Florence Summed Up: like writing a haiku to abridge Pride and Prejudice

I can't believe we've already been here a week. (Now a week and a half.. I started this on Monday but haven't had time to finish it) Time flies here as fast as the flow of vespas on the streets. Let's see what I can do to summarize my experiences.

As my class discussed today (Monday), there is something uniquely special about studying here rather than just vacationing. I never would have recognized the integration of art, culture and political ideas, or enjoyed art museums and actually felt like I needed more time in a cathedral. More time. That is certainly an issue. I would love to be able to read everything my professors assign but it's impossible. I'm still able to participate and understand class with quick scans or selective reading, but I wish there was time to explore of all Florence and still be studious at the same time. Oh well, Florence takes precedence!

Beautiful Things:

• The river Arno. A new friend of mine made a beautiful statement about this bloodstream of the city- how it has seen this city grow from the ground up, a constant reliable flow of nature through an ever changing city.
• The view from San Minata. Today, many of us trekked up a very steep hill for a view of the whole city. The Duomo and the Plazzo de Singoria stood in the center, like miniature figurines of their actual gigantic selves. The feeling of finally seeing trees and mountains and gardens on this mountain was a really great reminder that no matter how big of a building you man has built, nature is still so much grander and greater than anything man could ever create.
• Craftsmanship. Walking through backstreets, a little off the beaten tourist path, we see craftsman in every other doorway. Jewelers bent over metal work, painters hanging canvases, shoe makers cutting leather. Not only is their work  gorgeous but the sheer fact that they create handmade work for a living is truly romantic. 
• Art. I am learning an appreciation for art that I didn't think everyone had inside them. But they do. You see connections, symbology, ingenuity and subjects you don't expect, you have intellectual conversations with classmates about the works, you even think about taking an art history class in the future... and then you get "art-ed" out. We started with cathedrals where we saw the art in their natural settings which was really helpful. Now, we have been to so many art museums. Like my dorm closet shoved with ten too many hanging articles of clothing,  the works in these museums are often crammed. And like I have trouble even knowing what I actually have to wear, it was hard to focus on any one piece of art. While Michelangelo's David was a refreshing awaking to the monotony, I found it difficult to focus in the Borgello today. Interestingly enough, this was something that our art history professor understood and actually said was part of the point- glad I'm normal! 
• Meeting new friends. It was a little crazy trying to get to know new people while exploring a city. It may have been easier with people whose quirks, needs and inclinations I already new. But it would not have been as special. There's something about being in a completely different country with people that helps move along the getting-to-know-you process and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of my fellow travelers. 

Surprising things:

• Dogs are allowed everywhere. Italian dogs, which somehow look distinctly European, come into stores with their owners.
• There seems to be no established etiquette of which side to of the street to walk on. In the United States, if someone is coming toward you, both parties veer to the right. Here, it's like a game of chicken. And after being here a week, we're starting to hold our ground

I apologize for the lack of pictures. I am refraining from uploading my trip pictures for the sheer fact that I don't want to spend too much time with technology while I'm here. The break from the constant connection of a cell phone has been great and I want to prolong that feeling of relaxation and freedom as much as possible. I am trying to soak up every last drop of this city that I can. This is the trip of a lifetime and I refuse to spend it uploading pictures to facebook and a blog. I promise to spend oodles of time cropping and editing and publishing upon my return to the states.

There is so much more I could write about, but there is even more than I can't express in words. It's a sensation which I don't have the talent to relay to you. And that is why I'm a blogger, not a novelist. 

Arreverderci, readers!

Florence, Mio Amore

Food. Wine. Food. Churches covered in art. Food. Wine. Thus far, these, in addition to some evolving friendships, are the components of my trip to Italy.

While I pride myself on being an grown woman, fully independent and able, traveling abroad for the first time alone was intimidating. Days before I left, my head was swimming in anxiety. What if I miss one of my two connecting flights? What if I don't understand the signage in Paris? What if my baggage gets lost? Luckily, the worst that happened was lack of sleep. I arrived safely in Italy around 3:00 (9:00 am in the U.S.). I had slept about an hour and a half in nearly 30 hours. I was exhausted.

My first glimpse of Florence was through a taxi window. A taxi that felt like a roller coaster. Though his driving was a little crazy, I was impressed by the taxi driver's genial remarks and attempts to communicate with us, telling us his favorite gelato shop, etc. After all, service charges are built in in Italy- he had no need to shmooze us. Maybe he thought we would be unaware of that custom as ignorant American tourists. Heck no buddy! We know our stuff! I'd like to think he was just being nice to be nice- but it seems pretty hit or miss so far. Some people seem keen on conversing with us, patient about the language barrier when ordering food and calling "buongiorno!" on the street. Others seem annoyed by these loud, silly Americans looking at their maps or unsure of what they want to order. Maybe there's a divide amongst natives between anti-tourists and those who appreciate what they bring to the city as far as life and economy. Or maybe some people are just having a good days and others are not- like Americans. Hey what do you know? Maybe we're not so different after all.

