Lists

I have an obsession with lists. I don't think it's because I'm an ENFJ, because I really think I'm an I/ENFP. Perceiver sounds so much better than judger. But I do write lists. Lots and lots of them!

At the moment I have a list on my bedside table of places I want to go in Italy at some point. It includes:
Siena (town in Tuscany)
Villa Adriana (near Rome)
Villa d'Este (near Rome)
Assissi (St Francis - couple hours by train from Rome)
Orvieto (town semi-nearby)
Bologna
Ravenna (near Bologna)
Capri
Amalfi
Marostica (2nd week in September on even-numbered years, they have a human chess game in the square downtown, with costumes and everything. Anything with costumes and I'm in!)

I also have a list on my bedside table for tomorrow. It includes:
Grego Paper
Scholarship (WA Fryer Commission - due April 9th)
Mail Mom's BD card (her birthday was St. Patrick's day... clearly I'm a little behind!)
email Gma Sonel (I owe her one!)
Readng for week after spring break (I'm trying to get ahead)
Purchases for people I'm visiting over Spring break... Tasty, wonderful Italian things like coffee(!!!) to thank Gail, Tom, the Joyces, Brittany, and the Yosts for hosting me over spring break.
PACK!!!

I had a decisive moment today. Well, maybe not decisive, but it could be impacting. I think I've decided I'll write my thesis on marriage and it's correlation to comedic themes in literature using the texts of Shakespeare's Much Ado, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I'm not for-sure on it yet, but I'd like to do something with Shakespeare and Jane Austen (probably my top favorite contributors to literature), AND the professor who is willing to advise and oversee my thesis writing is willing to work with me informally via the internet this summer. YAY! My goal is to get all the research and (ideally!) the thesis itself written this summer. But even then, I won't do the "formal" class until next spring, so the decision on what I'm writing it on is impacting because it's a topic I'll have to be dealing with for the next year or so! Much larger than choosing what kind of gelato I'll eat!

In other news, I've spent a lot of time with the student government people the past 24 hours. We had lunch together and then a dinner meeting tonight. The meeting tonight was nice because not everyone was there and when everyone comes it can be a bit hectic and crazy. It was the die-hards tonight, I think! I'm still working my way around, trying to get a feel for people. I don't even know everyone's names yet, but at this point it's a little awkward to ask because I SHOULD know them. I hate that position!

I'm going to close and go to bed, but the verse for today is from Exodus 14:14. Tanner, my friend Cass's sister, left it for me on an encouraging little notecard she gave me. It says simply: "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." My involvement in student government is, if possible, even MORE exposure to stuff that I'm not always crazy about being around... but I freak out about it way too easily. I was reading Tanner's little card to me tonight (it's on my wall so I can be encouraged by it regularly!) and looked up the verse. It was just what I needed to hear!

ALSO, in yet OTHER news, before I close I'd like to notify my faithful readers that I'll be traveling to four different countries over the next 10 days. Friday I leave to go to Belfast, then on to England on Easter, then Southern France next week, before flying on to Espana towards the end of next week. Then, the week after spring break I'm having a couple people come stay with me for several days. It could be a busy next two weeks! OK, no "could" about it, it WILL be a busy next two weeks! But... that's OK. I'm looking forward to it! I did want to warn you, though, that I won't be apologizing if I miss a day or two posting. I don't know what my internet connections will be like - I don't think I'll have easy access to it in France for sure - so there's a good chance I won't be posting every day. BUT, I will try to take some good pictures and have them to post once I'm back to my own wi-fi!

Roman night... and Ikea photos

Tonight was international night at school. But rather than international, we went back in time to Ancient Rome. People wore togas, we had Roman food (not all ancient), and two gladiators came and gave us some gladiator fighting tips. I'll keep them in mind for wandering around Rome.

Speaking of wandering around Rome, I couldn't be bothered to change back into regular clothes before I came home (loooooooong day today!), so I just threw my jacket on and wandered home in my toga. I got a couple stares, but Rome is really rather un-judgemental (non-judgemental? whatever) when it comes to wearing togas. Now, if I'd been in sweats it would be another story...

Anyhow, I'm off to bed. I'm taking a break from Psalms, and my verse is from the NT. 1 Tim 2:1 "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." I spend quite a bit of time walking to and from school each day, or just generally not necessarily being in active conversation with people. Tomorrow I want to be more purposeful about praying for the people I know. There's quite a lot of them, so I should be able to keep busy! :-)

I forgot something and was going to add it (I don't think it was terribly important...), but now I've completely forgotten it and my head hurts too much to try to recall it to memory. This is what I get for the 5 hours of sleep I got last night!

Elle, Esther, and Taylor at Ikea... we practically just moved in!



The first time I didn't check out the FOOD section!



Waiting at the bus stop... beFORE I got left!

Random facts and tidbits

- I'm obsessed with dipping food. Or, at least, that's what my roommates tell me. I dip cheese into honey. I dip carrots into cream cheese/powdered sugar/cinnamon mixtures. I dip biscotti into hot liquids. I dip cookies into jam. I dip apple slices into yogurt. It's getting a little out of hand, I think!

- I write backwards. Not, like, "sdrawkcab", but from the right to the left, mirrored. Like Leo de Vinici did, because he didn't want people to steal his ideas. I just do it when I'm writing notes to myself that I don't want the whole world to be able to read over my shoulder.

- I hit snooze WAY too many times in the morning!

- I am horrible about keeping my phone on silent, and I screen my calls religiously. If I don't recognize a number, I rarely pick it up (if I even hear it ringing in the first place!)

- There was a marathon in Rome today. My friend Jason ran it. I ran in it too - to cross the street twice. I went to IKEA with some friends, which was an adventure and a half! It took a long time to get there via the metro to Termini (which was PACKED! I'm not sure I've EVER seen so many people packed into such a tight space, in fact! I was in direct contact with at least 4 or 5 people the whole trip! Then we switched to a bus and got off at the correct stop. We'd intended to go to H&M, but the mall was closed. So we walked through part of IKEA, and then went to get some lunch, then finished the rest of it. When we went to get back on the bus, I didn't move fast enough and ended up standing at the curb waving goodbye to my friends. I decided to walk to the end of the line, one stop down, to try to meet them. I got lost on the way, though, ending up seeing several cul-de-sacs a little too close and personal before I FINALLY got back to the bus stop. On the bus on the way home we witnessed a fight happening on the street beside a bus stop. It was pretty exciting! A guy got mad at another guy and literally started punching him. Yikes! Anyhow, now I'm home, comfortably in my PJs at the late hour of 7:15PM, and I'm going to do some reading before going to sleeeeeeep. I have guests coming in for a couple days the week after spring break, so I'm going to try to use this week to get ahead on some of my homework so hopefully I can spend my time with them NOT having to write papers and do tons of reading!

FYI

There is MASSIVE, bigtime partying going on out in the Campo right now (12:37AM). I don't have the foggiest notion of what's happening, but I saw a bunch of people in kilts, and there was a soccer game tonight, I believe. Possibly has something to do with that...

