Hey there. Ciao. Buongiorno, &c.
Openings and introductions are a little awkward, so please allow me to jump right in:
Hi, I'm Teresa, born and raised in the United States, and I'm going to Italy.
I can't tell you how long I've been thinking of starting a blog... but I've always come to the conclusion that my life is too boring to document it everyday. And if you really, really cared, you'd be my friend on Facebook and there would be no need. Or, you know... you'd actually talk to my face. Whatever toots your little horn. Or big horn?
Moving on? Yes.
Anyhow, here's the back story: Teresa, girl, freshman in college, obsessed with Italy and all things relating to it, is dying to visit/live in/marry Italy. One day, she cleverly decides to google "Summer programs in Italy," just for larfs. Comes across a website that intrigues her. Finds a perfect study program in her favorite part of Italy. Continues to stalk the website for weeks afterwards. Convinces her parents to let her apply for the summer program described on aforementioned website. Goes through various stages of indecision, trying to decide whether all the money, time, energy, and hoops to jump through are worth it. Finally takes the leap and applies. Bites her fingers, expecting a three-week wait to hear if she is accepted.
Finds out the next day in a Starbucks drive-thru that she is accepted. Proceeds to scare the bahoojies out of the adjoining Potbelly's customers as they watch her screech and frantically text everyone she knows that she is, in her words, GOING TO FLIPPIN FLOPPIN FREAKIN ITALY!
And, since that day, has thought of nothing but italyitalyitalyitalyITALYITALYITALYiiiiitttttaaaallllyyy.
A more coherent summary:
I'm going to study Italian at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento is situated on the Amalfi Coast, one of the most popular vacations/honeymoon/general touristy spots in Italy. It is about 3 and 1/2 hours from Rome, and right next to Napoli {Naples} and Pompeii. If witnesses are to be believed, it is literally one of the most beautiful places on earth. For verification, please google "Sorrento," "Positano," and "Amalfi Coast," and then come back and apologize for doubting me.
I'll be living in an apartment with other students of the school, just 15 minutes from the coast. On weekdays, I plan to go to class and study hard, of course. On weekends, however, I'm hoping to spend my time exploring Sorrento and it's nearby and equally-gorgeous neighbors: Positano, Ravello, Praiano, Amalfi, Salerno, and Vietri su Mare.
Not only will I be in a completely foreign country, but this will also be the first time I've ever lived on my own. I am both nervous and excited about this.
This blog will be, as you've probably guessed, a place for me to record my time abroad. In addition, it will also serve as a way for the people who care about whatever it is that I'm doing to find out. I plan to record:
Arrivederci!
*Title quote by Erica Jong
I can't tell you how long I've been thinking of starting a blog... but I've always come to the conclusion that my life is too boring to document it everyday. And if you really, really cared, you'd be my friend on Facebook and there would be no need. Or, you know... you'd actually talk to my face. Whatever toots your little horn. Or big horn?
Moving on? Yes.
Anyhow, here's the back story: Teresa, girl, freshman in college, obsessed with Italy and all things relating to it, is dying to visit/live in/marry Italy. One day, she cleverly decides to google "Summer programs in Italy," just for larfs. Comes across a website that intrigues her. Finds a perfect study program in her favorite part of Italy. Continues to stalk the website for weeks afterwards. Convinces her parents to let her apply for the summer program described on aforementioned website. Goes through various stages of indecision, trying to decide whether all the money, time, energy, and hoops to jump through are worth it. Finally takes the leap and applies. Bites her fingers, expecting a three-week wait to hear if she is accepted.
Finds out the next day in a Starbucks drive-thru that she is accepted. Proceeds to scare the bahoojies out of the adjoining Potbelly's customers as they watch her screech and frantically text everyone she knows that she is, in her words, GOING TO FLIPPIN FLOPPIN FREAKIN ITALY!
And, since that day, has thought of nothing but italyitalyitalyitalyITALYITALYITALYiiiiitttttaaaallllyyy.
A more coherent summary:
I'm going to study Italian at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento is situated on the Amalfi Coast, one of the most popular vacations/honeymoon/general touristy spots in Italy. It is about 3 and 1/2 hours from Rome, and right next to Napoli {Naples} and Pompeii. If witnesses are to be believed, it is literally one of the most beautiful places on earth. For verification, please google "Sorrento," "Positano," and "Amalfi Coast," and then come back and apologize for doubting me.
I'll be living in an apartment with other students of the school, just 15 minutes from the coast. On weekdays, I plan to go to class and study hard, of course. On weekends, however, I'm hoping to spend my time exploring Sorrento and it's nearby and equally-gorgeous neighbors: Positano, Ravello, Praiano, Amalfi, Salerno, and Vietri su Mare.
Not only will I be in a completely foreign country, but this will also be the first time I've ever lived on my own. I am both nervous and excited about this.
This blog will be, as you've probably guessed, a place for me to record my time abroad. In addition, it will also serve as a way for the people who care about whatever it is that I'm doing to find out. I plan to record:
- The journey (the flights over, buses/trains in Italy, the friendliness of Italian people)
- School (my class, homework, teachers, classmates, learning Italian from actual Italians, applying said learnings to life outside of class)
- Sorrento (daily life, local routine, popular spots, the sights, the beaches, the people)
- Travels (the aforementioned towns nearby, as well as any field trips with the school)
- The FOOD (daily meals, restaurants, caffe, gelato, grocery shopping)
- Tips & recommendations (favorite haunts, places to get food, favorite meals/coffee, &c.)
And of course, any random thoughts or anecdotes I happen to have on hand.
I don't leave for Italy until May 27th, so it's likely I won't update this blog very much until my departure gets closer. That being said, when I do set off, I hope you'll find my ramblings amusing enough, and enjoy laughing at me as I attempt to navigate Italy.
Arrivederci!
*Title quote by Erica Jong
