Carnivale

        Do you know what is pretty amazing? Something not everyone can say they have done, unless you livehere. Or if you just so happen to be studing abroad that year, which includes me! Well I will tell you then! I went to a Carnivale in Italy! Or in my opionion more like a parade that stopped in the middle of the road...

        To all my readers, I went on Saturday to see the Carnivale. Normally many people get dressed up and join also! So of course, being as I am a Drama Club student in America, I found a way to get colorful! (Which mind me, is much harder then you think. I did not exactly remember to put on my list before coming to Italy - carnivale clothes) Really what that means is you go through your clothes and then find the most ridiculous match possible. Something you would only wear to school or around town if that was the only thing clean left. My rundown will be short. I had on earlier in the day some black pants, so I kept them on and put on black sparkly shorts overtop. Then I put on a t-shirt and my green blazer that I have not worn yet in Italy :( It goes on the list of impratical things I did not need. (Which I really have a lot! Really it is only the grown ups here that look spot on fashion, the kids still look good, but it just is different.) Nextly, I put on my acessories! <3 Which pretty much included everything I brought to Italy also, I was going for the crazy lady in the Titanic movie that worn all her jewlary. *Always*  Also some animal ears to make my outfit finished. I did see some strange costumes also at this parade!

        Now I had a gang of about 6 other people go too. Walter the old host brother of Celeste, Emi, Giorgina, Nonia, Glenn, and then Walter's friend. The girls all got dolled up and we did our carnivale makeup. I was incharge of Mine, Glenn's, Nonia's, and Walter's. I think we all looked killer. As I only had an hour to do them all. 

        ANYWAY! That was all the getting ready part, but at the Carnivale itself, we had tons of fun! We saw floats of the Simsons, of Frozen, of polital guys, of strippers and more! It was like one big street fair, and it had everyones attention! I think pictures at this point will be better to explain my Carnivale experience in Italy. 

Till next time readers! *Really you all should go abroad! It is the best thing ever!*

XOXO | § | Brystal | § |

Dear Diary

        Blog time! What to talk about is always the question I ask myself, I am not even sure how people make a living out of this... I am sure that I would get bored and run out of things to talk abut, and then get angry that I choose such a lame career. Funny thing is, I love reading blogs! Mainly about fashion because I am a girl of course! In general I am blogging to just remember what I did when I was in Italy. #I am So very forgetful!

        In a way its like an online diary of sorts, so...

Dear Diary, 

Oh god I can already tell this will be horrible! ..... Today is March 3rd and I am just sitting in school in my free hour, writing a blog! No seriously, lets get down to business, what have I been up to recently!?!

Well as I told you on my last blog, I changed host families! Now I have lived with this host family (Greco) for 8 days, and I still love them! Yesterday, the host dad (Salvatore), the 3 host sisters (Mary, Giorgina, and Emi) and I of course, went to Terranova. This is such a small little town even farther south then I am already. We just spent time eating at the aunts resturant and went sight-seeing. We even got to play with a bunch of furry animals. PUPPIES!!!!! -I love dogs of any kind, I am not a cat person, but give me a cutie with floppy ears and I go dog crazy! They are like heaven really! They even named one puppy after me, how sweet!!! My name is Brystal Chanel Paey, so the dog was named Chanel! I can not wait to go back and see her, she probably already misses me <3 .....Pictures of this day at the bottom!

Science week at my school has ended! I do not know if I am happy or not?..... I liked it and hated it. Now wait a minute to hear me out. Science week was when the students taught class, and teachers did nothing. It was organized by students for students. Well as I am Interculteral AFS, I had my own lab to teach! FUN! *Sarcasm* I love public speaking, BUT I also am not fluent in Italian, so I never knew exactly how to say anything. Also I do not normally speak italian to a room full of about 40-70 people. Yes you heard me, their were not many labs, so each student teaher had to host about that many people. One day I counted 69 people in my class, but they kept coming so I gave up. Now I was not so alone the entire week. The other exchange students came to help a little. Mostly my girl Noriko! Celeste came once (The australian) because she only only had that day before she left! (Which btw, she is back in the AU now). Now Noina, Glenn, and Valentino also helped me at least once each! But there was 1 dat I was by myself, and I did not know what to do.... I can only talk so much about the USA without getting bored or repeating myself. (I mean you try filling an hour each day of new material about your country.... Not a piece of cake)

Well diary, that about sums up what I have been doing. Good night!

