Okay I am going to try to tell you what has been going on very quickly.
The other night we went to our family dinners. It was sooo much fun. The mom came and picked us up and took us to her adorable house...it was really modern and it kinda surprised me. She had the cutest little boy named Fillipo. He reminded me of my cousin Will. Filipo was playing with Bakugon balls just like will does. It was so starnge not being able to communicate with a little kid. He was 6 and very smart. We asked him a few things in Italian but her would talk back to us sometimes and we had no idea. It was funny because he would get frustrated. He watched a DVD and his Dad made hime watch it in English for us. I thought it was sweet. The dad didnt know much English at all but the Mom was pretty good. We had so much food!! After dinner we had the most amazing Gelatto. It was kind of like neopolitan and she also had strawberries to put on top. She had soaked them in Lemonchello and it was delcious. The people at the Servi aparently soak them in vinegar and sugar (I sugest trying it beacuse it makes tham sooo good).
Saturday we went to Anghiari and Arrezo. You should google ANghiari (sp?) because it is beautiful. It is a small town but I think it is my favorite so far. WE went through some museums and then caught the bus to Arrezo. We saw the famous frsecos of Pier della Francesca (I have no idea off the top of my head how to spell it.) He is on of the most famous painters and lived here in Sansepolcro.
Today it has been raining which kind of stinks. We arent able to get out and about as much. My favorite place at the Servi is the outside garden and I cant go sit there to do my work. I have fallen asleep a few times while trying to do my homework. TOmorrow we get out of class early at 10 30 so that we can catch an 11 00 bus to Arrezo in order to catch the train we need to get to sorrento. I am a little nervous about traveling but I think we will be fine. We are going to do a day trip in Capri and then go to Rome for the other two nights. When we get back Thursday we will be half way done with the Italy part of the trip!
Well I think I am going to get some Gelatto. I guess I will blog again after Rome!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Florence
Hello!
My Florence trip has already come and gone. We left Sansepolcro on Wednesday around 12 45 and then caught a train from Arrezo to Florence later that afternoon. The trip didn't take much time at all. We took the bus to Arrezo and that took and hour and then the train into Florence only took an hour. When we got off the train in Florence I was pretty nervous. Our profs had really freaked us out about people getting mugged so we were all prepared. I had on my ever so fashionable money belt the whole time I was in Florence. Even though I had my money belt on, I never really felt threatened. I just kept my purse on my shoulder and I was fine. No one in our group had trouble with muggings.
We went walked from the train station to our hotel. It was a really really long walk but we finally made it. The hotel was nice but it was on a busy street. We dropped off our book bags and then went as a group to the main square and the Duomo. Florence is BEAUTIFUL! It was a little dirty because it is so busy all the time but it was gorgeous. THe views from the bridges over the river were spectacular. I took tons of pictures. We went to the leather market and bought a few things there. The hotel provided a dinner for us and it was wonderful. The next day a few of us got up really early to go to the Academia to hopefully see David. We thought that there would be a long line but we were able to walk right in! It was unbelievable. I heard that you have to see it in person to really appreciate it and now i understand why. David is so much bigger and impressive in person. You can see every vein in his body. We ate a bug breakfast later on that morning. We actually were sitting beside some big Italian politician. A news crew came and interviewed him right beside us. Before we knew he was famous, his waitor accidently sprayed us with his bottle of champagne. The story is really funny but I will have to tell you in person so that you can get the effect. We wandered around until we went to the Ufizi. It was huge and a little overwhelming. Then it was time to head on back. We had to figure out how to get back without the profs leading us but we did fine. I was glad to pull into Sansepolcro that night. Florence was nice but I dont know if i cout handle that pace for a long time.
Today we went to an Italian school! They were so cute and I loved my visit. I could write so much about them but I dont have time ebcause tonight we have our dinners with our host families. I am excited but also nervous. I will write again soon!
Sorry for the mistakes..I am not taking the time to look back over what I have written!
Ciao!
My Florence trip has already come and gone. We left Sansepolcro on Wednesday around 12 45 and then caught a train from Arrezo to Florence later that afternoon. The trip didn't take much time at all. We took the bus to Arrezo and that took and hour and then the train into Florence only took an hour. When we got off the train in Florence I was pretty nervous. Our profs had really freaked us out about people getting mugged so we were all prepared. I had on my ever so fashionable money belt the whole time I was in Florence. Even though I had my money belt on, I never really felt threatened. I just kept my purse on my shoulder and I was fine. No one in our group had trouble with muggings.
