right as rain

I write a lot when it’s raining.

It is just something I do – along with writing in coffee shops, about the coffee shops, while it’s raining.

No, this post is not being written at coffee shop, but it is raining.

So yes, it kind of fits in the theme.

I am sitting in my bed.

For those of you who have just caught on to this sensation, or for those of you who forgot, my bed is located underneath some else (it’s a bunk bed. I’m not literally sleeping underneath someone’s bed) and that bed also occupies a room with three other beds. I am the only one awake, which is a surprise because usually computer screens light up the small corners of the room way passed this hour.

It’s raining outside, rather hard actually. I can tell by the blur of the orange light on the building across the road and can hear the deep sloshing of fast paced vehicles on the busy streets. I wish I could throw all the windows open and write this while sitting in the middle of the room with the only light being the criss cross stripes of light from the windows on the walls.

My roommates do not believe in fresh air.

They also do not believe in opened blinds passed five o clock.

I think I write when it’s raining because the rain makes me nostalgic. It doesn’t make me sad.

 It makes me remember.

Remember the good times, the rough patches, the moments I wouldn’t change anything, the times I wish would have gone differently. This nostalgic feeling makes me feel like I need to share something. I don’t really want to share those memories though. So I come here, to this public domain, and describe in detail the objects around me. (We all remember the coffee garden posts where I pick apart the tastes, the smells, and the sites. Or how about me sitting at the dining room table talking about the lights and how bright they are against my parent’s studious faces.)

Posts like these are not really for you.

They are not informative about my life or the latest tunes those cool kids are listening to these days.

Posts like these are really for me.

They are something that the minute I start to write, usually introducing it with a poorly executed introduction, I cannot stop. My fingers constantly clicking keys, pressing onward quickly, not thinking about what I am going to write next, just writing down the thoughts as they present themselves no matter what shape or form.

My spelling is even more atrocious in these posts than usual. The page of text, first written in Word Document, is lined with red and green squiggles under misspelled words and unorganized thoughts. As my spelling gets worse, my vocabulary heightens and I randomly through in words like “executed” and “atrocious,” These thesauruses like words are often used wrong, kind of like my speech when I am nervous or not thinking before speaking.

It takes longer to spell check the document than to actually write it.

There is no music playing, no headphones on, no bar’s stereo turned up to loudly, but yet a song is tuning through my ears. It’s not a particular artist, chorus or key, but a combination of the rain, the street side laughter, and the quick click of the keys.

I hope my music isn’t disturbing my roommates.

I think this post that was originally brought on by the rain, which brought on the nostalgia, was also brought on by the idea that I will not be home for thanksgiving.

In Italy, I didn’t really notice that I missed it.

Yes, I took in the fact that my entire family was joining together to eat and laugh and unbutton their pants secretly at the table. But I was in a country who didn’t know what the holiday was and the time difference made the at home celebration seem like something that happened while I was sleeping and I just missed it.

That I just didn’t wake up in time.  

Not here. Here I see everything. Plans about where everyone is going and whom they are spending it with. I understand the reasons for me not going home – I don’t have a break from school and it isn’t worth it. But I still feel a bit homesick. I miss the company and warmth my family contributes. Even Skype sometimes can radiate their heat just by seeing their smiles.

Rain is my favorite weather. It is cleansing, simple, illuminating, and crisp. It is new. It is familiar.

I like to write when it’s raining. To me, it is inspiring.

Goodnight/Good Morning.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

I miss you.

Xo 

fabulous team of luke skywalkers

I found this video and could not wait to share! (i put the link up because I know some of you email receivers do not get the embedded video and I do not want any of you to miss out on this excellence!)

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6846855/gay-men-will-marry-your-girlfriends

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

i think i have gotten more inspirational and sappy over here.

Well well well. What a beautiful saturday in this lovely city today has turned out to be. I woke up naturally, took a shower, wore comfortable yet chic clothes, and walked down to the bay with my roomies (and across the hall homies.) I have not laughed so hard in a very long time. Dinner was delicious. We just finished the watching "It is kind of a funny story" which was adorable. I took a few photos while we were down at Pier 14, posted below. 

