Ogni giorno è SPECIALE in Italia

Im gonna miss ya!

Sorry Again for my lack of blogging, nothing really has happened that was TOO interesting.  

This past Thursday, we attended a farewell dinner for the 3 city gals.  I am really going to my main GALS- Erin and Allison not because they are two very awesome people, but because they are so damn funny! Thursday night we all celebrated at Bar San Marco, some remembered it, some didn’t... lol Allsion.   It’s so weird only have 4 people in the school now, we actually outnumber the faculty!

Friday was of course awesome because we had dinner at the Nicolai’s again (Iva’s host family.) I swear, they are becoming my second parents, always inviting us over for dinner, making sure we aren’t hungry, sending us home with left over’s- I love it.  So we had a 3 course meal; first bruschetta (which I helped make J !!!!) and meats and cheeses as appetitivo and some eggplant stuff and then we had rabbit and lamb in some sort sauce and roasted potatoes.  For desert, I must say I was on the struggle bus, I threw in the white flag (literally waved my white napkin- made everyone laugh) after 4 fried little donuts with Nutella inside- AMAZING.  So after the look of defeat was all over my face, they asked “don’t you eat meals like this back at home?”  And I had Iva translate for me “yes, but only on special days like holidays and such”.  And they told me while laughing “Every day is special in Italy”.  The punch line of the night, every time I go over to their house I feel so tired and exhausted, like it was Thanksgiving or something.  The last two times we went over there, they gave us a ride home because it was late and cold out, they are seriously the nicest people I have met, so precious!  They also sent us home with some fried donut holes! I have been eating a few each day- they will be the reason why I will have rolls when I come back.  Jk- I have been trying to run every day with my workout partner Iva J I promise I WILL NOT get rolls haha.

The Necropolis- Ancient Grave Yard

Inside one of the tombs

Saturday we went shopping in Tarquinia, I had already gone there before for a field trip for class to see the necropolis & national museum (a.k.a- me, Iva, Cam and our cute little Irish lady teacher Kay) but this time we went shopping!

Love this picture- it looks like a painting! (Tarquinia)

Tarquinia is much bigger than Tuscania, has more shopping and its pretty awesome.  On one side of the town you can see the sea, and on the complete opposite end (about a 10 minute walk) you can see the countryside hills of Italy- absolutely breathtaking.

It was a tad bit windy out!

However, during the times of 1-4 all the stores close, it’s really inconvenient and quite annoying, it’s called siesta, and nothing but bars are closed, supposedly during this break they nap and have lunch, sounds like something toddlers would do.  During the break we explored, and totally saw a PEACOCK farm! I have never ever seen something so cool before, but honestly who comes across a peacock farm…only in Italy!  Saturday night- HOMEWORK!!! Whoo hoo!!! Go being productive!!

The peacock is on the left of the green tree on the right! SO COOL!

Sunday- I AM DEPRIVED OF TV! Sunday literally rained all day, couldn’t go out, and couldn’t watch any of my shows like Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill or Jersey Shore.  BY THE WAY- Jersey shore is going to start filming in ITALY in APRIL! I don’t know where yet, but as soon as I find out, I definitely wouldn’t mind making a weekend trip to where they are!  So after getting all of my homework done, finally got the tv to work, and started watching a show in ENGLISH about the Oprah Effect, thank you Italy for making me learn about Oprah- she is one powerful woman!

Well another day, another Adventure!

Ciao Ciao!

p.S I totally carved mine and Andrews name on a random bench in Tarquinia! <3 ya babe!!! ;)

Mi dispiace (im SORRY!)

Sorry its been a while...again!

Fresh Pasta!

Ballin!

So I am so glad that they provide cooking class at LDM.  Honestly, how and what would I cook if they didn’t teach us?  The only thing I figured out on my own while here is how to make spaghetti; I didn’t think it was that easy.  I’m dreading cooking a chicken or something like that, we don’t even have an oven! 

