Celebrations
February 18, 2024
This week was full of celebrations (in the form of Coca-Cola, confetti, coffee, conversations, cake, cleaning, candles, and chocolate).
Monday, my friends and I took our long-dreaded Applied Statistics and Big Data Analytics exam and left thinking we all failed (we didn’t, but we spent a good 36 hours in a state of stress). At least it we got it out of the way! We spent the rest of the day enjoying some sunshine, sipping coke with lemon, and celebrating a birthday over Aperol spritzes.
Tuesday, the streets of Piacenza were packed, kids were running around, and confetti was all over the ground (literally—I don’t know how they are going to clean it all up, it’s on every block in the city). It brought a smile to my face, even though I wasn’t sure what all the commotion was about.
Wednesday, I celebrated Valentine’s with the girls. We got coffee in the morning, spritzes in the afternoon, and my friend Ruby and I made fresh rolls and peanut sauce for dinner that night. I bought myself flowers and had the best day!
Thursday, my friends finished exams (for now), and we celebrated with gelato and some good conversations.
Friday, my friend Pauline and I baked a cake for no reason at all, really. I decided we need a cake day once a month, to celebrate whatever is going on. This month it was a “Birthday/Valentine’s/Welcome back to Piacenza/one-year on Duolingo” confetti cake. That night, Ruby threw a party to since all our friends are finally back in town after the two-month holiday break. We drank wine, ate our cake, and had the best time catching up.
Saturday, I went on a long walk with my friend Ivana and deep cleaned my apartment. There’s nothing like a good spring cleaning. Ivana and Pauline came over that night and we painted candles, drank tea, and watched Bluey.
Today, there was a pop-up artisan market. Piazza Cavelli in the center of town is full of chocolate vendors this weekend, but there were artists and florists surrounding the Piazza today. (I’m eating pistachio fudge while writing this.)
So, as I said, lots of celebrations!! There's always something to celebrate.
Tomorrow, school is starting back up after our two-month break. This semester I’ll be taking Disease and Pest Management, Grapevine Varieties and Terroir, Grape and Wine Biotechnology, Management of Organic Viticulture, and Theology. I’m looking forward to learning more about winemaking and grape growing, I’m looking forward to getting back into routine, I’m looking forward to exploring the area more, and I’m looking forward to making more memories with friends.
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