I love the buildings. they are simply inspiring. also, every time I look up while walking down a big city street I instantly hear "sweet disposition" by the Temper Trap. (For those of you who don't know, that song is practically the theme song for my favorite movie "500 Days of Summer" and is first introduced when the leading male is talking about architecture.) 

At the street fair. This man was making a ring. 

Above is a very talented charcoal artist. I love the characters this city has to provide. 

Roommates. Are they not beautiful? On the left is Savannah and Phoebe next to her. Below is Kayleigh. 

This is the bay bridge. Beautiful sail boats passed our way. 

(Yes, the carried beautiful sailor boys too, but my lens did not capture their beauty fast enough because I was too busy picking my jaw up off the dock.)

Meet Paisley. 

See lives across the hall from me. She is simply stylish and a class act with a non stop laughable humor. 

Also, her favorite book is Perks of Being a Wallflower, which gives her many extra points because that is also my favorite book.

I think this guy had a really hard night last night, or maybe even morning. He looked like he stepped on the dock to sort out lives problems and his only companion was a cigarette. 

He looked like he had a story to tell. 

Part of me wishes I had asked what it was. 

The dock lines. Nothing like symmetry right after lunch. 

Cute cute Phoebe. 

No matter how old you get, you still believe you can fly. 

Savannah throwing her arms in the air and the chair spud her around. 

This is exactly how our day was, carefree happiness. 

Sometimes, like all the time, I cannot believe that I actually live here and have the opportunities I do. 

the sleeping beauties of this city. 

This young boy, maybe ten years of age, carried the soul of a sixty year old jazz player. He tapped his foot to a rhythm, while his lips pursed against a black taped trumpet. 

I hope he makes it far. I would pay to see him perform. 

And finally: the ladies. 

Today was just simply sweet. Filled with good times and good people. 

My horoscope was right, things are looking up and I do have so much to be thankful for. 

xoxo

Carpe Diem.

This is one of those coming to age posts. I know that most of you will leave at this point because you were hoping for more naked men - I understand and respect that.

Lives are like novels. As cliché as it may sound, we spend each day writing a chapter. In each chapter we introduce new characters, dive deeper into others, take adventures, or just keep traveling on the same path. In Mrs. Funston’s freshman English class, I learned that the climax of a story is when something happens in the plot that changes it so dramatically that you know nothing will be the same after. In other words, everything will be different.

 In life stories, I don’t think the climax is one certain event. It may be in yours, but not in mine. In my life, my climax is a series of events. I think the climax of my life, so far, was this last year. I learned so much about myself, I grew up, I took chances, I felt risks, and I accepted consequences – good and bad.

Before I moved to Italy I had never been on my own. I had not been to camp and I rarely had sleep overs, always making up excuses on why I could only have a late over or calling my mom in the middle of the night to pick me up. I had gone on the skateboarding tour for months away from home, but I always had (at least) my Father present. I graduated from high school and leaped into a surreal experience. I went from always holding my family’s hands, to flying my way to a foreign country where I did not know anyone, the language, where to go, or what to expect. I was pushed out of my comfort zone. I was scarred, but never did I ever regret doing it. Italy changed my life. Of course the culture and aspects of a foreign country were striking and eye opening, but suddenly I was forced to make decisions between good or bad, motivate myself to succeed at school, fix my own meals, and wash my own clothes. It sounds silly, but I was forced to grow up. Forced to experience. Forced to find out who I really was. In Italy I realized what mattered, what made me who I was, what I wanted to be, and how lucky I am.

 

This summer I discovered a lot about myself. I took my mindset from Italy and become conscious of where I stood. I had my first real job - and Market Street will never be the same. I made new friends and created stronger friendships with the old. I also lost a few. I gained confidence as I stood up for myself. In my favorite book The Perks for Being a Wallflower, Charlie says, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” I finally learned what that meant, that I deserve the world and not to let people pull me down or make me think otherwise. I realized who made me feel good about myself, who I could be myself around, who I could trust - and who didn’t/couldn’t.

