see you soon

I realized that this year isn't really going to go out with a bang, but with a slow fizzle.
My roommate, Maleesa, just left this morning, and shortly after her people will be parting their separate ways to return back home. So one by one, Florence is di-Californiating and soon enough it's gonna be a couple of us sitting and staring at each other, making the most of our time left.

Anyways, the reason I'm writing this post is because I LOVE Maleesa, and I'm going to miss her so much!! She was my very first friend here in Italy--we shared the same hotel room when we arrived! I have been so blessed to live with such a wonderful person, and it has been such a joy to get to know her.

our first week in Florence, trying to find our way around :)

like children. 

I'm gonna miss you Maleesa!

art show! "qua e là"

So the time finally came that we art students have been preparing for the whooollllllee year: our Art Show!! It was called "Qua e Là" which means "here and there", I suppose to represent the Italian students from "here" and us silly California students from "there". 

There were about 50 pieces in the whole show, and it was absolutely wonderful! We had a huge turn out (pretty sure the free food and champagne might have had something to do with that...at least with getting all the American students there).

I was able to have 6 paintings in the show, which was quite the honor! 

La Bancarella, oil on canvas, 100cmx150cm

Napoli, oil on canvas, 80cmx100cm

Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 80cmx100cm                                 Portone, oil on canvas, 30cmx40cm

my beautiful friends!

don't look too excited to be surrounded by 8 girls Rudy (haha)

new idea for an art show: YOU are the art.

Oh I love that London town.

A weekend in London, visiting my beautiful friend Allison! We have been friends ever since we were little tiny girls in pink soccer jerseys (our team name: The Pink Piranas). And it's been history ever since. Allison and I both went to San Francisco State together, and both happened to be studying abroad this year as well. She is studying at the London Metropolitan University, and absolutely LOVING IT! She has such lovely British friends, and we had such a blast together. 

We went to Camden town which I think is my favorite place in London. We ate Indian food, shopped around, then at a Brazilian churro filled with chocolate, not to mention there was an uncountable amount of free samples we consumed throughout the weekend. 

Saturday, we went to Borough Market where I ate the best veggie burger of my life (with hummus on it) and a berry smoothie :) Later we checked out the Tate Modern Museum.

Both nights we went out with her girlfriends, and had such a great time. 

Such an amazing weekend. I love London, and I LOVE this girl!

a beautiful day in the iris gardens

up on the hillside of Piazzale Michelangelo, it is covered in a rainbow of Irises! After a day of sitting in the sun & painting outside with Brittani, we met up with some friends and walked through the beautiful gardens!!

Cono and I!

forza violaaaa

A bunch of my friends and I went to a Calcio (Soccer) game at the Florence stadium--

Fiorentina vs. AC Milan!

Clearly the majority of us were rooting for FLORENCE, while two were die-hard Milano fans. 

sitting on the steps of Santa Croce waiting for some friends

My Fiorentina jersey!

the stadium

sippin' on some espresso at a soccer game...like true italians.

I was amazed at the rediculously vulgar chants Italians were yelling! I won't repeat them, but lets just say they wouldn't fly in America. haha. Unfortunately we lost 2-1, but we had a great time anyways!

the proposal!

I'm sure most of you have already heard, but to reiterate: PJ AND KELLY ARE ENGAGED!!!

On Thursday we headed out to Castello di Verrazzano, a vineyard out in Chianti in Greve--the Tuscan countryside. We went for wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard, oh yeah and a proposal!! PJ put the ring (Kelly's Grandmother's ring I believe) inside a treasure chest, and I went and hid it in a fountain. The two went on a walk, and, well the rest is history. I creeped behind them secretly and got pictures of the proposal :) Kelly's Aunt, Uncle and their son surprised her by showing up, and we all went to an incredible Italian dinner overlooking the countryside. We spent the night at the Castello.

the proposal. so happy!

the treasure chest

her ring! how beautiful :)

I cannot express HOW HAPPY I am for the two of them. I love you guys :)

new painting ladies and gents!

My most recent painting I am working on is of a bar in Amsterdam. It looked like you were sitting underneath a bunch of giant mushrooms!! I loved the colors and the lighting.

Its not done yet, but well on it's way! 

Oil on canvas, 80cmx100cm