We went walked from the train station to our hotel. It was a really really long walk but we finally made it. The hotel was nice but it was on a busy street. We dropped off our book bags and then went as a group to the main square and the Duomo. Florence is BEAUTIFUL! It was a little dirty because it is so busy all the time but it was gorgeous. THe views from the bridges over the river were spectacular. I took tons of pictures. We went to the leather market and bought a few things there. The hotel provided a dinner for us and it was wonderful. The next day a few of us got up really early to go to the Academia to hopefully see David. We thought that there would be a long line but we were able to walk right in! It was unbelievable. I heard that you have to see it in person to really appreciate it and now i understand why. David is so much bigger and impressive in person. You can see every vein in his body. We ate a bug breakfast later on that morning. We actually were sitting beside some big Italian politician. A news crew came and interviewed him right beside us. Before we knew he was famous, his waitor accidently sprayed us with his bottle of champagne. The story is really funny but I will have to tell you in person so that you can get the effect. We wandered around until we went to the Ufizi. It was huge and a little overwhelming. Then it was time to head on back. We had to figure out how to get back without the profs leading us but we did fine. I was glad to pull into Sansepolcro that night. Florence was nice but I dont know if i cout handle that pace for a long time.
Today we went to an Italian school! They were so cute and I loved my visit. I could write so much about them but I dont have time ebcause tonight we have our dinners with our host families. I am excited but also nervous. I will write again soon!
Sorry for the mistakes..I am not taking the time to look back over what I have written!
Ciao!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Beautiful Italy
So I learned since I sent my first blog that I mispelled ciao so please forgive me. I have some mixed emotions about Sansepolcro. It is gorgeous and I am having a good time but I also have a few things I dont like. The most surprising thing has been the lack of welcome from the locals. I thought that they would be really nice and friendly but aparently that just isnt Italian culure. Im used to the South where a friendly smile or wave is expected. Some people here are very nice but its obvious that some people arent too thrilled about us being here. I wish I knew Italian better so that I could communicate and hear what they were saying about us. I also miss AC. These past few days have been pretty hot. It isnt too bad in the Servi but it would be nice to come back from a walk and enter into a really cool building. Well now that I have gotten a few of my complaints out of the way, I will tell you about the exciting things that have happened.
All of my days have blurred together so forgive me. We went to church on Sunday and we started classes. WOW! Church was an experience. I thought the Catholic church here would be very formal but it is not at all. People come dressed in whatever and go and come as they please. Children run wild and it is really distracting. I guess it is just normal for them but this would not fly at High Street for sure. ONe little boy was in a stroller infront of us and he was adorable(His Dad was pretty cute too) but they let him just kinda roam around after he got fussy in the stroller. He ran down a ways and no one said anything. Other children were walking around too. People would stand at times or if everyone was standing, people would just sit down. It was so different from my church. We had classes that day which went well. I am enjoying what we are learning I just wish we didnt have readings and assignments to do because I want to get out and enjoy Sansepolcro.
Today we went to Casa Buitoni! You should google it and see if any pictures come up because it was AMAZING. I took pictures and will so them to everyone when i get home. It is a huge Villa up on the moutain overlooking SAN. We lived like princesses for a few hours. It was a hike up to the casa and down but it was well worth it. They greeted us with drinks and refreshments---the best strawberries I have ever had. Then they took us on a tour of the facility. It is owned by Nestle now and that have conference rooms and a state of the art kitchen to test new foods. Google it. Then they served us lunch...WHAT A SPREAD! After this wonderful time, we had to go to class. Now we are running errands around town. Hope all is well at home!
All of my days have blurred together so forgive me. We went to church on Sunday and we started classes. WOW! Church was an experience. I thought the Catholic church here would be very formal but it is not at all. People come dressed in whatever and go and come as they please. Children run wild and it is really distracting. I guess it is just normal for them but this would not fly at High Street for sure. ONe little boy was in a stroller infront of us and he was adorable(His Dad was pretty cute too) but they let him just kinda roam around after he got fussy in the stroller. He ran down a ways and no one said anything. Other children were walking around too. People would stand at times or if everyone was standing, people would just sit down. It was so different from my church. We had classes that day which went well. I am enjoying what we are learning I just wish we didnt have readings and assignments to do because I want to get out and enjoy Sansepolcro.