Well, its getting late and despite my successful acclimation to the time change, I'm tired. So I'm just going to try to list some highlights...and by that I mean everything I have done so far, because let's face it- when in Italy, everything's a highlight.

Food: Monday dinner of MANY courses- YUM.. it seems that everything is more local, less mass-produced. The meat is more savory, the produce fresher. Gelato on the bridge over the Arno that night= amazing. breakfast in the Istituto Guold (where we're staying every morning): it's different, but good- not crazy special like the lunches and dinners. Tues lunch: pizza-ish thing covered in all kinds of meat. I love eating lunch on the steps of nearby churches- the piazzas, where everyone congregates. Tues dinner: at Restaurante Dante- again, MANY courses and really great company- got to know one of the professor couples better while dining on the best pesto ever! that was probably my favorite part though the brushetta and liver paste on bread, the red pasta, the chicken, french fries and dessert were all also good. Yeah, I'm telling you- a TON of food. We felt like the waitresses there were giving us some stink eyes, but were later told it may have been because we left some food on the serving dishes uneaten seeming ungrateful-- I think we would have all burst trying to make the food disapear! Today's lunch: a spinach pastryish sandwich and a small nutella filled desert! Dinner- cafe/dinner place with 13 of the group members- Most of us got  yummy pasta and we shared a liter of white wine and a liter of red.

Sites: CRAP I need to go to bed. Basically everything is gorgeous, like you see in movies and postcards but the amazing part is the integration of historical, ancient artistic buildings and everyday life. These are not sites to be preserved by fencing off but loved through experience and utilization. I love the giant windows with shutters- we have one to open wide in our room :) We've been on a walking tour that was a quick glimpse of everything including the giant duomo as well as two cathedrals today! WOOO okay bedtime. Love to all- Arrivederci! Pictures to come. Promise. 

Thrift Stores: a Haven from the Hampster Wheel

So it's been a while. In fact, it's been a while since I've done anything leisurely for myself. Don't start feeling too bad for me. In between studying for exams, writing 13 page papers, producing videos and beginning some copy editing duties, I did have time to see friends and other special people. But it was still go, go, go. Rendezvous were treats or breaks from the busy flow of to-do list items and appointments. There's a part of me that really thrives on that kind of mode. It's helped me a lot in life, but I can't run on that hampster wheel forever.

So I'm sitting here working my last shift at my on-campus job. My car is packed, my dorm completely empty. And I'm so ready for a change of gear. But before I completely discard all the papers from this year and forget about the projects I've done, I wanted to share something with this blog's readers (if there are any left). One of the main things consuming my time this semester was another blog for a class. We each chose a micro-beat to blog and tweet about. (Still unsure what I think about twitter.) When I chose to cover Harrisonburg thrift stores for the semester, I got some weird looks. People wondered how I would pull topics from such a narrow, seemingly dull topic.

But I really enjoyed getting to know the managers, volunteers and causes that these thrift stores support. Harrisonburg has four locally run thrift stores plus two Goodwills and Salvation Army and they're really a cool thing. (All Hburg stores are listed on my blog with hours and addresses!) As a kid, when we cleaned out our closets my mom would tell us to set aside things to pass down to cousins, etc. and others to go to Goodwill. I didn't think a whole lot about that- it was just where the old clothes went. But donation and resale practices are really significant in many ways. I feel like enumerating them so ha! now you have to read them. (I mean.... don't leave my blog! PLEASE read them!)

Thrift stores reduce landfill and incineration waste. 

1. Your donations are not going to a landfill. Most thrift stores I've encountered are pretty sustainable about what they do with things they can't sell as well- things are recycled, metal parts are picked up by other vendors to use, etc. 
2. Profits go to good causes- from shelters, to international mission groups, thrift store money is doing good things in the world. 
3. You can get good prices on stuff. Some of my favorite items are thrifted and cost me less than $5. While that's awesome for anyone trying to save a buck, it's even better when you think about how they provide discount books for families that couldn't otherwise afford them. One woman told me she likes to shop at thrift stores because it allows her to have extra money to donate at church. 
4. Voucher programs- if a community member looses their possessions to a fire or some other tragedy, they can pick out things they need for free. (Wish I had heard about this earlier- I would have done a profile on a local woman whose house burned down.)
5. Great volunteer opportunity- The thrift stores in Harrisonburg have huge volunteer bases- often giving senior citizens a fulfilling activity to do in retirement, or court-mandated-community-service workers a really loving atmosphere to work in.
6. The people. Sometimes I visit thrift stores without intending to buy anything because the ladies I've met are just delightful. There are some really spunky, funny, kind, caring people out there and thrift stores are like a magnet for them. 