I got to hang out with The Man tonight. Everett keeps getting cuter and cuter! I think my favorite book to read at the moment is "Green Eggs and Ham" because it is so good for dramatic interpretation!

Loads and loads and loads of tourists walking to Jason and Lauras through Corso and the Spanish Steps. Once I got out of that area it wasn't too bad. My walk through Villa Borghese was very nice and romantic... by myself, of course! I gotta admit, those times are when a significant other WOULD come in handy - but I'm still maintaining the mindset spoken of in my last blog... The inconveniences don't make up for it!

I called SEVERAL people tonight from Jason and Laura's telephone (I forget the name, but it's when you pay a flat fee/month and can make unlimited calls to the US and keep a US number for people to call you... It's through the internet. They always tell me to feel free to use it while I'm there). Alas, nobody seemed to be in the mood to pick up their phones. It was sad and lonely feeling. But then Everett and I played memory and I was too tied up with trying not to let him skunk me! He did anyhow.

I thought about going to the market tomorrow... but seeing as how I wanted to be out there at 7:30 and it is currently 12:43AM, I'm not sure if I'll make it...

I become a witness...

I hope it doesn't mean another incident with the Italian Questura, though! Today I saw something I'm afraid I might not have been entitled to see. A man, with a knife - a very, very LARGE knife! - came out of a building on my way to school. Then I saw a man climbing the outside of a building. Then I saw a car go racing down a teensy-tiny little alley ENTIRELY too fast. Creepy? You betcha! And it was all within about 90 seconds!

However, today really was just another day in bella Roma. The man with a knife was also wearing a big white apron tied over his rather abundant middle, and a chef's hat on his head. I think he was taking the knife next door during a break to get it sharpened or something.

The man climbing the outside of the building was trying to get over some fenced off scaffolding so he could plug in his power tool of some kind. He was wearing a hard hat.

The car? Now that might very well have been a Mafia get-away car. I don't know. It really was going too fast in too small of a space, but that's pretty common, so I can't complain too much.

In other news, I have a paper to write that's due Thursday, and I have class and meetings for several hours tomorrow afternoon. I'm planning to do dinner with my friend Virigina and her parents tomorrow night, so I've GOT to get this paper done between tonight and tomorrow morning so I don't have to stress about it at midnight tomorrow night! And, of course, I have reading to do for my Thursday classes as well.

I've decided to keep up on the daily (or semi-daily perhaps) blogging, but I'm adding a new element. I was talking to my Mom last night (I think it was last night? Today has been a LONG day!) about how I read so much for schoolwork that the last thing I really want to do with my spare time is read the Bible... But then when I don't read it I feel guilty about it, and that doesn't help because then I feel like I HAVE to read it, which puts it right up there with the schoolwork thing... Anyhow, she said something that stuck with me, which is that I can still MEDITATE on the word, even if I don't get through the whole Bible this year... which, by the way, was a commitment I refused to even make this school year because I knew it wouldn't happen!

So, my extra-added-on little element for the NEXT month with be a verse - probably from Pslams because that's where I tend to turn to when I'm in both meditative mode and I-need-something-good/wise/profound/truthful-QUICK - that I choose to focus on and meditate on each day.

The verse(s) for the next 24 hours is Psalm 39:6-7 (NLT): "We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."

Tutto Bene: Coming to a theatre near you!

Today was what I call a rubbish party. No, I did not coin that clever phrase, but I partial to using it, because it describes so well what today was! Rubbish, for you non-Brits, is "garbage" at all the public locations in Great Britian. So, for the sake of an example, you throw out your sandwich wrapper in a rubbish bin. A "rubbish party" is when an event or a series of events occurs that just is... well, garbage! It's useless, wasted, or perhaps you could even apply it to the absolute ridiculous. A very literal application of this phrase is when I was in Morocco, taking the house garbage 10 km into town with my friend Dani to deposit it at the dump. On one of the sharp curves, the garbage can full of several-day-old kitchen scraps and such fell over in the back of the van. That was a literal and figurative rubbish party. We had to clean it up.

Today was the day my roommate Clara and I ventured forth into the great unknown of Industrial Rome to the Questura Ufficio Immigrazione, which is on Via T. Patini, 19, in case anyone needs to know. But don't expect it to be on any maps of the greater Roman area... After arriving last August, I submitted my information to attain my Permesso di Soggirono, aka: My Permit to Stay. Basically, it makes me a legal person living semi-long term here in Rome. It means I'm not just a tourist, I'm here to do something (in my case, study... English Literature. "Litteratura di Inglese? In Roma? Per che?" everyone asks me. Trust me, sometimes I wonder too!). Now, my understanding is that this process used to be fairly simple - a matter of going somewhere, performing some act like getting your fingerprints taken, giving someone some small amount of money (perhaps for the Mafia? One never knows), and then exiting that somewhere with Permission to be in the country. It's not that simple any more. Per che? Io no se! Perhaps because the Italian government seems to collapse every year and a half... maybe this was a law brought into action by some past government that hasn't been changed because Italy as a whole is more concerned about the health-hazard garbage problem in Naples or whether a region in Northern Italy is going to declare their independence from Italy... or who can wear the most designer items at one time, no idea! I just know that I have a lot more patience for people funneling through Ellis Island (wait, that's not in use anymore... but I somehow guess the process must have been similar!).

OK, so Clara and I left about 7:30 to catch a bus, which was the first of our 4-part journey. It was raining, which I did not realize when I got dressed because I hadn't bothered to look out the window. Lazy of me, I know. Anyone who knows me knows I HATE having the bottom of my jeans be wet. And since I don't go for the skinny-let jeans, if it's raining, my jeans ALWAYS end up wet! Today was such a day. 2 inches were soaked by the time we got on the bus.

We made it to Termini without any problems, Clara had to get some passport fotos (they have little automated stands here, like those funky photobooths that are in malls? They're in all the major transportation stations in Europe, and cost 3-5 Euros for 4 passport photos. BRILLIANT. Someone needs to bring that idea to the states!), and then off we were on the metro to the end of line B. The metro is both a very cool and very creepy place for me. The music is always this happy, carnival type music that somehow freakily contrasts the dim, dank, urine-smelling subterranean passageways. And there is always a cold wind. That creeps me out too... I think the poets would call it "the touch of dead posey" or something.

We reached the end of the metro, and exited the station looking for bus 437 or 447. Bus 437 left every 30 minutes, bus 447 left every 15 minutes. We saw a bus 447 at the bus stand across yonder, so we take off running for the bus. Literally, sprinting. My leather trench coat was flying, gum wrappers were falling out of my purse (thank goodness I didn't loose my passport and all the important info for the Permisso!), and my scarf was flapping in the wind behind me as only scarfs can do when their owners try to leave them behind whilst they are attached to the neck.

