A beautiful weekend in Barcelona!

Ciao Amici,

Well, this past weekend I was in Barcelona. It was nothing like I imagined it to be! The city is HUGE and so much cleaner than I expected! (In most areas. Some places were dirty! In fact I was informed that traces of Cocaine and Acid are found in Barcelona's air.) hahaha

We arrived late Thursday night, so we headed straight to bed. Friday we walked just about the entire city and my feet still hate me for that! haha. It was so much nicer than taking the metro though, because we stumbled upon so many cool things! We got to see the Christopher Columbus monument, walked along Port Vell, Sagrada Familia and enjoyed a delicious Spanish meal!


Sagrada Familia is a church that was built in the late 1800s by Antoni Gaudi! The architecture is so creative and different from anything in Italy! It reminds me of a sand castle you'd build at the beach as a kid!

The best part of my day though was getting STARBUCKS!!! I have never been so happy in my life to see a Starbucks!! They spelled mine and Stephen's name wrong on our cups. :( but it was still delicious as ever!
For dinner, I had Paella which was very good and I had probably the biggest glass of pop known to man! It was a little more expensive than I had expected, but well worth it!!

Saturday morning we kinda just got lost in the city! We walked down to the beach and I fell asleep on a chair! No worries, I was holding on tightly to my things!! Kelly, Jen, Stephen and I just kept wandering and found a cute little park so we sat there for a while then took pictures by a gorgeous fountain!


Later in the afternoon we made our way over to Park Guell! It is a mosaic park created by Antoni Gaudi! It is absolutely unbelievable how pretty it is and we had to take escalators up to the park! My favorite part of that was eating Subway there!! I missed it so much!!


The BEST part of the night though, was a fountain light show! OMG I have NEVER in my life seen anything so beautiful! The water shot up so high and they had such pretty music to go along with it! Behind the fountain is a huge government building that also had beautiful lights and fountains! I would have been perfectly content staying there the rest of the evening!

Sunday, Kelly, Stephen, Jen and I woke up at 6 to watch the sun rise on the beach! We took a bunch of goofy pictures and were lucky enough to witness a fight! We all saw a surfer and a man walking his dog. Well I thought it'd be cute to get a picture of a man walking his dog.. Next thing I know the two men are wrestling on the beach! Everyone just stood and stared! The man walking his dog had stolen the surfer's bag. The surfer walked away with his belongings and the other guy was NOT happy about it! He ripped off his shirt, fell over himself to take his shoes off and chased the surfer down! The surfer just planted him right into the ground! Funniest thing I have ever witnessed!


We concluded our weekend by visiting a chocolate museum. Apparently, Barcelona is the first and still is the main import of chocolate into Europe! There were so many amazing sculptures made purely out of chocolate! My favorite was UP! I wish my mom could have been there with me though! She loves chocolate more than anyone I know!!!


Next weekend I'm off to Roma then Paris the following one!!! I hope everyone is having a great Halloween!!!!
Love and miss you all!
Monique

Blissful Italia!

The beautiful city of Venice!

Ciao Amici,

beautiful!

I am currently procrastinating on packing, so I thought I'd catch up on my blog! This past weekend I spent in Venice! It was probably one of my favorite destinations so far. We arrived Thursday and visited the Accadamia. The art work was outstanding!

                                            Later that night we all grabbed dinner and I tried Bellini!  It is a peach champagne that originated in Venice! It was very good.

delicious!

:) We then roamed the city. As we were walking, a Nutella sign caught my eye. (How surprising!) It said Nutella Pizza!!! We all sprinted into the shop to find that they only had Nutella calzones. Stephen and I had an entire conversation saying the same things at the same time! It was so funny! Of course I had to try one! So they heated it up and Stephen and I split it! It was probably the best thing I've had in Italy so far.... Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's pretty close!

