Didn't I tell you I was gonna bring the DRAMA!

As you noticed, my blog has been privatized. Why?! Well apparently some girls from my program had a problem with it and told my dean about it. Apparently I hurt their feelings with the "Too Many Chicks" post. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I have one side of classmates loving it, 1 "friend" telling me to watch my back because girls are mean and is afraid I will be the group loner who hangs out with the Asians, another telling me I crossed the line with that post, and 2 others "offended". 

Honestly - WHATEVER! What happened to free speech? and what are they gonna do when they get a job, and someone criticizes them? Are they going to cry and complain to their boss like they do every single day in class because someone pointed out their flaws and had a little laugh or because they have "too much" homework to do - COME ON! Have a little laugh and chill the f*ck down. Lighten Up! and Grow Up! - Sorry I'm upset, that I HAD to privatize my blog. My dean also suggested it or told me not to write about them. But sorry, I have a blog to write - to write about what I want, when I want! To tell everyone how people elsewhere behave and what I am going through here.

p/s/ My dad also told me to calm down with the writing, he's like "it's not a diary!" LOL - i know it isn't, i just don't want to repeat my Italian stories 20 times to my friends n family. Aqui ya tienen todo de un solo and you can read if you want, when you want.

Random Italian Things To Know

1. Some of my friends think the bus drivers are hot. After they told me this, I started checking them out and some actually are kinda hot with their slick hair pulled back and dark Ray-Bans on. Ehh not so bad. Obviously, I wouldn't date one! Q' me va mantener con un life time guarantee de bus passes? Emm no thanks.

2. I'm always asked how much do I spend at restaurants. Well it all depends on the place. Average: pizza 7-10 euros, pasta 5-10 euros, wine bottle 5-10 euros, water bottle 4 euros, and wine glass 2.50-3 euros. However, it all depends on the place, restaurant location, etc. I am just giving you an idea.

3. My tour guide told me to beware of the gelatto places closer to the Ponte Vecchio because when they prepare it, they mount it on the top where it looks all nice and yummy but when they serve it, they serve the old gelatto on the bottom of the mount. Gelatto can be 5 euros for 1 ball on a cone.

4. Always get a bus pass. They are VERY VERY strict and expensive when it comes to a fine. It is 40 euros if you don't have a bus pass! Super Carisimo! The bus pass police even has billboard ads with an angry man saying you must always have it when boarding! Algunas veces me monton al bus sin ticket o con ticket pero no lo uso - hasta el domingo! Vi 1 hombre sospechoso hablando con el conductor y en vez veo que a todos le esta chequiando el ticket! En eso pense " HIJEPUTA! , mi ticket asap! " - en eso busco el box to scan my ticket on the back of the bus and then I notice another bus pass cop! "JUEPUTA!" (jajajaja) - en eso que lo pase, me vio y me dijo, "Always do it as SOON as you get on the bus!" - asi que cuidadito!

5. The banks suck here. Para todo cobran. If you deposit money in your own account, they deduct 2 euros. If someone else deposits in your account, that is another 2 euros. If you open an account it can range from 10-20 euros and they usually have 0% interest WTF! para nada me sirven! para eso guardo mi dinero debajo mi cama!

6. Now that I have been at Milan over the weekend, like in Florence, tienen unos negros y hindus que joden! They are everywhere! En las piazzas, train stations, street corners, restaurants, subways - trying to sell you last minute umbrellas when it starts raining (my Panamanian friend is their number 1 customer, she never has one on her and has bought over 6 already), fluffy pink bunny ears, bouncy balls, helicopters, dancing monkeys, glowing spiky balls, and other random shit! - OH! and roses! For some reason restaurants always let them in and even if its girls night out, they will offer the 12 girls roses - Q' le voy a dar rosas a mis amigas!?! NOO! ALEJATE!

7. At Milan, I was also bothered by the guys offering you corn for the pigeons - NO I will not feed them and be attacked by them! - I had to tell a guy to get the fuck away - en serio! They will not take NO for an answer.

8. Italians have been nice to me when it comes to the language barrier. Alli nos entendemos bien.

9. Don't eat Italian or sandwiches (paninis) 2 months prior coming to Italy because it's all you will find here.

10. Italian clubs. I still haven't been to Cavalli club but I hear it is 20 euros to get in. I have been to 2 "clubs" in Florence and 1 in Milan. Florence "clubs", I've been to Twice & YAB. Why am I "" the clubs. Well because I expected a lot more! Son hyper pequeño y cierran a las 2am! WTF! Cover, 2 drinks, and for YAB is about +30 euros. Twice is 2 blocks from my apartment. I personally liked it, but my friends say its ghetto. A mi me gusto la musica, a lot more hiphop and updated songs, and drinks are 3-5 euros and NO cover ;) - pero no es ghetto! Lo que no me gusto es que hay mucho americanos. En Milan, the cover and 1 free drink was 20 euros. The drink was vodka cranberry but I got a lot more cranberry and when I asked for more vodka, he said no. We also went to a lounge having a Fashion TV party and each drink, no matter what drink was 15 freakin euros!

