Midterms.

Midterms are over, I'm done!! After three exams, two of which were all essay questions, my hand is cramping and I am beat! I'm so glad it's all over.

When I wasn't cramming for my tests today, I was helping out, cooking and enjoying a meal with the homeless at sharing Thursday. Today I was able to learn how to make and help prepare pasta e fagioli to serve in the piazza for lunch. Pasta e fagioli is a traditional Tuscan bean soup make with cannellini beans and some type of small pasta such as ditalini. It is one of my favorites as far as Tuscan dishes go – so glad I was able to snag a recipe!

After sharing Thursday and three exams, I was beat! But I couldn’t flop on my bed and call it a night too early, for spring break starts tomorrow and I have to pack for a most exciting trip. Wake up call at 2:30am tomorrow to catch my flight…

Cram Sesh

With three midterms on Thursday, most of my Tuesday and Wednesday were spent studying. While studying in Italy, not much work gets done so other students and I are forced to cram all the information in the week before. I have midterms for Italian, history of Italy since 1960, and family and gender in contemporary Italyall in the day!

Some highlights of my days of course were my meals. I always look forward to food, but even more so after hours of studying in the same place. For lunch on Wednesday it was the return of the oatmeal! At school and at home I have oatmeal every day for breakfast and it wasn't until coming here that I realized just how much I liked it. I honestly think its one of my favorite foods and I miss it! I finally found some at an Italian grocery store so made it for lunch in the microwave at school. Although not as good as my oats at home with all the fixin’s, it definitely hit the spot! Oh how I have missed my oats!

Another highlight was the dinner my host mother made in Tuesday night. With three different vegetables for our main course, how could I complain?! We enjoyed sautéed peppers, steamed artichokes, cooked carrots, and tuna for our main course after a blended soup with potato and celery. Delish! I loved the break from all heavy starches and replacement with a such a variety of veggies. It was definitely my kind of meal.

It's been a couple late nights this week hitting the books: Midterms are next, and then spring break!

Just another Manic Monday

Today, Monday, February 27, started like any other Healthy Monday – attended Italian class in the morning, held down the fruit table during lunch, and sent out the newsletter. But my routine Monday took a turned manic when I received a call from the director of student life informing me that our Zumba instructor for this evening’s “Move-it-Monday” class had to cancel due to illness. At this time I already had a good amount of students signed up for the class and expecting Zumba – what to do?!
 
After debating teaching a class or looking into another video workout, a friend reminded me that a current SUF student is a certified Zumba instructor. Genius! I tracked her down and asked if she’d be willing and prepared to fill in and teach a Zumba class in only a few short hours. Despite the short notice, she was more than happy to help!

Our instructor, Alex, second from right

Zumba went off without a hitch and was a big hit tonight! The class drew a large interest and everyone seemed to like the fun moves and current music that our student instructor provided. I have to say I personally wasn’t too excited for a Zumba class – I have taken one class before and was not a huge fan – but I was pleasantly surprised to love this version! A big than you goes out to Alex for a great Zumba class and for filling in at the last minute! I have already scheduled her for another class later in the semester.

It's Been a Hard Days Night

After solid workouts to start off my mornings, the majority of both my Saturday and Sunday was spent studying. So much reading to do before midterms next week!

Highlights of my weekend were definitely the great study snacks! Saturday, while studying at a library in the city called the Oblate (which casually overlooked the Duomo) I took a break from my studies to find lunch. I stumbled upon a small place called "Love Life" which drew me in with its chic look and fresh food. Here I found smoothies, a salad bar, yogurt parfaits, and hearty soups. Can you say my heaven?! After weighing my options I decided on a smoothie with almond milk, yogurt, banana, and honey, topped with granola. It was so satisfying and refreshing. I make smoothies at home and absolutely love them. This turned out to be a great study break. Can't wait to come back to love life soon!

After studying at the Villa Rossa all day Saturday, Maria and I, decided to go to apertivo for a light dinner. Everyday on our way home from school we pass by the cutest little restaurant and always say we're going to go there for a glass of wine one night. Tonight was the night! It was a glass of rose for Maria and Chianti red for me. Their apertivo selection was much smaller than the one I went to last time, but was the perfect nibble food with our wine. With quaint decor and a cozy atmosphere, it was a great way to relax after long day of studying.

Sunday night’s dinner was also a highlight of the weekend. We had pasta e fagioli - a hearty bean soup very popular in Italy and one of my favorite dishes here! Unfortunately it preceded a late night studying for my history and family and gender midterms. It's going to be a hard week!