What were you grateful for this week?My host mom being so helpful and kind to abbey and just taking care of us!!!

What was the most challenging part of this week?Dealing with A4’s health issues!!! So stressful! 

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. Taking [my host family’s son] to the dentist and then taking him for gelato after 😉

Tell us about your week! This week was a lot of emotions!!!!! Lots of time to spend with [my host family’s son] and teaching him and or acting English was fun. Monday was good, we went to the pool and got to lay out for a while. Tuesday was my first day out of the house and in their community here in Gallarate. I went to the store and bought some toiletries and snacks and it was fun! I planned my trip for this coming week to bologna and that was good. [My host family’s son] and I played Pictionary, and that was super fun! 

Wednesday was a longer work day, we went to the pool and swam laps in the morning for some exercise. We ate lunch with [my host father] and then I took [my host family’s son] to the dentist. He was told to eat only soft foods so we walked and got gelato, he was in some pain so we just relaxed and he didn’t want to do a lot of stuff. He’s so cute though, and he will come and hug me for a second and then will go back to doing what he was doing…and then 10 min later hug me again. It’s so carino!!! 

[My host mom] made a carbonara for dinner and that was yum! I love dinners with my family, we always talk so much about food and culture, I’m learning so much!!! Thursday I had the day off so I did my first solo trip into Milan!!! Super stressful but ended up being a good experience. I like Milan, I did some shopping, sat in a park and survived. I came home and we ate arancini for dinner! I loved it. Friday was fun, we ate lunch with the neighbors and the other Rome Abroad Traveler, J. It was fun to talk to her and share our experiences in Europe!

A4 came into Gallarate that night, we made dinner, walked and got gelato and talked all night!! Saturday I worked in the morning and then we went to il centro, the shopping mall in Arese. It was kinda a fiasco getting there, but we made it! And got some shopping in haha. So many good stores!! We got back into gallarate and went to eat at Pizzium, which served pizza Napoli, and that was delizioso!! 

Sunday we spent in Milan, went to church… talked to some American missionaries, and saw the duomo, and some other places in Milan!! A4 wasn’t feeling very well with her kidney issues so we got home earlier and took some time to relax. We ate dinner, and Sami took us to the pharmacy to get some medicine for A4 and that was so amazing, they are the greatest host family, I’m so lucky!!! This week I learned so much about Italy and the culture I’m so excited to learn more!!! I love it.