Too Many Chickss!

24 girls in one class for 6-9 months? I'm sensing a lil drama. I'm already having little problems when it comes to group projects, but I can't handle ;) Here's the scoop.

My class is made of 24 girls. We were 25 but she (the Russian) changed to Luxury Management - I think because she wanted to go on more trips or because she wasn't getting a long with any of us. No one was mean to her but as soon as we started working on projects, which are always in groups, she was very hard-headed. I know this through personal experience. We were a group of 4 and we had to think of a fashionable inspiring woman to talk about. So the Russian wanted her choice and her choice only. I tried to tell her that we were a group and had to come to a group decision, but she didn't understand what the word "group" truly meant. So to avoid problems we agreed to her choice, which was Dita Von Teese (I love DVT but we had a stronger option). While this happened in my group, I also heard she was being chaotic in another. (PAUSE - I've already talked about this. Oops Sorry)

OK Anyways another outstanding classmate is the EURO. It's been a little after a month and I'm pretty sure if you ask her, "Where are you from?", she'll still say "I'm from Europe" and you'll say "What do you mean??, I mean country!!" - after that she'll start naming about 6 or 7 countries in Europe, just because she has lived there, her parents or grandparents were born there, and obviously the one country she was born in. I just say I'm from Nicaragua and US, both have been my homes, 12 years each and I was born in the US but my parents and family are full blooded Nicas; but I guess to spice it up I'll just start telling people I'm also from Panama (my dad was only born there not raised), China (my mom kinda looks Chinese and is even nicknamed La China), and if I put together all my trips to Costa Rica - I guess I'm a Central American Chinese LMAO! She also changes her accents, sometimes she is very Brit but mostly French (ohh man when she annunciates!) and our personalities have already clashed. I can't work with her. She prefers not to work on weekends on little projects but she does like to criticize my group work when she's done none. Besides that I can't help but laugh or look down upon her OLI comments when she talks about her family money, friends, holiday houses, etc - AYY if you know me, you know I hate hate these kind of people. Please learn to not boast it's horrible! Be humble! - Bueno enough.

Today one of the girls was talking to the Indian ( from India! ) and she was telling her how she is bound to be married in 5 years! ARRANGED MARRIAGE! Ayy q horrible! I couldn't! Hell No! What IF - - - -(soo many questions are popping into my head) - She says she prefers it and hasn't meant him yet. Ayy q raro!

I've gotten along with the Asian crowd (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan) and we all noticed they can't drink or don't drink! If they drink, they get really red! One of my Latina friends says it is because of something in their blood system - drinking makes their cheeks very red and bodies very warm. I can't believe it - one drink and that's it! One of them has fallen asleep after one drink at the table twice! Ya le dijimos NO MORE DRINKS EVER! If you can't drink, don't - that way you don't go through public humiliation after a sip. - side note, one of the Asians is incredibly silly and innocent. She is so funny, she has NO idea. Everyone is constantly laughing (with or at her) in class because of her mannerisms.

My buddy has been Elvira from Panama. She's loud, hilarious, smart and has got the great latina look! I prefer the pretty people over the money people. Siempre un poco OLI ;)

The fun ones have to be the Grecian! Crazy party people ready to go! They are also the ones that take forever on a test! They'll fill up the white papers with all the info they wrote and learned in class. They ask and ask and ask so many questions in class, mostly "Can you explain again, I didn't get it?" - Side note, one of them looks just like Fergie! jejeje

Another funny and strong personality has to be the German. Her comments are OUT of line! Yeyy! I'm not the only one! very german, that's all I'll say. Example: We are all bored of being asked the difference between Luxury and Fashion, so the last teacher that asked us, got cut off by her and she told the professor to move on because we had already seen this enough times.

De alli, nose de quien mas hablar. All of them are unique, very unique. I'm sure I'll come up with more stories.

Feelings, So many Feelings

I don't want to seem bipolar, but I'm back at sad. I don't know if I'm homesick or it's my period bringing me down these last few days. It's even funny how my friends here are noticing a lot less talk and laugh. It's true, I have been a little more quiet, but I think I'll blame on my period. Should I even writing this on my blog? LOL - hey! its my space and my talk! FREE SPEECH baby!

