99 cent boxed wine and pockets full of snacks

This blog post I’m just going to write out in bullets. I’m really sick right now and don’t feel like writing it all out in a story. I’ll do it later if you really want. But here’s the outline of the night.

• Pregamming in room 8
• shit was poppin
• cameras were snappin
• 99 cent boxed wine
• best investment ever
• broke the bed
• in my defense, it was for a good reason...I was practicing my approach
• sex talk
• we're all lonely as hell
• almost cried talking about the jimmy's brothers
• background on the mac is me and the brothers at winter formal this year
•  I go through the picture talking about each one and how much I love them...
• I'm pretty sure this happens on a weekly basis..
• haven't even left the room yet, already almost crying...shit I'm drunk
• the ali we all know and love is back
• get to the bar
• shit I'm drunk
• flag down John Lucca
• pink drink extra sweet
• it was heaven...I had a lot of heavens
• met some canadians
• they were cool..we talked about hockey
• next thing you know I'm on top of a stool
• take a breather outside
• turns into me going into an alley, crying my eyes out and proceeding to leave a 5 minute voicemail on Kriegers phone telling him how much I miss him and how much I love the Jimmys Brothers
• back into the bar
• loving my life
• leave with some locals along with alexis and clare
• get back to the bar, dance some more
• realization
• I'm dunzo
• drunk texting
• so I guess I really like to drunk bbm everyone from slu and tell them how much I miss and love them..wow I'm cool
• Route 66
• snacks in pockets...yep
• dip included
• bolt
• pit stop on the way up the hill
• outside picnic...by myself
• Pass out next to heater in fetal position

Lions Well

Hey Campbell

my girl.

As you can see the night was a success.

All we want to do is take touristy pics...bling bling

So this weekend we took a trip to Pisa and Lucca…Pisa as in the leaning tower of, Lucca as in, not our bartender from the Lions Well. The bus left at 7am…we were pissed. So after about an hour of struggling to get ourselves together, Casey (our RA) frantically gets everyone whose left in the building out and down the hill…in this process we all felt that it was ok to stop and get some breakfast on our way out…ya I guess it wasn’t ok. When we got to the buses I quickly realized that the seating was made for human beings 5’5” and under. The over 2 hour ride was NOT fun, or comfortable…but I ended up passing out and missing whatever views we were seeing. I woke up to Marco talking to us over the loud speaker, he was in such a good mood that day.

As soon as we got off the bus we were greeted by warm sunshine and what looked like the Jamaican bobsled team trying to sell us “Bling Bling”. (We proceeded to run into them all day “mama you want some bling bling?”)

The first landmark we saw that day was a McDonalds train…I’m serious.

shoutout to america

So after a short walk to through what could only be described as the tackiest tourist crap ever (…I will admit I really want a tshirt or tacky sweatshirt…sue me. ) we finally arrive to the one and only leaning tower of pizza…next to some dome thing and a cathedral. For our Renaissance class we had to go tour the dome thing and then go through like an indoor/outdoor cemetery…after this Bailey and I were getting really antsy…all we wanted to do was take dumb tourist photos…you know the kind that you’re holding up the tower or pushing it over.

After another lecture about something…aka Bailey and I decided to be “artsy and hell” and take pictures of ourselves in the reflection of each others sunglasses…hers turned out good…mine was…not so much.

so artsy

FINALLY we were set free to do whatever we want…we sprinted to where all the Japanese tourists were (they always know what they’re doing when it comes to touristy stuff) and set ourselves up to take the best pics possible, ass seen below….

pretending to be japanese tourists

Mark Armstrong, this is for you.
POKE!