Love always, Brystal

*Anyway, thanks for reading! I just noticed I never pushed the publish button, so this is from last week! SMH!!* 

| § | XOXO Brystal | § |

I Got Run Over In Italy!

      Crazy days come and they go, but what is left of those days is called a memory. Now I will push replay on my month so far, it's kind of been huge.

       As most of you know, I had been living with a host family, the Gatto's. They consisted of a mother, father, brother, and sister. Since about Christmas I have noticed that I was not part of their family. So I finally worked up the courage to speak to AFS intercultural about my problems. I asked to switch host families. They excepted also, after many hours and a long email sent. I had a "going away/moving out party" with the Gatto's. I am not sure why?.... Then I calmly packed up my room, which, I had just finished doing yesterday-Sunday. Then I changed families. I now live with my friend Emi and her amazing family, or technically my new family also. I am so happy now :)

       Another big news killing headline was that I was hit by a moterbike! If you have ever been hit, you know what I am feeling like. BUT if you have not, it really feels like a moment of confusion as their vehicle makes contact with you. After, your on the ground and you start to wonder how you got there, then you ask yourself, "Was I just hit?" It is not till about this point that you feel like you were hit. Did I mention it was on Valentine's day? <3

       So I went to the hospital and found out I have a sprined ankle, that is a nice color of purple at this moment. I also have an ugly brace and some crutches to use! (I refuse to walk with crutches!) I finish with all this medical care on March 5th.

       Some other things about this month. At school this week we are having student week. It is when there is no classes and no teachers teaching, unless they refuse to let you go. We do activities instead! For example today I was signed up for break dancing with Valentino helping out. (He is the new exchange student from Belgium) I went to see him dance mainly :)

       Oh course something always goes wrong so I missed that hour and had to go with Noriko (the exchange student from Japan) to help with origami! We were the only 2 people teaching. Should I mention I never did that before in my life?! Yay, now I have a swan! Then after this I went to the AFS Interculteral lab. I got to talk and so did Noriko and Glenn. Glenn is also from America <3 we invaded Lamezia together!

       That's a wrap from my memory! I hope you had a better February then I did! It will get better now that I am healing.

| § | XOXO Brystal | § | 

Rich People Walking Around Nude? - What?

        Would you count yourself as observant? Do you notice the small details in everything? Are you quick to believe some things because everyone else believes them? What do you believe?...

        Recently I have noticed something strange about sterotypes. American sterotypes to be exact. I would like to clear them up for you. Now there is the normal one that we are all fat and do not know how to cook. My host family firmly believes in this. I have asked to cook for them, just for the host sister and brother to say they would not even try it. So I do not cook. They won't let me because the only American food they have ever tried came from McDonald's. So the sterotype is that Americans only have food similar to McDonald's. Greasy, fried, covered in salt, soda, grilled. Now if you are American you might be thinking, "That is not all we eat!" Evidently not all Americans weight 300+ pounds, or eat fast food all the time. So what do we eat?

        I came up with a few items that we eat that I have not had from my host family yet. Making me think, they do not know what it is. List time!!!

- Gingerbread houses for Christmas time
- Chocolete chip cookies. No one makes them like the US do. My host family does not even know what a chocolate chip is.
- Smores, seriously? This is a go to campfire food.
- Potato pancakes, this might just be my American family that eats these.    
- Hamburgers, they gave me one and forgot the bread, tomato, lettuce, cheese. Everything but the meat.
- Hotdogs, they have them just without the bread....
- Chili, it is meat and like tomatos, but you eat this with tortilla chips
- Pumpkin roll, or really any dessert out of pumpkin or carrot
- Chicken noodle soup, my friends parents made this once, but differently, not with all the liquid part...
- Apple pie people, my host mom has no idea what it is

        That is to give you an idea that Americans do not just eat deep fried food. Also because my host family won't let me cook, I guess they will never try the awesomeness. More for me. BUT this sterotype of the USA not knowing how to cook should end, unless you had a real American cook for you.

And we are not all fat. Just saying......

        Ok now to deal with the newer sterotypes I have noticed. They revolve around the music industry.