We dashed across streets with passing cars (I invision this scene as quite dramatic if my life were to be made into a blockbuster movie... Some great music going here, the camera panning in to see how my jeans now have water soaked 6 inches up from the bottom thanks to the puddles) screeching to a halt around us, and the horns blowing and hands waving and people yelling in Italian as only true Italians can do, and we jump onto the bus... Only to realize it isn't turned on. In fact, it's "Deposito," meaning, it's at the end of it's run and waiting for the appointed time to leave (side note: this must be the ONLY time when Italians make an effort to run on something like a schedule... And I think the reason is because the bus driver likes to grab a cappuccino and smoke a cigarette). Not only was the bus not going anywhere at that moment, but the bus is half full of Romans watching the drama of the American girls crossing the 15 lane highway (OK, that's added for dramatic purposes of the movie...). Clara and I sit down, checking to make sure all appendages are still attached, and 30 seconds later a handsome, young Italian man POUNDS on the window next to our heads, and points across the parking lot at another bus 447 that is actually running and ready to depart on the route. The whole busload of people gets off the bus, we wade across the gravel/mud/wet parking lot (8 inches wet now), and get on bus 447 number two. Thanks for looking out for us, handsome bus driver!

The Ufficio Immigrazione is out in Industrial Rome, I think. The road the bus drove down had factories on one side of it, and scrubby fields with disrepaired fences on the other. I soaked up the view of every green blade of grass and rolling hill that I could. We got off at a bus stop on a very obscure, non-government looking stretch of road. I began to wonder if we were being used in some drug-trafficking heist or something for the Mafia - I thought it would have been a nice touch to my action movie - but it ended up it was the legit place. We found this out by walking three blocks down a scantily paved road with no sidewalk and huge mud puddles that - for the most part - the drivers avoided. I was very thankful, although one inconsidered chap drove through a mud puddle/pond and sprayed a nice stream of water all over us, properly soaking the bottom 2 feet of my jeans (Well, OK, that detail was added to the movie too...).

We came to the back of a parking lot with fences that looked like they were indicating there wasn't a way through, but Clara assured me the fences were just for the dramatic affect of the movie, and we wandered through the maze, stepping around cars, puddles and red and white "do not enter" tape to get to the front gate. We made it JUST before a huge crowd of people came, but unfortunately arriving just before a huge crowd of people doesn't mean you get to go in line right away. One man was answering and direction all the people from a windowed counter, and Clara and I were number 3 in line for about 15 people-worth of questions.

We got a number and took a seat, and only about 10 minutes later were called to a different window. The guy who helped us has an uncle who lives in Michigan on a lake. I think he thought Washington and Ohio were close to Michigan, because I think he was asking us if we knew him. I caught all this from hearing the words "Michigan" and "Largo." Clara later confirmed my understanding of the dialogue. We had the whole "Litterature Inglese? In Roma?" conversation, peppered with the proper astonished facial expressions and my humble acknowledgement that yes, I am crazy, yes, I chose to come here because Rome is beautiful (Although, I must say, my jeans were practically screaming opposition to that idea right there in the waiting room), and yes, my Italian is really pathetic... Fortunately, you see, I've memorized this conversation in Italian, so it usually goes pretty well. "Allora" our Michigan-uncle Questura friend finally said, which is how all bad news is given because that's how all news is given because that's how all conversations are started in Italy. Allora. Then, to roughly translate: "There was some mistake, perhaps the secretary at the post office made it, or maybe a computer mis-printed something, I can't say, but there was a mistake, and I have tried to fix it. I tried to put the two of you together for an appointment at the Questura in Trastevere in April - that is the earliest I can get you in - because you need to go to the Questura in Trastevere to complete the next step. Not here. You should not be here. You see? That was the mistake. You are good, though. OK. This is all OK. I scheduled your appointments, and here is the paper you will show them. You are not together because, you see, the computer is telling me there are no appointments together, but this is good. You are good. Everything is good. Go to the Questura in Trastevere on April 5th for you, and April 7th for you - they are at the same time, if that helps - and all will be good. It will be perfecto. You are good."

By this time, my following skills were lagging, and all I was understanding was "tutto bene, tutto bene. OK? Tutto bene." Clara reminded him (quite calmly, I might say, considering the scene that followed) that our visa expired in May, and we needed to GET our permissi before the visa expired, but that got a "Va bene? Tutto bene. OK. Arrivederci!" with a warm smile and something else about Michigan (probably an invitation to visit his uncle there and eat fish). At that moment (I picture this as being a close up of my eyes in the movie, like when the protagonist realizes something important) I understood 3 things: First, that something had gone wrong; Second, that all 5 feet, 100 lbs, and personality-the-size-of-Texas of Clara was going to blow up in front of the Ellis-Island-like waiting room full of African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern Europe immigrants staring at the two light-haired Americans; and Third, that we were being politely excused and I needed to get Clara out of the room FAST!

Heroically, I tucked her under and arm like a football and carried her out, flailing arms and legs surrounding me (Well, that's what'll happen in the movie...), and we found ourselves back in the maze of the parking lot, with me asking, "What just happened?" Clara, understandably upset, accentuated her point by speaking very loudly about *%#@! Italians in general and the $@*#%! Italian government and the $&@*#! immigrations process and how on $@#*%! earth we were going to get back into the country in the fall without our Permissi. I have to say, I agreed with every word. She ranted, I raved all the way back the 10 blocks (that's what it felt like!) through the pond-splashed road to the one bar in probably a 10 mile radius (and if you've ever been to Italy, that's saying something!!!) beside the bus stop. In proper Italian fashion, we decided that this situation called for enduring and drastic measures, so we went inside and ordered cappuccini and cornetti. After standing under the dripping awning of the bar for 20 minutes waiting for either bus 447 or 437 to come (we aren't picky!), and an entirely-too-long bus ride across from a man who hadn't showered in several weeks, I suspect, we back-tracked the remaining steps of our journey and came home soaked, tired, and success-less on our quest to legalize our residency here.

I hope that helps explain what a rubbish party is. I only wish two things: 1 - that I'd had a camera to document the party, but alas, you'll have to wait for the movie! and 2 - that I'd worn a skirt and boots. I HATE HAVING WET JEANS.

I made it in time for my 2nd class of the day, and naturally the 3rd as well. The 4th was cancelled because we're writing a paper for the midterm over the weekend, so I came home and fell fast asleep by 4:30PM. Clearly the rubbish party exhausted me, because I slept until 7:30, and got up to do homework... and do other fun stuff like "hang out" on facebook and myspace. Now, I'm going to sleep for the night because I'm still tired, and tomorrow I intend to awaken and accomplish great and mighty things.

Although I didn't have my camera today, here are two photos from last night, as promised.


The gang, minus Tanner, who was taking the picture



The Trumbo trio - bearers of southern grace and charm to Rome en masse... And after another couple hours with them, all my thoughts are "wyath ah SUHthrn AXsent" Yikes!

Hurrying

If I write really fast, I can still get this posted on March 3rd... that would be impressive, wouldn't it?!

