Hey everybody,
I have been in Italy for 173 days... That's 14,947,200 seconds or 249,120 minutes or 4152 hours or 24 weeks (rounded down). How crazy is that!?
I have recently reserved my plane ticket back for America. I am going home June 3, 2013. That is only 99 days from now. That's 3 months and ten days or 8,553,600 seconds, or 142,560 minutes or 2376 hours or 14 weeks (rounded down).
I am over half way finished with my exchange! That is just so unbelievable! I mean, WOW! It has been one crazy 5 months and 20 days! There has been A LOT of ups and downs. Lot's of laugh-attacks and lots of tears. I have written 4 page letters (and longer!) to my dad and I have emergency-skyped my mom. I knew it would be a hard thing to do to come all the way across the world for a while, but it is definitely different than I expected. I am so grateful for internet!! :D
Overall, I know that I have learned that people are different. No matter where you go, everyone is going to be different. They will see how you act differently; maybe they will like it, maybe they won't. You just never know what someone will think of you. You just have to keep you mind wide open and be ready to accept what is thrown at you. I hope that from this, I will have the confidence to go about my life knowing that I can handle myself for a year. Yes, I need my mom and yes I need everyone else in my family, but I am capable. I am so grateful for this opportunity even though there has been some rough days.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope that everything is going good wherever you are!!! :)
~Shelby Janae <3
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Amazing Realizations
Good morning/afternoon/evening everybody,
This post is going to be different than the others. I'm not going to tell you how my Italian is slowly improving or the differences in school or cars in Italy. I want to talk about the deep appreciation I have accomplished.
First, I have so much newly found appreciation for everyone in my family. Having to deal with so many changes and insecurities in family in Italy, has just made me love and appreciate my family so much more.
Mom: I love you so much. You are always there for me. You never hold back. If I'm eating too much, you tell me. If I do my hair weird or wear an ugly shirt, you let me know. You have guided me and helped me to make the right decisions in my life. If you remember, you were the one who introduced exchange to me. You always are there to give me advice. From how I should correct my paper to what I should do about friend-problems. I don't always take your advice, and sometimes get mad or frustrated when you tell me how it is, but I always love you. I am so grateful for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for keeping me and raising me as best as a teenager mother could. I have so much of your personality in me! I promise to always strive to do my best and I will never abandon you when you need me. <3
Bryan: You are my military hero :) I appreciate what you did for our country so much. Being here, I have realized how much I love America and I am glad that I know someone who helped defend her. You are my history/economics helper and you make me tougher. I know I hate them, but your dead legs have some kind of benefit!! I know I never call you 'dad,' but you always will be my Bonus Daddy <3 Love you!!!
Dad: You are my dad and you always will be. I know we don't have a really "huggy/kissy" relationship, but ours is special: we stay up having horror movie marathons and having Guitar Hero battles. You teach me to relax and enjoy life. You give me pep-talks and self-defense training lessons at 2 am. You make me take a knife to the gym at 9 am even though it is only 200 feet away. So many things about me are from you: whether physical features or personality traits or musical abilities. We have been through a lot of things together and you will always be my DooDoo <3 Love youuuu <3
April: You are now my Bonus Mom. I am so happy that you came into my Dad's life because now I have a new mother-like figure and two new siblings. I absolutely love talking to you about girl stuff. I remember a couple summers back, we took DAILY Wal-Mart trips: mops, cheese, shampoo, nail polish, movies, anything and everything. I wish you the best of luck for your new college life and I KNOW you can do it!! Keep up the great work! Luv youu! :)
Grandma Dee/Grandpa Gary: You guys are my camping/adventure role models. I am such an outdoorsy person and I know it's because of you. I am sooo grateful for all the trips you have taken with me. I hope that we will be able to continue our Yosemite traditions up to my 30s! Maybe even higher! And Grandpa Gary, you will always be my grandpasarus ;) Love you two! <3
Grammie/Papa: Grammie, you are the BEST cook ever. I always look forward to coming to your house. Soon, I need to you really help me to prepare for living on my own! I need some recipes! :) But, besides your cooking, you have helped make me a little more aware of how I look. I was always such a tom-boy and now I do want to look nice every once in a while. You are so GORGEOUS! I hope I look like you some day <3 Papa, you are my card game and golfing instructor. I love playing games with you and I will never forget our fun times. You are such a great grandpa! You are an inspiration for my faith and character in general. Love you two so much!