*RANDOM* I'm watching the "rude boy" video by Rihanna and it's weird! Its a Sean Paul meets Cavalli while trippin on some acid!

Anyways - I don't want to talk about sad and sound like Daria. I'm just going through some quiet days; sometimes you need them.

I am missing my family and friends but I know I'll be seeing them very soon.

I think tomorrow I'm going to talk to the school again, to make a "suggestion" LOL - meaning I'm going to make a few bitchy comments. I don't know if its a languague barrier but when I sat down and explained to who I think is the dean or head teacher of my program, I thought he was going to work out a few things like: 1. getting us some books or printing out our sheets to follow the classes (the program did say MATERIALS INCLUDED!) 2. Actually have the Fashion Testimonial class have TESTIMONIALS! The presenters are always "sick" lately - c'mon people have some vitamin C ! and 3. Create challenge. I still feel like this is too easy! I didn't even go to an amazing university but I think I did A LOT more projects, info, tests, etc - I know I sound crazy, but I am very thirsty for some fashion knowledge and I feel like I'm getting them in little bits. TOO LITTLE. Yes yes I get it - Your teachers have amazing work experience at Gucci, La Perla, Ferragamo but I think they need to explain it a little more and get into the real business details. However, while cooking my lunch just a bit ago (which was delishh!) it occurred to me that maybe my challenge isn't at school but 2 other things: Italian & Internship. Honestly, I haven't enrolled in Italian yet and I need to learn it in order to get a killer internship here and it's also an extra (my 4th language). If I don't know enough I can always get an internship somewhere else (Spain, South America, US) but the point of me here is to learn. So I promise I'll get to it.

Bueno y nada mas. My life is pretty routine here. I'm still resolving my credit card fraud problem with my bank, class and class trips, working on little projects, walking or on the bus, going to the supermarket, and on weekends going to lounges, bars, or stores with a few friends from school. Todo tranquilo, nada new. I might spice it up and go to Milan this weekend.

One Liners

Following a fellow blogger and my last entry, here are a couple of one liners of some of my favorite heart breaking songs:

Did it again, love, I got it all wrong - But it felt so right, I can't believe it &

When it comes to men, it's known - That I end up choosing wrong

Did It Again - Shakira

You & me can could write a bad romance

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

And I know I'm living wrong. But i can't let ya go - Your the one i want in my life (want in my life)

Can't Let You Go - Fabolous & Lil Mo

That was quite a show, very entertaining - but it's over now - go on & take a bow

Take a Bow - Rihanna

VENICE the City of Love

Last Saturday, my friends and I took a bus with 400 other people to Venice. It was 40 euros cheaper compared to the train and the trip wasn't that bad. It was a 3 hour ride filled of snowy sceneries and day dreams while listening to my Party Playlist.

Heading to the City of Love, got me thinking the inevitable love questions: "have I lost a great love?" "have I even met him?" "was HE the GREAT love? (cause it didn't seem like it)" and "I'M STILL MAD AT HIM!" First of all, I KNOW I haven't met my great love, so far they have all turned out to be liars, cheaters, emotional players or have some drug addiction and I'm no Amy Winehouse to take any of that! I always end up liking the wrong guy and I'm tired of it. I have no idea what to do?! Where do I stand and look pretty, so he can approach me?! At a coffee shop? book store? piazza republica? - WHERE ARE YOU?! I hope you're not in Nicaragua because I just moved to Italy! hahaha. There is one guy I constantly day dream about, last time I saw him was probably 4,5 years ago. He was my sister's neighbor in Miami and we went to elementary school. As he got older he became a super hot cuban baseball player. AHH! SOO HOT! Specially his voice! I've tried looking for him on FB but nothing! I think his name is too common. Every time I go to Miami, I always want to go to his house and ask him out. LOL I wonder if we are meant to be? - Speaking of "meant to be". Another guy always on my mind, is the one all my friends, family and I thought was the one I was supposed to be meant to be with. However, it just never worked out. I was always the friend and way to infatuated with him and well he was into other girls (fat girls to be correct). and right before coming to Italy, he drops a bomb on me and tells me he used to like me back in high school. WTF! Why are you telling me this now!? - He knew I was head over heels for him. He definitely knew it! - After that, I think some old feelings started coming back, so I gave it a shot when I went to Miami. I told him to pick me up at the airport and as soon as I saw him, it was back to square one. He was complete jerk. I had 4 bags and my purse, and he DIDN'T EVEN OFFERED TO HELP ME! We ran into some friends of his, and he seemed ashamed to be seen with me and didn't even introduce me, he referred to me as " I'm picking HER up". Then he tells me he's high, in hurry to get to work, and telling me his ex is going psycho because I'm writing on his FB. So all those feelings faded away. Now I remember why we aren't meant to be - You're an asshole! and to make matters worse I get a fucked email from his ex.

