Last weekend I received another letter from ASSE!!!! It was acually a package :) In the package was another informational letter about culture shock, ASSE flight package and luggage. After scimming the paper I looked into the package to find a backpack. It is blue with ASSE written on the front. In the letter is says, "The ASSE Flight Bag must be used as a carry-on bag for the trip. The ASSE bag is a draw string backpack and smaller than what I was going to use. Along with the backpack there were two luggage tags with my information and ASSE's information. There was also a name tag in the package which I must also wear "at the airport and while your are traveling with the group." I can understand the name tag so we know each other's names, but the bag, really? Oh well, at least you get to bring a carry on and a personal item/bag.

Today I started packing a box to mail to Italy before I get there. I packed host family gifts, the gifts I got to hand out to future friends and some other things so I can pack more in my suitcase. I still have to mail the box of things back to my old host sister Kristin. Right now her box of things is sitting under my bed, but when I go to get my box weighed I will bring hers and send it on its way.

I told myself I did not want to buy new cloths and if I did buy something I would not buy that many. I just started looking for new clothes to buy for Italy. I shopped the sales and found a few new things. Jeans were the only things I knew I wanted to buy here in the States because they are much more expensive in Europe. So far I have bought a few (4) new, plan shirts, a cardigan, 2 new pairs of jeans, sandals, a new pair of black flats, a new bathing suit, black skirt, a new belt, slippers and sleeping shorts. I would like to pick up a few more things before I leave so i have them and not have to worry about buying them right away in Italy. Shorts, skirts, and dress(s) are pretty much the only things left to buy, besides socks and all those things. The weather will be different then New York so I will just buy a jacket in Italy for their winter. Knowing myself, I will want to buy a million things in Italy, so the less I buy here, the more I can buy in Italy!!!

My summer is going pretty well. Not doing much, but I did go "camping" the other night. I slept in a tent in my friends backyard. I also went swimming for the first time this summer with my aunt. I got bored one day and cleaned my room as well as rearranged my room. And tomorrow I should be spending some time with my best friend. I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer too.

Ciao!!