In Love is a Mixtape, Rob Sheffield wrote “She worried way too much what people thought of her, wore her heart on her sleeve, expected too much from people, and got hurt too easily. She kept other people's secrets like a champ, but told her own too fast. She expected the world not to cheat her and was always surprised when it did.” It was on page thirty-one that it dawned on me that this is exactly who I was.

Now look at me.

(please note that the stress from packing did not result in alcoholism.) 

 Ha. But really. Tomorrow I leave to San Francisco to study at the Academy of Art University.

When you are little you talk about what you want to do when you grow up. You draw pictures of your dream room in notebooks, you plan your prom dress, go from wanting to be a princess, to Hannah Montana, to a teacher. Then one day, you realize that you REALLY can become anything you want. I cannot tell you the exact day I figured out that I could be a photographer as a career, but I can tell you that once the seed was planted in my head I could not stop feeding it nourishment. I kept telling myself the negatives: the lack of pay, the uncertainty, what will people think of you choosing art as a job? Will they think you took the easy way out? All of those are still in the soil of my ambition, but they are pushing me harder. Prove them wrong. Be happy every time you go to work. Put your best out there. Make someone notice. That small seed that once sat in the back of my mind is now a tangled vine, large and ever growing. Consuming.

Some gardens grow forever without being taken care of. I sit here saying that I am so fortunate to have the full support of my family to chase this crazy dream of mine. I hear the stories from people who graduated from high school with me about how they went to college because that is just what is expected of them, status quo, what else would they do? My parents sat me down when I graduated and told me to enjoy it. They believe that education is important, but take my time. If I don’t go to school right away, that is fine, but make sure that whatever I am doing, I am doing with my whole heart and taking advantage of every day. How many people can say that their parents want them to be nothing but happy? My Mother comes from a family where the in state University was the only choice and if she wanted to go, she was going to pay for it. My Father moved across the country because he wanted to ski and Utah had better slopes then Michigan. Two completely different outlooks, backgrounds, and stories – but they both agree on doing whatever they can to make sure my life is perfect. I could not be anymore grateful for what they have done. My parents have (and constantly continue) to support me finically, emotionally, and confidently. Here is a shout out, because I could never thank them enough for everything they do for me. I want to be them when I grow up. 

Thank you for the constant support, love, friendship, and help from my family and friends. You are the true reason that I have the opportunities I do in life.

San Francisco: I hope you are ready.

Here is to this crazy thing called life and how addictive it is to live it with arms wide open, Carpe Diem. 

favorite postion is:

After a deep, almost comatose, power nap, my Mother surprised me with a beautiful meal of pasties (like gourmet hot pockets) and rocket salad. The meal was inspired by the U.K. See, in my family, we have been having a meal from a different country participating in the Olympics every night for dinner. Last night I made Middle Eastern food, Gabrielle made French previous, and so on. Aren’t we cute? But really, it has been a lot of fun to learn about the different cultures through food. But it also has been really fun to learn about the different countries through men.

With that said, let me introduce you to Jack Green.

This twenty one year old was born October sixth in Maidstone, Great Britain. He is a tall cutie, standing at six feet four inches.

Jack is apart of the Great Britain track team. When looking up his biography on Google, one of the stats about him was titled “Favorite Position” and instantly my mind went to the gutter. After I read below this forward sub heading I soon realized that the British author who wrote the bio was not giving me Mr. Green’s favorite positions... in bed... but rather his position on the team. His favorite position is hurdles. (“Oh, I have never heard of that one before!” – said me secretly.)

In the semi finals of his event this year, he fell. Rather, he tripped hard core over the hurdle. This was disappointing that I chose a loser for this post, but upon Googling (is it grammatically correct to remove the “e” with adding “ing” when referring to Google) images of him I realized that although he did not succeed in his Olympic sport, he is a BIG WINNER in hotness. 

This is a photo of Jack picking up his stumbled over hurdle. Look at that man butt. Mmhmm. If we got to look at this shot every time he fell, I would never want him to do well. 