For some reason, I think I'll get lucky in love once I'm done with my other life's goals (finishing up my masters, getting my dream job, and paying for things on my own). So we'll see :) I'm still hopeful.

Anyways back to the Venice trip - From the bus we moved onto a train which was the stop before Venice. Only way to get there, unless you a boat. Once I arrived and walked out of the Venice Santa Clara train station. OMG! I couldn't stop saying WHOA! I couldn't believe it. It was spectacular. Too beautiful! I felt like I was in DIsney - I was incredibly happy! All my pain was gone.

We really didn't do much there, but walk and take pics. We were completely lost searching for the main Carnavale piazza! But when we got to the piazza, it was tooo crowded! It was insane! Everyone was dressed up in all kinds of costumes (vintage, colored, religious, butterflies, queens, kings, mystical animals, soccer players, sumo wrestlers). All I was wearing was my mask. hahaha

We had a great pizza lunch and orange spritz drinks at night at a spanish bar (I think). So after a day of walking and being pushed by others, there no music really....till we arrived back at the train station and salsa and electronic music was blasting and everyone there was dancing - so we danced! :D

Random Venice Story: While dancing, Carolina (from Colombia) was approached by 5 guys, and they asked her where we were all from. As soon as she said she was from Colombia, they told her they loved her marijuana and asked if she had any on her! Her perfect comeback was: "NO! I only grow it and you smoke it!". - Ahh! uncultured people are too stupid!

BTW here's the email from the psycho. I beeped some things out because my family reads my blog and obviously everything in the email is completely untrue. I've never been to montelimar with him, I hate that place.

Between You and Lorena Pereira: Alicia a vos yo no te conosco vos no me conoces a mi y quien sabe lo q jorge te dira y me tiene sin cuidado una cosa te voy a decir el otro dia me llama jorge y me dice le dije a la alicia q no me escribiera en mi wall pq vos te enojas cuando en ningun momento le he dicho eso a mi me tiene muy sin cuidado lo q el haga en su vida y lo q haga con vos la verdad, segun el se arrepiente de haberse ----- con una cerda asquerosa como vos esas son sus palabras y dice q vos fuistes la q se lo ---- en montelimar sin el querer which is funny q diga eso cuando imposible q una mujer abuse de un hombre JAJAJA pq eso dice el q vos abusastes de el LMAO otra cosa si te lo queres ir a ---- sinceramente COSA TUYA Y DE EL A MI ME TIENE SIN CUIDADO EL Q ME SIGUE BUSCANDO ES EL A MI pero claro eso no lo dice el a nadie segun el yo lo busco a el TE LO ACLARO ME VALE MUCHISIMO EL Y TODO LO Q TENGA Q VER OCN EL! Y te digo esto para q dejes de estar ''making fun of me'' and get your facts straight pq ni sabes nada la vrd.. el es tu amigo limitate a hablar con el de lo q tenga q ver con ustedes excepto de mi... yo no tengo nada q ver con el y me interesa poco lo q vos digas o el diga! funny como segun el i stalk him lmao cuando el q busca como entrar del fb de quien sea para ver mis cosas pero la verdad q no me importa pq eso es una imadurez pero bueno just letting you know... se q se lo vas a copy and paste pero te hago el trabajo mas facil ill copy this message to him as well... so u both get a life and leave me the fuck alone..

Belated Thank Yous

I would like to thank Megha for housing me for free after my robbery, translating at the police, and paying for my cab when I was completely broke. Elvira and Maria, thank you for paying for my dinner the night of the robbery. Alexie and Ruth, thank you for all your help, company, and kind words. Anne, thank you for also housing my first weeks here and being there for me, when I had to move out of the apartment. and thank you to my family and friends, who constantly wrote to me, kept my spirits high, and prayers. THANK YOU! I am forever grateful! XoXoXo

Home Sweet Home

I FOUND A HOME! Man, I'm so happy! Feliz como una lobriz! jejeje I love it! Its small, cozy, and quaint - very european. It is by Santa Croce and actually has a little view of the church; beautiful at night. Asi que ya saben, I AM READY TO RECEIVE GUESTS! :D But please pack light, my apartment is on the top floor, the 4th floor to be exact but it kinda feels like 7 floors. Things are looking up for me in Florence and I am extremely happy with my new home.