I just finished editing my 10 page paper that I'm turning in tomorrow. It's on applying this dude's theory of flat and round characters to the novels "Emma" and "Love in Excess." I highly recommend Emma, I highly DON'T recommend Love in Excess.

I still have a bit of reading to do before I can drift off into peaceful slumber. I'm reading excerpts from a Gothic novel for my Survey Class. I'm also in Mary Barton for my Genre of Fiction class. I think I have about 40 pages of the Gothic novel excerpts, and 20 chapters in Mary Barton... probably isn't all going to happen. I also need to read a couple books in the Iliad before tomorrow night. I might put it off, though, because my midterm for my survey class will be on Wednesday, I believe (I'm doing a make-up midterm because I will be gone on the actual midterm day because I have to go to the police station and get fingerprinted so I can continue the process of being legal here in Italia). Soooo... I need to make sure I'm caught up on all my reading. Which... I'm not! And I want to review what we HAVE read. That's tomorrow night and Wednesday morning's project, I guess.

Otherwise, I've had a terribly dull day. No, not terribly. Just dull. It was another nice sunny day actually! Our heat got fixed on Saturday, so now our apartment is really hot - I need to go turn it down or just take off my sweater. I'd rather turn it down because it's cheaper, but my roommates sometimes prefer not having to bulk up on the clothes. Our sink is now leaking onto our kitchen floor, though. Or maybe it's the washer, I don't know. I just get up in the morning and have to mop up the puddle of water. Thank goodness we're living in tile-capital!

K, I'm off. Wish me luck and pray I stay awake!

Executive decision...

Since I'm the one who owns and operates this blog spot (well, I don't know if I own it because I didn't pay for it... but I'm the one who manages it!), I made an executive decision to skip my March 1st entry. Why? Justice. See, February 29th gets skipped over three out of every four years and that just didn't seem fair to me... so I wanted the 29th to have a little longer to shine in the limelight. If I was being REALLY fair, I'd have let it have the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd... but I didn't want to be too generous, you know!

Besides that, my internet wasn't working last night when I went to write the blog.

This weekend has been a bit stressful. But at least I'm ALMOST finished with my 8-10 page paper due on Tuesday. Yay!

I've made new friends! My friend Cass's Mom and sister are visiting him for a week. I met them last night when they popped in, asking if they could use my internet access, and then I spent a good portion of today with them doing some touristy stuff after church. Here's a picture of us at the Colosseum:




I've decided something: I LIKE HAVING MOMS AROUND! Actually, I miss having Dads around too... but I think it would be difficult to get my Dad away from the farm, and (if we're being fair), my Mom's never been to Europe, and the last time I was in Europe with a parent it was with my Dad... So I guess it's Mom's turn! I even went to Orbitz.com to see how much tickets would cost to fly Mom over here. I can't go home for a week, and in all reality, I know she'd probably be just as hard pressed to get away for a week, but all these Moms keep coming through here with their daughters... and I guess I just want MY Mommy to come to! It doesn't help that her birthday is coming up... ;-) I admit, it crossed my mind to try to call my sisters and grandparents and Dad to see if we could all put money towards the ticket ($747!). BUT, there's a chance my parentals and some of the siblings might come next Christmas, so I guess I can wait that long. And I will get to see both my parents in June, which isn't so far away. Especially considering how this semester is FLYING!

I went for a walk last night (I'd been in the house writing a paper most of the day) and I took some fun night-time photos. Don't worry, I stuck to the well-lit areas where there are lots of people. I had my tennis shoes on too, so I could run away from any bad guys!




This is my "I'm a big, tough, haybale-bucking farm girl, so don't mess with me!" look. I employ it frequently!




A fountain by the Vittorio Emmanuelle II monument (aka: the wedding cake). That's Italy's flag on the flag pole... there wasn't any wind to work with, though.




The top of the stairs I ran up and down 3 times to get some good aerobic exercise without having to leave the touristy area and still wearing my chic jacket... :-)




This is on a main road heading towards the Colosseum. I saw some people running out to the center of the road to snap a picture, but I wasn't that stupid... errr, brave!

Mi casa...

It's high time I let all of you faithful blog readers see my apartment... So here's where I live. I had a crepe night tonight for a couple people to teach them how to make crepes, so I straightened up (a little!) and swept. I took the pictures post-party while it is still kind of clean :-).




Our living room from our front door. Couches on the right, the wall with the TV on the left, and the desk (doubling as a dining room table) ahead. The door past it goes down to the kitchen and bathroom.



Our couches - aka: "The Princess Lounges." Probably the most comfortable piece of furniture I've ever slept on.



My part of the room, as seen from the living room




Clara and Ellen's side of the room, as seen just inside the door going to the living room.




The closet. To the right of Ellen and Clara's bed. My section is the mirror section. I brought less clothes!




From the bedroom door looking back into the living room and towards the front door.




The stairs going down to the bathroom and kitchen... LOVE the shelves on the wall. Our last apartment had a shortage of shelves, cupboards, and closet space!




Our piccolo bathroom. The view just inside the door.




A bathroom mirror shot standing in the doorway. Toilet and shower are to the left. The previously mentioned shelves are behind me.




From the hall at the bottom of the stairs, looking into the kitchen/pantry/utility room. The washer is under the counter. The fridge is half size. And the cupboards on the left are awesome!




There's a window just inside the door in the kitchen above the little table. It opens into a courtyard. We're on the second or third floor, so we don't use the courtyard, but here's hanging out the window to take a picture looking back up towards the bedroom. The laundry air dries, so I hung twine outside the window to give us a tad more space to hang some larger items.

Condensed.

I had a teacher at LCC that made me write as concisely as possible. It was an awful practice, I hated it (surprised?!), but it was so good for me! So today's post will be short. And you deserve it after making it through yesterday's!

These are some thoughts I had today while sitting in my four classes:

- Tomato soup sounds good for dinner. (I came home and made the best tomato soup I've ever had - another recipe for my bistro!)

- I don't want to be beautiful. It's not worth it. Helen of Troy? Had a 10 year war fought over her. Persephone? Kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld. Pandora? Opened that darn box. Sarah? Had her husband terrified and was taken into Pharoah's harem. Esther? She may have been queen, but tell me someone in their rational mind who would WANT to be queen!? Rachel? Insecure. And now? If you're beautiful you have some many people hating you because you look good, jealous of you because you look good, or staring at you because you look good. If you were Angelina Jolie or Catherine Zeta-Jones, how many REAL relationships do you have? Thank you, I like being average!

- THE CLASSICS WILL NOT GO AWAY!!! As a Lit major, EVERY time I turn around I'm finding myself staring at some classic story. I wish I'd paid more attention in 4th grade when I studied this stuff.

- The Iliad is actually pretty interesting, especially if you picture Brad Pitt as Achilles as you read it outloud to yourself... And yes, my roommates aren't quite sure of my sanity.

