God is good.

I'm still in attempts of catching you guys up, but I'm getting close!

To begin where I left off, the weekend following our morning at the Vatican for sunrise was one of the best here.  Starting with Friday, we had a quiet day just with Italian class.  This class, being only once a week, has been a challenge but also really fun.  Italian is seriously the best language.  It not only rolls right off the tongue, but it sounds oh so amazing.  Our Italian professor Mario?  Oh what a treat =)  He's quite hilarious, but also has just the best accent.  One of his favorite key phrases has to be, "ahh, shit, I kill you!"  Now obviously people, he doesn't mean it.  He's always smiling, winking at us girls, and charming us with how wonderfully suave he is.  No worries everyone, a little Italian crush won't hurt anyone! (Sorry Jordan!)

On Saturday, a few of us made our way to the Vatican Museum!  About time, right?  Well we were waiting for the opportune moment so that we would have plenty of time to see as much as we could.  Well folks, we spent 5 freakin' hours in there.  Now, I am not a museum person.  At all.  Well, if you let me explore on my own, maybe.  But about 97% of the time I get bored within an hour.  But the Vatican held my attention very easily.  It is filled with everything you can imagine and having learned about so many pieces in my Art History class, I felt quite smart.  My favorite though, was obviously the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.  The Raphael rooms have scenes covering the walls and ceilings.  I would explain them to you, but it'd take way to long.  Google it for your own benefits, it's beautiful I promise.  The Sistine Chapel though, was incredible.  First of all, it's a bit smaller than I had imagined.  But it does excel its reputation in how exceptional it is.  Michelangelo managed to paint the entire ceiling in four years, but suffered dearly because of it.  His posture to do so was constantly arched backwards and his sight suffered horribly afterwards; he could only see things if they were a couple feet in front of him.  Before this, he actually had little experience in painting; his expertise was sculpture, but you'd never be able to tell.  The ceiling is filled with symbolic meaning and the colors are just beautiful.  Photos are not allowed in the chapel (they make that clear within 2 seconds of being in there) but I managed to sneak like 7!  Psh, tight security, didn't phase me a bit!  Following our visit at the museum, we obviously went to Old Bridge Gelato.  This place is right by the Vatican so whenever I'm in that vicinity, I never miss the chance to go.  It is one of my favorites, and I've recently found out it's open until 2am =)  I may have to take advantage before heading home!

Sistine Chapel!

Old Bridge Gelato my friends =)

Sunday was awesome.  Kate, Laura, and I went on a day trip to Assisi, which is in the north of Italy.  Assisi is a common place for pilgrimages so us being all Theology majors, we were quite excited.  After being there for only an hour, I knew it was one of my favorite places.  It's a very small town, quant and filled with small streets leading in every which way direction.  As I've mentioned before, us 3 really enjoy just exploring, so that's what the majority of our day consisted of.  Oh and we went into a llllot of churches, which I highly enjoy also.  The town is mostly recognized because of St. Francis, who is also the patron Saint of Italy.  He is an amazing man of faith, but it had not always been that way.  He came from a very rich family and he had the persona of that.  He enjoyed the sinful life, as he said later in his life and everyone really loved him.  He thought of himself highly and desired to be the best he could be, by the worlds standards.  It was on his horse that the Lord confronted him and his life changed dramatically from there on out.  He spent extensive amounts in a cave praying and lost all connection with his family, for they did not approve of the path he chose.  He lived zealously for the Lord and he continues to be a very prevalent role model for the Christian world.  When visiting, we were able to see where he was imprisoned by his own father, where he prayed, and the church built for his names sake.  Below this church is his tomb, which was an amazing sight.  The Italians have a very strong love for Francis and it is apparent in how many people visit Assisi.  There a specific cross design that resembles St. Francis and it stands for his belief that we must remember to be crucified to the Lord daily.  His passion and love for the Lord is inspiring and I feel so blessed to have been able to go to such a holy and sacred place.

I loved the architecture.

St. Francis Church

Beautiful sunset.

We had an amazing day exploring and I always love being with those two girls.  We have similar interests and never fail to have great conversations.  We also enjoyed an amazing lunch in a small hidden restaurant.  I had bruschetta and ravioli- sooo delicious.  I really wish I could bring this food back with me.  Anyway, we loved it.  God has been so present, in my time in Rome especially, and I have been incredibly blessed to walk where all these radical men and women of faith have journeyed before.

I must end here, for it is 1am.  I'll (hopefully) post again soon!  11 days to go my friends, so bittersweet.
Godbless!