this is not the title.

12.

2008-06-20T18:14:00.001-07:00

12 for the number of minutes left before my computer crashes. 12 for the number of minutes until my flight boards. 12 for the number of pounds I have gained here. 12 for the number of days I have been in Israel. 12 for the number of pounds my bags combined were overweight. 12 divided by 2 is the number of months I have been away. 12 +1 is the number of countries I have been in the past 6 months.

I fear for the world that I am about to enter, where automobiles and cellular devices rule the world. where chain resturants are the only thing the creatures know, and the idea of stress and impatience were born. I am not sure what to expect of this world I was once so familiar with. What I know now is a lot more than I knew then. What I know about myself, the world, the things I like, I desire, I smell, I eat. Although in 12 minutes my journey in the 12 divided by 2 month adventure will end, my thoughts, my feelings, my blog-enberg instincts will not. I must say good bye because my 12 minutes are ticking away. Goodbye Israel, Goodbye Europe, we shall meet again. I am the worlds luckiest person.

This is me now. 12 divided by 2 months later, 12 pounds heavier.

see woah see woah

post from the 20/21 first of June in the year 2008 in my holyland.

Cannes Is Pronounced like a Coke Can. Not Kahn.

2008-05-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

We woke at 5 am, and by we I mean, my apartment decided and by my apartment I mean my roommate mother Camile decided that we should wake at 5 in order to be down stairs by 7. While yes some people need two our to prepare for an academy award, but not three average Americans, of intern quality needed to be that ready for breakfast. I can already tell, Camile is going to get on my nerves. She is "miss prepared" but "miss unprepared" when it comes to social interactions and appropriate behavior. Luckily I had plenty of time to get ready. We made it down stairs with our paper wear (technically it was supposed to be with glass wear in our kitchenette, because apparently the American Pavilion: the program I am interning with, is going green!) only to find out that our paper-ware (my roommate bought, "so we would not have to worry about breaking or doing the dishes") was not necessary at all because croissants and fruit do not require much ware weather dish or paper, at all. I am not allowing myself to eat any (not one) croissant, so it looks like I am sticking to fruit. After breakfast we met at the pool side to meet with our mentor groups. My mentor, blonde and peppy, Laina Rose from Austin Texas, was quite the interesting mentor. She seems really dumb but if she were really that dumb she wouldn't be here, so I must have some faith. She took us to the English University down the street where we met up with the rest of group in an auditorium for our "Welcome to Cannes" speech. This Wednesday starts the actual festival but until then we are having speakers, lectures and round tables. I sat in front of these extremely pompous student filmmakers ( in my same program), as they handed out their business cards, talking smart film talk. And their tactics for this and that. It made me so nervous, but shabang I could have busted out my business card, all 250 of them to be exact, if I really wanted to. I tried my very best not to fall asleep, while Water Harris, the student coordinator chatted our ears off with his feminine pizzaz. I found out that the Walter Harris, student program manager is a fashion photographer and a well known make-up artist. Who knew, I thought he was going to be a short fat brown haired danny devito but no he is a grey haired gay make up artist from Louisiana, who studied agriculture. After the meeting we met back up with our mentor groups for a tour of Cannes. We are staying a good thirty minute walk outside the actual festival, so by the time we got into town, we were all extremely hungry. This whole french bagget business is not helping my supposed Florentine detox session. In the afternoon we took a full walk around the facilities and become acquainted with the town and indeed we walked a lot. We met the group at the steps of the Debussy stairs to get our golden accreditation badges. Aka the badge to a happy life if lost, death is what one gets. We have to wear this badge where ever we go, basically we were told to sleep in it. First the first time I actually have a half decent picture on a photo identification badge. This afternoon amongst the sun and glisten waters we hopped aboard a ferry to a small monk island off the coast of Cannes, where surprise suprise Monks live in monasteries and make wine and honey. Who knew Monks lived on Islands in the south of France? As all first days of any program, it was a wee bit unorganized and due to girls needing to use the restroom on the main land, the group was spilt up and we ended up waiting for a good tour hours from them arrive. We finally climbed up an old castle to play the name game (naturally) We, all 131 of us had to say our names and something interesting about ourselves. Obviously I had to go 2nd and was totally unprepared with something witty and fancy like "I did this" or "I met that", so instead I told everyone my name pronounced backwards was Nosilla. LAME. I regret every moment of it. We went around the entire castle learning this and that about this person and that person but had to rush to leave or else we would be stranded on an island with monks for the night. Meh, that wouldn't be so bad now would it? We grabbed dinner at a stand. We being my friends from terminal 2. Yes, I get two marks on my panini counter for the day. We sat along a ledge over looking the beach and watched surfers and sipped wine and brew. I met a really interesting 17 year old French boy, that was recruited for the program because of one of his films he made. Truly inspiring. We walked home and then it was bed time for bonzo's, tomorrow lends itself to another very early.

may 11 in france, the southern part, in cannes to be exact.

Do the Can, Can, Cannes.

2008-05-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

I hopped aboard the 7:51 train to Genova and fell right asleep. I arrived in Genova around 1:30 but my next train wasn't until 2:55. I sat outside in the sun to think and read. 30 minutes before my next departure, a lady her and her son frantically sat next to me and for some reason I decided to try to be helpful and listen to them. From what I could tell, this lady her and her son were trying to text someone in France. Obviously she spoke French and obviously I don't speak a drop of it. Instead of saying I am sorry I can't help you, I did what my father would be so proud of and offered my assistance (Jews call it a mitzvah) and told her I would send the text on my phone. They were so grateful and what was a few euro to me, at least I could help them. It wasn't an issue until I received 3 phones calls and 1 text message with two words that I could actually understand "call the police". Terrified I deleted the text message and hoped that they made it to France okay. I made it to Nice around 4:30 but needed to find an ATM. An hour later, with money in my wallet, I made it on the bus to the Nice Airport. It literally took me 10 people to communicate with to find 1 ATM. The program had arranged to meet me and the other students at the airport. I finally met the one and only Walter Harris that so graciously let me on the program, along with 15 other students whom I became extremely close with in a matter of minutes that eventually turned into hours. Apparently the group waiting at the airport had just missed the last shuttle into town and we were all going to have to wait until 7 for the next shuttle. We played the name game and bonded over waiting. We united as a team and became the Terminal 2 friends. Finally at 7:30 we made it on to bus only to find out that would have to wait another hour for the kids at terminal 1 to get on the bus. 5 hours later, we were on our way to Cannes. We lugged our luggage across the street to our apartments. I was assigned to Room 661, key code GAL. Exhausted and half terrified for what I had gotten myself into, I made it to my room to meet and greet my roommates. Although Walter had told me numerous times on the phone that the apartments did not have a maid service, he neglected to say that they were similar to cabins in a cruise ship for crew members. Obviously being the last to arrive, I was given the top bunk in the small narrow room. Tiffany, Stephanie and Camile (my new roomates) and I grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the beach for a walk with the moon and sea. The hotel is 35 minute walk outside the actual Cannes film festival but it's gloriously located right on the beach. From our patio, I can see the sea, I can smell the smell. I walked around the city with a group of people, met up with my new Terminal 2 friends but then realized that I had no interest in getting drunk and obnoxious on the first night. Not that I ever really have any interest in doing any of those things ever. It is sure going to be interesting coming here after living up the life in Florence, experiencing the European life style for quite sometime now. It was very apparent that a lot of the kids on the program were a. a lot younger than me b. thought it was amazing how they could just buy alcohol on the streets. I don't blame them, it was weird my first weekend but it was hard to have fun with those type of people. I headed back to the hotel, washed up and unpacked a little before going to bed. My roommate Camile is crazy. This is first time out of the country, out of her state, and she is completely and utterly OCD. She brought more drugs, more band-aids, more toilet paper and hand towels than one can ever imagine. Oh man this is going to be interesting. Good night ocean.

post from the 10th of may

Final Friday Feeling Fabulous in Florence.

2008-05-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

My post from yesterday only made it until 10:30 in morning but wowza yesterday was quite a long day. I had a mini panic attack about leaving yesterday. I finally found a dress to wear on the red carpet with shoes in all. Last night we were going to go to our favorite mexican restaurant but were turned away and instead headed to a little Italian restaurant down the street. I took the night to relax while the girls went out. I woke up relatively early this morning to do a final load of laundry. For my program in Cannes, they recommended that we bring business cards with us. So last night I spent a majority of the evening designing my claim to fame. Luckily there was a print shop in town that could make my cards for me, but unfortunately the smallest quantity they could print was 250. So an hour after bringing in my file, I walked out with 250 business cards. Who wants a business card? I met the girls at the San Lorenzo market so I could introduce them to the worlds most delicious panino. You got it, Gusto Panino. GUUUSTTO PANNINNO (gorilla thats for you!) We took our panini's to Bobobli and baked in the bobobli. Its just gorgeous. We sat in a new spot that I had never been before, that over looks the entire city. I peaced out of the park around 4 to do some last minute shopping. I finally found the one and only Firenze shirt, I had been eyeing all semester (they just didn't have my size) I purchased my last few gifts, bought some fresh new undies. Because our reservation wasn't until later, my stomach was starting to rumble, I picked up appetizers at the Centro. Tomato, mozzarella, walnuts and pears was just what we need on this fine final friday in florence. We had reservations at 9:00 for one of my favorite restaurants in Flo Yo. El Gatto. It has the worlds best balsamic vinegar and bread. It was an easy choice for my last night here. We chitted and chatted the night away. I headed home to pack up and organize my life. The girls made their way out and I had spa night with a hot shower and a much needed mani and petti, I spent the remainder of my evening watching Sex and The City. Bed time for me. Goodnight Florence. Good night world.

post from the 9th of may in the last day me, the allison blogenberg will be blogging from florence in this year. i love you florence. will you marry me?

When In Rome.

2008-05-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

In a mad panic, I woke up to Sara's alarm singing a sweet tune. I am so glad that I told Sara to also set her alarm because for some reason my phone was set for an hour earlier than it really was so when I went to set my alarm last night I a. forgot to change the time on my phone and b. set my alarm for 5:30. I managed to drag my over-weight, over packed, about to explode bags down two flights of stairs, through a rotating gate, into a cab in Florence, on to a train in Florence heading southbound toward Rome and then into another cab in Rome. This many not seem like that hard of a task considering I was a cab or train 90 percent of the time, but have you ever tried to carry not just one but two body bags (stuffed with multiple bodies) through the Rome train station. Thats what I thought. I was originally supposed to bring my luggage down to Rome tomorrow but I received an URGENT email from the lady who was helping me, that tomorrow there is going to be an "all transportation" strike through out Italy, which means no trains, no buses, no taxi's, no nothing. They even cancel school because the little Italian chillin can't get there. I successfully made it on my 6:40 train, arriving at the train station 30 minutes before departure. Now that the Gorilla is gone, I decided that I can not participate in Gorilla and sidekick adventures, like running to the train station 4 or 5 minutes for take off. Without the Gorilla, it is just not the same. I had to take a taxi from the train station in Rome to the JDC office. I always manage to choose the wrong cab, and by wrong I mean I always choose a cab driver that is extremely creepy. But now that I think about it, it isn't me, all Italian men are creepy. Paolo seemed like a nice guy. He asked me where I was from (all cab drivers love to do that) and then he asked me what my name is, I confessed. And then he asked if the place that I was going to was an apartment or hotel. I told him it was a business. For some reason he interpreted my response as me being a business person. I tried to tell him that I was a student studying in Florence but for reason he seemed to ignore that part of my story and kept asking me what kind of business I was in. I again dropped that I was a student studying art but then he asked how long I have been doing business and how long my meeting was today. I ended up caving into his questions and told him that I had been doing business for three years (hey, being a student is like being a full time business person, you just don't make any money) He then asked again how long my meeting was, I told him that I wasn't sure, probably an hour. I thought it would most likely take an hour for me to drag with sweat and pain my luggage up to the JDC office. He then proceeded to tell me that he was going to give me his cell phone number that I could call him after. I being the naive American girl, thought "oh, he wants to take me back to the train station, how nice" but no no no, but no, he told me that he wanted to take me to coffee and show the real side of Rome. All along he had this scheming plan. I threw up in my mouth and swallowed and didn't say anything until we arrived at the office. 22 euros later, I realized that I truly a. hate Italian men b. taxi's are ridiculous, we were only driving for 10 minutes. Not to mention, I think he ripped me off because he didn't have one of those typical meters, and I am pretty sure he just made up a number. I met with the two wonderful women that would be storing my bag and then headed back to the train station, however this time, the 1 euro underground ticket to the train station was a much better idea. No creeps. No damage to the bank account. I am not sitting on the train taking in the glorious country side. I just realized this is my last train ride in Italy. How how I love thee. I am sitting across from a man, 35,40 if had to guess from the grey hair, discolored, angled coffee teeth and dirty brown jacket. I thought he was American because his cell kept ringing and he was speaking English but the call would never connect. I again being the nice, naive American girl thought I might lend him my phone. I can only think of the number of times when I have desperately needed to borrow some ones cell phone because mine was dead or wasn't working. He declined but then with the decline came the questions. He is from Quiat, living in Rome. I haven't been able to figure him out yet but here are the following clues he has given me and I quote: "I was suspended from my job for 10 days so I have been taking it easy", and "I am so tired, I have been going out every night the past three nights. I am not used to the clubs" and "Have you met any Italian men?" and "You Americans are so different from Italians. We use text messaging like you use e-mail or instant messaging (whatever that means). A text message is a like a confession of love, it can get pretty intimate if you know what I mean." And just a second ago he just asked me if I didn't mind he put his head phones on. Maybe he thinks we are on a date. I still have an hour and a half to go. What to do, what to do. Yes, please put your head phones on and I will do the same. I am just going to continue typing, pretending that I am very into what ever I am doing on my computer. Blogging is pretty intense. The Gorilla calls me Allison Blogenberg. As for the rest of my day. I should be back in Florence around 11:30 and then I have a lot to do before heading to Cannes on Saturday. I finally found a "red carpet" dress. We were informed that we would possibly have the chance to attend one red carpet event, and I wouldn't want to be unprepared. I found a pretty cute dress at Zara for only 39.00 euro and I say only because for Florence, that ain't too shabby. I still need to do a couple of things around town, send out a million more emails, finish packing. Tomorrow I hope to enjoy my day, not stuck inside being an internet freak. Well I am off to take a nap. 5:30 wake equals 10:30 narco narco on the train. Ciao Ciao!

may 8, 2008. 8 8 8 8 8

Planning To Become a Greek Goddess.

2008-05-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

I slept in until 11:00 today not knowing that I had slept in until 11. Last night was a quite an adventure and when you get stuck in a club until 4:30 am, it is only appropriate to sleep in. I headed straight to the art school to get all of my nitty gritty things done before my departure on Saturday. I had a "planned" my trip to Greece, I just hadn't booked it. I am not even sure if what I had planned is the right thing to plan but I guess you never know until you get there. So as of now (unless Quintin Tarintino decides that he needs to me stay on to be an intern for him for the summer and then maybe these plans will change) After Cannes, I will be heading to Paris for two nights before making my way to Greece to meet the Packster of all Packs (not the besty best but the next down the line in the Pack sibling lineage) Andrea and I will spend two days in Athens and then we will set sail to Mykonos for two days, and then we will hop on over to Santorini for three days. Now I just need to get a hold of Andrea to let her know of our plans. Surprises are always good. After I become a Greek Godness, I will come back to my motherland (well at least kinda close) to Rome for a day and alas, I will be in Israel with the family. I can't wait to be with everyone. I pretty much spent 90% of the day up at the art school figuring this stuff out. I will say it and I will say it. I WILL NEVER BE A TRAVEL AGENT. Check me off the list! I headed over to Paul and Jordan's to pack up my stuff that I am going to take to Rome because I found out that I am going to have to take my stuff to Rome tomorrow and not Friday. For dinner we were going to go to Tijawana for a night of Mexican delight but were turned town. No reservation means, no Mexican food. Italian was our only other option. Starving and cranky we went a restaurant that people have recommended but on a scale of one to delushusness. I would give it a so-so, meh-meh. I attempted to watch some of Love Actually with the girls tonight but had to call it quits because I could hardly keep my head and eyes up. Goodnight Moon.

May 7, 2008. on a wednesday. thats right.

Stuck. Literally.

2008-05-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

I spent a majority of the day still in mourning for my lost Gorilla. I headed to the art school to do more Greek planning. I met up with Shelby and Erica for some after noon shopping. If was making my way to Cannes, to the one and only Cannes film festival, it was important to be dressed properly for the red carpet. Yes the red carpet baby. I walked out of Zara empty handed and headed back to the art school for more internet fun. It is hard to be in this city without my apartment, without my Gorilla, but man do I love it here. This is my city. Put your hands up for my city. I love this city. Tonight, for my semi final dinner, we all gathered at Il Latini for another night of stuffed stomachs and delicious laughs. Jordan and Paul joined, me, sara, jess and shelby for dinner of delight. I have become a master of eating at Il Latini, three times a charm, and I was successfully able to not eat to much that my stomach muffin toppled over my jeans. We headed back to the girls apartment to change and prepare for the game of the Grand Opening of Central Park's new summer patio. I never thought that I would allow myself to go back there after last times Nile River disaster, but Erica convinced me that the new patio would lead to no water, and no sketchy men. I believed her and followed her to the Central park fortress of wonder and doom. At 3:30, after way too much dancing, Erica and I were ready to go home. For some reason, Erica and Sara know every club promoter, so they called them prior to our arrival to ensure that we would be able to get in free. Well, their little friends must have forgotten in the 4 hours that we were there they had made this little deal because when we tried to leave they wouldn't let us exit until we had turned in our card. I am sure I have explained this whole "card" process before but just to remind you, the clubs in Florence give you cards when you enter and instead of paying for drinks on the spot, they punch your card and when you exit you pay the entrance fee, and your drink free. Well, when the club promoter escorted us in, he did not give us a card. I am weirdly very good at remembering to keep on to my card. I am normally not responsible for those kinds of things but I have special spot in my wallet that I place it so I won't lose it. My point is, that if I were given a card, I would have kept it but I was never given a card and the bouncers at the door did not seem to understand that. They pushed Erica and I away and would not let us leave. Almost an hour later, with 99 percent of the people gone, and the lights on, we ended up having to pay 50 euro total (25 each). Extremely pissed, and really far from home, Erica and I couldn't find a cab. At one point a man in a car pulled up and offered us a ride and we were going to take it but then saw that a cab was pulling up. Erica said at one point she was sitting in a car-seat. I am sure my mother is having a heart attack, but I only speak the truth. At a quarter to 5 we made it home safe and sound. Luckily there will be no more opportunities for central park madness. Good night world.

May 6th two thousand eats.

A Tribute To The Gorilla.

2008-05-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

I call her a Gorilla because she is a Gorilla
She eats really fast cause she got a czecki bill ya.
Her arms make a clap clap, her feet smell like vinegar
She has explosive ass and she loves it when I pester her

She is aggressive and I am passive
She doesn't fit in her bed, the gorilla she is massive
She loves gummies, diet coke and crack balls
The kick back and face plant are her most infamous falls

She tells me I snore and refuses to admit that she love cheese
He favorite words: Anna's, peach tea, fragola and kiwi please.
I gave her her favorite scare and put the first mark on her shoes
She says she ain't religious but she loves all the jews.

She is my Gorilla and I am her sidekick.

The Most Depressing Day Ever.

2008-05-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well maybe thats not true. I was pretty depressed when Heath Ledger died, but nothing could equal the pain and sorrow of the Gorilla departing from her beloved sidekick. Alas, the Gorilla and Sidekick stories ended to today. This blog will not be the same without her, Florence will not be the same without her. We woke up very earlier from a grimy beds in order to get our last minute important/must do Florentine favorites before the Gorilla departed. Number one on our list, Anna's. But because Anna's isn't open at 8:00 in the morning, we decided to move down to our number 2 item on the list- dried fruit. I tried dried peaches today and they were delightful. Then we headed to Anna's. For the record. This was the last time the Gorilla and I would be eating Anna's so we had to do what was necessary to for our taste buds and souls. I told the Gorilla that I couldn't go to Anna's with out her. It is our place and I wouldn't be caught dead with any other person there, so we ordered 3 sandwiches. One for each of us and then one to split. There have been way too many times where we have left Anna's wishing for another but we never actually did it and today we wanted to be so stuffed from Anna's that we would never want another (clearly we would always want another but the final memory of Anna's had to be one so gratifying and powerful) Indeed it was. We were too embarased to tell Anna that we were going to be eating them at 10:00 in the morning so we asked for them to saying that they "were for later". We rushed home so fast and down our Anna's. Our whole theory about getting 3 sandwiches was brilliant. The Gorilla called a cab for 10:15 and then we dragged her stuff down the stairs and with in a matter of minutes (or what seemed like seconds, even mili seconds) she was gone. Just like that. I was a mess and cried for a good 20 minutes by myself in Jordan and Pauls sick nasty apartment. Italy also cried for the loss of the Gorilla. It rained a good part of the day, so I decided to stay in and catch up on life aka become a blogging master. I am almost a month behind in posting (although I have all the entries, I have had to write them in my journal while I have been traveling, so it takes a lot longer) 5 hours went by, and before I knew it was 5:30. Erica and Sara returned from Croatia today, so I headed over to their clean and delightful apartment with all my stuff (well thats a lie, I only brought over the stuff I was going to be needing for the week because it would be too much of a hassle to bring everything) We went to Aqua Al Due for dinner and then I crashed on their couch watching mean girls.

post from may the 5th, the day the gorilla departed her sidekick. the day the world will never forget. in the year 2008.

The Gorilla's Last Day: Final Tales of Gorilla and Sidekick.

2008-05-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

We didn't realize this but we some how managed to sleep in. Sleeping in until 10, is considered extremely late for the me and the Gorilla. I am still not sure how we even managed to sleep last night and that we are still alive this morning with out diseases.
Jordan and Paul's beds are disgusting. First off, Paul doesn't even sleep with a bottom or top sheet. From the Gorilla's morbid reactions, I don't think he has washed his pillow since he arrived in Florence 4 months ago. I lucked out that Jordan's bed actually had a bottom sheet but the feeling of the comforter reminded me of those awful days of sleeping in Disney sleeping bags, not being able to sleep because my toenails would get stuck in it. Imagine that feeling but with pimples on top. In the middle of the night, I ended up putting a towel on top of me and below me because I couldn't handle it anymore. I was so desperate, the towel was wet. Bottom line: Gross. Because it was Sunday, Anna's was not opened, so we decided to head to Gusto Panino and then to the Boboli for some final story time reading. Gusto was gusta-licious, as always! They were doing construction our favorite patch of grass in the Boboli, so we moved into a hidden fortress of flowers and weeds. For a while we were the only people in our secret nook. We laid out on the Gorilla's newly purchased Italian flag, with pride indeed. I read to the Gorilla while she made me a crown made of flowers and grass. Together, like princesses, we sat and laughed and watched two little Italian girls play a made up game while their grandmother chuckled on a bench. It was beautiful! Around five, the sun started to come down, and we were rather tired. We slowly made our way back to our neck of the woods. A final romantic dinner was in store for us tonight. We sat outside at Za's Za's and dipped our bread in oil and vinegar, sipped wine and reminisced about the best days of our lives. We headed back to the apartment after our dinner delight so the Gorilla could pack up her belongings and I attempted to clean the boys apartment. I just couldn't handle it anymore. It made me sick. I found the most interesting and disgusting things in their living room. We figured out how to work the internet, so the Gorilla and I sat, like we usually do when the sun goes down and she figured out her plans for tomorrow and I figured out mine for the future. For life. Before we knew it, it was bed time for bonzo's. The sidekick set her head on her pillow. The Gorilla followed. The sidekick giggled and the Gorilla followed. Together the children giggled in their grimy beds. But the children were happy. The children were happy together. The sidekick said goodnight to her Gorilla for the last time and the Gorilla gave her goodnight praises. The two children closed their eyes with a sad and happy smile up on their faces. Their dreams consisted of their finest memories they had shared together. They could have slept for years with all of the memories they had to remember. Goodnight Gorilla. Goodnight sidekick.

post from the fourth of may in saddest day of year, the departure of the gorilla eve, in the year 2008 in the best cittay ever.

The WEINY Ride.

2008-05-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

I woke up to a screaming and shaking Gorilla. "Allison it is 6:00, Allison its 6:00" Our trains leaves in 30 minutes, We're not going to make it" I jumped out of my bed, didn't change my clothes, didn't brush my teeth, and if Alexander-Supertramp had woken up to see the madness, he would have seen the Gorilla completely naked. She literally Gorilla jumped out of her pj's into her clothes. I just stayed in pj's. We raced down stairs. The check out man could see we were in a hurry and jumped off his stool and said "oh well be better check you out as fast as we can" (in the cutest little austrian accent) We hailed a cab in the middle of street and made our way to the train station. What would a Gorilla and sidekick trip be with a good ol' run for our last adventure of the semester. This one was pretty good. We made the train and waited only 5 minutes to hear the captain inform us that the food cart was open. Dying of thirst with red eyes at 6:40 in the morning, we proudly ordered water, coca cola light, apple juice and a croissant. We thought we deserved the liquid treatment after our rush. On our last train ride we discovered how to make the chairs into beds, so ditched the Indiana dork with knitting lisps whom we were originally assigned to sit next to and found ourselves an empty cart. Pull and pull, sleep and sleep. Of course I had no problem going to sleep. With the room filed with feet and farts, I crashed and burned. My eyes literally burned. I went in and out of sleep for almost 4 hours. Around 11:30, I decided I couldn't sleep anymore and the Gorilla and I played gin. Whatever she may tell you, I am the master of gin. She may try to make you keep track in this half stupid (mostly stupid and illogical way). Make sure to tell her she is stupid and to bug off. Thank you come again. We finally made it to Venice around 1:30. We had to transfer in Venice and we were going to take the earlier train but realized that we didn't want to have to deal with the chance of getting kicked off again. Instead, we did what we, Gorilla and sidekick do best, and EAT. We had over an hour to kill, so we walked across the street to dine and literally whine for lunch. What restaurant remains open after they have run out of over 75% of the items on their menu. Well, the one across from the trains station in Meastre Venice seems to. If I was a food critic I would shut that place down. By the time we got our table we were starving so we immediately devoured the bread, not realizing that they didn't have anything on the menu that seemed remotely interesting or delicious. On the Gorilla's (second to last) day, pasta with red sauce was the last thing I wanted her and I to eat but it was too late to walk after the bread was gone. Disgusted with lunch we made our way back to the train station and the Gorilla read to me while we waited for our train to Firenze. Take me home tonight. It is going to be extremely weird going back to Florence and not being able to walk up three flights of stairs to the Animal House on Via Dei Ginori. Tonight we are staying at Paul and Jordan's. We left our luggage there last week and from the looks of the apartment last week, it hadn't been cleaned in 3 weeks. I sure hope they tried to clean it a little bit. We are going to head to Gusto Panino for dinner and then friends bar to use the internet. I am exhausted but so excited to be back in the motherland. Tomorrow lends itself to a big day of final Gorilla and sidekick adventures. After tomorrow, the tales of Gorilla and sidekick end. What will the sidekick be without her Gorilla?

post from the 3 of may in the year two thousand, somewhere between austria and italy.

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music.