Outside of Basilica of San Marco

 Friday we visited the Basilica of San Marco, which was my favorite part of the trip! It was huge and so decorative inside! Everyone told me I had to see it but I never really knew why. Well now I am saying EVERYONE MUST SEE IT! The basilica is huge architecture inside and out is gorgeous!

We visited a few other places along the way and then ended the trip with a Gondola ride! It's one of those things you have to do atleast once. I'm so glad I had the chance to because it was extremely peaceful and beautiful! Fortunantly for me, that was our last stop because after that is when my camera died! :( It was dropped in Milano and had been acting up since then. When I'd turn it on a message would come across saying lens error. Stephen had temporarly fixed it for me, but it finally gave out! :( I was so upset because I just got that for my birthday AND IT'S PINK!!!!!! I just bought a new one today. It's a very nice blue camera, but it's not pink! hahaha

inside of Basilica of San Marco

I actually had to be a student this week! I had Comparative Media and Art History midterms Tuesday and Wednesday! Comparative Media was very easy but I was freaking out about Art History! I made a powerpoint, retyped all my notes and another study guide! I told my professor and he looked at me like I was nuts and told me I was drowning myself in it! He clearly doesn't know me because I always do this! I was at the school from 1p.m. until 12:30a.m studying last night and it paid off! The test was so easy! I think I only missed one or two! So, if anyone has any questions on Italian Gothic or Renaissance history please let me know!

I'm now off to finally pack for Barcelona! Stephen, Jen, Ali, Kelly and I all leave tomorrow evening and return Sunday!! Please pray I do not get pick pocketed! If this camera is stolen I will chase whoever took it down! hahaha

Cutest puppy!!!

Oh, I almost forgot!!! We finished another episode of Flashes of Florence!!! It's all about the night life here!! Watch it and let me know what ya think!! :) Student Night Life in Florence!

 Love and miss you all!!!
Less than 2 months until we are all reunited!!!!! yayyyy!!!

Marco Polo's home

The oldest bridge in Venice!

Gondola

Venice! - slideshow dvd

Half way through the semester!!!

Hi everyone!

It is so hard to believe that I am half way though my semester! As much as I miss home, I am not ready to leave Italy! The girls are I are in the process of switching rooms right now. Bri and Jen will have the balcony and Brit and I will have the bigger bathroom! It's exciting but so sad!

This past week was amazing! Tuesday my practicum teacher took our class to Santa Croce where we had the opportunity to climb to the top and view the frescos! The frescos are restored ever 10 years and they are in the process of restoring them now. The detail in the paintings are absolutely amazing!

View from the top of the Duomo!

Wednesday, my Art History class climbed 463 stairs to the top of the Duomo! The climb wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be! I had a 360 degree view of the city! Stephen found our street from up there. hahaha. The pictures that I took don't even begin to explain how beautiful it was! Brit and Bri haven't climbed it yet, so I'm going to climb it again with them!!! It's just so beautiful! Later that night all of us went out for margaritas then headed to a talent show! Jen and I filmed the show for Flow N' the Go. The show was a lot of fun! Chris and Elyse performed Love the Way You Lie and it was AMAZING! They had the entire crowd on its feet singing and clapping!

Love them all!

Thursday, Jen, Chris and I spent the day editing our package for Flow N' the Go. I'll post the link as soon as I get it. Then Chris and I filmed some stuff for our next Flashes of Florence video and filmed the cover band of Dave Mathews Band at Red Garter.

Roomies!

 

                                              Friday, I spent WAYYYYYY to much money! The weather here changed a lot faster than I had anticipated. Therefore, I went out and bought a few sweaters, winter jacket, and a pair of boots!! The boots were half off though so I don't feel as bad! The four of us girls just chilled that night. I got to skype: Glenn, JJJ, Andrew Pulsen, Justin and Troy that night! Seeing all of my best guy friends made me realized how much I miss Kent! :(

My new boots! :)

Saturday was the most absolutely perfect day ever! We spent the day in San Gimangnano! It was so nice to get out of the city for a day and enjoy Tuscany for what it really is! San Gimangnano is a very quiet town with a million different types of wine and cheese! I've always liked wine but I'm starting to LOVE it!! I just wish Brit could enjoy it with me! :( We think she's allergic to it because every time she has a sip it makes her sick!!! We've tried to find one for her, but we've pretty much given up!!

