I've been doing a little bit of baking recently, and I made a really delicious creation. I used baking powder biscuits, made fresh lemon curd, and strawberries. To make the baking powder biscuits, I used vanilla baking powder because it was the only one I had, it turned out pretty well. I also used the tip my mom gave me, which is to fold the dough in half before cutting them into rounds so they pull apart into two pieces much easier. I combined all the ingredients together and it made this amazingly delicious, not too sweet treat. They're really dangerous. I've eaten 6 in the last 2 days... no joke.  My waistline is suffering, but my mouth sure is happy.

The last couple days have been a little taxing. The same things keep upsetting me, and it seems like the biggest part of my problem is my impatience. Moving here I've had to give up a lot of my independence. Not being able to drive had become and issue because our current apartment is not on a main transit system. There is a bus, but they're pretty unreliable here and it's nothing like Vancouver. Not only that, but for the first time I'm living with a boyfriend, we work together, and he's my boss. I've looked into other jobs here, but the unemployment rate is pretty high, and without speaking fluent Italian the jobs posted online are kind of shady. Gino is very protective of me, and doesn't want me to apply for anything that isn't completely secure. I totally understand this, it's a different world here and adjusting is a process. He just heard about a job for me to apply for at a souvenir shop in Vatican city that I will follow up on later today, and I might apply to work in the reception of the campsite instead of the restaurant.

Not being able to finish my degree is also a huge source of stress for me. I've looked into some schools, and they're pretty expensive since they're all American schools. Having said that, I'm still shopping around for the right one to apply to for the september semester. Disappointingly UBC doesn't offer study abroad programs (in Rome) or distance education for Art History. I've had someone suggest to me that I transfer my credit to another Canadian school that does offer distance education, this is also something to look into in the next few days. Every once and a while (once a month in particular...) this all seems incredibly overwhelming for me. I'm the type of person that wears my emotions quite openly and Gino and our friends can see it. He always asks me what's wrong at the most inappropriate times, mainly when we're both working. I have never been able to have a conversation about my feelings without disintegrating into a mess of tears, this is incredibly inconvenient since I don't want to show any signs of weakness around our friends. He always reminds me that I just have to wait a little while longer, he's been looking into apartments closer to the metro for me, and Hopefully we'll get our own place in the next few months. He's also really supportive of me following my dreams, making my own goals, and especially going back to school. He offered to pay for my schooling, but I don't want to completely destroy our nest egg for my own benefit so taking a loan seems like a better option for me.

I took a few days off to go to Florence by myself, which has got to be my favorite place. It's so beautiful, and is an incredible Renaissance city is filled with art and culture at almost every turn. Gino was in Prague for work, but it was really nice for us to have a break from each other. Although we love each other very much, sometimes we start to take each other for granted because we spend all of our time together. Unfortunately I didn't get to visit Gino's parents this time, and the wait at the Uffizi was an hour long so I decided against it. Sometimes I forget that I live here now, and Florence is only an hour and a half train ride away, so the next time we go back I'll book an appointment at the Uffizi and bring some flowers to Gino's mom (we'll go back next tuesday, but more on that later.)

I was staying with one of Gino's best friends. The first night we went to a party for international women's day at her friend's parents house. It was a really nice evening. There were about 12 of us, and the hosts served homemade pizza and 15 year old wine. After dinner, we had homemade cheesecake and champagne. I was able to experience some more Italian hospitality, and after dinner we played some foozball (something I discovered that I'm terrible at.)

The next day I intended to spend at the Uffizi, and visiting Gino's parents. Instead I ended up doing some shopping, and I had to cancel my visit because my host had a business meeting and it ran a lot longer than she first thought. Afterwards we had a girls night out on the town, went to a great bar called Rex, and then did some dancing at a club that had an incredible house dj. I discovered that I have zero patience for being hit on. I tend to just completely  ignore until they decide to go away. So far, works like a charm.

At piazza Michelangelo, slightly windblown. 

Leo!

Some diamonds on the Ponte Vecchio 

I never get tired of this view.

Overall it was a great trip. I got some girl time, and Gino and I had a very happy reunion. He's planned a trip for us next week which I am completely ecstatic about. We're going to Venice for two nights with one of his close friends and his girlfriend, and then Tuscany for another two nights. I am so completely spoiled, and I don't forget for a second how lucky I am.

Yesterday we had to go to the immigration office for my permesso sogiorno which was a hellish experience. I'll elaborate further a little later, for now I think this is enough.

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