2008-05-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

We woke up at 9 because we had to fit all of Vienna and its wonder and splendor into 1 day. We also had to bring our stuff back to the other hostel on the complete opposite side of town. I would say that we enjoyed our "included" breakfast at the Golden Squirrel but I am pretty sure that would be a lie. The musli and banana combo was a nice crunch for my mouth in the morning but the coffee was bitter and they served liver pate. I think that is enough said. And to top it off it was not included. Only two of our "included" breakfasts, were considered included because they let us sleep three people in a 2 person room. Hence two people were allowed to eat breakfast. We thought they wouldn't notice and we really couldn't play survivor island and choose who would get the boot, but who were we foolin. They caught us and we coughed up 6 euros for the not-so-good-unincluded -included breakfast. We made it back to the hostel only to find out that we couldn't check into our actual room until 2pm, so we had to put our stuff in storage. Carolyn and I decided that the Gorilla should be named "Map Queen" because on our way over the Nachmarket the Gorilla sensed with her Gorilla sensors that we were going the wrong way and indeed we were. Smoke-a-face led us in the right direction and in no time at all we were tasting free samples at the Nachmarket. We loved the wasabee covered peanuts so much that after 10 samplings we bought a 5 euro bag filled of them. Carolyn joined our eating disorder club and realized how easy it was to a. get hungry when surrounded by the worlds most delicious food b. to spend too much money when surrounded by the world's most delicious food. Stand after stand after stand of Austrian, Chinese, and German food. There were surprisingly a good number of Sushi stands and after nearly 5 months of deprivation, we ordered sushi. With a quarter of our day almost gone, we realized we better put our petal to the metal and we were off the Belvedere Palace to see the Belvedere Palace of course, but also to see the grand Gustav Klimt collection. The palace was for sure used in Atonement (or at least it looked just like it) Spitting sculptures, grand entrances lined with flowers and leaves. We were able to see Klimt's Kiss and his Judith as well as a few Van Gogh's and one Monet. It was spectacular. We couldn't leave without a few posters and post cards. After the museum we headed to the train station in order to buy our tickets back to Florence for tomorrow. 104 euro's later we rushed back to our hostel to change in to our nicest apparel. Jeans with a blacks shirt, and scarf, just had to do because tonight we decided to go to the opera for a Friday night spectacle. We waited in line after find the "back side of the building corner in the middle" (those were the directions we were given) For only 2 euro's we bought standing tickets for stage left of the opera. Now I am not sure how the next part of our opera adventure began but we decided that we were going to grab a drink at the super market across the street from the concert hall before the show. Because we bought standing tickets, we got there nearly an hour before the concert. On our way down the stairs we asked a guard if we could exit out this back door and we asked him how long we had until the concert began. SImple questions, I tell you. Within in a matter of seconds drinks were no longer a questions, and touring became our main objective. The guard proceeded to show us a hidden patio on the top of the concert hall that over looked the entire city. We could not have asked for a better evening: a blue sky, a few white puffy clouds and a shining sun. The guard then proceeded to show us the other patio on the other side of the opera house. Then minutes later, Frank (whom he later revealed) turned into our personal "behind the scenes" tour guide of Wiener Staatsoper, opera house. For some reason Frank really liked us and felt the need to show us the ends and outs of the entire building. He proceeded to take us behind the stage and show the upstairs, birds eye view (where the lights stand) of the stage. With the English he knew, he told us the dimensions of the stage and history of opera house. As if were not impressed by this, he then led us to the back alley to show us the elevator that was located inside the huge crystal chandelier. We were able to stand inside the actual chandelier. The elevator is only used to clean the crystals. It was incredible. I am still shocked as I am writing this. He also showed us the control where the director does all of the lighting for the productions and the ballet room where they practice before big shows.

Take Me to WEIN.

2008-05-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

After a night in Mecca, we all decided that the sleeping in was vital to our 5 am bed time. Morning bagels from Bohemian satisfied our tummies. We climbed back into Emmy's oh so comfortable bed and watched hours of the OC, in order to jog back our memories to the good old days of high school and Mischa Barton. Literally exhausted from our travels we pretty much stayed in bed all day, relaxed and packed up our belongings before our 4 hour train to WEIN (some call it Vienna). Before our 5pm train we picked up another round of Bohemian and gave kisses goodbye and then it was off to Austria. The traveling fools must keep traveling! We were successfully and thankfully able to get our own cabin (or else some poor souls would have suffered explosions, funny talk and feet) We giggled, burped, ate, slept, carded and smiled the whole way there. We watched from our windows the mountains and neon patched grass. At one point we passed through a couple of towns that looked abandoned and haunted. The Gorilla insisted that we tell scary stories. Because I hate scary stories, she insisted that she tell them. She told two very terrifying ones that happened to her friend Juno. But now that I am writing this, I honestly question if Juno exists, and the Gorilla didn't just read them online or better yet make them up. I wouldn't be surprised at all. So if you want to know any scary stories, just ask the Gorilla, she knows a bunch. Snort, fart, laugh, talk, listen, watch, surprise, tell, smell, sleep. Four hours later, we finally made it to Wein. After we escaped the gas and vinegar filled cabin and we hopped aboard the train into town. From my directions, we were rather successful in finding the hostel. However, we were not successful in actually staying at the hostel. Apparently, if you don't check into a hostel before 4pm, even with a reservation, they give up your room and you remain homeless on the streets, or you go to places on the absolute other side of town called the Golden Squirrel. I tried my best to put on my "bitch" face and threaten them with farts but they didn't seem to care all too much. We couldn't hate them all that much because they were able to find us another place to stay (however, it was a two person room for three people) and we were able to regain our reservation for the following night. Like wondering cats in the mist of the night, the Gorilla, Carolyn (now named the Princess) and I trotted through the streets of Vienna looking for the Golden Squirrel. I am not even going to lie one bit, it was pretty sketchy and we truly had no clue where we were going but we finally found it at the end of street next to a train station, only to find out its name was the Golden Spine. I still can't decide which name for a hotel is creepier, the Golden Spine or the Golden Squirrel. Despite its real name, we collectively decided that we wanted to call it the Golden Squirrel because it sounded far more appealing than some golden spine. We climbed up the three flights of stairs to our room (taken straight out of a horror film. I am almost positive that part of the Shinning was shot here) and threw our luggage to the ground, exhausted from our mid night adventures. It was the most bizarre room and for some reason there was a not a toilet in our room. We spent a good 5 or 10 minutes looking for the bathroom in our not so big room, only to find out that it was actually in the hall way. Seriously, horror film material. And more seriously, what if someone had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, agh, they would have to creep into the hall way and turn on the timed light switch. I forgot to mention that the lights in the bathroom would only turn on for a short period of time because they were on a timer system. Even more terrifying. I went to the bathroom and prayed that I would not have to go until the morning. For the 4th night in a row, I was deemed crack baby. For the first time, I was actually pissed and tried to fight my way out of it. The Gorilla pulled this stupid "I am too tall, I am a Gorilla" b.s. and the princess sat on her butt like a princess and I slept in the crack. Finally after I was able to fall asleep, the Gorilla started freaky out saying that I was breathing too hard. Yes, I am human and I do breathe to stay alive. She insisted that she should sleep on the floor and turned into a midnight evil Gorilla, with fangs and claws. I turned into a passive crack baby and the Gorilla turned to an aggressive Gorilla. I tried my best but the Gorilla insisted on returning back to her natural habitat, the floor and I was able to get myself out of the crack. We all finally fell asleep, it just wasn't a good nights sleep, thats all.

post from May 1 2008 in the Austria.

The Adventures of Praha: Including Tales of Sweet Toilet Paper Rolls and Lost Gardens.

2008-05-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

We woke up rather early because Emmy had class today and we needed her to guide us to the train station so we could buy our tickets to WEIN for tomorrow. We Bohemian bageled it up for breakfast and then off we went. Our main objective for the day was to make it to the top of the St. Vitus Cathedral castle, however we had a few detours a long the way. Emmy gave us a map, sticky noted with all of things we needed to see and how to get from one place to the next but clearly three artsy farts were not going to attack the city by a map, rather intuition was our guide. We made it to the center of town, took plenty of pictures at the Astronomical clock. There was a special Dali and Mucha exhibit at this small gallery right across from the clock. I love Dali and Mucha defined Bohemian, so it all made sense for us to go. I loved it. Oh how I love Dali. On our way to the castle we discovered a mysterious garden and peacocks. Who knew that mysterious gardens in the Czech Republic had wild peacocks. It was quite a paparazzi moment. After crossing the wrong bridge, followed by long upward alley climbs we made it to the top of the castle. It wouldn't have been a true adventure had we not gotten pictures with the guards and hotdogs in no-ending buns. And by no ending buns I mean they took a roll, dug out the inside, and then only opened on side to fit the weenie in. It was pretty gross but in a good way. We stayed up on the top of castle to people watch because the two evil twins, Gorilla and Carolyn refused to go into the doll museum with me. Instead the tortured me and themselves for hours watching people buy what we called "sweet toilet paper rolls". They had this stand where men in funny pants made hot rolls of dough covered in cinnamon and sugar from a hut. It reminded me of something you would buy at a Renaissance festival. For a while we just watched and made voice over impressions of what they people where saying as they ate their Sweet TP rolls. It came to the point that they wouldn't leave until they had one of the hot rolls in their mouth, however they refused to pay for one. I being the nice innocent friend, tried to see if the two men would give me one for free if they knew that it was a bet to see if I could get one. In the heat of the moment, I caved in a bought a sweet tp roll after they looked at me confused because they didn't know what the meaning of the word "bet" was. Completely unsatisfied, and definitely not worth two euro or the hype, we finally headed back down into town. In order to get my money back, I told the Gorilla that I was going to sell her kisses to earn my two euro back. I wasn't completely success nor was she willing to follow through with her promises, but have no fear I will get my money back. We made it home for naps and more laughs. I got deemed the crack baby for the week and by that I mean, Emmy's bed is two twin beds put together and the Gorilla and Carolyn are evil friends and told me I had to sleep in the crack. Thats why I am crack baby. They are truly evil people. We fell asleep to our high school friends, Misha Barton and Adam Brody, in their one hit wonder, the OC. We made it to a rather late dinner down the street before making our way over to one of Emmy's friends house for a little preparation before the game. Apparently we got in a fight with one of Emmy's friends the night before, even though we didn't know it was a fight. I think we might of come off rude after one her friends tried to pull another "oh, your from Kansas" joke and we all lashed out, but thats all I can think of. Any whoo, it was sufficiently awkward seeing her friends again but luckily we were only there for a short time before making our way out for the night. Tonight we made the Hajj to Mecca, literally. There is this club in Prague called Mecca and it was indeed incredible. There were two dance floors. One that played crazy techno drug music and another that played classic 80's music. Emmy and I danced the night away while the Gorilla and Carolyn pop locked and dropped it. It wasn't until 4:30 when Emmy and I called it quits and we rounded up the troops to go home. It took us nearly an hour to try to find a cab. It is a bizarre thing, this whole cab business. In the glorious city of Florence it is very rare to take a cab, but in Prague it's the way to go. However you can only take a cab if you call one. Emmy waited on the phone for 30 minutes only to find out that our cab was never ordered. We finally convinced a poor cab driver to take us home. Good night and good morning.

post comes from 30th of April in Prague, Czech Republic.

Pra-ha-ha.

2008-05-27T03:37:00.000-07:00

We woke up early this morning to grab a bite to eat and walk around the city before heading to the land of wonder and bohemian madness, Pra-ha-Pra-ha. In the mix of eating a delicious breakfast, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper, we discovered that today was Ben and Jerry's free cone day. What more could three food crazy freaks want to do with their day. Obviously we had time to kill before our flight, so we did what every food hungry sweets craving travelin fool would have done and we walked quite a distance to find the one and only free cone day. It would be a lie to say that we didn't stand in line for nearly 45 minutes but what else were we going to do with our time? Play more gin? After a few rattle rattles and clink clinks the Ben and Jerry's free cone day trailer opened and out popped cups and cups of free ice cream. They technically lied because they served cups and not cones but I don't hate them for that, Fish Food Ben and Jerry's is on my list for top 100 foods I love. We waddled our fat butts back to the hostel, collected our bags and we were off to the airport. Our flight didn't leave until 4:10 but had to get there 2 hours in advance and the airport was a good 45 minutes away. We finally landed in Prague at 8:10 and with Emmy's grand directions, we hopped in a cab and made it over to her apartment in the Jewish Quarter. It was so nice to see Emmy again and it was even more exciting to be in Prague. I was debating whether to study in Prague or Florence and although I wouldn't change my decision ever, I was excited to see what this crazy country was all about. Emmy lives in this darling apartment, in a beautiful part of town. We were starving by the time we arrived, so we dropped our bags and headed to her favorite cafe, The Bohemian Bagel. How appropriate! Delicious indeed. It was actually one of the best and greenest things I have had in a while. We all showered up and hit up the bars for a night on the town in the city of Prague. Apparently Tuesday nights are what they call "chill" nights in Prague, so we headed to this bar hidden in the depths of a basement. I don't remember the name but it was exactly what I thought of a "chill" place. Weird isn't it? We sipped wine and talked up storm. There are surprisingly a lot of students from Michigan studying in Prague so we were able to catch up on life, as well as meet some of Emmy's new friends. The night was not complete without Prague's infamous street meat. It tastes just as terrible as it sounds. It is probably worse for you than it tastes. I doubt the Prague-ites call it "street meat" but that is what the Americans call it. Through out all of Prague there are these little stands that sell hot dogs, and friend chicken patties until the wee hours of the nights. I devoured my street meat for the pure purpose of the "experience" and nothing more. Do not judge me. We made it home with heart burn in all. Ciao Ciao!

Postness from the 29th of April in the Year 2008 in the country of the Czech Republic in the city of Prague.

Coffee Break.

2008-05-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

We woke up rather late this afternoon, exhausted from our Blarney adventures. We went to this delicious breakfast place called the Elephant Castle on the main road. We attempted to walk around but were too tired to do much more touring, not to mention the rain put a little damper on our inner desire to seek out adventures. We hit up a cute little coffee shop to write, draw and read. Before we knew it it was already 5 oclock and we decided to head back, pick up a few beers along the way and go back to the hostel to play cards. The drink we had ordered the other night were almost 10 euro a pint and at the grocery store they were 6 beers for 6 euro. Embarrasing, I tell you. The card gaming didn't last very long because topics on life and living and deep thoughts filled the air. We talked and talked about issues big and small and rather deep if you ask me. Our thoughts and talks lasted longer than we expected and before we knew it, it was already 9 o'clock. We ran into the same problem as we had had the past few nights and no restaurants seemed to be open when we wanted them to be. We tried to go to the little Italian place again but ended up getting turned away. We secretly think they make up times as to when their restaurant is opened. Instead we went to another Italian restaurant down the street. Greens filled my stomach and it was delightful. We made it an early night. Luckily tonight we didn't have roommates and we were able to go to bed with out any distractions. Tomorrow we are off to Prague. The Eurotrip continues.

this post comes from a day in April, the 28th to be exact in the year of 2008 in the city of Dublin, in the country of Ireland.

No Balony In Blarney.

2008-05-27T03:18:00.000-07:00

Last night we decided that we had had enough of the Dublin Drinkin delight and that we would venture out to Cork for the day. We had heard wonderful things about Cork and following the motto of my favorite gelato place "Perche No?", we thought "why not". We found out that there was a bus leaving at 8:10 from the central station for only 10 euro. 4 hours and a few naps later we arrived in the port city of Cork. Similar to the small town, happy go lucky feel of Dublin, the city is situated on a river, being over looked by hills filled with little houses. Unfortunately the raining man followed us to Cork, and all the sky had to offer us was rain and rain followed by more rain. With one umbrella we managed to survive. We also did not do the best of planning because Sunday's in Europe are more like dead days, and everything is closed. With the rain in our face and the stores blocking us from fun (well not really, we didn't want to go shopping anyway) we decided to ask a local Cork-ite what we should do in Cork. One lady shrugged her shoulder and said nothing and another recommended to go to Blarney to see the Blarney stone. Without any hesitation we headed back to the bus and took an hour bus ride up to Blarney. The town of Blarney is like one of those lego towns my brother used to build when he was younger. Small local stores situated around an open field of grass. A few steps outside the circle stands the Blarney castle where the Blarney stone lives. At first there was no way in hell that I was going to pay 8 euros to inside some castle that was 90 percent closed due to the rain and the fact that it was Sunday, but the Gorilla and Carolyn raised a good point..what else should we do?. We climbed the castle, room by room and imagined what it would have been like back in the day. Arms linked together, we read every single posting they had up about the castle and apparently kissing the Blarney stone is on the list for one of the 100 things you should do before you die. Boo Yah, check that one off. We found this cave that was titled Military Hide Out and we forced the Gorilla, even though she threw a Gorilla pity party for her unfortunate height, into the cave only to find out after we had gotten down on our hands and knees, that it led to no where but a small little hole. It was pretty funny watching the Gorilla make her way out of the cave. We finally made it to the top of the castle to see and kiss the Blarney stone but when we got there we couldn't find it. Little did we know that the Blarney stone was located inside the actual wall of the castle and that it had to be kissed in a very special way. Upside down and backwards was the only way to do it. Look up above for better visuals. Kiss Kiss Kiss, the three little children kissed the Blarney stone. YEAH! We made our way back down the castle to a coffee shop for a quick game of cards and a dry off session before our we headed back on the bus to Cork. In Cork we managed to find the only restaurant open to sit and wait for our bus back to Dublin. Not that hungry and that thirsty we settled for some broiled sweets and spread with bread platter. The waiter looked us like we were crazy. We had no idea what ordering broiled sweets would be like, but lets just say they were life changing. We built an entire town out of broiled sweet and managed to tear apart our mouths with them. We played 8 or 9 games of gin, until the Gorilla ruined the fun with her stupid rules about adding 26 for this or that. Before we knew it was time to head back to the town of Dub Dub Dublin. We tried to go back to the Italian restaurant that we went to the first night because it was actually reasonably priced but they were closed. Chinese food from a freaky chinese lady is what we got. Exhausted from our day, we were more in the mood to watch a movie than to go out. The hostel had a tv room and computer room which was very fortunate, however the couches looked like they had been picked up on trash day and brought here. There was the couple in the room that would not stop talking and we named them the Sunday-Night Dead. We found out that they had also kissed the Blarney stone and we all secretly threw up in our mouths. Carolyn and I were given the responsibility to choose a movie for the night and when we chose "UK's funniest video (thats what the sheet said) "I Want To Be Famous" we realized that the VHS educational film was terrible. The Gorilla got to make the final pick. She is good for something. School of Rock rocked me to sleep on the couch and I schnoozed while the Gorilla and Carolyn watched away. Carolyn had a Canadian lover who sat next to her and tried to sit closer to her through out the entire film. It was funny. We finally made it back to our room ready for bed. But sleeping was not an option. Our new French roommates had arrived and they were also interested in a little Q and A session. They were staying in Dublin for a couple of days before moving to northern Ireland to work for a friend of a friends. I asked them if they were students but they replied, No, they were workers. One question lead to another and then finally one of their other friends made it back in the room and thats when it got freaky. He started asking us if we liked playing the "bottle game". At first we were a little confused because we didn't know what the butter game was but after a few different iterations and descriptions we figured out that they wanted to know if we wanted to play spin the bottle. Giggle and giggles followed by howls and howls. One guy asked us if we like giving messages. We interpreted that as "if we like getting messages". But little did we know the questions was "do we like giving massages". It was pretty funny. The best part about the whole thing was that the all of the boys were wearing this tiny spanky booty shorts. They had no shame at all walking around the room in their tight little boxers. After too many laughs and bizarre questions (not to mention it was now 4:30), my eyes gave up and my body went in to deep sleep. I now gave these boys the true award for being the biggest "freaky frenchies".

postness from the day of the 27th in the month of April in the year of two thousand and eight.

delightful dublin.

2008-05-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if I described our living situation detailed enough yesterday, so let me take the time to explain it so you can fully understand everything as the rest of our wonderful trip unfolds. The hostel is a co-ed dorm style, with co-ed bathrooms and co-ed rooms. 1 dorm sleeps 6: 3 bunks beds to be exact. The Gorilla and I share one and Carolyn is on the bottom bunk of another. the other three beds are open for other guests. Last night we had our first round of french fun but they checked out today. Okay, so just remember this if I describe any more scenes from our dorm room. Now on with our day, we woke up early this morning originally to make sure we could eat the included breakfast but by the time we all showered and made it down there, we realized it was about to close and that the food wasn't all to great. Black as death coffee and dry desert toast wasn't going to work for us. We asked the cheerful man at the front desk for suggestions for breakfast and he kindly walked us across the street to his favorite place. Dublin is known for their breakfasts and places everywhere claim they have the best breakfasts in town. It was nice to order a real cup of coffee and scrambled eggs. We sat in the front window to people watch and indeed we did some people watchin. We spotted a group of men following behind one man wearing a large poster sign around his neck, a dress-up police helmet and a back pack and a purse. He must of seen us laughing at him through the window because he came inside the coffee shop to talk to us. Apparently he had been kidnapped by his friends for his bachelors party and his friends told him that he had to go around and collect enough money to pay them back for his flight and that he was on a time crunch. If he didn't collect a portion of the money by a certain time, they would make him drink. At 9:30 in the morning it seemed he had already missed the deadline a few times. He asked us for money and Carolyn and I gave him a couple of worthless U.S dollars and coins and he made us sign his poster necklace. I took a picture of him with Carolyn (see above) and he wanted us to send it to him. Xbuthol@hotmail.com. His name was Xavier but we prefer and reference him as X-butthole. What an unfortunate name. X-butthole continued on with his quest and we enjoyed the rest of our breakfast. We toured the streets of Dublin, stopped at a designer market and a food market, bought jewelry and taste tested olives and spicy salsa. We headed to Top Shop (shop top, bop shop, tip top..meh who knows?) Dublin's fabulous stores, similar to H&M and Zara. The Gorilla got her Europants groove on. We all bought scarves at the stands on the street and we walked around St. Stephen's Green. It was just beautiful! We made it back to the market for lunch and sat on the steps right outside to enjoy our home-made mexican quesadillas. We then obviously had to purchase a delightful sweet. (look above for visuals) and we headed to the river for sitting and sweets. We walked up and down almost every street, stopping here and there to look into shops, snap pictures of interesting statues. It was just the perfect day to tour. Around 4:30 we decided to buy a deck of cards and head to a pub for drinks and games. We ended up chatting up a storm until 7. Both the Gorilla and Carolyn were stopped by a body guard at the front door of pub, questioning their age. The Gorilla proudly roared 21 and carolyn had to bust out her ID. It was the first and only time her 19 year old ID would work at a bar. Who knew that the side kicked looked older than her Gorilla. We headed back to the hostel to freshen up, relax, watch some "Friends" and email our friends. We cam back to our room to find a fresh set of french roommates snoozing in their bunks. In the words of John Isenberg, they were "Freaky and Frenchy". By the time we made it back out again it was already 9:00. We had the grand idea of going out to dinner. Indeed eating dinner was a good idea but finding a restaurant that was reasonable and open, was almost impossible. Restaurant after restaurant. Window menu after window menu, we decided to settle for street falful and save our money for drinks. We brought our dinner down to the river and sat beneath the stars and lamp posts and watched the river drift calmly down the stream. After dinner we headed back to the city center for a night on the town . We had read about a few pubs in the hand books at the hostel but ended up going back to the pub we went to earlier. The entire city center was packed with people and it felt like it was marti gras on Bourbon Street. Older women in flapper dress and men in matching shirts filled the streets. Playboy bunnies, devils and slutty old construction workers filled the bars. At first we tried to get in and the bouncer said it was full but then when we went to ask him where else we should go to listen to music, he felt bad and let us in. The bars was hopin' with old men and women and a man with his guitar brought the bar alive with his fine oldies tunes. We looked around the bar and realized we were definitely the youngest people there. After we had spent all of our money on drinks we were hoping to find some kind and sweet Irish men to buy us a round of drinks but rather we met fat Mick and Andy from Essex England who were for sure older than my father. They were visiting Dublin for the weekend to play golf. It was all fun and games until Mick crossed the line and asked us if we were looking for an old and rich husband. Some words also popped out about a three-some he wanted to have with us. I literally told Mick with hand motions in all that he had crossed the line. We as a group (the Gorilla, Carolyn and I) decided that after 30 full solid minutes of talking with these old chumps and with not a single offer to buy us a drink, that it was time to head home. Our new roommates were out and about, so we undressed freely and hopped right into bed. Ciao Ciao.

writing translated in a post came on the 27th of April in the year 2008 in the town of Dublin in the country of Ireland.

we be luggin' that luggage.

2008-05-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

We woke up early (8:00 early) in order to get everything done before our 2:00 train to Pisa. Today we are leaving for our grand week trip to Dublin, Prague and finally Vienna. Carolyn Wiedeman is joining the Gorilla and her side kick as we take on the jolly, jolly Irish in Ireland and harsh, harsh Europeans of the Eastside. It took us over an hour to lug our luggage (hence, luggage is called luggage) down the street to Paul's apartment. You should of seen us, we were a sight to see and it was pretty much a joke trying to roll four oversized duffel bags down the cobble stone streets of Florence. The Gorilla and I switched suitcases because I needed a smaller bag for my travels but the Gorilla neglected to mention that the bag had a few issues. For instance, when you try to roll it, it wobbles and topples over. We finally made it safely and sweatily up the stairs with are luggage. We had our "last Anna's" sandwich. Well technically it is not our last but technically it was our last as students (on a daily basis last). We hit up the euro store for some traveling gummies, which only lasted as long as it took us to get to our apartment. So much for traveling gummies. We came back to grab the rest of our stuff that we would be taking on our trip and to say goodbye to the Via Dei Ginorites and the Via dei Ginori Palace. It has not hit me yet that when I return from my eurotrip next week that I will not be coming back home to the animals and our pig pin (a pretty pig pin indeed) We said our goodbyes, gave hugs and holler backs to every part of our apartment. Its a bizarre concept, this whole meeting people, living with people, starting to learn and love people and then the minute you just start to really feel the most comfortable, it is time to go. As much as I hated, complained, wined and bitched about my roommates, how gross our apartment was, I couldn't have asked for anything better. At home often I find myself in quest for the perfect everything, in school, with people, and here I didn't have to do any searching for it. It was just all there. Before we knew it, we were walking out the door. We realized that by the time we said our goodbyes it was already 1:46 and we needed to catch the 1:57 train to Pisa in order to make our flight. Like all Gorilla and sidekick adventures, we had to start our trip off with a mid afternoon game of dodge and sprint. In no time at all (we really had no time at all) we made it to the train station, leaped on the train and we were off to Pisa. I told myself the last time I flew Ryanair that it was going to be the last time I flew Ryanair but for some reason the Gorilla convinced that because Ryanair was based out of Dublin it would be a much more pleasant and an easier adventure. Indeed it wasn't. We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare, only to find out that we had to check my bag (the same bag that I brought Barcelona on Ryanair and did NOT have to check) and pay 20 euro to do so. We had to get out of line, go to the Ryanair office and pay for the ridiculous fee and then get back in line to get my actual ticket and then we would be able to board the plane. In a fluster and sporting extremely sassy attitude I stood in line to pay the stupid luggage fee. I think I must of scared the lady ringing us up because she handed me the receipt and for some reason, she only charged me 2 euro, instead of 22 euro. With a grin on my face, I shut my big mouth, signed the receipt and headed to the gate. Serves them right I tell you! So in the end, I decided that I could manage to pay the 2 extra euro and I didn't hate Ryanair so much (they can't help it that they are stupid) However my hate-o-meter started to rise after a. the man sitting next to us on the plane would not stop staring at us in a creepy way. It got to the point where it was so uncomfortable that I couldn't handle it. I turned my head and looked him straight in the eyes with the most evil and devilish glare. You would think that he would of gotten the drift after my look of death. Not to mention the Gorilla and I also did a cartoon drawing of him getting shot in the head by a super hero. So yeah thats one reason why I still hate Ryanair (for letting skeeze balls on their planes) the other, which I am sure you wouldn't blame me, we almost died and crashed. I guess it would be that we almost crashed first and then died. But during the landing I have never grabbed the Gorilla's hand so hard. I squeezed Gorilla juice out of her. At last we made it to Dublin and thank the lord my bag was there. We found out that we had to take a 45 min bus ride to the city center. At this point we were already over an our late meeting our dear friend Miss Carolyn at the hostel. She had been in Dublin since 6:00 am this morning just waiting for us. We finally made it to the Kinlay House hostel at 9:45 pm only to find our little friend waiting for us and a room full (and my full I mean there were two) french boy roommates. We set our stuff down and headed to the only restaurant that was still serving food. Of course it had to be Italian. We played the big game of catch over soups and salads. We headed back to the hostel for bed because we wanted to be prepared for our grand Irish tour tomorrow. We came into the room to find our two french roommates giggling over the movie "American Pie". Not only where they wearing sweaters with embroidered dragons, but one of them was definitely wearing jean shorts. No offense to boys that wear jean shorts. Next to their beds were remote controls and head scratchers. What a great combination. We engaged in a Q & A session, mainly it was them supplying the Q's and we providing the A's. Questions like "do you have cheerleaders or girls like we watch in our porno's in the states?" or "Do all American's drive racing cars?". The Gorilla started to fall asleep and of the French freaks asked if she wanted to sleep and the other French freak giggled and giggled. We couldn't figure out what he was laughing about until he told us that in French the word "sleep" means little boy or old mens underwear and I quote "not the sexy kind". Then they proceeded to ask Ada if she needed an extra pillow but instead of saying pillow he said "nipple". So it came out as "aada do you need an extra nipple?". With in a matter of seconds his face turned red and he started to dig himself out of his big hole. "I mean pillow". We all started to giggle and by that I mean, I died in my bed. With a jolly smile on our faces, we decided we had had enough french fun for one night and we hit the sack.

postness from the 25 of april in the year of the 2008, a day of good byes to the best city in the world. oh flo flo yo yo.

Show Show Fo Show Show.

2008-05-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

e n d o f t h e y e a r a l l s t u d e n t a r t s h o w.

My Last Thursday As A Student In Florence.

