Final Portfolio Entry

Since this blog was started strictly for academic purposes as a requirement for my Communications courses here at Harding University, this final portfolio entry will the last post on the blog overall.  I will be creating a new site to maintain a digital portfolio in the near future and will post it as soon as possible.

Over the course of this semester in this Mass Media Writing class, I have learned a lot about the ever-changing ways of journalism.  I have come to experience the aspect of being a backpack journalist while working as a part of the team that went to Italy over spring break.  The posts during my trip and the previous post about how Harding is preparing me for my career will attest to that.

Since that trip I have uploaded several stories to the College of Communication web site The Link on my own and with partners. I have learned to be ready at all times with a camera to capture a story through still shots, video or audio and upload and edit my work to make it a story worth reading.  I have learned to look for the interesting angles of stories or simply tell a person's story and feature individuals who have something to share.

Here are the links to my stories that have been uploaded to the site since the last portfolio entry:

• Brigidino: A secret in Scandicci
• Feature: The Duomo
• Five fantastic features of Florence
• 'Life is Beautiful' in Arezzo, Italy
• Dr. Andreina Bianchini discusses work as international program director in Florence
• All that Jazz: Scandicci jazz band performs at the Villa
• Student shares her passion as art education major
• Some Different Animals make music on Harding's campus

Clearly the first six stories are from my time in Italy.  The first is about the family of merchants in the Scandicci market who have a secret recipe for making their Brigidino.  The second is simply about the incredible Duomo in all its glory.  The third story was a fun piece with an equally fun alliterative title. It was a creative way to experience the various sites one should see in Florence and share that with the readers.  Next is a story about a trip my friend and I took on our own to Arezzo, Italy, where the movie "Life is Beautiful" was filmed. It was a neat feeling to not only be experiencing such an intriguing country as Italy but to be taking pictures of and standing in the same location as an award-winning foreign film.  The next story is about a guest that came to celebrate the HUF program at the Villa. It is a feature story about Dr. Andreina Bianchini who shares a similar position as the director Robbie Shackleford for our international program in Italy but for several state universities.  The jazz story is about the Scandicci Jazz Band that came to perform at the Villa on our last night there.
The last two stories were done since my return to campus.  Both are feature stories: one being about an art student and her talent as she finds her passion and embraces it as her future career and the second being about a newly formed student band who was asked to perform by Harding's Campus Activities' Board Director. It was sort of a preview as to their music and an inside look as to who these guys really are.

Again I will be posting the new site for my entire digital portfolio soon.
Ciao!




 

Future Planning

As I look ahead and begin planning my future, it can be overwhelming.  The experience I gained while working with our journalistic team from Harding University when we went to Italy will be indispensable.  That trip taught me so much about responsibility and independence while also enlightening me on the different culture of a beautiful foreign country.  I learned about working on a deadline, reporting about events as they happened and I also learned about feature story reporting - which could be done at any time.  Selecting one person and hearing their story to write about what makes them unique is always interesting.

I adjusted to hectic schedules and was flexible as things were constantly changing throughout each day.  I worked with various team members and learned to get the most done using each of our particular talents and best skills. I experienced the world of backpack journalism as I went to all kinds of events and places and found stories wherever I was.  I had my flip cam on me at all times ready to pull it out and capture some timeless scene or record the unique sounds or video some entertaining clips as they happened.  I blogged daily about anything that had affected me during the trip and shared my story while discussing others' stories.
Another course offered at HU that has prepared me immensely is Mass Media Writing (for which I started this blog).  I have had to experiment with the different aspects of journalism with video, audio, still shot photography and all kinds of writing skills.  Regardless of where I find myself, these abilities will be necessary.  Other courses that have helped prepare me tremendously include Public Relations Campaigns where I develop a campaign for a company/organization and complete all the steps for it and Print News Writing.

After graduation next May, I will be getting married and most likely moving to Washington, D.C. for some time for my husband's work.  As a public relations major, this is a dream come true!  D.C. is one of my favorite places and is full of great opportunities.  The important necessity to remember, however, is true work experience!  This is something every organization/business usually demands.  At an entry level, I will have quite a ways to go in order to reach the top or at least upper positions where I would like to be.

