Thursday, December 30, 2010

The weather outside is frightful!

Hey everyone!

After a cozy WHITE Christmas here in Tennessee I'm beginning to prepare myself for second semester. One of the funniest things I keep hearing lately when I tell people I go to school in Vermont is "oh you know it's cold up in Vermont?" Yes, indeed it's chilly, but the funny thing is it's not just my neighbours from Tennessee saying this, but friends and family up and down the east coast. You say Vermont and people immediately go oh wow it's cold their.

I want to be straight with you and tell you yes Vermont can be cold, but without it's weather you wouldn't be able to have some of the best winters ever! The snow in Vermont this year started at the end of October I want to say or early November. So if you are a skier or a snow lover then it can be a nice treat before Christmas. In the winter there are so many Mountains to explore and fresh powder to shred (even on the bunny hill). I'm going to let ya'll in on the fact that I have now only down hill skied for 2 years! I learned freshmen year and fell in love, but before my love for shooting down the mountain occurred I loved winters in Vermont because of sledding on campus, going to down town Burlington (especially to see the lights lining Church street or part of the lake frozen), and I love curling up for long movie marathons with my friends. So, even if your not a cold weather lover or skier Vermont is still such a cool place to be during the winter months. Hey, at least the people know how to drive in the snow and they clear the roads off !

My snow down here in Tennessee may have melted, but I'm gearing up and getting ready for an awesome winter up at school. Just take a look at this video I found of SMC and it's winter wonderland!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Helpful things I learned travelling

Greetings and Buon Natale (or Merry Christmas)!! I finally made it home in time for the holidays. During some of my long layovers and delays I thought of some useful things I've learned while being abroad and travelling. So whether your going abroad in a few weeks, travelling to relatives, or snowed in these little things really can make a difference.

1. Pack lightly because you never know if your going to have to lug around all your bags or if you will have to carry a majority of them. Channel minimalist ideals.



2. Bring a watch! I have never been a big fan of wearing a watch, but once I arrived in Italy I found myself not always knowing the time and having to constantly keep my phone on me for that sole reason. I personally like the little kid inspired watches!

3. Bring comfortable shoes! They may not be as cute or seem like a pain to pack them but after a long day on your feet you'll be glad you did!




4. Pack a water bottle or Nalgene. All too often rest stops and convenient stores over charge for bottled water. So before you go pack one for when you get thirsty. If your flying pack it in your carry-on (empty of course) and fill up once through security!

5. Don't forget your phone charger. You never know how much you may use your phone and need it down the road.


6. Keep your camera handy! You never know when a great photo might present itself to you. And later down the road you will be glad you documented it!

7. If your going abroad buy International phone calling cards before you go. Even if you have a international phone you never know when your phone might not work or need to call home easily. (Before you go make sure to get any country access codes).

8. Try and get to know some locals. If your spending some time in an area try and get to know the place from a local and veer off the touristy path. It's fun meeting new people in cities and learning about the cool places in a new city.

9. Plan ahead! Whether you bring maps of the area your going to, check out what to see in the city, or research the public transportation. You'll be glad you did so.


10. Have a back-up plan. Even if your back-up plan isn't much of a plan have an idea of what to do if your plans don't go accordingly.

11. Patience. Travelling can be very stressful and draining just try to have patience and go with the flow. If things don't go according to your plans or if problems arise remain calm because everything happens for a reason.

Monday, December 13, 2010

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/bethdavin

How much planning did you have to do in order to study abroad?

In order to study abroad there is a little bit of planning that is involved but your advisor and Peggy in the study abroad office can help you. Generally it's making sure you can complete all your LSR's and fulfill your major in time to graduate. They'll give you a packet with steps of what you need to do and when it's all due. There is even a checklist which was helpful. It may look intimidating at first, but it wasn't that bad and Peggy and your advisor are their to help! If you have no idea where you want to study no worries just make an appointment with Peggy and by the end of your meeting you'll know or have an idea. The school just makes sure you have a plan to complete everything by the end of your four years. I highly recommend studying abroad because it has been the best 4 months and I would have never gotten to have this experience if I hadn't gone. I hope I answered your question, but if your still uncertain keep asking me questions!

Ask me anything

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The heart beat of the city

      I'm in shock about how fast this semester has flown by. Living in another country for four months definitely makes school and your weekends fly by. I keep glancing back at pictures and remembering when I could trot around the city all day in shorts and a tank top and now I'm all bundled up watching the city prepare for Christmas. I have seen the Duomo and the main piazza transform so much this fall with festivals, marathons, celebrities, putting up a Christmas tree, and when people come in the summer. Cities are very lively things that once you've lived their long enough you get to know it's beat or the rhythm of life in it. It may sound crazy to say but I love this cities noises. I love hearing the beeping noise of a bus coming up behind me and knowing it's time to jump back up on the side walk. Or how the ambulance siren echoes and seems to be slightly different in every city I've visited, but I know Florence's. The street music playing in front of restaurants trying to serenade the diners. Lastly the Central market and the comments I can hear in ten minutes by just walking through.  I can't help myself from laughing a lot of the time. When else am I going to hear "Che Bella!" "Ciao Bella" "I like your look" "I have the perfect purse that matches your eyes!" or my favorite "I give it to you for FREE!" (never happens).
     Every city has personality and flare you just have to stay long enough to discover it. And I finally know Florence's and I know my way around or where some of the secret places are hidden. It still doesn't feel like December yet and I'm going to be a total wimp with Vermont weather this January since I've been experiencing a lot warmer fall/ start of winter here. One thing is for sure is that this semester I fell in love with a country and their culture and it was, Italy.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

When in Rome

   Two weekends ago my program (API) took us on a three day long weekend adventure to the city of ruins, Rome! Arriving in Rome we were greeted by the rain that stopped abruptly while we were on our tour in front of the Spanish Steps. Blue sky and sunlight  broke through just before we made our way towards the Trevi fountain. In every city I have been to during this trip I always fall in love with one thing; the pizza I ate in Pisa, Stone Henge in England, and in Rome it was the Trevi Fountain. I have watched so many movies where the main character journeys to Rome that I was excited to finally star in my own adventure to Rome. Seeing the Trevi Fountain in all these movies intrigued me so when I finally saw it I was amazed. During this trip I kept remembering all the movies and scenes that took place around the city. I felt mostly like Audrey Hepburn in the film, Roman Holiday. ( I even considered getting a haircut).
     Throughout the weekend I also made a lot of "When in Rome do as the Romans" jokes! When else does this saying really apply....imagine how bad my jokes would be if I was in Rome for the whole semester! We were in Rome for 3 days and I was satisfied with seeing all we did. My favorite part was seeing the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps at night when they were all lit up! Rome is completely different from Florence and felt like it's own country. Despite some rain and thunderstorms the sun always returned allowing me to capture some great photos! Take a Look.






St. Peters Church/Vatican

Sistine Chapel

St.Peter's 


Bridge of Angels 


Trevi Fountain at night

Spanish Steps at night





                                                            Pantheon