2008-05-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

I am not even sure what happened to this day. I was like I was conscious of how I was spending my last full day as a student here but at the same time it was like living in a dream world. At 10:00 we met our book arts teacher at the Strozzi Campus to help set up for our big All Student Art Show tonight. To be honest I was pretty worthless because I was more interested in figuring out my trip to Greece and knowing that I would have to come back up to school later, made me even more uninterested. I have been on quest for two things since I got here. 1. leather boots, real leather boots, not 24 euro plastic boots from Lucca. 2. a leather purse. In the leather capitol of the world, you would that the simple task of finding such items like leather boots or leather jackets, would be rather easy but not for me. I am the worlds pickiest person and if it doesn't feel 100% right, I won't buy it. We scoped out the leather market before making are way to Anna's. I was worried after yesterdays sandwich disaster but Anna pulled through and the sandwich was the juiciest and hottest it has ever been. We had to meet the commi hippie at school at 2:30 to help set up for the show, again. It was kids of a bummer that we were having to spend out last day, not to mention last and beautiful day inside but after going to the show tonight it was sure worth it. I am not sure what maade our house think it was a good idea to go to the CEA dinner tonight. I think it was the email titled "Included CEA Dinner @ Mediterranean Restaurant" that reeled us in. Yes, indeed it was that. We literally have not seen most of the CEA kids who are not in the art school all semester (which is about 90%). It has been a blessing because I have never met such awful, ungrateful, waste of space people in my life. I left like I was at an awkward BBYO or one roommate said High School event where it is just painful because you don't want to talk to anyone but the people you know. For us it was the Art school CEA kids that actually showed up were the people from my house. The food was fabulous but we peaced out early in order to get to our show. Wine, food, friends, farewell. I love my teachers, my friends that I have made. We stayed until 11. The pictures above capture the atmosphere more than the words.

Quote of the evening: "So Nick, what was it like to get hit by a car" -Pants

We packed up what remained and the Gorilla and her sidekick went to bed for the last night in their cozy cots. They loved their room and did not want to leave.

see woah see woah

posted on the date of april 24th, on the day of thursday, in the only year that is now, 2008.

My Last Wednesday As A Student In Florence.

2008-05-05T07:23:00.001-07:00

The Gorilla and I woke up an extra hour early this morning because we thought it might be a good idea to study for at least an hour before and for our Art History exam. We attempted to study last night but we both knew that getting into bed with our teeth brushed and fully dressed in pj's, was not the best way to study. Especially for a narco-narco like me. I am rubbing off on the Gorilla and she is slowly moving to the dark side and by dark side I literally mean she can fall asleep in odd situations like with the lights on, music and or the radio. The dark side = eyes closed. Peanut butter and crackers for breakfast are quite delicious. In attempts to ride our house of food, we decided that rommate stealing (I mean food) is completely acceptable. After we "B+" (should be read as "b-plused") our Art History exam (I swear they only give out B+'s in this school, so I assume thats what I got my exam) we presented our oral exam. Last night Trishowski, the Gorilla and I "free-translated" a short script for the big exam. Watch our Ryan Secreast, the Gorilla might be taking over you show. We wrote a short exert from an episode of Italian Idol. The winner would receive the grand prize of a Ferrari and or a picture of one, same thing. Our teachers favorite car, and at the beginning of the semester she told us she would kill for one. The judge was our friend Camile. Her show names was Anni-Ani (translated at butthole year..remember from the beginning of the semester lesson). Trishowski and I were the singers. We mad Trishowski-stage name, Nine-T-Nine Cent (the name of the euro store) The best part of the whole thing was that Trishowski got so nervous that she actually tried to sing the song for real, where as I made a fool of myself, partially because I am a fool and partially because I can't sing. Our teacher loved it. She took us all our for coffee after class and then off to Anna's. Let the count down begin. We have a very short amount of time left and it is imperative to eat Anna's every single day from here on out. I wouldn't be opposed to eating it twice a day. We didn't think it was possible and under such pressure and lack of time, Anna's just happen to only have one piece of our favorite kind of bread left. I sacrificed my sould and sucked it up and ate the sandwich on wheat bread but the sensation could not even compare to that of the flat bread. I had my painting crit today and I promise to post pictures as soon as possible. Kelsey and I brought snacks but we ended up being the only people to eat them. I am tell ing you while the euro store has been a blessing because everything in the store is only a euro, it has also be a little devil. I blame the euro store for my florence 15. The Gorilla and I headed over to Santa Spirito to eat our favorite panino. We sat on the stairs enjoying the atmosphere and observing the most beautiful men. It was incredible. Of course at the end of the semester we discover the Mecca of nice, attractive-non-freaky licking men. The home dogs and the Gorilla and I decided we should do a Via dei Ginori gelato outing as a family. After Pants complained the entire way there, we all ordered the delicious gelato from Grom and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Pants said it tasted like spoiled milk but after she devoured her 3 euro, bigger than her face gelato, she realized she liked it. She proceeded to criticize Emily and my gelato selection until mid sentence, Emily snapped but in the most calm voice she said "well, why don't you just shut up". I was dying. Pants has been quite the chatty kathy lately (I guess you can count an entire semester as "lately") and I think everyone is starting to get annoyed with her. We still love her but at the same time we all want to kill her. Tonight was pretty magical because it was the first time in a long time that we all went out together and I couldn't stop smiling. Just as much as it was magical, tonight was also quite depressing. 1. We had to take down our beloved motherland. Look above our room looks naked! Rather than doing anything remotely productive because my internet went out, the Gorilla and I decided to step back in our past and reminisce about the SMEaster days. One thing lead to the next one story sparked another and we proceeded to stalk the world. I am terribly ashamed to admit this but I only speak the truth. I did however figure out a majority of my greece plans and I did pack up life. It still hasn't truly hit me that this week is the last week I will be living in the Via Dei Ginori Palace with the Via dei Ginorites.

My Last Tuesday As A Student In Florence.

2008-05-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

In book arts, for our final crit, we had to sign up at different times to meet with the grand and wonderful Pat-The-Book-Arts-Genius. Obviously the Gorilla and I are early risers and our names were first and second on the list. Pat seemed to thoroughly enjoy my work, and I let Pat know (in a not so freaky way) that I was madly in love with her and her class and that I wanted to devote the rest of my studies and career to making books. My life dedicated to books, for books, by books and in the name of books. After our lover-affair crit, the Gorilla, Kelsey and I tried to hit up the antique markets we read about in the Florentine. Each week a local newspaper is produced by a group of American students and it gives the ends and outs of places to go and people to see. Unfortunately the Florentine forgot minor details like times because by the time we made it market, they were closing for lunch. It was a good sign because I do not need to be spending any more money. Luckily it was almost time for lunch, well it was actually still a little early but it was of the hour in which it was socially acceptable to eat a tuna, mozzarella and tomato sandwich. I also had my final photog crit and for some reason (probably because this is my last week being a student here) I had ants in pants the entire crit and had a very difficult time focusing. So instead, I decided to draw portraits of my class mates, including the commi hippie. After our crit, our entire house, minus eeeeemiiillly (thats how she talks) met up for dinner. The Greek place didn't open for take out until 7:30, so we decided that it would be a good idea to work on our oral presentation for tomorrow. Trishowski (some call her Trisha..one of my many wild and crazy roommates), the Gorilla and I had to come up with a oral presentation for the teacher. I could of been anything, but obviously we decided to make it over the top. All of the Via Dei Ginorites gathered around the dining room table in the Via dei Ginori Palace and laughed our butts off while Pants chopped our ears off. The entire dinner, I couldn't stop laughing because Shasta's smacking really got out of control and I couldn't hear the Gorilla even though she was sitting right across from me. Depressing evening the house of the Ginorites, packing was our evening activity.

postness from the 23rd of april in the hours of wee ness (that being of late timing) on the last tuesday of the semester in the country of florence in the year 2008.

My Last Monday As A Student In Florence.

2008-05-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had my last day of Italian class. Sad Sad Sad. I took my final exam and at the end of it was worried that she had forgotten to attach a piece of paper to it because I literally finished it with in a half and hour. I couldn't believe it, it was easier than the quizzes that we had. Easier than the quizzes that I actually studied for. I looked over my notes last night for about 15 minutes and then decided that a. I didn't want to study anymore and b. I pretty much knew everything. I guess before I say too much, I should wait until Wednesday to find out how I really did. The weather this week again has been very strange. Rain, Shine, Rain and then some Shine. I finally finished my painting and I will be displaying them at the all student show at the end of this week. I am thinking I will post the pictures on Thursday because I will be able to have better quality images. I am sitting here typing this shocked because my head keeps reminding me that this is my last week of school and the last week of my semester abroad. I just can't believe it. It actually feels like yesterday when I was saying goodbye to my father with eyes full tears and his arms full of feminine products. Its just incredible, and I have had the best time in my entire life. Okay back to the last Monday of all Monday's abroad. After painting, I met the Gorilla back at home to start cleaning up our cage. One of our advisors is coming over tomorrow to check out our apartment and the Gorilla and I were bad Gorilla's and sidekicks and we decided to be inferior and tape everything and anything to the wall. We were told several times NOT to do so but there are very little things that will stop us from doing what we want. The only unfortunate part of not listening was that when we went to go remove the tape, big chucks of paint and wall came off. The Gorilla definitely hung more things on the wall than I did. We genius-ly decided to cover them up ourselves. The Gorilla attempted to use watercolor paint but thank goodness I was around to let her know that that was the worst idea ever. She can't help it that she has terrible ideas, she is a Gorilla. Instead of painting pretty white little pictures, we went down the street to the "WHAT?" store. I am not sure the name of it but literally you stand outside the door and all you can think of is "WHAT?". It is a small hole in the wall store filled with everything from trash bags, to candy, to paints to rain boots, and bird-cages plus barrels of beans. All you can ask yourself is What is this, What is that? And What is that smell. However the "WHAT?" store had exactly what we were looking for. A nice jar of white stucco for only a 1.50 euro! WHAT else could you want? I didn't trust the Gorilla to cover up the holes, so I took on that role while she did other things. Fact for the day: Did you know that gelato spoons can be used to cover up holes in the wall? Well, indeed they can. The Gorilla had an old gelato spoon and it was just the right shape to put the gunk on the wall. After playing repair-woman, I transformed into cleaning lady. After four months of never actually cleaning our apartment, the time was over due, I knew that no one else in the apartment besides the Gorilla was actually going to get down and dirty and scrub the filthy place. The Gorilla volunteered herself for the bathroom, maybe she felt some sort of connection to the seizure pooping palace but I was definitely going to touch the grim dwelling in that arena, so instead I offered my soul to the second most disgusting room, da da da...the Kitchen. One of my roommates is actually the most disgusting food hoarder and eater. First off, yesterday she left the tops of her already munched on strawberries sitting on the table. The trash can is literally two steps away, she is so close she could toss them in there and not have to be some famous star like Michael Jordan to make it. Next, through out the entire semester she some how manages to concoct the most disgusting left over residue from cooking. I am not saying the food she cooks is gross in the least bit, but for some reason she can not understand that right after you cook, you should clean your dishes because food sticks and gets REALLY NASTY. Finally, she seems to buy an ungodly about of produce each week and never ever ever is capable of eating it before it goes rotten and molds all over the place. I can not count the number of times I have had to throw out a moldy orange or dried up eggplant. Ahh. I feel much better. I just had to let it out because it took me over an hour and a half to get that kitchen spot less. I don't blame her completely but I would have to say that 85 percent of the grossness in the kitchen is due to her inability to leave the kitchen at least a half sanitary place to eat. The Gorilla finished a little after me, only to find that there was literally an entire head of hair stuck in the drain and that we were showering with other species the entire semester. Black mold hid in on the shower curtains and disguised itself into the wall. She looked like a mess after cleaning that bad boy. Tonight we had our farewell photography dinner. There are only 6 kids in my photography class and as a result of that, we have all become very very close. Out of all the kids in the Art school these people have become some of my very best friends and we all have become extremely comfortable with each other and our teacher. Unfortunately, only four of us, plus our teacher could make it. We went to this Indian Restaurant near the train station. Delightful indeed and a nice change in flavor! We played a game called "Tell your most crazy story from abroad". Max told some story about eating food on the street from a guy selling it in a cardboard box, the Gorilla and I shared our Venice weekend trip and Trisha giggled about her trip to Southern Italy. Since our professor has been living over here for 8 years now, we let her tell any life story. Some how we got on the topic of Catholic school which led us to talking about rules, which led her to sharing a story about how she used to have group bathroom time, like an assigned time to go to the bathroom during the day. They would all get up from their seats, line up on a red line and stand their until one by one, every girl had gone to the bathroom. My teacher told us this story of how she vividly remembers back in the first grade that she didn't have to go to the bathroom when the assigned time was, so after about an hour after they had gone to the bathroom as a class, Susana (my teachers name, yes, I revealed the commi hippi's name) told the teacher she had to go the bathroom. The nun (remember this is at a catholic school) yelled back at her, "No you don't, we just went". Susana yelled back but "Yes I do". The nun told her no again. Instead of listening to the nun (even though I am not sure how you can listen to some one else telling you that you don't have to go, when you really do) Susana walked to the back of the class room, lifted up her skirt and took a nice long pee in the back of the class room. The nun came running and screaming at her and just as she finished, she took off her sweater wiped herself and then threw it at the nun. Even at such a young, Susana, the commi-hippie was an aggressive one! Incredible story I tell you, I learn something insane about that one at least twice a week and I just love it. We didn't finished with dinner until 10 and made it home by 10:30. I spent the night trying to figure out my plans for after abroad. Greece ain't so easy to figure out.

FACT of the Day: (again) did you know that Jerry Springer was once the mayor of Cincinnati? And was compared to the Ohioan version of JFK? Thanks to Ira Glass, I can provide you with this information. Thislife.org baby check it out.

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing. Like Eat 2 Panini's

2008-05-03T13:59:00.002-07:00

Katie and Emily hoped on the 6:30 train to the airport for Prague and Sam left for Paris around 12:00. We took her to our new found dinner place on the other side of the river, called GustaPannino. Our friend Kelsey introduced us to it and it has been the greatest discovery since Anna's sandwiches. We sat on the steps of Santa Spirito and watched families gather and little children giggle and play. We quickly walked through the organic market and then took Sam to the train station. The Gorilla and I ventured over to Santa Croce to see if the Antique market was this Sunday but instead it was the hand made market. This one lady had designed the cutest clothes and with a special kind of paint (it looked like watercolors on fabric) and created the most adorable creatures and faces. I wanted to get this shirt but it was too big on me. We decided to head to the Boboli gardens for possibly our last time. On the way over to the Pitti Palace, we stopped at this card store, where we bought personalized stamps used for making wax stamps. Since my new found passion is book arts, I thought this would be the perfect souvenir to bring back to the States. I also purchased a few (15 to be exact) post cards as well. We finally met our friend Kelsey at the gardens and we plopped on the open field in the sun. I fell right to sleep. Around 5, the sun started to go down and our stomachs started to growl. What I am about to reveal may sound crazy because as I am writing this out, it does sound just a tad bit ridiculous. Because we were on the other side of the river, and because it is our official last week here and because we needed to make up for the lost time, we decided to go back to GustaPanino. The Gorilla was nervous that the waiter would recognize us, but I convinced her that it was worth it and that the guy wouldn't judge. Sure enough, we ordered our second panini of the day and the guy for sure remembered us. Meh, it's just a complement to him and his restaurant. He actually invited us to the grand opening of their new restaurant tomorrow night. Kelsey hadn't been to the Organic market, so we hit it up for the second time today, just much slower. Their ain't nothing wrong with doing something twice in a day. Like eating gelato for instance, I am pretty sure I would do very well at eating it twice a day. We headed back to our side of town and up to the art school to finish last minute touches to our books and photogs. Tomorrow starts and ends the last week of my program. Impossible to believe. No words to describe.

The "Item" at the Centro.

2008-05-03T13:59:00.001-07:00

The Via dei Ginori house could be considered a hostel this weekend. Slumber party time. Kelsey took over the Gorilla's bed, the Gorilla and Sam snuggled on the Pillow Palace and I dominated my own bed. Exhausted from Central park. We slowly woke up and got ready and then sent the traveling fools to visit the most intriguing (aka touristy parts of Florence) While the visitors were off visiting, Kelsey, Ada and I couldn't resist an Anna's sandwich on this fine Saturday afternoon. We also couldn't resist something sweet to follow it. As we were checking out at the Centro (the grocery store) I was reaching into my bag to grab something (who knows what now) and all of the sudden I feel a man tapping on my shoulder. Sure enough he was tapping me on the shoulder to show me that I had dropped something. This time it wasn't some ones heart, it was actually a feminine product. Giggle-Mc-Grandpa, pointed to the item on the ground to let me know I had dropped something on the floor. Half embarrassed, half "this is typical Allison", I picked it up and put it back in my purse. The whole incident would have been over, but Gossiping-Giggle-Mc-Grandpa, proceeded to tell everyone, in Italian (but I understood) that I had dropped my feminine product on the ground. That's when it got embarrassing. All of the check out ladies knew, and all of the people around chuckled. Typical Typical Me. Unfortunately, I had a ton of work to get done before next week because it was just the most gorgeous day. I finished photog and worked on a few books. We headed home around 6 but stopped at the Centro to pick up some cheese and crackers for an afternoon roof top delight. Because of the rain, we really have not had that much time to enjoy our large and in charge balcony, so tonight, with all of the visitors into town and the sun glistening, we put together an apertivo. We all took power naps and showered up. We made it over to Za Za's for dinner. Just fabulous. We were all so exhausted, and by the end of dinner, I was almost too tired to even talk. I felt bad that we were not going out tonight but it was almost 12 by the time we finished dinner and my body was going to collapse. We hiked straight up the Via Dei Ginori moutian into bed. Bella luna tonight! Goodnight moon!

A Friday In Florence. How About That.

2008-05-03T13:57:00.001-07:00

(above: the life after being a model)

This morning we all woke up rather early because I forgot to turn off my alarm on my phone, so at 8 in the morning, beep beep beep woke up all the little chickens. We sipped magical tea, and espresso on the top of the Via dei Ginori Patio of Wonderul and Delight! We gave a shout out to the people touring the Medici Palace, and I tried to wave to the people on the Duomo but I am not sure if they could actually see me. We showered up and headed to the Oil Shoppe for scrump-didly-umpious Oil Shoppe, oily shopness. Normally I get a meatball sandwich but this morning I was more in a salad mood. For only 4.50 I was able to get chicken, eggplant, artichockes, mushrooms, tomatoes and mozzarella. It was definitely an after noon delight! We walked to the Ponte Vecchio to give Sam a tour of our homeland. Some shopping was done and I actually bought my first scarf since I have been here. And by a scarf, I mean three. I walk past San Lorenzo market every single day, with all of the leather and scarves and goodies, and have yet until today bought something. We also couldn't take Sam on a tour of Italy without taking her to get some Gelato. duh. We brought her to my new"er" favorite Gelato place on the other side of the river expect I happened to order a not so good flavor. I had this feeling that I should of just ordered my usual, cafe and menta, but instead I ordered yogurt nutella (my nutella cravings have come back. I tried to stay away from it the whole semester since my little incident with eating way too much one night but the cravings have come back) and I also got cookies gelato. But now that I look on it, I can't hate that I ordered and proceeded to eat the entire gelato, including the cone, because it was only one euro, or how I accidently pronounced it uno ahhhuuurooo. Every time I say straight up euro (english style, they don't understand me but when I also try to say it the Italian way it just comes sounds like a bunch of vowels howls with an "r" rolled in there somewhere. I was going to head to the art school to do work but then decided a nap was a much better option. At 8 we met at El Gatto for the most delicious balsamic and pizza crust bread. You don't even understand the sensation that goes on in your mouth when the balsamic and bread come together, its like when two become one! All of sudden during our preparation for the game, it started to down pour. Pour down down down down down. I saw my first Italian lighting bolt! We had to take cabs to the club "Central Park" because a. it is really far away and b. it was raining (raining is an understatement) Normally I refuse to take a cab anywhere because it is just ridiculous but I had to conform to Erica's theory because of the rain. and mind you it was ONLY because of the rain. I normally love going to Central Park because they have two dance floors. One for the American ghetto booties and one for the freaky Italian bounce bounce. However tonight because of the rain, and due to the fact that a lot of Americans were out of town traveling, the crowd there was straight up Italian molesters. I am not even kidding someone credit-card swiped my butt. I freaked out at this really ugly man who would not leave us alone. Oh and because of the rain, there was the nile river on the dance floor (clearly in honor of passover) We started the night out late and therefore we got home late. The Gorilla became a mean Gorilla and would not leave. Some times the Gorilla get vicious. She will regret it in the morning I know it.

postness from the friday on the 18th of Friday in the months of april in the year 2008

Run Away.

2008-05-03T13:56:00.001-07:00

Project Runway. Run Away.

2008-05-03T13:55:00.001-07:00

The Gorilla and I have been having a difficult time waking up the morning the past couple of days. In book arts we learned the final way of making a book. So sad but I know how to make a profession hard cover book! I have loved that class and my teacher Pat is so incredible. The Prague-ites , that being Emmie and Katie met us at Anna's with Erica and Sara. Unfortunately they were not able to taste the splendor that is Anna's because they already ate lunch but they were able to soak up the atmosphere and by the pure act of watching, I think they could understand why it was such a treat. The Gorilla and I obviously could not survive a Thursday afternoon of communistic photog with out fruit to sugar coat our minds. The good thing about photog today was that we were able to leave at 6 because tonight I would transform my weird awkward Allison self into a high end fashionista and model. Why we needed 4 and a half hours to get ready for the show is still beyond me but hey I am a model and you know what I mean, I just do my little turn on the cat walk. And when I say transform myself into a model, I ain't lyin! I didn't even recognize myself when I looked in the mirror. With my hair straight, white lip stick smothered all over my face, and electrifying eye make up. The girl who did my make up literally took eye liner and made stripes under my eyes. The other girl who did my eye liner literally took a sharpie to my eyes, not really but it sure looked like it. I may never be able to fully get it all of it off. My roommate made the dress I was to show off to the audience. The fashion was set up ATM and Project Runway style and both the models and the designers were being judged. The show was at this kinda skeezy club called 21. I had never heard of it before, but the lighting in the bar and on the dance floor were freaky and everyone looked like they had painted their faces purple and bleached their teeth white (I guess some call that sensation, a black light). The show started around 10. I was the third girl to go on. Damn. I didn't even know I had it in me to be a model. I walked my walked, popped a couple of peace signs, and shook my bon bon across the seizure stage. The stage had these squares of neon lights, and I was more worried about having a epileptic attack than actually falling in my 12 inch heals. Yes, I had to wear heals that made me 10 inches taller than my 5 6 beautiful bod. I came to conclusion that the designers and the teacher didn't really like me for who I am, and that the straight hair, crazy make up and 10 inch heals were their way of kindly covering it up. Well poo poo on them. My roommate, Tricia, told me that she couldn't wait for me to go back to straight hair Allison because she couldn't handle it and that it just didn't fit me at all. My curly hair really does make me, me. The show lasted about 2 hours. My roommate Emily won best designer and my friend Erin one best model. When they made the announcement, all of my hopes and dreams of every becoming a model went down the drains. And thank god I didn't win! All of my teachers were at the there and after the show we danced the night way and sipped cocktails model style. Erica, Sara, Emmie, Katie, Dara, Effie and Mir were all there for moral support. It was weird to see my painting teacher get his groove on but we danced with our teachers anyway. Froto, the art historian really knew how to put her hands up for Detroit. The Gorilla and I were pretty tired, tired of being models, tired because it was late and decided to head back home. Sam, the Parisian, wonder, is also visiting this weekend, so Rayha (the no fun funner) met us at our apartment to deliver another chicken to stay with the Via dei Ginorites. Welcome Sam Our friend Kelsey joined us for a slumber party and we spooned and giggled!

post ness from the seven teenth ness of april on a thursday in the year of 2008

No Thank You David and The Life Of A Plus Sized Model.

2008-05-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

The Gorilla and I skipped out on Art history today because we were going to have to pay to see the Academia and by that i mean pay to see the Davids small pee and we were not going to do that. So instead we woke up early and I went to the Art school to finish work and pay 10 euros to have 5 pieces of paper faxed to LA... lame! I find myself looking in my wallet thinking where has all my money gone and this is one of those side investments you make and then forget about when you have less than a euro at the end of the week. Stupid fax. The Gorilla and I met at Bar Ginori for coffee before class. A little sip of latte to freshen up our mornings on this glorious day. We tried to convince our Italian teacher to let us go on a field trip for our last day of real italian class but she decided that reviewing for the final was much more important. Luckily she told us exactly what was going to be on the final so I am not too worried. And as a bonus, we were let out of class 30 minutes early. A nice relaxing lunch at Anna's for a change of pace. Kelsey has become a new member of the Anna's afternoon. I was a good friend and stayed true to my words and bought the Gorilla a sandwich today because last night I told her that I would pay for her Anna's if she wrote on 12 of my prints in cursive and indeed she did them and indeed I payed for her sandwich . I really try to make promises that I can keep! I felt more painting juices today than I have felt all semester. I was a painting master today and the time went by so fast. After an entire semester I finally feel like I truly got the hang of it all. Who knows, my work could be in the Uffizi one day, clear the walls Leonardo and Michaelanglo, Allison the Great is painting your way. I didn't even want to leave painting at 4. Today was my last lab class. While I hated lab most of the time, it was sad to think that it was my last class. We immediately drilled it into our teachers head that we wanted gelato because a. it was our last class. b. we didn't want to review for the final because we spent the day doing that c. it was just gorgeous outside today. The minute we asked her she responded, you don' want to study for the exam and simultaneously everyone in the class room responded NO and off we went. The teacher told the woman at the front desk that the reason we were leaving was because we didn't want to study and instead we wanted gelato (she spoke this in italian, and I could actually understand it..it was pretty funny) Just as much as it was sad that it was my last lab, it was sad that I hadn't made my way to the other side of the river to the Gelato place we went to because for just a euro, yeah you heard me, one euro, I got to have two home made, delicious and fluffy flavors (menta and caffe) in a cone. The entire class, the entire class being 5 of us, sat on the edge of the Ponte Vecchio discussing random thoughts and expressed how much we were dreading slash getting excited for the fashion show tomorrow night. I learned two very interesting things today. 1. I forgot to mention this earlier but i learned that my italian teacher has a vineyard and she sells her grapes to make a wine. Her wine is Clement the 7th and is sold everywhere in Italy. Who knew? She also has an olive oil farm and only sells it to select costumers. Not to mention she also has a "spare" house she also owns that used to be for the farmers that helped on the farm (but with modern technology, they aren't needed) so she rents out different parts of the house for the summer to tourists. We were all sad about leaving and told her that we would come back and work for her. The Gorilla offered her hands to be the dishwasher (I must admit, gorilla hands are good for washing dishes, nice and big) I offered her back massages and another girl offered to cook. She said that there is a guest house in the back of her actual house and it is now used as storage but in a couple of months they will have it fixed up and we can all work for her. Hey another reason to come back here. 2. the second interesting thing I learned today is that in Italy when you get engaged, it doesn't mean that you have a set date for a wedding rather, it means that you are just promising to be with each other. My Italian lab teacher has been engaged for three years. Its weird here. There is something I have noticed. Everyone in Italy (I noticed this with my teacher and I noticed this our tour guide in Rome) they also seem to tell you never to get married and they all sound depressed about it. Weird i tell you. Well the good news is a. at the rate I am going, Italy was meant for me b. I am only 20 years old..aint no thang. So yeah two interesting things. After Italian lab the Gorilla, Kelsey and I went on a vintage store quest and we hunted down all of the vintage stores in Florence only to find out that the most expensive and trendy items were sweatshirts that read "yale" and american t-shirts were considered high end vintage. We unanimously decided that the Salvation Army back in the States would do much better for our bank accounts and that spending 20 euro on a shirt that is a. already worn and b. already worn and straight up from America (well actually it was probably first made in China, but thats a different story)...was just not worth it. Kelsey introduced me to the worlds best sandwich and panini shop on the other side of the river (she lives on that side) and we sat outside of Santa Spirito to enjoy our life changing dinners. Toasted pita, turkey, pesto, mozzarella, tomato, zucchini, = delightful. We rushed back home to prepare for the first and final dress rehearsal for the fashion show. I am not sure if i have mentioned this one in the blog yet but tomorrow night I will become a model. Yes indeed, I, Allison Isenberg will transform into a 1960's model sportin Aliza Rupert. I will walk the runway at Club 21 and wear the worlds most unflattering dress. I hate to admit this but the fashion design students make clothes that are not so fashionable. It is actually quite embarrassing but I will give full details tomorrow, Lets just say that eating two sandwiches a day probably isn't the carbo load diet Gisele eats for weeks before her big show. Kelsey came back to the apartment after the practice and we all hung out while I straightened my hair. Pain is beauty and beauty is pain...aka i look painfully awful with straight hair, ahh I just looked in the mirror and I don' even recognize myself. The Gorilla and I spent the rest of the evening sipping Mama I's magical tea and figuring out hostels and traveling for our big trip to Dublin, Prague and Vienna. I am so tired while typing this, my eyes burn and my fingers kill. My roommates just got home from going out and it looks like one of them had a run in with ralph and upchuck, I am going to pretend I am asleep. Wait, actually I am not pretending, I am going to bed NOW.

Wednesday of the day in the monthness of April on the exact date of the 16th in the exact year of 2008.

Kate Moss, How Do You Do It?

