Day 7

Nothing too new to report here. Went on my run this morning and then had a meeting with my academic adviser. I'm taking two history courses, one on ancient Rome the other on fascism, an Italian literature course and an art history course. And of course Italian. We learned numbers today! Our professor had us walking around the building saying a number every time we took a step. We looked a little ridiculous. I have once again overeaten (the gelato is just too good to resist!) Where is my will power?!

Day 6

Today was a very long and productive day. I woke up around 10 (after ignoring my alarm at 8) and decided that I would go for a run around my favorite park. I honestly love running there. There are so many little families that go and just sit and look at the beautiful view. One of my roommates, Marielle, decided she wanted to go with me. I'm so excited I have a running buddy now! After our little run, we came back and took off for the Vatican.

We walked for an hour to get there, which wasn't the most pleasant experience because it was all uphill and about 95 degrees out. I sure hope no one was disturbed by how much I was sweating. We walked through this huge park to get there that has the best views of Rome. Even better than my favorite park!

Next stop was St. Peter's Basilica. We got a little lost on our way there, but nothing too serious. We just probably could have done it in 10 minutes less time. When we arrived at St. Peter's, we noticed the huge line to get in and decided it would be better to come back when the tourist season isn't as bad. So we just took a few pictures and called it a day.

The buildings here are so amazing. Even if we didn't get to go in, I'm still glad I made the trip to see it today.

After that excursion, Marielle and I went to a little pizzeria and split a margherita pizza. Then we had our first Italian class! It wasn't too bad or confusing and our professor is really great. After that two and half hour class, we came home and snacked and then made dinner and are way too much chocolate. Can't wait to work that off tomorrow during my run!

Arrivederci!

Day 5

Today was kind of a lazy day. I had goals of getting to the Trevi Fountain, but the rain abruptly ended that plan.

Earlier in the day, I went back to my favorite park for a run. I made the mistake of going in the heat of the day because I was sweating bullets! But it was worth it after the cannolis, nutella, and gelato I had last night...

Then I was really hungry, so I went to the grocery store to get salad ingredients, bread, and cheese. So I ate dinner at like 6. Little did I know, Alessia, my ISC, was planning to make us dinner at 9, soooo I ate again. She made a really classic Roman dish called Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. It was delicious! Then she taught us an Italian card game, which I still don't really understand. 


Now, it's time for bed. Sorry there are no pictures!!!

Saturday's Festivities

I woke up at 1 yesterday morning (I'm telling you this jet lag is crazy!) and I cleaned my room and did laundry. My roommates were still sleeping, so I decided to go out on an adventure of my own. I disregarded the emphasis Italians put on fashion and wore my sneakers. Now I never want to go back to wearing sandals. 

My first stop was the Vittoriano, the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the Italian king who unified Italy in 1861. The monument was not actually completed until 1935. But before I got there I took a picture on the way as I crossed the Tiber.

There was a cathedral attached to the monument that was so beautiful. A wedding was going on when I walked in.

Next stop was the Roman Forum.

And then the Colosseum.

I got back home and was so tired! My roommate knows a girl from her school that is in the same program we are and she invited us over for dinner. They were making crepes and I was not about to turn that down!

And then we walked around Trastevere at night. So pretty!

So that's it for now! Ciao!

Mon Appartement

  

Lago Di Montignano

So I'm posting this a day late. I certainly hope that is not a habit I get into!! But yesterday, we took a little trip with our study abroad program and all the students to Lago di Montignano, which is the base of some inactive volcano. My roommates and I are making strides in our punctuality slowly, but surely.  We only arrived 5 minutes late yesterday! woooooo! And we made it on the first bus that left for the lake!

The lake was kind of annoying because we were stuck there for 7 hours +. It really felt like college orientation all over again with the splitting up into groups, telling everyone our goals and initial reactions, and even playing those annoying ice breaker games that I hate. But aside from that, we had a bunch of free time where I was able to just relax and get a little bronzed. I went paddle boating and swimming! The bottom of the lake was nasty, but it was so hot that I sacrificed stepping in mush.

We came back and I was absolutely starving, so I whipped up some pasta with tomatoes (not blog worthy). Then I realized, Alessia, my Italian roommate was making us dinner. soooo I had to eat AGAIN. She made ravioli that was literally sitting in two melted sticks of butter, lamb, and a salad. Her German boyfriend came over for dinner, too. It was really fun, but I feel super large this morning. Time to plan out my day!

Day 2

I couldn't fall asleep last night so I didn't end up getting to bed until 1:30 and I had to be up at 8:30, which was so annoying! This jet lag is doing weird things to my sleeping habits! Hopefully, I'll be cured by tomorrow.

My roommate's alarm didn't go off, so they were super late waking up. We left at 9:25 and had to be there at 9:30...keep in mind it is about a 30 minute walk.....I was so mad! But I didn't want to go alone because I wasn't exactly sure how to get there since our italian companion didn't walk us there today. I was walking so fast that I tripped over a huge root in the middle of the sidewalk! I was not a happy camper, especially when we walked in 20 minutes late to a lecture being given my some inspirational speaker. Just talking about it makes me mad!

After a day full of meetings, we walked back over the to our side of the river and napped. (seriously, this jet lag thing is out of control). I woke up and my roommates were still sleeping, so I decided to go on a little adventure of my own. My italian roommate told me about a safe park, Villa Sciarra, where I can run and has great views of Rome.  It is one on of the seven hills of Rome so you can see so much of the city skyline. It was owned by a family that then donated to it to Rome. It had gravel paths and alongside the paths are either statues or fountains. It was gorgeous and I definitely plan on going back!

Statues from Villa Sciarra

View from Villa Sciarra

After my run, I came back to a ton of maintenence work being done in my apartment. Our sink is broken, along with out dishwasher, air conditioner, and washing machine. Eeek! But don't worry, it's being taken care of.

My roommates finally woke up and we walked alllll the way from our apartment to the Spanish Steps. We had to go over there to buy books for our week of intensive Italian. So we figured we would just walk over there and get it over with.

We went from point A to B, which was only 2.29 miles, but seemed soooo much longer. On our way there, we stumbled upon the Pantheon unintentionally. Pretty cool, huh!? I even ran into one of my friends from high school in the Pantheon Piazza. It was a small world moment. We got to climb the Spanish Steps, too, which was fun. I remembered it a little from eighth grade.

I was super tired on the way back and just wanted to EAT. But Romans don't eat until 8 or 8:30, which has been killing me! We stopped at a little restaurant and I got spaghetti primavera. I love the pasta here! They cook it super al dente, which is just the way I like it!

Now I'm back and my feet are burning and my legs are noodles. I'm so tired! All the walking is pretty crazy, but I'm really enjoying getting to see so many different different things every time I walk somewhere.