Ancora?

For some reason Italy has decided to boost it's seismic activity this year. We had an earthquake on the 20th of May at about 4 in the morning. The center was around a city called Ferrara about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Vicenza. I happened to be at my friends house in Belluno (the mountains). At the center it was 5.9 on the rector scale and lasted for about 20 seconds. We felt it pretty good, that is to say Alma didn't wake up but everyone else in the house felt it. But Alma's from Iceland, so earthquakes aren't that big of a deal.

Then today around 9 we had another one of about 5.8. Seriously we need to do some more practice drills and probably counsel some of the girls in my class. I can say that screaming and then bursting into tears isn't going to get you out of the building any faster. We than evacuated the building and waited in a near by park for an hour or so. The principle of the school said it was safe to go back to school and so we went. Thirty minutes later there was another smaller about 4.7 and we just waited. About an hour later another but this time a lot smaller. But we never were sent home. Then at about 1 there was another strong one and the entire school was evacuated and we were sent home. Keep in mind it's better if we go home because all the buildings are so old. For example my school has been around since the 1800's. Pretty sure that building is not going to last long.

Anyway please keep in your prayers the families of the people who died today as well as peace of mind for those who are close to the center of the earthquakes. They were just starting to get in the swing of things after the earthquakes on May 20th and then were hit again. This time was worse too because all the buildings that were damaged last time just collapsed this time.

Brighter news! My baby cousin Mattia was born the 22nd of May. Mother and baby are doing wonderful. I don't remember going to see Emmett in the hospital after he was born because I was too small so this was a really cool experience. It's been fun to be around a new-born. He's a very chill guy, doesn't cry alot. Just eats, sleeps and looks around all while being possibly the most perfect newborn ever.

I can't believe this will all be over in about 39 days. Even the other day out of the blue Paola said while we were eating lunch together 'I'm going to miss you a lot. Especially at this time of the day because once you're gone no one will be here to talk with me.' Thinking about leaving has already me cry and I don't know how I'll do it. I can't imagine packing up everything and pulling my suitcases back down the stairs and saying goodbye. I remember how hard it was to leave India with my friends, a boyfriend I loved, Jaya and Jogender but I honestly can't even imagine leaving here. Here I leave behind a whole other family. A mom, dad and brothers. Friends who I've felt like I've known for years when in fact it's only been 8 months. Yet at the same time I can't wait because I know I'm going home to a mom and dad and siblings who I miss like crazy. It's the weirdest feeling. High school foreign exchange is an incredible thing and I would encourage everyone to do it. They don't kid around when the say it's one of the best years of your life.

Birthday (:

So my 17th birthday has pretty much come and gone. It was beautiful. Paola, Romeo and the boys got me a very nice pair of sandals for summer and then tonight we all went out for dinner. It was nothing extravagant or extra-special. But that's what made it special - the fact that we were just family doing a simple, normal birthday celebration. Lorenzo asked if I was going to stay here forever and Paola explained I have a home somewhere else and I have to go back. We had normal birthday talk, went through all the boys birth stories, gave guesses on what we'll all be doing 20 years from now and Paola and Romeo told us what they did when they were 17. When we were talking about 20 years from now Paola and Romeo laughed at the idea of how big the table will have to be in 20 years. Then both talked about how I'm going to bring my kids here and they will be Nonna Paola and Nonno Romeo. I think that's really cool. That my foriegn exchange isn't just affecting my life, but also my childrens. That they're going to grow up with family in Italy: Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. That's really a beautiful thing. You can never have too much family. The restaurant is one of those lovely little places you think of when you think Italy. Stone buildings, low trees, statues and when we walked outside they all sang happy birthday 'tanti auguri' to me. Life is good.

On a fun note my Aunt Chiara is supposed to give birth to her third baby soon. In fact she's way over her due-date. Last night she dialated 5 cm and everyone thought she was going to have the baby today! The baby decided to put things on hold so we're still waiting but it would have been cool if he was born on the 15th of May too.

Xx