2008-05-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

I must of had bad dreams last night about not waking for my alarm clock because at around 6 I woke up in a frenzy thinking the Gorilla and I had missed class (and we couldn't do that because we had already had 3 absents...agh no no worst dream ever and obviously I would have these kind of dreams) I woke up and realized, I couldn't find my phone, I wasn't wearing a watch and I was too tired to convert the time on my computer, yes indeed it is still set to KC time. I hopped out of bed, keep in mind i am almost legally blind, and successfully ran into a few things before actually finding out that it 6:30 in the morning and I still had an hour and a half to sleep. I was a book arts work- a-holic today. The weather here has been so bizarre. I think it was actually colder today than it was in the beginning of January. One day it will be sunny and beautiful and the next minute it will rain and then be freezing. I guess April showers do bring May flowers, so I can't complain. This afternoon, the photog commi felt the need to tell me about her long lost roman lover and how she keeps having dreams about him. She ended up staying up at the art school until 11 p.m. locked in side the We stayed up at the Art School all night to get stuff done before our visitors come on Thursday. The Praha, Praha lovers are coming all the way from the Czech Republic to flo yo. The visitors have just been rolling in out of Florence the past couple of weeks. I mean I don't blame them for coming to the best city in the world. With the fashion show taking over my life, I have little time to devote to my book arts. And well all know I need a lot of time to do that. More importantly being a model has been quite a stressful thing, and I have to stay on top of my other life. Kate Moss how do you do it?

tuesday ness of of the 15th of april in the year 2008, on the eve of night.

A Day of M's. Monday, Medici, Money, Mmm Anna's, Mosquitos.

2008-05-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Gorilla and I were so happy this morning when we thought that we were going to meet our art history class across the street at the Medici Palace. Little did we know that the Medici Palace and the Medici Chapel were two totally different things in two totally different places. Actually is not that we didn't know that they were two different places but on Wednesday our teacher told us to meet at the Medici Palace, that was down the street from our school and across the street from our house. We would of have been right on time but instead we were almost a half and hour late and ended up paying 6 euro to get in, only to find out that our Museum cards actually worked (even though they had a huge sign that said no student discounts) At the end of the tour, we forced our teacher to help us get our money back and indeed we did. I also got my pair of scissors back that I had accidently left in my bag. We reviewed for our Italian final in class. It is weird to think that next week is finals and it is even more weird that next week is finals and that next week is my last week abroad. Just 145 posts ago, I was sitting at my home in Kansas city writing my first entry. Its terrifying! Anna's Anna's Ann'as for lunch time. time. time. time. The Gorilla and I unanimously decided to have a crush on a young man that frequently visits Anna's for lunch. Before getting lost this morning, the Gorilla and I found where his stand is in the San Lorenzo Market. His name is Lorenzo and he works in the San Lorenzo market! A night of book making plus the urge to poke our eyes out fun with my new found Capri friend Kelsey and the Gorilla. We were kicked out by the Meat Head Army Man (he is like the mid night owl, however he doesn't look like an howl, he looks like a meat head army man) Mosquito's have invested our apartment. This is actually no shocker to me because a. when we first got here there was a basket full of "mosquito zappers", who knew they made such a thing that plugs into the walls and kills mosquito. and b. the gorilla left the window open all day because she said it was stuffy in our room. ciao ciao!

The Greek Disaster.

2008-05-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

After book arts, I stayed to work on Photog fo sho tog and then after photog fo sho tog, I worked on book arts. The Gorilla and I have not been in the mood to cook lately..typical, so we went down the street to order greek on our way home, however it was a Greek disaster. This was only our second time going there and our friend had ordered for us last. We got our take out, only to find out after we were already happily in the Via dei Ginior Palace that we had ordered the wrong thing. Instead of getting their delicious chicken gyro, we got a bucket of chicken guts (it literally looked like chicken guts) two pita's and a jar of tzatziki sauce. They might use the same chicken guts in their delicious gyro that we ordered last time but when they wrap it up in lettuce with tomato, pickles and sauce, you forget what you are eating because the taste is sensational. For art history we had the option to write a 5 page paper or do a 15 min. presentation about a topic of our choice. Because I am quite the chatter and not so much the writer, I thought I might score extra brownie points and be the only student to do an oral presentation. Obviously the Gorilla and I were on the same wavelengths, because we a. both raised our hands when Frotto asked who wanted to do an oral presentation and b. we were the only people to raise our hands. Obviously, the only Jewish girl in the class decided to do it on the subject of the Pieta. Hey you know what, there was plenty of information, and it is actually interesting learning about the dead jesus coming off the cross. The presentation is tomorrow but due to last nights application fiasco and my glorious weekend in dam dam, I had to spend a majority of the day working on the presentation. The old Allison probably would of had the entire thing planned out over two weeks ago, but the night before did me just fine and I was able to finish before the Barca Barca freakies came to town. It was more of a struggle to finish the actual presentation because the Gorilla was off her rocker and would not stop pestering me. Sometimes when she doesn't get enough food at night, or looses all capabilities of being human, she turns into a true Gorilla and annoys the crap out of me. The little chickens arrived at the Santa Maria Novella train station at 11 pm and the Gorilla and I met up with Erica and Sara to greet them. Tonight was a really bizarre night, and for some reason, no one, not a soul seemed to be on the streets. We came to conclusion that with the election approaching, people were probably just in weird moods. Everything was silent. We found our friends waiting for us, and embraced them. It is weird but it was just 2 months have gone by since we saw them in Barca Barca, wow has time gone by so fast. We brought them back to the Via dei Ginori Palace and played the game of catch up mixed with the pillow palace delight.

this post is from the day of tue tue tuesday april the eighth in the year two thousand and eight. weird. oo 4 ooo 8 ooo 8

A Random Genius.

2008-04-24T09:15:00.001-07:00

Monday Monday, Oh Monday Monday. After spending way too many hours last night trying to figure out my plans for the summer, I was exhausted this morning. The internet is wonderful but sometimes actual human interaction can be better. I am on a deadline for Mama and Papa I. and as of yesterday I was going to be heading to Turkey but due to a random genius idea, I might be putting Turkey off until next year (next time, trust me there will be a next time) God must really be on my side lately (maybe he is seeing me in all of the museums I have been going to..umm I don't know..coexist?) I randomly (well not so randomly, I had been thinking about this for a long time but when the pressure and time came closer for me to actually get my act together, I did what my favorite gelato place says..perche no? why not?) I decided that because I am in Europe and because the Cannes Film festival is in France, which is Europe, why not try to work the festival? Perche No? After class today, I decided to call American Pavilion to see if they just happen to have an extra spot available for the summer and Walter, the head of recruitment, told me that one innocent soul had just dropped out and that I would be able to apply for the position, even though the application was due back in November. I spent the whole evening writing college essays. At 4 am, I realized it was time for bed. Submit. Fingers crossed. Who knows, I might be walking the red carpet? Ciao Ciao

postness from the Muund didle day on the 7th of April in the year due thousand and ot.

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing. Like Loving The Home Base.

2008-04-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Return from the damn damn delatusted around 4pm but for some reason I was in the mood for cleaning because all of the animals at the Via dei Ginori Zoo left the house an absolute pig sty. The Gorilla was to return around 5 pm, so I thought I would be a nice sidekick and cook dinna to eat on the roof. Grilled chix (holla Chef Karl..I haven't forgotten about you) and the view of the Duomo was just what I needed on a Sunday night. I was going to head to the Art School to do work but got caught up in trying to figure out my plans for the rest of the summer. At 10:30, I realized it was 10:30 and that I had been sitting with my eyes glued to the damn computer for far too long. Indeed it is nice to have internet in the apartment although Ufficio [Uooo Fiii Keey OOOO] (my internet host) likes to exclude me from surfing the web. Aliza, one of my roommates, hogs the internet. I swear her computer has internet magic in it because it always works. I mean if your computer was covered in pink. I mean everything, the font, the screen, the actual computer itself. Its hard for electrical things not to attract to it. But when my computer does work, I find myself bloody eyed hooked to the screen or as my roomate called me out on the other day " loving the home base too much". Maybe nights would be spent differently without it...who knows? But then I guess I wouldn't be speaking to any of you with out it. Well I am off to bed, long fun birhtday weekend, big exciting weekend ahead. See woah see woah

post ness from the month of april on the day of 6thness in the actual day of sunday in the year of 2 thousand and otto.

Birthday Campers.

2008-04-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Rise and Shine Amsterdam Campers. From our bunk beds we did rise and then off to breakfast for a big surprise. American coffee, granola and OJ...wowza the ten little campers did say! (Wow I am such a poet!) We wanted to go to the Anne Frank house early to beat the supposed disasterous line. It was quite an interesting experience. It was very surreal walking through her home. Having read the story back in the day, and having such a strong connection with the history, it was truly shocking to actually be physically present in the space. I have to say however, the way they redesigned the house to make it into a museum is very unappealing and industrial...slightly distracting. Stainless steal railings do not add a comforting feeling to a daunting historical home. We grabbed a cup of coffee and then wondered the streets of Amsterdam. I have said this before and I will say it again, Amsterdam is a glorious and beautiful city and I could imagine myself living there, it is just damaged by the smoke clouds of pot lingering over the city and the red lights over the doors take away all of its charm. It is eerie how much freedom the city has and I found myself feeling a little uncomfortable at times. And when I said earlier we walked around the entire city, we actually walked around the entire city in search of the infamous Pancake Bakery. I ordered a Mexican Pan-cake. It was more like a crepe (so don't think I am crossing the sweet and salty line). We finally made it to the Van Gough Museum only to walk around the entire building, it was like follow the leader but the leader was lost. Three girls laughed at how ridiculous it was but then they told us that they did the exact same thing. I AMSTERDAM pictures followed by more eating. Waffles delight plus free waffles delight. Mir convinced the man at the most delicious waffle stand in the entire world to give Dar and Lime free waffles for their birthday. After a long day of eating and museums the 10 little campers headed back to their cabins. Nap time I say, it was nap time indeed. In honor of the two little campers birthdays, Lime and Dara, we celebrated at Waggamama's. Say that a couple of times, it is quite nice. We headed back to the hostel to play camp games in our cabin. Zoo is sure fun to play with 10 of your friends after not seeing them for a long time. Cheers to 21.

Oh, Ah, Yeah, Baby Amsterdam

2008-04-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

My flight for the dam dam was at 2:30 but there was still a lot of traveling that needed to be done before that. I ended up leaving my apartment around 10:30 after dragging 8 bags of garbage down the stairs because the animals left the house a pig pin. Literally, everyone left me with 8 bags of garbage in the front hall and if I hadn't taken it out then, our house would of collapsed over the weekend from mold invested garbage. I hopped on the 11:30 train to Pisa, from Pisa I took the train to the Pisa airport, hopped on board and fell right asleep. Typical Allison move. I finally got into Amsterdam at 4:30 but it took me awhile to get adjusted to the airport and find my way around. For some reason, I decided to follow the directions from the dutch police women in her uptight suit, instead of Effie's, and I ended up walking into the Red Light District in order to find the hostel. Up and down, red light after half nudey women in the windows, I just couldn't seem to find it. Terrified, I called Effie 3 or 4 times just to make sure I was in the right area. I finally made it to the infamous Bulldog Cafe/Hostel only to find my dear Michigan loverlies waiting in the lobby. Lime, Joj, Karp, Ilyssa, Amy, Effie and Dara and I all met up in Amsterdam for the weekend to celebrate the birth of Lime, Dara, Effie and Ilyssa. We checked in and made our way up the stairs to "Camp Bulldog", thats what I like to call it because our room was actually like a cabin at camp. We lugged our luggage up the stairs and then we each chose our bed. 5 bunk beds in a dry room with 10 purple sheets and a bathroom shower in one. For dinner we had to live up Amsterdam American style (since all of us Amuuricans were together..perche no?) and I ordered the biggest quesdilla the Hard Rock Cafe had to offer. I hadn't had anything to eat all day, my stomach felt like it was caving into itself and even after eating the worlds biggest and most delightful quesdilla, I could of had more (don't tell anyone..I am quite the oink oink these days) After a delicious dinner full of laughter and delight we headed to the comedy club "Boom Chicago". It is compared to Second City or one of those types of comedy clubs and it was just the thing I wanted to do on this Friday evening. I love improv shows, and I loved this one. For the warm up, the host divided the room into four different sections and as he waved his hands at the section he made us say a different sound. For instance my group at first said, OOOOOooo and then the second group said "ahhhhh" as he pointed his finger in their direction. In no time at all, the entire club was saying "Ooo Aaah Yeah Baby". I thought because I was sitting the closest to the stage that I might be called up but thank goodness I wasn't. They played this game where they made everyone in the room raise their hands if they were male, and then raise their hands, if they were under the age of 25 and then keep their hands raised if they hadn't had a relationship in the past 6 months. Two men remained in the crowd. One of them was an American, probably my age and other one was a German man, who was definitely not under 25, was in a relationship and for sure did not understand a word the MC was saying. He gets on the stage and they question him, sure enough he was 45. The game was called fill in the blank and the actors would start a conversation and then they would ask the two men to fill in the blank. The german man was put on the spot and was asked to fill in the following sentence "I will give you my ___________" Out of all the things he could say in this entire world, he said "I will give you my worst energy" but the actors translated it as "I will give you my worst allergy". Okay maybe this doesn't seem funny to you but if you would of seen this German-buck-toothed-old-fart getting red in the cheeks from being put on the spot you would of died too! The entire show was a hoot! By the time it was over, it was pretty late and we were all very exhausted. Slumber party in the Bulldog. Goodnight sleep tight!

21 shots for her 21 birthday.

2008-04-19T02:29:00.000-07:00

happy birthday pants.

2008-04-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Today was the real day of the birth of Pants. The Gorilla and I made signs tonight to in honor of her b-day. Signs like "what-up-b**tches, I am 21, with a picture of her from facebook, made our apartment quite a funny enviornment.
The Gorilla, our favorite friend in art school and I picked up the most delicious greek food and headed back up to the art school for an artsy fartys book arts party. We got home around 11 because the mid-night owl hooted us out. I drew a picture of the midnight owl and I will post soon. I am not sure if I even mentioned who the mid-night owl was but she is the art school monitor who does not speak a drop of English and all she know is how to say Clean Up in 5 minutes. She is a very unforntunate creature and is often caught singin opera and or classical music while making art.
I packed up my bag because tomorrow I AM STERDAM.

from day of the birth of pants "shasty fowler", that being the thursday, the fourth of April.

I took 21 shots for her on her 21 birthday (don't think I am crazy, shots being photographs. Here are some from yesterday and tonight,.

skip-a-dee-doo-daa.

2008-04-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have yet to miss one Italian class so far, and the Gorilla and thought this Wednesday afternoon would be the perfect afternoon to grab lunch and sip coffee instead of sitting in class and learning borning things like the past participle. Hey, we get three days of unexcused abscenese and why in the world would we not take them, if they are freely handed to us. So instead of going to Italian class, we went to Anna's early and then to the Market for some sweet treats. Tonight was book arts to the maximum. The Pants turned 21 at the mid of night. The Roomdogs made Jello Shots for her instead of a birthday cake. But luckily the Gorilla and I were too exhausted to go out because by the sounds created in the middle of the night, it was a rather rough night. Lets just say the Gorilla heard the following words at approximately 4:00 "Well you are just going to have to wait in line for the bathroom".

wednesday april 2, the second day of the fourth month in the year ness of two and oh and eight.

hello. goodbye.

2008-04-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

good books. good eats. good bye.

2008-04-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

book arts show and pld in apt.

2008-04-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Book Arts class was devoted to hanging book arts art for the book arts show tonight. Everyone in the class was assigned to bring different food and or drinks. The theme of the show was "A Fools Tale" in honor of April Fools day and the subject of our project...books! We each had to make a book using lino-cuts and text. The Gorilla and I were originally responsible for bringing quesadillas but when we realized and by realized I mean when we actually thought about the country we were in and the difficulty of actually getting flour tortillas, salsa and chicken all with in a reasonable budget, we realized that maybe just salsa was a better choice. Then someone else could bring chips. Chips are weirdly expensive here. Well, I actually don't know because I don't eat chips but the fact that they didn't have tortilla chips at the euro store automatically put them in the category of being expensive. Anna's. Anna's. Anna's. Dried Fruit. Market. Dried Fruit. Photog. Photog. Photog. Angry Photog. Apparently, the hippie-commi told us that we had to have our film developed and our paper purchased but last week when she said "have two rolls shot" and your paper purchased, I thought she really meant have your two rolls shot, and not developed. She became an angry hippie-commi and then got mad at me, the Gorilla, and Camille for not being prepared. I wasn't going to sit back and let her get mad us for not being more clear with her assignments. Some how the three other people in our class had their photos developed or at least said they did. I found out later tonight that one of kids in my class, Max, told her he agreed with her and that our film was to be developed but when the teacher left the room he confessed that a. she didn't say to have our film ready and b. he hadn't even shot his. What an evil soul. Luckily we had our Book Arts show tonight, and we all got to leave early. My entire photo class minus one of my roommates is also in my book arts class. Tonight the Gorilla and I were quite socialites. At 7:00 p.m. we had our book arts show. Great turn out. The Via Dei Ginorites had the greatest apartment turn out. We bribed them with free food, so obviously they were there. After our show, we continued our eating streak and headed to Dara and Ef's Apt for a little PLD. The Gorilla and I were new guests to this tradition. Because we were busy all day with class and then art shows, we had to bring something that required little to no cooking, and no was our option. At the market we picked up a large bag of fresh olives and a huge chunk of swiss cheese. The euro store had delicious crackers and when you put these items all together they make a mean appetizer. Much to our surprise, everyone loved it!
I decided that Dara should pretty much drop out of school and become a traveling scholar and preacher. I am not sure how we got into this, it was probably because we were talking about our art history class (it seems to come up when words like hate, annoyed, boring, and jesus are around) but the following comes from the teachings of Dara Katz:

"Mary got knocked up by God. She was just being honest when she said that Jesus was "the son of god." I mean let's face it, God was probably just a tattoo artist from across the street and Mary was most certainly not a virgin. If this is the case,
1. this is the best lie that ever got told and got away with in history and
2. and if this is the case it's pretty ironic that he was the best thing ever to happen to man kind, right?

On our way out of the apt. Dara wanted to show the Gorilla her new ring but the Gorilla with her large and in charge Gorilla hands, couldn't handle its delicate nature and she dropped it on the floor. With in a matter of seconds, Dara flopped on the floor in quest of her ring. It got stuck behind this dresser in the front hall and rather than moving the dresser, Dara brilliantly grabbed her umbrella and went fishing. This doesn't sound funny when I am typing it but when she pulled out a sweater of dust bunnies from under the dresser with now ring, I almost peed my pants.
Bed time for bonzos and socialites!

i am a model and you know what i mean.

2008-03-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

Monday monday monday. A beautiful Monday indeed. Being here has made me actually not hate Mondays so much. I thought I was in big Italian doggie doo doo today because I forgot to do my Italian homework and then realized 10 minutes before the class that I should probably start it but there was just not enough time. I think my teachers have been able to get into my mind lately and when I arrived in Italian my teacher told us we were going on a field trip after we went over the first part of our homework. The same first part that I was actually able to complete. Then, we took a class walk to the Arno to watch jets fly over us shooting Green, Red and White smoke from them. The "president" (even though I didn't think there was a government in Italy right now) was in town visiting Florence. To show some country pride, the jets decided to give the city a show. We saw the jets go over our heads twice while walking to the river but by the time we finally got to the river, the show was over. It wasn't all that sad because a. we did get to see part of the show and b. we got to leave almost an hour early. Anna's for lunch ( I attached a picture of the table that I sit at...for visuals) For some reason, my favorite delight tasted more delicious than usual and the Gorilla and I were on the verge of ordering another one but we held back and told ourselves that we didn't deserve it and that our minds were just playing tricks on us. Indeed they were!! I picked up some euro store bubble gum and h20 and headed to painting. I will weirdly not get far on my painting at all and my teacher will love it. I will weirdly scribble in something and he will love it more than the stuff I actually spend long hard hours on but he is really encouraging about all my work which makes me excited. I am documenting my process so hopefully pictures will be coming soon. After class, I was exhausted and I came home to "write emails" in my bed which eventually led to a cat nap. The Gorilla and I cooked up a delicious couscous topped with chicken and veggies. We sat up on the balcony in hopes to see a glimpse of the President of Italy but instead we were able to see the blue sky and the Duomo glistening in the sun (so it was almost as good!) We finally got rid of the lentils today and I will never go back to those mushy days ever again! Tonight, I had a fashion meeting at school. My roommate asked me to be a model for her for the fashion show our school is throwing on at the end of the semester. She is in a garment construction class and obviously she couldn't resist picking the worlds most beautiful people, duh, the me and the Gorilla. However, I left the meeting a wee bit worried because they said I would have to wear high heals (gold ones to be specific) and that I would have to straighten my hair AND that I should probably practice. I am going to have to watch a few episodes of America's Next Top Model to get a few tricks. At the end of the semester the show will be held at this trendy club called 21 and we get a VIP room after the party! Bed time stories and catching up on life. Think of a photo project, think Allison, Think!

THIS POST IS FROM TODAY! WHOO HOO I AM FINALLY CAUGHT UP AND MY INTERNET WORKS!!

just another day in the park.

2008-03-31T14:15:00.001-07:00

Sunday is a good day to do nothing.

2008-03-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Not only was it the Italian day light savings time today, it was also the first time that the Gorilla and I have actually stayed in bed past 9. It was probably not the best idea to sleep in on the one day where you lose an hour but it didn't seem to put a damper on our day. Today was another glorious day. The sun shining, the air smelled liked sweet honey and fresh cut grass. For some reason we thought we were special human beings and deserved to go out to eat today. We seem to be doing that alot lately. Today we convinced ourselves that since we missed eating breakfast, we should go for brunch and because we would normally spend 5 euro on breakfast (which we hardly do) and 5 euro on lunch (which we actually some times do, when we get dried fruit and Anna's). And what would a brunch be if it weren't at a restaurant called "American Brunch" We spent an usual and ridiculous amount of time getting ready today, probably because it was sunny and warm and our wardrobe options have sure opened up. We didn't leave the apartment until 2:15. Greek Omelet with fruit and toast, potatoes, side salad, ketchup and fresh black berry jam, with a side of American Coffee and Natural water. For 10 euro it was sure worth it. We sat out side, we watched tour groups with back packs and sunglasses follow the leader, we watched little boys drag bags of trash bags down the street and even made friends with a 6 year old Italian boy. The only unfortunate part about this whole dining experience was when the Jap squad entered sporting American Apparel's entire clothing line and Ugg boots with hobo bags and sun glasses bigger than their face. It is so sad that they think they are making a fashion statement or let alone that they think it is a trend because oversized t-shirts and sweat pants tucked in your boots and straight greasy hair seems more like something a hobo would wear, maybe thats why they call the style of purse that they all carry hobo's because they want to look like them. Its a little ironic the world snottiest people would want to look like hobo's. I can't believe I am dedicating this much of my blog space for this enough. After our delicious brunch and stories about crazy babysitters, and thank you notes written in black berry jam, (see above) the Gorilla and I headed back home to pick up a book, a blanket and our journals to bring to the Boboli gardens. After yesterdays magical day, I became obsessed with the Boboli gardens and I had to return again today. The weather is just incredible, that we couldn't do anything else but sit in a park and relax. We had story time in Boboli gardens and by that I mean I became a book on tape and I read to the Gorilla. We started a new book called "Can You Keep A Secret". Even though Mama I. gave it to me and told me she hated it, we were in the mood for a trashy novel. The author is the same person who wrote all those dumb "Shopaholic" books. 62 pages later, we were interrupted by the lady on the intercom telling us we had to go home. It was a bummer because it was not only a good part in the book but it was that time of day where the sun is still out but it is starting to cool down and there is not a cloud in the sky. We discovered a gigantic Centro. It was like discovering Super Target out south after going to the Target on Ward Parkway for all those years. We were so impressed. With such a late lunch, we thought PB and J and fruit was just what we needed for dinner. We finally made it home around 7. We climbed to the top of our apartment to watch the sun go down, to sip chi tea and finish another chapter in our book. We could of read for another hour or two because the book was full of such intensity but the sun went down and I couldn't see anymore. I went up the art school around 9 and worked for a couple hours on my new painting. I just got home, but my internet is not working so I am typing this on a sticky note on my desk top. I am going to try to go to bed early tonight but I know that that is probably not going to happen because the Gorilla has been asking me a million questions today and she will probably continue until the wee hours.

sunday of the day of the 30th of march-ness two thousand and aight.

the secret garden.

2008-03-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

trashy novels in the park. space electronica in the dark.

2008-03-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

We were going to go to Padova and Verona today with our school but at the last second The Gorilla decided to be a TC Gorilla and back out on it. Now that I am reflecting on my day, I don't hate her for it but last night I wanted to kill her. I could of gone on my own but the kids on CEA are actually terrible human beings who do not deserve to be abroad. I decided to hell with the Gorilla, I was going to go on my own schedule today. There are so many things that I have yet to see in Florence, so today was a catch up day for me. I was a tourist in my city. I grabbed a latte from the bar down stairs and then headed to the Boboli gardens. The line at the main entrance was so long that I decided to check out the back entrance. Since I arrived here, I have been trying to go this museum by the Boboli gardens called La Specula, and it just happened to be on my way to the back entrance and it just happened to be open. Room after room after room after room of every kind of species. My body went into shock. It was like walking into Bloomingdales and finding that the entire store was on sale. Unfortunately they didn't let me take pictures, which actually ended up being a blessing because I really got to look at everything and observe. My pen and handy dandy note book became one and I couldn't stop drawng. Birds, ardvarks, elephants, fish, worms, crikets, thing of animal, they had it all (they were stuffed ofcourse) I went into a drawing freenzy. The collection started in the 1700's and then the Medici family took into their arms and it became their private collection. The last part of the museum was by far the most interesting. Cases and cases and cases were filled with wax figures of different parts of the human anatomy. They were used as studies. Livers, eye balls, even pee pee's were sliced and diced and disected into a million and a half different ways. Technical drawings filled the walls. Cases of plastic women with their stomaches cut open and their hearts flinging out of their bodies. Below I attached some pictures of my drawings. Let just say I arrived there at 10 am and didn't leave until 1:30. I finally made it to the Boboli gardens around 2. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I sat in a nook at the base of a tree and read an entire book. Amy I. is a collector of trashy novels and on the way to Florence, she let me read one of them because I forgot to bring my book. I read about 5 pages on the plane before falling asleep but I never gave it back to her. I couldn't stop reading it. I now know why my mother can a. can read so fast b. read so many trashy love novels. Do not let her know that I am telling you this (even though I know you (mom) are reading this right now red in the face) I was hooked and I just couldn't put it down. After I finished my heart throbbing romance novel, I thought I had had enough mushy gushy goodness for one day but the minute I pulled my head out of my book, I noticed that love was all around me. Romantic couples were shnuggling in the park holding hands, kissing, laughing and enjoying the day in the sun. I watched one couple like it I watched Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in the Notebook. I know this sounds creepy but it was just so beautiful. Europe is full of lovers that aren't afraid to be in love. Around 5 I decided I had enough of lovey dovey action for one day and was on my way out of the garden when I heard drums pounding at the top of a hill in the gardens. Sure enough an entire parade of people dressed medieval costumes carrying flags and swords. Two men even engaged in an sword fight. In this city of magic and wonder, you never know what is going to happen. I met the Gorilla at the art school and I finished my photog project. We decided that since we were staying in Florence tonight we better take the opportunity and go out for a night on the town and by town I mean we better go to Space Electronica for a night of dancing. Dara, Rach Ha and the Gorilla and I made our way over to Space but we spent an unusually short time their because the Gorilla was being a spastic party pooper and wanted to go home. She wanted to go home so bad, she ran an unconcious marathon. I don't even think she knew how fast she could run. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I am smiling now as I write this blog because I can't get over how wonderful the weather was and it was a perfect "allison" kind of day. So for all of you long lost husbands reading this blog (since I know I attract so many of them), you can read this and maybe find tips.

cinque.

2008-03-31T10:29:00.000-07:00

quartto.

2008-03-31T08:58:00.005-07:00

tre.

2008-03-31T08:58:00.001-07:00

due.

2008-03-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

uno.

2008-03-31T08:01:00.001-07:00

cinque terre.

