This weekend was a great one. My good friend Anya (shout out!) got here to Siena and Elizabeth came back from her adventure to Bosnia and Croatia with a good helping of stories. It was so wonderful to be reunited with these two lovely ladies again, and not just because they also are alumnae of women's colleges (Mount Holyoke and Bryn Mawr, respectively). We spent a lot of time together when I studied here for the semester and we fell back easily into our natural rhythm of jokes, laughter, advice, and hugs.

Elizabeth and Anya. Che belle!

Saturday night, Filippo and I went to see I bastardi senza gloria (also known as, Inglorious Basterds). I had already seen this movie and was really interested to see if I could follow the dialogue. Since it's the summertime, movies are being shown outside at night with a big (albeit, old) projection system. Still, it's a wonderful setting off near the edge of the city where it's quiet and you can spot the stars. I was a bit proud of myself for sticking with the movie, but definitely preferred it in English. If you haven't seen the movie, a chunk of the characterization and an interesting amount of the jokes are based on voices and language. With dubbing and translation, things don't fall out exactly the same, but it was still a good experience.

After the movie we met the gurrrrls nella Piazza del Campo. We each got a beer and just sat talking and people watching. While we were hanging out, a few of the students from the jazz conservatory here started an impromptu performance. So cool, right?

 We enjoyed it so much that we decided to see the jazz concert sponsored by the city. We listened to the professionals who did some really interesting pieces. Then found a picnic table to enjoy some more cheap wine and the Sienese skyline while exchanging funny stories while the students played.

Today was my first day at the University for Foreigners which was just an entrance exam to see which class I would fit in the best. I was nervous about both the test and not knowing anyone, but things are looking pretty good. The written part was in the morning. I returned for the oral exam and after waiting two hours for my oral exam ("Welcome to Italy!"), I placed into the C1 level, which is going to be mostly conversation. This class will certainly be a stretch on my abilities (and probably emotions), that is what I came here to look for, right? First day's tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!