Now Verbaledudette tries to stay at a PG-13 appropriate level when dealing with language, subject matter, and of course photographs. 

BUT i found something I just had to share.

 A photographer for GQ Magazine photographed five British Olympic Athletes naked. Lucky for us, Jack Green was one of them. 

You are so more than welcome. 

 Cheers! 

screw the idea of waiting for magic, everyday is magic.

I have been waiting for a sign, an inspiration, a moment of pure overflow of word vomit to appear in my lap. I was waiting for something to fall from the sky or for someone to yell a story from across a room. I was waiting for magic, but I came to realize that magic is in the every day simplicities. I realized that every single day something happens that is important at creating my life story. I had lots to say while I was in Italy because I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to live and thrive in a foreign country, but I am also very lucky to wake up each day in Salt Lake City, Utah with a wonderful family, good friends, and a place to call home. So screw the idea of waiting for magic, everyday is magic. And what you just witnessed was me having a moment of clarity, a moment of thankfulness, and a realization that every day needs to be lived like it’s my last.

You finish reading that and now the sigh of relief floods out of your mouth because Audrey’s sentimental, tender time is over. Now it’s on to the things Internet junkies love to hear. For example I recently (like yesterday) purchased an iPhone. It is incredibly addicting and I personally apologize to anyone I ever publically made fun of for being so obsessed with an electronic. This device can do everything, like Instagram and Foresquare while Tweeting about it and posting everything on my (and your) Facebook timeline, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I feel like I am part of club now, the iPhone Club. We should get jackets.

Well, I just checked my iPhone and it said that it was past my bedtime. Here’s to better posts in the future and to being thankful for everything we are presented with. xoxo

the first impression rose

Happy Friday the thirteenth and here is a toast to the weekend that is about to come. Also, let’s open that figurative keg and poor me a figurative glass of beer in celebration to the finishing of my first week at a real university. Yahoo, I cannot believe I made it. I met a lot of new people, no that is a lie, I SAW a lot of new people this week, got lost more than once and did not ask for directions or look at a map (which would advertise my newbie status if I did,) and I parked in the student zone with my new permit in a lot that is more than freezing away from my destination. Ah, isn’t college grand? No, really, it was a very good week, and I am going to tell you all about it.

In order for me to give you a glimpse at my first week, we are going to play a little game of The Bachelor: Back to School Edition.

Now for those of you who do not watch that dreadfully addicting sort of television, let me give you a little background on what happens in the first episode.   The show begins with me:

The eligible, sweet, hopeless leaner, who is just looking for someone to spend the rest of my educational semester with. I am dying to be happy and find that perfect professor. I wait, in the student union, to meet the lovely educators who want to be mine and teach me everything their little minds have to offer through compassion and textbook readings.

In each class I meet a contestant and they try to make a first impression on me. See, at the end of the week (today) I give out the “first impression rose” to the professor I want to really learn more in their class with. It is critical to get a rose on the first night, or else I will drop the class and that professor has to make the walk of shame and cry in front of a camera. It is a dramatic experience and I have to make a very difficult decision. But before that happens, let’s meet the educators: 

First is Norman Elliot from Intro to Interpersonal Communication.

This may not be an actual picture of Norm, but he sure does look like him (with a little extra pounds. making his sweater stretch and his buttons weaken) Norm is a funny, video clip, open guy who is always willing to communicate his emotions and tell you what they mean.

Next to walk in the union is Mister Foundations of Business, Richard Dunie.

Richard likes to teach classes that have an eighty boy to ten girl ratio. He also likes pointing out that old Dickenson does not think that Harry Potter is educational reading. His downfall is his lack of knowledge of how to set up a computer to the projector.

Coming from the building of BEH is the discussion leader for Analysis of Argument, Maurianna Shelbourn.

Mauri may just be an aid, but with her wild red locks (not demonstrated in the photograph because that is really not her) and the piercing that looks out of place on her left eye brow, we know that she will keep it awkward and go “beyond the textbook.”

Stopping by during my lunchtime is Argument Analyzer, Michael Middleton.

