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October 30, 2012

Fall & Winter Must-Haves!

The fall & winter weather are fun every year!
Here are some thing that I personally love to take advantage of around this time of year:
- Halloween
- anything pumpkin! (cookies, pie, carving, roasted pumpkin seeds, spice lattes from Starbucks...)
- trick-or-treating
- decorations for all the holidays
- Thanksgiving
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...always a classic
- Christmas
- Midnight mass
- snow...I always want lots of snow for Christmas
- hot chocolate
- extremely oversized/comfy sweats (shirts & pants)!
- a TON of movies for the holidays
- fire in the fireplace
- holiday candles
- Mom's special sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top!
- since it's out there now, GIANT MARSHMALLOWS! yum!
- the holiday Pandora playlists going....even when you're in your dorm room

- Christmas tree decorating....even though I have like a billion ornaments
- SNOW BALLS FIGHTS!
- being outside in the snow in general....I love the cold weather!
- fighting my siblings for fresh cookies! HA!
- cinnamon buns....makes a great day no matter what mood you're in
- gingerbread houses!
- laughing at the little kids taking pictures with Santa at the mall



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October 29, 2012

My father, the ballin' funeral director

So I was talking to my mom via FB about Halloween, which unfortunately I'll be missing this year. Here was a good portion of our conversation:

 





Mom: So, I'm sending you a picture of Dad's Halloween decorations - with added decor
Me: lol, okay
Mom:


Me: do I want to know how dad got that from work to the house? is it even legal to steal caskets?
Mom: used a van - but get this, he and Kiera brought it in the front door of the house when he got home. Just that picture made me laugh my ass off. I have two more pics!

Me: the cats are such a nice touch...lovin the added decor

Mom: He didn't. It's damaged on the outside corner. Therefore, unusable.
Me: really? THAT made it unusable?

Mom: yeah, because it won't seal.
Me: lmao, does it matter once the persons dead? its a box, its totally usuable

Mom: no. it doesn't matter to the dead, but legalities and codes are such that that's what has to be. Hope you can open them there...this is in the room we cleaned for Grandma in the bay window. Appropriate, yes?

Mom: Happy Halloween! MUHAHAHAHA
 
Me: you people have wayyyy too much time on your hands lol and this is all totally going in my blog btw


Mom: No, not really. Well, now we kinda do cause all NJ schools are closed today and probably tomorrow.



Roman Vacation: 10/29 - Monday

So it's been raining here in Rome for 3 days and is really cutting into "explore Rome" time. And this sucks because it means that I am being forced into being productive, which is NOT what vacation is for. (For any of my professors reading this, sorry but it's true.)

Mondays suck is Rome. Why? Because the museums are closed. So I can't even explore Rome while being somewhat sheltered from the rain. Which is lame. Before I realized it was raining, I had planned to take time and walk around the sites: the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Colosseum, etc. Even though I've been past these tons of times, I don't want to take them for granted just because I live so close to them. I actually want to sit down near these sights and, without being robbed of anything, take time to write my thoughts in my notebook to reflect on later.

However, I DID go out with a friend for some of the best hot chocolate in Rome (more so the Lepanto area)! And later, we're watching "Despicable Me" in Italian (she bought the italian DVD here) LOL.


But tomorrow, here are some places I want to go:
- The National Museum of Romehttp://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/
- Pasta Museum (yes, there is a pasta museum)http://www.museodellapasta.it/
- Borghese Gallery
http://www.rome-museum.com/it/?gclid=CMueibSwprMCFREx4AodYRAAYg
- Castel Sant'Angelo
http://www.castelsantangelo.com/museo.asp
- Museum of Roman Civilization (EUR)
http://en.museociviltaromana.it/
- Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Colosseum (there's a combo ticket for all these)
- The Pantheon
- St. Peter-In-Chains
- Trajan's Column, Market, and Museum of the Imperial Forums
- Vittorio Emanuele Monument & Museum of the Risorgimento
- Baths of Diocletian
- Santa Maria della Vittoria
- Santa Maria in Aracoeli Church (which I have to write a paper on for class)

And probably a handful of more churches in Rome.