I am also grateful for all the other people in my life. Auntie Nica, Sierra, Avery, Kinsey, Auntie Michelle, Tori, Alona and ANYONE else that has been in my life, even for the shortest amount of time. I appreciate you all so much.
Thanks for reading :)
~Shelby Janae <3
This post is going to be different than the others. I'm not going to tell you how my Italian is slowly improving or the differences in school or cars in Italy. I want to talk about the deep appreciation I have accomplished.
First, I have so much newly found appreciation for everyone in my family. Having to deal with so many changes and insecurities in family in Italy, has just made me love and appreciate my family so much more.
Mom: I love you so much. You are always there for me. You never hold back. If I'm eating too much, you tell me. If I do my hair weird or wear an ugly shirt, you let me know. You have guided me and helped me to make the right decisions in my life. If you remember, you were the one who introduced exchange to me. You always are there to give me advice. From how I should correct my paper to what I should do about friend-problems. I don't always take your advice, and sometimes get mad or frustrated when you tell me how it is, but I always love you. I am so grateful for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for keeping me and raising me as best as a teenager mother could. I have so much of your personality in me! I promise to always strive to do my best and I will never abandon you when you need me. <3
Bryan: You are my military hero :) I appreciate what you did for our country so much. Being here, I have realized how much I love America and I am glad that I know someone who helped defend her. You are my history/economics helper and you make me tougher. I know I hate them, but your dead legs have some kind of benefit!! I know I never call you 'dad,' but you always will be my Bonus Daddy <3 Love you!!!
Dad: You are my dad and you always will be. I know we don't have a really "huggy/kissy" relationship, but ours is special: we stay up having horror movie marathons and having Guitar Hero battles. You teach me to relax and enjoy life. You give me pep-talks and self-defense training lessons at 2 am. You make me take a knife to the gym at 9 am even though it is only 200 feet away. So many things about me are from you: whether physical features or personality traits or musical abilities. We have been through a lot of things together and you will always be my DooDoo <3 Love youuuu <3
April: You are now my Bonus Mom. I am so happy that you came into my Dad's life because now I have a new mother-like figure and two new siblings. I absolutely love talking to you about girl stuff. I remember a couple summers back, we took DAILY Wal-Mart trips: mops, cheese, shampoo, nail polish, movies, anything and everything. I wish you the best of luck for your new college life and I KNOW you can do it!! Keep up the great work! Luv youu! :)
Grandma Dee/Grandpa Gary: You guys are my camping/adventure role models. I am such an outdoorsy person and I know it's because of you. I am sooo grateful for all the trips you have taken with me. I hope that we will be able to continue our Yosemite traditions up to my 30s! Maybe even higher! And Grandpa Gary, you will always be my grandpasarus ;) Love you two! <3
Grammie/Papa: Grammie, you are the BEST cook ever. I always look forward to coming to your house. Soon, I need to you really help me to prepare for living on my own! I need some recipes! :) But, besides your cooking, you have helped make me a little more aware of how I look. I was always such a tom-boy and now I do want to look nice every once in a while. You are so GORGEOUS! I hope I look like you some day <3 Papa, you are my card game and golfing instructor. I love playing games with you and I will never forget our fun times. You are such a great grandpa! You are an inspiration for my faith and character in general. Love you two so much!
I am also grateful for all the other people in my life. Auntie Nica, Sierra, Avery, Kinsey, Auntie Michelle, Tori, Alona and ANYONE else that has been in my life, even for the shortest amount of time. I appreciate you all so much.
Thanks for reading :)
~Shelby Janae <3
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Cinisello Balsamo
Hello everyone,
I hope everything is going well in America, or wherever you are!
Some people are very confused about my location here in Italy. So, I want to try and clear things up for both you, and me.
Milan is a providence located in the region of Lombardy. I already wrote an entry a while ago about the 20 different regions in Italy. Along with Cinisello Balsamo (my city), there are 7 other municipalities. This basically means township. We are still considered Milan, we are just the small city surrounding the center of Milan. The 8 townships are: Monza, Muggio', Nova Milanese, Paderno Dugnano, Cusano Milanino, Sesto San Giovanna (where I go to school) and Bresso.
Specifically, Cinisello Balsamo used to be two separate townships but in 1928, they were united. According to Wikipedia, Cinisello means "ashes" and Balsamo is either "the Balsam tree" or a royal family name. I do know, however, that in Italian "Balsamo" means "Conditioner." :D
There are about 74,000 people living in Cinisello Balsamo. I really like my small little city. It is so charismatic! I can just walk for a little bit and get some pizza, go to the post office, or go shopping on some of the little side shops!
