practically half way

time flies..................................................................


i couldn't be happier to be here -some examples of why:

-Lugano is amazing
- when i go for a run im surrounded by enormous snow capped mountains, stone houses, nature... the other day i went running and ended up on empty forest paths that the author Herman Hesse used to walk and paint from.


-The school is amazing
- my classes and professors are awesome. the most students in any of my classes is 15. one of my classes is an advanced creative writing course with only three other students but i still get one on one times with the professor. i run into at least one of my professors almost every time i go to the pub.
- there is always something going on at school. i go to piano recitals, literary readings, fundraisers for haiti and the like, lectures, plays. the school often organizes things like free dinners during midterms or a "jazz night" where they served free alcohol. also, most of the students live in the same general area, so people are always hanging out.


-The people are amazing
- not only are the locals all super friendly people, but im surrounded by some really cool students. generally speaking, to move to another country for a unique school like this, you've got to be somewhat cool right?
- a few of us have been cooking veggie meals together and decided to make it official through the school as a club, so now we get funding... about 15 of us get together every other week and bring vegetarian food to cook. its awesome. im also part of the lit. society now, also awesome.


-Traveling
- local traveling is great. i think sunday im hitchhiking an hour to milan to see a soccer match (its a huge deal here).
- march 6th im going with a professor and 20ish other students to Namibia in africa for "academic travel" where i'll get to do a ton of stuff i wouldnt be able to do otherwise, like visiting some remote tribes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himba i'll be gone two weeks.


-Overall
- beautiful weather almost every day (a little cold, but its nice) really cool skatepark, b-ball games in the gym, super good spots to play guitar outside...