We'll see what happens!

October 28, 2012

Reflections (What I'm looking for)

1 - Churches

I think it goes without saying that Rome is obviously a very important place when it comes to religion and Catholicism. Fun fact: Vatican City isn't actually part of Rome; it's technically its own city here. After being pulled from church to church all over Rome for my Liturgy class, I feel "churched out". I feel like everything is the same, while on the other hand I severely know that the churches AREN'T the same. They all have different meanings, different architecture, different paintings.

There's an even bigger difference between the churches here in Italy and the ones back home in New Jersey (or churches in the US in general). Churches back home aren't a big deal; actually the whole "church-going process" is essentially similar every week:

While church 30 minutes away from your house starts at 12 noon, you've been fighting for the last 15 minutes with your stubborn teenage daughter about the skull & crossbone tank top and her short shorts, telling her that she obviously can't wear that to mass. But during
this typical experience, you realize that it's also 11.45am and you're going to be late for mass. In the end, the result is the same. Your emo tank top wearing daughter tells you she hates you, stomps around the house. You cave and end up not caring what she wears to church, as long as you get there on time. But in the end, you're both 10 minutes late for church. Everyone is staring at you and your daughter, and the whole situation is super awkward.

That's not how is goes here. There are lines in the back of the church DURING MASS for confessions. They have no shame, it's part of their hobby section on FB! They're regular church goers and proud to admit it. They go to confession often and they don't care. The teenagers here have to be covered anyway for fear of getting kicked out of the church, which means EVERYONE'S shoulders and knees have to be covered to even get into the place! It's a different life here. Everyone sings during mass. Everyone prays the words. They have bulletins and mass prayer sheets in piles in the back so when you come in, you can just take one and sit where you please. It's very homey. It's non-judgmental. It's ITALIAN.

2 - Clothes

Not every woman here is a Vicky S model (that's Victoria's Secret model for those of you who have no clue what I just said). But from October to February, all a woman needs here are 2 awesome pairs of boots, some thick tights, warm scarves, a fashionable purse/bag, a jacket that goes with everything, and a pair of sunglasses that won't break no matter how many times you drop them! That's it. The rest will follow - jewelry and your actual outfit underneath all this random stuff. Don't worry about that. Here's my experience:

I totally had my priorities in order today! Instead of going to the Vatican Museums for free, as I had originally planned, I literally got off the metro 6 blocks from the Vatican to find a shoe shop with sales - the most dangerous distraction for a 20 year old who desperately needs Italian-looking boots. Sooo I caved...and bought 2 pairs of awesome boots for less than 50E. It was AMAZING! And the asians running the store were super nice.

But I ended up with this ginormous bag of shoe boxes and realized, There is nooo way I'm getting into the museum with this. So I took the metro to Lepanto and walked the 6 blocks back home in the cold. But this is another thing I checked off my "have to buy" checklist! I already bought tights the other day, and now I have 2 new pairs of Italian boots! ON SALE!

BOOM! My priorities are in order, obviously (sarcasm).

So I changed from my jeans and sneakers into my freshly cleaned (and recently bought) black tights, high top boots, and threw a black skirt over them. I tossed on another shirt, a scarf I brought from home, and my caramel sweater/jacket thingy. Then I walked to church near St. John's. And OMG I got so many looks...like Damnnnn she looks hot! looks. Especially from the older men...we'll see how that works out this week.

3 - Identity & Love

I want to say that Rome is a melting pot, but it isn't supposed to be. What I mean by that is that there are so many different kinds of people here. There are Indians, African Americans, Americans, Australians, Italians from northern and southern Italy, Asians, and English people here. And that's only the beginning of my list. There are so many different people here.

That being said, you can be anyone you want here. You can be a completely different person in Italy than you are in the US. There are actually stores who say that for their sales pitch/slogan - "Be whatever you want". They encourage you to change yourself, in a way, here.

