Amazing day

I woke up this morning around ten. Walked out into the kitchen, and was greeted by Marinella. She threw out her arms and wrapped me up and gave me the greatest, longest good morning hug in the world. What on earth am I going to do when I go back to LA and Marinella doesnt come with me? Every single morning when I get up she is there to give me hugs and kisses and love on me. It is the greatest thing in the world.
The sun was shining, so I was dying to get outside. Midterms start tomorrow, so I told myself I needed to spend the day studying, but I wasnt about to spend it studying all cooped up inside. So I decided to find a park. I told Alexandra that I wanted to leave, and she thought it was a great idea and decided to join me, so did Jackie. The three of us headed out. We stopped for cappucinos along the way, and after a beautiful walk arrived at Santa Maria Novella. Its one of the few places in the city that we know of with huge patches of grass. We found a spot and sat. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. It was the greatest feeling. The three of us just sat there in awe of the lives we are living right now. "Is this real life" was said about ten times. We talked about how we are the luckiest people in the world, and got depressed with the realization that this is halfway over. We made a pact to never mention the amount of time we have left...
I put my ipod in and listened to Beethoven, Alexandra helped me with my Italian homework. After a bit the girls were hungry so got up to go to a pizza place, I stayed and people watched. Right next to us there was a little boy, no older than 10 playing with a soccer ball. He was unbelievably skilled in handling the ball. At one point a group of men walked up to him and he passed one the ball, the 5 of them sat there passing the ball to each other and showing off with different tricks for about ten minutes. It reminded me of the episode from Everybody Loves Raymond (shout out to grandma and grandpa verd because I know they probably know the episode) when Rays family goes to Italy and Ray finally falls in love with the trip when he runs into the kids playing soccer. After a bit the group of men left, and an older man walked up. He was easily 60 or 70, but stood there passing with the little boy and doing some tricks himself. He had a little dog that came and played and chased the ball around. I was dying with laughter and so enjoying the show in front of me. Two kids my age had walked up at one point and were also enjoying the view. It was a boy and a girl. The boy got up and one point and joined as well, and I called the other girl over. Alexandra and Jackie came back with their pizza, and the boy came back and sat down. The five of us introduced ourselves and got to talking. As I have said before, the world is small. The two students go to USC and know one of my oldest friends Aly Bullock, and her roommate Callen. The girl was visiting from Amsterdam and the boy is studying here in Florence, through Sarycuse University. We talked with them for a while, shared stories of traveling and gave one another suggestions. It was fun to sit and talk to complete strangers and find such common lines between our lives. They left and we did too, dark and ominous clouds were coming.
We ran over to Alexandras favorite gelatto spot, La Carria and got home just as it began to rain.
I took a nap, and have been studying ever since.
It was such a beautiful day. I am so in awe of the fact that I got to sit out in front of such a historical place on such a beautiful day and enjoy the company of strangers and the entertainment of Italy's favorite sport.
La vita e bella!