It started out with an eye twitch. The eye twitch has not stopped. I've taken out my contacts and had some water to drink, but the sensation is persistent.
I think I need more sleep.
This morning I woke up and went to Mercato Centrale where I did ALL of my grocery shopping for about five euros. This included special sunflower seed bread my chef recommended to me for 2.50 (a fifty cent discount because she knew my chef), two carrots, a huge zucchini, and two tomatoes for 99 cents, two Fugi apples and five clementines for 1.20, and some ricotta cheese for 90 cents. I was so proud of myself for getting such fresh ingredients at reasonable prices.
For lunch, I decided to buy a slice of pizza at a famous pizzeria I've been wanting to try out. It was cheap and delish! Then, I had Italian. I practically dozed off in the middle of it.
When I got home, Jess told me she and Alexi were going to get gelato at Grom and take pictures for her food photography class. The assignment is "Through the Mouth of a Tourist." "You can come if you want! I'm paying," she added. Or, underhandedly bribed. I consented, of course. "Great! Wear your hat and some red lipstick. You'll be my model." Grreeaaat.
I got gelato with Zabaglione and Pistachio (a fab combo!), and then was told to "act natural and lick the gelato instead of eating it with a spoon." Funny how you forget what it's like to eat ice cream when someone is watching you. Wait, do I use my tongue or my lips? It's like someone was filming an intimate scene for a blockbuster movie. How do I do this again? What's this supposed to look like?
Well, some of the shots turned out well. Jess focused on the gelato while Alexi of course took artsy photos from sharp angles. It was fun! And now Jess may make me go eat a panino with her tomorrow at a famous bar so we can take more photos for her assignment.
I got home and watched an interesting documentary on Wikileaks' Iraq War files. It was disheartening, and it makes me want to do something to soothe the Iraqis' hurt, to show them the positives of American culture and our freedoms. If ONLY I were a diplomat. Maybe one day. A girl can dream!
Katie and I went to church tonight. It was such an intimate time with the Lord. I could feel His reassurance and his presence. I loved being with the community of believers, too, and rejoicing in the Lord. We sang a few hymns and Matt Redman's "You Never Let Go." I was overwhelmed by the God's faithfulness. I've been praying for this community, and it is so clear that he has provided, and that he wants my praise. And I am so grateful! I don't deserve this grace. He didn't have to provide me with these lovely people and my lovely friends.
Off to finish my documentary on Iraq before bed.
Listen, it's less than three weeks til I come back to 'Murica. I'm freaking out a little bit. And tomorrow's IL PRIMO DECEMBRE! Ahhhhhhh. So happy.
Sleep well, Dormite bene!
Firenze, Italia
The Ponte Vecchio (the Old Bridge) in Florence across the Arno River. This bridge is about two blocks away from my apartment.
If you became a Diplomat you would be moving mountains for better change instantly. We need more people like you! Love your writing. You paint pictures with words, and to me that is pure talent! Keep up the blog my travel buddy! Love you always!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Cat,
ReplyDeleteI am really moved by your blog posting. I opened the posting and slowly took in all the words. Along the way I imagined the places you visited and tasted the flavors of gelato. Christmas came to mind since you returned from Germany. I continued reading. I deeply felt your description of His presence and immediately felt His presence then. I am not a religious person, but my life events developed a strong sense of spirituality. I feel chills like two people thinking or saying the same thought. My cancer allowed me to feel at peace and one with all that was around me. I could feel all of the prayers healing me. It was a wonderful time and one that I often go back to in memory and cherish all that this world gives to each other. It was a beautiful healing process. I traveled alone to Yosemite during the half way point of the two chemos. In the late afternoon, I walked to Happy Isles and sat down by the water. While I sat with my toes in and out of the water, I watched the sunlight stars dance on and off the golden hue of water that reflected green trees from above. I lost sense of time and enveloped myself into that moment of just being. This is the way I felt upon reading your description of His presence. Cat you truly are an amazing woman and writer! I hope someday to meet you and share some moments. I love and cherish your blogs and hope to follow your journey through life. Best of all I am appreciative that you and Alece are travel buddies. I have shared your blog with my coworkers too. How refreshing travel is to one’s point of view of the world.