One Week Down

Many words can describe this past week: anticipation, nervousness, excitement, awe, exhaustion, and satisfaction.
Anticipation:
I didn't know what to expect before I arrived here, whether it was the food, the people, the architecture, or the weather. The family AFS chose for me is perfect. My host sister, Alice, is very similar to me. Most importantly, we both can sleep long on Sunday: the one day of the week that there is not school. Alice's boyfriend, Eduardo, is easy going as well, and patient with my basic knowledge of the Italian language. My host father (Massimo), and brother (Marco), do not speak much English, but it does not matter because we get along just fine. Milena (host mom) and Alice serve as my Italian- English dictionary when I do not have mine at hand. Everyone in my new family is very kind and understanding towards me, and I hope they enjoy me as much as I enjoy them.
Nervousness:
My first day at Italian school was a bit overwhelming. The Italian school system is different from The United States. For every subject the students remain in the same classroom, and the Professors rotate from class to class. During the week the classes that I am enrolled in are: Italian, English, Spanish, Latin, Physics, Biology, Math, Geometry/History of Architecture, Physical Education, Philosophy, and Italian History. Did I mention that every class is taught in Italian? Jenna+Italian school= confusion. The only classes that I can partially participate in are Spanish, English, History of Architecture, Physical Education, and Math. One aspect that I am looking forward to is being able to switch into a higher math course (derivatives) because I have already learned the material that Alice's class is learning. This week I will begin Italian lessons with Intercultura (Italian AFS), so I will be able to understand more and make progress.
Excitement and Awe:
Though school can be a bit overwhelming, I love meeting new people. I hope soon I can make an Italian friend of my own (without the assistance from Alice). On Saturday night, Alice and a few of her friends, and I, went to the Piazza and ate Doner Kebab while exploring a Chocolate Festival/Market with Chocolate from all around Europe. I enjoyed the Florentine architecture very much, especially il Duomo. Later that night we returned to Eduardo's house and passed out for about an hour (Alice and I really gorged ourselves on chocolate).
Exhaustion and Satisfaction:
Perhaps I am not aware of the current culture shock. I am feeling at home, and want to keep going out and exploring, but my mind and body think otherwise. My schedule goes as follows: wake up at 6:30, school until 1:30, eat lunch, nap for 3 hours or other static activity at home (such as watching some cartoon with Marco in Italian), eat dinner late, shower, then sleep again during the night. It feels as though I am always tired and hungry! But this is not a problem because I am enjoying myself all the time. If I am hungry, then I can eat more delicious Italian food (which is not always Spaghetti, Ravioli, Pizza or Pasta. Though the pasta is really great.) Yesterday my host family had a pizza party (they have a pizza oven in the basement), so when I return to Arizona, perhaps I can make everyone some true Italian pizza.
Pictured above is me preparing a pizza to go into the oven.
Arrivederci! You will be hearing from me soon!