Today we went to Casa Buitoni! You should google it and see if any pictures come up because it was AMAZING. I took pictures and will so them to everyone when i get home. It is a huge Villa up on the moutain overlooking SAN. We lived like princesses for a few hours. It was a hike up to the casa and down but it was well worth it. They greeted us with drinks and refreshments---the best strawberries I have ever had. Then they took us on a tour of the facility. It is owned by Nestle now and that have conference rooms and a state of the art kitchen to test new foods. Google it. Then they served us lunch...WHAT A SPREAD! After this wonderful time, we had to go to class. Now we are running errands around town. Hope all is well at home!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Life in Italy so far
Chao from Italy!
I dont know where to start talking about this trip so far. The keyboard are a little different here so please excuse the lack of certain puncutaion marks. The flight to Rome was pretty long. We went from day to night to day all within 8 hours. My sense of time was completly thrown off because of the time change and the flight. I didnt really sleep much on the plane...I just couldnt get comfortable. We arrived in Rome and a man was waiting for us with a charter bus. We took a 3 hour bus ride to Sansepolcro. Most of us fell asleep on the ride since it was about 3 in the morning in America. We finally arrived here in the beautiful San. around 1. The lady who fixes us meals had a light lunch prepared for us. She made these sandwiches and I was not the biggest fan of them. It had been a long day and a half of traveling and I had been a little queasy so I didnt want to test myself by trying something i wasnt sure about. We got settled into our rooms...I am in a 3 person room on the top bunk. The rooms are pretty nice and each one has a sink. The bathrooms are a little different but they definitely will work. We have 3 showers between 23 girls! AHH. I am sure it will be fine though. LAter we went to the PAM which is a grocery store and they showed us a few places in town. Sansepolcro looks just like a postcard. We got back and had a little while before dinner at 715! By dinner, I mean fest...THREE COURSE MEAL! They served Pesto pasta and it was wonderful. Being silly Americans, we thought the pasta was it but then came chicken and peas, a salad, and dessert. It was awesome. THe wine was pretty intense. Today at lunch they served white wine and that was better. Some girls went out last night but I decided to stay in because I wanted to be well rested. I coulndnt fall asleep though and I got a little homesick. I went to talk to my roommate from school and I just broke down. I was fine but I had just worked myself up lying in bed for like 2 hours. I eventually fell asleep and slept like a rock.
This morning we ate breakfast in the Servi and then most girls went back to sleep. We had all morning to ourselves which was nice. We ate lunch at 12 30 and it was another wonderful spread. We had rosotto (sp?) and meatballs and FRENCH FRIES! After lunch Sally and I went into the square and got a Coca Cola (God Bless America). I think Italy is beautiful but I do miss somethings about America a lot. It is so similar and yet so different here. I miss ice already. They dont use ice in their drinks. They do have GELATO though. After lunch we had an orientation and went over some stuff about the upcoming week. Then we went on a walking tour of Sansepolcro and we went into a beautiful church. Now I am eating Gelato and using the internet at a cafe.
Classes start tomorrow and I am kind of glad. It will be nice to have a routine and get used to how things work. Monday we are going to Casa Boutoni which sits on a hill outside of Ssan. I hear it is beautiful and usually only high power execs get to go. THey are serving use lunch on the terrace over looking San. Wednesday we go to Florence for a night and day. Saturday we take a trip to two small towns close by. Monday is our first travel break and I am scared out of my mind. Hopefully we will be able to figure it all out when we go as a group to Florence and the other towns. I am sure I will be more confident at that point.
Well, I guess that is it for now. Sorry for giving you the play by play on everything so far. I am sure as I get more busy, I will be more broad in my blog. I miss everyone back home already.
I dont know where to start talking about this trip so far. The keyboard are a little different here so please excuse the lack of certain puncutaion marks. The flight to Rome was pretty long. We went from day to night to day all within 8 hours. My sense of time was completly thrown off because of the time change and the flight. I didnt really sleep much on the plane...I just couldnt get comfortable. We arrived in Rome and a man was waiting for us with a charter bus. We took a 3 hour bus ride to Sansepolcro. Most of us fell asleep on the ride since it was about 3 in the morning in America. We finally arrived here in the beautiful San. around 1. The lady who fixes us meals had a light lunch prepared for us. She made these sandwiches and I was not the biggest fan of them. It had been a long day and a half of traveling and I had been a little queasy so I didnt want to test myself by trying something i wasnt sure about. We got settled into our rooms...I am in a 3 person room on the top bunk. The rooms are pretty nice and each one has a sink. The bathrooms are a little different but they definitely will work. We have 3 showers between 23 girls! AHH. I am sure it will be fine though. LAter we went to the PAM which is a grocery store and they showed us a few places in town. Sansepolcro looks just like a postcard. We got back and had a little while before dinner at 715! By dinner, I mean fest...THREE COURSE MEAL! They served Pesto pasta and it was wonderful. Being silly Americans, we thought the pasta was it but then came chicken and peas, a salad, and dessert. It was awesome. THe wine was pretty intense. Today at lunch they served white wine and that was better. Some girls went out last night but I decided to stay in because I wanted to be well rested. I coulndnt fall asleep though and I got a little homesick. I went to talk to my roommate from school and I just broke down. I was fine but I had just worked myself up lying in bed for like 2 hours. I eventually fell asleep and slept like a rock.