After doing some REALISTIC job searching, I found some promising jobs currently available as ideas for the near future:

• An Administration Assistant in Government Relations for MWW Group, recently named one of the Best Agencies to work for by PR Week.  This firm deals with Public Relations, Public Affairs and Marketing.
• A Program Assistant, Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER) for District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). 
• A Manager of Communications for North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) serving as the single point of contact for media.

All of these positions require knowledge in computer programs such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint.  They also demand skills in creative programs such as In Design, Photoshop and Flash; web programming language is definitely a plus.  Being able to blog and track down information while constantly developing communication connections is extremely important.  It is crucial to be self-motivated, be flexible (and able to excel in ever-changing environments), be able to manage several different projects simultaneously, produce excellent work on a deadline and be creative and up-beat.  Other important qualities involve efficiently working in teams and having great problem-solving abilities.

Sounds slightly intimidating, and that barely skims the surface.  However, I am confident in what I have to offer any organization, and I know what I do not know now, I will certainly find out and be ready.  For now, I will take it a day at time and pray for my future as I continue to gain knowledge and experience in this exciting field of constant changes.

Travelling

I have tried to keep up with my friends who were studying overseas in Italy this semester since I returned home.  It was such a blessing to be able to visit them during the middle of the semester when I took my trip.  I was able to see them before the rest of the students on campus would be able to do so, and I was able to explore the beauty of Europe with them.  However, while I have been back in the classroom, they have been continuing to experience Italian culture and even free-travel more.

Now, most of them have all returned to the States, and several have even been on campus to catch up.  Guys came back with massive beards; girls came back with tons of souvenirs; but all came back with the glow of Italy.  I went out with a group to celebrate their return this past week which was great.  We reminisced about being in Italy together, I heard new stories from since I had left them and was told about some of their experiences travelling to various other countries during their free-travel.

However, some of our friends have still been unable to come home due to the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland.  The ash and other atmospheric problems have disrupted flights from Europe caused severe problems for travellers like our HU students.  Some are in England and others are on our campus in Greece, for example.  One main problem for anyone going through this is they are running out of money.  My prayers have been with our friends and any other stranded vacationers.

Hopefully they will be safely back in the United States soon and able to celebrate with the rest of us!

Hasta la Pasta

This weekend was the first time my family and I went to Olive Garden since I returned from my trip to Italy.  That always has been my favorite restaurant, and I still believe it is.  However, after having authentic Italian pasta and meals in the country, tastes are different. 

I remember hearing before the trip that going to Italy will heighten all of your senses.  The food, the smells, the shopping experience, everything is extraordinary.  The food in Italy is the one of most significant parts of this statement.  Lavished meals are provided and seasoned to perfection, especially the pasta.

It makes me appreciate the art of cooking even more.  So much time is spent preparing meals that by the end, I just wanted to hug the chef.  Several courses are served; each one is absolutely delicious.  It is then that I discovered, just the "antipasta" could have been my meal.  Yet, it was one of the smallest sizes and the rest just kept getting better!

Yes, I still enjoy Olive Garden immensely.  Do I miss the true Italian meals?  Yes.
My next step is trying the Gelato here to compare.

Still on Italy Time

One thing I remember specifically learning while in Europe is their concept of time.  Things were not done literally "on time" very much.  It simply was not the most important thing to be exactly on time everywhere you went. 

The Italians took their time and were laid-back about things so that they enjoyed each moment more.  This meant meals were longer and fellowship lasted longer during and afterward.  Being surrounded by so much beauty and art, I suppose that's how it truly ought to be.  Life should be lived not rushed through and then reflected upon further down the road with regrets.

I've mastered the whole "not-being-exactly-on-time" aspect.  I tend to be running late a lot.  That's ok when you're given a time to be somewhere in a foreign country and NOT expected to show up until at least a half hour later.  Over here in the States, however, I need to correct this concept.

Yet, I think it's neat in a way to be so laid-back when it comes to the concept of time.  After all, time is what man's life and entire world revolves around!  Our Creator does not work on a time slot going from when the big hand on the clock is on one number til it gets to another.  We should soak in every moment we are blessed to have. 

Until everyone learns to accept this, I guess I'll just work on being "on time" more!  My excuse right now is that I'm still on Italy Time.

Reflecting

As I finally feel adjusted to being back in the States, I find myself looking back at my incredible experience that has gone so quickly. 