This guy is younger than the picture shows because the picture is actually a visual representation of his non-related name twin, the father of the new young bride of England. He is excited about his job and likes to roam around the auditorium while teaching.

Late night movie geek, Chris Lippard with Intro to Film comes with not only a scarf but also an English accent:

He may teach a four hour class that ends at ten, but his movie choice is wide and entertaining. It includes everything from Citizen Kane to The Big Lebowski. He does not like to sit on tables because they are not chairs.

And last, but not least is Natalie Nyman, the discussion cow girl of Intro to Interpersonal:

She may look like Dj Tanner from full house, but this girl has a ring on her left finger and love for asking what your favorite food is. She also is an early riser and when she has nothing to say, she lets you go early. What a gal! (Please note the picture is really Dj Tanner and not Natalie.)

Now that we have met our educators, it is time for me to get to know them through their classes. And YOU, as a reading audience, get to read the inside scoops. We begin on a Monday. . .

My first class of the college experience was Intro to Interpersonal. This class is all about the communication between people and what it all means. I walked out realizing that every person we meet we form a relationship with, weather it be long lasting or short lived.

That evening I went to Business Foundations. It was here that Channing Tatum’s look a like sat three chairs away from me (that is why is picture is included in the cast shot shown earlier.) I even made a friend in this class, her name is Crystal (I think) and she wants me to take photographs of her babies at a cheap price. Oh, the class is about the foundations of business and we learned about Christopher Columbus and his “native employees.”

Tuesday, the only class I got to spend time in was with Suzy Q (aka Maurianna.) This class was kind of pointless because it was the discussion class to a class that I had yet to attend. The people with me included professional glass blowers and a girl who looked sweet but actually likes to hunt and kill deer.

Wednesday I had a second chance to get to know the Interpersonal educator. It was nice to get some more time before this final decision.

On Thursday, I was taught about arguments and how to analyze them. The most surprising thing about this class so far is that I actually know someone in it! Madi answered a question and all though she was sitting behind me, I knew it was her voice.

That night, I watched Citizen Kane in my Intro to Film class where I was encouraged not to take any notes because he will give us the notes already typed up.

And today, my final class of the week was getting to know Natalie for Intro to Interpersonal.  All we did was some slight awkward introductions and were released thirty minutes early. I could not believe that I woke up early, took a shower, and got presentable, ran to class in the cold, and then sat there for twenty minutes only to be told we could leave cause there was nothing else to say.

After meeting each professor, I sat down in my kitchen, all alone, eating wheat thins, and made a critical decision.

Tonight, I give the first impression rose to Chris Lippard with Intro to Film. He was enthusiastic and funny and I cannot wait to spend the rest of the semester with him.

Chris, will you accept this rose?

xoxo

And while we are on the topic of mustaches…

Oh what Tuesday this one has turned out to be. First of let me tell you that my hair looked fabulous today. At least I thought so. Last night, I slept with my hair in a fishbone braid. When I took it out twelve hours later I had the sexy beach hair every ocean lover wants. What a great day to start my morning. The second eventful thing, after eating my yogurt, was taking my Italian Art History Final. Five different print outs of pieces of art were placed before me. For each one I had to identify and explain the piece, and then there was a second question that had to do with the detail of either the artist or the style of the piece.  I feel like I did all right, but it was the best I could do, so I am satisfied. (I also had my Photography Final Critique.. but that was a joke. Everyone loved my work. Actually everyone loved everyone's work. Charles just talked mostly. He does that often.) 

Today in the streets of Firenze there were wild protests. I do not know what these men were fighting about, but the city is on edge. There were helicopters flying around (this is really rare) and I was surrounded by men in uniform with bats, and helmets with face masks running to “designated protest areas.” It was exciting. If I get any news on what exactly was going down, I will inform you. Currently the rumor is something with a neighboring African country…. But that has not be confirmed. Don’t worry mom, I am safe and sound.

