buona sera

I wanted to post pictures, but unfortunately I still haven't received the package from my parents with the cord which connects my camera to my computer. I think the people at the reception desk in my residence hall are getting tired of me asking every day if I have any mail. I've started asking, Are you sure? as well, which they don't seem thrilled about....

Last Saturday I went with 7 of my classmates to the beautiful town Genoa (Genova). The city is located on the sea and is the typical Italian town-- gorgeous. Old buildings, incredibly narrow streets, ornate cathedrals, focaccia bread (the Genovese specialty). Christopher Columbus lived there, so you can visit his "house," which many don't believe he actually lived in. But it's a nice tourist attraction. We mainly walked all day, looking at piazza after piazza, strolling into cathedrals with frescos covering every surface, window shopped and had ice cream. Every once in awhile there was a woman playing an accordion on the side of the street, giving us nice background music. We also saw the "beacon of Genova," the famous lighthouse. I'll post pictures when I get my package.

I found an English speaking church here in Milano, which now seems quite modern and ugly after going to Genoa. Although I got lost on the way (which I know is a shock to everyone) I made it for half of the service. It was so international-- lots of people from various Asian and African countries. I met a girl from America and a girl from Ireland, who were both very kind.

Today we had our first departmental meeting to discuss administrative business-- schedules, tax codes, permits of stay, etc. The we took a preliminary exam for theoretical linguistics, to give our professor an idea of our levels. I was very happy to pass the exam, which means that parts of the course are optional for me, and I'll be given independent study materials for certain topics to go deeper. I'll still attend the class, and it turns out that only two of us will have supplemental material.

Sad to say, classes will begin at 8:30. am. Now my italian course starts at 9:30, and that is early enough for me.... let's see how it goes....

buona notte tutti

Italiano per Principianti

I have been in Italy now for almost a week. Much of the week has been spent in administrative offices, trying to finish filling out the various forms. Unfortunately, certain offices are rather unorganized, leading to multiple trips. I finally finished gathering all of the forms needed for my permit of stay, which I got yesterday, so I am officially allowed to study here.

Luckily, most of my classmates needed to track down forms and search for post offices, etc., so I've gotten to spend a lot of time with them. There are about 13 of us in Italy from the program-- the rest are currently in the Netherlands. All but one of us are living in the newly built residence hall located in the outskirts of northern Milan. The university is situated in an area that was previously a factory district, so the feel is very modern with a lot of concrete. But, it still is pretty, and from the kitchens, if the sky is clear, you can see the Alps in the distance.

Today our Italian course finally began. The professor, Diego, had a lot of energy and spoke in Italian the entire 3 hours. Right now we're in the intensive learning period, which means we will take Italian 3 hours every day for the next 2 weeks. Although the material that we learned today was basic, it was so difficult to pay attention to the rapid Italian for so long. Since most of us only know basic phrases, I think this 2 week period will be rather difficult, but hopefully worth it in the end.

Tonight I'm going into the city for the second time. Last time I went with my classmates to look at some of the famous buildings (which I don't have pictures of yet, because I forgot the cord that connects my camera to my computer--whoops!). Tonight I'll be going to a bar to watch a soccer game-- Barcelona v. Lyon. I don't really know anything about these club teams, or the league in which they play, but I was told that this is a very important game.

I guess that's all for now!

Ciao :)

Arrival

I'm in Italy-- sitting in my beautifully modern room, finally connected to the internet. I haven't slept much in the last two days, but that will all change very soon. So far, so good... things have been generally taking a lot longer to accomplish than I expected, and my Italian is just as bad as I thought. Here's my info:

address:
Leah Overholt
Residenza Bicocca Room 607B
Via Vizzola, 5
20126 Milano, Italy

phone number (room phone, not cell phone):
02-6448-7157

ciao

Take off

Well I'm sitting in the Columbus airport, waiting for my plane to board. It's fairly quiet here, and I made it through security without any problems.
Bryan was able to come from Athens to see me off, which was a nice treat. He brought Chipotle, and we all sat and had a picnic outside of the airport. Good times :)
Mom went a little camera happy, so maybe I'll post a picture or two once she sends them to me.
Soon I'll be in Italy!
Ciao xxoo

Bon Voyage

Getting ready to leave.... I've got about 2.5 more days in Sidney, and then I'll be traveling to Milan. I still have a lot to do, and the reality of living in Italy hasn't quite sunk in yet.

Here are some pics from the backpacking trip. Enjoy.


This is our first day. We look so clean.

The ladies on the beach. We're cute.

Dad resting, with his IV of Gatorade.

We made it! (Note that the clothes are the same as on the first day-- eww)

This is the love rock dad found on the beach. I like nature and nature likes me.

North Manitou Island

The Overholt clan made it safely through our first backpacking adventure. We hiked 17+ miles around North Manitou Island in northern Michigan. Granted, we have a few scrapes, a couple of sore muscles, and a plethora of mosquito bites. Bryan and dad naturally had no problem with the hiking, and mom and I (the backpacking virgins) made it through our first experience remarkably well.

Here are a few of the highlights:
~getting seasick on the way to the island (that was only me)
~many beautiful views of lake michigan
~rarely seeing anyone else on the island-- being in the middle of nowhere
~reading for hours
~getting lost in the woods for a bit, but thanks to a compass, bushwhacking out
~a chipmunk breaking into our food bag on the last day, as well as chewing off part of our tent
~watching my dad whittle and fly a kite
~watching my mom break branches and pick up (steal) stones
~ digging holes...
~ not getting poison ivy (a small miracle)
~being able to be smelly/sweaty/hairy for 4.5 days

overall, it was a very successful family vacation. Pictures to come.

Washington DC

Hello from the capital! I'm currently in Washington DC visiting my engineer Julian Gonzalez. Tomorrow is my last day here-- the time has flown by. We've gone dancing, visited the Smithsonian of Art, walked around near the Capital building, gone swimming, cooked, watched movies gone to church and read the Bible together. After a month of not seeing each other, it has been wonderful to spend time together again. We are learning how difficult long distance relationships are, and how difficult it will be this coming year. These short visits are surely a blessing, although saying goodbye is always difficult. All in all, we've had a wonderful time :)
But not TOO wonderful ;)


[The picture is technically from the last time I was in DC (the 4th of July) but I haven't added any pictures from this time onto the computer yet. Deal with it.]

Shortly after I return to Sidney, the Overholt clan will be taking off to Michigan on a family backpacking trip. Prayers are welcome. We are all looking forward to being in nature and having the challenge of camping and "roughing" it, as well as doing it together while not killing each other. It promises to be a memorable experience.

And that's about it.