To be quite honest with all you readers (if there are that many?), I'm really lacking in motivation for this blog. I am constantly reminding myself, "aah man, I should really blog!"... but it just never seems to happen. There is one very legitimate reason for this.
I'M LIVING IN ROME. ROME, ITALY.
There is so much to do! And another important factor is that from today, I leave in exactly a month. That's right, 30 days folks and this girl will be back in the United States. There is so much to be done and seen before that point, so as you can now understand, blogging is not quite the main priority. After that little rant, I am ready to update you all on my wonderful life here in Roma.
It has almost been 3 weeks since I've arrived and I can hardly believe it. So much has happened since that point so I will do my best to highlight the majority of what has occurred. To begin, my apartment is awesome. We are on the fifth floor and have a terrace. Yeeeep, no joke. Now, the amount of steps to get up to our apartment is a painful amount, but our outlook over the city and ability to sit outside, drink tea and read (yes, I've done all these things) makes it completely worth it. I am living with 6 other girls and it has been pretty much perfect thus far. Plenty of space, two bathrooms, and lots of bonding. It's so great.
Our school staff at CEA is incredible. Well generally, Italians are incredible. Immediately I felt so at home at the school and everyone is extremely helpful. Not to mention hilarious. My Art history professor, Paulo is such a character. Plaid shirts with checkered scarves, tinted glasses, and a turquoise coat can hopefully paint a bit of a picture for you. My Italian language professor, Mario, is a heart throb to every girl at our school, and my Theology professor has the thickest British accent I've ever heard. He's quite intimidating, but he also has a subtle humor that can be very entertaining. My history professor... well he's one of a kind. Though he fills our brains with way too much information, he is hilarious and bought me and a few others pastries recently. If he understood my dessert obsession, he'd know how many points that gains with me. Overall- they're incredible.
I must mention the Italians and the Roman lifestyle. So first off, these Europeans in general really have no sense of personal space. Getting in your face and shoving right up next to you are your normal everyday occurrences. At first, I found this very uncomfortable, but by now, it really has grown on me. I love the comfort they feel with everyone. But this simple difference shows me a lot. People are not afraid to get in your face, to push your limits and challenge you a little bit. I've really come to appreciate it. Also, Italians specifically are obsessed with their car horns. It's actually ridiculous. If someone honks, it's as if everyone else joins in just because they can. If a light is red, you might as well honk until it turns green just because. Apparently the loud obnoxious-ness of it doesn't phase them. Another note on transportation is the blessed bus. A lot of people hate it, and I can understand why. You cram in with way too many people and bump your away around the city until you get where you need to be. Not only that, but the bus comes whenever it wants. Sometimes it's a 5 minute wait, and others it's a 45 minute wait. I've experienced both. You'd think I'd hate it, but I actually love the bus. I can to see the whole city and get places fast (relatively). It's great. Another European thing is time. People aren't in a rush, ever really. For example, we've had quite the plumbing issues in our apartment since we've arrived. From toilet issues to flooding from our heater, we've needed a lot of assistance. Well, that assistance shows up whenever it pleases in Roma. Sometimes quickly, but sometimes a week later. The awesome thing? They do just fine. Europeans are just more relaxed. Things will get done when they get done and you manage in between then. I have also come to love this.
Now to move on to what I've been doing! During our first few days, we had to start Italy off with a bang by having a Halloween party. My apartment, being 7 of us, decided to dress up as the 7 Deadly Sins. These 7 sins consist of Greed, Envy, Lust, Pride, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth. We had so much fun planning this and I was fortunate enough to be Wrath. Muahahaa, I enjoyed this way too much. After putting on loads of crazy make-up and fierce clothes, I pretty much rocked the part. Many did comment that my look was quite legit. Overall- huge success, we all looked awesome.
Speaking of food, later in the week our school staff took us on a pizza and gelato crawl. Chyea, for real. Doesn't get much better than that, right? Anyway, we were able to try numerous kinds of pizza and then finish off with some gelato. Ugh, we were stuffed but it was so delicious. Plus, it was a great night out with the staff! We love free food! After we finished up with that, a few of us made a night visit to the Vatican. That is another place that I will visit as much as I can while here. It is very beautiful at night all lit up.
