Photos of Croatia

Here are some random photos of my day trip to Croatia.
I hope you all like them.

Ciao for now,

Heather

things going on in my life

Hey,

Tomorrow I'm going to Croatia with my host family! Although, we have to be at Trieste around 5:50am to catch the bus, so we have to leave the house around 5. Which means I have to get up at 4am.. ewww. lol anyway I'm looking forward to that. Next Saturday, is my host sister's birthday, so we'll be celebrating that. Then the week after that, thursday to sunday (28-31), I have my last orientation with AFS. It's going to be sad, cause some of the kids are leaving early cause they have signed contracts to work this summer, so they need to leave earlier. So, this is the last time I'll be able to see all AFSers (in my area atleast)... :(

My school ends June 10th!!!! I've already taken my last spanish test of the year. Math, Italian and chemistry I only have 1 more to take. We don't have finals or midterms here!!!!! I've heard the last week of school we don't really do anything!! lol NICE.

I finally finished all the Italian lessons after school. I took the final test yesterday, so I'll find out the results next week. I can't believe everything is coming to an end. It's sad and exciting at the same time.

Well I'll see you all soon (i think about 50 days till I come home)

Ciao for now,
Heather

recent news

So I think I got confused. May 2nd isn't a holiday, so I don't know when there "july 4th" is for them. I'm thinking it could be April 25th like I thought.

This past weekend (friday-saturday) I had a lot of fun. I slept over a friend's house. We played AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!! My friend knows some missionaries (who are American), so we got some friends together and the missionaries and played some football. Of course the Americans crushed the others, but it was a lot of fun. Then we moved to basketball, where the Americans crushed the other AGAIN. I think its just in our blood. lol.

Then yesterday, Sunday, there was the 16th Bavisela in Trieste. It is a marathon from Gradisca to Trieste which is competitive, then there is the non-competitive which is from Miramare to Trieste center (about 8km, which is 5 miles) which about 50 of us from AFS did. All the other people had a pink t-shirt on (which we got) but we wanted to represent AFS, so we are wore a bright yellow AFS t-shirt and handed out AFS flyers. it was fun.

i think thats it for now,

ciao for now,
heather

info on a few holidays..

Hello,

so i messed up before. April 25 is celebrated because it is when Italy was freed from WW2, so they celebrate it as the ending of the war for them. "il giorno di liberazione".

This friday, May 1, is also a holiday. it is the day of workers or something like that. and also May 2 is a holiday, which is there holiday like our July 4th.

so this weekend i have a 3 day weekend!!!!!!! this past weekend i had a 2 day weekend!!! (which is normal for USA i know.. but i havent had one in a long time).

i think thats it for now

ciao for now,
heather

recent trips/news

Austria was a lot of fun and very interesting. We stayed in Slazburg, Austria 11/4 to 13/3. We visited the castle and lots of other cool things (Mozart's birth house) etc. It was really cool to learn more about Mozart, because of my interest in piano now.

Two days ago, (22/4) I went to Mantua (Mantova in italian) with my class. which was a lot of fun hanging out with all my friends for the day outside of school. It was one of my favorite day trips ever, because of being with my friends and of course touring a city in ITALY!! hahaha

I have a favorite tv show now also. its funny cause its actually an american show but ive never seen it before coming here. Its called JAG. Its dubbed in italian though. but oh well i understand just the same. :)

My piano teacher (cousin of my host mom) said that she might bring me to Milan in june after school. Because she travels often to Milan for work. Which is exciting, i just hope it works out. I already owe her so much, cause shes giving me the piano lessons for free. but she seems to love me anyway, reminds me of one of my families back home (tortlands) haha.

thats about all for now. oh! tomorrow there isnt school because it is the "giorno di liberazione" (april 25, 1945). basically independence day. Italy celebrates 64 years tomorrow so believe it or not, technically USA is older than Italy by a lot.. this year is our 229th year of independence.

hope all is well with you!

ciao for now,
Heather

Easter Weekend

Hey,

This weekend, I'm going to Austria for a couple days. I leave Saturday morning and I think I come back Monday or Tuesday. I'm going with my host family :)

Tomorrow is my last day of school before Easter vacation. I return to school next Wednesday.

Today is the official date that I've been here for 7 months!!

Just an update.

Wish you all a wonderful Easter!

Ciao for now,
Heather

pics of Germany

my first beer in germany! the only Starbucks I've seen in about 7 months.

my friend, Ilaria, and me after she straightened my hair.

a really beautiful gothic styled church

famous brewery, where I drank beer with a friend and 2 teachers. Also, where Hitler once made a speech I believe. my nice ride. haha.

a great view of Munich from the tower the tower with the nice view :)

us in the back garden of the "Residence" (I don't know if thats what its called in English)

the Deutsches Museum