Isabella and Felix came over for dinner tonight. For those of you who do not remember, they are my two friends from the break dancing group. We had a delicious pasta dinner (surprised?) and then played a few rounds of the card game Spoons and finished with a great game of Bullshit. There were lots of laughs. I am going to miss those two.

We finished the night (when I say we, I mean Joanna and Rachel and I) by watching the film The Truman Show. It is hard to explain. I suggest you look it up. Watch it. Then watch it again. It was a mind blower.

Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Item Number thirteen is: Something that is off the market: The Parmesan Cheese Pencil Sharpener.

(Just so you know, before this I wanted to put a copy of FUKT magazine on, but I could not find if you could purchase it! Is it an online only thing? This gift thing is a disappointment. Look at this link http://www.fukt.de/ and tell me if you can find a price. Who knew trying to play Santa’s helper could be so darn frustrating.) I give up. Listen folks, I have been collecting cool things for the passed two months and the last few nights I have become heart broken when the truth about these objects come out. I was thrilled to find this product. A pencil that shaves off cheese is genius! I was excited to show you this wonderful device. It’s unique, it’s classy, it’s fun, it’s artsy, it sold out completely after the first two weeks of sale time and the Germans are not making any more. What kind of world do we live in!?

Where to find it online so you can at least look at it: http://jazarah.net/meet-the-parmesan-cheese-pencils/

Price: Haha. Funny.

Let’s try this again. Today’s gift item from your favorite blogger is: TOO EXPENSIVE FOR YOU but I have to show it to you anyway. It is the Rocking Italian Scooter Deluxe.

I stumbled on this beauty a month ago and it was not until tonight that I noticed, not only that it was a lot of moolah, but also it is hand made from a guy that lives in Turin, Italia. How perfect is that? In his little “about this” section, he claims that the one you receive may be a little different because he makes the special for order. He may charge the big bucks, but considering what the process must be, I would buy this. I would buy this, but then not let my children get near it.

Where to find it: http://www.etsy.com/listing/41381029/rocking-italian-scooter-deluxe

Price: $2,300.00

Okay, here is a gift closer to your price range. (I am guessing Bill Gates and other million dollar owners are not interested in my ramble. I am guessing my audience is more normal.) Introducing the: ‘Stache Labbit Plush

Do not ask me what  a labbit is, but isn’t this the cutest hipster stuffed animal you have ever laid eyes on? Your kids would love to find this in their stockings! Even your boyfriend/girlfiend would love to get this while out on a romantic date that you will do before anyone else cause your cool and that is the hipster way to do things. Embrace the ‘stache my ‘sters.

Where to find this: http://www.kidrobot.com/Toys/PlushToys/stacheLabbitPlush7Inch.html

Price: $15.95

And while we are on the topic of mustaches… you might as well consider getting these bad boys too. Perfect for those men, and women, in your life who can’t grow fuzz beneath their nostrils. TA DA:  The Sunstache

Again, I do not know why they call it that. But you cannot resist these fabulous pair of shades. Get one for the whole family! Hey, even old Grandpa Joe would like to grow a bushy mustache once again! It’s a hell of a lot better than those ones with the fake nose because you do not have to breathe in plastic and you look natural. . . ish.

Where to find: http://us.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=23510506&parentid=SHOP_STOCKINGSTUFFERS&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,&navCount=0&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=SHOP_STOCKINGSTUFFERS&popId=GENERAL_CATEGORY&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=&cm_mmc=Social-_-FB-_-20111202-_-sunstache

Price: $8.00

And here is a crazy picture of me because I felt like there wasn't enough random on this post. 

Tomorrow I have my Italian final. Wish me luck! Have a good night my friends. Stay classy.

P.S. Did you noticed I did not talk about the weather? You should be proud. 

P.P.S. The weather was bright and sunny all day. 

P.P.S.S. I just could not help it. 

life’s too short to even care at all.