Going through pictures and sharing stories with everyone back home has made me only appreciate my experience even more (if possible).  I was enveloped in the history of the art in Italy and pesonally traveled to several historic sites that I only dreamed about seeing just a few months ago.  Like I said in the first blog entry, I always have desired to go to Europe, specifically Italy, so this trip was truly a blessing from God.

I also enjoyed the travel experience with the talented and fun group that was part of this program.  I was able to get to know several students that I have had classes with previously and met some others for the first time.  Besides my team that went to do this assignment, it was great to visit MANY of my friends in our international program in Florence.  When asked about my favorite part of the trip, I cannot choose just one monument or specific site like the Colosseum in Rome or the Duomo in Florence. However, I can say that what made the experience so great was the people with whom I found myself traveling.

This definitely was my best spring break and the most eye-opening experience I have had thus far.

The Long Journey Back (Sat./Sun. 3-13, 3-14-2010)

As the saying goes, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

Saturday, we began our trip back to the United States.  This proved to be much more challenging than expected, however.  Due to weather issues, we were unable to fly out of Florence.  Therefore, we took a bus to Pisa to fly out from there after waiting around for over an hour.  This waiting made us miss our next flight from Munich, Germany.  We ended up waiting in so many airports from this point onward.

So the adventure began as we had to stay overnight in Munich in only what we had on us.  We then split up into small groups in order to fly out as soon as possible taking whatever was available.  I was in one of the latest groups and took the long flight from Munich to JFK in New York, then from JFK to Charlotte, North Carolina, to Little Rock finally and ride the bus back to Searcy. 

After other delays on flights like at JFK and luggage issues, I arrived back at school trying to brace myself for the next day around 2 a.m.  I never had been so excited to shower and crawl into my own bed at Harding University. 

It had been the most incredible experience and trip across the Atlantic.  I saw so many sites and went so many places that I never anticipated!  I could not be more grateful for this unique opportunity.  Friendships were strengthened and new ones formed along the way, and I cannot wait to upload my hundreds of pictures and share the details of this trip with everyone close to me!

"Rome-ing" (Fri. 3-12-2010)

As part of this spectacular trip, I was able to do some free-traveling.  I chose to go to Rome, and it was a was a great experience!  I felt overwhelmed to be among so much incredible history.

Despite all the tiring walking, the cold weather and the random terrential downpour during the day, it was amazing.  Words could not express what I was feeling when I stepped into  St. Peter's Basilica.  The beauty and sacred artwork was unbelievable.  This is the traditional site where Peter was crucified and buried, his tomb being under the main altar along with many popes as well.  From the outside, St. Peter's Square designed by Bernini was impressive; the dome itself designed by Michelangelo was extraordinary; and the overall interior with Bernini's Baldacchino to Michelangelo's famous Pieta was undescribable.

Then I went to the Trevi Fountain which was much more impressive than I anticipated, and of course I had to throw in coins!

After that, I went by other churches and sites of the city.  I walked through the Roman Forum which was full of ancient Roman ruins and arches.  It was such a crazy feeling to be walking through that kind of history and see first-hand what is left of Roman architecture like that.

Finally, I made it to the Colosseum!  This was such a highlight for me because it was truly phenomenal to be able to touch this piece of history.  So many pictures were taken of all the remarkable sites I saw that day, and yet they cannot be captured in all actuality in a photograph.

To end the day, I did some last bit of shopping and headed back to pack up.  It was hard to believe the trip is fianlly over, and in the amount of time it took me to fall in love with this place and really learn my way around it, I would have to leave it.

Florence Finale (Thurs. 3-11-2010)

Well, Thursday was busy and fascinating to say the least.  It was basically our last day to spend in Florence and with our dear friends at the Villa.  We started off going to "classes" with HUF students which consisted of guided tours of the Medicci Chapel or as they refer to it Cappelle Medicee and Bargello.  These are some of the most extraordinary sites that I was fortunate enough to see in the flesh instead of normally sitting at a desk in class viewing these as flat pictures that cannot capture their true beauty.

The Medicci Chapel was full of interesting history that I found intriguing.  As I entered the place where this family worhsipped, my mind literally could not fathom the art that was before me.  To see and try to grasp that some of the most incredible artwork was right in front of me in the form of smooth, shiny colorful designs and were actually slivers of rock blew me away.  Some were the most intricately designed pictures but were cut out of stone.  They were cut and smoothed into a  beautiful creation, like a mosaic, which was amazing to me.  They were so detailed they appeared to be intense paintings but were not.

