I'm not sure even where to begin summarizing the last week. I guess I'll start at square one... On Monday, my camera was stolen. So that was basically the major thing of this week. I had to report the crime to the police and I've been dealing with the school all week trying to find a solution. So far, we haven't figured anything out but I'm hopeful for something soon. When I figured out that the camera was missing, I was pretty upset, naturally. I don't think I was as upset because it was gone as I was just that it didn't feel safe to leave stuff around the apartment. But, it is safe, unfortunately we think it was some workers who were fixing a leaking pipe outside on our terrace. But nonetheless, as it is with most things in life, a lesson came out of the situation. The first thing that popped into my head after I had calmed down about the situation was this verse: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21. The reason that this popped into my head was because a huge part of me was upset solely because I didn't have something I really treasured. As everyone knows, my camera is my baby and so far since I've been here, taking pictures has been one of the few things that has really made me happy on a bad day. But after remembering this verse, I realized that there was a good lesson in losing something so precious to me. I realized that I shouldn't hold the material things of this world so close to my heart, because they are not eternal. I'm not saying that we should sell all of our possessions but I think we should all be more careful about where our hearts really are at. I know I've needed many heart checks lately and I know that the Lord is really working in me through this time in Italy. Aside from this instance, meeting new people can sometimes bring out a really judgmental side of myself. When I first got here, I had a really hard time making friends. I was meeting tons of people but I couldn't swallow my pride and actually pursue any of those people. I kept judging each person I met and finding something that I didn't see as desirable within them. It has definitely been a reality check for me to realize that I am being judged as well by others but most importantly by God Himself. Two lessons from that: having thick skin and not caring about what people think of me, and also trying to love every person I meet in the same way that their Father loves them.
Rather than giving you a play by play of what I did the rest of the week, I'll show you a few pictures. Taken with my iPhone:)
On Tuesday, I decided to make something different for dinner. Since we've been here we've only eaten pasta and rice. I made baked chicken with vegetables (potatoes, zucchini, and broccoli). For those of you that know me, I do NOT like vegetables but the produce is so fresh here that it's growing on me!
On Thursday, my drawing class went to the Academia to draw Michelangelo's statue David. I mentioned earlier that I just read the novel "David" by Mary Hoffman. Ever since reading that I have been so anxious to see it again in person. If you like history, art or just like a good storyline, you should read this book! I loved getting to draw it, too. Even though my sketches are pathetic in comparison to the masterpiece that was standing in front of me, I actually found some joy in drawing and I couldn't be more thankful for that! My drawing classes have gotten better but I still struggle and get frustrated that everyone in the class seems to be weeks ahead of me even though it's only been less than a month of class. But things are getting better!
Fridays have become our shopping day. We always seem to be out of something on Fridays so we are in a habit of going to the grocery store every Friday. But before we went to the store, we headed to this wonderful pizza place, Pizzeria O'Vesuvio. The three of us split these two pizzas. The left on is a simple margherita pizza and on the right is their self-named pizza, O'Vesuvio. It had mozzarella, tomatoes, a spicy Italian sausage and finally hot sauce! I am embarrassed to say that it was a little spicy for my taste (I need to work out my taste buds with some green chile!) but it was delicious nonetheless. Margherita pizzas are so simple but so tasty. The best cheese pizza ever!
We finished the afternoon off with a cappuccino and some down time to read our Kindles. I still can't get over how delicious (and cheap!) coffee is here.
On Saturday, we were getting antsy to go somewhere. We had thought about taking a day trip to somewhere close by but we finally decided on doing something locally. We had seen mountains in the area and so we decided that we would just walk towards them and see what happened. Well, when we started walking, we realized how far away they were but found a zig-zagging pathway that we decided to follow. The path had a steep incline but it was well worth it for the views. Half way up we stopped to take some pictures (see first two photos). Then we continued up the path and came to a giant plaza with some interesting tribal artists playing music. The plaza overlooks the entire city of Florence. The first time I was in Florence, Mr. Raynor took us to the top of the city but a different way than we had gone. It was beautiful. We all ate our lunches that we had bought and just enjoyed the warm-ish weather. It was still cold even in the sun but I was definitely loving the vitamin D.
Overall the last week has been very good! Obviously some downsides but there is always a silver lining! Ciao!
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