AWare

So let's just say that a night at the opera just might have spoiled me a bit. I absolutely loved it! Coming from a theatre and music background, just seeing the art come into play was just wonderful to watch. The pit and conductor were magnificent and played spectacularly. I honestly believe that my mouth was open for most of the interlude when the pit was introducing the musical themes to the audience. And I could feel myself smiling whenever they played a piece just right with the staccato notes followed by instant silence at the very beginning of the opera. But let's take it back a few steps and talk about the afternoon leading up to a wonderful performance. Our group had just returned from our visit to the Leather School, which was also just ... read more

Ciao! The past two days we have been exploring the inner workings and history of Florence. We have toured the Uffizi Museum which houses works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo Da Vinci, among other well known artists. We attended an art exhibition and fashion show last night which showed off newer men's fashions. And today we toured the Innocenti Museum, which was the first ever established orphanage. At the Uffizi, we saw works such as The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, The Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo Da Vinci, the Doni Madonna by Michelangelo, and Madonna with Two Angels by Filippo Lippi while being led on tour by Antonio, the study abroad director here. I loved getting to walk through the halls of the Uffizi and hearing the different tales behind the paintings and sculptures. ... read more

Hey guys! So I'm sure you're wondering what has been happening recently now that I have been in Italy for two full days now. Well, here are the highlights! We landed in Italy and were greeted by Dr. Bush, Antonio (our local study abroad program director), and a team of drivers. We were divided off by apartment and taken to see our homes for the next three weeks. Arriving at my apartment was the most exciting experience yet and I say that with a good, and somewhat frightening, connotation. The drive over showed me the great difference between America's rules of the road and Italy's rules of the road. But when we pulled up to the apartment, I was blown away by the view. We are right outside the Duomo and the apartment is just amazing. ... read more