It's almost Christmas! :) I know it's been forever since I've written and that is colpa mia (my fault). There's some things I want to catch you all up on, starting with my birthday. So being here, I never expected anything special, I am so happy and grateful just to have a family to stay with and to be accepted at school, that when I woke up to my host father singing "Happy Birthday" in Italian and a breakfast of only chocolate pudding and Nutella, I was blown away. When I got to school, my friends all kissed both of my cheeks (the custom here) and wished me a happy birthday, then surprised me with a party! My teacher came as well, and we had a blast, talking and laughing and eating. There were so many typical Italian desserts and I had a food coma by the end of the day. After school, my host family had a lunch for me with my favorite pasta (penne pasta with cream, mushrooms and proschuitto) and some of their family came as well, and it was fun to celebrate with everyone. In the afternoon, my friends took me shopping to get some clothes from here, I still hadn't been shopping if you can believe it, and it again occurred to me how blessed I was to be here. Then my host family and I went to see my host father play guitar at a bar near town, and I learned how to play the Italian version of BS and some typical card games, and for the first time, spoke into a microphone, thanking my host family and friends, in Italian for all they had done for me and how happy I was to be here! The Italian speaking made me so happy. Speaking of which, that's going much better as well. I can understand a lot, and speak a little bit, and it's always getting better. It surprises me when I think back and realize 3 months ago, I couldn't understand more than ciao, and now, for example, today, I spoke Italian all through the day almost, the bus ride home, at lunch and with my host family.
The homesickness is still there for sure, and Christmas isn't helping, but I'll be home in June, and really, I'll have plenty of time with them when I get home. I love my family and friends and miss you guys like crazy!
In unrelated news, I got my first college acceptance and scholarship to Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island! Woohoo! It was my first choice and I'm praying I can go (as long as Jesse comes too!).
I hope everyone is doing well and has a fantastic Christmas! :)