It's also easy to forget who you are compared to who you were in the US. It happened to me. Coming from the US for 4 months was an absolute blessing. And while yeah, there were other things on my "bucket list", living in Italy and being able to speak Italian was at the top. (So if the world DOES end in December, I've lived my life and I have no regrets!) But back to what I said before - you can forget who you are.

When I came to Italy, it was after being frustrated about a ton of different things - friends, work, future schooling, money, love life...but when I came here, none of that seemed to matter. What mattered was looking at the positives: I saved enough money for myself while I'm here, I bought everything I needed, I can enjoy my semester in Italy, it's an absolute dream. In America, I was frustrated with tons of things - who I should be vs. who I AM, what I should do vs. what my only options are. I was hurt by different people in the last year, for different reasons, and was hoping that Italy would give me time to reflect instead of sitting around, constantly asking myself Is it me?

So here's what I've learned about myself since I've lived in Italy for 2 months:
- My dreams of getting married young are probably not even in God's plan, so I'm not worrying about it anymore. If I'm meant to be somewhere, or meant to be with someONE, I'll be there.
- I love languages. I think the most intelligent person is someone who knows languages and uses them because it's a lot of information. I find languages extremely attractive, though I don't know why. I just enjoy learning them. So I'm going to teach myself Spanish and French when I get back to school in January, one of my many New Year's resolutions. (If anyone knows enough Spanish or French to help me, I would appreciate it very much!)
- I seriously need to dress up more. I've been hit on/whistled at/etc. sooo many times and it's just from looking fabulous daily. A really nice outfit, a little makeup, and a pair of earrings could really change your day! The better you feel, the nicer you look.
- You don't need to be strictly religious to have faith. I don't think that needs an explanation.
- I refuse to live my life in my room. Yes, at first I was nervous to walk around in an area of a city in a country I've never been to. And I'm obviously not a native so I have an extra blinking light over my head. But there's no way you'll catch me for these 10 days cowering in my apartment from being "too nervous" to get out and explore. Since I've been here, "exploring" has practically been my middle name.
- That being said, don't be afraid to be silly and let loose sometimes. I never drank back at school (which many think is strange for an American college student), but it's true. And since it's legal here, I've been testing how far my lightweight abilities will let me go. I've had some really awesome nights, with alcohol AND without it - I'm NOT an alcoholic, but it's Italy. Seriously. I've also ended up dancing on tables with friends. Again, all in good fun. Don't be afraid to get a little sexy - it's normal. There are pictures of me on FB that friends back home never thought I was capable of - LOL. (Don't worry, it's just me making tons of hilarious faces and jumping into random photos.) But I'm normally not like that...and breaking out of being shy is new. So when in Rome, right?
- Love. Let's talk about that...I mean, I AM in Rome. Doesn't everyone have some "love" episode or something whenever they go to Italy? Don't the women magically find their "Mister Right" in Italy because Rome is just too perfect? Um...no. The men here are....aggressive. That's really the only word I can think of to describe them (plus my English sucks, so I apologize). But they come on WAY too strong. So let's start with this:


1. My track record isn't the best, but isn't the worst.
2. I'm a realistic thinker. If you're from Italy, how often will you see me in the US? There's obviously no future there and you aren't worth my time.

3. The guys here just want you drunk and in bed. Much like American guys, I know...but Italians just flat out tell/ask you!
4. I'm super awesome, which makes me super difficult to get with. And I'm not a slut who hops into bed with guys - that's not my style. If you want me, you'll work your ass off for me & you'll love every second of your time with me.

5. I have STANDARDS. Remember that word, gentlemen.

So....no. I won't find love in Italy. I'm not that gullable.

Roman Vacation: 10/27 - Saturday

Thanks to the stupid thunderstorm last night, I woke up at 4.30am. I eventually fell back asleep and woke up around 11.30am. After enjoying some more of my book with some coffee next to my open balcony windows, I got ready for the day. The sun was out by this point so I kept thinking, What on earth am I going to do with myself today? Usually I'm on a schedule and it's honestly very strange when you aren't on your usual schedule in a different country. You just don't know what to do with yourself...

