The beginning...

When I saw Leah for the first time, we were in Toscany because my aunt invited me there to spend time with my cousin!

Toscany is an Italian region very famous for the wine and for the cities (for example Florence, Siena, Pisa and many others). It's very beautiful because there are many opportunities to experience nature. The scenery is fantastic!
My favorite view at my aunt's house is very beautiful and particular, you can see the mountains, and many small villages in the mountains. Unfortunately, you can't ski in this area because it's very steep. In front of the house there is a little area of woods. My cousin calls it "the wood of hundred acres" from Winnie the Pooh. This is so funny!!!

I especially love my cousin because she is so funny and she is my age. So, we understand each other and talks to me like she would with a friend.

This trip was a great getaway!

On our way home, we stopped at the mall and in Parma! It was so cool to show Leah our country. I ordered potato dumplings. They made me sleepy for our car ride home and we all had a relaxing evening. I am a little sick so it's important for me to rest and recover as hard as it might be to do. I need to remember that resting now will make things better in the weeks to come! The girls started watching a TV series called Gilmore Girls and I am going to follow the show with them starting tonight. We are going to try to watch an episode a day! Yay! 


Tomorrow I want to go to Lecco and show to Leah where we live. In my opinion, Lecco is a small, very beautiful city that is interesting to explore. I think she will like it very much! Talk to you guys tomorrow!

-Alice

My New Friend!

This year my family and I decided of invite an American Girl into our home so that we can be immersed in the English language. We thought that having someone actually from the country, with American experiences of their own, would be the most effective tool for us to finally learn the language.  I really think that this will be a fantastic experience that I always remember. Her name is Leah and she is 18 years old. She is tall, has long,blonde hair, and two beautiful blue eyes. She is very pretty. 

When she was arrived here (on Friday) , I was so happy and excited because I know that with her, my English will become perfect. I am going to an American school this upcoming year...so this is going to be so helpful next year when I have to start taking ALL my classes in English (other than Italian, of course). 

She lives in Miami and coincidentally, this year we are traveling all the way to Miami with my best friend! As a result, this experience is also a great opportunity to get advice from Leah about our itinerary in Miami. She has lived there her whole life. 

When she first arrived we went to the supermarket for to buy things that she likes to eat. For lunch, we went to the restaurant to Lecco and in the afternoon we relaxed because she was tired from her travels.

The next day, we went to Tuscany because my sister spent a holiday with my aunt, my uncle and my cousins at their home in the area. We spend the entire day with my WHOLE family. 

On Sunday we went to Fidenza village in Emilia-Romagna where we were lucky enough to shop and eat! After these two beautiful days spendtin Italy,we returned to Lombardy. 

During the evening, Leah and I started a new TV series in English: Gilmore Girls. We are going to watch a little bit of the show each night (at first with Italian subtitles). Hopefully, sono we will not need the subtitles! 

Now we have started our blog where we will write  daily. We will use to learn, practice, and reflect on our learning. In September, I start International School of Como and I will study ALL my subjects in English. 

In my opinion, this is a fantastic, different way for to learn the language. 

Our Weekend on the "Road Less Traveled"

Robert Frost once famously reported, "two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by and that made all the difference." This weekend we took good ole' Rob's advice. We ventured to Fivizzano in Tuscany. Once again, I was truly shocked by the landscape. The depth of the mountains serves to make your eyes curious but simultaneously calm your thoughts. 

It is quite wonderful to eat without something rushing you. This concept allows you to enjoy the company of the people around you and the food we are lucky to consume. I love Italian food. I think everyone does.

Time moves slower when they're at their Tuscany home, they like to "eat and sleep and do it again." This is important and good for the soul during the summertime. This trip made me realize that we don't need to associate tiredness with weakness--everybody is tired. If anything, it should be an accomplishment. We are tired because we exerted our bodies to an extent of exhaustion and once we rest we can accomplish even more. Thus, I think that having a month to completely rejuvenate yourself can be life changing. It is also something one can look forward to. 

Overall, I enjoyed this excursion very much and I am so grateful to have found such a welcoming home! I am excited for the weeks to come and to relax and learn with the girls. 

-Leah