Well there you have it folks. And THAT is why I will never be a typical objective, un-biased reporter. It's not in my blood. But I will be a passionate storyteller. While the deadlines have not always been the kindest and there are some projects I wish I had filmed differently or spent more time editing, I have really enjoyed telling peoples' stories and look forward to doing it more in the future. As far as thrifting goes, I am excited to return to the activity as recreation rather than homework. Maybe that will be my next activity of leisure as I wind down from this semester. If I were to continue my hampster analogy, I guess I'd be hopping of the wheel for a little hay-burrowing or something, but I'm not sure that image really works quite as well. Hope you all get some time off the wheel!  

Groovy Dude

Jock. Hippie. Prep. Valley Girl. Jersey. Biddie. Emo. Goth. We've been learning about stereotypes forever- how you can't judge people by the group they seem to fit into or how they're portrayed in media (I get a lot of that in my classes). We are always told not to stereotype people. But we still do.


When I go shopping for new clothes, I don't think "okay I'm a outdoorsy girl so I better not get any polos." That's ridiculous. And yet lately, I've gotten a couple comments about what I wear that made me laugh. Nothing mean- in fact they were from two of my closest friends. 

The first comment was from a camp counselor friend. I guess she usually sees me when I'm outside or wearing jeans with busted knees (holes I made not the manufacturer thank you very much), TOMs, and my Pantagonia jacket (which my -excuse the stereotype- Tennessee cowboy-boot-wearing friend called "hippie"). So when I threw on an argyle sweater for a movie with my parents the other day, it surprised my friend. I just like the colors. Plus it was comfortable. Plus I went to the preppiest high school ever so I guess it's in my roots. Either way, I hadn't really thought about the sweater not fitting "my image" or anything like that. It was just part of my wardrobe.

The next comment was just the opposite. In an attempt to celebrate the coming of spring (as if my love note didn't do it enough), I painted my nails a bright lime green. Yesterday morning, I put on some dark skinny jeans and a black shirt and to add some color I wore my painted TOMs (which happened to match my nails) and a rainbow-ish shoestring for a headband. I usually wear the shoestring-headband at camp because it's bright and silly. Plus, I got the idea from our awesome assistant camp director who wears a ruler tape for a headband. So I guess I may have worn the headband in my excitement for camp. Either way when I saw friend #2 on campus, she said I looked like a hippie with my nails and headband and all. Our gay friend corrected her that I was "boho chic." Or was it "hobo chic"? Shows how much I know.

It's funny how my more-conservative-clothes-wearing friends often call me a hippie. I've gotten it before because I like tie dye, wearing my hiking boots around and I am an environmentalist I guess. I'm sure the curly hair ads to the image somewhat. And I don't really mind the label- when it refers to my clothing, I guess it's often correct. However, if you wikipedia "hippie" there are some things the term is associated with that I don't do or accept.

Ironically, "many thoughtful hippies distanced themselves from the very idea that the way a person dresses could be a reliable signal of who he was." So I guess, maybe I am a hippie in that sense. I wear what I wear not because of who I am but because of what colors I like, what fits me well, what is comfortable, what is useful and even sometimes what is in fashion. Do those things define who I am? No. But I guess they do show a part of my character or who I am on a particlar day. But I don't consider my look as part of a label or stereotype. It's just Sarah.

To Spring, a love note.

Dearest Spring, 

My drive home today was perfect. Albert (my bonsai tree) and I cruised 64 with the windows down and the music blasting. It was that kind of weather. And the moment I came over a small hill and saw the mountains ahead of me was kind of glorious. I felt like there should be triumphant french horn soaring through an orchestra. They say you don't realize you miss something until it's taken away, but sometimes you don't realize you missed something until you have it back. Though I hadn't really thought about it during spring break, I realized that I really missed those dang mountains. I mean, who wouldn't? They're gorgeous.

In the grand scheme of things, a week isn't a whole lot. But it's enough for quite a lot to happen. On my way home, I wore a jacket with the windows up and a wintery cloudy sky watched me drive through barren trees. Today, I wore a tshirt, sunglasses and flip flops and rolled down the window for Paul's sake (why should Pete get all the attention?). The world wasn't exactly blossoming with color, but there was a little more green on fields, a little more life in each tree. Maybe the blue sky was creating a facade, helping them look their spring-y-est, but I bought it. 

