It's been too long!

Hello all,

I am so glad to have a free moment to blog and catch everyone up on my life lately. There's a lot of ground to cover, so this may come in installments. I definately wanted to put something up though while I had a few minutes.

Classes just finished yesterday, and I have had a very successful semester academically. My art history classes really stretched me and my teacher was demanding. But her enthusiasm was infectuous and I will never look at 13th and 14th century art the same. She enstilled a new appreciation in me that I didn't know could have existed, even though I love art! My bookarts class was one of the most interesting classes I've taken in college, and watch out momma! We have a whole new craft to make room for. I feel like I'll make books and journals for the rest of my life. I even bought a whole cow hide to cut down and make leather books. (Don't worry, I sold 80% of the pieces off to people, so I'm not bringing home a cow.) And finally, my Italian is significantly better, and I hope to continue studying this language. It's history alone is amazing, which I never thought I'd say, but that's another blog. I feel very accomplished with my schoolwork, and though my classes took the backseat to exploring occassionally, I wouldn't have done it any other way.

My education class, where I went into the school, ended really well. The school really loves us and looks forward to us in the spring. They are so appreciative, and we had a ceramony this week to allow the teachers and parents to come and look at everything that we've done. So much of their gratitude didn't need words (which is lucky because I didn't understand most of it). I was hugged so much and kissed on the cheek countless times. The families are genuinely grateful and the kids have had such a wonderful time. It's really been something else working with kids and making a difference in their day and I am so glad that I decided to be apart of it.


Today and tomorrow are free days, so I walked to Le Celle where St. Francis stayed a few times because I didn't get to the other day. It was a 45 minute walk through woods on this dirt road, but then it suddenly opens up to a valley tucked away. A gorgeous waterfall runs through the middle of this monastery that is built on the hill and looks like a dream. Honestly, it's completely self-sustaining and there are hidden gardens and paths all around the compound. It was really beautiful, and I'm so thankful that I made it out there before we leave for Venice on Sunday. I almost missed it! It would have been a shame too. After Le Celle, I had my hair cut, again, to a more normal, easier to maintain style. Well, they attempted normal. I still have crazy diagonal bangs, but it's closer than before.

Tomorrow my friends and I are taking the train back to the lake where the Tulip Festival was held. This time, we're renting boats and rowing out to the tiny islands that are scattered all across the water, that looks like the Gulf it's so blue and green. I'm still washing all my clothes and cleaning and packing, but things are coming together fine and I'll be ready to head to Venice or Venezia soon. I'm excited to go there and explore for a few days, unlike our Saturday trips where we only have a few hours. Plus... IT'S VENICE! We don't have a schedule there either, so any suggestions as to what I should do would be appreciated. Other than marvel at the city on water.

As for a brief rundown of my month, wandering Italy, I think I have a plan. Well, it's tenative, but it's written down on the back of a napkin somewhere in my purse, so it's pretty serious.

Venice, Trieste, Milan, Lake Como and Lake Maggiare, Bologna, Siena, Cinque Terre, Florence, San Gimignano, Rome, Cortona, and then home again. Whew, I'm exhausted already, but really excited about this chance to be on my own and experience Italy, packing in even more than my quiet Tuscan hilltown. I love Cortona, and it will always have a special place in my heart. The people have welcomed us and accomodated to us in ways I'm sure I don't even know about. But I'm ready for the next part of this adventure!

I'm thinking about all of you and can't wait to see everyone in June. I will always have my computer while I travel, but I'm sure I'll be in and out of internet service. Please email me and let me know how you all are doing. I really love reading them. I hope that you are well and enjoying the spring.

Casey