Finding a Home

I know I haven't written in a while. It's mostly because I have been having a rough couple of weeks. As you last read, I had just moved into an apartment with other random roommates. Well on my 4th day there, I went to take a shower, went back to my room and checked my purse to make sure I had my money to go off for coffee. To my shock, it was ALL missing! I had over 2 thousand euros in cash in my purse and it was all gone! Why did I have so much money in my bag?? - I was going to open a bank account and carried it in my purse because I didn't know the roommates well enough to leave my stash at "home". So during my 15 minute shower, it was taken from me :( Who do I think it was?? - When I went into the shower, only 1 roommate was "home", which is also the landlord's boyfriend. At the moment, I was skyping with my sister, and I was freaking out! I called my friends for back-up. I called the roommate (Kelvis) that had been there, but left during my shower (with my money) and obviously denied it. I just know it was him. He was the only person there when I went into the shower and the night before (red light!), he asked me for some money, because he wanted to go out. Let me just add, I had just paid him my deposit and rent, and he is 40 years old! Long story short about that Saturday afternoon, my friends helped me pack up and leave the place immediately! We went to the police and filed a report. OH! Let me back up a little too! When I realized all my cash was gone, I checked my debit card account and someone! somehow! charged 6 different things on it (supermarket and lounges)! So I had to cancel that as well! That day, I only had 25 euros in my wallet. I was cried out, in shock, and felt so violated! It was a terrible feeling! In addition to the feeling of "MY DAD IS GOING TO KILL ME!" - "I CAN'T BELIEVE I WAS SO STUPID TO BE ROBBED!". This all happened 2 saturdays ago. I've been miserable! Trying to get money, trying to tell my dad, trying to get my bank to send me a new card, trying to find a new place (I'm crashing again at a friends), - simply TRYING TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT! I think this happened to me, because I'm so against paying the ridiculously high real estate fee, so someone can find me an apartment and well I have been procrastinating my apartment search. I have great fault in this incident I KNOW IT, if I could only go back in time!

Anyways, its been a week and 2 days and things are looking up. Tonite I'm hopefully signing a contract for my OWN apartment (I'm too afraid to share now), my card is coming soon, and I have money to pay rent (and not crash). So hopefully my next blog will be about my new HOME.

For all my friends that knew about it and for my family that obviously knew about it. THANK YOU for all the prayers! XOXO

Almost there! Just 20% more!

How am I doing? I think I'm almost completely happy and fine. I think I have gotten the hang of the bus system, stops, walking, streets, language, classes, friends, and the current living situation.

As you read, my current living situation is awkward and what I didn't tell you is that the landlord and I got off on the wrong foot (but I think it's a culture/language barrier, I don't think he knows where I'm coming from when I try to explain certain things) and well I really do hope to move to an apartment with Elvira or just find my own place eventually.

School is good. I've had certain problems with certain classes. But after talking to my friends and family. I am just going to give it a little more time. I just feel like it has been to easy so far. I know it has only been 3 weeks but it's a masters program! My friends from Polimoda just told me that they have a different teaching method here, but not to worry - that I will learn and that it will get tough.

Friends! Classmates! Roommates! hahaha - well that is also good! When I first arrived here, I knew it wasn't going to be a problem for me. During the first week of class, we were learning each others names, finding apartments, etc - going through the same things and I felt like I wasn't part of the group yet. BUT now I am! hehehe I know all the names! Some of us have gone out, gotten to know each other, and even stirred some lil dramas. and of course there is my Anne!

and as for Florence, I haven't been getting lost anymore but I still carry my map! hahaha and enjoy the walking! It is probably my favorite part unless I'm carrying my laptop and purse! It's a nice little city. I'm not loving it. I think there are better cities in the world (Nassau, NYC, SJdS, Granada and Miami - my favorites so far) but I'm happy and thats all that counts! :D

For some reason, I have been getting my languages confused! Portuguese and Italian! On thursday, on our way to a birthday party, I found myself speaking in Portuguese to the taxi driver! LOL ooops!

A little more time here and I will be perfectly fine! No worries ;)

God,Psalm 23 (my favorite verse), and praying make it easier for me here. THANK YOU!

I just miss my family and friends (specially my crazy cheeto Greco!) and think about all of them every single day.

de Mochilera .....

Before arriving to Florence I decided NOT to reserve an apartment online, because I wanted to see it myself and I did NOT want to pay the real estate commission which equals a months rent. I can not believe real estate agents here charge a commission to the person looking for a place when they should charge ONLY the landlord/owner of the property! Besides that I am trying not to spend too much on housing.

Arriving to Florence, I had booked a hotel for a week, but since I met Anne (THANK GOD!) she offered me to stay at her place while I looked around. Honestly, I looked very little but the places I saw were terrible!

