The First (And Probably Last) Post from Europe!

Ciao everyone! I am sitting in a hostel in Florence. It's excruciatingly hot here. But, I thought I would just write a bit about my trip thus far. I fly home on Friday (start planning the party now), and I can't wait to see everyone and talk about my experience.

Week 1 - Sanremo, Italy - Training
So, I met 4 Canadians that changed my life in Sanremo. They were there teaching just as I was, but it felt like I had known them all my whole lives and that we grew up playing kickball in a parking lot and running from the cops or some shit. Tommy is literally the funniest person I have ever met. Jen has this aura about her that is unmatched that I am drawn to. Lauren is so relaxed and was my best friend for about an hour while I cried on her shoulder. And Doug is probably one of the most gorgeous people I've ever met (not just his looks) on top of being one of the few people in this world that can communicate with me via our senses of humor. Needless to say I love all four of them and this is only the beginning for us, I am sure.

Weeks 2 and 3 - Rome, Italy - English Camp
So, from Nice, France to Sanremo I was on a train with this guy Rafael. We talked a few times in Sanremo, and seemed like a really nice guy. Turns out he would be at our camp the first week in Rome, and he was also my roommate. Definitely one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and I had an absolute blast talking with him about the things we have in common, and how much shit got on our nerves. He's definitely one of those people that I know I have to see again in my life, even if it's only for a brief moment. He felt like my brother and when he left the apartment we were staying in to go to his second camp in Milan, I got very upset. I still miss him and am hoping to see him in Milan this week.

Final weekend + Week 4 - Florence & Milan - Vacation!
So, now that my camp ended yesterday, I decided I would go spend some time in Milan seeing some of the people that I worked with there 2 years ago. Rachel is there doing her summer camp as well, so I am going to see her, my old school, 3 of the kids from the camp 2 years ago, and her host family from 2 years ago. I am so excited! On top of that, I am going to see Katia (with whom we are staying), Doug, Tommy, Lauren, Jen, Vanessa, and hopefully Rafael, Abi, and Jake...if it all works out. I fly home out of Malpensa which is about an hour from Milan on a bus, this coming Friday. I'm not sure what to expect from Milan because the last time I was there, I was working, but this time I am there with my best friend, 4 new soul mates, and a bunch of amazing people that have been nothing but amazing to me. I can't wait to see how the week unfolds.

I am missing everyone from home, and I am torn about coming home. I want to but at the same time I feel like I'm living a dream here. I love and miss everyone and can't wait to see you!!

America Sucks A Lot

So, as most of you know I have been a very avid David Archuleta fan on this season of American Idol. To be honest, I haven't really liked American Idol in the past. I liked Blake Lewis a little bit, but he's such a douche bag I kind of gave up on him. Carrie Underwood was awesome when she won. Other than that, I haven't been emotionally invested in the show at all. That is until this season.

Tonight, David Cook was named the new American Idol. Cool. Did you know that he already has been signed to a record company and has an album you can buy? Go to Amazon.com and buy it! You can also buy Brooke White's 2006 album here, as well as Kristy Lee Cook's 2005 album that Ren-Hen Records put millions of dollars in to and sold like 900 copies -- here. Not cool. I had a big problem with the show letting formerly signed artists on the show. It's not fair to the people that are trying to be discovered...like my good friend David Archuleta.

Further annoying me was that Simon was doing a media tour promoting David Cook. He didn't do this until Carrie Underwood's season, and it's paid off for the winning contestant. Let America decide on talent not what Simon says.

Anyway, I am not MAJORLY upset about tonight's results. I was in a bit of a shock because all three judges (to whom America listens) said Archuleta won all 3 rounds of singing last night. David Cook gets on stage and says, "Why would I do something I've already done?" and then start crying. BOOM you've got the sympathy votes.

Further adding to my frustration with David Cook...all of his "original renditions" of his songs were actually covers. Remember "Billie Jean?" Look up Chris Cornell's version of it on iTunes. I believe it's actually in the same key as well! HOW ORIGINAL!

I know Archuleta lacked some pizazz, but what he lacked in pizazz, he made up for in raw talent. His voice in unmatched, and no matter who you are (including the haters that love to play devil's advocate with me..aka Mason DeWitt), you can't deny that Archuleta has a phenomenal voice, and tore it up last night during the singing show.

At the end of the day, Archuleta is going to have a record deal, if he doesn't already. We'll hear from him again. I just wanted to see this kid's face light up because he is such an amazing talent, and I'm pissed that I didn't get to see it.