I hope that everybody gets to visit Italy some day. It really is a charismatic place.
Thanks for reading!
~Shelby Janae <3
I hope everything is going well in America, or wherever you are!
Some people are very confused about my location here in Italy. So, I want to try and clear things up for both you, and me.
Milan is a providence located in the region of Lombardy. I already wrote an entry a while ago about the 20 different regions in Italy. Along with Cinisello Balsamo (my city), there are 7 other municipalities. This basically means township. We are still considered Milan, we are just the small city surrounding the center of Milan. The 8 townships are: Monza, Muggio', Nova Milanese, Paderno Dugnano, Cusano Milanino, Sesto San Giovanna (where I go to school) and Bresso.
Specifically, Cinisello Balsamo used to be two separate townships but in 1928, they were united. According to Wikipedia, Cinisello means "ashes" and Balsamo is either "the Balsam tree" or a royal family name. I do know, however, that in Italian "Balsamo" means "Conditioner." :D
There are about 74,000 people living in Cinisello Balsamo. I really like my small little city. It is so charismatic! I can just walk for a little bit and get some pizza, go to the post office, or go shopping on some of the little side shops!
I hope that everybody gets to visit Italy some day. It really is a charismatic place.
Thanks for reading!
~Shelby Janae <3
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Household Animals
Hello everyone!
I am still incredibly upset at my lack of animals in my household. Whenever I walk down the street, I feel like every animal is staring me down. I don't think I will ever show my annoyance or anger at my dogs ever again!! I will never forget them in their cages or anything of the sort. I cannot wait until I see them again! :)
Anyway, the most popular household animals are dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, and I have seen a few turtles. They are your pretty standard house pets. However, dog owners here always dress their dogs in clothes and bring them everywhere. There are dogs on buses and in stores sometimes!! Dog owners also let their dogs off leash a lot. It makes me very uneasy because I am afraid the dog will run out into the street filled with crazy Italian drivers! Luckily, my next host family has a dog, but he is always outside and doesn't seem very friendly... :( Hopefully he will warm up to me! :)
Strangely, when I go for a run in Parco Nord, I often see horse poop... But I have NEVER seen a horse since I arrived in Italy... It is quite a mystery... One day, I will find this mysterious horse-gang.
Well, thanks for reading!! Hope everything is going well in America!
P.S. Did anyone hear about the Pope quitting?? It's everywhere! It's VERY strange for Popes to quit...
~Shelby Janae <3
I am still incredibly upset at my lack of animals in my household. Whenever I walk down the street, I feel like every animal is staring me down. I don't think I will ever show my annoyance or anger at my dogs ever again!! I will never forget them in their cages or anything of the sort. I cannot wait until I see them again! :)
Anyway, the most popular household animals are dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, and I have seen a few turtles. They are your pretty standard house pets. However, dog owners here always dress their dogs in clothes and bring them everywhere. There are dogs on buses and in stores sometimes!! Dog owners also let their dogs off leash a lot. It makes me very uneasy because I am afraid the dog will run out into the street filled with crazy Italian drivers! Luckily, my next host family has a dog, but he is always outside and doesn't seem very friendly... :( Hopefully he will warm up to me! :)
Strangely, when I go for a run in Parco Nord, I often see horse poop... But I have NEVER seen a horse since I arrived in Italy... It is quite a mystery... One day, I will find this mysterious horse-gang.
Well, thanks for reading!! Hope everything is going well in America!
P.S. Did anyone hear about the Pope quitting?? It's everywhere! It's VERY strange for Popes to quit...
~Shelby Janae <3
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Venezia Carnevale!
Hey everyone!
Yesterday I went to the Carnival in Venice, Italy!
