...problema...

On a less positive note: I shattered the dickens out of my niece's iPod today so those pictures are going to be impossible as well. Guess just makes the anticipation all the more!

 *Don't worry niece, a nice beautiful white iPod in one piece will be returned to you in May!

...what I love

Amo....

Venice

(the memory card I promised my mom would fit in my computer, doesn't fit in my computer so all

 you get is my cliche tourist ipod pictures...)

 Not totally sure what this is, but yeah, it's crack 

(usually served alcoholic so be careful if you encounter it) 

 Leti &Ludo 

(my picture with both of them in their movie watching car is on my camera -.-) 

Yogurt

 (UK brand, but Italy really should watch how much addictive substances they allow in their grocery stores)

SANPELLEGRINO

(Correct me if I'm wrong but we have this in the states?  And if we do I expect a case to be waiting

 on my doorstep when I get home. Preferably the original l'Aranciata, no "dolce" or "amara" per favore : ) )  

Front yards that look like this

(minus my stupid finger - isn't the sunlight dreamy?)

The sun 

(Mamma mia the sun - and how Italians look at this blue sky with a jet streak and say it's getting cloudy)

Spring

(Yesterday was winter, today is spring, the flowers know it)

And for those of you that care for some reason  - "hashtag" no filter "hashtag" Italy and I are just that great : )

....for me

For whatever reasons the family is about and out and I have time to myself. What better way to waste time in this lovely place than to give myself more post to giggle at. The whole humility thing didn't work out. Maybe next time. [disclaimer: I probably enjoy this blog more than any of you, so if I seem annoying then it obviously isn't being written for you. Much love].

This post is probably more what you were looking for with the first. The pictures. Turns out I've only been here 3 days and I'm already a failure as a picture taker. Fortunately I've got five and half weeks to make up for my lost days. But here's a few from the Ipod's point of view.

 Yesterday was very rainy and cold

 I love the architecture

 Conveniently distracted by some stunning landscape to give you this lovely cameo : )

Also,  the aforementioned bright red pillow jacket. AND the scarf Francesca's mother made for me! I'm in love. 

 Francesca and I walked around town today showing me where everything is

 Very fashion aware little twerps posing in ZARA

 Behind the line of trees the priests and volunteers are preparing olive branches for Palm Sunday

 I love the homes here

 Bike riders everywhere. I intend to join them at some point

 First trip into a bakery today. I am going to be fat when I get home (declarative statement, no doubt about it)

 All of the streets in my town are named after authors. Ex. Dante




Also, its hard not to feel like I'm boasting. I am in fact not,  I just want to share how wonderful this all is. 

...whoops

Totally forgot to post the video......

... an Italian holiday!

A few key pieces:

Flying 

I'm going to start by saying, my adventure is what I get for starting my trip of the Ides of March. Beware the Ides of March, that stuff is real......beware. Granted by the time it got miserable it wasn't the Ides of March anymore but like I said beware, it's a spiteful curse. To spare you my sob story I can say that it is possible to run a marathon in an airport, ball your eyes out in front people from I'm sure at least 30 countries, want to get back on a plane and go home after throwing up for 20 minutes on one, have an instant dislike for a person, their ancestors, and all future posterity (sorry dude, you earned it), flirt your way through an airport despite language barriers (I promise I was "wise and aware" Mom, Andrew, and siblings), and ACTUALLY make it to Venice in less than 24 hours despite all of the Ides's efforts. All in a days work. There's a reason countries are so particular about immigration etc. once foreigners land they never want to get back on a plane. The Italian government may have quite the fight on their hands when they try to put me back on that plane. 

Happiness

I was laughing about my adventure by Saturday night (approximately 10 minutes after I got off the plane). The second I saw the Zennaros everything awful that had happened instantly disappeared. I was overwhelmed with happiness. Kind of surprised me really. This wall of happiness and sunshine was soon followed by many hugs and kisses from two of some of the most adorable little angels. Every time I walk into a room, even if I walked out of it five minutes before, I am welcomed by a hugs and kisses from Ludovica and Letizia. I love them so much already. Samuele and Francesca, the parents, are the best host (not to mention amazing cooks). I am helping everyone with English and they don't spare me a chance to learn a little Italian as well. Jetlag is inhibiting me from showing my happiness fully, but they will get the full force Julie love very soon. Happiness: check!

The Ward

A difficult adventure considering I do not speak Italian, but I had a native New Yorker that's been living here 23 years translate for Sunday School and Relief Society and then the elders took care of sacrament meeting. This is one of David's favorite wards from his mission so I received a list of people to hug and love. I was very welcomed and am already in love with some of them myself. I have many more people to hug on Sunday though. They thought I was from England and not David's sister. To David from a member after church:

Member: "When is your sister coming?"

Me: "She was in church this morning!"

Member: "The gorgeous blonde?!"

Me: "Duh."

Member: "What?! They said she was English!"

1,2,3...maintain humility! 

I look forward to participating in ward parties and English classes.This will be a fun experience. And since the gospel is something I am familiar with, learning Italian in a church setting should be much easier. 

Fashion

Uh....what....? Okay so let me introduce you to meggings so you don't make a fool of yourself like I did 

I'm sorry, but no, just no. 

I do tend to be inwardly judgmental of peoples clothing choices but over time I have become aware of something: The definition of style is "a manner of doing something". Everyone has their own manner of doing things. For example, I brush my teeth similar to the guy on "Stranger Than Fiction" (see first 30 seconds of video at the end of blog), whereas a five year old MIGHT get toothpaste on the brush.So everyone can take fashion and make it their own style. This is very evident in Italy. Like in the states many people own the same types of clothing (Italia ex. boots, leggings, big scarves, and poofy jackets) but everybody wears them differently. I love it. Unlike going to high school in America where there wer only choice few people that branched outside of the social style. Style is not a social preference. Style is your own. Own it. Its yours.

All of this said I make an exception for meggings. If any male close to me in anyway consider yourself dead if I see this. You people that continue to associate with them consider your fate the same. 

Another article of clothing I think I should bring to the table.

 These shiny pillows they call jackets are EVERYWHERE. In fact I saw a beautiful soccer mom wearing this very one this morning. I myself am sporting a large bright red one for the time being. I don't do bright colors, the first relatively cheap black on I find I'm snagging it. They are very warm and very comfortable. Which brings me to the next topic....

Weather

Welcome to Italia where it is still winter and it is cold and wet. There's a reason Italians are so scared of wind and being cold. BECAUSE ITS REALLY COLD. Those jackets are 100% necessary. 

BUT

The sun came out today and the Celestial kingdom has revealed itself. For those of you that received David's emails while he was on his mission I suggest you read about his first experience in the Italian sun. He describes it much better than I can. Just know you're missing out. Today it is 37 degrees but very sunny and gorgeous. The beautiful architecture give the sun an already beautiful scene to perfect. I do not doubt that God took his time constructing this place. 

Disclaimers

I'm sure I've missed things, misspelled things (in english and italian), and messed up somewhere. I spend so much time working with a language I do not know I forget that I have a native tongue that I like to think I have gotten quite good at. Also! Today is Father's Day in Italy! So Happy Father's Day Papa! I love and miss you.

Buona giornata!