But, in my notorious cooking class Wednesday night we did work.  We made FRESH PASTA!!! How cool is that-I Stacy Ann Coglianese made my own fresh pasta in Italy!  Our Wednesday dinner consisted of (Yes I look forward to Wednesdays because I know I don’t have to worry about “What’s for Diner”?) Homemade ravioli, fresh spaghetti with Spaghetti Carbonora (tasted like breakfast- it had eggs, bacon, onion, olive oil, parmesan cheese salt and pepper in the sauce) and vegetarian ravioli.  I actually kneaded the dough (like the Old Italian ladies do) and wheeled the pasta through the little machine thing!!!

L-R: Noah, Me, Cam, Oliana, Fererico, Iva, Manuella, Patricio (sp?)

On Thursday I and the other Tuscania students were invited over to Iva's host family house for lunch.  So we got there, it smelled and looked like a holiday dinner.  First we had appetivio (sheep cheese, sheep meat on a shiscabob that was cooked in the fire in their kitchen, salami, salted nuts, etc) and it was all from their farm.  I learned that Italy is a very agriculture based country, so many families have gorgeous (and I mean astonishing) houses in the “city” and also land and farms out in the country.  Our first course was of course lasgnana- all ingredients and cheese from their farm, second course chicken and roasted potatoes and desert which was a lemon pound cake with nuts and chocolate and sprinkles on top.  EVERYTHING WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I felt like I was eating an entire organic meal, everything was so fresh and delicious; I honestly didn’t eat anything the rest of the day, except I drank 4 glasses of wine in my wine class after that.  That family is the most welcoming and kind people I have met it really makes me feel happy and so comfortable to be around them, even if I can’t communicate myself with Manuela (her host mom) I still have a wonderful time just hanging out!  Also her host sister Olianna is so sweet and she teaches me how to say running and power walk in Italian when we all work out.  I just absolutely love them all!!!

Me, Iva and Ariana, our awesome advisor Arianna!

  

Friday Morning we went on a 2.5 hour hike in the hillside of Tuscania, it was perfect weather, a little muddy but sunny and windy (which I was thankful for because I would have been dying of sweat).  We walked to a “near-by” church that is being renovated and restored.  Monks used to live there in the 12^th century.  Also, weddings can be held there, I wouldn’t mind being married in such a beautiful/historical land.  The walk to the church was breathtaking to say the least!

Pizza del Patata! SOOOOOOOO goood!!!

Friday we went out for pizza to my favorite pizza place: Pizzeria dal Patata a Tuscania! I’m obsessed! They have so many different kinds of pizzas its crazy.  I usually get the margarita (cheese and sauce) and now Primavera (cheese fresh greens and tomatoes) but honestly there is a pizza that can fit any requirement.  Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Peppers, Salami, Sausage, - Everything! ( I know that’s not a long list, but there’s about 4 pages of different types of pizzas one can get.)

***Side Note: I hate Piccell Wireless

I have had many issues with that phone company and have brought it to their attention numerous times via email- They sent me a new phone(an upgrade one too) and new sim card because I was complaining to them I was receiving terrible service.  Especially when it came to hearing the other person on the other line.  Here are a few excerpts of emails that I have sent them…enjoy!

“…Your piccell service is very unreliable and frustrating. I would call to talk to customer service but due to quality of service I am receiving from piccell it makes it impossible to contact anyone or others to contact me….This is Sent from my iPod because the bed and breakfast I'm staying in luckily had wifi if I didn't have wifi I would have no way to contact anyone, very inconvenient….”

