Buona Sera! (Good Evening!)

Today is my second day in Rome and I have officially fallen in love – with the city of course! Rome (Roma for those of you that want to feel cool and cultural) is the MOST incredible city. Within yards (or METERS! Haha) you can see some of the most ancient relics and structures ranging back to the early B.C. centuries. Being in Roma feels as though I have been pushed through time, yet there are still reminders that I am in the present. The juxtaposition of the new and old architecture is stunning. I feel as though I am a part of something that is so much bigger than myself and so much greater than anywhere else I have ever been. I have also come to learn that all I will be eating over the next few months is GELATO – and well, a TON of it. I had the most amazing dark chocolate gelato today at my new favorite gelateria (gelato place, for you common folk) called the very culturally significant name, Blue Ice. I also ventured off into the city with my programmates (a new word that I have created – Cara I’m sure you will enjoy that). I saw the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Circus Maximus.

Although the sights were amazing, I must say that the most interesting part of my day was the weather, yes the weather. Having dressed to, well honestly, appear italiana – I donned leather boots, boot-cut jeans, and a black military jacket, which served absolutely no purpose what so ever during the torrential downpour. I must say that I did feel quite European, but to no avail, I was soaked. My small, pocket-book-sized umbrella could not withstand the gusting winds and sheets of rain. Surprisingly, the rain would stop give-or-take every five minutes, permitting us to see sunny blue skies, which would then magically disappear when the dark rain clouds regained possession. I have some of the most bizarre pictures – ranging from dark and rainy to beautiful and sunny.

As promised, I will now tell you a funny anecdote from my day. Since I am very confident (a little too confident) in my Italian, I thought that I would be able to swiftly enter a convenience store and simply ask for body wash. Yet, in order to do that, I would need to know the word for body wash, and I didn’t. So after embarrassing myself because the store associate thought I was telling him about my body, I resorted to speaking in English – which of course he didn’t speak, only Italian and Chinese (a ridiculous combination – or at least I thought). Well, long, embarrassing story short, I finally got my body wash, which is bagno schiuma if you ever want to buy some when meandering around Italy.

Overall today was incredible and it’s not even over yet. We are going out tonight as “programmates” to a local restaurant for dinner and then after we’re off to explore Roman nightlife (Mom, Dad, Grandparents I promise I’ll be wise… well, maybe – I’ll let ya know tomorrow). Well until tomorrow! A domani!

Cheers, Gelato, and Pasta,

Giacomina (my alias)

January 28, 2010

Ciao! (Hello in Italian – haha kidding)

So, this is my first entry in my first blog ever, on my first trip out of the country alone, and on my first trip to Italy (a LOT of firsts!) I have not yet arrived at my final destination, Rome, but will be there in what feels like a never-ending 4 more hours. I have currently been in the air for about 4 hours, although it feels as though it were an eternity – I’m complaining, yes I know, but it is my last opportunity to express my many ailments in ENGLISH, since when I arrive I don’t think the Italians or my peers will appreciate my complaints. And so, you all have now become my concerned and attentive listeners. Well since I can tell that you are dying to hear, I’ll start – I am so afraid of airplanes – and by afraid I mean I am like a combination of a neurotic and anxious 90-year-old woman and a pessimistic and unruly small child. I toss-and-turn, peer out of the window at a very infrequent rate of EVERY 2 seconds and cling onto the individual next to me for dear life. However, I do remain perfectly still whenever turbulence occurs – of course for the sole purpose of meticulously analyzing its intensity and even if it is mild, beginning to think of all the worst possible scenarios (I know, I am so calm, cool, and collected!).

Well I think that’s enough complaining for now, unless you want me to go on. Well if you insist…. JUST KIDDING – don’t fret I promise that I’m done.

So where do I begin… WELCOME to my first blog EVER – I am sure that it will be filled with embarrassing anecdotes, new memories, and of course TONS of new learning experiences (Dad, that’s for you!). Let me just share a bit of what I have in store for all of you, my devoted readers ha ha. I am arriving in Rome in what is now less than 4 hours – which is when I will take a taxi (exciting, I know ha ha) to my new school and new dorm! I am taking a diverse bunch of classes this semester; Italian Cuisine, Advanced Italian Language, Drawing from Masterpieces, Intro to the Art of Rome, and 20^th Century Italy! I honestly I have never been more excited for anything in my entire life. This is going to be a life-altering experience for me in only the most positive of ways and I cannot wait to share it with you. I don’t really have much more to share now, but don’t worry – stop crying, I promise that I will be back to write more! Off to get some more shut-eye on my favorite flying contraption (NOT).

Much love and kisses. Missing you all already.

Xxx,

Jaclyn (or my new alias Giacomina – my name in Italian, so very secretive).

P.S. Thanks for not crying at the airport Lizard (yes, Mom that’s you) haha love you so much and you too Dad! Talk to you guys soon!