- Stress brings people together. When everyone's freaking out about a paper, they're more likely to let down their boundaries. I like that.

AMAZING gelato!

I think I found a new favorite place... Although my little gelateria on Via della Scala will always be dear to my heart, being the first place I ever experienced canella. But this place is much closer to my house (uh-oh, not good!) and the guy was awesome - he let me taste test gelato, and suggested a combination that rocked my socks, so to speak! (I don't actually know what that means, but I think it is supposed to be something like overwhelmingly good... Kinda like Phil Wickham! ;-) ). Anyhow, I had "crema," which is kind of like a sweet, plain pudding around here, but it's gelato, and lampone (sp?), which is raspberry. Ever had those tasty sandwich type cookies with raspberry and frosting? Well, convert that to gelato... It was good! If you come visit me, I'll take you there!

I'm in the mood to fill out a survey, and rather than send a bunch out on my myspace bulletins, I thought I'd post it on here. My big sister sent this out the other day:

Food Questions
1. Do you like carrots?
cooked
2. Do you eat meat?
not for the past couple weeks... I just haven't bought any lately
3. Ever had sushi?
not yet. It's on my to-do list
4. Favorite soda/pop:
Not a fan. Sometimes coke or rootbeer or orange or sprite or Mt Dew taste good... for about one swallow. Then I'm done.
5. Do you eat blueberries?
Do I ever! I wonder when they start coming in season around here...
Music Questions
1. Favorite band:
At the moment, "Phil Wickham"
2. Song you absolutely hate:
I can't think of any, because I never have to hear songs I don't like. But there are a couple...
3. Radio station you listen to:
None these days
4. Current music:
Phil Wickham (as if that wasn't obvious!)
5. First CD ever bought:
Pachabel's Cannon in D? I dunno.
Love Questions
1. Ever been in love?
Not in the conventional way.
2. What does love mean to you?
Actions. Choices. Commitment
3. Believe in love at first sight?
Nope
4. Current crush:
Zero. None. Well... unless Phil Wickham counts! ;-) But, can you have a crush on someone because of their music??? Probably not.
5. First kiss:
I'll get back to you on that one...
Room Questions
1. What is your bed size?
It's a cot, actually.
2. Do you have any windows?
Yup, by my head. I love to have windows by my head. It makes waking up so much easier.
3. Is your computer in there?
If I want it to be, yup.
4. Bedsheet color?
white and tan stripes, I guess.
5. Number of posters on the walls:
One. It's this funky flower that was here when we came. But we have a lot of pictures and postcards and cut outs up.
Television Questions
1. Lamest show on TV:
I absolutely hate Sex and the City. It's disgusting and disturbing. I have no idea if it's still on, but my roommates have season of it on DVD and I can't even stand to be in the same room!
2. Best show on TV:
I gotta admit I kinda like The Office... But I never watch it! Of course, if I decide I want TV shows I usually turn on re-runs of Xena, Warrior Princess, dubbed into French...
3. Favorite cartoon:
I never watched cartoons.
4. Do you ever watch the news?
I've watched Al Jazeera news once since I came. It was in English.
5. Are you guilty of watching the weather channel?
Maybe once in my life?
The ‘Other Gender’ Questions (I should have read this survey before I started filling it out... this could get weird!)
1. Do you prefer blondes or brunettes?
Nope. No preference.
2. Do you like skater kids?
PULL YOUR PANTS UP!
3. Sweet but sensitive or loud but romantic?
Uh... let's not overdose on either
4. Do you like being called “babe, sweetie, honeybun,” etc.?
I have a name for a reason...
5. Do you like them outgoing or shy?
Them, as in men? Well, a balance, I guess.

1. Raised in:
The preceipitous (is that a word?) Northwest of the USA.
2. Were you a planned baby:
I've never asked, actually. I'm here, that's what matters!
3. Birth date:
29 January
4. Any siblings:
Four
5. Younger or older:
uno older, tre younger
6. Hair color:
Mine or theirs? Brown, for me...
7. Hair length:
Mine, I presume. Short.
8. First school:
Was... down the hall.
9. Eye color:
Green
10. Shoe size:
39
11. Mood:
Va bene, grazie! Realizing this survey is LONG!
12. Smell:
What do I smell like? Sugar and spice and everything nice... And Green Tea perfume by Elizabeth Arden
13. Height :
taller than some, shorter than some, right about average I'd say.
14. Lefty/righty:
I still have both. Should I be expecting to lose one soon?

THIS OR THAT:
1. Love or money?
Are we talking now or the future??
2. Coffee or alcohol?
Italian cafe, per favore
3. One night stands or relationships?
What an indecent and ridiculous question!
4. Television or internet?
Internet... although both can be time wasters
5. Pepsi or Coke?
Water
6. Fun night out or romantic night in?
Must we get into this lovey-dovey stuff?
7. Phone or in Person?
Person is always best. But phone suffices
8. Aim or myspace im?
I have neither
HAVE YOU EVER:
1. Have you ever been caught sneaking out?
I never had a reason to sneak out
2. Have you ever skinny dipped?
Brr!
3. Have you ever done something you regret?
Of course
4. Have you ever been on a house boat?
No - I might add that to my life goal list though
5. Have you ever finished an entire jaw breaker?
Oh yes. I use to buy those HUGE ones in Seattle and work on it for weeks. My tongue would bleed from licking it so much.
6. Have you ever colored your hair?
highlights
ARE YOU:
1. Are you missing someone right now?
I always miss people when I'm not with them
2. Are you talking to anyone right now?
Just you (aren't you special!)
3. Are you German?
I suppose part of me might be
4. Are you Italian?
I don't claim it. I think the mindset might be rubbing off on me a little, though... EEK!
5. Are you French?
Non, j'ne Francais
6. Are you Russian?
I'm not sure... maybe some?
7. Are you Norwegian?
I don't think so.
8. Are you Irish?
I want to be!
9. Are you Indian?
No, although I want to live there for a bit.
10. Are you latin?
Nope
11. Are your parents still married?
Indeed (Thanks Mom and Dad!)
DO YOU:
1. Do you get depressed about things easily?
No. Just piles of schoolwork!
2. Do you live life to the fullest?
I hope so - I fail sometimes, though.
3. Are you comfortable with the way you look?
A good 75% of the time, I think
4. How do you dress?
All over the board. Skirts and boots, jeans and sweaters, t-shirt and sweats... Totally depends. But the trick is... as long as you have a coat and scarf on, you can wear anything!
5. Are you scared of growing old alone?
Nope.
6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
2 questions: 1: do I really HAVE to grow up? And 2: Do I have to decide to BE something if I grow up? Can't I just be me?
7. Favorite season?
sunshine, sunshine, sunshine... So I'll take it in any season. No season would be as valuable to me if I didn't have each of the others to balance it.
8. Are you a vegetarian?
Maybe? I don't know. Does not eating meat make you one?
9. Current song you are listening to?
Take a wild guess... I bought Phil Wickham's new ALBUM on iTunes... And it's good! ;-)

FINALLY done. Sorry folks!

