One of the four cakes that I got to eat for my birthday.

Hello everyone!!

I have just reached the end of a quite busy, but fantastic week.

It began on Saturday, which was my sixteenth birthday.  Other than school I didn't have any plans for the day.  However, my parents and their friends arranged a surprise party for me. 

The following day, I met with some of my friends to celebrate my birthday again.  We met at lunch t eat some delicious Italian pizza, and then walked back to my home to watch a movie.  Two of the these three girls are in my class.  One day, while we had a substitute teacher, I had started talking to them.  Discovering that we all have much in common, they invited me to spend Halloween with them and another friend.  That night we watched a horror movie, put on Halloween styled makeup to go for gelato (I was pop-art), and, of course, ate lots of chocolate.  The next morning, we finished off the chocolate snacks for breakfast, and learned to play a duet on the piano together.

My friends and I with the community theater behind us

This week, I have began a theater course.  My host sister had been a part of it for many years before her exchange in Mexico, and I thought that it sounded interesting.  So far, I am really enjoying the classes.  My friends form Haloween are also in the theater classes, and I am getting to know the other students.  Everybody seems extremely kind, and they are all very helpful when I don't understand some of the Italian instuctions.  We will be doing a production of Shakespeare at the end of the course in May, and I am looking forward to it.

A few nights ago, I attended my third Rotary dinner.  Everyone I have met have been very friendly and welcoming, so I have really enjoyed attending these meetings.  A few weeks ago, on the day before my second Rotary dinner, I went with my counselor and the club to see the Duke of Modena's summer palace. I was an absolutely beautiful building.  We took a tour of the palace, and a professor who spoke English was able to translate the guide's words.

  

 Both of my Italian nonne (grandmothers) are visiting this week.  My nonna on my mother's  side, who lives in the apartment above me, has returned from a vacation to France.  My father's mother lives in the South of Italy.  They are both extremely kind and it is delightful to spend time with them.

Ciao for now.

Bologna

Mantova

Modena

Hello!

It has been a long time since my last post, so I believe that I owe you an update as to how my exchange has been.  My life here has been great and I have completely settled into my new home.  My Italian has been constantly improving and I now often find that I am thinking to myself in my new language instead of English.

A few days ago I returned from Sardinia where I met with over 200 other inbound exchange students from around the world in Italy.  It was fantastic to share stories and observations with other people experiencing the same thing.  The friendships that were formed by sharing this Italian Exchange were quite amazing.  Although most of the people had never met each other previously, there was a wonderful atmosphere of acceptance and togetherness.  

I have been going to Liceo Fanti, my school for about three weeks.  Although it is much different than my previous school in Canada, I feel quite comfortable here.  Over 1,800 students attend Liceo Fanti, and the building contains two floors.  However, I have somehow managed not to get lost....yet.  I remain in the same room for most of my classes, and I am with the same students in all of my courses.  In Italy the teacher changes classrooms.  I feel that I have gotten to know my class much better because for this reason.  Everyone of the students on my class seem very kind.

  About a week ago, I became quite sick, but it wasn't an entirely bad experience.  One of the worst things, I have always thought, is to be sick away from home.  However, this time wasn't all that terrible. I realized that this was because this is my home now and my family was right beside me taking care of me.

My Italian Family is amazing, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been placed in this home. I have very much enjoyed the time that I have spent with them (as you can see from the picture on the right of when) they took me to the beach) and I look forward to making more memories with them.

I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post.  I felt that for the first month it was important for me to  not think too much about you all back in Canada and instead embrace life here.  Now that I have completely adjusted, you can expect posts more often.

Ciao for now,
Megan

Hello Everyone

Today is my third day in the wonderful country of Italia, and I am loving it here.  After all the delicious food I've been eating, I should probably be exercising right now.  However, I will share my experiences with you first.

My flight was quite enjoyable and, since we flew over the Alps, the scenery was beautiful.

My host family is absolutely wonderful.  They have been very kind and helpful to me over the last few days, and I am greatly enjoying their company.  My family here is composed of my madre, Cristina, padre, Nicolo, and fratello (brother), Pietro.  Although they all speak English very well (Pietro has earned the nickname of Shakespeare due to his attention to English grammar),  my family mostly speaks in Italian to me.  They have helped me a great deal in learning Italian, and I feel that I have really improved since my arrival.


The Carpi Rotary Club has also been very welcoming.  Last night, they invited my family and I to a dinner.  There, my counselor Elia Taraborrelli, introduced me to the president of the club as well as many Rotarians.

I am very fond of my host city, Carpi.  There are many trees that line all the streets, and it has a beautiful mid-evil center of town.  In Carpi, there is the third largest piazza in Italy called the Piazza dei Martiri.  On this piazza there is are many beautiful old structures.

Today, I was able to try some 20 year old aceto balsamico traditionale.  E' fantastico!!!

Now I must leave you.  My madre and I are going to ride our bikes down-town to get a map of Carpi.
Ciao for Now,
Megan

(top left: my padre and I at the Piazza dei Martiri, top center:  my madre and I at the Piazza dei Matiri,  top right: the president of the Carpi Rotary Club and I are presenting our club's banners to each-other, bottom: my madre and I at the Santa Maria della Pieve