We had so much fun making this video, it's by far my favorite one out of the two and I can't wait to make it back to make a new one(or whenever they all make it to my side of the pond!)
Either way I hope you enjoy it!
Until next time,
xoxox Michelle
A Moveable Feast |
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So last summer my friends and I set out to make a video. That time I was...less than thrilled until after it was said and done. After it was all over was when I realized how much fun I had had. This time we were working with a much smaller crew of crazy characters: But don't worry, thanks to Letizia's crazy-good video making skills this one is even better.
We had so much fun making this video, it's by far my favorite one out of the two and I can't wait to make it back to make a new one(or whenever they all make it to my side of the pond!) Either way I hope you enjoy it! Until next time, xoxox Michelle
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Sometimes, I don't blog for a week and then come at you with a weeks worth of posts all wrapped into one about what I've been up to, or rather what I've been blessed enough to be a part of. This time I'm not sure where to begin so let's start with what I've been loving lately, in a very brief and expired version of "If It Makes Me Happy Monday", and then into all the good stuff--even with pictures this time! I can't get Pandora in Italy so Spotify has come in handy lately although it's not my favorite. I live in the moment, duh. Olives. I really like olives right now. Hot tea in the morning is really good as well. Okay, I'm done for now. Where to begin? How about Thursday, Thursday is a good day. Thursday was the 25th and the 25th is Liberation Day for Italy. I completely forgot about this so around 10 in the morning when I went out to take a walk up the hill I was overrun by bikers, literally. Either as part of the celebration or simply coinciding with this weekend, I'm not sure, bikers overtook Montichiari for the weekend beginning on Thursday. The piazza was transformed in a racing course and the hill turned into a mud pit. It rained for the majority of the weekend so when the bikers would come down from the hill and ride through the piazza they were covered in mud from head to toe. totes cray. Because of the holiday Stephen had the day off from work. For the most part we just hung around the apartment, but in the afternoon we went to join the festivities where we stumbled upon a little make-shift antique/used goods market. Stephen and Jessica bought two paintings for the apartment and then we all got gelato. After that, Jessica and I took a walk around the castle grounds while Stephen went back to apartment. The grounds were small but very pretty. A few weekends ago I took a tour of the castle with Letizia. I want Stephen, Jessica and I to take the tour together before I leave, but the castle is only open on Sundays and special holidays, and seeing as I only have one more Sunday left, which will be spent in Florence, I don't think it's going to happen. Friday morning the weekly market was set up despite the rain and I met a few friends in the piazza for coffee. I ended up just getting a water because it was so hot. We had a lot of fun just talking and walking around all the booths. The only thing I've ever purchased from the market is cacti with Jessica but it's always fun to just sift my way through the crowd looking at everything. Friday night Stephen, Jessica, and I met two American couples for bowling and dinner in Rezzato. Bowling is a lot different over here. The lanes are shorter and not as well taken care of but no one actually took the competition seriously so we had a lot of fun rolling gutter balls down the curvy, bumpy lane. Saturday day was spent doing laundry on base and filming with Letizia and Mattia for the music video (which should be out this week--I know all of you are on the edge of your seats with anticipation!). At night Letizia, Mattia, Diletta, and a lot of others went out to Doppio and then Art for Davide's birthday. That night I only got three and some change hours of sleep and then headed off to another birthday party for a daughter of an American that Stephen works with. After that I fit in an hour nap and then went to finish filming the video with Leti, Mattia, and Davide. It's going to be so good!
I slept like a baby last night and today can hopefully start packing and cleaning before I leave next week. This morning I had polenta with an over-medium egg, olives, almonds, and raisins. I rarely like eating sweet things in the morning so the polenta and olives really hit the spot. I also drank about a gallon of hot tea so I feel more than ready to start my day. It's raining buckets here but I don't mind because I feel like having a slow day so I'm glad the weather agrees. I hope everyone has a good week! I'll be seeing all your smiling faces soon! I can't believe I only have just over a week here. The time has flown by! Ciao tutti! This weekend was crazy. The sunshine left again, now it's only gray skies and rain over Montichiari but my weekend didn't suffer because of it.
