Piacere Mio!

Classes began this week and I was in a bit of a spot when I found out (at orientation) that I couldn't attend the interior design courses that I had signed up for. Many of the other classes that are being offered are at the 2000 level or are courses that I already attended in the states. On Monday, I sat in on an Italian I class and although it will be the third language I have learned, all of the information--even in just the last two days--has been extremely beneficial. I now know how to properly greet shop owners (Salve and not Ciao) and have other useful information about customs and being respectful of the people living in the city.

The other class I am taking is a traditional art history course, but taught by Frank Nero, a pupil of Jack Freiburg--my favorite professor in Tallahassee. The paper he had in his syllabus called for 6-8 pages about a work in the city but after class I met with him and he said that I could continue work on the paper I started for Freiburg's class regarding Vasari's tomb for Michelangelo--which made me extremely happy! I really enjoyed working on it last year but wasn't satisfied with the final results (I got a B+ on the paper, but an A in the class), plus I want to extend it now that I am in the city with the object and have the Florence library to supplement my sources. My teacher said that he was really excited about it because he mostly gets boring assignments and papers, and this would be a new challenge. He offered me sources from his personal library and we even plan on meeting at Santa Croce to take a look at the monument together. I'm ready to get this underway, and since it is such a big task, these will be the only two classes I'm taking this summer, but well worth it. The only other one I could take requires a lot of outside reading... and I know I'm capable, but I want to focus on my paper now as much as I can!

So far, the best place I've eaten has been Il Gatto e Volpe, but the best place for lunch is Antico Noe. Today I picked up a "Numero Otto" panino and instead of Spinach it had grilled artichokes on it! It was awesome. The other fixings included herb-roasted pork, peppers and oil, all served cold. They do have some soft drinks here in Italy mainly "Coca," Sprite and Orange Fanta. Today for the first time I tried their orange "Fanta" and it tastes very different, less like the flavor orange and more like the actual citrus fruit.

I'm learning so much already! Nero knows the city like the back of his hand and Menchi (my Italian teacher) was born and raised in Tuscany. I get to hang our in Firenze until Friday when we leave for a day trip to Venice! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures. Salve tutti!