It was soooo cool! It was pretty cold outside and ind of cloudy, but it was still really amazing. I could not believe that I was actually in Venice! I mean, how cool is that??! Unfortunately I learned that Venice is slowly sinking... But that just made me more grateful that I was able to see it before that happens! :)
So, the Carnival is during a specific time of the year where everyone dresses up in costumes or buys masks. Venice is famous for making incredibly beautiful masks starting from (for a good mask) 20 Euros all the way to 100 Euros and MORE! They are absolutely incredible. My mask was 20 :) haha. I'm cheap ;) I have to save my money for the European trip at the end of the year, so I'm on a budget :D
So basically, the whole day was spent looking at really cool masks, walking around on the crowded little streets, and then taking a boat back to the train station and heading home. I woke up at 6:20 and arrived in Venice at 10:40. Then we walked to the mask shopped and looked for masks for about 30 minutes. Then we ate lunch. It was a really good pasta with meatballs!! After that, we walked to the center of Venice where there was a LOT of people. We then had free time for two hours. My free time was spent at The Hard Rock Cafe, where I found THE BEST present for my dad. I can't tell you in case he reads this ;) Anyway, after The Hard Rock Cafe, I just walked around looking at the little shops. Then we took a little boat (not a Gondola) to the train station. We had another 30 minutes of free time where I got a slice of pizza (delicious) and we headed home at about 7 pm.
The train ride home was really fun because I talked to the other exchange students about so many different things. We are basically on the same page whereas we don't want to go home, because when we go home , we really have to grow up: study hard, go to college, get a job, and become an adult. On the other hand, we are wanting to start our lives. There are just so many mixed emotions while being an exchange student it is hard to handle them all!! hahah :)
But anyway, Venice was absolutely beautiful and so interesting! I hope it stands the test of time! :D
~Shelby Janae <3
Yesterday I went to the Carnival in Venice, Italy!
It was soooo cool! It was pretty cold outside and ind of cloudy, but it was still really amazing. I could not believe that I was actually in Venice! I mean, how cool is that??! Unfortunately I learned that Venice is slowly sinking... But that just made me more grateful that I was able to see it before that happens! :)
So, the Carnival is during a specific time of the year where everyone dresses up in costumes or buys masks. Venice is famous for making incredibly beautiful masks starting from (for a good mask) 20 Euros all the way to 100 Euros and MORE! They are absolutely incredible. My mask was 20 :) haha. I'm cheap ;) I have to save my money for the European trip at the end of the year, so I'm on a budget :D
So basically, the whole day was spent looking at really cool masks, walking around on the crowded little streets, and then taking a boat back to the train station and heading home. I woke up at 6:20 and arrived in Venice at 10:40. Then we walked to the mask shopped and looked for masks for about 30 minutes. Then we ate lunch. It was a really good pasta with meatballs!! After that, we walked to the center of Venice where there was a LOT of people. We then had free time for two hours. My free time was spent at The Hard Rock Cafe, where I found THE BEST present for my dad. I can't tell you in case he reads this ;) Anyway, after The Hard Rock Cafe, I just walked around looking at the little shops. Then we took a little boat (not a Gondola) to the train station. We had another 30 minutes of free time where I got a slice of pizza (delicious) and we headed home at about 7 pm.
The train ride home was really fun because I talked to the other exchange students about so many different things. We are basically on the same page whereas we don't want to go home, because when we go home , we really have to grow up: study hard, go to college, get a job, and become an adult. On the other hand, we are wanting to start our lives. There are just so many mixed emotions while being an exchange student it is hard to handle them all!! hahah :)
But anyway, Venice was absolutely beautiful and so interesting! I hope it stands the test of time! :D
The flag all the way to the right is the Venice flag :)
Gorgeous!
I just can't believe the streets are water...
Australia! :)
Crazyyyy :)
GONDOLA! <3
So cool! <3
Before heading home ...
They told me to make a seductive face.... Didn't work out that well :P
~Shelby Janae <3
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Cinque mesi hanno passato.
Hello everybody!!!
FIVE MONTHS HAVE PASSED!
Yes. I have been in Italy for 5 months. It seems like some weeks go by so incredibly slow and others go by so quickly! I just can't even believe that I have been here for 5 months! I only have about 5 months remaining! I have accomplished so many new things and learned an incredible amount of new things.
I mean, I am getting very good at Italian and I still have another 5 months! I cannot wait until I am fluent. I am regularly dreaming in Italian and thinking in Italian (except of course when I am doing homework for American college and/or writing this blog). I absolutely love talking in Italian and I LOVE how I can understand practically everything that my friends are saying. I feel so very accomplished, even though I know I am not done learning. I hope fluency hits me soon!
It is absolutely incredible how my moods change! Some days, I listen to my iPod and hear songs that remind me of home and I am really sad... Then I have days where I am out with my friends and it's a beautiful day outside, and I can't imagine being anywhere else. I think it is very normal to be super moody, but who knows with us Rotary Exchange students! ;) I know that I am ALWAYS tired! I don't know why.. I think it might have something to do with excessive use of brain power from listening and talking Italian all day.
