fake empire, our diamond slippers on

Yikes! It's been a while. So much action going on in the Cortona Castle since I've been around this blog. Excuse my bitter tone during this blog, today has been a big unfortunate. But somehow this is the only time I have found for myself to blog, so I guess we will all just have to deal with my attitude for now. Ho hum, as Grandma Soft Arms would say.

Despite my current lack of enthusiasm, everything thus far has just been completely amazing. The food, the people, the culture...everything. We've experienced all the elements here as well - the weather is almost as unpredictable as Chicago. Last week it snowed at least six inches or more, yesterday was so beautiful I barely needed my coat, and today is pouring rain. Sheesh!

I think the largest surprise I have undergone so far isn't the culture shock that I have received from the Italians, but the daily culture shock I receive living within an old discarded once-monastary-then-refurbished-orphanage-then-redesigned-dormitory, inhabited by approximately 50 females and one man. I repeat: one male. UNO. Hmm this sounds oddly familiar and Champaign Urbana-like...'S' word, anyone?

In reality, the brothel house - ahem excuse me, I mean - the dorm, really hasn't been all that bad. I am thoroughly enjoying myself along with the close friends that I have made during my short stay, and even the girls whom have become acquaintances. My room mate, Gwen, is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a total badass. In short, we are basically in love. Truth. Instead of getting my daily dosage of WPGU, I get WPGwenU, which might actually be a little bit better...haha! [kidding!] But seriously, I don't think I could have chosen a better room mate for my stay. Gwen and I share similar views and realities, and that is something that is definitely important to me, especially when coming to such a unfamiliar territory and being expected to settle down effortlessly. I think transitioning to this life is much easier by having such great company.

Actually, I'm not really sure if our place could get anything farther from a brothel house. In mentioning the daily culture shock I receive in the dorm, I find the American Southern versus Northern American mentality just astounding. Most of the girls here are from the South, and honestly I never thought "ya'll" could ever survive as a 'cute' word in my mind, and I think that my vocabulary morality is suffering some critical damage by my admittance to this, but I love it when the word is slipped oh-so gracefully into general conversation. The girls are adorable, and I get along with most, if not all, very, very well. Shocking for me, I know. I am proud.

However, I cannot discount the differences...one of them being the ever so present love for the J-man. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against religion or Christian-what-have-you's, which is the foundation for many WWJD lovers here, but I just didn't realize how Jay-Ee-eS-yoU-eS [YES!] really has a tremendous effect on people and how they live their everyday lives. This may sound ridiculous, but I am honestly shocked. I'm not really sure why, I mean, just because I have chosen to discount the presence of Him in my life, doesn't mean that others have...and I feel like I already knew that...but...maybe it is just a few comments here and there that I have overheard that make me feel a sense of alarm. I have religious friends at home, and I don't find their views particularly abnormal or anything. Nor are the views by these girls 'abnormal' in any sense...maybe...just...extreme? Maybe? Is that rude? Is that mean? I'm not trying to make offense...honestly, I just didn't know there was such a distinct difference between living as a 'moral' person, and living as a 'Christian,' but I guess that just shows how much I know.

Nevertheless, despite background differences and whatever, I really enjoy conversation with these lovely ladies. Especially one girl, the most adorable ginger I have ever met, Maggie, aka Kenneth. I have re-christened her as 'Kenneth' since she reminds me of the character from 30 Rock, in the most non-insulting and complimentary way possible. I mean, come on, who doesn't love Kenneth from 30 Rock? Is there a more adorable personality in that show? Clearly not. Did anyone see the episode of Kenneth's view of the world? OMGSOCUTE. YouTube that shit, ASAP, yo.

Besides attempting to make friends and trying my hardest not to accidentally insult them, mustering as much strength to reserve myself as I possibly can, everything else has been going quite smooth. My classes are awesome, and the teachers are insanely inspiring...I am taking Bookarts/Papermaking, Intaglio, Relief, and Renaissance Art History; all of which have been very enjoyable. For the semester, I have decided to work with the decorative patterns of antique mirrors and apply these theories to my paper and printmaking. The paper making professor, Amy, is seriously really cool, and is so knowledgable about everything paper...aka she is my hero. I'm not sure if I have ever met anyone as enthusiastic about paper [besides maybe Kamil] besides me, and now I believe I have. Today we learned how to embed and laminate pulp into sheets of paper, and hopefully they will be dry by tomorrow. Over the weekend we must make 6 sheets of paper, and I don't know if I could be more excited about this activity. We are also breaking down hemp string to make hemp pulp, and eventually create hemp paper. YAY !! Wow, what a nerd. I know. Back off.