I'm actually this big.

sarah's so strong

so strong

chillen

After running out of ideas and just getting tired of balancing on top of whatever we were balancing on, we decided to walk through the markets. Sarah got a new pair of sunglasses, Bailey looked for a scarf but never found one that met her expectations and I got another thing for the townhouse…he said it was a tablecloth…but after I opened it up its more like a cloth poster…I bought it with some leftover dolla dolla bills from America so I was happy…oh and its not like a table cloth with flowers on it or anything like that, it’s got recipe for “Limoncello” on it and its covered in lemons…obviously I had to get it…Limoncelli, Limoncello(…it’s a sign I’m meant to be a bartender I think)

At the end of the markets we found a McDonalds (but it as soon as you walked in it seemed that it was named 1955..weird)…we went in. It was an experience. The menu items had some similarities, but I can promise you I will not be ordering a “chicken legend” anytime soon…they also served chicken wings, which I thought was weird…(I would kill for a plate of boneless hot wings and ranch…but I’m def not getting chicken wings from McDonalds) and they had a separate area called McCaffe….it was surprisingly impressive. A big layout of pastries and chocolate, a million different choices of coffee…oh and before we finish talking about this place…their bathroom was like…well I felt like I was at a nightclub…oh and they had a big giant cardboard cutout that said 1955 on it….it was weird…but Bailey and I still took a pic with it…as people stared.

Since I’ve been in Italia the best coffee I’ve had was from that McDonalds…true story. “Ba da da da daaaa, I’m Lovin’ it.”

we think we're cool...the lady next to us..she didnt

MCDONALDS

mcdonalds coffee next to the leaning tower of pisa
1 pt for America

Our day is far from over..Pisa..check (basically it has a market, the leaning tower and a McDonalds) next on our list is Lucca (known for an antique festival…we were lucky enough to miss it). After a short 30 minute bus ride where my lack of filter and amazing geographic knowledge (or lack of) had everyone entertained along with Bailey’s sugar high, we had arrived in Lucca. Oh and ps. On the bus ride Marco and I bonded some more discussing comics…(yes comics…whatever I went with it)

  I was ready to just get a glass of wine, some gelato and lay out all day…I didn’t get to do that…we started with a little lecture and then we were on our own. A bunch of us went out to lunch, where we all had pizza that touched our souls. Amazing. After enjoying our lunch outside while talking about all of the people walking past us (hopefully none of them knew American…er, English) we made a group decision that we all needed gelato.

so good

Lucky enough there was this AMAZING and CHEAP place right near us that had the creamiest gelato I have had since I’ve been here. I had…I think tiramisu and this chocolate amazement that had big chuncks of chocolate and some fruit on it…it was REEEEEALLY good.

Now my favorite part of the day came around…while we were all enjoying our gelato…we decided to lay out in the sun…I was so happy. As we napped on the stairs of this big important church (we had a lecture on it earlier), Dorothy and I proceeded to be sarcastic assholes about everything. I love this girl, I don’t know what I’d do if she wasn’t here. Literally, she is my savior. Oh and she bought this great gold and black ring at a vintage store that day. Before you know it Marco had shown up (yaaaaay!)

Marco is slowly warming up to us; while we were on the stairs still contemplating our next step in conquering Lucca he talked to us about his favorite comics, which one he reads, and then talked to us about his jacket…in detail; why he liked it, why he bought it, where he bought us. We’re basically like bestfriends now (ok not really but we’re taking our relationship slow…I want this to last..hahah)

After we part ways with Marco (sigh) we decide to go shopping…I bought a leather bag…again. But this one I needed. From a distance it looks black, but take a step closer and its really a dark deep rich brown. Its smaller, with silver accents…its great for going out with…which was what I was looking for. I needed a small crossbody bag that’s not gonna cramp my style if I’m dancing on a table or in a small area. Trust me, trying to break it down with a bigger bag…NOT FUN. Oh and I bought a belt…its alright, but I needed one.

food coma

While leaving the leather shop we ran into..i don’t even know…seemed like a protest/parade. During this catastrophe, Bailey and I were separated from the rest of the group and decided we might as well just go up to the park and people watch. Initially our plans included people watching while swinging, when a little girl took our swings (bitch..she saw us walking towards them) we decided to walk up this giant hill…when we got there it was a let down. Basically it was an old aquaduct/damn thing and like a bike path. We walked around a bit…there was basically a cliff where you could fall 2 stories…maybe it was higher…and break your legs on impact…ok I’m exaggerating but I was scared and couldn’t walk to the edge. Ok so we walked around, it was like a big bike path, bunch of people were there..all with little dogs. We came to 2 conclusions while we were at the park:

1.   in Italy little dogs are valued more than big dogs

2.   everyone is always so put together…even when they’re just going to the park (we saw an older woman running in a leather jacket..WHAAA?!?)