But, as this would only happen to me, there were a huge group of extremely aggravating teenagers outside my apartment building. With a huge microphone - one of those stupid cone things - and I have NO IDEA where the hell they could have possibly gotten one of those...but whatever. After listening to their Italian-phrase-screaming through this giant microphone, I watched some of the Italian news with Rosa. Then I left...for somewhere to do something.

I was planning to walk to school, the original goal being to watch the latest episode of Vampire Diaries that refused to work the other day. Instead, I realized that Piazza Mazzini, a little piazza near my apartment, was pretty tranquil-looking this morning. I had my planner & notebook on me so I just sat down near the water and started writing...and writing and writing.

I was dying to see the latest Vampire Diaries episode (no pun intended), but also wanted to walk by some shops to get some winter shopping done. But instead, I took advantage of the absolutely gorgeous day with the sun directly warming Piazza Mazzini, what I think is the most hidden treasure in the Lepanto area. I sat down to write about the day and plan things out, but instead I started reflecting. And I will add a separate post about that.

Roman Vacation: 10/26 - Friday

My first REAL day of break! I didn't have any classes today so I took my time getting ready. I opened my balcony windows, put my cereal and coffee on my breakfast table in my room, pulled my chair up to the table, and continued to read a book from my Kindle. In my pajamas. No makeup. Hair a mess. And it was the most amazing morning of my life.

It was a great feeling, to FINALLY be done with my exams and to be able to totally absorb my time in Roma. Later I spent the day at school watching my TV shows (How I Met Your Mother & Vampire Diaries, mainly) on the computer. However, there was a huge thunderstorm in Rome that started around 5pm so I (once again) didn't get to go rock climbing with Sarah, which was the original Friday night plan.

I seriously think the universe is trying to send her a message. Instead, 5 of us lovely ladies went out for dinner. We had to trudge through the rain to the restaurant and back, but it was the night before everyone else left for a billion countries. So it was worth every second!

On a side note, here's what I thought about Sapienza University (yes, it's in Italian):


Non mi piace l’università di Sapienza. Penso che l’istoria dell’università è piu` interessante, ma non mi piace questa università. E` differente delle scuole americane. Per esempio, la cattolica università che io attendo è grande con 4000 studenti. Ci sono sezione a siedere sul campus e a rilassare prima dei lezioni. Mentre Sapienza ha questi spazi per studenti, non ci sono grande. Un grande parte del campus è per le machine degli studenti. E` molto differente del campus a DC. Tuttavia mi sono piacuto a esplorare il campus di Sapienza. Ero eccitato per questo progetto perchè penso che incontrando con studenti italiani è importante per l’immersione nella cultura. Perchè mi piace a studiare il linguaggio italiano, è importante per me (e per mio scioltezza) a practicare mio italiano con molti personi qui, specialmente al un altra universita`.


Mentre ho parlato con gli studenti a Sapienza, ho incontrato alcuni personi interessanti. Prima, ho parlato con uno student si chiama Olti. Lui e` da Marano Equo e quest’anno e` la terza anno di lui. Lui pensa che Sapienza e` un po` costoso e paga 300-400 euro per andare a scuola. La sua material principale e` programmazione. Lui segue lezioni come logica e calcolo. Durante la fine di settimana, lui piace andare al Colosseo e Piazza di Spagna perche` questi posti sono piu` popolare e bellissime. Seconda, ho parlato con due ragazze. Uno si chiama Ilenia e l’altro si chiama Irene. Tutti due abitano a Roma e quest’anno e` la prima anno per queste ragazze. Pensano che Sapienza e` costoso ma e` dipende sulle famiglie degli studenti. Il prezzo ascende e descende da anno a anno. Irene ha parlato inglese un po` e mi ha detto che studia letteratura moderna e italiano. Queste ragazze piace andare a Trastevere e Campo de fiori durante la fine di settimana, o semplicemente camminano in giro con i loro amici. Ilenia ha un lavoro adesso come una cameriera in centro e vorrebbe essere una radio speaker nel suo futuro.

