Rome, the most beautiful city in the world. Rome, the eternal city. Rome, the city of love. Whatever you call it, Rome is my home for six more weeks. So far, this is a wonderful place to call home.
We've been here for nine days now. The first night all 30 of us gathered together in one person's apartment (ruh-roh!) where we danced, sipped some vino, played some games, and had the police called on us for making too much noise :-/ A few other nights, we've simply spent relaxed time with one another playing cards and other games. I am afraid Grandma Ro would be disappointed that I did not nuke everyone in the games like she would have. Soon, Grandma! I just learned how to play cribbage and a few other games, so I am just getting the hang of rules. I've got her charm on my wrist, which only reminds me to step up my game:-) It's good to know she is here with me.
Classes started yesterday. Last week was full of orientations- for academics, for our apartment, for the neighborhood, and for Rome. We also had a small tour of Rome, during which I got to see the Pantheon, La Fontana di Trevi, e la Piazza di Spagna. We saw many other sights of which I forget the names. What I do remember is that everything is beautiful. I do not think that anything can beat the beauty of ancient ruins, ancient buildings, paintings, wine, men, chocolate, gelato, and so much more. No. I know nothing can beat it.
The day we had our tour I also had my first taste of delicious delicious gelato. My favorite flavors so far: Nutella and Amarena. Amarena is a super creamy vanilla that has a syrup of sour cherries mixed in. Nutella is, well, nutella! What's not to love?
Anyhoots, it's been fun shopping for groceries. I have no idea what I am buying half the time since it's all in Italian......
(the above post is actually a draft I saved from a while ago. I suppose I could finally post it, though)
9/11/2012
Wow, I have been so terrible at keeping up with blogging! To fill you in, classes are just about in full swing. I have had four out of my five total classes thus far. Theology does not start until Thursday, so I am not sure what that class will entail. The classes I have had are Italian language, art history, study abroad seminar, and history. I love how many of the classes are "on site," meaning I get to go somewhere for class. For this reason, class does not feel like class at all! Today for example I went to the Colloseum, Palazzo Venezzia, Basilica di Messenzio, Campo di Fiori, and Palazzo della Cancelleria. Paolo, the professor, is so excited about everything he shows us and teaches us which makes the class that much more enjoyable. He appreciates the special attention artists pay to the formation of a statue's buttocks :-)
I have only had two history classes so far, and they have both taken place inside the classroom. Tomorrow we go somewhere "on site". Location: I forget. No, "I forget" is not Italian. The professor is, once again, excited about what he teaches and shares with us as much information as he knows. This is both good and bad. It is good for the fact that I am learning a LOT. It is bad for the fact that I do not know what is necessary to memorize. He tells us many facts, many dates, and many names, and he articulates every. single. word. Every. single. word. seems to be very. important. I do not mean to make it sound like he doesn't make class fun, because he does make it fun. He picks on students- teasing about their major, memorizing names, making sure we are alive and paying attention. My name is no longer "Laura" but rather "Jellinger."
Seminar class is the most relaxed class out of them all. Chuck is the kindest professor and sincerely cares about each student. He is cool, calm, and collected. He recently retired from teaching biology, and I can tell he wans to continue teaching it, since he teaches it to us. He has us reading a fantastic award-winning book called "Guns, Germs, and Steel," and whenever there is a part in the book remotely biological Chuck stands up and gives us a lesson. He's great :-) Our typical class day (so far) is that we go to class, we sit in a chair in a circle, we chit-chat about our latest endeavors (weekend activities, other classes), and we then discuss the book. I highly enjoy Chuck and his class.
The final class, Italian, is most likely my favorite. I wouldn't be surprised if it were everyone's favorite since we have a very entertaining professor! We all attempt to imitate how Mario says, "Oh My God," but I am afraid it is a Mario-ism no one can imitate. Here, I'll spell it out for you and you can try: "oh may Go-dt!" :-) Haha, how did that work for ya? I will never forget our first class when Mario asked us if anyone knew Italian, and everyone said "no." His reply was, "sure ya do! You know spaghetti, right? And fettuccini, and lasagna." Mario is very happy and energetic and makes learning Italian very fun. So far in Italian, I know the alhabet, numbers, and traditional conversation : "what is your name: Come ti chiami?, How are you: Come stai?, I'm well, and you?: Sto bene, e tu?"
I am afraid I am going to have to cut this blog entry short. Oh wait! Mike, I've wanted to tell you that I cannot wait until you come to visit! There is some seriously delicious meat here. Every time I bite into a delectable slab I think of you. I can't wait to meat-sweat with you :-) I love you!
Arrivederci! I will fill you in on more at a later time. I have pasta about to boil over! Ahh!!