Friday night a thunderstorm started to roll through around 9 pm but it felt like one of those summer storms where the rain is cool and the air is hot so it was still nice to be outside. Jessica, Stephen, a few Americans, and my friends sat in the piazza and talked and laughed for a long time--until about 11:30. Saturday I got in a jog and yoga in the morning then spent the afternoon reading, applying for jobs back home, and cleaning out my 450+ e-mail account it was the most productive spring cleaning I've ever experienced. (I also watched this video. He brings up a lot of challenging opinions that I enjoyed listening to. It's a little long, but worth the listen.) Saturday night was...spectacular. I spent the evening with Letizia, Mattia, and a lot of others but first it was just Mattia and me at Letizia's house. I went to mass with Letizia and her family which I really enjoyed. I understand only bits and pieces of the songs and service but sermons are highly repetitive which helps me understand new words more quickly. But also, I like going to the services because it's so different from what I grew up accustomed to--the tradition, language, and history of everything going on captivates me. After mass we all went back to Letizia's house for dinner with her parents. Her parents are so cool, really her family so cool, but every time I go to their house I immediately feel welcomed and at home. I'm immensely grateful for all of them. Anyways, after that Letizia, Mattia, and I met other to go out. We were going to go to a bar but everyone (and by everyone I mean all the Italian speakers--I'm just along for the ride) decided it was too early so we decided to go bowling, which turned into going to play pool. Let me just take a moment to thank my Aunt Liz and Uncle Micheal for hosting countless family functions at their house with a pool table because every time I've played over here I dominate...or more truthfully I help other very talented pool players dominate the game. Look, all I'm trying to say is I never lose. After about four games of pool, we ended up at a bar called Rino's (the symbol is a rhino and everyone calls it "ree-knows"). Before Saturday I didn't understand the draw in for Rino's. What I had heard about it was that they serve American food, like ribs, potatoes, burgers, etc., good beer and offer a food eating challenge where if you eat a certain amount food in an hour you don't have to pay. Unsurprisingly the last winner, and perhaps one of the only winner of this auspicious challenge, was an American from base. Anyways based off that information only I was, um, less than thrilled by the prospect of experiencing an European version of an American bar. But boy was I sore when I actually had a great time. We could hear the music from the parking lot and when we got inside I realized they we blaring Elvis Presley-style music and almost everyone on the dance floor was doing their own funky version of the twist. The bar was full but just full enough. When friends and I went to dance we had enough room to move around but didn't feel too awkward or alone to not have a good time. Highlights from Rino's include: when I learned how to dance to YMCA (I know I had to come all the way to Italy for that), when the Macarena came on I squealed "Oh my goodness, this is my jam!" (thanks mom) and proceeded to dance to the whole song, and perhaps the best part was when all the guys, or more accurately only the guys, got up and sang "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls at which point I doubled over in laughter and still have "If you wannebe my lover..." stuck in my head. Oh gracious, it was so much fun. Sunday was supposed to be a laundry day, which meant going to base, but it was raining and Stephen wanted a lazy day so that's exactly what we had. I spent the better part of 11-5 in bed reading, Stephen played Kingdom Hearts all afternoon, and Jessica napped and made delicious homemade macaroni and cheese--the perfect lazy day food if I do say so myself. Around six I went to Letizia's again to shoot more of the new music video, and then to go eat in the piazza. We ended the night at a bar called Garage. I don't know what got into me but I slept until nine this morning. Generally I wake up around seven and force myself to not get up until 7:20 or 7:30 but when I finally rolled over and saw that it was nine and realized I had slept all through the night, which is rarity for me lately, I was happy to get up and start my day, instead of my normal I-hate-the-world-before-noon demeanor. I know it's silly to talk about what time I get because technically I'm on vacation, but I need transition time in the morning and so enjoy the quiet of getting up early and easing into wakeness--regardless sometimes sleeping in is nice. It's raining again today, but I know it's good for the fields and water levels so I'm not complaining. I see yoga in my future and cleaning my bathroom--I know, so glamorous. Anyways, have a lovely Monday! Ci vediamo!! It's only April but August is quickly approaching. Before I know it it's will be August 17th and I'm going to be beginning the 10 hour drive to WWC for the week long freshman orientation to kick off the school year. To think that college is only months away is mind-boggling, overwhelming, and so so so exciting.
