May 31

I finally slept through the night and I can finally breathe through my nose. My host mamma made me soup and gave me aspirin last night. I must have really helped.

Today, we had class early. We were supposed to have Dacia Maraini but she ended up not being able to make it. After class, a group of us went to the beach. Liz, Chloe, and I got drinks and sat on the beach for a bit. Chloe and I had to go back early because we both had to have dinner with our familys. It was my host dad's birthday today. We had about 5 different kinds of pizza. All delicious. . . well except for the zucchini and squash pizza. I didn't like that one too much. I think that is the only thing I haven't loved so far. I have to get up early tomorrow because we are taking a day trip to Tivoli.

I was scared the doors were going to shut on me! 

Every subway car was covered in graffiti. 

May 30

Today was a pretty chill day compared to all the others. I haven't been sleeping well and I have a cold. I felt terrible today. But I thought I looked pretty despite feeling shitty.
For lunch, I had pizza with zucchini, sun dried tomatoes, and some sort of cheese. . . very interesting and very different from pizza in America.
I got my train ticket to Florence and then I went home and rested in bed while doing some homework.  Tomorrow, we are meeting Dacia Maraini, a very famous italian writer.

La pizza. 

I am telling Haley that she doesn't know how to take photos. 

Proof that Haley can't take photos. . . blurry. 

May 29

I slept through my alarm this morning because I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 4:30 wide awake and I finally fell back asleep around six. I think it was because I am getting a cold and I am still not quite used to being here. Luckily, my host mom woke me up in time for me to quickly get ready, eat breakfast, and catch for the bus. We went to tour the colosseum. It was awesome being there in person.
We also saw the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. It was Brittany's birthday so we shared some wine by the fountain.

May 28

Where I live. 

My School. 

My School.

I am not having a good time with the buses here. This morning a bus didn't stop at the bus stop even though it was supposed to and I was clearly standing there. Apparently, you are supposed to wave them down if you want to get on. I thought my getting out my ticket and walking near the bus was enough but no. But, besides that everything went well. It was raining today when I got to school. I was going to walk around Rome before class but I just wanted to get out of the rain. I figured exploring the school might not be a bad idea.



After school, I bought a phone. Apparently, it is only good for calling other Wind customers (the company I got the phone from) and its 12c/minute if I call someone not on Wind. I am going to get a calling card to call home. I am still trying to figure out the phone situation.
My number is: 327-230-7327

You can imagine it took a long time to get 30 people cell phones. Once we finally finished, a group of us went to tour the Pantheon. I also made it home without missing my stop. I ran into my host dad on the corner and I must have looked worried because he laughed at me and told me I was okay. Dinner tonight of course was delicious. My family is really very sweet to me.

May 27

I woke up today a little before noon. To say I was tired would be an understatement. I had yogurt and espresso for breakfast. The yogurt here is so much better than yogurt at home. My family made a huge lunch. And when I say huge, I mean huge. I had a normal sized portion of pasta and then they served me 2 pieces of beef with prosciutto on top. Then came breaded fish with zucchini and carrots. After all of that, they served fruit. I thought they had finally run out of dishes. But I was wrong. They, then, served this pie like dessert with limoncello, wine and espresso. I was full beyond belief. I am not going to get fat because Italy has delicious food. I am going to get fat from fear of offending my family. I felt like I couldn't say no! 

We finished lunch around 4:30. After, my host dad took me on a motorbike to meet the group. I loved it. I am sure everyone could tell I was a tourist because I was on the back of that bike smiling and looking around. I am pretty sure I had my mouth open in awe the whole time. I didn't realize I was going to have to take the bus back home. 

Antonella, my teacher, showed us the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. It was so strange seeing them in real life. She also showed us the school. I have a feeling I will have trouble finding that place as well. :) 

The most interesting part of the day was when I had to find my way home by myself. At first I went to the wrong side of the Piazza Venezia to get on the bus. When I finally got to the right bus stop, the bus stopped on the opposite side of the street. (I later found out that the stop I get off at going to school is the last stop on the route.) After I had been on the bus for about an hour, I asked the bus driver where I was supposed to get off (in italian!). Of course, I had missed it. Luckily, he was very friendly and promised to show me which stop to get off at. I was freaked out because before we turned around he stopped at "the last stop on the route" and took a break. Only I couldn't understand him. I thought he was offering to take me in his car or something. I was like No! No! No! But I soon figured out he was just wanted to smoke a cigarette. 