The next day, a few of us decided to go to the Colosseum for sunrise! This was another idea that had been recommended to us by many. It truly is the best time to see the main sites. The Colosseum is amazing. It is crazy how well it has stood throughout time. Seeing it at sunrise is such a bonus. The sun gleams through the windows and it's quite beautiful. Plus, no one is there. How great is that? After the Colosseum, we decided to head to the Trevi Fountain. This is one of the biggest fountains in Rome, but it has gained it's fame from coin throwing. Seriously, eeeeveryone throws a coin. I'd like to think you're supposed to make a wish, but apparently it means that one day you will return to Rome. Wish anyway, is what I say. Anyway, it's always packed, so I really enjoyed being there early as well. Hardly anyone was there! We've been doing this every week since. When initially getting up, it isn't the greatest, but once outside and on the lovely bus, it's completely worth it.
That's all for now, I've rambled for quite sometime. I hope all is well at home! I truly miss everyone, but my time in Europe has been just amazing. I am completely in love with Rome and I really don't want to leave. No worries though, I'm sure by December 16th I'll be ready. For now, I'm doing everything I can while here.
Love & God bless to you all.
Jen
I'M LIVING IN ROME. ROME, ITALY.
There is so much to do! And another important factor is that from today, I leave in exactly a month. That's right, 30 days folks and this girl will be back in the United States. There is so much to be done and seen before that point, so as you can now understand, blogging is not quite the main priority. After that little rant, I am ready to update you all on my wonderful life here in Roma.
It has almost been 3 weeks since I've arrived and I can hardly believe it. So much has happened since that point so I will do my best to highlight the majority of what has occurred. To begin, my apartment is awesome. We are on the fifth floor and have a terrace. Yeeeep, no joke. Now, the amount of steps to get up to our apartment is a painful amount, but our outlook over the city and ability to sit outside, drink tea and read (yes, I've done all these things) makes it completely worth it. I am living with 6 other girls and it has been pretty much perfect thus far. Plenty of space, two bathrooms, and lots of bonding. It's so great.
Our school staff at CEA is incredible. Well generally, Italians are incredible. Immediately I felt so at home at the school and everyone is extremely helpful. Not to mention hilarious. My Art history professor, Paulo is such a character. Plaid shirts with checkered scarves, tinted glasses, and a turquoise coat can hopefully paint a bit of a picture for you. My Italian language professor, Mario, is a heart throb to every girl at our school, and my Theology professor has the thickest British accent I've ever heard. He's quite intimidating, but he also has a subtle humor that can be very entertaining. My history professor... well he's one of a kind. Though he fills our brains with way too much information, he is hilarious and bought me and a few others pastries recently. If he understood my dessert obsession, he'd know how many points that gains with me. Overall- they're incredible.
I must mention the Italians and the Roman lifestyle. So first off, these Europeans in general really have no sense of personal space. Getting in your face and shoving right up next to you are your normal everyday occurrences. At first, I found this very uncomfortable, but by now, it really has grown on me. I love the comfort they feel with everyone. But this simple difference shows me a lot. People are not afraid to get in your face, to push your limits and challenge you a little bit. I've really come to appreciate it. Also, Italians specifically are obsessed with their car horns. It's actually ridiculous. If someone honks, it's as if everyone else joins in just because they can. If a light is red, you might as well honk until it turns green just because. Apparently the loud obnoxious-ness of it doesn't phase them. Another note on transportation is the blessed bus. A lot of people hate it, and I can understand why. You cram in with way too many people and bump your away around the city until you get where you need to be. Not only that, but the bus comes whenever it wants. Sometimes it's a 5 minute wait, and others it's a 45 minute wait. I've experienced both. You'd think I'd hate it, but I actually love the bus. I can to see the whole city and get places fast (relatively). It's great. Another European thing is time. People aren't in a rush, ever really. For example, we've had quite the plumbing issues in our apartment since we've arrived. From toilet issues to flooding from our heater, we've needed a lot of assistance. Well, that assistance shows up whenever it pleases in Roma. Sometimes quickly, but sometimes a week later. The awesome thing? They do just fine. Europeans are just more relaxed. Things will get done when they get done and you manage in between then. I have also come to love this.
