Sunset at Piazza Michelangelo

slowly it sunk behind
the mountain's shoulder
streaking the sky orange and yellow
but all i can think about is how it's
already been 8 and 1/2 minutes gone

and the sunset conversations others have

and where the sun is spinning to next

Viarreggio

Il treno
slender trees protruding from a lush green hillside
surrounded by wider broccoli trees
sporatic nature and organized crops combine to form a topographical quilt
green, brown, and variations of the two

sailboats inch nearer
bringing with them the wave
the sea catches debris
some natural some man made (salvataggio)

father and child cross legged
playing "football" with their heads
a little girl topless
dressed like her male counterparts
a grown women topless
with her eyes fixed on me as i passed

i stood
drew an image with my toes

i've seen more authenticity here
than i have all holiday

Cinque Terre

A body of water
Where blue meets blue
(venti cinque) twenty-five minutes to the next town

i wanted to suck the nectur but another bee beat me to it
Agave grows from these rocks

Accordian music
through a graffiti ridden tunnel
next to the Terranian green Sea
he places a happy meal box for change and
to attract tourists

everyone walks alone
no matter how large your group
with their pair of eyes
and sets of legs
it's wonderfully inconvenant
alone among friends

Next Town

Shiny water resembling glass or melted sugar
crashes on sedimentary rock

the oceans keep beat
just always slightly different
and though it is recognizable
it will never be monotonous

I could tell you how far I walked
or how long it took me
but counting my heartbeats
measures the journey more accurately
this view is worth it

the heat of the rock baked sun
warms my backside and I take in what I can
five shades of blue
and foam white
whiter than the clouds

the water kisses the cliffs and sings
swoosh swisshh
and other times roars

Terranian Sea

firefly firecrackers dancing
shimmering on her outer skin
he jumps
he swims
i lie on this body of rock

Santa Caterina de Seinna

Her heart's in one city
her finger in another
everyone wants a piece of her
she just wanted peace
and the pope to return to the holy city

Artsy Fartsy: in Italy

Chewy/Rancid
pepperconi noodles
marinated chicken in white wine, olive oil, basil, and balsamic
garlic rested in ice chest
while we cruised the streets
this was our last supper

Andre del Castagno (painter)

Galleria dell'Accademia David Michelangelo marble, 13' 5" H 1501-4

Michelangelo's David

David, you are in my face
You are cheesy, a cliche
You have been exploited
And then I saw you in person
And I have a new found respect
You, in your arched home
and in your light
I understand now
And I am sorry I doubted you

David stood in the back of the room but you noticed him right away- gasp
Luckily, for my curiousity and education Michelangelo died before finishing the statues he was commissioned to make. They are called the "prisoners" because they look locked in the marble, trapped.

View from the Duomo

Florence, your roofs are as one
Why? Because of the molto rain?
I noticed you
I looked through you
You welcomed me-
I noticed you
I looked through you
Past you
Tuscany
You welcomed me
I know you want to expose yourself
Verde verde verde
It rains
Volcano
You and your warmth (melted rock)
Slow moving
Veils my vista

Roma Oh La La Roma Roma Mama

Still Falls the Rain was the motto of week
And despite soakin' feet
We traveled Roman streets, crossed the Trevi by bridge, and insured our health by drinking from the Ugly Boat
a fountain at the bottom of the Spanish steps

If you are reading this, I wish you were here
Pictures are poor representations
My words more so
So as inspired as I am
I still cannot describe

Why Florence is not (feel) real.

