Cheers to Family, Birthdays, Adventure and Ziggy's

                          Where do I begin to put these past two weeks into words? 

I feel like after every trip, every night out, every week here, I continue to say, "It was the best ever, I've never been happier." As I sit back reflecting on everything I've experienced the past two weeks, I can simply say, I'm blessed. I’m blessed beyond measure. How lucky was I to be able to spend a weekend in Giovinazzo, Bari where my Bologna and Lorusso relatives originated, spend my 21^st birthday week celebrating in Florence, then go to London for my birthday weekend! How did I end up in this dream? Better question, how do I never wake up?!

       For starters, In the beginning of last week I was going to title this blog post, Running, Dancing, Walking, Limping or The "Ziggy" Chronicles.  First let me explain that I will throw around the word Ziggy a lot and if you know me, you are very familiar with this world and unfortunately by nature, fall under the umbrella as a Ziggy. Ziggy was a cartoon character in the 70's and was just this poor little guy that couldn't get it right and anything that could go wrong, would go wrong. It's almost like a secret curse on my family (and our closest friends-you know who you are), however we embrace it fully and have decided to unite together and be some of the best people you will ever meet.

The casual x-ray of my foot..No break though!

         So to continue with my ziggyness and explain the limping, Two weeks ago I started my week in the doctors office, icing my foot, wearing an ankle brace and getting x-rays because I was unable to walk on my left foot without the worst shooting pain. Comparable to a rock being shoved right through your skin. Not fun. In Europe, all you do is walk and anyone familiar with Florence knows there are cobble stone streets, which adds a greater level of difficulty. I've been walking at my normal rapid-fire speed everyday, and when I go on my excursions, I run through the city to see everything possible in 3 days. The last day of Paris did me in, and for a full week after, my foot was pretty messed up. I can report that it’s much better than it was, still not 100%, but now I think I just have tendinitis in my foot. Great. 

        

On a positive note, when I spent the day in an Florence clinic, I was working with doctors who speak zero English, so I was able to work on my Italian! I also learned that although, the cute shoes that match the outfit always seem more appealing, I have to chose comfort.

So after that ever so slight set back, I was ready to have two of the best weeks of my life!

 Famiglia per sempre:

This was a life changing experience. You know those moment’s people refer to in books and movies- this was it for me. The three days in Bari was incredible because I was shown a new meaning of family, unconditional love and had a once in a lifetime cultural experience. From the moment I was picked up at the airport by 20 gleeful Bologna’s, I felt engulfed by love. It was an indescribable feeling. After 10 years of not seeing each other, it was like no time had passed. I instantly felt a connection and that unique family bond.

In Bari at 10 then at 20!

         The weekend continued to be one big celebration of family, and our family roots. We walked around the streets of Giovinazzo, while my Dad’s comical and loveable cousins Enzo and Felice gave me a history lesson on everything. I was shown exactly where my great grandparent lived, my grandparent’s first house together and paraded to every single one of my families’ homes (which were seconds within each other and perfectly acceptable to just waltz into). I love that the entire family lives so close to each other. The whole time I wished my family wasn't spread all over the states and that we lived closer.

On Friday, I went to my Uncle Michael’s house, the younger brother of my grandfather and when we saw each other, there was not a dry eye in the room. This man, who was a replica of my grandfather, spoke barely any English and with just the look in his eye and the way he grabbed my hand and hugged me, said it all. He was asking me how his brother was and sending all his love through me; the closest person to his brother. Sadly, they have not seen each other in 10 years and truthfully, will most likely never be able to travel to see each other again. Thinking about that

My dads cousins and my great Uncle Michael

single moment will always make me emotional because having a sibling, who I consider my best friend, I could not imagine being unable to see him for years on end. It was a true testament to love, because I've never seen love displayed in such a simple way, yet be so powerful. I will never forget that moment.

For the rest of the weekend, everything we did, we did as a big group. I can say I truly felt like a celebrity with the crowd of people around me! I stayed at my Cousin Felice's house with his wife and my second cousins Annamarie and Eliana. Annamarie was my angel the entire weekend. She is fluent in English and currently working on her fifth language (if only my brain functioned like that), but she translated for everyone the whole time! I'm shocked her brain didn't explode at the rate and speed all of my family and I talk! My Dad’s cousin Enzo, was the activities director and I was woken by his smiling face, full of energy, ready to go for the day, every morning. His family laughs at him because he is so punctual, but he genuinely is one of the best people you will ever meet. 

 Trulli Village with my beautiful cousins

         On Saturday we went to Alberobello, Puglia to see the Trulli Village (aka Smurf land). It was so cool to see these little huts that were hundreds of years old and that actual Italians live in! Plus, it is another part of Italy I can say I've been to! That night we all went out to a Pizzeria where 30+ people greeted us. I felt so overwhelmed by my families love. I could not stop smiling. I attempted to give a toast in my broken Italian (Of course Anna translating every word), but I could not possibly put into words how thankful, blessed and special I felt. Truly, it is such a happy memory.

Send off at the airport. Voi voglio bene.

                                                                          

My send off consisted of walking around Giovinazzo, seeing the historic spots and me trying to reenact pictures I've taken 10 years ago. We had another huge lunch, this time, with even more family. I've never received so many hugs and kisses before! Back to the airport, I had another big group of people around me. I’m never good with goodbyes, but I couldn’t control the tears. It was mostly because I was so happy and I could feel the presence of my family and felt my grandmother smiling down on me from the heavens. I have such a greater appreciation for family now. I have a very close family, but it’s different in America. We are all so busy; busy making a living and working hard to support our families, but it’s very rare that we are able to spend quality time together. American’s may be rich with “things,” but Europeans know how to enjoy the simple things in life and embrace every minute with their loved ones. I know life gets busy, but this made me want to put more effort into keeping the connection with my family in Philadelphia, Texas, Boston and Buffalo and make it a point to see each other at least once a year!