Exciting but, being the worrier that I am, nerve-wracking. Mentally I've begun making a list of all the things I need to gather this summer to take down for college. WWC has their own list chock full of great ideas. And while I'm happy to say I won't have to buy too much (except a sturdy bike and good hiking boots) the task of acquiring everything I need seems daunting. This afternoon as Jessica and I were walking to the store I asked what are some of things that tend to skip a "oh-my-gosh-I'm-going-to-sufficate-because-I-feel-unprepared" kind of checklist. She brought up good ideas like cooking and eating supplies i.e. my own fork, bowl, plate, spoon and knife set and shower bags to keep all my belongings together. But through our conversation I was reminded of a very solid point. For a move such as the one I'm going to be making to college I'm never going to be or feel 100% prepared--at the very least I'm going to forget my hairbrush or enough socks. Before I start worrying I'm going to stop. Just as I have enjoyed my time this year, in the moment not worrying about the whats nexts or what ifs, my number one goal beginning in August is to enjoy the easy pleasure of being a student. A lot things are going to be hard about starting school again. Let the alone the transition of living at home to living on my own, but because Wilson is Wilson, and college is college, and I'm still growing up with a lot of question marks in front me, more aspects of Wilson-life than I can imagine or articulate will challenge me during my first year. At the same time college is easy because my education is worth whatever stress, pressure or challenge exists within higher education and certainly learning and discovering, while challenging, are pleasurable. I want to work hard in college, but I also want to enjoy the work. So my challenge for all of you is if I start complaining about "how tough school is" or "how incredibly tired I am" ask me first if everything really is okay, and if my answer is yes (which it likely will be), give me a kick in the butt and help me piece back together a normal perspective. With all that being said: Dear College, Promptly arrive. I am tired of waiting for you. Sincerely, One Very Lucky Wilson Chick Enjoy today lovelies, the sun is shining here. I hope it's beautiful where you are! xoxo Starting yesterday and throughout the rest of the scholarship season, i.e. this spring, summer, and early fall I will be required to post essays for scholarships to my blog as an alternative to mailing them to a foundation, office or what have you.
Have a great week everyone! Michelle Essay Contest Topic
2. Marital communication issues and divorce Many relationship experts believe that the foundation of a strong marriage is open communication. For many couples, communication keeps their relationship healthy. However, for others, breakdowns in communication can lead to divorce. In this essay, please identify three ways in which communication problems are a factor in divorce and propose well-considered solutions to preventing those problems. Your discussion should reference technological contexts of communication. For example, consider how the prevalence of mobile technology (such as texting) or social media (such as Facebook) play a role in helping or hurting marital communication. Please close your essay with a reflection upon whether resolution of communication problems can save a marriage. Consider the significance of poor communication, as compared to other factors, as a precursor to divorce. Use American Psychological Association (APA) Style for your scholarly citations that support your claims. Modes of communication within the past 20 years have drastically changed the way individuals interact. With social media programs such as Skype and Facebook, electronic communication has never been better prepared to meet the demands of couples by delivering unprecedented exposure in the immediate now. These modes of communication are integral to relationships. Communication is integral and any mode to facilitate conversation remains equally important. Communication provides three constructs to every healthy relationship. First, open and fluid communication acts as a strong base to build the relationship on. In order to have a productive conversation a space needs to be created to communicate in. Secondly, communication opens the conversation up to compromise. Even two people in love will not always see eye to eye therefore beginning the conversation with compromise in mind allows ideas and emotions to be expressed more fluidly. Lastly, communication provides a field to work on the relationship as a team. Communication sometimes is not easy but being willing to work hard and well on relationships will make communication easier. The prompt suggests “communication keeps… [marital] relationship[s] healthy” but a more accurate assessement would be that communication is the marriage, therefore, to comment on the quality of one is to comment on the quality of the other. In an instance when one says “We are in a unhealthy relationship” a more accurate statement is “We are communicating poorly”. In this example, the problem is that neither side knows how to communicate, and perhaps more accurately neither side feels welcomed to join the conversation. Over time, as the ground for communication becomes more narrowed and inaccessible so too does each individual become more inaccessible exponentially degrading the quality of the relationship. In order to maintain an open and clear communication field, and therefore an open and healthy relationship, three steps need to be taken. First, individuality and diverse opinions should be welcomed. Within a marriage each spouse needs to be recognized as an individual with separate thoughts, emotions, and ideas distinct from the other in order to feel welcomed in the relationship for who they are. Second, each partner needs to understand that no subject is off the table for discussion. Not all habits, actions, thoughts or expectations live acceptably within a healthy marriage but all need to be addressed without