The Italians Don't Celebrate Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Hannah and I woke up this morning, looked at each other, and she said to me, "I don't want to talk about it" I replied "I don't want to hear it," and so it was our goal to go about today pretending it wasn't Thanksgiving, and that we weren't homesick, and that it was just another Italian day. Too bad no one else got the memo, and we were forced to be thankful for all our blessings (kidding, kidding...). SUF did mandate today Pie Day, and gave out free little pieces of apple and pumpkin pie around campus at various times throughout the day. Originally, I thought I'd missed it because I got to school from my internship after the original designated pie time, but my Italian teacher pulled a few strings and got some for us for our intervalo (break) during class! Though previously, when I'd thought I'd missed pie day, there were some cartons of apple juice left over...some completely full...and unopened...and I miss apple juice (it's hard to find here, plus goodness knows I drank gallons as a kid), and may or may not have taken a giant juice box's worth and stashed it in my bag for us to enjoy in the library later...shhhh don't tell!

Anyway, this morning began with tours at Palazzo Vecchio. Almost late (but not!) to my first one at 10:30, I took a Brazilian couple around the Palazzo, and they were really fun and interactive and I enjoyed giving that tour. But no one showed up for my 12pm tour so I headed to school on time for Italian (but, sadly, not in time for pie). I only had Italian, and after I headed to the library to do some work. I applied for four internships this afternoon. I was on a roll, amiright? Yeah? Ohhhh yeah. In the middle of applying for a new scholarship at SU. It's not much, about $500 a semester I think? Or just a one-time $500, but hey, I'll take what I can get! I just had one of those GASP moments where I realized I missed a meeting with my professor, my internship coordinator Prof. Duni. I feel AWFUL. Will be emailing him immediately.

There's a Damien Hirst exhibition opening today at Palazzo Vecchio in the studiologio, and at work this morning I was handed a fancy ticket to see the exhibit tonight on the opening night (well I felt important!). It was valid for two people. I text Hannah, "Wanna be my plus one?" so at 5:30pm we headed over. We breezed through all the (intense) security and roped off sections, and hopped in line. Only 12 people are allowed in the little room at a time, and only for 5 minutes. You walk in from the Sala di 500 (the main room) into the studiologio, and then escorted into a pitch black room where the only light seems to be radiating from this crystal skull! It's an 18th century human skull, dipped in platinum, and encrusted with diamonds. It's a freak. Damien Hirst is known for his extravagant displays (he's designed pianos for Lady Gaga) and is a big name in contemporary art (especially because of his work with Sotheby's). The story is that when Damien called his mom and told her about the skull project, she responded, "Oh for the love of God, Damien," and so that's what this piece is called, "For the Love of God." Fun fact!

The viewing was pretty cool, I'm not one to necessarily get weird over diamonds, but this was just something else. We headed home almost dizzy and came home to our Italian version of Thanksgiving dinner: carne with pomodoro e formaggio (like a red meat version chicken parm) and pasta pomodoro and salad and bread with of course, dessert. At that point Hannah and I gave up: we're very thankful this Thanksgiving!