I was recommended a website called EasyStanza, where profile ads are posted if you are looking for a ROOM or if you need a ROOMMATE because you have an extra room. So I created my profile and just start searching. Once I was here, I made appointments and went to see the rooms. I know you can not be too picky but I saw some hideous places! One room only had space for a small desk next to the twin size bed, THAT'S IT!! Hell no! Way to small! I am not claustrophobic but I need space to walk around atleast! and the apartment had no living room - so you would hang out in kitchen. The next place that terrified me had an ok room and location BUT the bath - o0oh THE BATH! Just imagine the toilet and a drain right next to it, no shower curtain, and on shower head hose next to the toilet. So you basically shower over or around the toilet! WTF! Comeeee on! HELL NO! That apartment was nice but for some reason I had to use that shower and not the shower which was a normal shower! So no thanks.

This past week was pretty much my deadline, because Anne's roommates were arriving on Thursday afternoon. So I called everyone like crazy and before I knew it I was given a 12 hour notice. I had to check out Anne's apartment on Wednesday morning. I almost looked into real estate agents but decided to calm down and send 20 emails on EasyStanza.

Long story short, I found a place! I moved in on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, I'm on the living room floor of the apartment (at the moment) because the room I am moving into is still occupied, the girl in it, is moving out on Sunday or Monday, the 1st. But I just needed a place. The landlord/roommate (Kelvis) is a fashion photographer (http://kelvisinvisible.us/), dj, and make up artist and a 40 year old man. In addition, there are 2 other female german roommates (one is moving out though). HEY! I was desperate and the place is alrite. I have never lived with complete strangers (besides Anne) specially a man! This is so weird!!!!!

Last night, my friend, Elvira, called me and asked me if I wanted to rent an apartment with her, because she decided to find a 2 bedroom apartment and she doesn't want me living with a man! LOL Therefore, I think I will be moving yet again! LOL Well I hope! I feel kinda uncomfortable living with a man. I mean he's cool but it's just weird! - o0o and by the way, there is only 1 bathroom! I am not liking sharing a bathroom with a guy!

My journey in the past 3 week has included: Hotel - Anne's apartment and Kelvis apartment. What's next? asi que ando de mochilera.

o0o the Italian Boys!

I haven't meet an Italian boy yet BUT! I have been swoon by them. LOL Specially Anne! She has received a rose on Friday, 8 calls and 5 texts the next day and another set of 6 texts the following weekend, all by the 1 guy she met 2 fridays ago!

This past week, we were walking by the market, and he said "oh! beautiful smile! 1 free jacket!" - so we smiled cause we thought it was funny and kept walking - "0h! another beautiful smile! 2 free jackets!" - we kept walking - "another smile please! and 3 free jackets!" "oh! great ass!" LMAOOOOO! - um thanks I guess!

Last night at the club, the girls and I are dancing and a guy picks up a nearby extinguisher and says to me " SOO HOTT AMOREE! " - lol

and while walking the streets of Florence, they usually do and say 3 things: 1. Just LOOK 2. Turn their heads like Owls and 3. Say "Ciao Bella!" - "So Beautiful" or " NICEEEEEEEEEE " - coming from Nicaragua its nothing new, but when a cute Italian instead of greasy lottery seller says it, you can't help but to smile.

Can't wait to meet my guido ;)

(picture from PITTI PALACE)

I'll stick to being a Recessionist

Living in downtown Florence, going to a fashion school and going on field trips to trade shows and high-end designer houses just makes it much more _____(I can't think of the word) that I have no more than 5 designer goods in my closet, which I all got at a consignment store. I don't know if it makes me sad, jealous, or what! But I definitely feel a little inferior (which is the feeling luxury items are supposed to make me feel - from what I've learned in class). I know I shouldn't feel that way but hey! its the truth!

I definitely rock my less expensive stuff and know how to play with them. I can wear an Express shirt and leggings, Aldo boots, Forever 21 scarf, XoXo coat, and D&G bag and feel cute, stylish, and sometimes sexy. I definitely don't feel less "cool" or of a lower status. But I just can't spend more than $300 on an item. I think it's cause of my dad! He's so cheap! and he has always taught my family to be economic with clothes, house utilities, gas, bus passes, etc - I always have his voice in my head saying " don't buy it! that's too expensive! you don't need that! turn off the lights! walk instead of riding the bus " hahaha - in a way it's good though. As much as I want a pair of Guiseppes and the new Chanel bag - I know I can find something cheaper that can make me AS happy. - or perhaps I don't feel comfortable enough to charge $550 on my dad's credit card for the Serio Rossi boots I can't stop starring at on the store window. I am a daddy's girl but thats just too much! I'll just wait till I have a real job and pay for them on my own. or maybe I still be a recessionista and get more for money's worth!!! hahaha don't get me wrong! I love designers! They have amazing creations which are worth their craftsmanship but I just CAN'T.