        People look at the American music industry, at their idols and think that's just the life of a normal American. My host brother asked me if we all have so much cash that we can rub it on our bodies and throw it into the water like Rihanna did in "Pour it up." - Rich greedy Americans have no idea that Italy is poor. Well Italy has no idea that America is poor too.

        I have been asked if all American boys are like Justin Bieber. First he is from Canada, and 2nd not everyone does drugs and goes shirtless all the time.

- As a side note with JB, Americans want to kick him out, there is a petition for the White house to do so. I notice that it is not just him that gives American people their bad reputation. Should I mention that Rihanna is not American either, but people think she is, so we get bad things said about us because of her.

        Recently I was in an English class, where I got asked the question about being nude. No not me, but in general do all American girls feel comfortable walking around like Miley Cyrus did in "Wrecking Ball?" Well that's an exteme sterotype, can I just say no and not need to explain why?

So, yes this is just three examples, but seriously take the time to look at every other famous song out today that is repeated on the radio 100x times per day. Really listen to the words, someone over seas is wondering if that is how all Americans think, and act.

        Same with movies. They influence the world to believe that is how Americans are like. Being abroad I get to be part of a Facebook page that we write all the ridiculous things people think about our country. I have a few at the bottom for you to read. Sterotypes, people, are not good. Neither is judging a country by what you see on social media.

Till next time <3 by the way, this is the half way point in my fashionable journey !

| § | XOXO Brystal | § | 

Nothing At All

        This is what I call "A quick update!" Yup! What have I been up to recently? Well I can honestly say next to nothing! It is after Christmas, and all plan making has failed completely!

I have taken up Knitting! So useful if no one in your family knows how to knit. I am doing this with Noriko the Japanese girl, and surprisingly she's been more bored then I was! we started making scarfs on Wednesday of last week, today makes a full week later, andI should mention that this scarf should take a normal person 2-3 weeks. She is so ahead, like a steam engine. She said that is all she has been doing, breathing-eating-sleeping while making a scarf.... Mine is a cranberry color <3

        I have also gotten back into the swing on school. Everyone has been going through the awful interrogations, except for me! Thank goodness, they all really have to remember such useless stuff! I think sooner or later I will have to do them, but this then I will keep reminding everyone I speak a different language.... Gosh I AM so lazy! I could probably attempt one in math, but I have no clue what the teacher does. Maybe layer guys :)

        Only other exciting news, for me, is I won't be the only American in Lamezia anymore! Yes! A girl from California is coming Sunday, i will meet her at the airport! #NotAloneAnymore

        Of your at all curious about by host family, they are all well! Except Maria went back into her bubble of not talking..... Guess I have to get used to it again

| § | XOXO Brystal | § | 

My Family!

Ciao tutti! So it occured to me that you need pictures of my host family! So yes this will all be about my host family!

Signor Pietro Gatto (Papa)
Sì this is the dad! So for all you to get the jist of things, he loves to run! He is always out running, and running, and running! Even when his legs hurt, he runs! This is what I will call true love! <3 He also loves his job! He works with computers. When I went to go get my residence permit, I went and saw his work! (I think it is boring, but if it makes him happy that is all that counts right?) Also he eats so much! Everyday at dinner I find a pile of fruit skins (because Italians dont eat them I guess?) It is really funny! He is also sweet as pie!

Signora Annamaria Gatto (Mama)
So of course this is the mom! First thing you should know about her, if she is great at her job. Being a mom! I am always surpriced when I come home to find that she takes care of everything! Meaning - She cooks, cleans, laundry! ALL! She loves to clean: she goes around almost everyday and cleans everything! She also hates it when I put my shoes on my bed! Because they are dirty! I do not know why I do this, habit maybe? She also cooks everyday! She spends hours cooking! (And when someone does not like what she makes, she cooks something else for them) She is a great cook, reminds me of my american mom! To top it off, after those hours of cooking, she does all the dishes! I had to beg her the first week to let me clear off the table! I am not a house guest! I am also surprised no one else likes to help out, it is just not a thing in Italy. (Or maybe just this house) Sunday is also her big "lets clean everything day!" So laundry of everyone is done then. I do my own because I can not stand letting her do everything, for everyone! She is a trooper!