2008-03-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

We hopped on the 10:30 train to Pisa and then took the train from Pisa to Monterosso. Today we decided to head up to northern Italy to visit the infamous villages of Cinque Terre. Five fishing villages surrounded by the Mediterranean sea are connected by a long trail that leads straight through every city. We decided to do the hardest hike first and then end easy. The Gorilla and I both had the realization that the gelato was getting to us, and the endless nights of pasta needed to come to an end. For about the first hour of our hike, we had to stop every five minutes to "take a look at the scenic view" or other wise known as taking a breather. I sure got my work out for the week. We hiked through the first village and then stopped in the second for lunch. We ate along water and decided that because it was a nice sunny day we deserved gelato. Again with our reasoning, but hey, good weather is a good reason to eat good gelato. I took nearly 200 hundred pictures, let out about 2 million and a half toots and told the Gorilla silly stories while singing songs. We finally finished the hike around 5:30 and we decided to stay to watch the sunset at a restaurant on a cliff facing the water. We ordered wine and cheese and chatted with a couple from Wisconsin. Finally, when the sun went down, we headed to the train station to catch the 7:52 train back to Florence. On the way home we had to stop in Pisa but for some reason we were not able to get a ticket in Cinque Terre to get all the way back to Florence. And just as we stepped off the train in Pisa we were able to hop aboard a train to Florence. I convinced the Gorilla that we would be fine with out a ticket because so many times when we have bought tickets, they never check. However they obviously checked today. Luckily we had cute smiles on today and the ticketer told us that we could get off at the next stop and buy a ticket to Florence or else it was going to cost us a 115 euro to make it back to Florence. 50 euro each for riding the train back without a ticket could have been our penalty but instead we took his advice and got off the train two stops before Florence. Well I might have caused some havoc because we didn't buy tickets, at least I wasn't pulling a Gorilla and not have a single euro on me. Clearly I had to come to the rescue and buy tickets for myself and the Gorilla. I was able to buy mine with out a problem but the Gorilla took too long trying to find money and putting it into the slot that the machine canceled the ticket and gave her a credit for the amount. The Gorilla started freaking out but luckily I just happen to have 5 extra euro on me and I bought her another ticket. The best part of this whole fiasco was that they didn't even check our tickets on this train ride home. Typical. Exhausted from a day of splendor and delight, I climbed into bed and started to type this post and began watching "Into The Wild" but fell asleep before the credits came one. Best day abroad!

photogs of photogs in photog.

2008-03-31T07:48:00.001-07:00

THIS IS MY PHOTOG CLASS.

four observations.

2008-03-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to have my book arts project done and by I, I mean the class was supposed to have our projects done but it looked like I wasn't the only one who needed the rest of the class period to finish. This is not a typical Allison thing to do (that is, not have something in on time) but my project took so long to dry that I couldn't actually finish it. However, I also pulled a typical Allison move on this project and rather than doing the required two mono-prints I ended up doing 14 different prints and a cover printed on the letter press. Typical. I finally finished after class and I am really pleased with how it turned out. I am going to photograph it at our book arts show next tuesday and then I will post them.

I made four observations and realizations about my photog teacher today.
1. she has saggy boobs. I am really saggy one, do your boob hands low do the wobble to and fro boobs. You are probably wondering why in the world I know this but lets just say when your photo teacher uses her work as an example of the next project and her whoo ha's and private parts are the main focus of her work, you can't help but make these kind of observations. Don't worry I am already premaritally scarred and there is no therapy that can save me now. The Gorilla said she woke up from a nightmare about them.
2. She is not a lesbian. Not that I would of cared, but I just assumed she was because she seems like she would be. In her second demonstration today she showed a million and a half pictures of this man, and finally someone in my class goes, is that your lover?. And she replied that we would have to spend an entire semester going over that one. Weird.
3. Then I realized she was insane. She not only told us that she has conversations with her dead grandfather in her dreams and when he speaks to her, it is in English even though he didn't know a drop of English. When she was explaining the story she thought the weird part was that he spoke English to her but when I heard it, I thought the weird part was when she was saying that when her and I quote "dead grandfather comes and speaks to her in her dreams". Not to mention, she said he comes often. This story was told at the beginning of class and then at the end of class I also had another realization that she was insane when a kid in my class jokingly said that he would have to start either selling his body or selling drugs in order to have enough money to buy all of the photo supplies we needed for the next assignment and as a response to his comment she said that she would take him up on some crack.
4. She gets pleasure out of making us suffer. First she is always saying how she is trying to save us money when it seems that every second she is requiring us to drop 20 euro on some paper, some slide film and then she ends up making us do so many tests with it that we end up having to buy more of it. Second reason: we have a mini photo assignment over the weekend to make prints from our slide film. When slide film is processed it makes a positive image on the actual film, and then when you go to try to print the slide on a regular enlarger it makes a negative. She didn't tell us this, we figured it out on our own but in the end we had to make 6 prints (which for her means 12 because they have to so perfect) because we had to make 3 of the negative and 3 of the positive. She didn't tell us that slide film did this, but when I decided to stay after class to get it done before the weekend, she sat and laughed with a devilish joyful smile knowing that we had a lot of work to do.

Bottom line: she is a crazy, saggy boobed, hippie, communist who used to live on a commune who is not a lesbian and wants to buy crack from her students. and produces fairly poor work with beading all over it.

The Gorilla and I stayed up at the art school until close and then we came back home and did our typical Gorilla and sidekick evening routine of getting into our beds and typing our lives away until we get too tired. Tomorrow we are heading to Cinque Terre for a day of hiking. I sure hope the weather is nice. Cross your fingers.

pitti palace painters.

2008-03-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

(view from the outside)

(view from the inside)

a day for painters at the pitti palace.

2008-03-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Today was my lucky day, I aced my Italian exam. Boo Ya! and I got to go on a field trip to the Pitti Palace with my painting class. Normally I am in the mood to paint but today after my delightful lunch I was just not in the mood to stand there and paint for 3 hours. My teacher obviously has ESP and so when I arrived at class I was thrilled that we were going on a field trip. I was able to take some snap shots of a couple of my paintings from the Pitti Palace before the security guide caught me. They have this intense alarm system at the palace and if you get too close a work of art, it sets off an alarm. It was entertaining because everything would be silent, and then all of the sudden a loud alarm would go off and everyone would look at each other to see who was the culprit. In Italian lab we started watching this movie about a women who leaves her family while traveling with her entire extended family. She ends up hitch hiking a ride to Venice where she stays in the apartment with this man whom she meets at dinner one night and has to ask to stay with him because she doesn't have enough money. We later find out that he has been trying to kill himself but every time he tries, this woman keeps returning. We haven't finished it yet but I will let you know. The Italians sure love dramatic films. I worked all night on book arts until the Mid-Mean-Nice-girl kicked us out.
I stayed up late trying to finish book arts but realized after a few too many head nods that it was time for bed and that I would just have to face the fact that I wasn't going to be done with my project tomorrow at 9:30. Nighty night.

post ness from wednesday feb u ary 27thness

beans beans the magical fruit.

2008-03-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

My idea for the cover of my photog project went down the drain after I realized that I had spent 85 percent of Thursday class making book cloth only to find out that it shrivled up and died over the weekend. I spent my break putting together my creative allison juices and made a different cover, that I actually like better. What would a Tuesday lunch be without dried fruit and a hot Anna's sandwich, well it just wouldn't be a Tuesday afternoon. Obviously it was a beautiful (but cold) sunny day and I had to stay inside to finish my work. We had our crit for our slide film and the commi-hippie loved it. She reminded us of a little side project that we were supposed to do for her. At the beginning of the semester she told us that we had to keep a journal of our experience abroad and obviously I have been keeping up with it. Today she told us that we would have to turn in our journals but that we were allowed to cross out all parts that we didn't want her to read. I am pretty sure it would be a not soo good idea to leave in any part of my posts with the words "freaky, hippie, commi, long haired, freak" in my journal. I am going to have to work on trying to figure out what to keep and what to delete. Guess what I ate for dinner? No not Anna's, even better, LENTILS. We even let our roommate have stab at it. Yesterday when were cooking the beans, Emily's mom suggested we put the rest of the their parmeasean rhine into our soup for extra flavoring and last night we couldn't find it, so we assumed it had melted. So today when our roommate asked us what we had put in the soup we told her chicken, potatoes, mushrooms and onions. It looked like she was having a difficult time cutting something in the soup and I asked her what she was cutting up in the soup because nothing was that hard to break apart. She took a bite of the soup and goes "Oh that wasn't chicken or a potato, I am not sure what is but it tasted like cheese". Our roommate found the hidden cheese rhine and for her prize, we told her that she could have as much lental soup as she wanted. We couldn't stop giggling. Art school party tonight. Project due Thursday. The mid-night owl kicked us out at 11 tonight. She is so scary looking, I want to scream just looking at her face.

i thought sundays were good days to do nothing, but when it is easter, mondays are also good to do really nothing.

2008-03-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Reunited with the Gorilla at last, I hardly recognized the hairy beast. The Gorilla and I planned a very productive day full of eating dried fruit to going to two muesums, lunches, journaling at coffee shops, farting, talking, you know the typical Gorilla and sidekick things. We made it to the central market to get our dried fruit only to discover that frotto was not serving up his tasty fruity delights and that the entire market was closed. You could say that that was the first thing that put a damper on the day of production. As we were walking to head to the first museum, La Specula, located on the other side of the river, it started to rain. Obviously, the minute I step out of the warm shelter it starts to rain. You could say this was the second thing that put an ended to the pro-part of our day. Minorly freaking out and more sad that the market was closed than our feet were sopping wet, we decided maybe that we should rethink our day of activities. We made the executive decision that we should probably go get lunch before we went to any museum because god for bid we might possibly get hungry during the museum and then we wouldn't be able to concentrate. Considering the amount of food I have devoured in the past two weeks, it would probably be very very slim chance, that my body would actually cave in and get hungry because I am pretty sure I still have Romanian remains tucked some where. I wanted to take the Gorilla to my new found lunch place, Birbra. Being the Jew on Easter I convinced the Gorilla that it just had to be open. Now freezing and wet standing in front of the gates of Birba, I realized that maybe the Gorilla does know a thing or two. This could be strike three on the day. Then some serioius decision making time was needed. Well if Birbra was closed than maybe that meant that a majority of the restaurants were also closed. We walked down the street, Anna's was closed, so then we came to a conclusion that nothing would be open, however, our two favorite places (besides the open market dried fruit stand and Anna's) the centro and the euro store were still open. The fact that they were open solitified my whole theory about them being owned by the mafia. Just like the Jews, there is no way the Mafia celebrates easter. They need money. Our entire day turned a full 360. We came to the conclusion that we were just going to cook our own lunch. Thanks to Mama and Papa I. we now had stolen jams from the hotels free breakfast and Costco organic peanut butter dragged all the way from the States. While at the centro we also decided that we might as well buy food for dinner since we knew that our day full of museums was going to turn into a day in our cozy beds sipping coffee and listening to music. I guess in some way you could say our room is like a museum. It houses some of the worlds most interesting smells, scientists might be able to make a major break through with these odors. And we have a miny petting Zoo, I mean come on I sleep next to the Gorilla and she doesn't mind if you pet her and she loves it when you feed her. I mainly chuck things at her and she likes that too. Lentils, blackeyed pea soup with Chicken, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, celery and carrots thrown together like stone soup would do for dinner on cold Monday night when the world (the world being my world of Italian restaurants were closed for jesus day) Without hesitation we headed to the euro store to pick up gummies in substitue for dried fruit. Somehow we had convinced ourselves that eating gummies was probably just as bad as eating dried fruit, so why not, perche no. We toasted PB J's, cut them in half fourth grade style, chopped up apples and dipped them in peanut butter with a big glass of peach ice tea to chase everything down. From after lunch until 7 oclock was a big haze. I just remember sitting in my bed catching up on life, pictures, blog-ness and then I realized it was 7 oclock and that I thought I might have bed sores. The Gorilla and I once had a fear of getting old and having bed sores sophomore year when we spent more than 100 hours working on an animation and this long period of sitting brought me back to those terrifying days. Scary. Scary Scary. Emily's family came over for dinner and it was sure an interesting family dinner. At the beginning of the semester Emily was looking at the pictures on the Gorilla's wall and there was a picture of one of the boys the Gorilla took care of in Ethiopia, and Emily goes, "Oh, you have a black brother too?". The Gorilla and I chuckled and we still chuckle now. What a weird way of asking someone if they had a brother. For a while we wondered if Emily's parents were mixed, even though she is white as whitey tidies. We had to explain to her that it was the Gorilla's friend from Ethiopia. But anyway we were able to meet Emily's "black" brother, even though after much thought, we realized he is not black at all and his skin is just more olive color than Emily's. We tried to avoid getting in the way of the fam, aka. we pretty much stayed in our room until we got hungry at 7 and our bed sores were really starting to soar. We picked up three bags of beans at the Centro, not too sure how much they would make, and we put them all in a pot. An hour later we had enough beans to feed an army and an entire town. We had to take out an entire tupperwear's portion just so we would have enough room to fit the other ingrediants. This is bad news bears, really bad but it looks like we are going to be eating lentils for breakfast lunch and dinner for the next week. We all know I should probably keep my bean intake to a minumum but I can't let good food go to waste. Dinner clean up and then back in my bed for writing and looking and things like tooting. The Gorilla couldn't fall asleep so I told her a good night story about a magic rock (a Mama I. original) and she fell right asleep. She will never admit this and I don't want the world to know, but she too snores. We are both vicitums to the clogged noses and vibrating throats.

the things we saw.

2008-03-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing, Especially When You Are A Jew On Easter.

2008-03-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

The family made an early journey back to the States after a week in three countries, and four different cities. I think they had a fabulous time and it was a special treat to have them here. After just one week of visiting a few of the worlds most incredible places, I can already predict the future for my family. Amy I will probably move to the Vatican where she will be the only Jewish artist commissioned to make mosaics at the Vatican gift shop. She will also open up the world's first Jewish confessional and will hire a personal tour guide where she will be able to ask a million questions and be quartered that no question will be unanswered and that all answers will be repeated as many times as she pleases. Adam I will probably return to the Cianti region to become the worlds youngest vineyard owner and will secretly import vodka from Romania. He will sell and drink it on the side. With great success, he will collect every soccer jersey from the San Lorenzo market and will sport them at every Italian soccer game. Papa I will spend his weeks in Rome as a wine bar shmoozer, dining at the finest restaurants after investing in Little Adam I's vineyard. The two of them will smell and swirl their wine to wine success. On his spare time, Papa I. will meet with all of the European JDC presidents and start wine clubs with them, obviously talking business and discovering new ways to help the Jews throughout the world. He will probably invest in an apartment in the Jewish quarter and start attending Shabbat services. Mama I. on the other hand will still be related to the rest of the family, however she will probably stay far away from the vineyard and help invest in my new journal company. She will find a small quant house in Tuscany (possibly down the street from the new family winery) where she will turn a majority of her house into a studio. The backyard will be big enough where she can make large scale sculptures. Not really knowing how and when she did it, it probably happened in her sleep but she will invent a new way of making gelato that is just as delicious as "real" gelato however it has the reverse affect, the more you eat, the more calories you burn. She will be become famous and Oprah will probably call her to have her on the show (automatic success) Obviously she will leave room for small printing press, paper cutter, corner rounded and racks of paper for me to launch my journal company. The entire family will learn Italian, so Amy I. will not say gracias to the waiters, Mama I will not put the wrong emphaaasis on the wrong syyyllable, and Adam I will no longer need to pretend like he knows Italian, he will actually know it. Now for Papa I, he will probably learn it but still never really get it but we will help him. Say goodbye Kansas City, with this prediction, it looks like the Isenberg's found a new place in the world.

After we received a goodbye and good morning poke from Amy I. at 5 in the morning, Monica and I fell back sleep and then we re-woke up again pretty early, at least early for Allison and Monica time. We got up around 8 o'clock in hopes of sunny weather and short lines at the coliseum. Everything that we had hoped for and ever wanted in a day was the complete opposite. We obviously did not miss one chance of free food, and we hit up the delicious included continental breakfast. We had some what of a hope for the first 2 minutes we were walking down our street but then before we even could make it to the Trevi fountain to take pictures, we were singing in the rain. At first we thought it wouldn't be too bad and if we had survived yesterdays shower, we would surely be a-okay. Half way between the Trevi fountain and the coliseum, I realized my camera was out of batteries, and Monica realized she didn't bring hers. Typical I tell you, just a typical Allison Jane Isenberg thing to do, not charge her camera battery before she headed to the most famous site in Rome. Together with our not so smart minds we decided that we would rather splurge our money and have a lasting memory of our rainy time in Rome. With a disposable camera at hand, we united as many times together under our umbrella's to take pictures. In the world of digi cam's and digi phones, people were quite shocked when we handed them our disposable camera, and the simple act of pressing down was all they needed to do. We tolerated the rain until a massive hurricane of rain came pouring down and we called it quits and hailed a cab. I am a little ashamed to mention the rest of our adventures but we decided to come back to the hotel to protect our feet from flooding and our bodies from pneumonia. It was a good thing we came back because as we were stripping down our clothes from mother earth's generous bath, we heard thunder followed by hammering rain. We packed up our room, made to-do lists (Monica's was the final list before leaving london and mine was list for the rest of easter weekend) Monica became an esthetician and touched up one of my eye brows before we headed out the door to meet her-not-so-fun-friend who actually turned out to be just fine on this visit (the same friend that came to flo flo with her) By the time we packed up, got dressed and plucked and ate it was already time to go. Clearly it stopped raining the minute we were about to leave and even a few rays of the sun came through the clouds. This would only happen to me, so I am not surprised. Exhausted from two weekends of non-stop delicious and exciting travel, I decided that when Monica headed to the airport I too would head back home. I thought about staying for the rest of the day for about the two minutes the sun was out but realized that my water bucket shoes, sponge absorbing coat and wet hair should probably leave room for my next visit, knowing that it would indeed happen after my money toss in the Trevi fountain. I hopped aboard the 3 o'clock train back to the motherland. A bitter-sweet train ride home. Said goodbye to the fam and the almost fam and went back home to my fam in Florence.

Under My Umbrella, ella ella ay ay ay ay. Oo baby its raining.

2008-03-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

We were surprisingly ready for our 7:15 am pick up to the Vatican. Unfortunately it has been raining cats and dogs since Monica stepped off her flight in Rome (she brought the London curse here with her...and I fully blame her) and we thought we were going to have to wait in the unfriendly line of brightly filled umbrella's, fortunately Mama I. planned a guided tour or else we would have been doomed. Right when we got out of the car, Mossimio, the rat faced, long shnozed tour guide with stallion grey hair, greeted us on the other side of the Vatican. Monica the besty of bests thought that he was someone trying to get her to come inside his restaurant and she boulted from him as he tried to gather us together to tell us that we had time to grab coffee before the Vatican opened. We were too early for the hotel breakfast, so we were lucky that we could sip on a cappuccino and munch a croissant before our tour. Mossimo had us meet him at the front of the line at 10 till 8. At 7:57 we were the first ones walking into the Vatican museum. At 7:59 we were waiting at the gates inside the museum until the clock struck 8 and the machines registered that it was time for another day of tourists. Mossimo, the worlds fastest and most efficient walker and talker took us straight into the Sistine chapel. We were the only people (minus the guards) in the chapel for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Ironically the next tour group to walk in was the Miller family from Kansas City who just happened to be my cousin's best friend from high school's family. Angela is studying in Spain and was meeting her family in Rome just like me. A small world we live in. Mossimo took us through the history of Michelangelo's two part painting masterpiece. After many hours of Dolby's art history lessons, I not only found Mossimo to be 10 thousand times easier to listen to but I truly felt that I had an even better understanding of the work, and my knowledge of Michelangelo previous work helped to put this in context. I am ashamed to mention this because I feel that everyone who has already been to Rome said that their "wowza" experience happened inside the Sistine chapel, however I imagined the chapel to be much different than it was for some reason. Possibly bigger and brighter and for some reason more gold. Mossimio explained that the chapel was recently cleaned (recently for Italians is anything in the past 100 years) in 1994 and before then, the walls were probably four or five shades darker due to the soot that collected on the walls from the candles they used to burn in the chapel. We were also given the golden ticket to take a few pictures in the chapel. Most people are not given this opportunity. Mossimio captured some of the Isenberg's finest photo's. After the chapel, we toured the Vatican's entire collection of art work, statues, carpets, jewelry, maps and paintings. The Pope is a powerful man, he knows how to work his money. Mossimio had done his pope-work, and he was the man of all stories and answers. He even pulled out his duel packed cell-phone camera numerous times to give us a comparison of different paintings and zoomed in details that we couldn't see from where we were. I hadn't realized how much time we had been there until Monica's ADD started to kick her in the butt very hard, and when I looked at my clock it was already 11 o'clock and we hadn't even made it into the Basilica. We toured through the four rooms that Raphael was commissioned to do by the Pope and then finally made our way through the crowds to St. Petersburg. I can't even imagine the feeling people who are actually tied to this religion might feel upon entering this church but DAMN. I must say I have been to my fair share of churches and I think if I put them all together they would be about the same size as St. Petersburg. Unlike the first part of tour, the church was jam packed with every kind of tourist. Amy I. had met a record high for her questions and she was dying to go into the confessionals until Mama I. had to confess to her that we were Jewish and that we couldn't go in one. Mama I. must have been annoyed with her persistent questioning because she said it rather loud and Mossimo over heard...thats when he found out that we were Jewish. It was pretty unfortunate that the sky decided to rain all day because we were not able to tour around all Vatican city. Around 12:30 we headed over to the gift shop and Amy I. went crazy for the mosaics and we bought Aidan, Isabel and Bridget rosaries. We intended on going to the first Jewish Deli in Rome but it ended up not going to a Jewish deli at all, and I don't think they even had sandwiches at all. Papa I. and Little Adam I. headed to a rainy 3 o'clock football game and us girls decided that we would wander the street, possibly do some shopping. By the time we came home, it looked like we had just decided to take a group shower in our clothes, our shoes were filled and are hair matted wet to our heads. We were singing under our umbrella's ellas ellas ellas ay ay ay ay ay. The only way to protect us from any kind of sickness was naturally to get gelato. It cured all coldness and helped to keep my mind off the fact the entire bottom portion of my pants were soaked. We came back to the hotel stripped down and jumped in our pj's and then into bed for a warm power nap. For dinner we headed to a restaurant recommend by our tour guide Andre. I have yet to be unimpressed with this city and its food and we all split a variety of pastas, veggies and steaks. It was another enjoyable long dinner night. We just couldn't stop laughing! The only downfall to the diner were these invisible but visible enough fruit flies that swarmed our table. They didn't seem to bother anyone else but us, and sporadically one of us would try to smack them down. Our smacks and claps were not fast enough and Mama I. insisted that we ignore them because the tables around us were starting to stare. We headed back home and packed up. Last night of Isenberg reunion-ness, sad sad sad.

In Rome, We Did Roam.

2008-03-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

This morning we had a scheduled guided tour of the Jewish corridor and the catacombs so we had to wake up around 8 to be ready to go, dressed and filled with food for a tour at 10. I wasn't able to see anything last night but WOWZA Rome is incredible. We were just driving down the street and all of the sudden you see ancient ruins and columns on every corner. You turn the corner and BAMB! there is the infamous Coliseum. Yeah sure we have all seen it a book but nothing is like being right there in front of it. Unfortunately I missed the tour the fam fam took yesterday because they went to the pantheon and the coliseum with a guide. The coliseum was like Splash Mountain at Disney land and the line was extremely long. Andre, our tour guide, gave us a brief tour of the Jewish corridor which was actually a ghetto. Before the unification of italy, the pope ruled the land, so the Jews were put all together in one living community. It was very beautiful though, and if you were concerned, I wouldn't mind owning an apartment in the Jewish corridor. It is just beautiful. The synagogue is not what you would think if the average synagogue, it was much more elaborate on the outside and actually looked more similar to a church than a typical synagogue. The synagogue was actually relatively new in comparison to the rest of Rome and it was finished in 1904. I learned that the reason it looked like a church was because the Jews wanted to build something that was comparable to St. Petersburg but relatively to the number of jews. We then took the Mercedes van to the outskirts of the city to the catacombs. At one point all of the former popes were buried there, as well as all the catholics, however barbarians would come in and steal things from the tombs, so eventually most of the carcass's were removed from the catacombs, and all of the popes in fact were relocated to other churches. The catacombs extend 33 arches long but we we only saw a very small portion of them. Row after row of small cement barracks were like a maze to go through. Amy I. kept asking me if the small holes in the wall were for babies, and then I decided to ask her if every crack in the wall was for very small babies. It started to rain and cloudy when we came out of the ground, but we decided to make stop at the Roman baths and at the top of a mountain to see a view of all Rome before we headed back to the hotel to meet Monica for lunch. We also stopped at the Spanish steps as well. Rome is just unexplainable and beyond incredible. Fascinating and imaginative. You just want to know what it was really like to live in Ancient Rome because today with cars and cell phones and metros and what nots, it is still incredible, it must have been remarkable. We had planned on going to a restaurant recommended by one of our family friends but when Adam I. checked out the menu and saw that a majority of it actually had vegetables (OH MY) and no pizza on it (OH MY HOW COULD THAT BE!) we just couldn't go there. In the end I think he wishes we would of just sticked with our original plan because lets just say that our quest to go out to lunch started at 2:30 and we didn't sit down for lunch until 3:35. Papa I. being the super-jew that he is obviously knows the head of the JDC if Rome and obviously needed to introduce us to him. Only my father would know the head of the JDC in Rome, have connections with the JDC in Romania and thus make us have partial jewy mc jewy talk the entire time. I love you dad, you are my jew-ro. We had Papa I's friend, recommend us to a place that was pretty far away from where we were (I forgot to mention that we had difficulty finding the original veggie restaurant in the first place). When we got there, we sat down and the first thing the waiter tells us is that they are out of pizza. That had to be a joke. Italian restaurants just don't run out of pizza, especially when the menu is only two pages long and the second page is only pizza options and on the first quarter of the page is pasta but they don't serve that for lunch. 2 minutes ago we were admiring how delicious the pizza at the table next to us looked. 4 minutes later we found out that he was not joking about the whole being out of pizza thing. 4 and a half minutes later with a spoon full of attitude our waiter told us that we could order pasta but the options were, pasta with SQUID, (he really put a strong emphasis on squid...especially the squi part of squid) with olives and red sauce or something I couldn't understand. 6 minutes later we made a family decision to get up and leave. 6 and a half minutes later we were out of there. We then proceeded to go back the "the worlds most delicious pizza" place in the eyes of Adam I. (trust me he knows his pizza) but by the time we had finally arrived, they had stopped serving lunch. Desperate to eat anything, we literally turned the corner and chose the first restaurant on our left. We ordered quiet the feast. Monica the besty of best ordered lasagna and I ordered a veggie pizza and then we jointly ordered a caprese salad and then decided we would split everything. After we saw the portion size that they were bringing out for other people, we thought we had ordered way too much food but when the food finally came, we had no problem, none at all, opening up our little (mine not so little any morning) tummies and eating it all up. Monica the besty best is a champion in the sport of eating. It is actually her job. She could be a professional and now that I have been living in Italy it has become a side project of mine and I am learning to master it quite well. We came home from our two hour lunch and by two hours I mean the lunch that took two hours to find, and were exhausted. We did what we Isenberg's and one Pack do best and took naps. For dinner we went to this wine bar recommended by our family friend. On the top of the city of Rome, right next to the ledge over looking the city of Rome was this small quaint but modern upscale wine bar, The walls were completely white, blue LED lights lined the floor and funky wire light laps stood in the corners and scruffy hansom Italian men in sweaters and sport coats were at our service. You could tell that it was definitely not a touristy hot spot, which was really nice to have a true Italian experience in such a beautiful city. We ordered appetizers, and wine and water (one gas with gas, one not) with bread and steaks and seafood. We giggled the night away with stories with our first adventures with our dear friends ralph and up chuck, (obviously stories like these are told at the Isenberg dinner table) Little Adam I was an easy target. Appetizers took an hour and our main course took two and desserts were a must. Molten chocolate cake with fresh whipped cream topped with a side of requested wild strawberries, a pear strudel with a side of cinnamon gelato rolled in rise crispies. The sensation of the crunchy mixed with the creamy cinnamon was like a fourth of july firework celebration in my mouth. And we couldn't just get two desserts for the table, three was only fair. To cleanse our palettes we got a fruity sampler of gelato: mojito, raspberry and mango. Pleasantly full, with smiles on our faces we headed back down the mountain (for those of you who have been to Rome you are probably wondering what mountain I am referring to, it is more like a hill that over looks Rome) we decided to all go straight up stairs and into our cozy beds because tomorrow was going to be an early morning at the Vatican.

Watch Out Rome, The Jews Are Coming To Town.

2008-03-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

I woke up early so I could head to book arts to get more work done however my teacher ended up being sick but I stayed anyway to work on photo and book arts. I was able to finish 90 percent of my photo project and about 25 percent of my book arts project. However, I felt like I have been working on my book arts project forever now! Yesterday in painting, I asked my teacher his favorite restaurant because not that I am getting sick of Anna's, I am just getting sick of the scene there. I wanted to find a more cultural and exciting place to dine, and he recommended a wine bar down the street from school called Bar Birbra. For only 3.80 euro I was able to get a large tomato and mozzarella sandwich, a side of spinach and a half a loaf of bread for the spinach (I didn't order the bread, they just gave it to me) I literally spent the entire day from 9:15 am until 8:15 p.m. at the art school to work. At 9:30 I hoped on the train to Rome to meet the fam for a Roman Holiday...well actually we just happen to come to rome during the most holy holiday in the catholic religion, Easter. Watch out Rome, the Jews from Prairie Village Kansas are coming to town. This should be a very interesting weekend. Monica the besty of the best is meeting us tomorrow morning. I made it Rome at 11:30. completely exhausted so I went right to bed.

thursday march 20.