“…The reason why the calls listed below are a short length is because I or the caller could not HEAR one another. Why should I pay $ 0.39 EACH for these "calls" when I received terrible service- service where I couldn't hear the other person. 
…I can tell you exactly what happened during each of these calls.
"Hello.....Hello....HELLO! (swear, swear swear) This service (swear) SUCKS, Can you hear me..CAN YOU HEAR ME??? Ugh (swear, swear swear) - Hang up"
Why would I make calls for under 20 seconds when I know it costs so much? …”

Most Recent:

“…Honestly, it’s not the new phone or the new Sim card, ITS YOUR SERVICE.  I needed to get hold of my parents as soon as possible and of course when I try to call, they pick up and CAN’T HEAR ME.  My dad thinks I’m a prank phone caller every time I call, and gets very upset and starts swearing because he thinks someone is harassing the family-when in reality I am yelling for their attention on the other end of the line! …Thanks for the inconveniences”

FYI: For this specific phone call I was MORTIFIED- My dad said on the phone out of frustration “Don’t Fucking Call me anymore” I almost started to cry because I felt so bad he thought I was some random person harassing them!!   >:| THANKS PICCELL (this wasn’t in the email)

Well, that's all for now, while I'm here though, Monday morning, I'll add that I thought I had bed bugs last night, didn't sleep at all, the next morning went to the doctors,  turns out its nothing but a rash and or reaction to something?  (I was really over-dramatic!) However, it was on the back of my thighs so i had to drop my pants for the doctor and after got a comment from my adviser that I am in shape haha.  Its been an interesting...

Another day, another adventure!

Ciao!

-Stacy

"Night Life" in Tuscania

So life in Tuscania isnt that bad, this past weekend I have been home by myself- definately didn't like it.  Some aspects are nice, but I still am not 100% comfortable going out and exploring by myself at least, so it was quite boring, to put it in perspective, grocery shopping was the highlight of my Saturday.  However, I did get some snacks that I didn't think would exist here, like Nesquick!!!--> See, how can anyone get excited over chocolate milk that much!?

See, the zebra print was everywhere!

 Anyways Friday Night we first went to Cafe Duomo- left after a glass of wine because the Italian men were getting creepy, so we went to bar called one of the following: In and Out, Up and Down or On and Off- you pick one because I can never remember.  It was nice, small, it seemed more like a modern lounge to me (very sensual lol), it had zebra couches, dim lighting etc.  Something really cool about Friday night was that I was able to plug my ipod into the speakers for like a half hour, YES- I was play GUCCI in an Italian bar off my ipod.  And some other classic party songs- Rude Boy (Rhianna), Like a G6 (Far East Movement) Last Friday Night (Katy Perry) Bottoms Up (Keke Palmer).  But mostly GUCCI!  After that, they just played only 50 cent (random).

I also tried a shot of white Sambuca- on fire, literally.  The shot was lit on fire, you put it out with you hand, and it tasted like licorice, it was OK, I probably wouldn't buy one myself.

Saturday Night we attempted to go to another bar: Wild Dog Biker Bar.  Walked there, walk past it, then turned around to walk past again but slower to see inside: an old lady and a guy in a leather jacket, so we kept on walking to avoid an awkward night.  Then we made it back inside the walls to bar San Marco- and sat outside because it was such a beautiful night! We talked with a local Italian- Claudio who my roommate is somewhat tutoring, he was really nice and funny.  We were teaching him to say "YO" and "SUP" when he answers the phone lol- they say "Pronto" which has no English equivalent.

And Sunday, I went to church, which was really nice because I was able to light a candle for my grandma and pray for her and my family at home.  After, I went home, made a hot dog for lunch (so American) and finished my first writing assignment! SOOO relieved.  Tomorrow, with the school we have to go to the immigration office bright and early to complete some forms so we can say we are residents of Italy!!! Then after, going out to dinner for a Valentines Day Date with my gals!

So I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day- Shout out to my babe Andrew- I love you so much Sweetie, sorry I cant be there with you but...

Will you be my Valentine???? <3
lol

Ciao
Another Day Another Adventure!