Attilio Gatto (Brother)
First off - I do not see him often, he is always working or with his lovely girlfriend! He is 23 and loves to play soccer! He looks like he has fun doing it too! He does online college, so really good luck! (My american sister does this too! Love ya Age) He also is crazy about the USA,he wants to go there one day and become an accountant. He has a phone case of the flag and all! Attilio is also very kind, and trys so hard to speak english with me! (Well really they all do, but you can tell they knew next to nothing before I came....) OH and lastly, just like the father, he loves to eat!!!! But still they both stay so skinny?!?

Maria Gatto! (Sister)
I have had experience with 3 of my own sisters, so I thought this would be a breeze for me. BUT it is not. Why? Well because she does not now how to act with a sister, I plan on helping her with that! Pop her bubble and let her out! Now, Maria is really pretty, perfect picture of Italian! She loves to skype her friends also! After school each day she cooks, I can see where this came from! She also loves sweets just as much as I do! It is fantastic that she loves shopping as much as me, so we go out all the time! The only problem is she never seems to talk, and it's because she is shy. But if you have any suggestions on how to get her to talk to me more, feel free to tell me! Maybe time will help?!?

OK That was a rundown of my Italian family! :)

| § | XOXO Brystal | § |

My host dad and a little girl we go out to eat with but I completely forgot her name...

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Brain Food!

        Information is like food for the brain. For the last few months mine has been on overdrive to learn as much as possible ! It's kind of fantastic if you think about it, how much stuff it can hold.

        My update on Italian.... I have been taking mandatory lessons for ever now in Italy and they are finally ending! There is maybe 6 left and I have been wanting this day to come since the beginning. Yes, I know, shouldn't I want to study? No... I am human, I don't take it as a fun thing to do when I could be doing something else less productive. (But more fun!) I actually hated the lessons at first. I was constantly thinking that it was Noriko and I that didn't know any Italian, and then Celeste who has an Italian mother... Which gave her an advantage! :) She did end up being top in the class also....

        But for the normal people who started out fresh, Noriko and I, it was hard for us.... Now, I never really at first could talk to Noriko as she was 100% Japanese. Different language! Now we talk all the Time! BUT, back then I would assume she had just as hard of a time as I did during the lessons. The teacher Laura would speak Italian, and I would look at her like... Humm you could be saying anything at all and I wont understand.... Needless to say I later found out Noriko did have a hard time! So I dont feel like a complete loser! :)

        Now lessons are ending and I am surprised to find I dont want them to end... I mean I got used to them in my schedule! They were even getting fun! ... Plus there is the obvious fact that I still am not fluent.... In the grammar, reading, writing, speaking .... So more lessons would be fine with me <3

        Now we do a lot of crazy stuff .... Oh really we did a lot of crazy stuff.. oh gosh it is really ending.! Anyway, crazy like doing a Madlib in English and translating it to Italian. Can I say that was almost impossible because the teacher did not know the words and it was Celeste and I with our bad Italian! Noriko does not know much English... So yes Enjoy the English version below!

        (The Madlib was taken from AmazingPhil a youtuber I watch from England! This is called Z-day for Halloween!)

Brystal: 

        It has been '25' months since Z-day. The infection began when 'Justin Bieber' kissed the diseased 'walrus' on the 'tongue'. My name is Brystal, me and 'Michele Phan' have been living in the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' for '19' days. One day a zombie broke in where I keep my 'toliets'. I had to butcher him with my trusty 'car wheel'. Until I slipped and hit my 'fingernails' in some 'hair'. In my shock a zombie bit my 'eyes' off. I remain in 'Chicago' devouring the living. It turned out the cure was an injection of 'milk', but it was to late!

Celestina's: 

        It has been '10' months since Z-day. The infection began when 'Sia' kissed the diseased 'dog' on the 'boobs'. My name is 'Celestina', me and 'Jenna Marbles' have been living in a 'Sydney Opera House' for '25' days. One day a zombie broke in where I keep my 'tables'. I had to butcher him with my trusty 'chair'. Until I slipped and hit my 'face' in some 'dicks'. In my shock a zombie bit my 'legs' off. I remain in 'China Town' devouring the living. It turned out the cure was an injection of 'glue' but it was to late!

        So yes :) hope you enjoyed it! It was extremly funny, we did 2 others ! :) BUT thankfully only translated one!

That is it for now! Till next time readers

| § | XOXO Brystal | § |

This is it in Italian LOL!!!

My girls <3

I go to lessons in PJs.... :) Got to learn in comfort right?

Group shot!

Teacher = Laura!