When I originally put Italy down as one of my choices, I had a, now very apparent, misconception about the temperature in Italy. I conjured up images of beaches, sun, heat; not rain, wind, even snain (my made-up word for very wet snow). I remember when was told I would be spending this year in Italy, I said "Imagine if I end up somewhere where there's snow". Well the misfortune gods were listening, and they really seem to like me so I am not surprised that it is cold here. Although seasons are nice, although it is VERY wet here, all the time. A cold winter is what I am used to so it isn't too bad.
The past month has been much of the same routine. Attendance of school (it is still hard to get through the day as I don't feel like I am actual a student at the school, more just like a listener) , biking around town, drinking coffee and tea, studying Italian and not too much else. At the beginning of the month, my grandparents arrived in Udine from Germany after spending some time in London with my cousin. We spent a couple of days taking trains to Venice and Trieste, and just playing cards and lounging around. It was nice to see some familiar faces. I traveled to Gorizia (about 30 minutes on a train) to see the town, and visit my friend and a chocolate festival! The chocolate festival was interesting, just a lot of chocolate and rain and a few rides (which were crazy and definitely would have been deemed unsafe if they had been in Canada). This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Milan with my host mom and little sister. We went by train and stayed with my host aunt's family. Milan is a beautiful city always bustling with action and excitement. The exterior of the duomo (cathedral) is probably the most incredible church I have ever seen. We browsed through a Salvador Dali art exhibit which was amazing for me because I studied his work last year in History. I could have spent all day trying to figure out the meanings behind the intricate randomness of his art work. While I was in Milan, I was able to spend a few hours with another familiar face (my friend Kiah, from Kamloops). Her life in Milan is basically awesome, and the Milanese Rotary actually has.. functions and trips (weird for Italy, I know). My highlight of this weekend was eating pancakes, peanut butter and maple syrup, which I have missed so dearly, as well as visiting a rainy, cold Venice which was interesting because it seemed  more like a livable city and less like a toy that tourists play with 90 percent of the year. We found grass, and a basketball court, in Venice! Imagine calling up your buddy and asking him to come shoot some hoops, in Venice. 
This week will be full of packing, for my trip to Bologna to see Kings of Leon, no big deal, (and eat bologna sandwiches although I have been told like a tacky american, no offense, that they don't, in fact, have bologna sandwiches there). More importantly, packing to move host families. Next Sunday, on my three month mark, I am moving into my second host family. I am excited, but nervous because the change could have a better or worse impact on my already kinda difficult life. These next three months may continue to be the hardest months of my life, but after meeting my third host family, I am one hundred percent positive that the last months of my exchange will be great. I will have similar-aged host siblings, who are awesome by the way, as well as very welcoming parents. Also springtime will bring the visit of my parents and Reidy (hahaha), our trips to Rome and Florence (hopefully.. Mom? Dad?), as well as a mini exchange to England with my classmates to improve our English skills (should be helpful for me..), and a trip to Leon, France with my school soccer team. Spring is wonderful.
Christmas is fast approaching and I am really missing the beginning festivities of home like Christmas music in malls and at work, and Christmas lights, and snuggling with the girls in front of some stupid movie with tea and cookies, putting up our ugly, homemade Christmas decorations at home (although that is usually around Dec 23), and a winter wonderland. Honestly, I am a little nervous for Christmas here mainly because I have no idea what to expect with my next family, but fingers crossed that it will be just as festive.
Also as a perfect example of my somewhat enjoyable, but a little depressing life, I went and saw Harry Potter 7 alone at the theatre, but still sat there at the ending credits trying to pull myself together to leave because of it's amazingness.... and I saw it in Italian! Harry Potter is just awesome. Punto.