederci for now.

What I Feel vs. What is Real

Disclaimer: Most of where I’m getting these thoughts come from Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, a worth while book I’m reading this summer. This is my personal adaptation of the book.

Most of my unhappiness in life is due to the fact that I am listening to myself instead of talking to myself.

Here is normally how my mornings go: My alarm goes off. I annoyingly flop my arm around until I find the snooze button.  Make it stop! Three jarring snoozes later, my body and my thoughts roll out of bed. Why did Amy have to leave her towel in the bathroom? IT BLEONGS ON THE RACK! I have to work today. Another reason to be in a bad mood. I hate work. Why didn’t dad turn on the AC last night? IT’S SO HOT. GAH.

Life is just one big hot mess.

Every day I’m faced with two simple questions. Am I going to listen to myself and my constantly changing feelings about my circumstances, or am I going to tell myself about the unchanging truth of who God is and what He’s accomplished for us on the cross through his son Jesus? I am such a “feelings-focused” person, and that makes it even harder in today’s society when it’s telling me to “follow my heart.” But unless my feelings and emotions are Biblical based, I’m letting my feelings tell me what’s true, instead of letting the truth transform my feelings.

It is very easy to let my decisions be made by the way I’m feeling at a certain moment in time. But trusting my own decisions based on what I think my heart is telling me is risky. My feelings are so uppity and my emotions utterly unstable. They are filled with lies that I have convinced myself are true. What I need to recognize is that I need to believe the truth regardless of how I feel. When my emotions are controlled with Biblical thinking, it allows me to take those emotions into a realm of adoration for the Lord that I’ve never experienced. “Deep and profound feelings are the inevitable effect of the Scripture rightly believed and understood.”