So.. for all of you getting injured and crashing your bikes... Stop it. Stop it right now. I am serious Steven, if you ever do something like that again, I swear I am coming at you like a spider monkey (for those of you who don't know, it is a reference to a movie) So this past weekend, I was able to travel to Venice, Italy. It was awesome, and a really beautiful place. Sadly, I did not get to ride in a Gondola because I was a chaperone for the football team, but maybe next time. Venice right now, is going through a major renovation as Italy tries to keep the city from sinking all together. It was really awesome going through the city and seeing all of the shops that I will never be able to afford on a teacher's salary. But that is ok, it was fun to look through. There was also really cheap designer label stuff for sale on the streets and if you believe that it was real (like some of my football players) then I have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell you. Walking through the city, you realize how much those who explored the world for Italy, STOLE. It was crazy, art and everything from all over the world was placed everywhere and claimed as Venice's own. In particular, this winged tiger was stolen from Turkey. It just kind of reminds you how close the world really is, even during the renaissance era. Oh, that was awesome too by the way, seeing structures and art from the Renaissance. Seeing something as old as the 14th century was incredible. On a fun note, I did find the Murano glass that the city is famous for, and bought Mom a really nice piece of Italy (Don't worry Dad, Steven, I got you souvenirs too). Saturday, after the game, we went to an Italian pizzeria, where I ordered , what else, pizza. It was pretty good, but nothing like American pizza. I know right now people are reading this, or hearing this, and going, your crazy, but I simply have to have way greasier pizza. Godfathers, comes to mind.
I had a really kind of rough weekend, I found out that Truman is making me edit my IRB form. This form basically allows me to work on my research project. It is frustrating because in the email sent to me, the form states, "drop this off, as soon as possible." TRUMAN, LET ME BE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CLEAR, I AM IN GERMANY! I mean, come on! What do you want me to do, fly it to the states and drop it off personally? I know that I can email to my professor and have him drop it off again, but that is simply not the point. The mass email sent out, shows that Truman really has no idea what is going on with some of their student interns. I can't turn this is in as a hard copy because of being...umm.... out of the country. You would think that they would at least send another email, encouraging action to be taken, but at least taking into consideration some of the difficulties of living and studying abroad. I am asking for numerous prayers this week. I found out that my brother got in a pretty big bicycle wreck, and that my grandma was in surgery. Two of my friends also left for Uganda for a mission trip. Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers.
I miss all of you dearly, and I love Europe. School as been... quite the experience. I am working hard and trying to get my students to learn, but sometimes, I feel like I am just pulling teeth. But there are some who work really hard, and those who can be pains, really like learning too, they just don't know it yet. I am working nearly 14 plus hours a day, especially with trying to keep up with my online classes... and I am now done complaining.. because, A) I am in Europe, and B) I know that there are hundreds of people praying for me. I just re-read the post, and if it comes across like I am complaining, I am sorry. I know others out there are dealing with so much more, and frankly, I don't need to complain. I apologize for that.
On a much more positive note, I am visiting SO many awesome places, I love Europe and the history I am experiencing while I am here. I am working hard and trying to understand my purpose. I leave you with a few pictures from Venice. Keep praying for me, I miss and love you all!