Sadly, I could not take pictures of this even though it could not be captured in photos.  It was simply breath-taking to see.

Then the Bargello was an impressive museum where I could take pictures outside.  It had even been used as a place of execution but was now full of art and all kinds of sculptures.

After sharing a terrific six-course lunch with friends, I went to find David.  That is, I went to the Academia Galleria to view the beauty of the human body sculpted by Michelangelo himself.  That masterpiece and several others were so remarkable, they all but looked like they should be inhaling.  Such detail went into these creations that made them look real-life.  Yet, the fact that they were all from a piece of marble is absolutely extraordinary.

We celebrated our last night in Florence at the Villa saying farewell to our HUF friends.  We shared many many hugs, freshly-made gelato and entertainment by a Scandicci jazz band.  This was such a fun time and made me realize that I did not want it to end!  To read about the main director and trumpet player, watch for the feature story on the Link.

Friends in Florence (Wed. 3-10-2010)

I am behind on my posts of each day, but here is what the rest of the trip was like.

Wednesday started off quite well because we were to sleep in for a change.  We began our day officially with a wonderful lunch at the Villa with our Harding University friends and several other important guests.

We were celebrating 30 years of the Harding University Florence Program (HUF).  So we had many people invited to share this meal with us including movie director, previously mentioned, Jay Russell.  The main special guests were Eugenio Giani — Presidente del Consiglio; a representative from the consolate; Tuscan American Association Presidents Lynn Weichman and Sergio Pezzati and Dr. Andreina Bianchini, Director at the Palazzo Ruccellai.

I was able to interview this interesting and kind accomplished woman to hear about her journey starting as a professor for Trinity College at Hartford and transitioning into the position she has today.  She is the main director for the international program in Italy for several universities including University of Connecticut, Roger Williams, Arizona State and Virginia doing work much like Harding's own Robbie and Mona Shackleford.  Read more about her in-depth story that will be posted later on the Link.

Later I did some more shopping with my friends in the HUF program until it was time for teh intercultural exchange that night.  It was so nice to spend time with friends who have been overseas for this semester, but even more fun was spending time with students from other cultures that night.  That evening we shared dinner with several Italian and Albanian students at a wonderful restaurant called Movida and afterwards went to the Florence Church of Christ to learn about these students' culture.  We specifically were taught about the art of dancing by the Albanians, which was very entertaining as American students' tried to keep up (myself included).  In authentic beautiful costumes, we were shown the ways of danceby our new friends.  Lots of laughs were shared, and many great memories were made!

From Arkansas to Arezzo

Today was spent solely in the city of Arezzo.  Known mostly for its unique medieval architecture, Arezzo is believed to have been one of the twelve most important Etruscan city-states and an important Roman city. It truly came alive in the form of art during the Middle Ages when many churches were being built.

Some of these include the Pieve di Santa Maria, an example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, the Gothic Cathedral, the Church of San Domenico (later embellished by the Crucifix painted by the Cimabue) and the church of San Francesco.

In fact, one famous aspect of this city is the story behind Piero della Francesca. Francesca created his absolute masterpiece, The Legend of the True Cross in the church of San Francesco picking up where painter Bicci di Lorenzo left off during his work.  The artwork throughout the entire church was so moving I was almost in tears walking around in this extraordinary place of sanctuary.  Unfortunately, we are not allowed to take pictures inside (not that any of the beauty could be captured in pixels) but I encourage everyone to make an attempt to research it and possibly one day make it to Italy to see it yourself.

The most significant public space is the Piazza Grade. This site easily is recognized easily from scenes in the Academy-Award-winning movie "Life is Beautiful."  It was a really neat feeling to be standing right where the film was shot and see the amazing architecture of this public area.

Despite the snow falling steadily all day, I thoroughly enjoyed walking literally all over Arezzo.

 

Fun in Florence

Yesterday, Mar. 9, was definitely the best day of the trip thus far! 

It started off with a delicious breakfast and meeting movie director/filmographer Jay Russell.  He has worked on the movies, My Dog Skip, Tuck Everlasting and The Waterhorse, so he had excellent advice to give from experience.  He told stories in a descriptive way that only a movie director can and gave advice about how to find good stories and capture them in an intriguing way.  He encouraged everyone to get out among the common everyday buzz but see the unique in each situation.

