Gratie Molto!

So, through the power of skype, I managed to discover a way to call my family in the U.S. almost free of charge. I say almost because its a monthly fee...but still, don't be surprised if an unknown number gives you a ring! It's probably me.

I tried Gelato last night for the first time. First of all, gelato kicks ice-creams ass. It's thick, and one scoop has more flavor than a sundae at Cold Stone (or any other sort of ice cream place). I had an espresso flavored with hazelnut/chocolate chunks. Yummy! But the more important thing, I ordered it! All by myself! In Italian...okay, the servers helped me, but I was able to tell them "Non parle molto Italiano...parle inglese. Questo *point to the gelato flavor* una piccolo. Gratie molto!" Which means: I don't speak much Italian, I speak english. I want that one, a small, thank you very much!"

Anyway, after a night of almost no sleep we got up for our first day of classes. I had a piano lesson this morning...my first one in four years. After a few basic excersises and review, Arlene (the piano teacher from UNH who is here) decided to give me some rep. She wanted to test my sight reading, and she was greatly impressed! She gave me a Bach Invention...the piano majors seemed thrilled by this news, and by looking at it I am a little frightened, but I will learn it if its the last thing I do!

After that, I met my voice teacher: Rosella. She is elegant, poised, and very proffesional...oh, did I mention, she doesn't speak ANY English! Aka. our Italian classes have now been added onto by an hour (they are already two) for a special supplement so that we can learn how to communicate with her without too much of an issue. But they are relatively cheap: they will come to about three hundred euro for the three months (as compared to about six hundred: what they normally are) I can't wait for her to give me a lesson! They begin on Friday: Arlene will be there to translate for the first lesson while we work our butts off. Oh, and did I mention: part of this womans practicing rountine is three twenty minute sessions of yoga a day!!!! Yahoo!!!

After that, Jake (the boy I flew on the plane with) and I went to lunch. The waiter was very nice, but we were swimming up shit's creek without a paddle for the first five minutes attempting to decode the menu. After a lovely tortellini dish, the man asked us if we wanted Tiramasu. Who could pass that up? Needless to say, its the best thing I've eaten here by far. It was creamy, and the espresso flavor was not overwhelming. I'm so happy that I get to eat this more often!

Then, I had Italian 401. It was fun...really fun! I'm so happy to be learning this languge, and even after two days I've learned soooo much. It helps to be surronded by people speaking it. And might I say, real Italians speaking the language...no wonder this is the most romantic of all the languages. Old ladies have stunned me with their dialogues...and for all I know, they are making fun of us!

Chris, Josh, and I cooked for our friends from another apartment dinner tonight: I made a marinara sauce that went over pre-made Ricotta and Spinach filled manicoti and a salad. We also found the Italian equivalent of Chips Ahoy for desert...yum. I sit here in a cafe now...its about 10:15pm here. For you guys, its 4:15.

I love it here. I miss the U.S. after two days, but that is only because I would never be this stressed trying to simply order food. But its part of the experience, really. Its fun, almost strategic, to learn this language. And the locals here are really nice. I just need to SLEEP! And hopefully, I will get some tonight. I'll finish this homework and go to bed.

This weekend, we are apparantly going to the beach, and maybe hiking the mountain. My pictures will be up by Friday, especially after I get to the beach. For now, ciao, and gratie molto for the comments on the blog. I hope you all keep reading!

-Ryan

Oh, and btw...its true what they say about the Italian men here ; )