I knew this would happen...

Curse it all, my body's finally given up on me.

After the development of last week's cold, I figured I'd rest up as much as I could and be back on my feet as soon as possible. Unfortunately, just as I was starting to get better, my stomach threw a mutiny of epic proportions and has continued to do so since Saturday. I suppose this is what I get for enjoying a full month of fairly decent health. I must be making up for it now, I guess. Ugh.

I never thought the lovely half hour walks to anywhere and everywhere in the city would become an issue, but it's even been hard for me to walk to school this week. I dutifully dragged myself to all my classes this week regardless but spent the majority of the rest of my time in bed, drinking water, eating fruit, being grouchy about not being out and about, and sleeping for as long as it took to get better. This morning I finally thought I had kicked it, and was stoked to get back to class and get back to my explorations of Florence. Of course, half an hour in to my first class I developed my first migraine since leaving the states. I made it through class and my voice lesson and squinted my way back to the pensione just in time to take meds and lock myself in a dark room. It's just now beginning to subside, halfway through my stupid writing class, the one I missed last week. I'm really going to have to talk to the professor. Ugh. I had high hopes that I would do really well health-wise while I was here, and I'm going to keep praying that I will, but I'm starting to get a little nervous that I'll never get better again. I'm going to try to forget that thought though and just take it easy.

Let me tell you though that Europe is the MOST inconvenient place to be even a little sick. Europe doesn't understand the concept of 24 hour food or medicine places, inexpensive medication, or public restrooms. I don't have a car and I can't get myself home from anywhere relatively quickly, nor can anyone come pick me up if I've gotten myself stranded. I can't turn up the heat and I can't control the amount of noise, since I basically live in a dorm. Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad I'm here...it's just an awful place to be sick.

I do, however, have better news to report as well. Last night I dragged myself out of bed and went to see Lucia di Lammermoor, an opera put on at the Maggio. It was phenomenal! I think it was actually the first opera I've ever seen without being on stage as well, so it was a great experience. The soprano was very talented, both tenors were very good actors, and it gave me lots to think about and work on in my own vocal life. The theater, however, has the worst acoustics of any theater I've ever been in. Not that I wouldn't love to return to Florence someday, but I think if I'm ever offered a position here I may have to think twice about it. That's wishful thinking though, haha.

The other good news from last night is that on the way to the opera, we stopped at a gelato place on the Arno that has just reopened after some remodeling. I am happy to report that it is now officially the only good tasting gelato I have had in Florence itself, and it was also the cheapest: 1 euro for a small (but not actually that small) cone. I'm excited to go back. It's about a thirty-five minute walk away from the pensione, so by the time I get there and back, I've practically worked the whole thing off!

Also, the sun has finally come out (literally, as I wrote this post) for the first time since Sunday. It's amazing how much better the sun can make a person feel. It makes bedrest so much more pleasant.

In any case, I should rest my eyes again before I make my headache worse. I just wanted to do a quick news post and ask for your prayers for my health, so I can make the best of this experience here in Europe. Miss and love you all.