It’s Sunday afternoon in Rome; more specifically, it’s the
end of another weekend and the beginning of a new school week. This translates
to being a decently sized buzz kill in the life of a study abroad student.
Don’t get me wrong I love to learn. I enjoy reading, I obviously love to write,
and I even find a certain level of fun in getting tested on material. But ain’t
nobody got time for four hours of Roman Lit inside an overheated class room,
when the real material is breathing the fresh air outside. I’m genuinely trying
to enjoy my classes at TU Rome, but whoever said, “your professors want you to
experience the city of Rome, not spend your afternoons doing homework”, was on
crack.
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| Piazza del Popolo: right near our campus! |
Joking aside, I absolutely love my Italian class and feel
like I’m learning at a remarkable rate. Thursday nights have become mini exams
at the pub when our friends test our newly acquired conversational Italian
skills! My Italian professoressa is simply fantastic and makes an hour of class
each day something to look forward to. My sketchbook class is dragging as of
now, but that’s a result of it being taught like Art 1 in middle school. I have
faith it’s going to pick up and we’ll get to do some independent work as
opposed to contour line drawings. I am however quite excited for this coming
Friday’s excursion to Tuscany for a whole day of sketching! All in all, the TU
professors are engaging and I feel like there’s a lot of potential to grow as a
student in Rome. My one request is that they lay off the 65 page reading assignments
each night, or I learn to no longer require sleep.
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| Classroom artwork! |
One highlight of adopting a more normal schedule in Rome has
been our decision to eat “Family Dinner” together! My five friends and I have
been cooking together each night with great results. Avery continues to be top
chef, making homemade ragus and lasagnas. My specialty continues to be roasting
veggies and boiling water. Provo (I’m trying)!
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| Handcut pasta...so good! |
The food here in Rome is so delicious, it’s overwhelming to
explain. Everything is fresh and al dente! The best part has to be the little
pizza shops. Unlike in the States, you don’t just order a triangular slice on a
paper plate. The pies are long and rectangular. You point to your selection and
using a pair of culinary scissors, they ask you how much, then cut it and heat
it up! If you’re walking with it, they fold it in half and wrap it in wax paper
so you can hold it in one hand. It’s brilliant and addictive! There are a
million different types to try, each one better than the first! I’m hungry just
thinking about it now…
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| Fresh selection daily! |
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| folded and wrapped |
Random Highlights:
- I’m going to be a babysitter for a six-year-old Italian girl
that’s trying to learn English!
- We booked our train and apartment for Carnival in Venice for
the second week in February! I can’t wait to wear a mask and see another
Italian city! Super excited!!
- David Guetta is performing in Rome next weekend…debating
purchasing tickets today.
- Our friend Brandon was so sloshed in a club this weekend
that he came up to me and said, “You look so much better than you did last
night”. He then proceeded to drunkenly yank my hair. This is not so much a
highlight, but I feel the need to share its absurdity. Yes, he did intend for
it to be a compliment… I think.
- Roman clubs blow, we're going to have to venture outside the city limits for the real deal.
- I finally saw the Pantheon at night. This temple for “all
gods” was so incredibly massive and stunning. The raw energy it emits was
breathtaking. I can’t wait to visit it again in the daylight. Just, wow!
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| I'm in love. |
With one week of classes down, and somewhat of a schedule
forming, I’m excited to say life in Roma remains sweeter than ever. See for yourself below:
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| Homemade eggplant parm sandwiches!! |
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| I can't get enough of these twinkle lights. |
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