October 16 2016

This weekend my host parent's are in Dubai, so I am staying with the lovely Francone Family! They have been so generous driving me to school, making me a lunch, and taking care of me in every way possible. Luca turns 14 on the 18th so he has been practicing for his motorcycle license on his new motorcycle!
Yesterday was my first diciotessimo. It was really fun to hang out with my classmates outside of school and to see everyone is pretty clothes. We ate pizza, hung around outside talking, and there was some cake at the end.

Luca and his motorcycle

Celebrating Giulio

The boys in my class (minus Lorenzo)

Continuing to braid my classmates hair everyday :) 

October 13 2016

Today after school Giovanella and I went to my favorite restaurant!

Best host mom!

Black bread, Salmon, Fresh mozzarella, lettuce, lemon juice, pepper. Super good! 

I was too busy eating our piece to take a picture, so I took one at the display case after. This is some fruit cheesecake. We also got some sort of chocolate cake.

I have a lot of time during school when my classmates are taking tests that are way to hard for me. I spend a lot of time reminiscing of home.

I miss my house.

I can't wait to watch survivor together again. 

October 12 2016

This week I have been back in school. One of the highlights of my day is walking to and from the school. It's just about a mile. I walk along Corso Italia one of the biggest streets with lots of window shopping and little fruit markets. So far the weather has still been beautiful.

During school this week my class mates have had tests almost every single day. I took the English test and got a 9/10. During the other tests I sit and draw, I'm thinking I should bring a book to read in Italian. All my classmates are wonderful and nice,, but I still feel a little outside the group since they have been together for 4 years and I just got there. Today during one of the little breaks I braided Angela's hair which turned out great!

October 10 2016

This weekend Andrea (the exchange student from Canada, who lives in the town next to mine) and I had the opportunity to visit Catania.  We left friday afternoon after school and were dropped off with a very nice rotarian family. After dropping off our stuff we were treated to the nicest bakery in Catania. Both Andrea and I got cannoli's that were way too big, but way too good not to eat. Afterwards Bruno (22) and his niece Martina (11) took us on a walk through the city. We climbed to the top of a church were we could see both Mount Etna (The largest active volcano in Europe) and the ocean.

Later that night we met up with three other girls from Rotary who all live in Catania. They were all very nice but all four (including Andrea) were 16 and I am 18, so I didn't really make much of a connection. 

The next morning Bruno drove us to see Mount Etna! He was an amazing host, and so generous. It was about an hour and a half drive out of the city but he volunteered to take us. Mount Etna was so gorgeous, especially coming from a place with no mountains. There was also a little cart selling all kinds of local flavored honey which was giving amazing free samples!

After seeing the volcano we got lunch and then headed down to a little fishing village. They had beautiful natural rock towers in the water that we explored and climbed. 

Later that night we said goodbye to Bruno after an amazing weekend and went to a sleep over at one of the other girls houses. The next day Bruno's older brother Francesco (Martina's Dad) picked us up and took us to the bus station. We caught up on some sleep on the bus back to Ragusa. When we got back to my apartment we took an hour to rest before getting ready to go to Ibla Buskers the visual and performance art fair In Ragusa Ibla. We saw a puppeteer and a fire juggler but didn't get to many of the big shows. We were able to meet up with Matilde, Simonetta and a few of their friends for dinner and a small Gelato after. 

It was a great weekend but I'm excited to spend some time at home.

  

October 6 2016

One of the activities I have been doing, during my lengthy periods of free time, is an art class. It's nice because I can walk there from my apartment after school. It's a  little studio and there are only three other students that I have met (two women who look to be in their 50's and a man who looks to be in his 70's).  I've only been to two lessons but I feel like I have been learning a lot. Below are pictures of what I have done so far.

One of the nice things that happened today was that my classes fourth hour was free because our teacher was gone. It gave me a nice opportunity to talk to more people. One of the boys in my class, Antonio, also plays rugby.

On my way home from school today I ran into Giulio because his motorcycle was broken and he was walking the same direction as me. We walked together for about ten minutes before he had to turn. It was really nice to have some one to walk home with.

October 5 2016

Yesterday Giovanella and I were reunited when my host parents came back from Malta. Because she is the best host mom ever she bought me some amazing tea and traditional Maltese Cookies. The tradition cookies turned out to be Honey rings, the perfect Rosh Hashanah dessert.



I have also been invited to my first two Diciottesimo's. In Italy a persons18th birthday is when they are given the right to drive a car (When they turn 14 they can get a scooter or small motorcycle, and 16 they can get a really tiny car), buy alchohol, and vote. I'm a little worried about not being able to make the 2nd one because I have orientation with the other exchange students in Enna the next day. I am hoping I can find a way!

October 3 2016

Yesterday I had a ton of fun going to Marina Di Ragusa with the Alecci Family. It was a surreal experience to be on a sunny beach on October 2nd. We got some really good Ice cream and headed home to rest.

I then met up with Matilde and Simonetta (Matilde's best friend) to celebrate Rosh Hashana. We got some appetizers and drink at the restaurant by Matilde's house and then went to her apartment to eat apples and honey with her family. 

Everyone was so enthusiastic to be part of the holiday and to make it a special day for me. Francesca even got out their nicest wedding plates for us to eat with. They all learned how to say Shana Tova and all liked the apples and honey. Afterwards Mati, Simo and I found all of Mati's old Barbie movies and had a ton of fun watching The Diamond Castle.

This morning I did another round of apples and honey with the Alecci's for breakfast. At school one of my friends asked if I knew how to make pancakes, so that is on the agenda for this week!

Photos of this weekend:

Baking :) 

Cutting up a chocolate bar for chocolate chips

First cookies in a month

My wonderful host's and Mati

Out with friends Saturday night

Apples and honey

Lunedi (Monday) The Alecci's turtle