Calm Before the Storm(s)

Ciao tutti!!

I am writing on Sunday night, and have just realized that perhaps the two busiest (and probably two of the most incredible) weeks of my recent memory are upon me. Within the next 9 days I will have learned, written, and throughly dissected at least 8 pages worth of knowledge about the artist Tintoretto, created two presentations on my boy Leonardo's work on his St. Jerome and Lady with an Ermine, respectively and then presented my work on these pictures to one of the foremost experts on Leonardo. In addition I will hopefully learn enough Italian to master both a written midterm and a spoken conversation. All the while attempting to contain my excitement at my lovely mother's arrival here a week from Wednesday. :)

In light of these events I will not be writing long updates for the next week or so but rather probably spurts of rantings and emotional outbursts expressed in short and possibly wildly italizied babbling. For these I apologize in advance, and hope you will still enjoy my madness.

I had a relaxing weekend, and it was nice to not plan anything big, though I did spend the night in Rome on Saturday to see my friend from home, Claire. It was such a lovely day and I spent most of it reading Dante's Inferno (which has such a higher level of emotional tangibility when read in Italy than when read in a classroom in Piedmont, CA). I am down to the very lowest parts of Hell with those silly seducers, fake flatterers, envious enemies, and Cain-like killers. I must add that truth be told it all makes me rather glad I was born a Jew and only have to worry about guilt in this life instead of eternal agony in the next.

ANYWAY, on a slightly lighter note, I am looking forward to a trip to Milan this weekend with my aforementioned Leonardo class, and I think it should be a very memorable trip as the last, and only time I was in Milan, my backpack was stolen along with my walkman and its tape of La Bouche, and my ever so slightly famous collection of postcards that included the sub-category of Cats and Bunnies (if this reference is lost on you, please consult my brother, he would be more than happy to fill you in, if you can not reach him by phone, please do not worry he promised he would charge it in the next month or so).

With that very unsubtle hint at my brother to call me before its time for me to come home, I must bid arrivederci and head back to my books and bed.

All my love, hope to hear from you soon.
Un Ragazza in Europa