Terza, ho parlato con una ragazza si chiama Marta. Mi piace Marta perche` ha sembrato interessante a parlare con noi. Marta abita a Roma ma ha visitato gli Stati Uniti, specificamente Maryland. Quest’anno e` la terza anno per lei. Mi ha detto che sta lavorando alla sua tesi di laurea. Marta studia inglese e cinese, e studiava a cina per 6 mesi! Le piace inglese e mi ha detto che studiava inglese per 13 anni! Quando abbiamo parlato in inglese dopo l’intervista, non ha avuto un accento quando ha parlato! Allora, Marta pensa che Sapienza e` costoso, ma e` dipende sulla materia principale. Lei ha classe per 2 ore ogni giorni per tutti due – inglese e cinese. Durante la fine di settimana, le piace andare al cinema con i suoi amici e mangiare fuori. Lei ha un lavoro adesso come una insegnante di inglese per bambini. Mi ha detto che Roma e` piu` choatica ma le piace Roma abbastanza a vivere qui. Marta abita a Cinecittà.

October 27, 2012

Videos!

Videos (sorry I couldn't make them bigger, I tried):
 
The Canonization Mass, St. Peter's Square, Rome, Italy
Sunday, 10/21
 
 
 
 
 
Teatro Dell'Opera di Roma, Rome, Italy
Tuesday, 10/23
 



Italy's got YUMS!

So here's the food situation here: since I'm gluten free (for legit medical reasons, not for fun) I can't have things that the other students can eat here. This list is endless, but mainly includes: pasta, pizza, paninis, cornettos, other baked goods, etc.

Here's what I've been busy eating since I've been here (feel free to click on the titles of the dishes for a link to the recipe!):
Panna Cotta



 
Gnocchi (THE BEST MEAL EVER!)


Pasta (usually with fish, pieces of meat, pesto sauce, etc.)

Hot Chocolate - Cioccolato Caldo (they make hot chocolate differently here)

October 25, 2012

When in Rome!

Updates on my life:
- My family finally decided to send me a 2nd package - LOL.
- Totally went out with a professor and his whopping amount of 2 students for hot chocolate last week. He paid, how sweet!
- The Italian guy at the gelato place across the street LOVES when I speak italian to him. Creepy or not creepy? He's probs 60 years old.
- Rosa and I finally had bonding time....talking about men and my many standards. Twas hilarious!
- My English is getting suckier.
- I'm totally getting a new look before I get back to school in January. Everyone prepare yourselves.


I'm officially on fall break! This break lasts until Monday, November 5 when I resume classes.

Rome (what I haven't seen yet):

Ostia Antica
The Pantheon
Il Gelato di San Crispino
Roman Forum
Imperial Forum
Sistine Chapel
Hassler Bar
MAXXI
La Vineria
Centrale Montemartini
Etruscan Museum at the Villa Giulia
Borghese Gallery
Basilica di San Clemente
Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
Capuchin Crypt


October 24, 2012

10/15 - 10/24

10/15 - Monday

I didn't know what to do with myself besides study for midterms today. We all had off and people were away for the 3 day weekend. So I basically just spent the day studying, eating somewhere in the city, and chillaxing.

10/16 - Tuesday

We went to the Forum Julium and walked around that area of Rome for the rest of the class. In Italian class, we were learning about Sapienza University of Rome and we were going to go there Friday.

10/17 - Wednesday

We finally had our first final presentation for my advanced italian class - our first oral project. We had to present on the area of Monti in Rome, off the Cavour metro stop & interviewed my friend Sarah's host mom.

10/18 - Thursday

For philosophy class, we went to the Altemps Museum near Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori.

10/19 - Friday

For italian class, we met at Piazza Aldo Moro before we walked onto the Sapienza University campus.

