Assisi

So we went to Assisi today which was awsome!!!!! We saw the tomb of St Francis and went into the basilica that the pope had built over it, and got to see the papel throne. It was soo cool. We also saw St. Clair's body and the house where st. francis grew up. There were a ton of shops around and a lot of icons, we went to the castle on the hill and that was awsome. i also found a cool rosary for myself with all these different saint pictures!!!!. When we got back i had an email from student universe........they are a few weeks behind my flight corrections which are getting a little out of hand especially since i am supposed to all them again. kinda hard bein 7 hours ahead. so i have to send the info to mom and dad and hope they can solve it. We have been having an awsome time with the food and everything else. tomorrow we go to Lucca (weather permiting) and that shoudl be fun!








-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Rule Britannia

So the last few days have been a blast. We played presidents and a-holes the last two nights and i dominated at least a little bit haha. its been raining for the last few days and off and on, the kind of days where if i was home would be for pizza and movies. hahah. I miss the peoples at home of course. We went to buy soccer tickets and they would not sell us any because we were not residents of tuscany. the lady was really mean but we were polite. then we got lost blah, finaly got back and then right back to town for mass, then we went to chinese. And came back here to the hotel and just hung out. It has been a pretty good weekend, even though we had a strike friday so we have to go to lucca another day the rain meant it was a blessing in disguies



-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Hail to the Chief!

I had the opprotunity to watch a historic moment yesterday, the inauguration of America's first Black President. Barack Obama. Europeans and others around the world celebrate this historic occasion. It represents a new generation (our parents, taking power) and also restored International confidence in America. Weather you agree or not with his principle you have to admit the man has the ability to draw people together, Uniting the Democratic party after the divisions of the last two election cycles. And a man who is willing to work with everyone in congress to get what is best for the country. he is a president reminisint of Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt aslo he has surrounded himself with talent a good thing for Any American President. My teachers were celebrating here in italy a bit and were so confident that i am proud to be part of this historic election. God Bless America







-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

VICTORY IN THE WEST!

So for those who did and or did not know i was having some trouble with my credit card over here in italy. but today thanks to my dad's quick thinking i have over come these. It has been raining here this week but otherwise things have been very well. All my classes are going well, and my computer is working. A new president was sworn in today and i am on top of the world for the moment. I hope things are going well back in the states!

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Bob the Great

So we went out to florence today with Dr. Bob Conner who is the director of the study abroad program. Only four of us students went becasue we were the only four up. It was a wonderful walk and Bob knows so much he could probably be the next encyclpedia. Not only that but it took about an hour down to a little chinese resturant for lunch and Guapa. which is an Italian vodka. Then we contiuned our tour of florence. We saw the Cathedral, and the Basilica of San Lorenzo as well as two statues of Cosmo De Medici. (Popular man apparently) And then we took a walk past the Cathedral and into another part of Florence where we saw the Palace of the Medici which was amazing. and statues of Dante and the other greats of Florence as well as across the Arno on the old bridge which was full of gold shops and to the hotel where brother louie stays when he is in Florence. It was a haven of affluence We contiued through the rich stores in town where i saw 1000 euro shoes and couldn't help but wonder who on earth could possibly buy that kind of thing. And who would have that much money to waste. Bob left us with one student at the Cathedral but me Betsy and Ashley stayed to wait for english mass at 5. We got to look in the Cathedral which was vast and soo amazing. Then we people watched for a while and ended up going to mass where i took collection since they asked for help. Mass was cold but once we were on the bus back it was nice and warm. Now that i am back in the hotel i am going to rest tonight and go to bed early. VIVA ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

So We went walking around Florence today and it was nice weather, you know, 60 out sunny with a light breeze, it got hot enough to take my coat off. Yeah we went walking for a couple hours and saw more of the city, And tomorrow we are going to cross the Arno to look at more parts and a beautiful hill. It will once again be sunny and not a windchill in sight. Boy i miss all the freezing cold weather and nasty wind in minnesota. well, okay no i dont but i have to rub it in everyone's faces so once again. HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH (deep Breath) BWUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAAHAHHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA






-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Well, thats one way to keep the dead in the grave