After a beautifully prepared lunch, some friends and I decided to go into Florence again but this time on a mission!  We made a list of five main attratction in Florence and made sure to visit every one of them.  It was such an amazing experience and such a feeling of accomplishment to have gone to the city and acutally to have seen/done everything we planned.  This also was the first time I felt like I knew where I was going and what I was doing in this glorious foreign country.  I am directionally challenged when I am in my own country, so to get this kind of feeling is a BIG deal.

Here is what we did in our incredible day of Florence fun!
1.  Went to the Ponte Vecchio
      This is a famous bridge full of history.  Long ago the nobility refused to mingle right along side the commoners, and therefore, a top section of the bridge was built so that the nobles could walk above the rest.

2.  Explored the Uffizi art gallery

     It was full of spectacular statues and artwork including a wondrous fountain just outside the main gallery.  One of the big attractions is the fake David statue that stands tall and powerful among many others.

3.  Made a stop at the Piggy Market

     This market is known for the legendary bronze statue of a big with a fountain.  Supposedly if you touch the pig's nose, you will return to Italy one day.  Needless to say I definitely rubbed that pig's nose!

4.  Had some gelato

     During our trip we had to make a stop at a highly recommended gelato store, Grom.  This place, a favorite of Harding University students traveling abroad, had a variety of flavors that were absolutely mouth-watering.  Gelato as a reminder is similar to American ice-cream but richer and creamier than back home.  I had to try the special crema de grom and dark chocolate.  My verdict - DIVINE!  They also different fruit flavors and flavor of the month was green tea and white chocolate.

5.  Finally, we couldn't see the main points of any city in Italy without including a church.  So we stopped at a church called the Santa Maria Novella.  Its design and architecture overall was lovely.



I also was able to do some shopping while going through the different markets.  I bought presents for Mama and the sister/ friend or two while also sneaking in an item for myself. I still need to get a few gifts for the other important people in my life as well. I was happy that I even bartered with the merchants and was able to get some items for less than they were priced.

I even did a stand-up or two on these sites for a story on the Link, which made me miss the journalism aspect of this trip.  All that being said, it was a fabulous and enjoyable day in Florence!

A Beautiful Day

"Today is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."


This day began beautifully in worship service when we attended church with the congregation in Florence. Everyone was so welcoming, and the Italian service truly was heartfelt. When the singing started, it was moving. I was able to experience a church service in authentic Italian language which is beautiful speaking and even more when singing worship to God. Afterwards, we were served a delicious meal by the members of the church.

From there, I went exploring through sites in Florence. The main attraction on which I decided to focus was the Duomo! The architecture and design of the cathedral is absolutely breath-taking. I went inside to view the paintings, statues and actual place of worship. It’s amazing to think about people literally meeting in this incredible and sacred building to worship years ago. All the stained glass and candle-lighting makes it seem truly holy and special.

I wanted to go to the top of the Duomo, however the climb to the top was closed on Sunday. Therefore, I ascended to the peak of the neighboring bell tower instead. Four hundred and fourteen steps later, I attempted to take in the astonishing view high above the city! The stairway became increasingly narrow as I reached the top, but it was worth it. The bells still melodiously sound from the top which add to the glorious experience.

I made my way down and surveyed the market that just moments ago seemed microscopic from the top. The booths all over Florence are even more intriguing than the Scandicci flea market I visited on Saturday. These merchants shamelessly make comments at the passersby and extremely sketchy individuals come at you in the middle constantly. However, it is an excellent time to obtain great souvenirs and items at great prices. They even barter on sometimes low prices which help.



Later that night, I enjoyed fellowship with students studying overseas at the Villa this semester and engaged in a devo that was honestly a powerfully moving time of reflection. It was then that I remembered how I got to this point – exploring the beauty of Italy with some of the greatest people I could imagine. As I have said before, I could not be more grateful for the blessings that I have received throughout my life and most recently with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Oh the people you'll meet...in Italy

Today was all about exploring places in Italy and being exposed to the different personalities throughout the area.  From the merchants of the Scandicci flea markets to the fans of Florence soccer (football) games people of Italy are quite interesting. 