BTW these are pics from the Ferragamo Museum - shoes that belonged to Evita Peron, Brigitte Bardot, and Carmen Miranda and the girls from FMM, Polimoda 2010!

SORRY!

So sorry I haven't kept the blog up to date. I have had time but not as much to blog. Blogging needs time, inspiration and pictures of course! I'll try harder and blog right now ;) XoXo

Everything happens to Little Anne

As you have read, I made a great friend on one of many connections to Florence, ANNE! She is from Chicago and learning Italian. I decided to blog about her because I thought I'd be the silly roommate but it's actually her! Last friday, she received a rose and a dozen calls on Saturday from Italian boy - boy because we think he's like 15 LOL. Today, we went to a leather store and the old italian owner couldn't stop asking her for her cell number to go out on a romantic date to see the Florence view and his vespa. He later offered me a friend. No thanks , we pass! LOL When we arrived to Florence, and poor Anne finds out her roommates aren't coming in for 3 weeks - remember that's why I'm living with her, to keep her company :) Yesterday, we were both fined 40 euros for not validating out train tickets - GREAT! - Now we will never forget to validate it and it left our pockets empty :( and just right now, she plugged in her charger in the wrong outlet and she got up, she bumped her head SO HARD on the window door! OUCH! It even hurt me! For a second I thought I was going to see blood all over the place like a crazy Japanese movie - Anyways, I'll keep adding stories about Anne here, because I know more things are bound to happen to her. BTW this is her blog: http://annecabroad.blogspot.com/

How's School going?

School is going great! However, I think the drama is about to start LOL - Today, we were split into groups and we have to write a report on a Woman and how her style, life, biography, and profession has made her who she is in fashion - does she care about how she dresses? does she have style? does she dress up? has she made an impact on others? - ETC! So I told my group about my ridiculously looking 1st lady, La Chamuca, and they loved the idea! However, one of the girls did not like the idea and she is pushing for another. In my head, I just kept thinking, MAJORITY RULES! But she's not wanting it. I have no idea what to do. We are all new and from different countries. How do you deal with a tough teammate?

Besides that, like I said Polimoda is AMAZING! All we talk about is fashion, purses, trade shows, magazines, editors, models, designers, shoes, etccc! I CAN'T believe this is my future! Last week, we went to one of the biggest trade shows in Florence called PUTTI UOMO. A trade show for men's clothes only. There were so many stands, that I got lost from my group and got a headache! I didn't even know what to ask - I felt bad lying that I was an interested buyer for my store in Nicaragua instead of saying I was a student (they told me to pretend in order to be attended to). Most of the people there were dressed to impress! I should have had more people pose for me - I only dared to ask one lady. I don't know much about menswear but I saw a lot of what's coming up for Fall/Winter 2010 (small ties, plaids, cowboy look, and leather).

Tomorrow I am headed to another trade show in Vicenze. This will be a jewelry trade show. I have to be at school at 5:30am because we are going on the school bus for a 4 hour ride! The security is so strict there, the teacher told us not to wear any jewelry! - So I'll let you know what's hot for this season ;)

PoliMODA or PoliCOOK?

Jen, couldn't have said it best - "are you sure you're not in Italy to go to culinary school?" - and the answer is NO ... I think? hahahaha I'm just kidding. Being on my own surprises me everyday. I gotta try to speak the language, cook for myself (and roommate), ride the bus, read maps, find my way home on all these little streets, find my school's different buildings around town, ride the train - the list goes on! However, my favorite part of the day is cooking dinner for me and Anne. Tonight, we finally had a pasta-less dinner. I told her we had to stop, because we had pasta and wine every night last week. So, I made chicken fajitas, which turned out delishhhh! :D and Anne helped with the side dish, broccoli. So THANKS MOM for the cooking abilities!

School is Cool, Florence is Cold!

So I'm in my new apartment (Anne's apt) for 2 weeks only (due to landlord issues). Therefore, I gotta keep searching for my own apartment or room. Don't worry I've seen ads all over the school.

I started Polimoda on Monday, but my classes start tomorrow - I can't wait! I just googled the walking path from this apartment to school and google says its 1 hour and 19 minutes away AND 6.5 km away! WTF! That's crazy! I hope he's wrong - even though he normally isn't. From my hotel to Polimoda it was a 20 minute walk. All this walking is killing me, but I need it! I'm so out of shape! But you should see that hill up to school! It's crazy! It's like climbing the Mombacho volcano! In addition to the walking, stairs are another killer! Today, we had to go up 4 flights of stairs with my bags - FLORENCE is WORK-OUT!