Our time in Lucca was dwindling, so on our way back to the bus we stopped, PAID to use the restroom...it was $0.60 for 5 minutes…which made me think, what if you were using it to hook up in and your 5 minutes ran out..would the door just open…we didn’t stay the whole 5 minutes to see what happened..the bathroom was pretty gross.

Before we got on the bus we got gelato again…it was a HUUUGE disappointment…it was basically flavored whipped cream…gross.

protest? parade? who knows

dangerous.

So there was the day in a nutshell…not so exciting. Now that we’ve settled down and gotten into some kind of routine our lives aren’t that juicey.

On the bus ride home I got all sentimental…(god I’m such a loser). I don’t know if it was the great views we were seeing as the sun set or the slow jam music I was blasting in my ipod, but I was all like (not out loud, just thinking) “omg I’m in Italy. Like this is where I live right now….shit.”

Tommy fell..didn't jump...fell.

So we were all at dinner (which was really good from start to finish last night) and as Tommy was bro-ing out with me, punching me in the arm (when I say punch I mean like…a Peep (marshmellow chick) could hit harder then good ol’ Tom) and the impact on my body, of shredded steel and sex appeal, sent Tommy flying to the floor….its definitely a had to be there moment. The room went silent. Dorothy and I went into cardiac arrest laughing so hard. And then dessert was served.

Ciao Marco

In case you wanted a little more Marco in your life, heres a song dedicated to the dreamboat himself.

 CIAO MARCO

ps. I had my first italian class with him today...the class was all girls, and we could barely pay attention. He was getting nervous and it was the cutest thing any of us have ever seen. I couldn't help but blush everytime he and I were speaking...I never knew "How are you?" or "Where are you from?" could sound so sexy...oh and ps. in class he was wearing a MUCH better outfit than in the vid...black sweater and jeans...CIAO MARCO!!!

Dont worry...Dorothy and I have decided we're going to video tape a class one day so you guys can get the full "Marco experience".

another valentines day...still single

Want to know what I did for Valentines Day?

I know you don’t, but I’m going to tell you anyways.

Woke up to my alarm saying “its Valentines Day, you’re alone and in Italy”….obviously went back to bed for a few more hours. Seeing that I didn’t have class till 2pm I decided to take out some sexual aggression by running…first half an hour was fine, but then my body went into shock…going from running on treadmills to running up 45 degree roads on mountains...lets just say my body didn't react as well as I had hoped. The only thing that kept me going once I reached altitudes that were comparable to the Himalayas, was my ipod blaring “Better Than A Stereo Dream” and the amaaazing views that almost made me enjoy the run.

After sprinting up the hill to the school (ultimately leading to me dry heaving over the ledge…) I went to my drawing class…where I am the only intro level student as well as the only one that hasn’t had semesters and semesters of drawing under their belt (shit)…

Leaving class with a hurt ego I made an executive decision that it was time to start drinking…my roommates agreed.

After pregaming aggressively, no one realized how drunk we were really getting until you actually listened to the conversations we were having at dinner…

“a good relationship is built on sex and trust”

“I WOULD HAVE SEX WITH THESE POTATOES” (yes they were THAT GOOD)

“A is for artsy as hell”

A is for "ARTSY AS HELL"

really enjoying our conversations

this is Jacob...I keep telling myself he's a diamond in the rough...

By the time dessert was being served we were dunzo. Did I mention there was an art show or something like that after dinner (which we all decided to try to go to even though it was optional..see mom I’m trying). By the time we got there half of us were hanging over the balcony or laying on the floor…it didn’t start on time so it was time to head to the bar.

After everyone arrived at the Lions Well all hell broke loose.

Playing their normal American mix…lil kim was playing, making it already a great night for Dorothy…ask her what else happened…I’ll give you a hint; Texas Ranger…oh dayummmm.