This morning we ate breakfast in the Servi and then most girls went back to sleep. We had all morning to ourselves which was nice. We ate lunch at 12 30 and it was another wonderful spread. We had rosotto (sp?) and meatballs and FRENCH FRIES! After lunch Sally and I went into the square and got a Coca Cola (God Bless America). I think Italy is beautiful but I do miss somethings about America a lot. It is so similar and yet so different here. I miss ice already. They dont use ice in their drinks. They do have GELATO though. After lunch we had an orientation and went over some stuff about the upcoming week. Then we went on a walking tour of Sansepolcro and we went into a beautiful church. Now I am eating Gelato and using the internet at a cafe.
Classes start tomorrow and I am kind of glad. It will be nice to have a routine and get used to how things work. Monday we are going to Casa Boutoni which sits on a hill outside of Ssan. I hear it is beautiful and usually only high power execs get to go. THey are serving use lunch on the terrace over looking San. Wednesday we go to Florence for a night and day. Saturday we take a trip to two small towns close by. Monday is our first travel break and I am scared out of my mind. Hopefully we will be able to figure it all out when we go as a group to Florence and the other towns. I am sure I will be more confident at that point.
Well, I guess that is it for now. Sorry for giving you the play by play on everything so far. I am sure as I get more busy, I will be more broad in my blog. I miss everyone back home already.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I'm going to Italy!!
I started this blog this past semester for one of my education classes. Now that I am going to be in Italy, I thought this would be a good way to let people know what I was up to everyday. I will try to update this as much as possible, but I can't promise anything. If you want to email me, my address is rebeccarbs@yahoo.com! I might try to send pictures to my mom from time to time and maybe she can send them to other people.
It is the eve before I eave for Italy and I am in a hotel room in Raleigh. I have to be at the airport tomorrow at 8:30. We fly out of Raleigh to JFK and then to Rome. It has been interesting trying to pack in just one backpack! I definitely stuffed things into every nook and cranny of my bag. I am getting really excited about the trip. I have definitely gone through phases of emotions about the trip. I have always been excited about the trip but sometimes I get a little sad and nervous. While I think five weeks is a long time right now, I have a feeling that it is going to FLY by when I am in Italy. Well, that's it for now. Next time I post, I will be in ITALY!
It is the eve before I eave for Italy and I am in a hotel room in Raleigh. I have to be at the airport tomorrow at 8:30. We fly out of Raleigh to JFK and then to Rome. It has been interesting trying to pack in just one backpack! I definitely stuffed things into every nook and cranny of my bag. I am getting really excited about the trip. I have definitely gone through phases of emotions about the trip. I have always been excited about the trip but sometimes I get a little sad and nervous. While I think five weeks is a long time right now, I have a feeling that it is going to FLY by when I am in Italy. Well, that's it for now. Next time I post, I will be in ITALY!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
This Semester
I have learned a lot this semester in all of my classes. After taking this class, I feel that I have a much better understanding of language arts instruction. I knew what language arts was but I didn't know the specifics. What I knew about language arts was from what I remembered from when I was in elementary school. It was interesting to learn which aspects of my language arts experience were beneficial and which parts were not as effective. I now understand why certain things are done in language arts instruction. I also have many ideas for my future classroom. The field experiences really allowed for this process to be complete. We not only learned about language arts instruction, we learned how it is applied. I will take a lot away from this class. In addition to learning how to teach language arts, I also became a better writer. The book project made me think about the writing process and I will use that knowledge for other projects and papers. This class made me think about my writing instead of it just being a habit.
I would definitely use blogging in my classroom. I think it is a cool way to have kids journal. Children love computers so they would be excited about journaling in a new way. The only concern I have is access. Some kids don't have computers at home so I couldn't assign blogging for homework. If I only had one computer in my class, it would take a long time for every student to blog.
I would definitely use blogging in my classroom. I think it is a cool way to have kids journal. Children love computers so they would be excited about journaling in a new way. The only concern I have is access. Some kids don't have computers at home so I couldn't assign blogging for homework. If I only had one computer in my class, it would take a long time for every student to blog.
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