I'm alive!!

Buon Giorno!! I'm finally settled in my new Tuscan home and i'm still amazed at how beautiful it's been here. I'm happy to say there's lots of good news to report, so here's the basic rundown:

Surroundings:

Que bene! Wow... Tuscany is truly something else. Honestly, you see the stereotypical Italian scene in the movies and imagine it isn’t true, well I’ve got two words for you... Come visit! Every day I wake up to the sun rising over an olive orchard cascading down the hillside. We trek a short distance up the hill to the top (where the school sits and overlooks the town of Stiava) and the view is truly amazing. Honeslty, it feels like such a different world here. Life is slower, more relaxing, and technology is virtually non-existant. Even this internet connection is so spotty I couldn’t imagine being able to check my email very often!! Suffice it to say, assuming this post works, i'll follow with many more.

Living Arrangements:

Rustic. no heat, wood fireplace, tile everywhere… absolutely fantastic. THIS is the Tuscan experience. THIS is living.

Staff / Roommates:

All great so far. Honeslty! I ALMOST wish I had some hilarious horror story for you about being dropped in the middle of Italian indentured servitude but alas, I love em. My boss (Sandra) reminds me of a hybrid between a loving mom, and a twenty-something dying to have a good time. She’s hilariously blunt, vivacious, and a pleasure to be around. The rest of the staff has its characters, all fit together to form a fantastic family. I suppose that really is the best way to describe it. Since I’ve started here, it’s like inheriting an extra family.

Cooking:

First day, i walk into the kitchen and the first thing i hear is "ok, so we need dessert for lunch and dinner. Let us know what you need."

WHAT!?! I thought I was going to spend a few weeks working with someone, getting up to speed, figuring out the intricacies of the kitchen... etc! No way jose, this is it. Go time. Soooo, within a few short minutes of my arrival I was pulling out old recipes and going to it. First dessert: a simple but chic frangipane (almond cream) tart with a baked-apple top and Sambucca whipped cream. Rustic but chic, Sandra loved it.

Well, there's tons more to say, but lets leave it there for now. I'll post (hopefully) at least once a week, so stay tuned for more...

Ciao Ciao!