Update...

Hey everybody, I just wanted to give everyone an update. I don't really get that many chances to go to the internet cafe so I haven't been able to really post on here. But this is my last week in Italy, Sunday we go to Rome for three nights and then its off to Athens for three more. After that we head to Paros where I will have internet access. So I will be able to post more pictures and descriptions of my adventures in Italy. So far we've visited Florence, Pisa, Prato, Venice, and we are going to Lucca this evening for a classical music concert. I've seen so much and learned so much in the little time that I've been here, most of you other Oregon kids haven't even started school yet (so unfair), and I can't wait for all the classical art in Rome and Athens. I've already taken over a thousand pictures and I have to sort through them all, yikes. Um... anywho, I hope everyone is well and enjoying Fall. I'll post again soon. Hugs and Kisses, Loves and Misses -Cori

The Villa

H Here are some images of the Villa that I am staying in. These are the backyard. There is a beautiful fountain, that accidently drained and almost killed the giant koi fish inside. Thre is also a chapel and barn on either end of the back wall. It is all so beautiful. Next post will be images of the town Pistoia, where we are staying. We went to Florence yesterday, but I left my camera at the Villa :( Sometime this week we are going to Pisa and next week we're going to Venice! More updates soon. Loves and kisses, Hugs and Misses.

German Airport

Hello All, I am sitting in the German airport waiting for my second flight to take me to Florence, it's been a little bit delayed. The Frankfurt airport is very confusing, it would probably be much better if I knew German but oh well. I just got off a 10 hour flight, which wasn't too bad. I had to switch seats so that a family could all sit together and I got a bag of goodies that only business and first class passengers get. We got two meals, dinner and breakfast, and each seat had an individual movie player so I watched Monsters vs. Aliens and Life in Ruins (Made me think of you Mom) and I slept through Tales of Desperaux. Anywho, all in all the flight wasn't too bad, went by fast. Hopefully the rest of the traveling goes well too. On to my next destination. Loves and Kisses, and Hugs and misses, Cori

P.S. I love that in Europe diet coke is called Coca-Cola light, it just roles off the tongue.

One week and counting...

Dear Pete, (Joke with my mom, hehe)
This is my first post. I'm a little nervous about how I sound over the computer but mostly that's just me being silly. I have about one week till I leave for Italy and I'm a bit nervous. I'm in the middle of moving all my stuff into a storage unit so that my parents can move it when I'm gone, sorry :( I'm struggling with figuring out what I need and what I don't so that I won't have to go rummaging through boxes trying to find stuff. But anyway, lets focus on the trip. Just to give a summary, I will be studying abroad at the Aegean Center of Fine Arts for fall term, from Sept. 4th to December 15th. I'm spending September in Italy and the rest of the time in Greece. In Italy I will be based in Pistoia, which is in Tuscany but we will be traveling to Venice, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, and Rome. Then I will spend a few days in Athens but the majority of the time will be spent at the Center on the Greek island Paros. This explains the handy-dandy clocks on the right side of this blog.
In case anybody is wondering what the title of this blog means (Vivere la vita che si imagina) its supposed to translate to "Live the life you imagine." This was inspired by the Henry David Thoreau quote "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." I changed the phrase from the past tense because I use my imagination everyday and my dreams change on a regular basis. I chose this for my title because I've always imagined being in Italy and recently, through my Art History studies, have wanted to be in Greece so this thoroughly describes what this trip is to me. The life that I've only been able to imagine till now can start with this fantastic adventure of self-discovery and independence.
Now I know, or at least am hoping, that the trip will be amazing it's just the getting there that is proving to be more difficult, or at least from my point of view. How am I, as a girl, supposed to pack everything I need, for three months, in one suitcase? Thats just insane. And after the miracle of getting it all to fit I have to get said suitcase and myself to my final destination, one ten hour flight from Portland to Frankfurt and then 2 hours to Florence. Followed by a train and two taxi trips. May we pray I don't get lost. Now hopefully I will follow this post with one that says I was over reacting and being a silly girl because it really wasn't that hard, but you will all just have to keep checking in to find out.
Now that I've babbled for a bit I shall get back to packing. I will return at some point with more passing thoughts and will try to stay entertaining. Thank you all for caring and I hope to speak with you or see you before I leave. Loves and kisses, Hugs and misses, Cori