The First Few Days

The first day in Valle di Maddaloni we stopped in a store in Maddaloni for some school supplies. From there we went to a little super market and bought some things there too. We then headed to Valle di Maddaloni and arrived at my host family's house. Once there we brought my bags inside and brought them to my room, which I am sharing with Cristina. I then asked for the box I shipped over and handed out my host family gifts. I got Assunta and Cristina each a t-shirt, nail polish, and eyeliner. I gave my host mom a cook book with some of my favorite recipes, measuring cups and letters. I made a bandana for my host dog Rocky and also brought him a Greenie dog treat. I also brought over a frisbee, a book about New York and some U.S.A window clings. That night we ate pizza and one had french fries and hot dogs on it and it was not that bad.

The next day was Saturday, Cristina and Assunta had to go to school and I stayed home and slept in. I woke up around 8:30 and ate breakfast. I had a croissant with nutella. After I unpacked my suit case and put away my things. After I had nothing to do so I started practicing my Italian and then it hit me. I will be living in Italy, half way around the world from New York, for ten months!! I know no one except my host family, no friends or anything. Everything I knew was back in New York and here I was in Italy alone. I was sad all day and could not stop thinking about home. I was able to talk with some of my friends which did not help the situation, but by the evening I was finally able to stop crying. I went out with Cristina and her friends and we went and got ice cream. We returned home and stayed her for a little bit then we went out again to Sant'Agata, a near by town and walked around. I got to meet some more of their friends and started to enjoy my time there. I could not understand them because they talked too fast and I did not know everything they were telling me.

We retuned home around midnight and then went to bed. The next morning my host mom's parents came and I got to meet them. After breakfast we walked around Valle di Maddaloni and I met some more of Cristina's friends. Meeting new people and doing things keep my mind away from home and I started to enjoy myself more. We then met up with their uncle Alex, who took us out to get some gelato. We returned home and had lunch and at that time I was not hungry, but I still at some gnocchi which my host mom made by hand. After lunch Cristina's friends came over and they did some homework and I went online. Once they left we took a nap and got up at 8 and ate dinner. We then got ready and went to Caserta to listen to Cristina's cousin who was playing in a band. Once again we returned home around midnight and went to sleep.

The next day was monday and my first day of school. I am in the same class as Cristina so she was able to translate somethings for me. I had no idea what they were talking about!!!! I would catch a word here and there, but not enough to understand completely. With time things will get easier and living in Italy will become more natural and comfortable.

Sorry for such long posts, I just need to keep everyone updated. Love you all!!! :D