Tell me what you think.

Back To Italy 2008!

Guess what bbs????

I'm going back to Italy! I was waiting for the final confirmations before I started telling people, so now that I know for sure, here it is!

As most of you know, I taught in Milano in 2006. Well, this year I am going to be in ROMA! ! ! !

I am so ecstatic! So here are the deets of my schedule:

June 2: Pittsburgh to JFK; JFK to Nice, France
June 3: Nice, France to San Remo, Italy for a 4 day training. (Keep in mind the 4 day training is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!!)

June 8: Leave from San Remo to Rome, Italy!
June 9 - 21: Teaching as a tutor at a as yet to be determined school in Rome.

Now, I am going to be traveling June 21 - 27 but am still figuring out the details.

What I do know is that my return flight is June 27...OUT OF MILAN! This means that I am going to be able to visit Rachel who will also be teaching in Milan the same time I am, but I will also get to meet up with the people with whom I worked in 2006! Luca, Edoardo, and Flavia...here I come!

I am so excited and will finish my details later! YAY!

Listen to Hard Candy

Okay so now that I have had time to fully experience Madonna's 11th studio album Hard Candy, I have to say that it is a great dance/hip-hop album. I have a lot of friends that have been hard core Madonna fans. One of them hates it, and the rest love it.

At first I didn't really like the album. I thought it sounded REALLY weird for a Madonna album. But, after I listened to it a few more times I really got in to it. This happens to me with a lot of pop records for some reason. The same thing happened with Danity Kane and Mariah Carey's latest stuff.

Some of the songs that stand out are "Miles Away," "Give It 2 Me" and "She's Not Me." The song "Spanish Lesson" is really out of place and sounds nothing like the rest of the album. "Dance 2night" reminds me of the Beegees which is not a good thing.

At first, I thought the album sounded like a mix of Nelly Furtado and Gwen Stefani. Not realizing that both Nelly and Gwen worked with Pharell who worked on this album. Rolling Stone got it right when they said that Pharell and Timbaland were once the people to work with, but they aren't growing as artists. People can spot a Pharell or Timbaland song now without even thinking about it. What was once new and fresh is now getting old and repetitive.

Anyway, it is what it is. Turns out I love the record, though it is nothing like her previous albums in any way. Confessions remains my favorite Madonna album of all time.

Listen to Ferras

So, Ferras is picking up some radio play with "Hollywood's Not America" which I heard on the radio myself. I decided to download the entire album to see if there was anything on there that would strike my fancy.

Surely enough there is a great album within "Aliens & Rainbows." I really liked the album artwork too, which I have come to realize really effects how I perceive an album.

Anyway, to be completely awesome, I really like Ferras, but I don't think he's that unique. He sounds a lot like Gavin DeGraw or however you spell his name. But, there is a hint of Keane in there as well which makes me really like it.

So give it a listen. The album is $8 on iTunes, so go for it. Or, you can pirate it and get it from me. Happy Monday!

peas out.

Um...Check This Lemur

Listen to the Rain

It's some ridiculous hour of the morning, and as usual I am awake. The sounds of Ingrid Michaelson married with the pulse of the rain falling seems like perfection to me. The soft, ambient light is set to my mood, and there's even a vase full of colorful flowers that are still living from a sushi party a week ago.

It's times like these, albeit at 3:30a.m., that make me happy and force me to think about the better things that are going on in my life. But why does it take all of these things to orchestrate before I stop and think about what's going on in my life, and what I have to be thankful for? Yes, I just ended a sentence in a preposition. Back off.

I guess it's that Promethean attribute that is driving me to understand who I am at a faster pace. I mean I think to a certain extent it's a pretentious thought too. I mean I write a blog, listen to indie music, and buy fresh flowers for my home, all the while still being fascinated by the rain. Either way, I want to know more.

I think all I need to complete this setting is my black, wire-framed glasses that are a must for emo kids like me.

Until then,
peas out.

David Archuleta Crying!

Okay, if this kid wasn't amazing enough, he was heart broken earlier in the season when Alexandrea was kicked off. The camera cuts to him a few times, and then at the end she runs over and hugs him. Not only is he an amazing singer, but he's sensitive too! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Bleeding Heads on the Court!

Mikhail Youzney is an idiot.

Archuleta Wednesdays!

Wow! Definitely my second favorite performance! LOVING DAVID!