 Hello from my bed. It may be only 7:00 but I already have my fuzzy socks on and am positioned under the covers. The lights are even off. No, I am not ready for bed; it is just kind of really chilly in this apartment, and I didn’t want to sit in those uncomfortable squeaky chairs in the kitchen. Italians obviously do not believe in decent warming devices in their apartments (probably because they do have a lot more hair on their bodies than other countries… but STILL. I am a hairless American who needs to be warm!) Okay, I am over exaggerating a little bit. Truth is, my bed is comfortable and I like the way the comforter practically glows in the dark because it is so neon yellow.

I apologize for such an awful introduction paragraph. Lets try this again.

Young the Giant’s most recent album is playing through my headphones right now as my feet are cuddling underneath my neon yellow comforter. The only light coming into the room is from the sliding propped open door. This square shadow of light (play on words, eh?) is enough light to frame Rachel’s bed in a halo like fashion. I am wearing my “your blog sucks” tee shirt and feeling really good about life.

Now, wasn’t that better?

Italy was beautiful today. This morning, I woke up with a burst of energy that needed to be set free. I harvested this emotion by going out on an hour long stroll, wandering through streets, kicking leaves up in the small park to the left, and watching old men row boats down the Arno river. It was truly refreshing.

I simply love this city. Walking home from school after class today, I really tried to soak in everything I passed. I have become so accustom to the route from casa mia (my house) to the school, that I sometimes take for granted how magical Firenze is. For example, as I was walking I breathed in deeply (with my new nose!!) the smells of home cooking, cigars, and that certain Italian city smell (no, not the pee and beer smell thank you, there is another one that I cannot put a name to.) I was walking down the little side street and I noticed the steam coming out of what looked like an air vent for one of the walled apartments. The way it swirled up and dispensed into the cold air as thick white petals was entrancing. I still smile at the lines of clothes that hang out of windows, even though it is a common sight in my days here. Now that I have lived her for so long, I can look passed the tourist monuments and really fall in love with the sweet subtitles.

I have begun to develop the feeling that every city is like this. Salt Lake City is just as beautiful as here, but I do not take the time to notice its details because I realize that I have taken it for granted. You never know what you have until it’s gone right?

Italian language is one of my least favorite classes because I hate being put on the spot and failing miserably when I am. BUT on the plus side, I love the challenge of trying to learn this new, beautiful, language. I want to learn! Oh goodness, my life is so hard. Just kidding. : ) Italian class was alright today. My fingertips were really cold. I have mentioned my pronunciation/spelling problem before, well now in class it is kind of a joke. For example, we were changing verbs from present to past tense, and Joanna chose my word to be the hardest one in the whole wide world (not really) to pronounce just because we all know how I st st stutter. I cannot remember it now and cant look it up in my notes cause I left my notebook at school, but know that it was hilariously hard (for me.) Oh well. Italian class is one of those classes that you dread going to, but once you are there you are fine, and everyone leaves laughing. Nicola may be an awful teacher, but he quite the character. 

This has nothing to do with anything, but it made me laugh. I thought you would need a little giggle on your Monday. 

Thanksgiving is obviously not celebrated here (if you do not know why… you have some serious problems that you need to figure out before reading any further. Google it.) Despite the country we are living in, Joanna, Rachel and I have decided to make a feast. We made a list of items we like to eat and divided them up between the three of us. I am in charge of a fruit and mashed potatoes. I am thinking maybe doing my family’s favorite apples in orange juice mixture and maybe some pomegranates.

Grandma, when Michael reads this to you, please know that I will not do your mashed potatoes justice and I am sending up my white flag. There is no competition; you have already won. Hopefully I will come in at least a close fifth place on the “good mashed potatoes” list. It cannot be very hard right? I mean I do not have a blender or anything... Is it unsanitary to use a rock? (I am only joking Rachel & Joanna; you honestly do not need to worry about if there are going to be dirt and other earthy materials in your buttery potatoes.) 

All I can say is thank goodness I am not in charge of the turkey.

Music Monday Update: Check out the song “Hotel Song” by Regina Spektor. It is a current love of mine.