10/21 - Sunday

I woke up really early for the canonization mass, which was ridiculously crowded. There were so many people there. We were stuck outside St. Peter's square for a solid half hour before we were allowed to go through security. It was packed with people when we FINALLY got in. Everyone, from young to old, religious life or married, speaking different languages, wearing different clothes -- it was a huge mess of people in St. Peter's. The mass started at 9:30am and went on for 3 hours or so. The closer noon time came, the hotter it got in the square. People previously reserved seats for themselves, so there were only so many. The rest of us had to stand. Police were everywhere, Cardinals and bishops were coming through the crowds of people. It was a huge mess...

but was absolutely worth every second, which is difficult to keep telling yourself when you're melting in the noon sun in the middle of St. Peter's Square, literally 200m from the Pope.

Pictures and videos will be posted on FB!

We didn't even stay for Eucharist, unfortunately. By noon, we left, after giving the sign of peace. Then I went to get food nearby with a friend and we went back to St. John's to continue our studying.

10/22 - Monday

Absolute hell. I was too anxious about my Liturgy exam at 2:30pm, but I had my Philosophy class at 10am, right before it. So naturally, I was dying of anxiousness during the class. Thankfully, the test ended up being easy...I mean, I think I did well.

I also went to the supermarket to pick up some food for the next week and a half. But apparently every time I go to the store to buy something, there's some kind of issue...first it was the toilet paper incident. Now this time...

I was in line to pay, my items sprawled out on the assembly line (which is unusually small here). The cashier is giving change to the woman ahead of me. A woman 2 people behind me is holding a bottle of alcohol and saying something to me that made me stare at her blankly. It sounded like one long word that I didn't understand, though it WAS italian. So, thinking she was asking if it was my item left behind on the assembly line, I told her in italian "that isn't mine, it's not for me". She looked at the guy behind me in line, chuckled, then I asked if she could repeat what she said. She wanted to go in front of me so she could pay for her bottle of alcohol, since it was only one thing she needed to pay for.

Now I look like the stupid American...every. time. I go. to the store.

10/23 -  Tuesday

For my Roman History class, we went to the Ara Pacis which was gorgeous. It's a glass building with this huge marble/stone section of a sacrificial table. It includes pictures and inscriptions of Augustus and his family. It's quite interesting. The building is quite small and there aren't many things to see so I don't totally know if it would be worth it, but if you're a history buff or if you feel you need to see everything Rome has to offer, then go see it.

While we were outside the Ara Pacis, waiting for silence so my professor could talk, was an Italian man on his vespa with his cell phone tucked into the right side of his helmet. Left hand controlling the vespa, right hand covering the phone so he could hear. UN-BE-FREAKING-LIEVABLE! Why they never get stopped here for that crap, I will NEVER understand! Yet in America, for texting while driving, you can get your license taken away, plus a fine! @#$%^&!!!

Then the opera! We went to see La Gioconda, an amazing Italian opera. The opera house was off the metro and a (maybe) 4 block walk. We sat up high, all dressed up - it was a handful of us who just felt like going to see an Italian opera IN ITALY. So naturally, I got all dressed up (thank GOD I brought a really nice dress with me!) and off we went! Having an hour to spare before the curtains opened, we went for drinks together to a bar nearby and stopped for gelato which held most of us over.

There were tons of people at the opera! Some dressed up..very expensively...and some not so much. There were box seats and the all-too-familiar nosebleed section. But I think I saw the most amount of English speaking people at the Italian opera with no subtitles. Ironic?

I understood practically everything that was going on, given 2 or 3 mixups with names and plot stuff. I was translating for my friend Tracy, who sat next to me asking every 30 minutes or so what was happening. Just so she understood.

Being a huge fan of Italian opera, I loved it! It wasn't the best Italian opera I've seen, but it was great! I loved having no English subtitles (the only subtitles were in Italian on an electronic board over the stage). I loved the atmosphere, the music, the dancers...it was fantastic! For once, it was an experience that made me feel like I wasn't a student. I was actually a part of all this...I was immersed in Italy...in it's fullness!

10/24 - Wednesday

Roman History midterm...ugh.

10/25 - Thursday

Philsophy midterm...it's over. Freedom & my well deserved 10 day break BEGINS!




BRING IT ON, ITALY!

October 20, 2012

Why this week will absolutely suck...