I went to a Scandicci market where you can find all kinds of items and food.  Everyone was raving about the bambino pastry, so of course I had to indulge myself.  This delicious sweet was similar to a doughnut but filled with nutella and creme covered in powdered sugar.  Yes this probably clogs your arteries faster than you can say heartattack, but the melt-in-your-mouth taste is divine.

After enjoying this, I made my way to a booth with an intriguing machine making a different kind of dessert.  Chips that taste very sweet like cake called Brigidino were being made by some merchants who travel all over Tuscany to sell this secret desert.  With the help of a translator, I discovered that they were very particular about sharing information on the dessert itself saying that it is passed down and is a personal recipe that is not shared outside their family. 

Later that day, I shared a conversation with a friendly Italian man in a Gellato store.  We discussed the fact that many of us were going to the big game that night and how important it was to the people of Florence.

That night at the soccer game between Florence and Juventus, I saw how intense the fanatics of Italian soccer really are!   They took the concept of cheering and chanting to an entire new level.  An important fact to know, whistling at the team is BAD!!! Unlike in the United States where we can whistle and yell and even ring the occaional cow bells at games in support of our teams, whistling is done only at the opponents and in severe distaste.  This is equivalent to boo-ing, and this was done constantly at Juventus' players.

All in all, I had countless oppotunities to interact with the people of Italy today, and it was amazing.  Sometimes I was closer to strangers on bus rides and such than I would feel comfortable otherwise, but that's all part of the experience!

On Cloud Nine

Not only did I feel like I was on cloud nine travelling to Italy, but I realized I was up in the clouds. I have not been on a plane since I was about nine years old. That is just over 10 years ago; that fact alone is difficult to grasp. I am pretty certain that airports have changed in the past decade so this was going to be an adventure in itself.

Despite these concerns, I focused on the fact that I could not be more grateful for the blessings that I have received. Being able to gain experience in my career field and experience the culture of Italy exceeded any of my wildest birthday wishes (which was today).

After enjoying the flights from Little Rock to Chicago, from Chicago to Frankfurt and from Frankfort to Florence, I realized, “I am about to explore the beauty of Italy.” This has been a dream of mine since I was little, and it was coming true. The best word to describe how I was feeling would have to be elated!

On Mar. 5, 2010, I arrived in Florence and so begins this long and powerful journey of growth. Things were hectic getting from airport to airport and through security and checking luggage, but it was a thrilling experience when I saw my first stamp on my passport!

Walking around Italy, I was a sponge – soaking up literally everything I possibly could about the culture and the people. When I stood outside the Duomo, it was all I could do to hold back tears. This truly is one of the most extraordinary and amazing pieces of architecture ever created. Simply to stand back and look at it was breath-taking. I cannot wait to actually be able to enter it!

That night, we ate authentic Italian pizza and my dear friends made it known that it was my birthday. After being presented with a delicious chocolate dessert, the restaurant sang to me, and I blew out the candles. What a day of travel and happiness already!

Portfolio Entry

Besides my new obsession with learning about the intriguing and amazing country of Italy, I do my fair share of work with other important activities as well.  I have been writing stories and covering various events this semester as part of the Mass Media Writing course that I currently am taking.  For Harding University's website created by the College of Communication The Link, I have submitted several pieces including stories, photos, a video and an audio clip as I begin learning the many parts to being a journalist.
My first written paper was an evaluation of the various characteristics of web journalism.  Next, I wrote about the talented musician Matt Wertz coming to Harding University in concert with a picture of him and an audio clip from the concert to hear HU students singing with him.  I also wrote about the snow day that thrilled the campus and included an entire photo slideshow of the beautiful winter wonderland.  I have submitted a video with a partner on the interesting flea market of Judsonia, Arkansas, called Thackerland.  This showed just what one might find at such a market.  Recently, I posted a story about the vacated position of Harding's Student Association Vice President being filled by Nik Arezina with a photo of the new VP.  This feature story allowed students to see how things work within the SA and to gain more insight into who is chosen to lead them as a student body here on campus.

These are the links to those stories on The Link:
Music warms Harding's snow-covered campus
Snow blankets campus
Thackerland: 15 years of flea market success
Arezina steps in as new SA vice president

Check out my work and my other seven posts all about the boot-shaped country, Italy!  I will be there in a few short hours and will be posting my experiences on this blog daily.
Ciao!

