Maybe M&M's Can Coexist with Cioccolata

Raaah. So. I've been complaining a lot lately. And mainly to Yaymie Nadyuuh (sorry love). I've been complaining that the weather is depressing (it is) that the culture is inaccessible (it is, but getting better) and that I don't feel like myself here. That I just don't like it, and the end. But I'm fighting to stay optimistic because I've still only been here a short time, and today was the first day that I woke up with sunlight outside. FINALLY!! A FULL DAY OF SUN!!! Its supposed to rain tomorrow obviously, but its amazing how much a day of light can make you feel like you just drank in the warmest cheeriest drink when you've been thirsting for it for so long.

The highlights of my day today were-walking down little side streets and finding cool shops and gelateria and flower stands all on my own and even directing an Italian couple to the Duomo. Who? Yes me. It was a Christopher Columbus kind of feeling all day, like AHA! So THATS what's there! My best discovery may have been the McDonalds. My first bite of the french fries and burger were so astounding and overwhelmed me with so much joy and excitement that I started laughing while walking down the street and thus received many confused glances from fellow pedestrians. PURE SALTY GREASY GOODNESS. McDonalds tastes the same in foreign countries...sigh...

So. Before that I ate a cone of (and people who know me will be surprised that I ate such a thing) pistachio and stracciatella gelato from a gelateria I'd been looking for since I saw it my second day here (Another thing you may be surprised to hear is that I finish everything on my plate at dinner! Most of the time). And later in the day as I browsed the streets I saw a waffle vender. When I asked how much one would cost, she asked "one or two?" and proceeded to iron out two small waffle squares. Seeing as there was no stopping her, I said one. And what I received were two waffles sandwiching a pile of whipped cream and melted chocolate. Oh dear God it was a heavenly mess. It was definitely over priced but when Florence hands you sweet goodness you don't say no. Especially since this last Sunday was the last day of the chocolate festival where my roommate and I spent the day and from breakfast until bed ate solely chocolate. Vendors from all the stores around Florence set up their tables with their finest displays. I saw chocolate tools, chocolate chickens, chocolate sausage and linguini, chocolate snow white and the seven dwarves, eggs, mice and cheese all made of chocolate. The best thing I sampled was the cioccolata calda-hot chocolate in a small cup that was pure melted chocolatey goodness. Come visit Florence, go straight to a chocolate shop, purchase this, enjoy it as long as possible, and go home to live the rest of your life in happiness.

So these are great memories already and I'm thankful. To be honest, I wake up sad most days because I miss my close friends so much, but throughout the day there are pieces of good and sun and peace and I have to gather them to make a whole. Slowly the pieces are getting bigger and slowly I'm getting used to things here. I guess I've been rushing and hoping that I'd be more settled but it's still too soon. This place isn't for me, but with more time I can learn to appreciate the differences, understand the European lifestyle more, and therefore feel less like the one blue m&m in a box of crafty artisan truffles. Thanks for hearing me out Jamie love, and to my family and friends I love you so. And I lit another candle for you in Santa Croce today! You are always in my thoughts. Love Em