A Bay Bay.

2008-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

I woke up extra early because not only did I realize that I didn't know anything for my Italian quiz, and that I should probably study, I also realized that I had left all of my Italian books in my parents hotel. I got ready extremely fast and headed over there for an early morning study session followed by an early morning breakfast session. Today the family heads to Rome, so after my Italian quiz, which I believed I passed with flying colors, I met the family at the San Lorenzo market as they finished purchasing their final florentine finds. I brought them to the Marcano Central experience of the open market. I just love the atmosphere there and the dried fruit. We all got something different from the various stands. I ended up making a bold move and giving "baby cutting hands" a new beginning and I ordered one of the most delicious sandwiches. Salami with pesto, cheese and sun dried tomato on flat bread. We were rushed a bit for lunch because after we had already started eating we found out that we were apparently sitting at a specific restaurants table. Eventually we got the boot but it didn't really matter because we were almost done anyway and I needed to head to class. Yet again there were only two people in my painting class today. Its like having a semi private painting class, I started a new project using three 80 by 80 canvass, you will just have to wait and see how those bad boys turn out. I was going to go on a treasure hunt with my program in attempt to win 75 euro to a fashion shop but instead I decided that I should probably get some work done before I head to Rome this weekend with the family. Lime Joj and Michelle list are in town this weekend. Unfortunately their visit here has overlapped with the fam fam so I haven't been able to see them yet. I worked on my book arts for for an hour after class because I didn't want to spend my Easter Monday off doing any work, well I actually I don't even have the option to do work because campus is closed. Thank you Jesus. At 8:15 Joj Lime Dara and Effie called up to my window and like Repunzal, I let down my hair and then I walked down the street to meet them. We went over the river and through the woods (well not really through the woods, just over the river and down a few streets) to a unknown restaurant that Dara found in her Lonely Planet book. I am not even sure of the name because it wasn't on the outside of the building but it was the cutest authentic small Italian hole in the wall restaurant with a constantly changing menu. Our waiter became our new best friend, his cute smile and tiny butt chin. Dara and I split a pasta and chicken. We learned that when a waiter points her finger on her cheek and turns it when describing the dessert menu, that means you should order it. We listed to her finger and indeed it was the best decision. We didn't get done with dinner until a after 11, however the night was still young because we still had to go to the club saying "a bay bay". At Marcana tonight, Hurricane Chris was performing his one hit (and only hit) wonder A Bay Bay. The club was hoppin with every jappy American and their mother and cousin, however for once and the only time it was socially acceptable for me hang out with these people, we were able to get a special stamp that let us get up really close to the stage. I have to thank Jason, whoever you may be and wherever you are, you paid for a table at Marcana which enabled me to get in with a stamp and up close action. We got to the club rather late, Ricky Levy got there at 11:30, so with our 12:45 arrival I thought we might have missed "a bay bay" but after two songs from the DJ, Hurricane Chris, made his presence on the stage. The only girl who just happened to be dancing on the stage (actually she was not the only girl,l she was the only white person on the stage) was this girl named Allie, who is in my Italian class, who has not showed up for more than a month. She clearly has been busy. I also ran into another boy who has missed my painting class for two weeks now. He has also been busy getting with other people. I just can stand people like that. I finally ran into Ryan Katz, KC connection. After an hour of Hurricane Chris fun I was exhausted and ready to go home and luckily Lime and Joj were ready to hit the sack, so we all headed back home in the rain. Sniffles Sniffle in the my nose. Not soo good.

wednes day day of march 19thness.

Snores from the Shnoze and other stories from little adam i's friends: up, chuck and ralph.

2008-03-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

The Gorilla has another follower to her midnight cult. The cult of the "kill Allison when she is sick because her snoring makes you want gouge your eyes out" and or "kill Allison because she has a disgusting snore". The Gorilla however, is more aggressive in her actions because she yells and hits while Little Adam I., gently taps, which did not do the trick. Finally at 3 am, Little Adam I. brought me some miracle medicine (Vicks Vapor Rub) and I applied it to my neck and the snoring stopped instantly. We gathered for a quick morning b-fast in the hotel and then I headed to book arts while the fam went to the Uffizzi for a tour. It took longer than I expected to get the fam to my favorite of all favorite lunch spots (duh, the only) but today we finally made it to Anna's for an afternoon treat. But Mama I. was the only one who tried the real Anna's sandwich. The rest of the freakies had bagels. boo and boring. For the fam, it was actually an afternoon treat because they had a big afternoon of wining and dining in the Chianti region. A three stop wine tour is just the thing to do on a Tuesday afternoon in Tuscany. From what I heard from my mother and brother on the walk home tonight, it was surely an Isenberg extravaganza, the kind where my mother tours red in the face because my father and sister have pulled together their strongest traits, and Amy I. has asked a million and a half questions and Papa I. can't hear what was said the first time someone because he can't hear anything, so then he asks a question that has mostly likely already be answered or asks the guide to repeat something over. I picked up my slides film from Romanian sheep herding and they turned out fabulous and hippie commi teach loved them too. Tonight the Johnson Family of Mission Hills Kansas and The Isenberg Family from Prairie Village Kansas met at Aqua al Due for a delicious sampler meal. Originally the reservation was for 8:00 however due to a little too much wine tasting and due to bumpy roads and due to other facts like age limits and physical limits and things like up chuck and chucking up that leads to cloths chucking and showering, we had to push the reservation back until 8:15 which really meant we didn't sit down until 8:25 which meant that we had ordered before Papa I. and Little up chuck Adam I. met us around 8:35. Dinner was dinner-lious and beyond delicious. The family has finally caught on, it didn't take much convincing but they couldn't survive a night without gelato. Now they know I have felt the past two months. Unfortunately our family favorite place was closed so we had to go to neon puking lights-carnival-gelato down the street and now my family members are not only wine snobs after their little tour, they now have built up their taste buds that allow them to differentiate real gelato from the knock offs. I decided to let my bro and sis sleep in non snoring peace, so Mama I. and Adam I. walked me home from dessert. I was going to study for my Italian quiz tonight but I decided that I just didn't feel like it. And doing things that you don't feel like doing is bad. So instead I am sitting in bed writing this blog. I am exhausted and I must end now. Ciao ciao!

three good choices for five good isenbergs.

2008-03-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I had leave behind the fam for a majority of the day because Monday is the day when my classes take over. After painting, Mama I., Papa I, little Adam I. and Amy I. met me at my apartment and then I gave them a tour of my school and showed them some of my work. It was only slightly awkward when I showed my entire family my double exposure photo project and my whoo haws were hidden in the image. I just made Little Adam I. turn around because that is just crossing the brother/sister line. My Italian teacher recommended a restaurant for this evening. We made three very good decisions tonight. Uno:, we did not take a recommendation from the front desk. Due: We did not eat the bread at the table Tre: we made our way back to Perche No for more Pinkberry Gelato. Yum Yum Yum. Little Adam I. and Amy I. ordered the infamous Florentine Bistecca (did you say bistecca?) The steak was bigger than the entire plate. Little Adam I. is not so little anymore and has been thoroughly enjoying any opportunity to become a wine connoisseur. Like father like son. With his more mature mindset on this Saint Patties of Green Beer Patties Day and by mature I mean because we are in Italy where the drinking age is 2, Little Adam I. and Papa I. thought it would be fun to go to an Irish Pub to watch a some Futbal (for those of you back home, soccer) Now I will be the first to admit that I was just a wee bit embarrassed when we all walked into the Irish pub full of 20-year-old drunk American kids with my parents. Not that my parents are embarrassing at all, I just felt that we were out of place and for the first five minutes I think my insides turned the color of the beer they were serving, but then I got over it really fast when I realized there was a big screen TV, and that you only live once, and that my parents and sibs were only going to be visiting once, so I might as well get over it. Papa I. almost had a heart attack, not because there were so many kids or the soccer game was so intense but I think he had a wee bit of a realization of the constant struggle that I face everyday when he went to go pay for a couple of beers and realized that 5 euro is WAY too much for a cup of beer. (5 euros is like 8.50) We watched the end of the soccer and then I was starting to overheat because the masses kept piling in and we (meaning, Mama I. and Amy I. and I decided that we had had enough and it was time to go) Luckily Papa I. was on board because we all know Little Adam I. could have stayed the entire night. Dear The College Whom Accepts Mr. Adam Jeffery Isenberg, beware, this child knows all and wants to always have a fun time. I don't think Little Adam I is different than any other boy his age but it is just weird seeing you little, shnuggle bunny brother be in high school and almost old enough to drive. We were all picking on Little Adam I. and for shiz and gigz we made him take the "walk-the-line" test but instead of having him drunk, we made him spin in circles to see if he could make those monster feet of his walk in a straight line. He needs a little work. I decided to stay at the hotel with the fam tonight because the Gorilla was staying with her Mama and I would be lonely with out her. We were going to watch a movie, and the three of us nearly spent 25min. debating/fighting about which movie we wanted to watch when all of the sudden both Little Adam I. and I decided we were going to probably fall asleep and that Amy I. could just choose the movie. Agreement is one thing we Isenberg's have a difficult time doing. Obviously Amy I. and I were completely in favor of chick flicks and or chick flick comedies and obviously Little Adam I. didn't want to even consider any of the movies we agreed upon. Amy I. wasn't all that helpful either. She choose three movies that she would be willing to watch and as we turned the page to see our other options she would say that she would be willing to watch the same three movies over and over again. Luckily, Little Adam I and I decided that sleep was a better option or we could of been up the whole night just deciding what we wanted. I am getting the sniffles, which will probably lead to a cold which is very bad. I need to be a perky host for the next two days because the fam damn leaves Wednesday and I need to make sure they have the best time.

from two's days the 18th 08.

Sunday is a good day to do nothing. Like flying for instance.

2008-03-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

We actually woke up on time this morning, making record Isenberg time and headed over to the Ezri's for another feast in the east. (the east being eastern europe) Chris was going to be in a Purim play next week and he really wanted us to see the dress rehearsal so we headed over to the JCC for an early morning performance. It was a very interesting site to see. Standing on the stage was the choir composed of all generations. The young, the old, the not so young and the not so old. From what I could gather, hence I don't speak hebrew, romanian or hungarian, it was more like a medley of dances and songs rather than a play. Chris was the only boy raising his arms to the sky and bouncing is feet around. I was just so exhausted from the weekend of eating that it was a little difficult to pay attention the entire time. Mama I. and I made an observation this weekend: the hot fashion style for spring is having purple or red hair. The women at the JCC solidified our observations. One women went so far that I would considered saying carrot orange hair might make the runway this spring and if your not into bright orange, the older ladies were supporting gently frosted purple highlights. Grey is out purple is in. But more incredible than the hair, was the communities strength. It isn't like it is back in the states, where everyone and their mother that goes to umich is jewish, and it isn't back at home where the JCC is pimped out with huge work out rooms and full length swimming pools, the community is a very small, modest group and they are really there for each other. All of the kids know the adults and all of the adults whether they are 96 or 52 know all of the younger kids. Everyone in their jewish community helps each other out and it is truly fascinating. After our Purim delight, we headed to the bus where in just a matter of seconds, not even minutes, the entire Isenberg clan, united as a team, and did what we do best, crashed like the stock market and fell right asleep. I didn't wake up until we reached the border of Hungary and that was only for 2 minutes in order to give Mama I. my passport and besides that I slept the entire 2 and a half hours to Budapest. We made it safely on the plane and I began reading one of Amy I's trashy love novels. She just loves them. She only brought 7 books with her, worried that she might not have enough to do. For those of you who have not met Amy Isenberg, let me tell you she is an incredible human being and I love her. Two hours later, the Isenberg family set foot in the land of great wonders. Thank goodness Amy I. was able to get over her fears of bad smells, and the true nose of all nose's, officially said "Florence does not smell bad". Anyone worried about the different smells of Europe, for fear you might not like them, just ask Amy Isenberg because she is the nose of our family. My parents are staying at this fabulous hotel called Hotel Bernini, right behind the butt of the fake David in Piazza Signoria. Each room is decorated in the style of a renaissance but modern day palace. Everyone unpacked their bags and then we did a mini tour before dinner. Rule number 1: Don't ask for recommendations from the front desk of hotel, be sporadic and look for yourself or else you will land in the hole of tourists. I wasn't sure what would and wouldn't be open for dinner on a Sunday night at 8:30, so I asked the woman at the front desk for some advice, she recommended a place called "Natailano" and promised me, very few people there would speak english. Maybe she miss understood me, but EVERYONE THERE SPOKE ENGLISH. The entire fiesta behind us had the worlds deepest and dirtiest southern accent. I don't care that Americans have invaded this city, there isn't anything I can do about it. BUT there are 10,000 restaurants here, and I know for sure there are places with and without tourists and I wanted to give my family the true Italian experience. For the record, The Isenberg family will not be returning to Nataliano. Lets just say we got tricked by the bread. Obviously the most important task of the evening was to take them to my favorite gelatoria, Perche No. Mama I. (as in Isenberg) made the worlds most important discovery in all of Italy. I didn't think it was possible nor did I know something so incredible and revolutionary could happen like this. It has now completely changed my experience here, I AM GOING TO SCREAM THIS FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, ITALY HAS GELATO THAT TASTES LIKE PINKBERRY. Just think gelato, thick and creamy, wondrous and delicious mixed with a little bit of the worlds most addicting frozen yogurt, its thin as silk and mouthwatering as a watering can (not sure what that means but the sensation of Pinkberry is incredible. Ask my second family back in L.A, and they will tell you that I would do anything for a pinkberry) So what more could you want than an Italian pinkberry YES! After fireworks and shooting stars buzzed through the air for Mama I's new found discovery, I bravely brought the fam to meet the roommates. AHH TERRIFYING. But the chickens were on their best behavior and I was throughly impressed until Pants just had to pull out some story about her touching a statues nipple. Not that my family cared but awkward. I finally reunited with my little fury animal, the Gorilla and we were able to catch up for about negative 5 seconds in bed before I started falling asleep. I will come clean about a hidden secret, live for everyone to read, I have an eye witnesses and I can't hold back anymore, let the truth be heard, I do snore. Terrifying and embarrassing, the Gorilla has caught me in a duel action packed snore, and I wanted to let you all know before any other rumors begin. Off to bed, exhausted from eating so much food this weekend. I love having the family here and I can't wait to show them my motherland. Ciao ciao! Oh and Happy Birthday Minki Pinki and Miss Andrea Pack!

the SIX-tain of march ness

In Spanish it means to put, In Hungarian it means Kiss, and In English you get your mouth washed out with soap if you don't end it with a willow.

2008-03-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

We had planned to wake up at 8 am and be over at the Ezri's at 9 am in order to be able to fit in all of the site seeing we needed to do, however we were not informed that the Romanian's moved their clocks up an hour (they didn't physically move the clocks on us, they are just in a different time zone than Florence and Hungary). So when we ended up waking up at 8:45 and finally making it over the Ezri's house at 9:30, we really ended up waking up at 9:45 and making it over the Ezri's house at 10:30 and then we ended up eating breakfast/lunch=brunch at 11:00. I thought last night was just a special welcome feast, but no no no, the large dining room table somehow managed to double in the amount of food and poor Gabriella Ezri must of woken up at the crack of dawn to prepare the mounds of food. Papa Gusti made us all real chicken egg eggs. From what we could understand, they get their eggs from a real farmer who has his own chickens, none of that carton business, this was serious chicken shiz. I could taste the difference in the flavor and the coloring was much different. After salami and cheese and bread and strudel and orange juice and eggs and a chocolate kinder bar, I decided that I had to finally put my foot down to Gusti's persistent force feed. He would not take no for an answer and then when I had Chris tell him that I was going to explode if I ate more, and then he finally let me off the hook. After lunch-bruch-feast-o-fun, we all piled in their family cars and headed to bear mountain. The kids were in Chris's car, Mama I. drove with Norbert and the GF and Papa I. took shot gun in the car with Edith, Gusti and Gabriella. We Isenberg children did what we Isenberg children do best and instantly but gently laid our heads on our hands and rested out eyes. I woke up numerous times for fear that we were going to die. In Romania, they don't have highways or two lane roads, so in order to go anywhere you have to play the risk taking game of speed-racer, cutters style and Chris indeed thought he was Mario Andretti. All of the sudden Chris would jet out into the lane going in the opposite direction, and cut the person in front of him. The scary part was not the actual going into the other lane, the scary part of was going into the other lane and then seeing a car heading directly at you and then quickly cutting in between two cars in order to avoid getting hit from the front. Gusti was the master at this game. We drove through the most scenic and beautiful towns. We would be driving for 20 minutes with not a single house or stop in sight, large mountains in the background and untouched crayon green fields in the foreground and then all of the sudden a little peasant village would pop up or two men herding sheep or little bubshucka women with their scarves and skirts sweeping the gravel. Tractors and men in horse drawn wagons pulling hay would occasionally appear on the right or left. It was incredible. An hour and a half later we made it to the bear caves. If Romania got its act together it could be one of the most beautiful and interesting tourist attractions. I have only been the city of Ordea, but wowza I have just been so impressed. While the remains of Communism still lingers here and there, and a little bit everywhere, and people seem to be a just a wee bit debby downers, the history and architecture, and the villages are just incredible and even the underdeveloped and less looked upon are fascinating. However the one tourist attraction they do have are these bear caves. Peasant women and children stand at the base of cave, demanding for you to buy their gidgets and gadgets like crystal bears, and apple pastries. Story has is that thousands of years ago, and by thousand I mean thousands and thousands of years ago, bears used to inhabit these caves until one day a massive hurricane or earthquake or some type of storm came along and the land caved in and closed off the entrance into the cave and all of the bears were suck inside with no exist. If I am not mistaken and if I heard correctly, it was only within the past hundred years that a man discovered this cave and when he entered, he found hundreds and hundreds of bears bones. We were only shown one complete set of bones but I think Mister-Tour-Guide-Who-Did-Not-Speak-English (but Chris translated) told us that they now have found 6 complete bodies. Stalactites covered the cave wall and stalagmites grew from the ground. The gave was ginormous and only a portion of it is open to the public. Look above for fun and games.
Now for the best part of the entire day and the entire weekend and will probably be a story I will remember for my entire life. The Ezri family would not allow us to put a dime down this weekend, we weren't even allowed to buy waters at the gas station. Gusti bought our entire family tickets into the cave. Mama I. and I were so grateful that he bought us our tickets that when he went to hand them to us, we tried to be culturally correct and say thank you in Hungarian "cursenum" or as Chris taught us to pronounce it "curse-en-em". He then pointed to his cheek as imply that he wanted a kiss on the cheek. This is not absurd thing to do in Europe and the whole two kiss thing is rather common. However as he was pointing to his cheek, he said pussy pussy. Mama I. and I looked at each other I proceed to give him the right and left kissy kissy while saying pussy pussy because I was not sure what else to do. Mama I. (more naive) however was not as willing and said "I don't think we can say that" (in just the sweetest voice ever with bright red cheeks). We ended this little episode rather awkwardly and Mama I. gave him the kiss, kiss and we then headed into the exhibit. Mama I. and I kinda forgot about it because we were so engaged with the bear cave but after the exhibit Gusti must of talked to Chris and sensed something was awkward with our interaction. Little did we know and little did he know, but in Hungarian pussy means kiss and in English pussy does not mean kiss. The entire way day, we were just laughing our heads off and you could just tell Gusti was so embarrassed and couldn't believe that he had asked Mama I. and I for pussy. Chris informed us that there are other words in Hungarian and Romanian that should not be used around those who speak English. For instance the word, F*uck, in Hungarian means Tree (sorry to be so vulgar) So if someone in Hungarian happened to say that they wanted to kiss a tree, to those who speak english, it was would sound VERY dirty. We just giggled and giggled the whole way home. After our kissing incident and bear cave hunt we headed back down the mountain to a peasant museum, where three old men have opened up their homes for people to come and look at their family history through their clothing, wagons, pottery, and even bedrooms. Papa I. asked the Chris to ask the man if he wanted any money because we couldn't believe such a place would be free and the man said he had no need for money but if my dad had a wife he would take her. Mama I. offered to give Amy I and I away. By the time we got into back into the car it was already almost 5. On the way there, we saw several different sheep herders and their sheep's and Chris promised that we could stop and try to herd them and or for me take pictures of them. Down the road, we caught our first group. We pulled to the side of the road and I spastically grabbed my camera and ran out of the car. Bah Bah Black (white) sheep have you any wool yes sir yes sir three bags full and dog that will bite you in the butt hole. Again sorry for being so vulgar but Sheep Dog the Sheep Herding dog was not a friendly little pup, trained to be tough and eat people alive. He almost bit Edith's butt off and then decided my whole body was a greater source of people protein and he darted straight towards me. I thought my life was over and my face was gone but lucky Sheep Herder the Sheep Herding Man thrashed his wooden weapon in the air and the dog backed off a little. I decided that was enough for this one sheep herding photo shoot and I didn't just walk back to the car, I boulted. I probably left human tire tracks on the ground. We continued on our way for another 2 minutes until we saw another herd of sheep, but this time there were two Sheep Herders, two Sheep Herding men. It was a photo op, you wouldn't be able to do or experience this in any other place in the world. I could of stopped 60 more times on the way home, but I didn't want the caravan of cars to kill me, so I kept my mouth closed every time we saw a group of sheep with there sheep herders. We didn't get back into Ordea until 7:30. However, Chris had to go to dance practice. While I have yet to see Chris shake his bom-bom Israeli style, I sure hope he is on either ends of the spectrum. Either he is something really similar to "Extra Pizzaz" bald man we saw dancing at the JCC in Budapest or straight as the bed I sleep on. Edith also had to go, which meant we were down two translators for dinner. We ate at this very interesting restaurant that was supposedly very typical Romanian food. We sat at the tip top of the tiki hut restaurant where the statement, heat rises, was formed. Cuddled against our backs were real sheep and cow hide lined chairs attached to big heavy wooden seats. Mama I. and I learned that Norbert's girlfriend doesn't speak Hungarian, and that the Ezri's mostly talks in Hungarian but that she understand a little English. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to with the family all of the time when they don't speak your language. I assume they must switch on their Romanian mindset when she is around but I am just not sure because I couldn't tell you the difference between the two. I can't stand it when we can not instantly understand what his parents are saying because all I want to do is to directly talk to them. At first I thought we going to order individually, however that would have been a great mess because Amy I. and I could hardly decipher what was what, but luckily Gusti sat on his kings thrown at the end of the table and ordered away and by away I mean he us his life away and we had enough food at the table to feed an army. While the meal was quiet delicious, I must admit I still loved the home cooked meal from last night the best. Actually stuffed to the brim, we were finally able to convince Gusti that we did not need any more food and that all we needed was our nice little beds but he made us promise that if we were not getting dessert at the restaurant, then we had to come back to their house and eat dessert there. YIKES AND YUCKS, at this point in the evening I couldn't even imagine sticking another piece of food in my mouth, but sometimes you have to let your imagine stretch a bit, and if you allow it, it might allow your stomach to do the same thing. Before I knew it, I was eating chocolate tiramisu. I felt like I had been hypnotized to eat the food or something. Indeed they were delicious but I still can't believe all of that food fit inside of me. Bloated and exhausted from a wonderful day, I made the executive decision to head back home at 1:00 am, and the entire Isenberg crew hit the sack. Before getting into bed Amy I. and I wanted to watch some tele but unfortunately Romanian television turns into mid-night porn madness and with more than a few giggles, we had a difficult time finding something to watch, so I eventually gave up and left Amy I. in charge.

Ro-ma-ni-a.

2008-03-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

Last night we had planned on getting up early so that we could have at least an hour to tour parts of Budapest before the van to Romania was going to pick us up. However if you thought getting five Isenberg's somewhere on time was difficult, just plop an Ezri in the mix and the word late is an understatement. We ended up having a scrumpt-didly-umptious marathon breakfast at the hotel. When we glanced at our clocks we were finally done, we realized it was 9:30, and touring was no longer an option but sitting and relaxing sure was. At 10, we loaded our bags into the Romanian van and then headed to the " Széchenyi Lanchid" bridge. Chris gave us a brief history lesson about the bridge. Apparently, the architect who designed it was a rather pompous man and upon its completion, he said that it was the absolute most impeccable and perfect bridge and that there were no mistakes in it. Rumor has it that he went so far as to say that if anyone found a mistake in it, he would commit suicide and jump off it. Some brave soul confessed that the lion statues that guarded the entrances to the bridge did not have tongues. Thus, the Pompous Architect, took his life. Sad story. Amy I. had a difficult time comprehending this and kept wondering if the body was ever found, and why he did it. The concept of the "Myth" is not something to introduce to her, if you don't want a million and one questions back. We took the bus to the tip top of Buda where we could see the entire city, especially all of Pest. We had an Isenberg family photo shoot, and then we headed back in the car to begin our journey to Chris's motherland, Romania, where Dracula was born. And thanks to Amy I., we now know it is home to the most "haunted houses" according to her favorite cable television show, Ghost Hunters. I climbed in the way back of the van and sacrificed an Isenberg pity fight, and even sat in the middle (middle child, middle seat, thats how the game goes). We all know that it doesn't matter where I sit, as long as I am sitting, I can pretty much go into narco narco state anywhere anytime. We arrived in Romania around 4:30. I wasn't sure what to expect. Chris once asked me what I thought Romania looked like and I all could imagine were peasant villages in depressing Eastern Europe. I am not trying to offend anyone, I only speak the truth. I guess it is like the same kind of question when I ask my friends at school or at camp what they think Kansas is like and all they think is farm land and horses imagined in black and white. Ordea, the city in Romania in which we were staying in, is far more interesting that Kanas City. I was blown away. You can physically see the affects of communism on the out skits of the city. Driving into the city were just block after blocks of neutral cement colored apartments. Luckily, Chris lived in the old part of the city, so his home was not transformed into a ticky tacky apartment, his neighborhood had a pleasant and charming personality. Some of the houses on his street were quite elaborate with decorative painting, like red and yellow. Our hotel was literally across the street from his house. Newly renovated, the hotel reminded me of a project from an episode of a TLC show or something Ty Pennington would have done because you could clearly understand the concept behind the hotel, but you could also tell that time and money were limited. It had only been a month since its grand opening and I am not sure how much longer it will last. Tonight's agenda was to attend a traditional orthodox Friday night shabbat with dinner and dancing (well dancing wasn't specifically included, but knowing Chris, it could always go there) Amy I. and I shared a room and Momma I. and Papa I. shared a room and little Adam I. got the honor of staying at the Ezri's house (but truthfully no one wanted him in their rooms....he smells bad, its not our fault) We dropped our bags off and then headed to finally meet and greet the Ezri family. We were kindly greeted by the Ezri family dog, a big german shepard who apparently knows Romanian, Hungarian, Hebrew and English (I don't think Chris ever told me his name) Before we even shook hands with our host and hostess to be, I noticed the large amount of food, prepared and beautifully decorating the table. Large amount is an understatement. We literally meated and greeted with our Romanian family (prosciutto, salami, sausage, you name it they probably had it). Gusti and Gabriella, mother and father of Sir Christian Ezri (Jewish name eh?) both stood not too tall but really too wide. Gusti, precious smile, shiny bald head, stern but cuddly. Gabriella, large but not in charge, unique but comforting. Gusti and Chris took us on a tour of their own personal art museum, aka their house. Gusti has an undying passion for art and from what I could understand, he collects art but is also an antique dealer. While my house is covered with color from head to toe, this house was covered in art and golden frames, and sculptures and clocks from top to bottom. Obviously Chris stored all of the Jewish paintings and antique hanukia and kiddish cups in his room. We gathered around the table as Gabriella continued to cook us more food. Finally at 5:55, we all took a reality check and realized that we needed to leave in 20 minutes for services. Papa I. hadn't even showered yet. Original game plan of 6:15 departure to JCC Ordea was not going to happen. Finally at 6:30 we packed in the cars and headed to Chris's most prized possession, his "campus" (which houses the synagogue and newly renovated JCC) Chris is the director of the JCC. I still can't believe sometimes that he is only 23. From what Chris had described to me about his struggles with growing up the Jewish community in Ordea, I thought his community was incredible. It is not easy to run a temple at the age of 23. We met in the synagogue first. The boys took their path to the right and us girls took our path to the left. The synagogue that they usually occupy was under construction, so instead we were next door in the smaller of the two. Mama I. put it best but the rabbi was doing so much praying and did not face the audience once, that he wouldn't have a clue if anyone was even there. You could tell Mama I. was annoyed by the fact that they still split men and women apart. I thought we were going to an Orthodox temple like the ones back home but it was no where near as strict. Weirdly enough people were quite the chatty (like chatty and kathy) chatters tonight and most of the time people were talking at normal voice level with their neighbor. After services, we did what we Isenbergs do second best...EAT. Surprising Adam I. didn't eat anything and the rest of us nibbled away at the chicken and potatoes. We sang songs, received a welcome speech and took a tour of the JCC. Chris and his very dear and close friend, Edith, took us on a mini tour of the neighborhood. Edith is only 21, is about to graduate college with three degrees, is involved in the Jewish Community just as much as Chris is, and she used to date Chris. She is just incredible. We came back home for late night chocolate cream puffs, with walnut strudel and Mama I. learned how to make meat and cabbage role ups. What a fabulous day in a fabulous city. This is one of those places, in which words can't capture what you need to describe it. Go there.

postedness on march 14th too thousand and aight.