I finished Like Water for Chocolate. Please read it. I had chills of wonderful emotion through out the entire thing. It is an easy, magical, read. (Please note that the picture to the right is not the real cover of the book, but an illustration someone did. I found it on google and liked it. That is all. ) 

Also, in the news of the social networking, I think you will find great pleasure in the new follower my twitter account has gained. “Titsoffire” has indeed started to follow my unwitty, too quotey, status update, tweet feed. I feel honored, really. Not many people can say that someone with such a great name is one of their 92 followers. 

My final statement deals with a lot of exclamation marks. Prepare yourself:

MY BEASTIE BECCA IS COMING TO VISIT ME OFFICIALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for reading! Ciao. Xoxo

*title: “Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant

i want you to funk me, your battle ship has sunk me

i know when you read the title you didn't first think it said fuNk and you were about to give me a talking to like you were my mother. :] Gotcha. It actually is the lyrics to one of my recent obsessions. The Scissor Sisters came out with a new album that is as insane and pumpin' as their last. I love these guys. (yes they are men) Check them out.

But really gay men singing amazing songs is not what this post is for.

Actually it is to highlight the up and coming, world renowned, bigger that Big Boi (in steez and skills- not size): 

Mark Macey. 

he asked me to write this post dedicated to him (actually it was supposed to be about his fine ass, but i didn't have much to say and as an audience (which includes my parentals) i didn't think that was a superb choice. Agreed?) 

There is a lot to know about Mark Macey. 

1. if you google him: he wont show up- but a weight loss winner does and an older guy with grey hair who does earth science stuff
2. also a picture of Macy Gray. It is probably because they are friends on facebook and send twitter love messages at 3:00 am to each other every tuesday. She is his inspiration and his listens to her music while writing his hit rap lyrics and eating french toast.  
3. he is quite the stunning devil and has a vicious charm to capture women's heart with his sexually sarcastic completely honest but in a joking sense of a way. 
4. He once had a band called "Will Approve of Sound" with Max and Paul and it obviously was a big deal because a fan of it thought this was the most important thing to know about him. 
5. green is his favorite color. He likes it because it is the color of grass and also the color of bamboo- a plant that giant panda eats and Mark is a naturalist and all about saving the giant panda from extinction
6. he has hiked to the highest peaks and sat in a tent on the tip of mount everest and watched his favorite movie Dr. Strangelove 
7. he is so famous people just want to drink his urine out of Arizona cans 
8. Mark gets his dates by biting their pony tails, quite literally. Boys- it is the key to a successful relationship. It is like the a twist on the usual vampire/biting/hickey approach. 
9. This man is fascinated with B and D's and often reads Gravity's Rainbow while eating a double cheese burger fries and a shake with Nate on Monday mornings 
10. He once hypnotized a man eating beast in the land the leamers (Madagascar) by singing the lyrics to his favorite album Canopy Glow while wearing nothing but a leopard loin cloth. 
11. He has been to the sun and back without a space ship using nothing but his lyrical smash ups to guide his way through the stars
12. he never had an imaginary friend because he is in fact the most interesting man alive 
13. he is never embarrassed because. . . yeah i dont know why not
14. he impresses the ladies with a gold tongue and a bronze body (whatever that means) 
15. he wants to marry me
16. Mark is a talented actor who told the guys whose line it was on the hit show "Whose line is it anyways" 
17. this man plays guitar with his left toe nail while painting a picture and making out with a girl at the same time in under ten minutes
18. he was born into the cloth only to take it off
19. and grew up with fear in his heart
20. Mark was andie's first couch partner
21. and was Alex's first streaking partner
22. he was Bea's first senior creeper
23. he makes it a need to be peoples first mooning experience 
24. he was his first friend
25. He often chases crazy asians named joseph up hills pants less to help them keep in shape
26. Mark is all about the people
27. only 64 people like his fan page but that will soon change because Obama is president and is all about change- so is mark
28. Mark is an inspiration to all writers, rappers, dreamers, actors, singers, haters, lovers, dead and alive 
29. (this will be left blank to show emphasis to the last one)
30. There is no one like him. 

There you have it folks. Mark Macey in a nutshell. 

Here is a stunning shot of this rare creature in his natural habitat. 

Enjoy.