What were you grateful for this week? 

Pasta. What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week? Adjusting to changes in work. 

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. 

I made a 44 piece matching game by hand for my host family. 

Tell us about your week! As far as my day to day life goes, this week was one of my better ones. My host mom and I have more of an understanding of each other now and our able to communicate better than before. She only has me working with the kids when she is working, which this week was only 3 hours. The rest of my work schedule throughout the week has been cleaning the house. Cleaning may not be the most fun thing to do, but it’s been one of my easiest work weeks so far. With cleaning there is no language barrier or kids who get frustrated and yell, cry or kick. I can put in my headphones and work.I still see my host siblings throughout the day of course, like when we eat dinner together. And working with them less has actually somehow made them like me more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in this case, nicer. My host brother now will actually ask me to come play with him, which doesn’t seem like a big accomplishment, but if you knew this kid you would know that it really is. I am definitely starting to feel more appreciated and wanted.As the week went by, I tried to find plans for the weekend, but my dwindling checking account and my lack of travel buddies are starting to restrict me more and more the longer I’m here. I spent Friday at the house, went out to dinner and called it a night. 

On Saturday afternoon, I started to get restless, so I texted all the Rome abroad girls and asked what they were up to for the weekend. M responded, saying I should come visit her in milan! Bless her heart, she even helped me figure out transportation. I got a buddy I’ve met in Aviano to come with and we hopped on a 5 hour train to Milan that night! 

Due to my budget and last minute decision, we decided to stay at a hostel. It was my first time doing so, but it was quite the experience. When we arrived around 11:00 pm, the bar downstairs was packed with people from around the world. I talked to a few of them, and they all seemed to lead such interesting lives! I’ll admit, sleeping in a room with 6 strangers is a little weird, but well worth the experience!

The next morning my friend and I met up with M at sforza castle, where we saw 5 different museums, one of which included Michelangelo’s last sculpture, Rondanini Pietà, as well as other amazing art work. When we finished seeing what there was to see there, we walked to the duomo and saw the most amazing cathedral I have ever seen! It was so breathtaking, pictures just don’t do it justice. We also saw the galleria, and I have never seen so many high-end stores in one place. I can definitely see why milan is known for their fashion! We also found a little fair that we walked through, and ended our day at eataly. Eataly had every Italian food you could possibly imagine, it was awesome!

I ended my day with another 5 hour train ride back home, exhausted. I’m very grateful to M for playing tour guide for me, it was definitely a trip worth having!