Groundhog's day is a tradition I will never really understand. I think it's silly and unhelpful. It can present false hope or false gloom and it really is just plain useless. This year, according to Wikipedia records, there were were 15 predictions for an early summer and 10 for six more weeks of winter from groundhogs around the country. If that kind of contradiction from various groundhogs don't turn you off the holiday, you are an idiot. Im sorry, I mean you are ignorant. No, no I'm going to be PC and say I agree to disagree with you (ya dummy!) Anyways, whether you believe in that goffer crap or not, those six weeks are almost up and March 21, the official first day of spring is almost here. 

Welcome sun, welcome green, welcome procrastination. I am ready. I'm getting out my sandals, shoving my sweaters to the back of my closet and crossing my fingers for no more cold days. Oh springtime, my love, do come quickly. I have missed you.

Your ardent admirer, 

Sarah 

The Data Plan Trap

Alright February, I've got this. Everyone loves a good rant, right? I think this is one thing almost everyone has had a problem with at least once. Phone companies. I'm thinking Verizon, but this rant is probably applicable to most phone companies. Which makes it a universal subject, something everyone can relate to, right? Okay here goes.

I got my first cell phone in 9th grade. My sister got her first phone in 6th grade. I know 8 year olds that have cell phones. Over the past decade, our society has become incredibly dependent on cell phones to the point where it's hard to imagine life without them. If I forget my phone at home, I turn around and grab it.

Every phone I've had has struggled to make it to the two year upgrade date. Verizon is a quintessential performer of planned obsolesce, a phenomenon where companies purposely make materials that will quickly break or need upgrades in order to manipulate the consumer into a lifetime of buying. Because we are so dependent on cell phones, its very easy for Verizon to do. First, their products and phones are made to break quickly. We are constantly inundated new and improved versions in our face at a rate faster than typical technological growth. Case and point: the smart phone. I should be writing a paper incorporating this very concept by Molotch, so at least I'm putting it to practice right?

I love technology, I really do, but I know that getting a smart phone will be bitter sweet. It will be saying "hello" to the world at my fingertips and "goodbye" to...to being normal. I already find myself constantly connected via texting, facebook, reading blogs and the twittering I'm forced to for a class (it's not really my thing). With a smart phone, I feel like I will become one of those fat red-suited lumps from Wall-E in front of a screen every waking moment.

Despite this reluctance to give up my classic flip phone, I also really want a Droid. I could read the news on the bus (I'd probably just play games), I could get e-mails from teachers canceling class while away from my computer, I can scan random barcodes and well, do just about anything. So here's where my main complaint is to that conniving phone company.

Through out conspicuous consumption habits we have a need for the newest and latest technology. I'm not saying its a good thing. In fact it makes us very vulnerable to getting caught in Verizon's net. The data plan net. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that I can have a phone plan, with a promise of new phone deals in two years, and have more MONTHLY charges attached to a new phone. I should get the same plan price. I realize that smart phones are practically a mini computer and therefore should probably cost more, and while MAYBE there are reasonable explanation for the costs of using the internet blah blah blah, I doubt its that much per person per month and I just don't WANT to pay for them.

So here I am, desiring the next new thing, but there's quite a price jump. $360 extra dollars a year jump in fact and that doesn't even include the price of the phone. Needless to say, this Samsung Intensity whose QWERTY keyboard has already started to fail (it's okay I prefer T9 anyways!) better last until my plan is up. And at that point there better be a cost reduction.

I mean that's what happened with texting right? When texting first came out, it was like 5 cents a text, but now nearly everyone has unlimited. Hopefully, like memory sticks at $40 for 1GB two years ago that are now $10 for 4GB, data plans for smart phones will decrease in price.

And while you probably do have the best coverage, Verizon, you're a jerk. I'm on to you. While I realize that I have made myself susceptible to your trap through my consumer habits, you're charging us ridiculous amount of mulah for this crap and I'm not having it. I'm sorry, Feb, that's all I got. There's always next year. 

February I failed you.

Wow February, we've had some good times together. I mean my birthday, after all, rests in your beautiful month. Plus you warmed up quite a bit this year, have the prettiest birth stone, gave me an early pay check (Hooray for short months!) and well all those other things that have been really awesome this month. (What happens in February stays in February!)

All your awesomeness, dear Feb- can I call you that?- is why I feel particularly bad about letting you down. That's right, I blogged like twice this month and your page view numbers are dismal. Even January has double the page views you have so far. And its the last day of the month. There has to be something I can do to resolve this issue. I must write the best blog post ever. It has to go viral and soar your popularity like Susan Boyle's overnight popularity. Where is she now anyways? Okay apparently, she's on her second album after her second broke a record for the fastest selling female album so that analogy fails a little.

But February, I will think of something interesting by the end of today, I promise! I will be back. I haven't let you down yet!