don't say "sono eccitata" unless you mean you're aroused.

me and my new amici eating gelato

è vero.  i keep saying "i'm excited!" about stuff.  not exactly the word-age i should be using.  just one of the hilarious things i am confusing here in italy.  rocio says to me yesterday, "say 'sono contenta' not 'eccitata' unless you mean in the sexual sense".  oops.  my bad.

things are a bit different here in italia.

1. americans are OCD about cleanliness, using clorox to clean everything.  and then we wear flip flops.  they will know you are american here by your flip flops.  why are we so crazy clean about everything else and then we wear these little slips of rubber that get our feet FILTHY.  i guess i've become italian in that way.  no more flip flops. 

2. no one cares about fashion.  YES - this country has some of the best fashion in the world...but then again so does ours.  they love united colors of beneton here.  who knew?!  but unlike the US they are NOT obsessed with weight and everyone looks pretty normal here.  a little flabby - it's ok!  super skinny - so not ok.   everyone dresses comfortably and honestly they just don't give a shit if their shoes don't match their shirt (i still do...).

3. the cappuccino here are divine.  they are heaven.  if heaven were coffee that is.  i don't know what it is, but i could drink them all day.

4. the italians really do like to take it easy.  no one is in a rush - and since i'm in no rush i fit right in!  get it done when you can.  the sales clerks will get to you when they are done with their phone call.  it's not rudeness - it's a different mentality.  they will serve you in a moment.  they recognize you are there.  just give them a minute. 

5. finally, the people i have met here and made friends with are such powerful believers in Christ that i am overwhelmed.  i keep crying! (and i don't cry.  not even at bambi).  i have met some truly amazing people.  we go to mass every day and it is beautiful.  i still don't get it all - but it's beautiful none the less.  i am learning more about god and what i need to grow in my faith every day.  if i had to leave tomorrow, i will leave a better person. granted, we will always always be growing in our faith, but i feel more than ever the UNIMAGINABLE love that god has for us and it makes me fall to my knees and cry.  there is nothing more beautiful in the world than knowing that.  take a bite of that and chew on it...