Week 9

I can not believe that I only have three weeks left in this country. My, time really does fly by, doesn't it? I just returned from six days in Milan and Venice.
Where do I begin? I LOVE MILAN! Oh my goodness, the city is amazing. It reminded me of New York; I guess that is why I loved it so much. It has a vibe about it that you can't help but notice. It is bustling with cool people and fancy cars. Everywhere you turn there are showrooms and galleries and amazing shops. The food was great and the duomo was AH-MAZING. Beautiful. If there is one thing that I will miss when I'm back in the states, it will be the lack of architecture.There is just nothing like walking out of the metro, when the first the you see is a massive cathedral. Ah! Wow!
It is unfortunate that scaffolding covered most of the front, but it was still impressive. Ok, so Milan...What can I say? I didn't want to leave. Four days was simply NOT enough. My professors for the week were Milanese and were truly some of the most incredible, creative, inspiring people I have met. I say that a lot, but I mean it every time I say it. I wish that I could pack them in my suitcase so that you could all meet them. I think they left such an impression on me, because they have lived a life full of accomplishment and they have fulfilled all of (my) dreams. I look at them and see the person that I strive to be. All of the hours that I have spent pondering what it will be like and how I will get there, were personified in these men and women. I was so incredibly intrigued, there was not one second of bordom for me. I am sure that I have heard the term "brown noser" used more than once in referrence to my fascination. However, I do not mind the jokes and accusations, if that's what they are. I think sometimes other people do not take life as seriously as others, just wanting to get by. Everyone is passionate about something, I know this. I am passionate about the arts. I can't help it. As crazy as it sounds, art is my oxygen. Therefore, I will continue to push to the front and beg for more. If I don't I will remain a nameless face, just another number in this competative world. No way. I've got buildings to buy, masterpieces to create, people to serve.

Venice was also very nice. I only had one day to see it, so I didn't get much accomplished. I'm sure it is a shame, but I only wanted to chase pigeons and eat in St. Mark Square...and I did. It was great fun. The nasty birds left me a few surprises along the way, but I asked for it. Haha. At night, the city's beauty doubles. It was freezing, but the sky was clear and the lights made it all the more romantic (for me and my invisible man). ha. I had no idea that masks were such a huge deal in Venice, they were everywhere, like a thousand scary clowns plagueing my dreams. No, most of them were pretty interesting. Man, and the diamonds were plentiful...and big...and sparkling. And, I'll stop there.

We stayed in a great hotel outside of Venice called Hotel Dori. We got to be buds with the staff and by the last night, we were hanging out BEHIND the counter in the lobby joking and eating homemade chocolate candy until 2am. So much fun. I was able to refine my Italian that night. Seriously, I had a 5 minute conversation with the little old lady who owned the hotel. And, we totally understood eachother. :)
P.S. I got to sleep in a queen sized bed and it had a feather comforter (for 20 bucks a night). It was fabulous.

My hugs to everyone!