Classes started this week. It is hard to believe that we have to do real people things here, but alas, we do. The classes are actually interesting. It’s a little too early to say whether or not they are difficult or not, but taking college level classes with 20 or so others is a bit of a new concept for me, being a Sophomore at a Big Ten. One cool thing,- my European Union teacher actually worked for the EU for nearly 15 years. You can’t beat that.

Italian class was by far the most interesting. The placement exam was a quick written test followed by a one on one conversation with the teacher. Fairly terrifying. But I placed in intermediate and thoroughly enjoyed my first class where we spoke a lot, mostly using tenses I haven’t thought about for months. I will definitely learn a lot.

I am still at the point where tourist sites make me giddy. Today we went to the Capuchin Crypt also known as the “bone chapel.” This crypt is wallpapered in the Bones of nearly 4,000 friars. Skulls cover one entire wall while hundreds of pieces of spine creatively compose the moldings. It is very difficult to wrap your head around the concept that these are actual pieces of humans covering nearly every inch of the chapel. Even the light fixtures are made of pelvic bones and dangle only a foot or so from your face. But just incase you forgot the severity of this chapel’s chosen decorations, a plaque at the end of the chapel reminds you:

“What you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be...”

Really, really cool. One of my more favorite things I’ve seen here. And since pictures are not allowed, heres one from the interwebs:

Studying abroad is worth it if only for the spontaneity. I booked my spring break trip in Spain, along with weekend trips to Prague, Siena/Pisa, and Dublin. I really feel that someone should be preventing me from doing this. I am not old enough to just book planes all over Europe. But I am grateful for this huge oversight and am beyond excited to see some Europe outside of Italy.

Having said that, my love for this city of Rome is ever growing. Sure, we are all kinda still getting used to living in this foreign place, we still hit up the American bars pretty frequently and my roommate's search for legitimate ranch dressing is a grave one- but every time I figure out a little more of the bus system or speak Italian to a native speaker and they actually understand me, I swear I get high. I think I’m the happiest on an average day after class when I stop at the bar for a cappuccino and then head over to the grocery real quick before I continue to make my way to my apartment. The little life things are the best part. And then I just fall in love with Roma a little harder.

I've been in Rome for a little less than a week now, and I can truly say I love it here. There have definitely been a few stressful moments, but thats to be expected when moving to a new place especially with the language barrier and everything. Turns out red wine makes me weepy too... Anyway, ISA has taken us on a few in-city excursions to get us orientated and we also got to see the colosseum and the forum. I had seen them before but in the middle of the summer. I can honestly say they are way better in the winter. Less people make it way easier to enjoy what you are seeing.

Other than that, I have really just been getting settled in the City. I know more italian than i realized, and I have really enjoyed putting those skills to work. The grocery store is across the street and today i visited an open market to buy fruit. Everything tastes so good here, even when Im cooking it. I really like a lot of people here, all my roommates as well as others in the program. We already have some fun trips in the making. I am really excited to travel.

Flashbacks from when I first came here are rampant. I think my roommates are getting annoyed with my many stories from when here before. But i cant help it! If anyone from Ciccino Mio is reading this, I found the chinese restaurant we went to! It made me miss you all all over again. Im excited to find my new italy though...

So, no completely exciting stories yet. So far so good! :)

The beginning...

I leave for Rome in about 7 days, and I feel like I needed an entry before I leave. I make no promises with this Blog. It is primarily here for my family, and others who are forced to pay attention to my life. Who knows, maybe I'll write a lot. (but probably not)

Anyway, today I woke up unbelievably excited. Most of you know, I have been to the eternal city before. I spent 5 weeks in Italy with EIL a high school travel program. It changed my life, blah blah blah, and I have found that in the four years since that first exposure to La Italia, I have been sorta chasing what ever it was I found there.

However, much has changed since that trip. Im no longer an artist and I am a whole lot less passionate among a plethora of other changes. Who knows what lesson Italy will teach me this time?

I feel like it is important to mention a fairly new development in my life that is somewhat unexpected, but will undoubtably be something I will need to work out in Italy. It seems so tragically cliche to be.. gulp... getting over a boy while in Italy, but thats the way things have worked out. Don't get me wrong, Elizabeth Gilbert, I thoroughly enjoyed Eat Pray Love, I just deeply hope that just because a boy I care for very deeply has decided to completely sever me from his life for essentially no reason, it wont consume my thoughts for the next 4 months.

Despite my intense betrayal and pain I feel about the whole situation, there were definitely aspects of our relationship that were toxic, and a part of me feels very free to be released from them. And what better way to re grow and learn about yourself then some travel?!

So La Italia, I cannot wait to see you in about a week. Its going to be a good semester :)

Kels