BIG update!

so, i haven't updated in FOREVER. i kind of forgot i had this thing...it's the first week back at school after spring break and magically over those nine days the weather in florence went from shitty to gorgeous. when i left florence two thursdays ago it was freezing still, raining and gloomy but when i came back last saturday it was warm, sunny and amazinggg. i've actually just been wearing t-shirts and sweaters opposed to tank tops, t-shirts (long sleeve then short), sweaters, jackets, scarfs etc. basically, the days of eighty million layers are over! thank god.

so, spring break...i had the time of my life. the first half i spent in cork, ireland with my friend meg which was great. the weather wasn't amazing but cork was absolutely fantastic. the people there were sooo nice and welcoming to americans. i really enjoyed the nightlife there too, lots of little bars/pubs opposed to big clubs and stuff. and for once, i was able to dance without being molested, it was great. there was one pub called the brogue and it was sooo fun, they played great music and the scene was just really layed back but fun and dancey at the same time. one of the days we were in cork we decided to take a day trip to a nearby town called kinsale. it was so charming and beautiful, right on the water. i found that cork was also very charming and cozy. it's small but at the same time there is so much to do, you don't feel limited, or atleast i didn't. also, in cork there is this department store called penney's...it's amazing! like a ross but more hip and less messy. needless to say i went a little nuts there but only ended up spended about 40 euro total, not bad at all. it seemed much easier to dress cute in cork and pay less money than it is in florence. going other places abroad made me realize how expensive florence really is, it's kinda ridiculous. i also went to two movies, a luxury! i hadn't been to a movie in over two months and it was so nice to just get candy (of course) and sit in a theatre, i was so happy haha.

next i went to barcelona to visit maxie which was a whole different experience. i went from quaint coziness in cork to crazy busyness in barcelona. the city itself was amazing. the architecture is so interesting and diverse, it was like a european new york. i have to say that my favorite part of barcelona was the bocaria, a giant outdoor market with fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, dried fruit, meats, prepare foods etc. they even sold smoothies for a euro! everything was so fresh and delicious there, it was just nice to be able to eat some good fruit. it was super overwhelming though because all the vendors shout out at you and try and hustle you into buying their shit. the best part about my trip to barcelona was for sure my trip to park guell, the gaudi park. it was absolutely beautiful and so interestingly designed. the weather was perfect too and was so nice to just sit in the sun, relax and people watch. i would have liked to have seen more gaudi but there wasn't really enough time. i also went to the picasso museum solo while maxie was in class and that was just great too. it was so interesting to see the progression of his style. looking at his early work you would never guess that he had done some of his later pieces, very cool. the nightlife in barcelona is a different story though...i definitely couldn't keep up, atleast with how maxie and her friends do it. we wouldn't leave the apartment till around 1 and then we'd go to the first bar and then there was a club to go to after! we actually didn't end up going to a club more than once, but that's the schedule they're on. i couldn't imagine. they start going to the clubs when i'm usually thinking of going home here in florence around 3ish haha. i was a little overhwhelmed and felt kinda dorky but it's no secret that i'm not really the clubbin' type haha. it was still nice to see maxie and explore another part of europe, i'd love to go back eventually.

that brings me to present. this past sunday me, marah and sarah reunited and went to the boboli gardens for a picnic because the weather was so gorgeous. sarah's friend chelsea was also visiting from prague. she goes to school at williams with sarah but she's from palo alto so it was nice to meet someone else repping the west coast haha. tonight i'm going to a crazy afro beat funk show, seun kuti and egypt 80 at the FLOG auditorium with sarah and my friend hannah. i can't wait, it's going to be sooo sick, i've been waiting a month to go! i just want to dance to some live music,and i have a feeling there won't be any molesting types at this show, so i should be able to do it freely haha.

i will post pictures soon, either tomorrow or saturday. i'm thinking of making a flickr or something so you guys without facebook can just click a link and see all my photos.

i miss everyone so much, i can't believe it's been over three months since i've seen some of you :( but i'll be returning kinda soon, not really though haha so be in touch!

xoxo