New Song!

I'm in the computer lab because I needed to actually accomplish something today, so I left my house! It's only halfway working.

When I went to sign in to blogger, I realized I automatically pushed AltGrand to use it for the @ sign (look at that, I just did it again!). Does this mean I'm going native around here? Euro keyboards don't through me for a loop? Yay!

I found a new song. I know, I know, you're thinking, "Didn't we just HAVE a blog about music???" and yes, you're right, we did. Yesterday. (OK, technically today, be went went over this already). But I like a new one I found enough to promote it on here!

Follow this link: www.myspace.com/daniL012988. It's the song on my profile. Title: True Love by Phil Wickham. If there's a more perfect, brand new Easter-type song, I've yet to hear it! (Hang on while I go push play on the song in the other window really quick!)

Come to find out, Phil Wickham has a whole new ALBUM out. How did I not know this?! Because I'm in Italy? Or just oblivious? Probably both. But really, being over here does play a part. Usually my sister and I will talk about music for an average of, oh, 10 hours a week? Usually at night when we should be sleeping. I don't hear about all her new discoveries all the time over here. Of course, she is good to myspace me and tell me about some, but there ARE more important things to talk about... Like shoes. Shoes are very important. Or sales. So, see, we have to reduce all that kind of communication.

Speaking of shoes and sales, I'm going to a black tie charity event next month! The Irish Embassy is hosting a Celtic Ball to raise money for homeless people in Rome and Ireland. And I've reserved tickets. I need a dress though. Anybody have a black cocktail dress they want to mail to me? And shoes? I'll bring them back in June!

And speaking of Ireland (don't you love how this is all tying in to Phil Wickham's song? And did you just go back to retrace this line of thought? Because I just had to...), I am the proud owner of a one-way ticket to Belfast for my spring break! I have friends there, and since I've never been to the Emerald Isle, I decided it was high time to check it off my list. Of course, it'll be for about 2 days, then I'm flyng to England for Easter dinner with some other friends there, then flying on to Southern France for a couple days there with a girl I just met, and FINALLY (hopefully!) on to Northern Spain to visit people THERE before I come home and read 3 books over the weekend and crash before school starts on Monday!

That's it. That's all the news I have. I think I'm going to sautee mushrooms and spinache and basil and tomatoes to have with integral (whole grain) pasta tonight, because I have all of them on my shelf in my fridge and I don't want them to spoil. Besides that, it's relatively calm here. I'm writing a paper on a Shakespeare sonnet, a Milton sonnet, and Keats sonnet. And finishing a paper on the concept and portrayal of virtue in restoration England (both due on Tuesday). I'm also still finishing up Emma, finishing The Woman In White, reading The Iliad, and revising a paper on Charles Dickens and the definition of plot. See why I'd rather be listening to fantastic music?!

Outside perspective

I have an intro to poetry and poetics class taught by a Scotsman. Prof Miller is a wee wisp of a man, who frequently dresses smartly in flashy grey suits and vests. He has a habit of putting his chin up and squinting his eyes so one can't really tell if he's closing them or just looking through his eyelashes whenever he tries to remember what he was talking about. This happens quite frequently as he tends towards rabbit trails.

One primo example is today's 75 minute class. The first 45 minutes of it we didn't even discuss poetry or poetics. We discussed... America. And food portions. And customer service. Prof Miller was telling of his time in Ithaca, NY, speaking at Cornell. He was aghast at the quantity of food he got at an "eatery of some sorts" that some students recommended to him. He was quite overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices one had to make to get a simple sandwich: Which type of sandwich meat? Which cooking method? Seasoning? Bread style? Bread type? Vegetables? Pickle type? "Chip" type? All for 4 or 5 dollars. He said he struggled to carry the platter to a table to sit down after his quarter of an hour decision making process and the scowling of all the people in the queue.

He observed that Americans seem quite willing to accept and tolerate people of a vast variety - car owners or not, as he classified them. He couldn't understand the business of tipping people. He also commented on our attitude towards customer service - he claims that just because someone is serving someone else doesn't make the service-person a SERVANT. He rather likes the French way of taking pride in their occupation.

It was facinating to hear P. Miller and the other non-American students discuss their impressions of the US. We also discussed how places or people are really IDEAS in our head. I have several stereotyped ideas about Italians and French and English and Scottish and Irish and Russian and all the other nationalities out there - but in all truth, they're not accurate. They can't possibly be all accurate.

P. Miller expressed his realization that the US is really BIG, with a lot of differences even within our nation. Of course! If you think about it, Scotland is quite varied, from the borderlands to the north, from the east to the west... People a mere hour-drive-away have a completely different ACCENT. Scotland isn't even as large as some of the STATES in the USA, not to mention having FIFTY of them! To presume the US is homogenous is aking akin to saying Swedish and French and Ukranians and Italians are all similar because they inhabit Europe. Not quite the same, of course, considering each of those nations speaks a different language, but just because two people or two people groups inhabit the same land mass doesn't make them identical.

That's something I've learned even since being here, though. Americans are a vast, varied, broad-minded lot! I, unfortunately, have the impression that MY part of the US is how every part is... I feel that the NW is decidedly laid back yet high strung (probably from all the coffee we drink). We are sharply divided by many things - liberal, green city dweller contrasted with conservative, hunting country-er (is that a word?). The yuppies who wear sweater-vests and khakis with thick glasses going to office jobs having something to do with computers, and the dread-locked homeless people sleeping under bridges and smoking pot, AND the artistic, pale, introverted and clique-ish coffee-house youth. People who go to church on Sundays and spend the rest of the week with their Bibles in the trunk of their car. The people who live for the outdoor activities: hiking, biking, mountain climbing, skiiing, canoeing. Even within my description of the NW is a VAST difference, yet I see it as common for all these people to live together and co-exist. I'm learning that isn't the way it is everywhere. For example, in the southeast I feel that appearances and what one SAYS is a lot more important. The NW can be pretty blunt sometimes. I have this stereotype image of one southern woman whispering to another one, "Bless my soul, do you SEE that girl's hair? Lord bless her heart." And in the Northwest I imagine people as being more assertive and demanding, "I asked for my cuoffee THAT way and I demind my money back since YOU made the mistake." I also imagine the Northeast as being a bit more formal in social interaction.

So where am I going with this? I have no idea! I actually need to just stop and go to class, so I'll cease rambling about now. I usually like discussing the poetry in my poetry class, but the 45 minutes I spent listening to other people's views of America - both non-Americans AND Americans trying to explain America, which is really only their understanding of America - was probably the most thought-provoking, interesting, and possibly even... enlightening? 45 minutes I've spent in a long time!

Scholarships....

Reading load is STILL insane. I've got half of Emma to finish before tomorrow... Is it possible to do it in the next 9 hours? It better be.

