February 1

Today was one giant adventure, to say the least. In the morning, I decided to go shopping, even though my friend flaked. I stopped to get some postcards to send home and then I continued along to the Arno for a more scenic view. This was my first time going out so far by myself, which was interesting. The plus is that I no longer need a map to get around. I'm very oriented and feel Italian. However, that means random Italian guys approach me and talk to me. For instance, I had one 30 or 40 year old man come up to me and ask me in Italian if I was Italian or American. So I figured maybe he just needed directions, right? Nope. He starts going on and on about how "when us Italian men see very pretty lady it is custom to take them to coffee or a meal"-- almost his exact words. Oh boy! I said I had to go to the studio to work, and he asked if I could meet him later. I repeated that I had to work and eventually he left me alone.

After that whole ordeal, I went to a few of the stands near the Ponte Vecchio where I eventually ended up buying this scarf... You'll have to excuse this horribly shaped mirror...

Aside from that, the shopping fairies were not on my side today. I found some things I liked at Zara, but the line was way too long and super slow so I decided to leave. Maybe I'll go back this week. On my way home, I stopped by a cafe where I had gone in the summer of 2013 on a weekend trip to Tuscany (during my study abroad in Rome). I have been dying to have cannoli, or cannolo in the singular, and this is the best place I found. 

Once I came back to the apartment to get my computer, iPod and sketchbook, I went to the studio to work more. I only ended up doing the sea lion (which ended up taking me an hour) because some other girls were in the studio and it was loud. When I have to etch into clay, I can't afford to make any mistakes so I can't have any distractions. I'll probably go back tomorrow before or after class (or maybe even both). 

Ciao for now!