Work, Play, and Food!!!

Salve tutti!

Spero che loro siano bene! Oggi è un giorno bellissimo... Ma infatti un po' freddo... As I right this post I am eating a Foccacia with eggplant, cheese and tomatoes! This weekend has been fun so far.
Last night I went out for an after work drink with some friends from the lab and their boyfriends. Like last time, we ended up staying their from 7-10:30pm! Yes! I ate too! SFILICACCI! Sorry Dad, I know you hate it when I eat these strange foods, but Im in Padova, and it is a delicacy here! Tomorrow, I am probably going to place on the outskirts of Padova with the same crew to eat polpi (octopus... I will try at least...) There are many things I will eat, but only a few I will not.. unless it is deep fried (fritti). Then again, anything deep fried is GREAT!

Tonight I am on my own.. at least I think so at this point... I am planning on making pasta, or some type... I can buy some soft cheese from the market and make a baked pasta with veggies and meat? My cucina is very limited... but I make due with what I have... At least I have the best part... fresh, good quality ingredients!

Going back to work, I am not sure I mentioned this yet, but on top of teaching myself Immunologià, I have been granted permission to follow an Oncology course at the Università degli Studi di Padova... The course is obviously in Italian, but I can manage.... I managed to tackle a lot of things in Italy in Italian.. I can shop, buy a biccicleta (only 40 euro or $60.00 for a used bike...) Work is going very well, and I am excited to officially begin next week. I found out that I do get vacations and since I am not a "true PhD/post Doc" I can create my own vacations... But I do love the lab and the research... However, I am in Italy and my colleagues even said that when you get the chance TRAVEL! My Italian TA from Franklin and Marshall lives in Milano, and he told me to contact him when I am in the area, and I have friends from F&M studying in Florence, Rome, Milano... ALL OVER!  I am actually gong to Vallencia, Spain for three days next month for a Ferrari race... I am sitting in the specialty box! Sorry Dana (Bitty,) I will take pictures, and post them on facebook!

For those of you who are coming to visit, I have already mapped out great places to take you! Bars, shops, eateries, and the library if you are the studious type... a place I have not ventured since F&M... But, will be making my entrance shortly... I think?