Now to move on to what I've been doing! During our first few days, we had to start Italy off with a bang by having a Halloween party. My apartment, being 7 of us, decided to dress up as the 7 Deadly Sins. These 7 sins consist of Greed, Envy, Lust, Pride, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth. We had so much fun planning this and I was fortunate enough to be Wrath. Muahahaa, I enjoyed this way too much. After putting on loads of crazy make-up and fierce clothes, I pretty much rocked the part. Many did comment that my look was quite legit. Overall- huge success, we all looked awesome.
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| Legit, right?? |
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| 7 Deadly Sins. |
The following day, we had no class due to it being All Saint's Day, a Roman holiday. A few of us decided to go to the Vatican for mass that morning and I was beyond excited, for it was my first time (of many now). When I entered St. Peter's Square, my breath was literally taken away. It is as beautiful as you would imagine. Not only that, but St. Peter's Basilica is beyond words. I wish I could describe how incredible it is, but it is something that one has to see. God's presence and holiness reigns in that place. As I knelt before the altar prior to mass beginning, tears filled my eyes. It was one of the moments when you truly realize how blessed and fortunate you are. Following mass, a cousin of a girl on our trip found us a offered us a free tour! He is studying in the seminary and has been living in Rome for about a year now. He was kind enough to show us around the Basilica and then proceed to show us his school and a beautiful view of the city. Again, how lucky can a girl get? Well, let me tell you, there was one more amazing event: gelato. Now, I could talk to you all about gelato for about an hour probably, but I'll save that for a later date ;). We had been recommended numerous times the Old Bridge Gelateria. It is conveniently near the Vatican so that is where we finished our afternoon. And, people were not kidding. This place is AMAZING. Not only is it cheap, but they give you SO much! Now I've been there probably 4 times. Yea, I'm not kidding guys when I say I'm obsessed with this stuff. I'm taking full advantage while I'm here :).
Speaking of food, later in the week our school staff took us on a pizza and gelato crawl. Chyea, for real. Doesn't get much better than that, right? Anyway, we were able to try numerous kinds of pizza and then finish off with some gelato. Ugh, we were stuffed but it was so delicious. Plus, it was a great night out with the staff! We love free food! After we finished up with that, a few of us made a night visit to the Vatican. That is another place that I will visit as much as I can while here. It is very beautiful at night all lit up.
 |
| St. Peter's Basilica. |
The next day, a few of us decided to go to the Colosseum for sunrise! This was another idea that had been recommended to us by many. It truly is the best time to see the main sites. The Colosseum is amazing. It is crazy how well it has stood throughout time. Seeing it at sunrise is such a bonus. The sun gleams through the windows and it's quite beautiful. Plus, no one is there. How great is that? After the Colosseum, we decided to head to the Trevi Fountain. This is one of the biggest fountains in Rome, but it has gained it's fame from coin throwing. Seriously, eeeeveryone throws a coin. I'd like to think you're supposed to make a wish, but apparently it means that one day you will return to Rome. Wish anyway, is what I say. Anyway, it's always packed, so I really enjoyed being there early as well. Hardly anyone was there! We've been doing this every week since. When initially getting up, it isn't the greatest, but once outside and on the lovely bus, it's completely worth it.
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| 6 am baby! |
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| The Trevi Fountain. |
That's all for now, I've rambled for quite sometime. I hope all is well at home! I truly miss everyone, but my time in Europe has been just amazing. I am completely in love with Rome and I really don't want to leave. No worries though, I'm sure by December 16th I'll be ready. For now, I'm doing everything I can while here.
Love & God bless to you all.
Jen
So I know that it has been said a time or two before, but your pictures are incredible. You are able to capture such beauty in every shot. It sounds like you are having an incredible experience, I wish that I could be there to see everything with you! I am excited to have you back in a month:) Keep living the dream <3
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