Anyways, Orientation was on Monday and it was basic. Highlights: I met a couple of people from FMM (Fashion Mngt & Merchand.) and LM (Luxury Mngt), the programs has over 20 different nationalities, we learned the school's guidelines, saw the library (filled with every fashion book and magazine possible - AMAZING, my favorite part of the tour!), and Linda Loppa (Polimoda Director) welcomed us. http://www.facebook.com/notes/polimoda/why-do-students-choose-polimoda-in-florence-interview-with-linda-loppa-polimoda-/263251756408

Funny story, last night Anne and I went to eat and for dessert we had to choose between pudding and fresh fruit. So I ordered the pudding and she got the fresh fruit. They literally gave her a large, unpeeled, and uncut apple, tangerine, and a kiwi with a very sharp knife! LMAOOO! She had no idea what to do! Too funny!

Destination: Florence, Italy

So after 21 hours in airports or planes, I have arrived in Florence! I'm blogging till today because the hotels internet was down the 1st night and yesterday and today, I have been walking in downtown Florence. So let me tell you what happened after I left Boston.

I noticed my flight said London/Brussels and I was very confused about that. So when I got on the plane, it was heading to London! My itinerary never said I would stop there! GREAT! I expected a HUGE plane with comfy seats - DIDN'T HAPPEN! It was a small old AA plane. It only had 2 seats - 3 seats - 2 seats rows. Even though it had tv, they showed the stupidest movie ever about a little boy with weird friends and how his booger tried to eat them. WHAT THE HELL?! so obviously I HAD TO TRY TO SLEEP - mind you, I can't sleep on planes and worst of all, the freaking seat didn't lean back at all! Ok, maybe like an inch! SERIOUSLY! however, eventually they played The Office, which was hilarious! Anyways, I arrived to London at 6am which in my time was about 12 am or 1am, I think. There at London I met a girl, also coming in from the Boston connection called Anne, who coincidentally is also going to Florence but for an Italian language and experience program. - Cutting the flying story short, I was in Brussels for 2 hours (waiting) and then I arrived in Florence! All so tedious but hey! I paid $530 to get here from Miami. VERY CHEAP!

Once I was in Florence, I took a cab to my hotel. Unfortunately, their internet was down for the day. So I walked to a convenience store to find an international calling card and then I had to find a telephone cab to call my family and tell them I was ok! After that I needed a shower! and guess what happens now - NO HOT WATER! I had to wait like 2 hours for their maintenance guy to fix it! During that time, I HAD to watch tv. Every channel is in Italian, so I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Italian LOL random! After showering, I was completely bored and since my euro plug converters didn't seem to work, I went downstairs and hung out with the receptionist and watched Brothers on his laptop (very good movie btw). He told me, the do's and don'ts of apartment searching and talked about Italy. He was nice, a little arrogant and bitchy at moments but I had to be nice cause I was bored!

Anyways, Day 1 was good. I went next store (electrical appliance shop) and figured out the problem to my plug converter. Then my receptionist gave me the directions on the map to a "centro comercial" which was 15 minutes away. However, I got lost for 3 hours looking for it! Once I found it, it was literally 15 mins away like he had said. o0oh and while I was lost it was non-stop raining and my umbrella inverted with the wind and completely broke! At the centro comercial, I got my sim card at Media Store (kinda like Best Buy) and some groceries at the supermarket. The supermarket was insane! So much prosciutto, pasta, pasta sauces, and wine! So I got some 3 euro wine and lunch snacks. The people at the store were crazy! It looked like the supermarket was having a super sale or closing out sale - I was pushed a lot! After this, I went back to my hotel to eat my snacks and rest from all the walking. Eventually, my new friend, Anne, contacted me and invited me to a walking tour of downtown Florence. I rode the bus on my own and met her counselor at the Duomo. Florence is BEAU-TI-FUL at night! I also learned a lot since Anne had her own tour guide. After the tour, we had some hot chocolate and we were invited to a delicious italian dinner by her counselor. OMG soo good! I had linguini dello scoglio, which is with seafood and we all shared a Tagliare appetizer which had prosciutto, other cold cuts, pate, and bruscetta. Day 1 was great! and Night 1 was good too, all the walking made me very tired.

Today, I had to meet some girls from the school for brunch, however I got lost again for over an hour and missed it. By the time I arrived, they were leaving out the door! However, Anne stayed with me! :) Trust me! It was very complicated to get there! It was an american style restaurant with american type food. All we did after was walk around downtown Florence again. My legs are so tired! They aren't use to it all! LOL

Well tomorrow will be a good day, because its Orientation day! WOOOOHOOOO! I'll keep you posted ;) XoXo

P.S. Florence is alrite. I'm mostly here for Polimoda, I hope my hopes aren't too high like they were for the city.