karen avec theo: January 2009

During my one year in Firenze (2001-2002), I sent out email updates to my family and friends. This was before digital camera was the norm so I wasn't able to attach pictures along with the emails. I need to scan selected pictures and post them along with the updates I emailed 7 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long!

Jan. 17th 2002
Finals are over! Thursday was the last day. I look and feel as though I've been through hell and back. Yet, I have never felt more exhilarated in my life! This past semester, I have learned, seen, and experienced so much at once, sometimes it can be overwhelming just thinking about the past 4 months. Education at school has been a wonderful experience. I'm surrounded by highly creative and motivated students and I feel lucky to be in the same program as them. Everyone has a different approach to their work and it's so fascinating to see the results. The term garment presentation was exciting as usual. And the required suit jacket and pants I made were received very well by the professors and students. Got an "A!" But the weeks that lead up to that point were just filled with intense work hours and practically no sleep. The two weeks that we had off was a blessing and a curse. The winter break in London was great except when we came back to school it took us a while to adjust and prepare for final presentations. This past week, 1 to 2 hours of sleep was what I averaged per night. I go to school and it's great to know I'm not alone as I see zombies strolling into the classrooms. Living with three other fashion design
majors is so helpful when we get sleepy and tired during one of those long nights. We encourage each other, talk, laugh and take turns acting as an alarm clock. It's different from last year in NYC at F.I.T. I guess it's not quite comparable. But I do miss the hustle and bustle of living in a street block filled with students working on projects. In Firenze, we have our own F.I.T. apartment, except here we can see the Duomo, San Lorenzo, San Marco church, and the hills of Tuscany from our terrace.

The past four months, I have been engulfed by a new culture. The language, food, people, art.... There's a certain charm to this city. There are so many grandparents. Not to mention the fact they are the best dressed grandpas and grandmas I've ever seen! They're always hopping on and off the bus, riding their bicycles zooming through the tiny streets, or walking everywhere. Where they go? Who knows. All I do know is that these Italian grandparents have major style.

I can tell children here are just as passionate as the adults when they talk. They put their hands together, shaking it up and down. Or they would have the ends of their fingertips touch as they hold up both arms. They look like little adults when they do those "typical" Italian gestures. It's the cutest sight ever!

Florentines are generally hard working people. But they sure know how to enjoy life too! Their Etruscan ancestors will be proud to know entertaining with great food and wine is still the ONLY way to entertain here.

The Tuscan food is delicious. And everytime we go to this really great restaurant by the Duomo, I always end up saying to them, "ho mangiato benissimo" (I have eaten very well).

Cooking has become very exciting only because I have discovered three main ingredients that can make a world of difference for pastas and pasta sauce. Garlic, anchovies, and olive oil. And what a difference it makes!!! It has changed my life completely! I wouldn't know what to do with myself without those ingredients! Little things can make me so happy!

My Italian is improving considering the only word I knew in Italian was Buon Giorno before I arrived in Italy. But I do feel the need to practice more. The next months I have left, I'm going to try harder. I must mention though, Italians say my accent is very good!

The art I have seen around Italy and at the Tate Modern in London has been so inspiring. To pass by Ghiberti's East Doors, to see Brunelleschi's Duomo, to pass by the Medici Chapel where Michelangelo's charcoal drawings on the walls are preserved. To actually be able to touch the outside of the window where he was in hiding. To live on the same block where the Medici Palace is located. To be able to go to the Uffizi, to see drawings by Degas, Renoir, Mondrian, Toulouse-Loutrec, Van Gogh, Seurat, Chagall, Matisee, Klee, De Kooning, Cezanne - only to name a few!! To see drawings that were once in their sketch books. Drawings they didn't know would be exhibited. Personal, quick, rough sketches. But to actually see that exhibit at the Uffizi Gallery where Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," and Da Vinci's "The Annunciation" is located. It's amazing. The time span between these artists. All at the Uffizi. It's just complete heaven.... The cities I visted are Sienna, Capri, Napoli, Venice, Reavenna, Assisi, Sermione, Verona, and Milan. I still have more places to visit in Florence!

The other country I've been to in Europe so far is England. Five days in London. What an amazingly beautiful and freezing city! Not to mention expensive! It is so much like New York! The diversity of people, and even the names of areas like, Chelsea and SoHo! The lights of Big Ben and the Parliament never looked more beautiful than it did on New Year's Eve. To spend New Year's Eve in London was so special. But to be so far from my family for the first time was pretty hard. Thank goodness for cell phones!!

FINALLY, I was able to have Korean food in London! Except I would've paid $10 - $15 in NY or LA. But in London, it was $30! I went in the "Tube," that's what they call their subway system. It's so efficient and clean!! The pubs were a great experience in the Soho district. But what was
really exciting was actually speaking English to other English speaking people! I know that may sound silly. But it was quite a thrill for us three! The art was amazing at the Tate Modern! Art pieces were shown by thematic groups rather than the traditional chronological order. It was such an interesting way to view art. They had 4 groups, one related to landscape and environment, another just nudes, third is still or real life, and the last one is memory or society. It was an awesome exhibit. I wanted to start all over when I was done!! We were lucky enough to be at the Tate on the 1st of Jan. because that was the last day they were showing "Surrealism:
Desire Unbound" exhibit. (love the title, by the way) There was Man Ray, Magritte, Dali, Ernst!! One of the most incredible exhibits I've seen ever!

Back to Italy, we realized Italy is now our home. Another 5 more months to go. My sister is coming to visit on the 19th! A piece of home. I can't express how excited I am to see her! A whole week of showing her Firenze and maybe Milan!

I almost forgot to mention that the European Union started the circulation of the Euro on the first of January 2002! It's like the dollar, except worse. There are no dollar bills. Only dollar coins!!! So, if you're planning to visit any of the European Union nations, remember to purchase a coin purse as soon as you arrive! England opted to stick with their pounds. You still need a coin purse for them too! I miss the Lire. Rarely any coins, everything is usually even and I felt rich giving away 50,000 Lire! (equivalent to $25) So, the Euro it is and since it's so close to the dollar, I'm more conscientious when spending money. I kept a few Lires for memory sake.

It's actually quite scary how time is flying by. But sometimes, I feel like I've been in Italy for 4 years, and other times it feels like only 4 weeks.

One semester down, another to go. I feel great about my performance at school for this semester. But I'm hoping to challenge myself more next term. This past semester, we focused on the construction of suit and sport jackets. Next semester, it's art specialization. We're creating our portfolio. I heard it's quite intense. I'm really excited!!

For now, I'm trying to take it one day at a time. In a city where Michelangelo lived in and the same streets he actually walked on. It's very surreal. Every night, as I pass by one of the windows in our house, I never fail to see a star. I always thank my lucky star for this experience of a lifetime....

That's the end of "My 3rd Semester as a Fashion Design Student in Italy." And after my 4th semester, I'll write all about our trip to Venice for the Carnavale, Paris for Premiere Visione, and the joys of final art exhibition stress!! And of course, Italy in the Spring time....

ciao ciao!
Love,
Karen