fear of adverse consequence on part of the other in order for two people to grow in love together. Lastly, acceptance and understanding during open and honest communication needs to be expected to improve grounds for communication. As marriage and communication go hand in hand so too should compromise and relationship. Often in troubled marriages, even during times of fluid communication, compromise remains an absent solution post-discussion. Compromise in relationships proves imperative when unrealistic expectations develop to avoid undue conflict. Compromising requires sacrifice from both partners in the relationship. Ideally compromise should reach the most effective common ground. The first step to resolve unrealistic expectations through compromise is by identifying the root cause of the expectation. Perhaps as a result of differences in tradition, belief systems, or background expectations can arise in one partner while causing confusion for the other. By first working to understand the source of the situation, compromise becomes easier as perspectives are shared and confusion or apprehensions dissipate. Nevertheless, in order to welcome discussion, both partners must work to create a tolerant environment. Sometimes sharing personal capacities of oneself, like background or religion, can feel embarrassing or intimidating but when both sides of the discussion are open to ideas without prejudice the transfer for information becomes easier. Factors that harm a marriage appear difficult, implementing protective measures in a failing marriage is difficult, but strong communication coupled with empathy, awareness and daily retooling are the right steps a couple should take to recover from the damage done by poor communication. Similar to relationships with parents, siblings or friends, marriage requires partners to share the work of actively building a life together. A couple has to face each day with the intention to love the other to the best of their ability. People are not perfect however, and sometimes good communication will be difficult. But love makes the hard work easier and inspires greater efforts to maintain and build a healthy marriage. Marriage is not an absolute. A formula for a perfect marriage does not exist, therefore even when communication is fluid and both partners feel connected, understanding, and in-tune to each other’s needs and desires divorces occur. Productive communication, however, remains the best solution to issues and preempts divorce—with enough work and conversation two people can resolve their issues. "It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. I was so preposterously serious in those days…Lightly, lightly—it’s the best advice ever given me. So throw away your baggage and go forward. There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must walk so lightly. Lightly, my darling." Yesterday was exciting, I found out where I am going to be living and who I am going to be living with. My room will be in The Ballfields which is up at the top left had corner of the map just below the soccer fields and to left of the tennis courts: You can probably tell that this dorm isn't exactly central to the rest of the campus but from what I remember from my visit two years ago the hiking trails are right behind the soccer fields which to me means my dorm's location is right where it's supposed to be. I'll be living in Ballfield C which is the designated Wellness dorm on campus. You can read the full description here. But the quick facts are that the dorm holds around 40 people, is co-ed, has a full kitchen, lounge, laundry room, bike rack, and the top floor rooms have high ceilings so the beds are loftable! Also, because Ballfield C is designated Wellness the dorm is substance free which is defined as "living in a space free of alcohol and other drugs. Residents agree that these substances should not be stored in the building and agree not to return to the hall under the influence of these substances". I'm very happy with this arrangement and my roommate is very cool too. I don't think I have ever actually talked about Warren Wilson my blog but now seems like good a time as any so here goes. Warren Wilson College is a liberal-arts private school in Swannanoa, NC about 10 miles outside of Asheville--the coolest mountain town I have ever seen. The school itself is settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and quite literally on the side of the mountains. Admissions generally caps undergraduate acceptance at 900 or so students and the total number of enrolled students is about 1,000. Those figures are smaller than the high school I graduated from, but I picked Wilson for that reason, although not primarily. Wilson is where I'm supposed to be, I believe that entirely. Wilson was the only school I applied to--I applied Early Decision--and I knew before December of my senior year that's where I was going. Everything about Wilson captivated me when I went to the Open House in November 2011--the trees, the professors, the students, the garden and farm, the community, the compulsory work and service programs. I couldn't stop smiling during my visit and this gap year has been especially challenging, regardless of how much fun I've had and where I've been able to go and the things I've been able to do, because Wilson is there and I am here. But being separate from a place I very much want to be a part of has really helped me to value where I am and the present moment, which something I didn't really know how to do before this year and that kind of out look is certainly going to help me enjoy my college years much more than I would have otherwise. This summer will be spent working and getting ready for college and I'm going to be counting down the days until orientation (which is a whole week long and from past pictures that I have seen from it looks amazing!) Right now I'm not sure what I want to study but lately I've been leaning towards an Anthropology major with a French minor or some other language although I really love French. I've also thought about studying Religious Studies