I got a scholarship finished up today, I'm planning to mail it from Vatican city tomorrow. That's where I typically go to mail stuff. St Peter's is one of my favorite places in Rome, I think. It's big. I've realized I like big things. Big churches, big open spaces, big fields of grass, big trees.

I have new friends from WA staying with me! I met them at Termini this morning and brought them back to my place. They introduced me to Piazza bianca - which is basically pizza crust with olive oil on it. One thing I love about Italian food is that it's SIMPLE but oh-so-good. They brought me starbucks coffee too. I don't know how simple it is, but it's also really good.

I don't know that I feel any better, but I don't necessarily feel worse. I think, overall, I have more energy, but I'm very tired. It's more of an... internal energy, perhaps? Physically I'm exhausted, but the thought of having my regular 3-day weekend sounds LOVELY!

I still have loads of reading to do tonight, though, so... off I go!

I am thankful for the following:

- My friend Hilary (as in "Hawaiian Hilary's site" link over to the right) and her idea to keep a thankful blog... So I'm copying her (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, no?) by writing today's blog on things I'm thankful for.

- We had another blue sky and sunshine day today. At some point I need to go buy cool, Roman-looking sunglasses so I don't create more wrinkles then necessary around my eyes, but for the moment, I rather enjoy walking outside my front door and having my sight assaulted by brilliant sunshine (which the ancients would call the mark of Apollo, FYI).

- I am thankful for my Ugg boots. I didn't bring them over last semester a) because it was HOT when I came, and b) because I didn't think I had room, and c) because Ugg boots are SO last season, aren't they? Well, I don't care what season it is, it was COLD in my all-tile apartment towards the end of last semester... So I made a point of rolling them up and stuffing them into the top of my backpack when I came over in January. Seriously, they are the most used item of my wardrobe, I think. The very FIRST thing I do when I get home is take off my shoes and put my Uggs on, and the very last thing before I leave is to switch my Uggs for my regular shoes. I don't wear them outside, but I love having them for these brillianty-but-cold days and nights.

- Skype is an amazing tool, and I used it last night to call my wonderful doctors. I worked for my doctors for awhile, played soccer with their daughter, took a class on Political Science from their son, and have had my health primarily looked after by them since I was about 10. They run a small clinic in my hometown, and I have their phone number memorized. I called and after explaining the situation and being on hold for a couple minutes, I got to talk to Anwar, who is always kind, generous, and warm to me. After describing my ailments and symptoms from the past week, he told me amoxacilline, 500 mg, 3 times a day for 10 days. I went to a farmacia today and showed them my note (I forget how to say "500" and "30"), and got 12 caplets of 500 mg. It was all that farmacia had, so I'll need to find another one tomorrow or the next day to get the remaining 18 caplets, but yay for Italian drug systems and over-the-counter antibiotics, and yay for wonderful, personable doctors, and yay for skype!

- My apartment is seriously in one of THE most idea places in Rome in terms of tourism (yes, anyone who knows me really CAN come visit!). Tomorrow I'm expecting some relatives of someone my parents and grandparents know. I'm going to meet their train in the morning, and they're hanging out here until sometime Thursday I think. I'm delighted that I have cool roommates who are all for having company, and that we got this awesome apartment, and that I have two wonderfully comfortable couches to welcome guests! I even went grocery shopping today (twice, actually, because I couldn't carry everything with just one load) and picked up breakfast stuff so we all have something to eat over the next couple days.

- Although I wasn't thankful for this at first, while I'm thinking on the subject I'm even thankful for the less-than-ideal grade I got on my paper the other day. Why? Because it reminds me that I need to be putting my utmost effort into school (although, I feel that I already am putting a LOT of effort into it, I'm sure I could find a little more time to devote towards it somwhere!) AND, it reminds me that I'm not perfect... In case I NEEDED a reminder! :-) It also reminds me that yes, school is important, but there will come a day that, if I even REMEMBER it, I will in all likelihood laugh about it and say, "Well, that doesn't make me any less loved by God."... for which I'm VERY thankful for!

- My butterfleece sweatshirt, which gets almost as much wearing time as my Uggs

- The fact that I'm going to stop writing this and go read Jane Austen's Emma and know that I'm being productive towards school efforts!

- Lastly, for the opportunity to apply for SCHOLARSHIPS. It's that time of year. I've finished two, and I'm working on the essay part for a third, and I've got a couple more to tackle before the end of the season. I've been so blessed by scholarship money the past couple years, and I'm thankful for the groups/agencies/organizations that provide scholarship funding for students such as myself...

the Roman Forum

Today I picked up a copy of the free Roman Forum magazine/newspaper thing at the back of church. In case anyone wants to know about the news happening in my little town, go to: www.theromanforum.com which gives you a plethora of interesting news in English about Bella Roma.

Three things I found particularly interesting in this month's articles/news blurbs:

1 - "John Cabot University expands to new premesis." I'd actually heard about this and am QUITE excited to see how it pans out. Hopefully by next September we'll be having classes in this former Jewish Elementary school... Our school right now is quite small, so it'll be terrific to have additional space!

2 - "Mystery surrounds death of a 21-year-old John Cabot Student." I quote: The body of Karen Young (21),an American visiting student at John Cabot University, was found underneath Ponte Garibaldi (insert: a bridge that I walked over at least 6 times a week last semester) on 24 January with several lesions to the head and a crack at the base of the skull. The university's president, Franco Pavoncello, said in a statement that she had 'died of natural casues,' yet her family said the investigation was ongoing and an autopsy was pending. Ms Young's tragic death came mere days after her 21st birthday and a week after arriving in Rome.

This was news that hadn't been passed on to the students. About the injuries, I mean.

3 - There's a CELTIC BALL, black tie affair on March 15th that I think I've talked my roommate Ellen into going with me! It'll mean getting a formal dress (sisters? Anyone want to mail over a cute formal dress???) in the form of buying or borrowing... and it DOES cost 83 Euros (ridiculous!) but part of the ticket is going towards a homeless ministry here in Rome, which I'd like to contribute money to without giving out change on the streets... Oh, and I'll have to find shoes too... ;-)

My ear feels a lot better after the drops I put in it. Does anyone know whether I should pursue getting some kind of oral antibiotic? Or is just having the drops enough? I really have no idea what's in the drops because not only is it medical language mumbo-jumbo, but it's also in ITALIAN.

I'm still working on that darn 10 page paper. I won't tell you how far I am into it... not nearly as far as I'd hoped! But on the suggestion of my Vatican-research friend Steve (he's working on his PhD, he must know something about writing papers?) I've scribbled out an outline, so now I have an idea of where I'm going and where I SHOUlD be going when I distract myself with the idea of going downstairs to "Joe's" to get gelato... which I just did, by the way. Lemone and Ciocollato are quite a tasty mix for a cuppola piccolo.

In other news, I've scratched the idea of posting pictures every time I post these blogs, so sorry! Writing once a day is clearly about as much (or more!) than I can manage!

