Un Viaggio Italiano: The Final Days

Time is not my friend right now, but then again, I don't think it ever has been. Usually around this point in the semester, I want the days to speed by so I can be done with finals and head on home for the holidays. However, I want time to SLOW DOWN so I can enjoy my final moments in Italy; it is only doing the opposite of what I want. Time is a jerk!

Anyways, these last days (and 3-4 days to come) have been quite memorable and meaningful. I finally went to an Italian soccer game (Florentina vs. Roma) in which we wore purple in the pouring rain and tried to learn the crazy Italian chants. Soccer is way more exciting in person, and the experience made me excited for KU basketball games in the near future. I had to buy something purple (nothing in my wardrobe is purple due to a certain Kansas rivalry) so I purchased a cheap, but cute, Florentina baseball cap. The game was riveting, to say the least, and when Florentina scored their final goal the sky turned a striking purple. Even God wanted them to win.

And of course, my roommates and I have partaken in many appretivos (buy your drink and get unlimited food) and have tried new restaurants that we've always walked past and said I really want to go here. We here in Italy are starting to get into the Christmas spirit! Florence has been in the process of decorating the entire city with lights, garland, as well as a huge tree by the Duomo and a nativity scene. There is also a German Christmas market occurring all of December in the Santa Croce area (church where Michelangelo is buried), and I have been there a couple of times to enjoy some German bratwurst (brings me back to the days of Oktoberfest), chocolate covered fruit, and to adore some strange gifts. Laura and I found a stand with silly wigs, and we couldn't stop laughing as we suddenly had rock star pink and purple hair, or when we turned into blondes (it has been decided that brunettes do it better). We finally got the gelato with the waffles, and have bought gifts for every member of the family. Finnegan's, our favorite Irish pub, hosted a Christmas party last Friday night. We all got dressed up in holiday spirited and attended. It was one of the most fun nights we have ever had there, and my Florence family and I got a free malt wine (or something like that) because we're regulars. It was a jolly night with Christmas tunes and merriment among good friends. It has been fun to complete things off of our to-do list, and I can say with much confidence that I have seen most, if not all, of Florence and what it has to offer.

Plans this week:
1. One final pub quiz (waaahhhhh!!) on Tuesday
2. Celebrate Nathan's 21st Birthday on Tuesday
3. Go ice skating (there's a place nearby!)
4. Final family dinner on Thursday
5. Secret Santa exchange with Florence family
6. Climb Duomo dome
7. Take finals

Yes, yes. I do have finals and school to finish up to here. It is hard to make your schoolwork a priority while studying abroad when I have an entire apartment to clean, suitcases to pack, and friends to see one last time, but I am trying my best. It general attitude around the school seems to be hardly above apathy, but not quite comatose when considering the work ethic for final exams.

Photos, of course!