Go Girl it's your Birthday {21}: 

Happy 21st Birthday Bri!

     Not only was last week my 21^st birthday, but it was my new good friend Bri’s! The festivities began Monday night, because Bri turned 21 at midnight and we were both surprised with a mini birthday party by our little “Florence family.” They were so cute and set up the apartment with banners, party hats and gelato cake. To be more accurate, our party hats said “Birthday B*tch”. The rest of the week we continued the celebration with dancing, drinking lots of wine and eating too many pastries! I don’t know how real college kids live this life of going out every night and getting up early for class. Now I get the whole struggle bus thing. 

Chicago, California, New York..Love my new friends

     Wednesday night, I came home from classes and my three roommates had cleaned the apartment, decorated it and were being little housewives and making tons of cute appetizers. We were having an Apertivo, an Italian tradition of wine and small snacks before going out at night. The 5 of us prepared a large (and impressive, if I do say so myself) spread and quickly got ready to be the hostesses with the most! I love parties, I love people and I love celebrating! Almost 30 people showed up to our apartment, all dressed up, with appetizer in hand. It was SO fun; this was the most fun night I have had in Florence thus far. Everyone was so happy and it was overwhelmingly sweet that so many people came out to celebrate both mine and my other friend Marcella’s 21^st! 

When midnight came along on March 6^th, I was officially 21! Finally, no more worries about getting into clubs and bars with all my friends who are over 21 and now I can go out and dance when I’m home without a care! Shout out to Brittany, Bridget, Laura, Twinny and Rachael…Finally!!! It was never the alcohol that bothered me, it was not being able to go out and dance! The night was filled with lots of dancing and me prancing through the cobble stone streets with the biggest smile on my face. Easily, the best birthday ever!

London Calling: 

Big Ben and Red Telephone Booth

On my birthday, after classes we left for London! For me, my top 5 places have always been: Italy, Spain, Paris, London and Greece. This was another check off the bucket list and I couldn’t have been more excited to be traveling with my amazing roommate, ironically named Ally (Blonde Ally). We may or may not have almost missed our flight to London… I had never been more determined, for the mere fact that it was my birthday, to get onto a plane. We ran as if in a marathon and got on the plane in just enough time to buckle our seat belts and take off. I fist pumped when I sat down and did an extra sign of the cross. Ziggy. Turns out Ally is a Ziggy too...go figure!

Tower Bridge

The rest of the weekend was INCREDIBLE. I can’t stress enough how much I loved London, for a matter of fact; I want to live there someday. I love the atmosphere, the city life, the history, the people, their accent and just their general way of living. The Ali/y’s and our friend Anna from school took London by storm. We saw almost everything in a matter of 3 days. We did not stop walking from 9am-10pm everyday. It was so worth it because we were able to see: Portobello Market (my favorite and where we got authentic Fish and Chips), London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Borough Market (I could have spent the whole trip trying different food here), Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye (The Ferris wheel that overlooks all of London), Convent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods (every women’s heaven), Platform 9 ¾ (All my HP fans out there), Abbey Road and Camden Street (So cool, you could have spent days here). To add to the amazing site seeing, we also had the most beautiful weekend! It finally felt like Spring! 

 To sum it up, London stole my heart and I will be back!

         Once again, I apologize for the extremely long novel, but there was so much excitement and happiness in the past 2 weeks, I couldn’t not share! I want to give a shout out to all my amazing friends and family, near and far, new and old, for making me feel so special for my birthday. I’m truly blessed with the people who surround me and couldn’t possibly feel any luckier. Also, thank you Mom and Dad allowing me to study abroad and giving me the best present I could have ever received. I’ve never been happier!

        
Coming to a theatre near you: This upcoming weekend, my best friend from Clarence, Billy, who is studying in Spain, is coming to visit me in Florence and we are going to the eternal city, ROMA! Wahoo can’t wait to have my Lizze McGuire moment and throw my penny into the Trevi Fountain again. 

Fun fact: When I was 10 and threw in my penny, I wished to come back to Italy. Hmm, look at that! 

Next week are midterms( Yes, I’m actually here for school), but then that next weekend I leave for GREECE for Spring Break and 10 days of island hopping!!! Ahhhhh I can’t wait, it doesn’t even seem real yet. Sun, sand, fish, Greek salad, Tzatziki, blue and white houses and Mediterranean food..all of my favorite things in one!

I feel like I have been nonstop since I have gotten here and I’ve been thrown into a whirlwind of traveling, adventure and excitement. I’m living on usually, no sleep (which is normal for me), but it doesn’t seem to bother me here. I don’t want to miss anything and want to say I’ve done it all. My cousin Enzo told me our family motto that my great grandmother used to say is:

“C vú frché u vcen cult sub e ialzt d maten”

 Meaning, "If you want to live a better life than your neighbor, go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than him." I can’t say I go to sleep earlier, and I’m not trying to “beat” anyone in the game of life, but I do live my life to the fullest and I "go go go until I can’t go no more." This gives me personal satisfaction because I know I’m not missing out on anything and working hard for myself in order to enjoy my future. After hearing this quote, it makes sense why all of my family is like this! 

Until next time..

All my love

Xoxo

Baci e Abbracci