View of the Countryside! :)

Also, seeing Tuscany makes me want to live in the country one day! Don't get me wrong, I love the city, but I LOVE the peace and quiet of the country!

This is for you Nonna! :) haha

 Well, It's my turn to move my stuff into my new bedroom so I will post pictures next week! I will also be traveling to Venie Friday and Saturday!!! SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

Love you all,
Monique, Mo, Moe Moe, Meek, Meeker (which ever you prefer.) :)

A trip to Milano!

Ciao Amici,

This past week was a roller coaster. Emotions and friendships were definitely tested. My practicum class had a huge miss understanding with the professor, which upset a lot of people. Without getting into specifics both the students and professor are to blame. We met with the director and as of right now I think everything is going to turn out ok! (keeping my fingers crossed.)

 As for the friendships, I absolutely LOVE everyone here! I couldn't ask for a better group of people to share this experience with, but it's been about two months and everyone's little quirks/true colors are beginning to show. It can be difficult living and working with the same people every day. Therefore, to get away I have been going for walks and writing everything in my journal to relieve the stress. So far it has really worked!

CCI and our wonderful director Fabio in Milano!

Okay, on to the positive side of things! Wednesday night my practicum group attended a dinner and theater place. We had the opportunity to meet with the Public Relations coordinator of the theatre. It is the only place of its kind in the world! A full course dinner is served (buffet style). They continuously brought out different foods, which were all homemade! Every time a new dish was served the owner/chief yelled out the window what it was and people flew like vultures to the table!!! (He looked like Santa Claus.) They of course had fish, which I hate, and my professor brought a piece over and just chopped its head off!!! I literally almost screamed! It was the most disgusting thing ever! Then of course Chris and Brett had to go get a piece! I sat with my hand infront of my face until they finished! I don't care how childish it was, a fish head just sitting on the table it NOT okay with me!! I must say though, I did try a baby clam and it wasn't bad!

Kinda fuzzy :(

After dinner all the tables were moved out of the hall and our chairs were moved towards the stage. We enjoyed an hour performance all in Italian! Even though I couldn't understand most of it, I could read the body language and it was very interesting! I can't wait to go back and interview the workers!

Thursday I helped another practicum group with their project. They are putting together a documentary about wine. We attended a wine exhibit that housed the top 200 out of 20,000 wines in Italy. I could taste any of them for FREE!!! It was so interesting because I don't really know a lot about wine, other than I don't like it dry! I also had the chance to interview two wine experts. One was a critic and the other made it. Both were very helpful and nice! I might go with Jen to the winery next weekend if no one in her group wants to go!

Bar Duomo!

Me in front of the second largest cathedral in the world!

Friday I spent the day in Milano! Even though a lot of people say they don't like it, I LOVED it! It may be because I'm a shopaholic, but it was a beautiful city! The CCI and business students had the opportunity to walk the halls of Corriere Della Sera, the most popular nationwide newspaper in Italy! The staff was very kind and had a lot to say about their company!

delicious peach tea!

After that we had an hour of free time! We passed all the designer stores. (It's probably a good thing I didn't have time to shop.) The girls and I enjoyed lunch at Bar Duomo. Our waiters were so cute! It was super windy that day so they stood and blocked the wind for us. hahaha.

Later in the afternoon we met with Business Press and Now!, both are Italian PR companies. The workers were absolutely AMAZING! They were so intriguing and passionate about their jobs! The company is the PR firm for Facebook, so it was very interesting to hear about what they do for them!