Unpredictable winding streets accentuated by buildings that protrude further
Vanishing points are blurred
Streets meet, buildings disappear, but more glorious ones appear (Battistero`)
These narrow streets are are full of people on foot
They don't seem fit for traffic
but parked cars prove that it is permitted

The waiter called me Jennifer
He called all us American donna's Jennifer
I have seen and tasted what I cannot describe
I will continue to try

sono stanco (an excuse but the truth) i'm tired

I rode shotgun
the taxi driver dashed inbetween two buses
clipped his side mirror
nonchalantly he adjusted with the touch of a button
I survived
the rumors of crazy drivers are true and I am not disappointed

I am not fully functioning- not enough sleep
what time is it? where are we? what's next?

waiting for dinner-
and wine

Quick Overview

First I was going to need my birth certificate, obtained via place of birth Vandallia, Illinois. What's that, "two copies, for ten bucks? Deal!" Then the passport, one quick call to Liz...what year was mom born again? Picture taken at the post office, "no...don't smile." Application complete. Three payments over the course of five months. The countdown began. 90 days, then 21, then 12, and now I leave at 9:15 Monday morning. Board flight at 12:30, NY to Frankfurt, Germany, then Florence. Before I fully unpack I'll be on a train heading to Rome, May 14-16.

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to visit another part of this world. Art 111, ah, I was defiantly the only one awake during those fifty minutes of slides. Not only was I awake, but I was sketching the image, taking note of the artist and the medium. I didn't think that I would ever get to see the art in person. At the time I was content with the simulation, with the education. Within hours (though still several) I will visit Florence, Italy where there are more works of art than a person could ever see in their lifetime...I have three weeks.

I also have nine credit hours to complete! Carol Frick is the head of the History department at SIUE. She frequents Italy and has already been twice in the last three months...I am in good hands. From 9-11 a.m. we (my nine classmates, Frick and I) meet and tour the cobble stone streets of Italy. When I return, my assignment is to compose a ten page paper comparing and contrasting two sites I visit and their significance to Western Civilization.

I am also taking two independent studies classes. I will be comparing the women in art I see to women in today's media. There are more similarities then you think... This research gets me closer to my Women Studies Minor.

I am so excited about this last project, grab your napkins, friends. When I return from Italy, I will compose a cookbook for children which will be inspired by crisp Mediterranean flavors and the fresh produce of Florence's open air markets.

I know...there is so much to do! Wish me luck!

I am SIUE's Travel Study Ambassador! My Winning Essay

By graduating in Fall 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Liberal Studies, I will be the fifth college graduate in my family of ten. I have studied Art, Theater, History, Anthropology, Geography, and numerous other classes that have inspired me to learn. They have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Studying in Italy is the finishing touch, learning in 3D, what a textbook fails at mastering.

Fliers led me to a study abroad meeting; I met with Julie Beall-Marshal, and finally attended a study abroad fair. I could not in good conscience borrow money to pay for an entire semester abroad, so I chose the summer session with Carol Frick, which will focus on the Italian Renaissance. I know my three weeks in Italy will be invaluable to my real world education and serve as inspiration for creative endeavors. I would be happy to share my experiences with future students and be proud to serve as SIUE Study Abroad Ambassador.

Writing was my way of being heard in a family of five brothers and two sisters. Short stories morphed into poems and with the introduction of my first guitar transformed again into lyrics. At SIUE I have been introduced to multiple fields of study. "I've learned a little about everything, I've learned everything is little.” I sing. The messages of my lyrics were egocentric. The idea of "write what you know," implemented my pages.

Considering a career in journalism, a friend of mine suggested, "Study anything but journalism...what are you going to write about?" Connecting the diverse classes I have taken has contributed to a greater understanding of the human condition. My writing is still a reflection of my thoughts and feelings but has been broadened to incorporate the world in which I live.

Non academic reasons and desire to study in Italy are my love of new environments and situations. They are moments of growth and understanding. Traveling out of the country and learning about Italian culture is an opportunity I cannot afford to miss. I can’t wait to feel the Mediterranean climate, taste the diet, see the art in every structure, and live the culture. I know I will be inspired with every breath. I plan to capture my experiences through poetry, sketching, and keeping a journal.

R. Stone and I have practiced

But I am far from fluent

I am skilled in the art of body language-

I will taste Italy

Not what America has watered down for me

Fresh, Local, Vibrant

I will see structures

That will remind me of my size

And that we are all connected