"Cause in the end all you really have is memories."

Friends Abroad

On Caleb's last day here, a couple of my other friends visited Italy as well. They're studying abroad in Spain, and since it's almost time for them to leave, they wanted to pass through Italy. It was a short visit, but we had a really good time! We walked around the city, and visited the main attraction in Italy, the Duomo. Now up until then I had only seen the outside, but Caleb informed me that entry was free! So we went in and it was BEAUTIFUL.

The ceilings and walls had extremely pretty designs, and there were candles in the middle that we each took turns lighting. We then left and went to visit the San Lorenzo market where they indulged in scarf buying. I'm telling you the scarves are so nice, and when someone in America asks you where'd you get your scarf from, you just say "Oh...Florence, Italy." They'll think you're fancy,when you only spent 5 euro. We also went to Piazzale Michelangelo. Caleb's second time that week, but I wont let anyone come here without seeing it.

It was also funny the Italian men seeing THREE Black women together! It was to much

for them to handle! AND these random girls from Serbia came up to us and asked if they can take a picture WITH us. We were a little confused but we did it. Just figured they had never seen black people up close and personal. I would say that they had a pretty good time, and yeaahh I'm a pretty good hostess :) Look at me showing off Italy like I live here.

Sidenote: I realized this was really my home when I started getting annoyed by tourists! I mean I know I've only been here awhile, but they're always in the way when I'm going to class, and I'm like I see this everyday, keep it moving!!...I kid I kid.

Other Food Places

Of course Italy is known for it's food so the first thing Caleb wanted to do when he arrived is eat! I took him to this little cafe I had heard about. It was on top of a department store overlooking the city, and supposedly had really good prices. This was very true, but the person that told me about it left out the part about them having BAD SERVICE. We went and it was really nice, but no one was helping us. We waited awhile and the waiter never came. We walked inside, and he was counting his money. So of course, as Americans, we left.

We also went to get gelato, and sat on the beautiful bridge by my house. Yep that's what I pass everyday. Can't get over it.

NOTE : Italy's customer service is awful. There's no calling the manager or anything like that, you just take what you get. ESPECIALLY in restaurants. There's no tipping out here, because waiters get paid pretty good. Therefore, they pretty much don't care about your service. If you want the check, ask for it 30 minutes earlier. Seriously.

Another place that we tried, of course as Americans, is Tijuana. I LOVE Mexican food so I had to find a place, and I'm happy I did. This place is sooo good. I had the nachos and they were to die for. We went during happy hour, so we all got fragola margaritas at discounted price, and it was hands down the best I ever had. You might think I'm hyping this place up, but I promise the food iss delish. Of course we took pictures, so take a look. Caleb also bought me a rose from this guy passing by. I swear Florence is the place of Romance.

Caleb's Visit

So last week Caleb came to visit me! He loves Italy...I think a little more than London even. I took him to visit several places around the city. One really nice place we went to is a little town right outside of Florence called Fiesole. Fiesole is about twenty minutes away on the bus, and it is one of the best places to go if you want to sit back in peace and just enjoy the beauty of Florence. When we first got there we went to this little cafe that my roommates love. We stacked up on some of the best little tarts, one we especially love because it's filled with Chocolate, and it is deliciousss. We then hiked up a hill, that was about five minutes, but it was pretttyyy intense. (I swear I never walked so much in my life). Once we got to the top...the view was INCREDIBLE.

We stayed there and waited until the sun set. We met a really nice older couple that was visiting, and by the end of our conversation we were taking pictures with them. Caleb also gave Katie and Evan a Romeo and Juliet photo shoot, which was to cute. It was a really nice outing, fo

r a good price. Enjoy the pictures.

Gusta Pizza Flirts

The three brothers that work at Gusta Pizza love the chocolateee. They randomly made this for me and my friends. Too cute.

Little Person I miss the MOST

Okay....I REALLY miss this little bugger.

Person I miss MOST

So I had a LOT of help getting to Italy! So many people wanted to see me here, and I loved the support I received from so many friends and family! But one in particular put in the MOST effort. The lady that has my heart...my grandmommy! This lady has become the true backbone of my family. I honestly don't think there's any grandmother better than her. Because of her I've been exposed to sooo many different things. As an ambitious young lad, I've always had a LOT of goals. She has supported me in EVERY single one! From me wanting to be a librarian, "You can own your own library"....to me wanting to be a singer and poet. Her and my grandfather had me in poetry contests, and singing in front of people, knowing I can't sing! When I wanted to be an actress, she would take me to auditions, and stay up with me all night, the day before. She picked me up from games when I randomly decided to cheer lead, she drove me way to the valley when I randomly decided I wanted to play the flute. She was the one that came with me to my first college orientation, and walked around a huge hot campus. For every little dream I decided to have, she's been there, supporting me ALL the way. Even though I'm far from her right now, my heart is growing closer to her, and I'm starting to realize more and more each day what a wise woman she is. All my life people have told me I'm just like her, and it's definitely a compliment.