Although I wish I had more time to explore the city itself, I did have a great time in Milano and would suggest each and every one of you to travel there if you have the opportunity.

The rest of the weekend I spent around Firenze! Saturday Brit, Bri, Eric and I spent the day at the leather market. I accomplished a little Christmas shopping.  :) Oh, and I bought myself a dolphin ring and bracelet!!! Then, Sunday I just spent the afternoon working on Marcus' birthday present and studying for my Italian exam! Next weekend I am hoping to discover Tuscany and the following weekend I will be in Venice!!!

I hope everyone is having a great fall season! Only 2 and a half months til we're reunited!!! <3

More like home :)

Ciao Amici,

Florence is beginning to feel more like home every day, but the time is flying by! Only two and a half more months to enjoy this amazing place!!!

Brit and I before Church!

Exploring Firenze these past two weeks has been amazing! I’ve gone to church at the Duomo twice now. Once an English mass and the other an Italian mass. Both experiences were extremely different from the Catholic Church at home. Instead of singing songs they speak them and for communion people just hop in line with no order what so ever. Also, no wine with communion!!! Never the less, I am very glad I went and I hope to continue to go the weekends that I am in Firenze!

my beautiful home :)

Game night :)

                                                                       For those of you who know how much I was struggling to move forward in my life, I have officially let go of the past. There is no longer a heavy weight holding me down and I’m so excited to see what the future has in store for me. I finally realized that what happened, happened and it's over. I needed to stop worrying and focus on the positive! The friendships I have made here are absolutely amazing!!! These people are like family! Jen and I hosted a game night and I’ve never laughed so hard! We played this impossible game with so many rules no one could keep them straight, and of course the celebrity game!

We did get yelled at for being too loud, but when you get 10 people in one apartment drinking wine, it was bound to happen! We quieted down right away and everything was ok.  :)

Gucci Museum!

Monday night, Jen was told Jennifer Lopez and Madonna were in Firenze for the opening of the Gucci Museum! (J LO was not and Madonna had already left) So, the four of us dressed up and ran down there! On our way we ran into some boys from UNC. We started talking and one of the kids went to high school with my friend from college. HOW WEIRD!!! I’m in a different country! It is SUCH a small world! Anyways, we were standing as close as we could to the entrance and saw Anna Wintour! Even though she is extremely rude it was still cool to be so close to her!! The security guards instantly became our friends and we joked around with them the entire night!!  

Friday I met a very cute Italian boy! His name was Raphael and he bought me a red rose hahaha. Next step, a vespa ride from an Italian boy!

This weekend Brit, Chris and I took an adventure to IKEA. It was the first time I had ever been to one, and it was SO FUN! We literally tested out every single bed! The store is huge! I finally bought a comfortable pillow and another towel!  Hopefully my neck pains will go away!

As far as classes go, they are great! I am working with an Italian website called Flo’N The Go. The website is geared towards tourists visiting Firenze! I get to write articles and produce packages about food, on stage performances and lifestyle!  This opportunity is going to be absolutely amazing!!! The first package I want to do is about this WONDERFUL Panini shop right by our school! The sandwiches are HUGE!!! You can get anything you want on it for 3 euro!!! And the bread…. SO FRESH!! I am officially addicted to it! Brit and I have decided we can only go once a week! Therefore, since Wednesday is our busiest day, we head over on our break!

My art history class is beyond spectacular! Living in Firenze, I am emerged in the history everywhere I go, but having such a knowledgeable professor is really enhancing my experience! As I walk through the piazzas. I know how they came to be and what use to be there and why!  The artwork is also phenomenal! I am truly blessed to have this experience! I wish I could fly all of you over on a plane to experience it with me!

 

Chris and I are also in the process of filming our next Flashes of Florence: Nightlife.  It will discuss restaurants, dancing, and the street performers! I’ll post the link as soon as we’re finished!!!

I love and miss you all!

Ciao tutti!