What were you grateful for this week?My host family’s cousin Isabella. She is living with us for a bit. And she’s pretty much just awesome! She shows me around, translates, and cooks with me!

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?Now that [my host family’s daughter] is in school full time, I don’t get to spend as much time with her. So when we do she acts shy and doesn’t want to talk much.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.My host family is way too nice and still try to make me feel like a guest all the time. I tried to make it a point to set and clean up the table before and after dinner during the week.

Tell us about your week! I’m definitely more into a routine now. Every morning K and I have been meeting to work out at a little park near our houses or we go walking & get a coffee. I’ve been spending more time with the twins since [my host family’s daughter] is in school. I go with my host mom and them into the city center just about everyday. They love to ride this carousel. They are crazy, but also so sweet and funny! It’s funy because they don’t say very many word stuff but the ones they do are mostly English. They love to repeat and say “HELLO BABY” it’s so freaking cute! 

Isabella has been here for about a week. Ever sense she arrived we have been like instant bffs. I love it because she’s smart, and so fun! We like all the same things, and overall we just get along so well! It’s nice to have someone around the house to talk to and she translates the Italian conversations that go on during dinner. We also both like to cook, so this week we have been preparing healthy dinners together.

On Friday Isa and I took a trip for the day to Milano. She used to live there so she showed me around all the not so touristy parts! It’s just reminded me how much more I LOVE MILAN! I’m so happy it’s easily assessable from Gallarate! 

On Saturday K, B, and I took a weekend trip to Venice! It was so much fun! The 3 of us get along so well and honestly just have the best times together! I’m still so amazed on how Venice functions. I honestly felt like I was in amaze all day! Honestly every week I’m just reminded how lucky I am to be living with such a wonderful host family and that I absolutely LOVE ITALY!!