and Women's Studies has been picking up more of my attention as has Global Studies. Wilson offers a concentration in Pre-Peace Corps, International, and Non-Governmental Service Preparation which I think would complement an Anthropology major well and all of the other things I'm interested in studying and becoming after college, but graduation is four years away so I don't want to think to hard about that right now. This post became a lot longer than I had planned but now everyone knows about the school I've been dreaming about for two years now. Have a great weekend everyone! xoxoxx More pictures and links: The Farm The Garden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Sunday walking through the Milan airport an Italian guy just a few years older than me walked by Stephen, Jessica, and me in an head-to-toe neon blue Adidas track suit. And all I want to tell him is "Thank you sir, thank you for bringing that back just like my generations is busting out their parent's flannels and Members Only jackets. May I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we aaaall missed that." So my one month mark passed two days ago. This trip has been different as I knew it would. Certainly the trip hasn't been bad--how could it? I've relaxed plenty, laughed more and spent a lot of time with beautiful people in a beautiful place. Undoubtedly I'm going to miss this place when I leave. I'm going to miss the people most of all, but also the way Stephen's kitchen sink faucet tabs are backwards so the blue is hot and the red is cold. The way his kitchen chairs are too tall so I can swing my feet while I type this. I'm going to miss the bells ringing in each hour and each mass. The cafes, the coffee, the warmth. I'll miss the lake and the swans, the castles, the bikes and the terracotta chimneys. Today, and lately really, I've been waking up not feeling 100% I've felt stressed and unhappy about a lot of things, but surprisingly not about leaving. My time here has been exciting and filled with a lot of opportunities that I'm happy to say I have taken. And my future ahead in college continues to reveal itself as a bright one leaving me only hopeful. I don't know what I'm saying. I got on here to write about what I've up to in these days. I've been reading Hemingway--this blogs namesake actually. But also, I've read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde which left me feeling both enlightened and a little insane. I read un roman francais translated into English but I can't remember the title. I've also been working my Degree. It's actually for a scholarship but I have been learning new and exciting things like how to write code. I've also been doing a lot of yoga. Tutti should try this video. It's easy and quickly becoming one of my favorites. Nutella for whatever reason tastes better in Italy, therefore in holy matrimony with peanut butter I've been consuming perhaps unhealthy amounts of said chocolate spread. Pinterest is slowly creeping back into my life again after a months long hiatus. I'm pleased and disappointed with this develop but mostly pleased. Today was supposed to be spent solely on filling out scholarships and writing essays, and while the night is young and that dream still salvageable, the sun finally came out today and distracted me for far too long with its beautiful rays so now I'm off to help Jessica with dinner and write some essays, 'tis the life. Burn brightly today bold ones! (Also, I updated my about page for like the hundredth time so you can go check out and I'm in the process of creating a 'connect with me' so be on the look out for that because I think we should be friends!) I was going to blog before we went to Prague. I was going to tell you about Easter weekend, my first mass, Fish Day in Italy. Everything. And then, like I do sometimes, I lost my writing mojo--completely and inexplicably. So let me give y'all a brief recap in pictures because let's be honest I never take, or post rather, enough of those. Ready, set, go! Okay, I don't exactly have a photo from our Easter so here's a picture of the infamous Hallmark Sqauwkin' Egg Droppin' Hen--the Easter plush I happily was absent from selling, which is certainly something to praise the Lord for: Our Easter was spent at mass, eating chocolate, Easter cake, and in the sunshine with great friends. We couldn't have asked for a better day! Buona Pasquaetta tutti! I learned last week that in Italy the Monday after Easter Sunday is a national holiday typically spent around friends, family, and a lot of food. I was happy to participate and so spent seven hours making and eating food and laughing most of all. Monday was also April Fool's Day, in Italian Pesce d'Aprile or Fish Day. Like in America it's a day of pranks and jokes which meant Mattia dressed up as a priest. C'etait vraiment amusant. Tuesday I spent packing and trying to write a blog post but to no avail. Wednesday we were up at 'em and out of the door by eight headed to the airport. We got through security swiftly and had plenty of time at the gate to find breakfast since our flight was delayed but by two we were landing in Prague ready to start our adventure. So many things happened to make this a good trip: funny people watching in the airport, our mix up with the time zones leaving us waking up at 7:30 am and going to bed at 8:00 pm because we thought Prague was ahead a time zone (it's not), our fruitless hunt for legitimate absinthe, the surprise of the Easter Markets, the beautiful clock tower, the charming cafes, good food, and refreshing walks and vistas. Prague is a city to see for sure, but not ranked in my top five of the sparse European cities I've been lucky enough to see. I'll let the pictures show you (also, check out Jessica's blog for her recap of the trip, it's lovely--and has the same pictures because I still haven't found a computer in this country that takes an SD card so I had to steal hers): I'm quite sure that last picture encapsulates the mood of the entire trip. Happy April everyone!
Until next time, ciao!!! |
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