Raising the bar

Most Italians go to the bar early in the morning but for a different kind of strong drink than you may be thinking - coffee!

The usual caffe' is what we might call an espresso.  It is a small cup of very strong coffee topped with a caramel-colored foam called "crema."  However, decafinated coffee also is available known as caffe' hag.  This can be ordered as "decafinato" or as Hag which is from the name of the largest producer of Italian decaf coffee.  In fact, that is what most bar menu boards will have displayed.

Straight coffee can be ordered any time of day throughout Italy, but after about 11a.m., only the tourists are seen indulging themselves with a "cappuccini."

Several options are offered to modify the coffee just like anywhere else.  Some popular choices are:

• Caffè con panna - An espresso with sweet whipped cream 

• Caffè con zucchero - espresso with sugar. Usually, one adds sugar from a container at the bar, but in some places, (especially in the south around Naples) the coffee comes with sugar. To order it, say "sensa zucchero" or without sugar if you don't like it sweet.

• Caffè macchiato - coffee "stained" with milk, usually just a bit of foam on top of the espresso.

• Caffè latte - This is an espresso with hot milk, a cappuccino without the foam usually served in a glass.  It might be called a "latte" in the U.S., but in Italy, outside of tourist places, you run the risk of getting what you asked for - milk, or worse yet, steamed milk. 

• Latte macchiato (Lah-te mahk-YAH-to) - Steamed milk "stained" with espresso, served in a glass.

• Cappuccino - a shot of espresso in a large(er) cup with steamed milk and foam.

Other specialty coffees include:

• Bicerìn - Traditional drink of Piemonte around Torino, consisting of dense hot cocoa, espresso and cream, artfully layered in a small glass. Not usually found outside of the Piemonte region.

•  Caffè freddo - Iced, or at least cold, coffee

•  Caffè Shakerato - This is one of the latest crazes in Italy, especially in the summer.  In its most simple form, a caffe shakerato is made by combining freshly made espresso, a bit of sugar, and lots of ice, shaking the whole drink vigorously until a froth forms when poured. It also can have some chocolate syrup added.

So if asked to go get a drink a bar with someone in Italy, remember it has quite a different connotation with the phrase.

Italian Dressing

I'm not referring to what is poured on a delicious salad at Olive Garden. Italy is about fashion! Dressing everyday is taken very seriously.  When the police uniforms are designed by Armani, you know this is crucial.

The legend of Italian fashion began on Feb. 25, 1951, when Count Giorgini staged a fashion show for an international audience in Florence. Dress says a lot about one's self-assertion in society and opens doors to conversations among individuals.  It has been called the "language of desire." Much thought goes into the entire outfit involving what one wants to say about themselves through their overall presentation.

The idea of Italian fashion is to blend in by standing out.  Wearing the best kind of attire to accentuate your own best features is key. The Italians have a spectacular way of choosing clothes that flatter their figures in the greatest way.

To avoid sticking out as a major tourist, ball caps and hats should be put away.  Nails also should not be painted as Italians only use nail polish for very specail occasions.  Shoes can make or break an outfit, (and unfortunately comfort usually is not factored into this equation).  One is expected to keep up with the latest trends and designs that will look best on each person individually.

Ultimately, dress is about social redemption. Fashion is the confirmation of classes or social statuses in Italy. Having a kind heart is great, but the outward appearance is cherished by Italians.  Fashion is a national passion, and it all comes down to ATTITUDE!  So when in Rome, strut with confidence and sophistication.

Getting around in Italy

The list of glorious sites everyone longs to see in Italy is endless, but how does one get to all these amazing places?  A website called Italy Heaven gave some insightful information on traveling around the extraordinary country.

Driving allows one to explore the rural, countryside areas and take detours if one wants to have a picnic along the way on a hillside or go into a castle.  However, if the hectic driving scenes from the movies "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" or "The Italian Job" did not make it clear enough, driving in Italy is not for the faint-hearted.  Yes, those are Hollywood dramatized movies, but there is no arguing, driving in Italy can be challenging.

Trains, on the other hand, are cheap and efficient for traveling through Italy.  There are many options available, such as slower trains being cheaper and return tickets being the same price as two singles.  This comes down to personal preferences and requires checking on specific train details early.

Then there are local transport systems for most Italian cities that include buses, metros, trains, trams, funiculars (moutain railways with counterbalanced cable cars on parallel sets of rails) and lifts.  For these, one usually can buy tickets in advance and have them validated when boarding the vehicle.

