a couple more pictures

the spanish steps

Oh and Sara, my roomate is seriously you!! Its freaky!! Im going to make you guys talk on the phone one day but you guys look alike, act alike, same sense of humor, and have the same sayings. I wouldnt be surprised if somehow you guys were related.. Ill post a pic of her but you cant really tell from just a pic


Roma
We demolished the dessert tray!
The Trevi Fountain
Vatican

The girl right next to me on the right is Saras twin

So much to say!

Ciao! Alright, well its about tiem i start this bad boy up! Please forgive me ahead of time for missing apostrophes etc... the keyboards in italy are arranged differently and I am still not used to it! Anyway, a LOT has happened in the past 2 weeks (less acutally) and I cant even believe how much Ive seen and experienced already. My apartment is great (there are 6 of us girls).. a lot of estrogen and hormones, I know, but I couldnt ask for better roomates. Classes started last week and so far tehyre really interesting! Im taking 3 classes di historia (History of Political terrorism, history of the italian mafia, and muslims jews and witches in medieval europe). Im also taking a fashion class and found out that we are visiting the Roberto Cavalli headquarters toward the end of the semester! I cant forget about the Italian class that takes place all in Italian (my teacher hardly knows English)- a bit of a challenge, attendance policies and so on are much more strict here than in the states. Their policies are enforced by the universita rather than on a teach to teacher basis. To get to calss every morning I walk through a beautiful open air market selling things from scarves and boots to jackets, journals, and sunglasses. I also am living right next to the huge mercato centrale (huuuge market) filled with every kind of meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetable. Its 2 stories and just a walk away. I have been thoroughly indulging in Italys amazing food- and luckily to counter that, I live on the 3rd story of my apartment building with NO elevators! Its impossible here to avoid the nutella and plethora of pastries because if you have enough willpower to walk by one bakery, you soon see another bakery 2 doors down. nobody has enough willpower. However, everyone is thin here! Its great because everybody walks. I find myself doing little things to keep the weight off. For example, I went to the market with my roomate Maury last night and decided to carry up the huge case of waters over the bag of food... :) I got home from a weekend in Rome last night and we probably walked at least 20 miles throughout the weekend. I took hundreds of pictures of the Vatican, the Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, the Colliseum, the Ruins, and so much more! On Friday Night we were treated to a dinner at a restaurant in Roma and ate down in the wine cellar because there were about 22 of us! We went downstairs and were welcomes to a huge table filled with apertivos (appetizers) such as mini quiche, sandwich wraps, rice, couscous, cheeses, and all kinds of yummy food. We were getting full when our advisor informed us that we had pasta, meats and cheeses, and of course wine and dessert ahead of us. We tried to pace ourselves but the food was too amazing! Needless to say, we all went to the hotel and crashed, despite our earlier plans to go out. I dont want to overwhelm you guys in this entry but I could go on for days and days! I will post a few pictures now and then add some more links to photo albums a little later ( I have class in a few)... anyway, my experience is amazing and already life changing and I cant wait for whats next. We have a wine tasting trip in Chiani next weekend, and Venice in a couple weeks! Arrivederci, miss u all !!

Here are some of the new roomates :)

Ciao!
So I have not had the time to be posting on this yet- but I'm sure everything will calm down soon so I can! I just wanted to add this link to an album of florence!
My blogging will start soon :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025983&l=ac930&id=139901969

Arrivederci!

Here is my blog that my wonderful Aunt Sara set up for me. I will be using this while I'm away to post pictures and keep everyone posted on my Italian escapade :)... I depart to Firenze (Florence), Italy on Tuesday, January 27th and my return date is open ended! Sometime in late June or early July... I have a feeling however, that I might want to stay forever. Italy is a gorgeous, magical place and I can't even explain the feeling I have about it right now.. A little but of nerves but MOSTLY EXCITED!! I can't deny that I will be missing my family and friends like crazy but I wouldn't skip this opportunity for the world!

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