I'm off to FINISH (Inshallah!) writing about virtue in restoration England... wish me luck, and THANKS for the prayers for health! The cough is a bit hurtful to the lining of my throat, I think, and the sinuses are definitely annoying... but I'm thankful that the knife-in-the-ear has stopped!

Sideways screen

The left side of my face thinks that gravity has played some funny trick on it as I write. Reason? I'm making every effort to keep the right side of my head - namely my right ear - pointed towards the ceiling. Why, the curious blog reader wonders? Well, my friends, I've had the first slight health fiasco in Europe. I hope it gets no worse. On top of the fever (comes and goes - mostly gone, though), and the headache (also comes and goes - mostly comes though), AND the plugged up head (there's nothing going about it - it's just come and taken up semi-permanent residence in my sinus cavities), this evening I took a nap. At some point I rolled over, and BANG (just like that, with the sound affect and wide eyes and everything!) I had a knife going into my eardrum. Well, I guess it wasn't a literal knife, but that's what it felt like.

About an hour was all it took for me to decide this was not going to be fun. Less than that, in reality, but an hour was when I'd had it. My friend Emily wrote out a wonderful note in Italian (Hi, I have great pain in my ear. It really hurts a lot. Is there anything you can give me for it?) and off I went with three friends who I'd planned to have dinner with at the pumpkin restaurant. First stop was the bancomat, and three times my card was rejected. Cass fronted me 10 Euros so I could buy the ear drops (the Indian pharmacist spoke English, so the note wasn't necessary). After finally taking some pain meds as well, I was ready for some food.

My Mom will say to me, "Why didn't your card work?" To which the answer is I needed to transfer money over... which I did get taken care of, and paid Cass back. I plan to see how the ear drops work for tomorrow and maybe Monday, probably keeping a supply of tylenol nearby, and if there isn't any improvement, I'll go back to the pharmacy and see if I can get a perscription. One of the beauties of living in Europe is that you don't HAVE to go to a doctor - in fact, you aren't really supposed to - for a lot of these common ailments.

In the meantime, my ear is pretty painful, and I've still got 5-7 pages to go on this paper tomorrow afternoon, along with all the usual reading load and church... Prayers are much appreciated!

PS: No pictures - sorry!

Running past the Colosseum...

Before my clock turns to midnight I need to write!

Today's been relatively productive. I'm still trying to avoid getting REALLY sick, keeping my throat and head to a dull ache is the goal, so I turned off my alarm this morning and tried to sleep a little longer than usual. I ended up not really sleeping past 9AM, so I read homework under my two wool blankets - it was cold last night!

Class, turned in a paper, came home and made lunch and dough for sourdough bread (it ended up being a complete flop, but the house smells wonderfully sourdough-ish... It just didn't rise), then worked on the presentation I'm giving tomorrow. I had some trouble finding sources, so I'm trying to pull this thing together still now, at quarter to midnight. I did take a break and go for a run, though, and my route took me by the Colosseum. It was pretty much dark by the time I left, but I'd never actually been by the Colosseum after dark. They have lights inside and spotlights on it, so it's quite lovely (you can check it out on google images - I didn't have my camera with me, obviously)... Keys, ID card, phone, and iPod shuffle are about all I care to try holding.

I copied the image above off google because I liked the overview of it. I ran on the far side of the building - the area where the cars don't drive. My route brought me up along that main road from the left, but I broke off from the road about where the road becomes visible as it leaves the treest. It's all a pedestrian area behind the colosseum, and then I joined up with the road again on the right side and followed it as it fades off into the distance on the top right of the photo.

In other news, Orbitz is having sales on flights... $650 round trip tickets from PDX to Rome for the dates I typed in for March... Anyone want to come for a visit? :-)

The long (but authentic?) way

I think one of the greatest challenges, but also sometimes the most rewarding part about living is Italy is when it comes to my cooking habits. I love to cook. Or bake. Or do anything that involves making food because I like to EAT food! No, wait, actually I really dislike making salads, for some reason... You know, like rinsing the lettuce and tearing it up and grating carrots (I HATE grating carrots!). Which is odd, because I do like to EAT salads... Anyhow, my solution to that is to buy baby spinach all the time because you don't have to tear it up!

Grocery shopping is a challenge in Italy. It's a fun challenge. Since I can't read the language very well, I have to sort of just guess juding by pictures. We have a market every morning outside my front door, though, which works for getting produce. Here's a picture of one of the stands this morning:



The only thing I don't like about market shopping is that I don't know the proper custom for doing things - do you just pick through and hand things to the marketstand person? Or do you ask for them to pick it up? It stresses me out!

To my knowledge, Italian grocery stores don't carry yeast. You know, like breadmaking yeast? Anyhow, I brought a jar back with me from the states for when I want cinnamon rolls or bagels, but I also decided on Saturday to attempt to make my own sourdough bread starter. Here's a picture of the stuff in my jar sitting on our window sill... Now, the window sill might not be the best place for it, because it has to be kept fairly warm, but there is a radiator right under this window sill, so the jar gets the heat from it.



It's starting to get bubbly, which - I presume - is a good thing.

Also, you can see that there is laundry drying outside at our neighbor's apartment across the way. The Italian apartment-dwellers are really quite ingenious! We live on the 2nd or 3rd story (it's kinda hard to tell...) and they just string their laundry out the window. I'm not really sure how yet. We have a rack in our kitchen that we drape clothes over... and drape them over the cupboard doors... and over the bedroom door and bathroom door... Sometimes it's like a laundrymat here!

Time is an interesting thing here. It's a city, so people still walk really fast talking on their cell phones even faster and waving their hands like they're painting in the air in front of them, but dinners are long, drawn out affairs. And classes usually start a little late if they're taught by Italians because, as my roommates say, the teacher's "can't be bothered" to arrive on time. I like that part, though, because I'm always trying to do one more thing before I walk the half mile to class... Like feeding my sourdough starter! I'll let you know how that goes!

Love. Loving. Lovingly

After spending some time yesterday on this website, browsing from blog to blog, I've decided that it would be a good exercise in communication for me to write a blog every day for the next month. Maybe then I can practice writing SHORT blogs.

To go along with this decision, I've decided to add a picture every day along with my blog post, for the next month. March 10th will mark the end of my daily blogging attempts... Can I do it? Yet to be seen. Check back in a month!

Today at church my friend Jason spoke since Pastor Dave is in the US. Considering that Valentine's day is just around the corner, he spoke on love. Loving by faith. I was quite convicted - I think something that especially hit me was a letter he read dating back from about 100 AD. The letter was about Christians - who they are and how they act. Christians, according to this author, are characterized by a real and true love. They love all men. And the people who hate them are UNABLE to give any real reason for their hatred. That is the way love should be shown. That is the way Christians should live - loving people. I'm always surprised at how Jesus was really taken advantage of during his public ministry, contrasted to how I hate to be taken advantage of. But that's not really loving, is it?

Anyhow, thanks for showing ME love by reading these little musings!

On a completely unrelated topic, here's a picture of me wearing my new H&M dress!