Half Way! 2 Months Left

Today was my midterm review for studio and for those of you who follow me on facebook, I was a little enraged about this project because my teacher was expecting a lot more work than she asked for. On Saturday night she sent us a NEW list of requirements that had an additional 5 items added to it. So considering our presentation was today (Tuesday), she only gave us 2 days to meet these requirements! So I ended up training back from Switzerland to Florence on Sunday so I could focus on studio (school is why I'm here right?) So last night I went to bed relaxed at 1 am because everything was done. I felt confident going into my presentation today and it went pretty well. I definitely got some good feed back on things I will think about, but our guest juror said he "loved my design" So I am pleased with how the day went.

(Some Pictures attached... More to come)

Well today marks exactly 2 months and 1 day since I left home, and 2 months until I leave. Its crazy thinking how fast this is all going by, but being away from home has definitely settled in in the last few weeks. So what are things that I learned about Italy/living in Italy.

1. Americans are definitely spoiled. Heat and A/C are a privilege here. As you may remember we didn't get A/C at all here (even though our apartment has a system) and the heat won't turn on until November 1st and ONLY if our apartment goes below 65 degrees. 65 degrees! my house at home is 74 year round! Im already sleeping in sweatshirts and its only mid October!

2. Italy definitely takes recycling more seriously than we do in the states. You have to take out your own garbage here to the dumpsters, and there are three different kinds of dumpster, one for paper, one for organic waste, and one for recyclables. Oh and if you have cardboard that gets thrown to the side and gets picked up every few days!

3. Public transportation is amazing. That is something I will definitely miss about Europe. You can get wherever you need to go VERY easily and fairly quick with all the modes of public transportation. I want there to be a train that goes around to parts of the US from ALL cities not just major ones.

I definitely took things for granted that I have in the US: A/C, free water, garbage men, being here will definitely change the ways i look at things back home, but i think mostly in a good way. There will definitely be things I miss about Europe but being here has definitely made me appreciate things I have back home a lot more!

I definitely miss home! When i get back Im hoping there will be snow, not only so we have a white Christmas, but thats something I definitely won't see in Florence. Ill be use to 50 degree weather still when I return! Bree will have finished her first semester at college! (Sad i missed it) Alicia would've turned 25, and Dena will be 6 months pregnant! I can't wait to return and see the size of her belly with my little nephew growing inside there (Yes everyone its a BOY) still can't get over the fact that the Murray Girls will now have a boy in the family! But that little guy will be my bundle of joy. I window shopped for the last two months picking out all the things I would buy when I found out whether it was a boy or girl, and now that i know my bank account is definitely gunna take a hit! (Sorry went on a little rant there) Then 8 days after I get back is Christmas! And I'm very excited to give this year because I have some great presents for my family (All with a little piece of Italy and Europe attached).