Of course the best way to view the unique and beautiful country of Italy is to approach by sea.  Seeing it from a ferry, for examply, is said to be breathtaking. 

In my opinion, seeing Italy in whatever way possible sounds exciting!

Fine dining

One thing everyone mentions when talking about a trip to Italy is the experience through the food and meals .  This is something that simply cannot be duplicated, and once time is spent enjoying the culture, no one's taste buds are ever the same.  Many Italians' pleasure is centered around the table - and with good reason.  I definitely am looking forward to experiencing this!

Full meals are huge ordeals.  The diet ultimately is pasta-based, but a great variety is offered regionally.  In the mountainous north, meals are heavy, while the center regions and the south focuses on a light, oily Mediterranean diet.

Complete meals may range through three to six courses.  Appetizers usually are not numbered in this extensive banquet though they could be a feast in and of themselves.

Breakfast is simple, but lunch is the most important repast of the day and usually late in the afternoon.  Then supper or cena is a lighter late meal.  Lunch is especially important as mentioned in a previous post because it is about quality time spent with the family.

Famous northern dishes include speghetti Bolognese, lasagna and tortellini.  Outstanding vegetable and pasta dishes are featured just as predominantly as seafood and exotic meats - from frog risotto to a donkey steak!
Popular desserts from Sicily include:
cassata (a layered sponge cake of ricotta cheese, marzipan and candied peel),

rich chocolate gelato (very much like ice-cream)

and zabaglione (a "caudle" similar to a custard made of egg yolks, sugar and Marsala wine).

With delicious foods like these, it's no wonder meals and the art of cooking are so important to Italians. 

Amici

One of the greatest parts of experiencing another culture is getting to know the people.  I am extremely excited about this part of the trip!  I had the wonderful opportunity to become friends (amici) with an Italian exchange student during my time in high school.  Her name is Alessandra, and we still try to keep in touch as much as possible.

Italians, for the most part, live in the city or the towns and develop strong ties to their towns, neighborhoods, homes and families.  This is a great trait to be admired because family is very important to them.  They truly enjoy eating and cooking, and their biggest meal is actually midday.  Lunch is huge because the entire family usually comes home to enjoy it together.  It is the key opportunity to spend time with each other.

Italians enjoy doing activities with their families as well.  Soccer is the most popular sport, not only big games on the weekend, but in most every park children are seen playing it as well.  Basketball also is big among Italians.  Specific family activities include a passeggiata (family stroll), driving to the seashore or the mountains or even just watching TV. 

I look forward to interacting with them and hopefully meeting more amazing friends, like Allesandra.

Here Ally and I enjoy dinner at a Pizza Hut in my hometown, even if it is not quite the same as Italians' pizza.

A Brief Background

To begin my researching, I want to back up and explore the ways of Italian culture from its origins.  How is the government run?  How has the past affected the ways of Italians today? 

Italy, which is about the size of Arizona, is a republic and has a two-chamber parliment as its legislative branch.  This parliment is made up of the Senate (Senato della Repubblica) and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati).  The Senate is the upper house, and elections take place every five years.  The judicial branch is the Constitutional Court or Corte Constituzionale.  The executive branch consists of the president and the Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president.

The center of the vast Roman Empire left a lasting impression on the country through archaeology, culture and literature.  Philosophy and political ideas have been shaped by the Renaissance and the endless list of phenomenal artists of Italy.  These include Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante and Raphael to name a few.  Art from such great names, as we all know, has become world-renowned.  From them, David was sculpted, The Last Supper was painted and the Sistine Chapel was created.  Being surrounded with such incredible art is one of the wonderful experiences of this rich culture.

Un sogno d'Italia

It always has been a dream of mine to travel to Europe, specifically Italy.  The culture fascinates me greatly, and the rich history and art is overwhelming.  Italy is full of immeasurable beauty and endless sites to see.  Recently, God has blessed me with the opportunity to travel to Italy; therefore, my immediate interest level has increased dramatically.  In the spring, I will be spending approximately 10 amazing days soaking up as much splendor in this "boot-shaped" country as possible!  So much research must be done in order to understand certain customs and to appreciate the culutre there.  I am excited to begin learning about this intriguing Italia as my dream has come true!