So Betsy and I were out jogging and we went up by the monestary and all around and as we were jogging we saw the cemetary in town so we decided to look through. Very Normal thing to do of course. Well, We fail to read the signs, While we are walking we decide it is time to go and Betsy looks over by the gate and says, wasn't that open when we came in, yep it was however know the Gate was closed and locked. AH Crap. we are locked in a cemetary. Well, after a few minutes of careful observation we managed to climb over the wall and then we noticed the sign that said Closes at 5........ only we would manage that feat. Then i was telling my friend Ashley Pecholt about our adventure in the cemetary and she found it humerous. Here is our converstaion after the story
GardeniaVeitchii (9:00:40 PM): haha!! that is a great story
GardeniaVeitchii (9:00:42 PM): was it late?
Qhcadet (9:00:49 PM): no it was 5 oclcok
GardeniaVeitchii (9:00:55 PM): pm>
Qhcadet (9:01:01 PM): yeah
GardeniaVeitchii (9:01:05 PM): that's great!
GardeniaVeitchii (9:01:11 PM): my roommate liked that story too
Qhcadet (9:01:16 PM): hahahaha
Qhcadet (9:01:31 PM): its definatly not an experience i want to repeat
GardeniaVeitchii (9:01:53 PM): were you creeped out?
Qhcadet (9:02:13 PM): not too much
Qhcadet (9:03:45 PM): i do like cemetaries
GardeniaVeitchii (9:04:46 PM): i think cemetaries are interesting
Qhcadet (9:04:52 PM): they are cool
GardeniaVeitchii (9:05:22 PM): i want to get locked in one sometime
Qhcadet (9:05:30 PM): well, let me know when i will help you
GardeniaVeitchii (9:05:47 PM): okay
Qhcadet (9:05:55 PM): it will be fun
GardeniaVeitchii (9:06:00 PM): it will be!
Qhcadet (9:06:16 PM): ahh i am going to have to add this converstaion to the bolg i am working on
Qhcadet (9:06:18 PM): hehe
-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

On Patrol

So we got to Italy on staturday and sunday we went around florance! It was an exciting time as we walked down to the city. Me, Ashley, Alison and her friend Theresa got separated from the main group when they went to the super market and we just waited for them but then got directions to where we were going and started without them. we met up with a few of them on the way to the Cathedral and had a jolly time taking some side streets to avoid the angry italian and accidentally steping on the pictures on the street. (our bad). Toward the end i had to really use the little boy's room (vaselaar family bladder strikes again) and finaly found one in the train station, it cost .60 euro which was just grand being cheap and all. Then me and Ashley hoped the #7 back to Fiesole and went to take a nap. GLorious. A group of us then went out to JJ Hills and had some drinks then off to bed.

Monday we had class I had Golbal issues and Italian Politics. These classes will be exciting. Then I went into town with Ashley, Betsy, and our other compatriots. After the 99 cents store me Ashley and Betsy set off for the super market with me and Betsy almost getting killed by a motorcycle on the way. Ashley is probably the only one of us with any sense but we managed to live. At the supermarket we got water and wine and other necessities. then took the #7 back to Fiesole again. We went to the Etruscan resturant for spagetti and chicken which was amazing!!!!!!! Then we came back and chitty chatted for a bit then i got to talk to some friends from home and went to bed. ITALY ROCKS!!!! I dont really want to come home any time soon


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Landfall

So I have successfully Landed in Italy!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!!!! The plane ride was long and somewhat interesting with some turbulance but we did not land in the atlantic and got to frankfurt we then got a Taxi to Villa Bonelli and found our resturant. Small rooms but everything is all good. I already had to fix someone else's toliet but once again, Eldon to the Resuce. and found a butt cleaner whow excting. Missin my friends back home but lovin europe!!!!!

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Anchors Away Today!

So I fly out today and am headin off to Europe. Thanks again to everyone for the Birthday Wishes and i will add two song quotes because i love songs!

Over the Sea lets go Men, We're shovin right off We're Shovin right off again!
Nobody Knows when or where. We're Shovin right off We're Shovin right off again!
We're Leaving to day! Its Anchors Away! Sally and Sue Dont be Blue! We'll only be gone for years and years and then We'll be Shovin it off for home Shovin it off For Home Shovin it off for home again!

Off we go into the wild blue yonder flying high into the sun!

Here they come ready to meet our thunder att'em boys givem the gun, givem the gun now


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Loading the Ships

So I get to spend the day today getting ready to depart. Sorting through the stuff to be packed and getting ready for the grand adventure. Alas i will not be visiting SMU before departure and my hop across the pond. I am excited for this trip and am hoping everyone else has a wonderful semester. in order to make this even better i will include my mailing address while in Italy!

Hotel Villa Bonelli
Via F. Poeti,1
50014, Fiesole Firenze
Italia

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Prepare the Fleet for Departure

Hey everyone, I saw a friend do this and thought i would copy them because its a great idea. So on the 9th of this month i am heading out to Italy for a semester abroad. (Pause for the sorrowful tears at my absence you are all crying ;) ) I will keep you as updated as possible (Sam don't yell at me if this isn't up to the minute.) and if you have questions, comments, attacks, flirts or whatever feel free to contact me. I will be over seas from the 9th of January to the 24th of January. DON'T Call me to work. I am too far away.



-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"