-Stacy

Life in the Tuscania

While being on my own in a Italy here are a few things I have learned:

Cam, Me and cute dog named Argo. This was taken at Bar San Marco which is really a cafe.

1. Dogs are allowed in Public Places (bars, cafes, grocery stores, schools etc)
2. How to make toast without a toaster
3. How many things you can make with bread : Toast and jelly, cinnamon and sugar toast, egg sandwich, grilled cheese etc. 
4. In order to heat up food, use a frying pan (especially pizza)
5. I can spray Febreeze on my socks to avoid doing laundry
6. How to boil water
7. And when I do laundry, it learned it will take a little more than 2 days for my clothes to dry

Drying my clothes-Italian Style

Also while being here, I have met a ton of great people. One for example is my AWESOME roommate Cam.  She decided to take me out to dinner to get my mind off some things going on back at home….

 I miss my dog Abby...and all of the snow!

My grandma, Catherine Coglianese had passed away Wed. February 8 at age 97 (she was a trooper) and it’s really upsetting being in such a beautiful place like Italy but feeling like shit.  While all my family is at home together, I am stuck here.  I just saw her for her birthday before I left for Italy and we brought her and her BFFL Mary lol some milkshakes at the Nursing Home :) 

 I know she is in a better place because she was a wonderful person, so I hope you all can say a prayer for her.  I am going to Church on Sunday in Tuscania since I can make it to her wake to honor and pray for my Grandma Coglianese.

RIP Grandma Coglianese, always loved, never forgotten.

L-R: Grandma, Dad and BFFL Mary

As I am trying to stay happy and keep my mind off things, I will share some experiences:

• While Cam and I were looking at the menu when she took me out to dinner the waiter and her daughter waits by our table STARING at us until we ordered, they whisper and laugh, then continues to stare. (Oh and being the only one in the restaurant definitely made their presence UNCOMFORTABLE)
• When we are speaking English carelessly (by carelessly I mean talking about girl stuff) and then find out as we are leaving the guy that was sitting at the table on his break next to us speaks fluent English, literally the entire walk home we were trying to remember what exactly we were saying…whoops!
• OK so Italians get offended and think you don’t like their food if you don’t finish everything on your plate, so when we ordered bruchetta and it’s came out with brown and black paste on the bread, we found ourselves breaking apart the pieces to make it look like we had some....I felt like I was in 5^th grade again lol.
• OR how about when the chef came out and asked us if we liked the food, we all said yes.  But since Allison didn't finish, The CHEF made her eat every singly piece of penne pasta on her plate. I felt uncomfortable for her. Soo Akward!
• And for me, the worst thing is ordering food in Italy.  I have no clue what the menu says, so honestly it’s a mystery every time something comes to the table, I even feel anxiety because I feel like a newborn trying to read! I probably look constipated everytime I ordering because I am SOOOOOOOO confused and uncomfortable! Thats why I have mainly sticking to spaghetti and Margaretta pizza (cheese pizza).

Dolce (desert) on the other hand, I can eat with every meal, This is called the Crazy Heart- SOOOOO good.

Being here hasn’t been too difficult to adjust to.  I started running and doing some strength work outs everyday with a friend around a school track which is nice because I want to stay in shape.  I have also been cooking a bit more (by cooking I mean improvising) I made garlic bread with garlic, olive oil, basil, oregano and of course in a frying pan.  However, I am desperately missing pancake syrup because I believe I had a minor addiction to pancakes before I came here.  I feel it will move on the French toast now because all the ingredients are available here in Italy. lol.

But, as the days go on, I am learning a little more about the Italian culture! I was invited over for the "daily cappuccino" at my friend Iva’s host family house (more like mansion).  We actually had thick milky hot chocolate, with some sort of sweet bakery bread to dip in it, and also hazelnuts to put in as well.  I guess its “Italian Hot Chocolate” but it was SOOOOO GOOD!

I really hope my workout plan…works out :|

Ciao!

