I have now been in Mesagne over two weeks and I can't even get close to explaining all that has happened! I am settling in with my family and getting to know them individually as well as a whole. I am happy to be with them. My host mother resembles my own mother in many ways, with her comfort, care and worries haha. I am also realizing the things that are different with these parents, things I have taken for granted at home, so that I need to prove my street smarts and that I am trustworthy to achieve some more freedom. But it will come along with my better knowledge of Italian, for good reason.
School life hasn't been as regular as it will be soon, my school is still getting it's schedule organized, therefore I sometimes have class and sometimes don't! When we don't my class stays together and chats, this is when I have made some friends and have talked (or tried) with my classmates. This is when I mostly wish I knew more Italian, because it is really challenging to make friends when I can't talk to them. But I have succeeded in making some, but they tend to be the one's who can speak some English=) I will get there eventually!
Anyhow, I have been studying Italian like crazy! Whenever I have time apart from homework I am either with my family or studying, which has definitely helped because I am learning it little by little. I didn't realize how difficult of a language it was, but with so many irregular verbs I get frustrated often with it.

Ciao for now,
Love Kali

My first days In Mesagne

Hello everyone! I have been here with my new family for about four days now and I am very happy with them. I have my two parents and I now have two younger brothers and a sister. They are all very lovely and hospitable! I feel like I have known them forever already and it hasn't even been a week! Imagine after 10 months! But of course it will take some getting used to, because this family is of course unique and not exactly like my own. Firstly there is the language barrier, so I don't quite feel like I know each member of the family as well as I could.
I am trying very hard to learn Italian, maybe so I could at least understand it, which would help in the home and school. Already I have learned more then when I first got here. My mama and sister are very helpful with helping me learn it. Last night we bought post-it's and went around labeling things in the house and in the bedroom, creating much laughter towards my pronunciation of some words haha.


A few days ago I was told by Noah that Grandpa Fred had passed on Thursday night and even though I had known that it was coming soon it was still shocking. To lose both grandfathers in a year is a hard thing to go through for the boys. I am sorry for them.
Fred was indeed like a grandfather to me as well, sharing with me his advice for this year and having good conversations. I am very sad because of this news.
My heart goes out to the Lanphear family, I love you all.

I will write soon I hope.
Ciao
Kali