What were you grateful for this week?My host family! I was able to spend more time than usual with them this week, and it was so fun. 

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?The most challenging part of this week, was feeling so exhausted. 

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. Every week I try to do as much as I can to help the family out and have fun with the kids! But this week, I want to talk about a wow moment I had, because of my host family. On Friday, my host mom had her parents over for dinner. They ordered two amazing pastas from a local restaurant, and an ice cream cake to celebrate their oldest son’s birthday! When the grandparents arrived, they gave me two books to help me learn Italian. I thought it was very thoughtful of them to think of me, and to give me something! We then sat around the table eating the best pasta I have had in Italy so far, and then the cake. There was lots of conversation going on, and everyone was so happy to be together. It was such a sweet moment for me, and I’m so happy that my host family let me join them.

Tell us about your week! This week was another great one! I got to spend a lot of one on one time with my youngest host brother. We ate lots of gelato, and played lots of soccer (two of my favorite things)! I also got to have a small experience of a catholic funeral. I was walking to pick up the kids up from school and camp, but the street was blocked off and I could hear an Italian man speaking in a microphone. When they reached the part of the street I was at, I noticed it was a Priest. He was walking in front of a car, saying something in Italian, while the family, all dressed in black, walked behind the car. I had never seen this before, and was very surprised. It was one of those moments where you would only get this experience if you live as a local rather than a tourist! This weekend was a bit different from my previous weekends. I had hit a point of complete exhaustion. It was hard for me to stand without feeling dizzy and I had absolutely no energy. So, I decided to take this weekend easy. As mentioned before, I stayed home Friday with my host family, and then Saturday, I decided to visit Lake Como! Lake Como was beautiful!! I was expecting a lake like the ones in Utah, but uh nope it was much better! Then on Sunday, I went into Milan to meet up with my host mom’s nephew! We went to an Contemporary Art Exhibit, and then grabbed some pizza! This week was really a great one, and it breaks my heart to know I’ll have to leave this place in a little over a month! I pray time goes by slow!!