Buda + Pest.

2008-03-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

I was going to go to book arts for an hour this morning but the sun was shining, I needed to head to the airport around 11 and the Gorilla gave me the good idea of getting dried fruit before leaving, so skipping class was a much better idea. Today was my first time actually flying out of the Florence airport since I have been here. Simple as pie. I had ants in my pants the entire flight and I can say with all Allison Isenberg honesty, I did not fall asleep, not even a simple rest my eyes moment, on the way to Budapest. Honestly how could I, lady was coughing on me the entire way. I wasn't sure what to think of Budapest, I had heard it was everyones favorite place to visit, but I just couldn't picture Hungary being one of the most beautiful places to visit. But once I arrived in the city of Pest I could understand. The feeling of getting out of a cab in front of an actual hotel with spinning circle doors and marble floors made me feel like the Queen of Florence. I didn't know how to get a hold of my parents because I tried calling Papa I's cell phone number when I got off the plane but he didn't answer. I was able to get a hold of Amy I. through the phone at the receptionists desk and I made my way up to her room. In her delusional state of sleeping mind, she gave me the wrong room number and I tried a few wrong doors before I decided I should just go back down stairs to actually have them look it up. Amy I. was shnuggled up in the big down comforter in the elegant traditionally designed room with elaborate floral print wall paper. Amy I. was overly exhausted from her long day of travel and she could barely form words together to make coherent and complete sentences. I, on the other hand was hungry in Hungary. I was going to venture out to find food by myself because I had no idea where the rest of my family was. However, standing in the lobby as I was coming out of the elevator was Momma I. and Papa Isenberg standing with our family friend Chris. I decided to play a little trick on them, and I walked right up to them without saying anything and proceeded to join in on their conversation. It took Momma I. a second to actually realize that her long lost daughter was standing right in front her. When she finally did, she almost jumped out of her shoes and her smile hit her ears. While Skype was a genius invention and I will admit I do see my Momma's pretty face a lot, there is nothing like giving a big hug to your mom and pops in real life. Although they were just coming back from eating lunch with Chris, they were more than willing to join me for another round of lunch. I had the best chicken quesadilla with quac and grilled chicken and veggies. Momma I. didn't think it would be possible for me to eat a quesadilla the size of the moon but I had no problem downing that bad boy. We walked around just to see some of the city in the day light because we aren't going to see very much of it because we are going to meet Mr. Christian Ezri, the Romanian Jewy Mc. Jews, family and motherland. Momma I. forced Little Adam I. and Amy I. out of bed in order to help them from being their tired bodies get on a regular schedule. We walked around the old city of pest at night and ate at a very traditional Hungarian restaurant. It was so nice and wonderful to finally be with my family that I couldn't stop smiling. Just to clarify a few things. The reason we all met in Budapest was to a. see a glimpse of Hungary b. in order to meet and see our friend Chris Ezri who actually lives in Romania which is four hours from Budapest, but it was easier to fly into Hungary. For those of you wondering who this Mr. Chris Ezri guy is and why my family knows someone in Romania...here is the deal. For the past two summers, Chris, the Romanian Jew, age 23, tall, thick, with glasses and a heavy accent has been living in Amy I'. bed room to learn about how to run a Jewish community. This probably seems odd for a 23 year old but Chris is a well respected youth leader in his town and has been trying to learn from different Jewish communities in the States how to better operate his own, including programing, fundraising and what not. A little over my head but it is pretty incredible. Chris worships my dad, and if he could, Chris would probably build a shrine of my Dad in his house. He actually wants to be my Dad. Chris considers us his second family and calls Little Adam I. his brother. Amy I. and I are little removed from this whole family relationship but I have met Chris a couple of times and Amy I. has only talked to him on Skype before. Thus. Papa I. decided that we Isenberg's were going to meet his second sons family while we were all here in his neck of the woods. I am excited to see what Romania is like, I can't even imagine it. The itinerary for the Isenberg European Extravaganza goes as follows: Budapest to Romania, Romania to Florence, Florence to Rome. The family is back together, which puts me back together!

Hump Day.

2008-03-17T00:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Hump Day.
Tonight we headed to Noir for a fancy in your pants, fancy pants, apertivo. Every single time we go there the Gorilla and I begin our by saying and swearing that we are not going to eat as much as we did the last time. Indeed every time we eat more than we did the time before. The only bad thing about this apertivo is that I never end up liking their drinks. If I order the fruity drinks that I really like, like a Belini, everyone gets mad at me for ordering a drink that costs as much as just buying the whole bottle. So I tried to be a bit more risky and order something that people would approve of, like a pina colada but I ended up hating it, only drinking a small amount and handing the rest of it to the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate. They got the job done. Like after all Noir apertivo's we needed to chase down the salty, rich food with a Coca Cola Light. We ended up finding a hole in the wall room full of vending machines and Coca Cola Lights and Diet Pepsi's. And a one of a kind....only-in-the-pasta-capital-of-the-world, would we find a vending machine that serves ready to eat, hot pasta cuisines to go. For just 3.50 euro, you don't have to bother with service fees, just the simple plop and drop of coins is all you have to do (but I can't guarantee it will be good). I am going to taste one before I leave. We ended up making this magical vending machine room into a 7th grade hang out spot. We did a taste test to see if we each could tell the differences between Coca Cola regular, Coca cola light and Diet pepsi. The Gorilla mate was obviously the worst at it. Truth be told, we can make anything fun. Who needs Yab or BeBop or Marcano and alcohol when you have a room full of vending machines and taste testing. The children headed back home for shnuggle time and movie watching, while I made my way over to the Meredith of Looney Looney's house to chit chat and pick up my long awaited package my mom sent with her abroad a good three weeks ago. You know you are lucky when you have friends in your life that you might not talk to everyday or even every couple of months or even a year but still when you get together it is as if nothing has changed. I have a few of those lucky friendships. I am off to Budapest tomorrow to meet reunite with the whole family. Watch out all of Europe, the Isenberg's are coming to town and I just can't wait.

The Chomp Heard Round The World.

2008-03-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

In book arts I learned yet another way of making a book. This time it was an actual hard back book with a binding, with book cloth in all. I met the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate at Anna's for some afternoon delight. We originally headed to the market to get dried fruit but then decided that it would be fun and delicious to cook dinner tonight. We stopped at Froto's Fruit station and picked up some crack (and by crack I mean the dried fruit must have some time of crack in it because every single time I tell myself that I am not going to eat all of it in one sitting, I find my self scavenging in the very depths of the bag for more and in no time at all they are all gone) The menu for dinner tonight: Chicken topped with mushrooms and tomatoes, garnished with carrots and onions, with a side of broccoli and cauliflower, and some sweet potato fries as a special treat. For dessert, fresh cinnamon apple crisp (minus the crisp). I wandered on over to the Cavour palace to say goodbye to my two little friends before they left for Rome and picked up my makeup along the way. Our photog teacher had a comi-hippie freak out on my class today because none of us were prepared with the right type of film. Our next project is Polaroid transfers but rather than using straight up polaroids, we have to use slide film and then use this pretty sweet mania machine that projects the 35 mm image on a piece of polaroid. Then we take the Polaroid and remove the film by soaking in hot hot hot h20 and we can place the film onto any surface our little hearts desire. It sounds cool and it is actually very cool, however the really un-cool part of about it is that the polaroid film that we have to buy costs 40 euros and the side film costs 8 and to develop the slide film costs another 8 and we have to develop two rolls which means we have to buy two rolls of film, which probably means we will have to buy another pack of paper knowing my comi-hippi teacher. All I have to say is that this project better be pretty cool (actually more than just pretty, over-the-top-makes-you-slobber-gallery-looking-pieces-of-art-cool) I have no fear, it will be amazing. For dinner the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate and I cooked up a feast in the Via dei Ginori hellish kitchen. It was just fabulous until chompety chomp chomp chomp decided that it was socially acceptable to come into our family dinner and use her finger to snatch our food. I wouldn't have had a problem with it if she a. asked to eat some of our food b. if she had used a fork to eat our food c. if she didn't chomp and smack her food like a baby eating baby food with no teeth into a megaphone but she did all of the above and thats when problems started arise. The Gorilla eventually got fed up when after weaseled her greasy fat hands into our sacred pot of sweet potatoes fries, and thank goodness the Gorilla had Gorilla balls to night and she shoo flied her away. She didn't get the very evident social cues were forwarding to her (thinking blinking lights in your eyes) and that we would rather eat OUR dinner with just OURselves tonight because we cooked OUR own meal, instead she proceeded to tell us how the nude model in her painting class was hung like the cinnamon shaker on our table. You thought those words would be enough mental visuals for everyone to understand, and indeed they were for me. But for some reason, she didn't think we got it, so she proceed to take the cinnamon from the table and do a dance with it. This is getting rather graphic for me to write and the visuals that are popping up in my head right now as I write this in bed are going to give me nightmares...ahh. I will never look at my cinnamon shaker the same. We semi-finished our dinner in peace, remembering the good ol' smeaster days and smeaster wonders. We could tell that Pants was going to linger over our leftovers because she had yet to cook herself her own meal even though she continuously said she was hungry that she was going to make dinner, but she just didn't feel like it. Knowing that tomorrow night and the next I wasn't going to be eating at the house, I offered her the left over cauliflower in the pot (the worst part of the meal). It was as if she hadn't eaten in days. Lick, slurp, burp, and work. She worked that bowl clean with chomps that from the kitchen sounded like stomps. I got so nauseous I decided that I would assign the Gorilla mate the "clear the table" job and I would do the dishes instead so that the sound of the water would drown out the chomps. We thought about going out tonight, but instead decided that going to bed was a much better option.

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And listened to the CHOMP HEARD ROUND THE WORLD."

postness from 15 of march.
its 2008

Funky Monday.

2008-03-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

The weather was funky today. A little rain and little sun. Back to school, back to school. Today started the second half of my semester. We received our midterm grades and some how I improved my grade in Art History by doing average on my midterm. We get report cards from our teachers and Dolby wrote " Keep doing studying (??)". I guess I will just keep doing it. I thought that something extremely dramatic happened to my Italian teacher today because when she came in for class, her eyes were swollen and she was wearing jeans and tennis shoes. More than the swollen eyes, the whole clothing thing gave me some kind of signal that something was up. We all went around the room sharing our most entertaining spring break stories and then finally at the end she revealed that her cat died. She directly say that her cat died, rather she said "We lost our cat last night" followed by a few head nods (thus emplying that the cat was gone forever) Not to be a cruel, evil person, and nobody should feel the need to send PITA after me, but I thought something serious had happened. My teacher lives on a farm and has over a dozen cats (YIKES and YUCK!) and that is the only thing I think that is bad about her. I learned in my art history class that cats are the devils animal, and sure enough I believe that. They just freak me out. Okay enough about the cats, I do feel sorry for my teacher but maybe she should wear a sign saying "My cat died" to let everyone know what was wrong. You know those times when you just don't want to talk about something, you should just post a sign on your back to give everyone the heads up. I started a project in painting. "Heightened Color Still Life". I am a little bored with this whole still life thing but at least I get to use not such depressing colors. After class, I decided to continute to take some action towards the new waves, curves and bumps that I have noticed on my body over the past two weeks and went for a suprisingly beautiful run. Not only was the scenery beatiful, but my body felt beautiful while running and after the run. I guess when you are running along the arno, there isn't very much you can complain about. I was in a kind funcky monkey monday mood and didn't feel like doing too much tonight. I made left-overs for dinner and by that I mean, I put everything that I had left over from dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday, into a big bowl and chopped and stirred away some lettuce, with some peas, some diced tomatoes, a few carrot slices here and there, and then topped it with tomato paste and parmesean cheese. Attempted to watch 27 Dresses in bed tonight, but was pretty much unsuccessful.

the postness of the mondayday of days in the month of months of march madness. The day of the 10th.

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing. + "I Didn't Feel Ill After Il Latini. Well Only A Little Bit."

2008-03-10T15:15:00.001-07:00

definitelyI tried really hard with all of my might to sleep in but for some reason I just couldn't make it past 9:30. It is just bizarre. All I know is that, I am definitely a morning person. I really felt like doing absotut-en-lutely NOTHING TODAY. Well actually that might be a little bit of a lie (for those of you who find yourself stuck on the chi-o couch all day doing nothing, or any couch in general, I did a little bit more than you did today but don't worry about it, it wasn't much.) I decided it was time I stand up against my fears, my doubts and my rolls of fat and make this whole running thing a new activity in my agenda. Emmmmiiilllyyy (thats how she sounds) decided to join me. It was actually nice to have her along, someone to talk to and listen to. We hit a wee bit of road block on a journey (but a fortunate road block indeed) and discovered that on the first or second Sunday of the month, there is a huge market along the river, the market went on forever. They had buttons, fabric, shoes, clothes, underwear, pig heads, pig legs, gummy stands, and even those special knifes advertised on TVtav. Eventually Emily and I escaped the market, so we could finish the rest of our run. I came home, decided that showering was overrated, and decided that sitting in my kitchen doing unimportant google searches, blog entries and picture editing was a good use of my time. The Gorilla left me in the kitchen while her and her Gorilla mate ventured outside into the streets of Florence, and 2 hours later, the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate returned and I had not moved an inch. Around 6:00, I decided that I should probably get my move-on and shower because tonight was another night of stuffed stomach fun. Tonight the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate, Erica, Justin-all-the-way-from-barca-barca, Sara, and D-Tislner and I headed to the infamous Il Latini for another shot at the worlds most delicious and filling Italian cuisine. Before we made our to our 7:30 reservation, we enjoyed some cheers followed by a gulp of champagne while looking at the duomo to welcome the visitors to the best city in the world. If you remember from last time, I came home from Il Latini thinking I was going to rocket power food my from belly button. This time however, I was slightly more prepared so I tried to minimize my food intake in order to save myself from any such actions as exploding my belly button. We all gathered around the table (a not so crowded one) and dined and wined, told stories of weekend adventures and caught up on life and its journeys. The menu was pretty much the same as last time and I was able to ooo and ahh over the "little blanket" pasta smothered in boar sauce. However, I must say, that the dessert and the waiter were much better the first time around. Surprisingly, I was able to get up from the table and actually walk all the way back home without feeling like I was going to vomit (high five) D-Tils decided that it would be a good idea to be a Luke Sky walker Litesaber from the illegal immigrant selling light up sunglasses, flowers and swords. Rather than asking the price, D-Tils reached in his pocket, pulled out all of the change he had (nothing more than a euro and something) and plopped in the guys hand and took the sword. Highly entertaining! Pretty much in food coma, I came home and went right to bed. Last night of Spring Break. Sad indeed.

postness from the dayness of marchness 9thnic.

You Know You Are Out To Late When Your Morning Alarm Goes Off While You Are Out At The Bar.

2008-03-10T15:14:00.001-07:00

I got back from Seville at 10:30 pm, packed my bags, took a bath and then went straight to bed. I set my alarm for 3:45 am and called down to the front desk and requested a cab for 4:30 am. I did not sleep so well or so long and kept waking up every hour thinking I had missed my alarm. My travels back to my motherland revovled around timing and I think I looked at the clock at 12, 1, and 2, and then again at 3:30 (the worst of all because I was actually conscious enough to know that my alarm would be going off in 15 minutes and the feeling of death swarms over you and all you want to do is cry because you just want to sleep more) Luckily the front desk was a 24 hour service and the cab was waiting for me outside. I think that the strange pick up hours led to strange information because the cab driver thought he was taking me to the airport but I needed to go the bus station. 10 minutes into our little drive, I wanted to make sure he knew where the bus station was and he freaked out and said "bus station?..we go to Malaga airport...you go to airport" and naturally I freaked out and said "NO! I go to Marbella bus station" and then he goes "Come on, airport only 100 euros" Excuse me, ONLY a 100 euros. Do you know what I could do with 100 euros, do you know how many juice boxes I could get at the euro store with a 100 euro's...100. Do you now how many apertivos I could go to with a 100 euro's..10. Do you know that I could fly from Florence to Barcelona for 100 euros and I could even take a tour, eat lunch and buy 5 scraves in Morocco for 100's. I immeditaly said no and insisted on him taking me to the Marbella bus station, where I would then catch the bus to the airport and it would only cost me 4 euros (even that is too much). For some reason, he didn't immediatly get off the highway but decided to drive for another 10 minutes while I questioned him which exit he should get off at. Luckily I ordered the cab extra early just to guarentee that I would be able to get on the 5:30 bus to the Malaga airport. At one point I thought I was going to die (I guess a normal human being would probably not think this but for some reason, just like Dave Eggers, I always think someone is out to get me) because we drove around a sketchy area. Finally, I made it to the bus station (in one piece). The stupid cab driver tried to charge me 75 euro but when I explained to him that I wasn't stupid and that my friend had done the exact same drive the day before, and he replied 50. Not until I threatened to call the Marriott (because this time, it was not my fault) did he actually pull out his price book and said that it was "apparently" 34 euro. He still tricked me a little bit because the Gorilla only paid 24 the day before but at the time, that being 4:53 in the morning, it seemed like my best option. The bus was only five minutes delayed which is good for Europeans because they are on their own schedules. I half napped, half read. 45 minutes later I arrived at the airport, checked my bag, and then waited for the flight to take off. Whoever said one needs to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight is a big fat lier. An hour will do. You would be fine with 45 but I guess I can't make this assumtion because this time around in Spain, we actuallly booked a flight on a legit airline. I finally arrived in Bologna, Italy and then took a bus to the train station and then a train back to Flo-to-the-orence. I was so nice to be back in my homeland, however the weather was not so nice. For some reason, I felt the undying desire to go running, so I took a nice little stroll through the park that runs along the Arno. Tonight we headed over to the Cavour apartment of wonder, for winey wino and clear drinks that don't taste too good. Justin, the J-nuss of nusses was visiting from Barcelpski, so we all celebrated his arrival with a night out to Space. Despite what many say and what many people might think, I just love Space and always have such a wonderful time. Sara and I did what we do best and took over the dance floor with our crazy dance moves. All of the sudden at 3:45 my phone started ringing mid shoulder leaning and I reached into my purse only to find out that the ringing was actually my alarm that I had set the night before to make my flight. That was the sign it was time for me to go home and go to bed. Alarms are not supposed to go off when you are out the next night, thats when you know its time to go. It is great to be back. I had a wonderful time in Spain. Life is good, life is great, I am good and I am great.

postness from the sat-her-day the 8thness of march.

Seville.

2008-03-10T15:13:00.001-07:00

PICTURES

ARE ALL

YOU NEED

TO SEE.

they just happen

to be on a plane

back to KC

[coming soon]

We Just Can't Get Enough.

2008-03-10T15:11:00.002-07:00

How To Work Your Poody Pouch.

2008-03-10T15:11:00.001-07:00

I made a video out of this but for some reason it won't let me show it to the general public, if you want to see it on the big screen, it will be shown the red carpet in the Isenberg theatre upon my return.

postness from march 6th 2 thousand and aight.

A Fashion of Shows.

2008-03-10T15:10:00.001-07:00

When You Go To Africa.

2008-03-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Originally we had planned to take on Africa on our own (the Gorilla is part African, however many people do not know that) but some how we resorted (no pun intended) in signing up for the tour to Tangier through the Marriott. Based on the look of the people waiting in the lobby with us at 7:05 am (yes, we were judging), we expected the group to be a much more lively and on the younger end of the spectrum. Our not so friends, Peter, Pink Shirt Boy and Earing Man joined us in the lobby at 7:05. We were apparently supposed to be leaving the hotel at 7:05, thus the Gorilla and I woke up at 6:00 to shower and drink coffee. Did I mention how we were supposed to leave a 7:05...However around 7:35, the bus finally rolled its wheels through the gates and we hopped aboard. 54 out of the 61 of the people on the bus were anywhere from 20 to 30 years older than the Gorilla and I. It was the worlds most touristy bunch. We got the visors, the fanny packs, the neck packs, the water bottle packs, the high socks, the big sun glasses (not the ones in style now), and the loud voices galore. The minute we stepped on the bus the Gorilla and I looked at each other and then wanted to run but then we remembered we were going to Africa and we couldn't really care that much. We took a 45 minute bus ride to the port. Luckily it was another fabulous day and from the port we could see Africa, Gibraltor and all of Spain. We climbed aboard the ferry, and rocked our way to Africa. Tangier is definitely a touristy port, and houses a cluster of different religions and nationalities, however it has a very strong Muslim community. Our tour comprised of a bus ride up the coast of Tangier where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, and then a quick stop off the side of a mountain for a camel ride and by ride I mean a sit on a camel, while the old men hecklers made lots of money from the old touristy men on our bus (they all got back on the bus shocked that they had spent so much money, they just couldn't believe it, but I was able to believe it because I saw it all go down. Men would approach and ask for ridiculous amounts of money for their copper and gold dipped metal bracelets and rather than bargaining, the old Amurican men replied with a simple yes and in return received a handful of "worse than costume jewelry" jewelry. Camel riding (or I would say camel sitting) and bracelet buying led to a walk through the streets and a stop at a snake charmer, which (slowly but surely) led to a traditional Morroccan feast with mint green tea and belly dancers (the Gorilla thought one of them looked like the real freaky-retainer-talking-roommate...katiemb) We then headed to Africa's version of a car show but instead of cars, they were selling rugs. A little man dressed in traditional apparel with little pointy yellow shoes, auctioned off different rugs. Deep down inside, I hated these men because you could tell they were slimmy-money-suckers and everything in their store was very toursity and extremely marked up. At this point, the Gorilla and I just wanted to run. There were streets and streets of open air markets and all we wanted to do was explore. We played the game of "who can take the best pictures with out looking through the lens" game, but a winner was never determined. After the carpet showdown we were given time to explore a few of the streets. The Gorilla and I scattered from the group when scattering was allowed. We bought scarves and checked out the different hole in the wall stores. 15 minutes was not that much scatter time but it was enough for us. The good thing about this whole touristy tour was that it gave us a small taste (the size of a salt crystal) of Morocco and let us know that we are going to return. Around 5 we headed back on the ferry with our new best friends. We met a Dilf and his two sons on their spring break and we chatted up a storm with them. Through out this whole vacation, I keep saying "I feel like my parents should be here with me" and thus we adopted a few new families along the way. We headed to the grocery to get supplies for dinner. Two boxes of cereal and a jug of milk (I would tell you the size but I can't read the labels here so a jug is a jug) It was all we needed to make the worlds greatest concoction. The Gorilla and I had a fashion show and watched more tele...we are really trying to soak up everything here including the sun, the television, the washer, the dryer, the coffee maker...just to name a few. Today was just incredible and I still can't believe that I am writing this blog about going to Africa. I have been to Africa.

When You Go To Africa.

2008-03-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

p.s. THIS IS THE JUMPING MAN...watch him jump

2008-03-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

"Palm Tree Maintenance Team" -mbp

2008-03-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Who Knew Owning A Marriott Timeshare Could Be So Depressing?

2008-03-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

With all of our guests gone, the Gorilla and I decided to transform back into our 20 year old bodies but switching over to our 80 year old mindsets. I woke up rather early because the silly alarm clock next to my bed was set for an hour later so when I thought it was acceptable to wake up at 9:40, I really woke up at 8:40 (which is not acceptable) Rather than jumping out on to the beach like we did yesterday, I decided that a nice bubble bath would be a good idea, so I hopped in the tub and read my book. I met the Gorilla down stairs at the gym around 9:45 (the real 9:45) and worked out for the first time in a very long time. After being in a bathing suit so much, I realized that I have grown in places that I didn't even know exisited before. A nice little run wouldn't hurt. At 11:30 we met down at the resturant for a "Paella and Sangria Demo". Gathered in a half moon shape around the grill, three older woman and one man sat ready with paper at hand to learn how to make these Spanish cuisines. I have been feeling a little funky the past two days, and my stomach has been uber reactive to the food here, so I didn't feel so good today. Before the cooking class started one of the women was talking about something and all of the sudden my ears zoomed in and I heard in a surprisingly cheerful tone with a harsh southern American accent "well since my husband is dead and I have no children, I thought I might get a timeshare" and then the lady sitting next to her was like "Yeah, my husband is dead too, and I don't have any children either" The Gorilla turned to me and in a very quite voice and mimicked their accents "Well, because I don't have a husband and never want children, I have a Marriott timehshare" It was funny and depressing at the same time to hear these ladies talk. They should definitely not be on the Marriott's board for advertising because you can only imagine a bill board reading "With my husband dead and no children, the Marriott was the perfect place to invest my money". Pointed-sideburns-sweatsuit man taught us how to make Sangria and Paella. Even though my stomach wanted to kill Paella, it was much easier to eat knowing that a. it was free and b. how it was made. Sometimes I wonder when I am eating it, what is what? The Gorilla and I headed down to the beach for the day. Read, Slept, Read Slept. I am living the life. We rented Insomnia from the gift shop and ate Smacks and popcorn for dinner.

Peggy.

2008-03-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

I woke up feeling rather sick, my stomach felt like it was slowly caving in on me and I am not too surprised if it actually did because I have been using and abusing it lately and I think it is finally fighting back. It was a little colder today than it was yesterday but it started to really warm up around 3. We literally sat on the beach all day. Moni and I played a few games of ping pong and a couple rounds of paddle board on the beach. Unfortunately Monica had to head home today so around 5:15. We headed down stairs for "Complementary-Welcome-To-The-Marriott" drinks and appetizers. Obviously Peggy was in charge of the event. She greeted us at the doors. We wandered around for little bit trying to find a nice couple to sit down and chat with, but rather than greeting us with open arms, we felt as though everyone was staring at us. Peggy eagerly wanted to introduce us to a few of her guests, as she called them. She told us that she introduces all of her guests to other guests so they can form long lasting friendships. She escorted us outside and sitting on the couches were a group of 5 younger boys from Georgetown University (I only say "younger' because they were younger than 50). We had noticed them on the beach today but decided that they were probably not the kind of people we would want to talk to when we realized that they were already sunbathing at 9:30 in the morning with tanning oil. I felt like we are a Penny Vrooman event, and Peggy was Penny and she was introducing us to our future husbands. The Gorilla, Pony and I awkwardly mingled with Peggy's guests. Peter, Pink shirt boy, earring boy, Oliver, the new Barcelpski (whom we later found out, is actually from Jordan but his family lives on a camp in Saudi Arabia but goes to Georgetown) are sophomores on their Spring Break. We exchanged questions like where were from, what friends we knew, where we were studying abroad and by favorite from "special" Peter, what type of SPF we used. Luckily, the Pony had to catch a flight which meant we ALL had to escort her up stairs. We were able to escape the awkward turtles. It was like when our moms used to be waiting outside Leawood Country club in their mini van's and the minute we shut the door, the awkward tension from fox trotting with Mr. Mc-sweaty-palms would finally be over. The Gorilla and I headed to dinner at this cute little restaurant on the beach next to the hotel for seafood salads. The view was incredible, it was like we were floating on the water, while sipping Coke Cola Lights. Yum Yum. We shnuggled up in the pull out couch to watch the Born Identity (love the Born movies) and then went to bed.

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing, Especially When You Are On A Beach In Gorgeous Weather.