Lucky me! It's time for midterms...crap. And I have 3 midterm exams next week. On the up side, I'm going to an Italian opera Tuesday night which I'm excited about because I love Italian operas! Can't wait!

On a random note, I met this guy...and when I say "met", I mean he was going through my friend Sarah's photos of me and left this for a comment: "Sarah, tell your friend I'll never meet she's a stone cold fox for me! Thanks!" This guy is a student at Loyola University in Maryland, but he's currently studying abroad in Australia. (No, he didn't find Nemo yet...) Sarah's filled me in on him...he's her boyfriend's roommate and they're close. So Sarah has definitely filled me in...

But since then, I've been talking to this guy and he seems pretty decent. Normal, funny, and he's attractive so I figured, why not talk to him and make a new friend? This seems more realistic than briefly dating an Italian douche, plus I'm up for whatever at this point. I sent him a friend request on FB and we talked for the last 3 days. I've been getting to know him. But he's currently in Bali, Indonesia (CAUSE HE'S SO LUCKY!) and is probably trying to read my blog from Indonesia. But he'll be there for 9 days so I'll talk to him in another week or so...if he survives.

So for shiggles, I wrote this post. And wanted to update everyone on my ridiculously crazy life.

Ciao for now ;)

October 15, 2012

The Halloween Post!

I'm not sure how many people know this, but Halloween isn't really celebrated in Italy. However, certain places do something special, especially if they assume tourists are in the area. I don't know if I'll be doing anything for Halloween yet because it's actually during our break (that's about 10 days long). I'm staying in Rome to explore the city for 10 days and I'm slowly making a schedule of where I'll be traveling to, but for now, here are some things I thought would be awesome if I were to celebrate a REAL Halloween in Italy:

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Just because I thought these were cute! I'll find more - lol :)

October 14, 2012

Updates to my blog! Please read!

Dear Blog Readers,

First of all, I would like to thank you for reading my blog! Thanks to your viewing, I have more than 1660+ views from all over the world! Thank you for taking the time to sit in front of your computer and read paragraphs and paragraphs of my overly eventful life in Italy!

Secondly, I have recently updated the look of my blog. This will probably remain permanent, especially since the summer look is not appropriate anymore and the current look is a little more wintery. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Along with these physical changes are more technical ones - I have created 3 "like" buttons similar to Facebook located under each entry by the comment area (Love it, Hate it, It's alright). Please feel free to check off any of these boxes regarding your reaction to my entries. Also feel free to leave comments on any of my blog entries. I love hearing feedback from people back home! I am practically fluent in italiano, so if you are from outside the country reading my English blog entries, feel free to leave a comment in italiano! I will understand. I also respond to your comments and thoroughly enjoy reading them! So please let me know whether they are informative/enjoyable/stupid.

Thirdly, I enjoy allowing everyone to read my blog. It is entirely public. If you wish to send your friends, family, or co-workers the link to my blog to read it, please do. I encourage everyone to at least find something they are interested in while reading - whether it be sites, food, language, or whatever your interest is - you will most likely find it here in my blog.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email me at mncullinan@gmail.com. Thank you so much for reading my blog!

Happy Reading ;)

Marie

Highlights from Italy

Ponte Sant'Angelo
 
Castel Sant'Angelo & Statue
 
The Love Locks - which I believe have been removed within the last month
 
The Colosseum
 
The Trevi Fountain
 
St. Paul outside the walls
 
Capitoline Hill
 
Spanish Steps
 
View of St. Peter's Square
 
St. Peter's Basilica
 
Largo Argentina
 
View from Castel Gandolfo
 
View of Rome from the Church of Santa Sabina
 
Inside of St. Peter's from the Duomo
 
View of St. Peter's Square from the Cupola
 
Siena, Tuscany
 
Siena, Tuscany
 
Tuscany
 
Sunset View from Castel di Trebbio, Tuscany
 
Tuscany
 
Non-Catholic Protestant Cemetery of Rome
 
St. Peter's in the afternoon
 
Cinecitta`
 
Egyptian Statue from the Galleria D'Arte Moderna outside the Villa Borghese, Rome