Well, I felt that you guys deserved an update on how things are going. 5 MONTHS!!!! In another 5 months, I'll be writing from America!
Thanks for reading! :) <3
~Shelby Janae
FIVE MONTHS HAVE PASSED!
Yes. I have been in Italy for 5 months. It seems like some weeks go by so incredibly slow and others go by so quickly! I just can't even believe that I have been here for 5 months! I only have about 5 months remaining! I have accomplished so many new things and learned an incredible amount of new things.
I mean, I am getting very good at Italian and I still have another 5 months! I cannot wait until I am fluent. I am regularly dreaming in Italian and thinking in Italian (except of course when I am doing homework for American college and/or writing this blog). I absolutely love talking in Italian and I LOVE how I can understand practically everything that my friends are saying. I feel so very accomplished, even though I know I am not done learning. I hope fluency hits me soon!
It is absolutely incredible how my moods change! Some days, I listen to my iPod and hear songs that remind me of home and I am really sad... Then I have days where I am out with my friends and it's a beautiful day outside, and I can't imagine being anywhere else. I think it is very normal to be super moody, but who knows with us Rotary Exchange students! ;) I know that I am ALWAYS tired! I don't know why.. I think it might have something to do with excessive use of brain power from listening and talking Italian all day.
Well, I felt that you guys deserved an update on how things are going. 5 MONTHS!!!! In another 5 months, I'll be writing from America!
Thanks for reading! :) <3
~Shelby Janae
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Italian Families
Hey everybody!! I hope everyone is doing well! I'm pretty much healed now; just the runny nose left over! This post is going to be about my experience with family life in Italy. Remember, I can't make generalizations because I have only had one family so far. When I switch in March, I will write on this topic again!
Anyway, I feel like family here in Italy is a little different that in America. For example, at the dinner table, we usual are sitting there talking for 30-45 minutes, sometimes more. In America, dinner is much faster than that except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here, after dinner, we just watch TV on the couch until bed. After dinner is pretty much the same as in America!
Unfortunately, my host mom works very late. She comes home usually at nine, so a lot of nights, it is just me, my host dad, and my host sister for dinner. But when she is home, it is much nicer!
In general, everyone has a brother or sister. I don't think any one of my friends is an only child. Also, everyone I know shares a room with their brother or sister. Single rooms are very rare, I think, because the houses are smaller.
But in general, extended families don't live together like mine. I think this is just my family's special situation. I always here friends talking about going to their grandma's house though, so I think everyone lives close to the extended family for the most part. I am just the lucky one that gets to eat lunch with my grandma everyday! :)
Anyway, just as an added bonus, today is my 150th day in Italy!! I have about another 150 to go, so I am half way through! How crazy is that? It does not feel like I have been here that long. 150 days. That is absolutely madness!! I am definitely missing some food, my dogs, and my family, but I am definitely not going back.. My Italian is still developing, but I can understand almost everything! It's so exciting!! :)
Well, I shall write again soon! Thanks for reading! :D <3 <3
~Shelby Janae
Anyway, I feel like family here in Italy is a little different that in America. For example, at the dinner table, we usual are sitting there talking for 30-45 minutes, sometimes more. In America, dinner is much faster than that except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here, after dinner, we just watch TV on the couch until bed. After dinner is pretty much the same as in America!
Unfortunately, my host mom works very late. She comes home usually at nine, so a lot of nights, it is just me, my host dad, and my host sister for dinner. But when she is home, it is much nicer!
In general, everyone has a brother or sister. I don't think any one of my friends is an only child. Also, everyone I know shares a room with their brother or sister. Single rooms are very rare, I think, because the houses are smaller.
But in general, extended families don't live together like mine. I think this is just my family's special situation. I always here friends talking about going to their grandma's house though, so I think everyone lives close to the extended family for the most part. I am just the lucky one that gets to eat lunch with my grandma everyday! :)
Anyway, just as an added bonus, today is my 150th day in Italy!! I have about another 150 to go, so I am half way through! How crazy is that? It does not feel like I have been here that long. 150 days. That is absolutely madness!! I am definitely missing some food, my dogs, and my family, but I am definitely not going back.. My Italian is still developing, but I can understand almost everything! It's so exciting!! :)
Well, I shall write again soon! Thanks for reading! :D <3 <3
~Shelby Janae
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