Another Day another Adventure!

-Stacy

Primo Viaggio (First Trip!)

Our first trip I took was to....drum roll please 

PISA!!

NBD just holding up the Leaning Tower of PISA

Pisa was a sweet experience for a first trip.  While living in the middle of nowhere Italy Tuscania, in order to travel anywhere we have to complete the following. First take the bus from Tuscania to Viterbo or Tarquinia.  Then when we get there, we have to take a local bus to the train station! 

Tarquinina Train Station

Cookies& Cream and Strawberry

  




Luckily, since my roommate and I were taking our sweet time to get to the bus, we were able to skip out on all of the confusing bus transfers and what not and had to call Massimo the crazy driver that I talked about earlier to rescue us and pay 40 euros to drive us 15 minutes.  After the 2.5 hour train ride to Pisa we finally get around 2:00 ate and had my first GELATO experience! :) !!!!!!!

The "View of the Tower" from the Terrace (All 2 feet)

After navigating around Pisa with a little hand drawn map from our personal tour guide Allison (a.k.a Rick Steves), we made it to the general area of Bed and Breakfast -but we were still lost and confused. OH! For those who don't know who Rick Steves is, I believe he is known for traveling around the world, and writes travel guides for others? I didn't know who he was until Pisa.

THEN, some how our B&B lady flagged us down (maybe it was because my hot pink North Face screams "Im American"?!?) from the terrace where we will eat breakfast the following morning -which may I add- stated in the description for the hostel/b&b a view of the Tower can be seen while eating on the terrace.....hah some view.  Anyways, we drop our stuff off and hit up the streets of Pisa.  I pretty much bartered with every vendors on the street- I felt like I was at the flea marker, but here I was actually getting what I wanted!

Pisa is very touristy, but still filled with tons of history.  The next morning, we woke up bright and early, ate our complimentary breakfast (packaged croissants and coffee-I just had an apple because I’m not a coffee person) and became educated about Pisa- specifically the “Field of Miracles”.  Allison bought the tickets (because we were all lazy to get out of bed) to hike up the Tower, enter the Baptistery and walk in cemetery- but we go in the Duomo for free.  

View from Top of the Tower!

According to Rick Steves, there is a symbolic centrality of the Field of Miracles in the theological life of a Pisan. They were born in the hospital (now a museum), baptized in the baptistery, married in the Duomo, celebrated at the Tower, and buried in the cemetery.

Crossing the Arno River

Me on top of Pisa!

 

The  tower of Pisa: I know everyone knows its leaning but that thing is FOR REAL leaning, I felt like I was in a ancient medieval fun house walking up all 294 stairs of it!  At one point, I thought I was in a scene of "The Mummy" because the walls were getting so close to each other, I thought I was going to get smushed! But at the top, the 360 view of Pisa was definitely worth it.

 

The Duomo wasn’t just a chucrh, it was art, everything about it was Beautiful, even the doors had really cool artwork on them, we weren’t allowed to take pictures because there was mass going on, but it has been one of the prettiest things I have seen while in Italy so far!  The Romanesque style of pillars and the paintings on the walls and the engraved ceilings really gives you chills when seeing it all.

The Duomo!

 

The Baptistery was interesting, very plain, but the 200 foot diameter of the dome is crazy, every 30 minutes the security guard comes out and sings a few notes from “Ave Maria” very cool.  Thanks to Rick Steves, we knew to stick around to listen to the remarkable sounds it can produce.

The Baptistry!

One side of the Cemetary- Graves are in the Ground

 The Cemetery had a ton of cool graves around and artwork of course, not my favorite, but a good touristy thing to do while in Pisa.

 

After everything, we made our way back to the train, had Massimo pick us up AGAIN because the busses don’t run on Sundays, and relaxed the rest of the day.

I think I spent less that 100 euros, so it was a successful in-expensive weekend :)

Ciao!

Another Day another Adventure!