Once I finally got off the bus. I realized this was not the stop my host dad had told me. I was trying really hard not to freak out. And if you know me, you know that was not an easy task. It was well past 9:30 at this point. Fortunately, I saw a woman walking her dog and asked her to help me. She walked me most of the way there. Her name was Georgiana. 

Trying to explain to my family what happened wasn't easy. But I think they understood that I had trouble and that I am terrible with directions. I better learn how not to be terrible soon or I am going to be in trouble lol. But Rome is a great city to get lost in I suppose. Tomorrow, I will buy a cellphone so I won't be too worried from now on. 

May 25 & 26

I am not sure what day it is really. The flight was so long and the time is so messed up. I am beyond exhausted. I have never traveled that far and therefore have never experienced jet lag. It was really rough on me. I have felt like I was going to pass out/throw up/and die from a headache all day. I think the excitement of finally being here in Rome has kept me alive these past few hours. (Yes, I know I am being dramatic.)

I met my host family. They are absolutely wonderful. They have been very patient with me and work very hard to make sure we understand each other. Their house is simple but beautiful. I think this is going to work out very well. My host mom made me a homemade espresso. It was delicious. Everything I have eaten has been delicious. DUH! I also spent my first euro. So far so good.

Tomorrow, all of the families and the students will meet up for gelato. I am excited to see how everyone else faired with their families.

May 24

Today has been a great day. My wonderful boyfriend drove down and surprised me this morning. I didn't think I was going to be able to see him before I left. I had hoped that he would be able to get off work but I tried not to get my hopes up because in the real world that doesn't usually happen. I just feel so blessed to have him in my life.

We all had lunch together and then finished getting everything I needed for my trip. Yes, I know. It is hard to imagine that I needed anything else since all I have been doing all week is shopping.

Tonight, my grandparents hosted a "Buon Viaggio" dinner for us. I have to say, I have the best, most loving, and supportive family. They are seriously some of the greatest people you will ever meet. My Uncle Roger brought Prosecco and Limoncello to add an Italian theme to the evening. Prosecco, I like. Limoncello, I think I'll have to get used to that sort of thing.

I cannot believe tomorrow is the BIG DAY! I am beyond excited.

I will miss everyone dearly but I know the trip will go by fast and I will be back before I know it.

<3

May 23, 2012

Spent most of the day shopping with my sister and my mom. This is one of the outfits I plan on wearing in Italy. I have to try and not just dress like a bum like I always do. I think I look like a diva in this picture. But a hippy diva so I love it. 

Only thing left on the list of things to do is get a converter for my laptop. 

On a funny note, Haley and I bought a book of dirty things to say in Italian. It is actually pretty accurate and pretty informative. Luckily, for us it has some not so dirty things to say as well that can be used in conversation. I am getting VERY excited. 

Pretty Money

I just got my first Euros!!! So exciting! 

Hair Color

Here is the color. . . not too bad. 

May 22, 2012

So, it is now 3 days until I leave for Rome. I cannot really describe how I am feeling at this point. I can tell you that what I am feeling is definitely a mixture of anxiety and excitement. Of course, everyone keeps asking me, "How in the world can you be anxious about going to Rome!? You are going to have the time of your life!" And I know I will, but anyone who has ever spent time with me knows I love to worry. I know for a fact as soon as I land in Italy all of my worries and stresses are going to melt away. 


With the trip steadily approaching, I am in the process of scrambling to get everything packed and in order. In fact, as I type this, I am dying my hair. I don't want to have this crappy orange hair I have been sporting lately to ruin all the beautiful pictures I will take. ;) 


Woops. . . time to rinse the color out. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I didn't make my hair even worse. 


More to come later. 


<3