2008-03-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Karp and Joj shnuggled in one bed, the Gorilla and the Pony in a barn together and Me, Monica, and Lime spooned in the king sized bed. We all woke up at different times but Momma Monica cooked everyone a scrumpt-didly-umptious breakfast. French toast with jam and peanut butter. We all gathered outside on our balcony (oh I forgot to mention, we have a balcony) for a nice family breakfast and then we gathered our belongings and headed down to the beach. Unfortunately Joj, Karp and Lime had to head back to their motherland today, so they packed up their bags and went on their way. We soaked up the sun all day. Monica and I ventured out to the game room and played a couple rounds of ping pong for our afternoon entertainment. We stupidly ordered in paella and salad from a Spanish restaurant for dinner. I don't say stupidly because it was a stupid idea to order Paella, we just paid a stupid amount of money for it. And after we ate it, all I could think was, man we paid a lot of money for that stuff. We are really trying to mesh in the our environment, thus activities like ordering in food and watching movies, rather than going out, were key. We all shnuggled up and watched Rataoullie on the TV (we have a TV with a DVD player...did I mention that) Typical, I feel asleep for a majority of the movie. We decided to form a cult and dress up/ wrap ourselves in the itchy extra blankets from the fold out couch and go star gazing. I was on the only one who saw a shooting star. I started to feel a little sick. The Paella didn't settle so well in the my stomach. Early bed time (at least for out standards)

You Know You Are the Worlds Luckiest Person, When You Get To Live Next To This. (See Below)

2008-03-09T01:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the pretty-pony should not be released out into the wild (public) to make her own decisions, especially when the decision of going to the bathroom results in having to wait for two hours to get the next bus. We woke up this morning, after another good nights sleep and decided that going to the grocery to get breakfast was a much better idea than eating the "included" wrapper packed deal. With a large box of Smacks and a plate of apples in hand we headed down to the beach to get some coffee. Ordering coffee lead to ordering croissants, which lead to eating Smacks at the table while eating croissants and drinking coffee. The Pretty Pony finally arrived and we all hoped in a cab to Estepona. I wasn't really sure what to expect of Estepona because three days ago I thought we were staying in Malaga only to find out that we were staying in Marbella and then Estepona. Now I am not saying that the hostels that I have been staying at our gross or disgusting or unliveable (they have all been quite nice, even the trailer park) but when you are used to arriving at hostel up some alley way where the gift shop is a vending machine and your bathroom is open to the public, and you arrive at a Marriot with a security guard and gate with fountains and palm trees your world turns upside down and you butterflies in your stomach and ants in your pants and you think to yourself what a wonderful world. It was really like we had all been cut off from civilization for months and we had just stepped off the boat and elevators, a front lobby with sofa's and shiny marble, and free orange juice with ice where gold. We hit jackpot for sure. With Oo's and Ahh's flying out of our mouths we headed to our apartment. When we thought the front lobby was spectacular, we had no clue how good it could get. And it got good. You forget how much you appreciate the little things when they aren't around. A dishwasher (say goodbye to Gorilla hands and sponges) a microwave (say hello to popcorn) a coffee maker (say goodbye to espresso) a tea pot that plugs into the wall that heats up water, not just one but three TVs, a feather bed, two bath tubs, a double headed shower and best of all a WASHER AND A DRYER! See above. We received a welcome packet and a free bottle of nice wine. We were known to the hotel as the Johnson Family. Momma Isenberg was worried that because I am under the age of the 2 and the 1, that they wouldn't let me check in. It was a smart idea but putting the Gorilla in charge is not always so smart. After taking a tour of apartment, Peggy, the head of Marriot timeshare department, then called down and invited us, the Johnson Family, for a meet and greet. When I answered the phone she told me that I could bring my spouse down with me but I had to inform Peggy that it was me and three of my friends. Right after Peggy called, I received another call from the front desk informing me that I had a visitors wanting to talk to me. Visitors so soon! Sure enough, Lime, Joj, and Karp were able to make their way down and they were waiting in the lobby. The Gorilla and Pretty Pony headed to the grocery store to grab some grub for lunch and the rest of us wandered down to the beach to bathe in the rays. It was surprisingly much warmer than I expected and sun screen was imperative. Unfortunately, the only sun screen we could find was a 25 euro bottle in the gift shop, but we reasoned that 25 euros now is much better than skin cancer later. (such smart girls are we) We toasted and roasted in the sun all day. They had three out door pools but they were all freezing (aka not heated) but who needs a pool when you have the ocean. However, I think I lost the tip of my foot when it touched the water. It didn't take us long to figure out that most of the people staying the hotel were any where from 20 to 40 years older than us. Thats why I am the worlds luckiest person and I secretly love old people, just not topless ones. Yes there was a separate part for topless only. Around 5, it started to get a little cold (this is a typical feeling when the sun goes down), so we all headed up, showered up, cleaned up and got ready for dinner-up. We made our way into the port for dinner, 5 minute cab up the coast. It would probably seem like a bad idea to most people to head to an Italian restaurant in Spain when one is studying Italy and one eats Italian food everyday, however Peggy gave us a recommendation of a place to eat and we couldn't resist a recommendation from Peggy. I know that by the end of this trip Peggy and I are going to be best friends. I mean come on her name is Peggy. We went a restaurant called Picasso (Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain) What seemed like a bad idea (that being going to the Italian restaurant) was actually the best idea ever. We ordered greek salad, bbq pizza (like the kind at CPK), a cheese and veggie. Our original plan was to all get dinner together and then all go out together but every party has a pooper and thats why we invited the Pony, the Gorilla and Karp (party poopers!) Monica, Lime and I were brave souls and decided to check out the nightlife in Estepona, Spain. It took us just about the same amount of time to observe the age range at the hotel as it did for us to realize that we were also dealing with a different generation of clubers, dancers, and bar-ers. We asked our waiters were to go out, and they recommended this strip of bars just behind the restaurant. Ironically we ran into our waiters later in the evening and they kept buying us drinks. We were quite the bar hoppers, if we didn't like a song in one place, we would walk next door and check it out. My favorite bar was this little Irish pub filled with an older generation of people dancing to the classics (some like to call them the oldies). We did some finger snappin, some twisting and shouting and we even belted a little brown-eyed girl. I felt like we were at Bar-Mitzvah in an Irish pub. Monica obviously got into the dancing. She is just so good and I look like a fool next her. Well actually, at point in the evening my dancing was actually better than hers. All of the sudden (in the Irish pub) this older man, 50 years of age if I had to guess, started to dance with all of us, but then out of no where he must of thought the song got really exciting because he just started jumping and flopping his arms in the air. He was a machine! So naturally, Monica decided that in order to dance with him she needed to do the same thing. Lime and I backed off at this point. It looked like they were doing an ancient rain dance. Arms were flying, legs were jumping. It was quite the sight to see. I still can't figure out how the man didn't pass out because Monica was about to break a sweat, and he continued to dance like this even after Monica stopped. I forgot to mention the best part of the story, the man was wearing really dark designer sunglasses, so you couldn't see his eyes. It was all fun and games until a table or a chest (we couldn't figure it out) fell from the second floor onto a table of glasses. Luckily no one was hurt but thats when decided it was probably a good idea to leave. Around 2, we made our way back home exhausted from a superb day.

100 Posts from the Poster.

2008-03-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

THIS IS MY 100th POST!
We woke up from a good nights slumber only find out that the "included" breakfast that was mentioned on their website, was actually not included unless you paid an extra 2.50. I am not sure about you but having to pay any extra is not something I would call included. Obviously we got it but after eating it I regretted every second of it. It was euro store croissants (and trust me I know everything that comes out of that euro store, you can't fool me), watered down O to the J and what I thought was going to be a big cup of coffee American style, ended up being a big cup of luke warm milk with a few droplets of coffee. Just slightly disappointed about this whole breakfast thing, the Gorilla and I decided to head to the water, to grab a cup of coffee on the beach. When all is said and done, you can't be disappointed when you just paid 2.50 for a terrible breakfast, when you can leave and say "hey lets go the beach". We had a few hours to kill before the besty of the bestest, Miss Monica Beth (she hates when people know her middle name...but spread the world it is BETH) was to meet us at the hostel. We finally purchased some new 2 in 1 shampoo conditioner combo after a month of thinking that we were both being sneaking about stealing our roommates hair products. I also bought a HUGE bottle of Johnson and Johnson's Baby Body Lotion, the kind that makes little kids butts smooth. Our apartment is really dry and my skin looks similar to an alligator with spots. Remind me if I ever start freaking out because I can't understand how and when and where I spent all of my money, calm me down and mention "lotion". The lotion that I bought was 5 euros (that is 10 American dollars for Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion!) But hey it was the cheapest one, and now I am going to be soft like a babies butt. Okay where was I. Monica finally called us and we rushed her into the hostel, so she could change into her bathing suit. We all felt a little disgusted looking at our pale, (mine rather giggly) bodies in the mirror but you only live once. Naturally after talking about how ugly we looked, we decided we should eat. Even when your feeling down, eating always makes you feel better. We headed down to the beach and attempted to lay out on a random hotel's beach chairs but that didn't last too long. 5 euros each when we could just lay out on our stolen towels, not worth it. We ordered chicken salads, "chips" (as Monica now calls them...but the rest of us who are not a proper, we can then french fries) and a huge pitcher of Sangria. The salads were delicious and come to think of it, it is the first "real" large salad that I have had since I have been here. AND THEY HAD KETCHUP. Oh how I miss ketchup. I think you can buy it here for you know 12 euro. I don't love it that much. It was not boob-sweat-hot-dying-to-jump-in-the-ocean-hot but it was potential sun tan weather, and it was warm enough for me. We all crashed on the salt and pepper beach until around 4:30, when decided that we should probably go back, take showers, and EAT AGAIN. I feel like 90 percent of my blogs are describing the food that I eat, but I am really good at it, so I feel I must tell you all. Monica actually got burnt but only half of her body. She was the only one remotely sitting in the sun during lunch but you can't escape the sun. We all got dressed and headed down stairs to get a recommendation for dinner. Not to complain because I feel like this entire post is me just complaining but we did indeed walk around the whole city in search of the restaurant that the little Argentinean woman swore to us that every local would know and that we had to go to get real Spanish food. We kept asking everyone where it was because we were lost and my little amount of spanish did not help. In circles and in circles we did go until I stopped a woman whom I thought might actually know English but like the old saying goes you can't judge a book by its cover. She knew less english than anyone we had already asked but she understood us enough and rather than trying to explain where to go she just made us follow her. There was no escaping her, she was on a mission. Around a few corners and down a few blocks we finally got to the "El Gallo" restaurant only to find out that it was closed. We would of never found it on our own probably because there was NO sign for the street that it was located on nor a sign with the restaurants name on it. So instead of being adventurous, we decided that the 5 euro greasy chinese buffet was a much better idea. and sure enough, it was. Stuffed, bloated, fat-pig are words to describe my feelings after dinner. We were going to go out but after our little dinner adventure we decided that eating lemon-ice in bed while watching a movie was a much better idea. I never hate a night in in my pj's eating food, watching a movie, with my two lovers. "Snatch" was the bed time story of choice. It didn't take me more than 15 minutes to fall asleep, so don't even worry. Tomorrow off to Estepona. Not sure if Lime, Joj and Karp are coming anymore. I got an anonymous call earlier today. It ended up being Lime and in 15 seconds she explained that she didn't know if they were going to be able to make it down anymore. Without little explanation, she was gone. We shall see.

Just Call Me An Elephant.

2008-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

The Gorilla and I have truly gotten better at this whole traveling thing and every time we fly it just seems to get easier and easier. I guess it helps when the airport is actually located in the city that it says it is. I guess it also helps when the airline is a legit airline, where you don't have to pay to get your boarding pass and I guess it helps when you actually sorta kinda know what you are doing. So here is the skinny (on the not so skinny) Spring Break. The Gorilla and I are heading to Malaga, Spain. For two nights we are staying in Marbella (just 45 minutes south of Malaga) because our hotel deal is a Saturday to Saturday kinda thang. Monica, the bestest of the besties, is coming down all the way from London on Friday night, then on Saturday morning, if all goes to plan, Amy-the-pretty-pony, is going to come down from Barcelpski and meet us in Marbella, then we are all going to take a cab from Marbella to Estepona. And thats not all. Then Lime, Karp, and Joj are going to take the train down Saturday morning and meet us at the hotel for a night of fun. Monica, the bestest of the besties and Amy-the-pretty-pony are going to stay until Monday. We kinda have this whole plan down to a T, we will just have to cross our t's and hope to die and stick a needle in our, that it all works out. The Gorilla and I hoped aboard the 8:15 train to Bologna, and then took the bus to the airport. We had a lay over in Madrid, and we were so hungry, hungry enough to eat a sandwich comprised of bread, potatoes and eggs. Normally I wouldn't dare touch a thing like that but our other options were McFlurries, or 1 euro sandwiches that looked like they had come from a space ship, and or from the same place twinkies and zebra cakes are made and we didn't want to die. We finally got into Malaga but then had to wait two hours for the bus because we were told that the buses were off schedule because it was a holiday, "Holiday Andalucia" to be exact. But we secretly knew this was going to happen to us because we checked the bus schedule before we left and because our visit is considered "off season" and or the "winter months" the buses do not run at their regular times. Infatuated with the people at the airport the Gorilla and I sucked on M and M's, Maltese's and Starbursts ( I hate to admit...I am just a fat kid in a little suit these days) and we watched the world go round and round. We secretly wanted to buy trashy magazines from the newspaper stand but it cost three euros so instead we ate candy. Duh naturally. We finally got on the bus and finally got Marbella and then finally took a cab from Marbella to our hostel. We finally arrived at Hostal Berlin around 8:00. Confusing, I know, that a hostal in Spain would be called Berlin, but indeed that was the name (hostel spelled with an A..not a spelling mistake, only the truth). Interestingly enough, the hostel is owned by an Argentinean family. The cute little lady behind the counter (her name I can't remember possibly because she never gave it me) was just adorable. She showed us to our room and then gave us suggestions for dinner. We pretended to listen to her, because on the way to the hostel, we saw a chinese buffet for only 5 euro that was actually just down the street. Good Chinese food, come to think of it any Chinese food is difficult to find in Florence and were craving anything.
Again with this whole buffet thing, I should just start making a general rule for myself..NO BUFFETS, they always result in over indulgence. This place reminded me a bit like the buffet from Vegas Vacation, however the food was actually appetizing. They had these peanuts under a heat lamp, salted and crispy and de-licous. Dad you would of loved them. I ate so many, I actually turned into an elephant. Stuffed from eating the words most unhealthy food, the Gorilla and I, headed straight up stairs and went right to bed. Long day. Another attempt at Spain, here I come.

FEB 28th in the year of the thousands of two-ness and then add an eight to the end.

Ain't No Thang.

2008-03-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would study the night before for 2 midterms and on top of that do eight study paintings in a hour and half. But miraculously I was able to get it done. If I had been at Michigan, I would have been preparing for my exams and projects two weeks in advance and probably would have had two panic attacks and two all nighters. In Italy, things like that are not acceptable and I am here for a cultural immersion, thus my actions here are acceptable because it is part of the culture (thats what I keep telling myself...Don't worry Linda J and My Dear Oma, both the Gorilla and I keeping up our studies!). But it wasn't just me who was laxed about them, you could tell all of my professors didn't really seem to care that that much either. I arrived promptly for my Art History exam at 9:30 am and my HP Dolby looking teacher couldn't find the midterm on her computer and she searched for 20 minutes to find the exam. I told her we could wait until we came back from break, but just as I said that she some how found it. She was about to start sweating her blue eye shadow off, because we were already 20 minutes into the class. I did a little over average job, possibly B work on it. Not too shabby. I found out that my "midterm" that I took in Italian class on Monday was actually the real midterm, however Lorenzo was not supposed to give it to us, and right before the exam, I discovered that I would be taking another exam. The real midterm this time. It was basically the exact same "midterm" that I took on Monday but the words were different and the order was mixed up. No biggie. Ain't No Thang. And some how, how? I am not so sure, but some how my painting teacher loved my paintings and I think my crit went really shwell. Shasty pants (now everyone in the house just calls her pants, even herself), the Gorilla and I headed down the street for an all you can eat buffet at El Parata for only 6 euro. I know I shouldn't be going to an all you can eat buffet before heading to Malaga Spain TOMORROW where I will be wearing a bathing suit on the beach (whether the weather permits me or not) but I was so hungry and I walk past this poor little restaurant every single day, I felt that it was my duty to stop in and try their delicious looking food. And indeed it was. My internet has not been working properly, thus this post will probably go up sometime next week when I am in Malaga because the computers at the art school are OH SO poopy. I figured out today that Malaga indeed is where we are flying into but the hostel that we are staying in Thursday and Friday night are in Marbella which is 45 minutes from the Malaga airport in which we are flying into and the hotel that we are staying in Saturday to Saturday is actually in Estepona which is 15 minutes from Marbella which makes it an hour and five minutes from Malaga. While I must admit that I haven't not done much planning for my spring break because a. I booked it before coming abroad (basically Ji and Ji are the worlds most generous people and instead of allowing themselves to take a vacation for a week, they have, why? I am not so sure, but some how have decided that instead of using their Disney Vacation Club points all for themselves, they are letting me use them) b. I booked my flight the second week I got here, and assumed that when I read on the hotels website that I should fly into Malaga, I just assumed that it was in Malaga. I have learned that making assumptions is not always good, actually it is really bad, so today, the day before leaving for my week long spring break, I thought it might be a good idea to not make those assumptions and do a little research as to how I was going to get to the hostel in Marbella and then get to the Hotel in Estepona. I did all of my research, printed out my flight itinerary, jotted down a few phone numbers just to be safe, and then headed over to Erica's and Sara's to say hello to D-Len. Unfortunately, he had more important things to do like go out, so we were only able to chit chat for negative five seconds. Sara decided it would be cool to dance like a freak, Sara my love, sometimes it is cool to dance like a freak but most of the time it just isn't. Love you anyway! Came home from the Cavour kids apartment and packed up for my big spring break. The Gorilla and I were going to share a bag but by the time I came home the Gorilla had already pack her Gorilla bag and because she is a Gorilla, her clothes are rather Gorilla-ish and her bag was filled to the top. I didn't bring a small carry-on-roller-bag, and thought because I am going away for the week and because I am actually taking a legit airline this time, I might as well fill-er-up and I decided to pack the big relish hot dog duffel bag on wheels (its like an Oscar Meyer Weiner truck, just green). Pants (that being Shastypants) gave me my nightly entertainment, told stories, and asked for some butt stories from A and E. Big day tomorrow. Train to Bologna, Bus to Airport, Flight to Madrid, flight from Madrid to Malaga, Malaga Airport to the Marbella bus station, Marbella bus station to cab, cab to hostel. All of my bags are packed and I am ready to go. "I am standing here out side your door I HATE TO WAKE YOU UP TO SAY GOODBYE BECAUSE I AM LEAVING ON A JET PLANE, DON"T KNOW WHEN I WILL BE BACK AGAIN"...err sorry for the sudden burst to sing and then type while I am singing...it won't happen again!

FEB. 27 2008-the post came from that date.

I Dropped His Heart In The Middle Of The Street.

2008-03-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

My pangram post card project was due today in book arts. Every one in my class had to make twelve of the same post cards using imagery and the letter press. For those of you unaware of what a pangram is, it is basically a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet. I technically cheated and used two sentences but mine read "three zealous quaker men in tall socks with four puffing pipes stand behind these doors just waiting. You may choose doors 1 2 or 3 to find out whom your one true husband might be". In the postcard I cut three little doors and standing behind each door is a different zealous quaker man with four puffing pipes in tall socks. We all exchanged post cards and most them were crappy but we learned how to make boxes for them and they are pretty awesome. Carli came up to visit the Gorilla and I today. We couldn't let her come to Florence without taking her to Anna's so we obviously brought her there for lunch and then we were in the mood for some dried fruit so we took her to the market. Photog crit today, went splendid. I honestly learn something insane about my photog teacher each class and today she told us about an outer body experience she had at a cemetery. She said when she came back from the cemetery she realized that she had left part of herself there. I am not sure what to think of this hairy-mole-hippie-commune living-communist. Apertivo at Noir for Caz's last night. On our way there a man stopped me in the streets and said "excuse me ma'am you dropped something. I being the worlds most dropping person, actually thought I dropped something as he pointed to the ground, I replied with a "what", and he looks me in the eye and says "Oh it was my heart". Still confused as if I really dropped something, I finally realized what he said but then was weirded out when I saw him continue down the street with a girl. The Gorilla suggested it was probably his sister. Unfortunately he was not too attractive. I left dinner feeling rather nauseous but decided that a diet coke would settle my stomach but then I felt like I was an 80 year old man with heart burn. Had a slight bit of a freak out because I realized at 10 p.m. that I still had 8 paintings to do and still had to finish studying for Art History. First signs of the old freak out Allison started coming back. I was able to get it done but I watched myself head down that path and it was bad. Bad allison. 3 am bed time.

Oh Monday Monday.

2008-03-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

This week starts the infamous mid term exams, and by that I mean the "do it the night before" midterm exams. The stress free life is REALLY FREEING. The most bizarre thing happened in Italian class today. My teacher was absent last Monday from class because she has been tutoring the French Ambassador's son or something like that. We have had another teacher named Lorenzo, who I secretly have a crush on ( I guess it is not so much a secret any more) Last class she told us that Lorenzo would come to class on Monday and review for the midterm with us. When we arrived at class today, Lorenzo was indeed there, but the whole review part was not. Rather than reviewing for the midterm, Lorenzo actually gave us the midterm. He said something Italian and we all responded with a confirming Si and then he told us we couldn't talk. You should of seen the look on the faces of my class mates. We all just looked at each other and then looked at him with titled heads very confused. A girl in my class asked if it was the real Midterm and he said yes and then right after a girl my class asked if this was the practice midterm and he said yes. So for an hour, we took the surprise midterm. I left the class not knowing if I had just turned in my midterm or if I had just turned in a practice midterm, either way I think I did just fine. It was just a little unexpected. We took Caz and the boys to my favorite place in the world for lunch, duh Anna's. Obviously the boys liked it but they would eat dirt and like it but by the look on Caz's face, I think she thoroughly enjoyed it. The boys said their goodbyes and headed to Rome for a couple of days. I had a painting pop quiz and by that I mean I had a painting mid term where we had to finish a still life in class. Not too shabby. For dinner Caz and I met up with Sam to the shhhhit Hunter visiting from AA, and Effie, Dara, Mir, and Jen. The bread was to die for but I took it easy on the eating tonight after my million nights of gluttony. I came home and did a little work. Early bed time tonight, exhausted

pst frm fbrry twnty ffth tw thsnd ght.

(february 25, 2008) ...a monday

Sunday Is A Good Day To Do Nothing.

2008-03-05T11:28:00.002-08:00

Worked very hard today to finish all of my work but even though I worked really hard, I didn't get all too much completed. This weekend I was a tourist in my own city and I found myself saying "this is my first time" to a lot of things, and I am so glad that my visitors came. Caz I know you are going to read this blog and I am sorry I didn't get you your journal before you left but expect the best one upon arrival at the 1210 Cambridge Court. Dinner at Erica and Sara's awarded itself to another night of feeling like my belly button was going to become a geyser like the one at Yellowstone, and that food was going to start oozying out of my ears. After eating scrumptious meatballs, pesto pasta, angel haired pasta, green beans, salad and bruschetta followed by nutella with bananas and biscotti's I fell into a food como and by that I mean we were all spooning on the couch and I zoinked out and woke up only to find that everyone else had already gotten up from the couch and I hadn't even noticed. My stomach seriously has grow out to different proportions that I didn't even know was possible. This really isn't good when I am expecting to be sleeping on the beach in just a couple of days in a two piece. I came home and went straight to bed. After too many nights and by too many I really two many nights of 4:00 am returns followed by 9:30 wake up calls, my body was pretty much shot. The Gorilla returned dumbfounded from Rome, and she fell right asleep, I came home, decided it was only appropriate to draw pictures of myself rolling around inside myself because I literally ate the world this weekend (gross) but in all seriousness, I think I am pregnant, Ji and Ji, you are now grandparent to a food baby.

Postness from Sunday February TWENTY fooorth twoo thoousand and aight.

poop goes the pigeon.

2008-03-05T11:28:00.001-08:00

when michigan meets michigan in florence great things happen.

2008-03-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

His Butt Looks Like That.

2008-03-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

For some bizarre, unexplainable reason, I was not able to sleep in this morning. I think it was because I knew that I needed to get work done today in order to have another wonderful time with my friends. While I might be "care free" Allison, I can't help my anxiety dreams, they just happen. I worked on my painting mid-term and then met up with the crew for brunch (it was actually lunch, but I didn't eat breakfast yet today so it counted as both) before our educational and cultural afternoon. After lunch we headed to the Academia to the see the worlds most well known statue, the real deal, big man on campus, marble tukas, David. Caz and I decided that we didn't need some butchered english accent telling us about a painting or a sculpture and we decided to just use our eyes. They seemed to work a lot better. We romantically walked around the Academia together, telling each other different things that interested us. There are no words other than "Holy Shit" to explain Michaelangelo's fine creation. While the fake David stands in the Piazza de Signoria, and I have seen a dozen times, something about being in an inclosed room with nothing else around, made this marble spectacle truly incredible. Not sure if the David's millimeter pee pee had been jew-ified but Rose confirmed later that yes indeed Davids shlong is an uncircumcised one. And I am not going to lie in the least but he has one nice butt. After the Academia, I came back to finish the unfinished. For dinner, we headed to the infamous Il Latini, the restaurant where the Gorilla and I attempted to go to for her birthday only to discover on our way out that it was closed on Mondays, but it was not closed today. I didn't really understand the concept of how the restaurant worked until I got there. I was told that you had to wait outside and that the restaurant chooses whom they allow in. They only have two seating times for dinner, one at 7:30 and one at 10:30, so if you wanted a 9:15 dinner forget about it. Obviously Erica made reservations. I think I am going to hire Erica as my personal assistant to organize my life because she is actually a 20 year old with a mind like a 35 year old hip mother that just knows how to do everything whose mind is actually synced with ical. It is just incredible. I wish I was that organized and knew how to plan things like she does. Back off JLo Erica Levin is true wedding planner. As my dear friends would say....I love you Ricky Levi. So this Il Latini is located pretty close to the train station on a small road. I never seen something like it before, but people were gathered outside the restaurant in a mass huddle, pushing to try to get in. Lucky Ricky made a reservation because we didn't have to stand outside too long before they called our name. The people with reservations are allowed to enter first. Me, Caz, Kulick, Rose, Ricky and Sara gathered around a rather small table for six and waited for our waiter. Sitting on our table were two bottles of water and not just a bottle of wine but I would say a jug of wine. I am not sure how it all happened but within just a matter of time our table was filled with food. All of the sudden our waiter started bring out bruschetta and then bread and olive oil, then chicken pate, then brushutto, then caprese salads. This was just the appetizers. i was pretty much content at the end of our appetizers but I thought last night my stomach reached a new capacity, lets just say we had 4 more courses after this one. It is just too difficult to watch some of the worlds most delicious food sit right in front of your face and not be in the least bit tempted to chow down. For the second course we had three huge pasta dishes, a pesto and penne, a noodle and meatball and "little dishrag" noodles with boar sauce. I didn't even know I liked boars sauce but it was fabulous. It was served on a noodle that can be translated as "little dishrags" because they are cut with a knife that give them serrated edges. Following our pasta, came three kinds of breaded soup: a veggie, a tomato, and a bean soup. Next came the meats. From my past experience with five course meals, the meats have always been really freaky and unappetizing but I was feeling a little adventurous tonight and for some reason, even though I was pretty much stuffed, I decided to try them all. Little Bunny Foo Foo, I am sorry but I tried your cousin. Don't worry I won't be doing it again because you are much nicer to look at than to eat. Disturbing but true. Three glasses of wine later, three courses down, we were served potatoes and beans. And then four glasses of wine later, four courses down came the first portion of the dessert. Presented in a circle of fun, 6 different desserts filled our table. In the words of Rose of Michael to the Bloom, one of them "Jiggled like his butt". Normal human beings do not say that when talking about flan but then again Rose of Michael to the Bloom is not really a normal human being. We celebrated Kulicks birthday, and the waiter brought out ice cream topped with a firework. It was not just your average candle, it was actually a firework. We sang the H-to the appy B-to the day song and Rose captured a classic photo of triple chinned Kulick that just made me giggle out loud. Don't worry Kulick wasn't the only with a triple chin, we were all supporting the turkey gobbler. I thought we were done after this and I am sure you would think the same thing but guess again. More kept coming. We were served dessert wine (which makes the fav list next to the Bellini) and then their famous biscotti's and wine. I wore a dress tonight but if I had been wearing jeans, I probably would of just taken them off or they would of probably just ripped off because I was so full. I pulled my leggings down a little because they were getting to be uncomfortable. At this point it was 10:30. We all looked a each other and sighed. The waiter just had to top off the evening with strong shots of lemon cello. And th-th- th-that's All Folks. We wobbled back to Ricky's and Sara to attempt to prepare for the game (pre-game) because the night was still young, but I didn't do so good at preparing for the game because I thought I might ralph up a bakery, and farm. Rather loud people filled Ricky and Sara's apartment and I think Sara and I had a mental connection that led to visions such as a shot guns, awkward smiles, and the thoughts of running away. Ricky and Sara took us to their favorite "Space Electronica". I had many doubts about this place because I was told my numerous people to never step foot there but the fact the Ricky loved it let me know that it had to be pretty good. Rose decided to stay in because not remembering last night put a slight damper on his day and I am not sure he was as prepared for an Italian spring break as he thought he would be. Me, Kulick, Caz, Ricky, Sara, Buff Back bend-over-Brian and Ugly Adam dominated the dance floor. We ran into Susan T, Dana P and Port at the club. The club is exactly what you would think of a club with the name of Space Electronica. So much happened on there that is nearly impossible to explain. I saw a gay boy and his lesbi friend get pulled out of the girls bathroom with a one hand grab, I saw Caz fall in love with an Italian and dance the whole night with him (Caz..highly entertaining) I experienced Robyn "I am out of mind" O do a back bend while I was dancing with her and I was successfully able to imitate Sara and Buff-bend-over-backwards Brian's dance moves. It was incredible and I would return in a heart beat.
Another late night early morning return.

.Moocha seh Havah deh Peacheh seh.

post from february 23, on a saturday in the year of two thow sand and otto.