buongiorno, principessa! <3

Monday, June 15, 2009, 10:14 PM

WELLA, HELLO.

How horrible is it that I have absolutely NO idea how to start off my first blog entry ever? Terrible, I suppose. Anyway, I guess I should start off by introducing myself. My name is Julia, I'm from Scottsdale, Arizona, and I am currently 16 years old. My birthday is August 2nd, so in about a month, I will be 17! And in about two months...I'll be in Torino, Italy for AFS' 2009 - 2010 year student exchange program! Hah, bet you didn't see that one coming! But yes, it's true. After pleading and prying to my parents about a student exchange for what seemed like forever, they finally allowed me the opportunity to apply to an AFS program of my choice. I've always admired Italy, and I've always wanted to learn the language as well, so what better way than to choose my first choice country? Plus, my mom and all of her family speak fluent Italian, and I've always dreamed of coming back to America after a study abroad program and being able to talk to them in both Italian AND English.

So, after applying and gaining acceptance into the amazing program, my parents handed me one more demeaning challenge before officially handing over a big check to AFS. I had to get a summer job. This didn't seem like such a hard task at the time, but after months and months of my petty attempts, nothing seemed to be working. I gave up hope. Italy would soon be a dream that would stay a dream, and I would have to endure another year in Scottsdale, Arizona. But then, I had one last idea I attempted to try: the Teen Employment Program. It's this program in Arizona that helps kids get part time jobs when they really need them and have no other options. AKA, me. Luckily, the program gave me an amazing employment counselor who really helped me when it came to finding a job. (If you're reading this, Shelia, you don't even know, that meant the WORLD TO ME!) After applying to multiple places, I finally was able to land a job working as the assistant to a hotel owner. This is currently my eighth day of work, and though it may be 'work,' it is still getting me one step closer to my dream.

I am so happy to have this opportunity, and if you are reading this right now, I hope it enables you to want to go abroad as well! I'll be updating this as much as I can; my goal is at least once a week. But that might change in Italy, of course.

Hope you enjoy my blog, and thanks for visiting my page!

'Till next time,

Julia

baciiiii times a thousand!

P.S. Oh! I forgot to explain why my site is called what it's called. Well, my blog, 'Buongiorno Principessa,' is named after the infamous line from 'La Vita E Bella,' or 'Life is Beautiful.' Such a gorgeous movie, especially if you are interested in Italian Cinematography/Film like I am.

3 comments

oooh Juli, believe me, you'll be much excited about your family for much time.
hahahaha.. Now, passed 3 months, I relax about that..
nice bloog! :P

By Valentina Rampini, at June 21, 2009 at 3:41 PM

Hi Julia,

Did this blog go through? I'm never going to be too old to learn new things.

Grandma

By evelyn chugerman, at June 26, 2009 at 8:20 AM

awesome your blog i like it...
thanks for shearing..
nice detail..

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By Anonymous, at February 27, 2015 at 10:40 AM