Using our makeshift dancefloor, most of the girls from the program danced their hearts out…aka jumping up and down like they were at a justin beiber concert…and we were all graced by the presence of Carrie and Triscuit dancing…grinding…I don’t know what you’d call what they were doing….”awkward sex on the dance floor” is what some have said. Relationship Status update, it looks like they’re “together”, we now see more PDA and so far the future looks promising. However everyone still has an uneasy feeling about it.

Then the Canadians came, made a dance circle..most are still ugly…one girl wears a retainer..wow.

John Lucca, our bff, was giving out free drinks to his favorite girls, which influenced the decision that the bar would make a better dancefloor than the floor itself (if only it were a pool table..miss you ticker) Bailey was one of the first to get up…obviously she could fit…her lead was followed.

Zane our 16 year old friend…still trying to hook up with Alexis..(bro just stop trying)…told Dorothy that he’s going to get Alexis drunk enough to hook up with him…Jesus Christ now I’m really going to keep an eye on Alexis. While this was going on he proceeded to buy Dorothy a shot (what is this his plan B?...this kid is going to get his ass kicked) and then snot rocketed…vomit.

There have also been claims that Campbell made out with two Italian boys, tried to make out with Nathan…twice…(I’m guessing she was super wasted) and then tried to get Karina to follow suit and find her own Italian stallion…except Karina, like me, thinks that 16 is too young…even if we are in Italy and can’t find anything that meets our standards.

The night officially ended when everyone got back home, got into bed and proceeded to fall into a deep alcohol induced coma…only to be awaked by the faint sound in room 8 (our room) of Alexis completely missing the bed and crashing onto the ground…we have tile floors…the sound was loud enough to make me think that she might of gotten a concussion...but I was too tired to get out of bed and couldn’t fathom making a trip to the hospital.

Kate and Clare

Campbell and Victor

Bailey.

still on the bar

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT VALENTINES DAY!

PS. Today Alexis is healthy and still missing the bed most nights.

thanks for the letter mom...

Returning from a run, I was greeted by our RA Casey who told me I had mail….it was from home. I obviously thought it was a Valentine or a letter. Wrong.

This is what was in the envelope.

did she type me a letter? no. she mailed me my drawing syllabus.

"Don't be Late!" was the only thing that was writting on it...

My mother had internationally mailed me my syllabus for Drawing….the only thing on it was the attendance policy underlined and a note saying 3 little words. “DON’T BE LATE”.

This is my mother.

Thanks mom.

Maurice Charles Laug

Maurice  Charles Laug ba ba ba ba, Maurice Charles Laug..ba ba ba ba (to the tune of Feliz Navidad)
(..I guess only Annie and Amy will get that)

So a year ago on February 15, 2010 , his 88^th birthday, Maurice Charles Laug, my grandpa, passed away. He was the coolest grandpa EVER. When I think about him there are a few things that come to mind. Looking back I remember him always falling asleep in church (I would have the honor of sitting next to him and I always thought it was the funniest thing ever). When I would spend the night at their house, he would make breakfast…consisting of waffles, topped with maple walnut ice cream, drizzled with maple syrup. His style was impeccable; sporting a members only jacket most of the time as well as anything that said Pella Corp on it (my Uncle Chuck works for Pella) and probably one of the best memories of grandpa would be his blue and white linen stripped suit…which he wore ALL THE TIME…he would accessorize these couture looks with a giant gold watch (inspiration for my giant gold Michael Kors watch that I’m obsessed with) tightly on his wrist (he literally had a permanent indentation on his wrist from where his watch was).

one of his "members only jackets"

me and grandpaaaa

Unfortunately I don’t have as many memories with grandpa as Adam, Andrea or Aaron..maybe even Amy( my older cousins, I’m the severe baby of the family). When I was in middle school he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ultimately leading to his big finale. He spent his last 7 years in a nursing home, by the end of his years, he barely said anything, but you could tell he knew us when we visited and knew what was going on, you just knew when you looked at him, he had the kindest eyes.