I think a while ago I mentioned that I met this guy...and I like him. A lot. BUT...I haven't actually met him yet. In person.
He was studying abroad in Australia for his semester while I've been spending my semester here in Rome. We met over Facebook - I know, kinda weird but it happened. And we've been talking non-stop since I met him. We've been FB-chatting and skyping a ton, for hours at a time.
However, his semester in Australia ended and he returned home to the US in mid-November. So he's home. And I'm still here in Italy. The time difference between us went from tolerable to wth. Plus I'm busy with work and finals and travelling and rare spouts of internet at home. It's a bit messy right now.
But here's the thing...I'm debating whether I should risk the 2.5 hour drive to Long Island to see him. Or if I should wait until sometime during the Spring semester because I'll return to DC and he'll go back to school in Baltimore, which is another trip in itself. Or maybe something else will happen? I have no idea.
But I like him...and he's probably read this post already.
Any suggestions/comments?
November 30, 2012
November 29, 2012
Dear Readers 11/29
Dear Readers,
I'm currently in the process of creating a Facebook page for my blog so you can follow posts, news, photos, and tips on Facebook. You can also "like" the page and share it with your friends!
The post from 10/31 - 11/11 is finished! So feel free to read it! I also added some of my best photos of Italy from the last month, so check them out!
If you have any questions/comments, write them on this post! Thanks :)
- M
I'm currently in the process of creating a Facebook page for my blog so you can follow posts, news, photos, and tips on Facebook. You can also "like" the page and share it with your friends!
The post from 10/31 - 11/11 is finished! So feel free to read it! I also added some of my best photos of Italy from the last month, so check them out!
If you have any questions/comments, write them on this post! Thanks :)
- M
November Pictures - Update!
Roman Sunrise - Woke up early for Assisi trip
Papal Audience
Cappuccino - Piccolo Diavolo
Assisi - Sunset on the Piazza
Assisi
Inside the Colosseum
Florence - Shopping in the Streets
Pompeii - At Sunset
Sorrento - Morning View from my hotel room
Capri - Port
11/12 - 11/21
11/12 - Monday (Family Week!)
For my Liturgy class today, my professors thought it would be perfect timing to go to the Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel! So I went with my family during my class time. I had to rush back though to register for classes, but the rest of the day was great! We went to lunch at Cafe` Prati down the street from St. John's and I got to catch up with Armando, one of the brothers who owns the place.
11/13 - Tuesday
For Roman History class, we all went to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. There's a combo ticket you can buy to go to all 3 since the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill are across the street from each other with the Arch of Constantine in between. BUY THE COMBO TICKET when you're in Rome! It's worth it and the tickets lasts like 2 days. So if you run out of time at the Colosseum, you can return the next day to see the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
11/14 - Wednesday
We got up really early to see the Pope at the weekly Wednesday Papal Audience! It was amazing, though everyone was cheering like it was the Olympics. I also had my 2nd Italian presentation today on History.
11/15 - Thursday
We had Philosophy class at the Galleria D'Arte Moderna...again. I liked it the first time, but we came back to talk about particular pieces this time.
I went to dinner with my family before they left for home. We went to one of my favorite restaurants near Castel Sant'Angelo, which they loved.
11/16 - Friday
My family took the earliest flight out of Rome to Milan to fly home. We watched a movie called 100 Steps (I Cento Passi) in Italian class. There was a dinner tonight for people going to Florence on Saturday - another day trip.
11/17 - Saturday
The day trip to Florence was great! Florence is known for their leather, so checkout their belts, purses, and another leather things while you're there. Florence has street vendors that are able to put up with your haggling for good prices, so don't be afraid to tell them you'll pay something less than what's there. Also, the vendors give 60% discounts to students so make sure you have your ID on you just in case. I didn't show my ID to any of them. Just tell them you're from Rome. If you look like a student, they'll give it to you for a lower price. I bought a ton of stuff in Florence and saved a bunch of money. I also bought an amazingly expensive leather jacket for a price that was not even close to the ticket price. Just haggle - it's that simple. It's easier in Florence than in Rome.
11/20 - Tuesday
I had my presentation for Roman History at the Museo Nazionale on Roman Sculpture, which was pretty cool. I enjoy art and I can spend hours in a museum - that's just how I am. Others can tolerate art for a certain amount of time and leave, but that isn't me. If it's art that I like, I'll spend more time there. This museum was really cool and tied into everything we're learning about - Roman Emperors. Definitely checkout these museums in Rome, especially the little ones that no one's heard of, they're worth the adventure.
11/21 - Wednesday
The amazing night with President and Mrs. Garvey! We were lucky enough to go out to dinner with them tonight to a nice restaurant in Rome. They bought dinner for us and all of the CUA students were able to have a really fantastic time with them. We drank with them, we talked to them about things we're doing next semester, and most of all - about Rome and Italy. They seemed sincerely intrigued about our semester abroad and President Garvey said this to us:
"I told my son, when he studied abroad, that I don't care what his grades are - if he learns a new language and is able to use it, that's the best education there is!"
That definitely stuck with me.
For my Liturgy class today, my professors thought it would be perfect timing to go to the Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel! So I went with my family during my class time. I had to rush back though to register for classes, but the rest of the day was great! We went to lunch at Cafe` Prati down the street from St. John's and I got to catch up with Armando, one of the brothers who owns the place.
11/13 - Tuesday
For Roman History class, we all went to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. There's a combo ticket you can buy to go to all 3 since the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill are across the street from each other with the Arch of Constantine in between. BUY THE COMBO TICKET when you're in Rome! It's worth it and the tickets lasts like 2 days. So if you run out of time at the Colosseum, you can return the next day to see the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
11/14 - Wednesday
We got up really early to see the Pope at the weekly Wednesday Papal Audience! It was amazing, though everyone was cheering like it was the Olympics. I also had my 2nd Italian presentation today on History.
11/15 - Thursday
We had Philosophy class at the Galleria D'Arte Moderna...again. I liked it the first time, but we came back to talk about particular pieces this time.
I went to dinner with my family before they left for home. We went to one of my favorite restaurants near Castel Sant'Angelo, which they loved.
11/16 - Friday
My family took the earliest flight out of Rome to Milan to fly home. We watched a movie called 100 Steps (I Cento Passi) in Italian class. There was a dinner tonight for people going to Florence on Saturday - another day trip.
11/17 - Saturday
The day trip to Florence was great! Florence is known for their leather, so checkout their belts, purses, and another leather things while you're there. Florence has street vendors that are able to put up with your haggling for good prices, so don't be afraid to tell them you'll pay something less than what's there. Also, the vendors give 60% discounts to students so make sure you have your ID on you just in case. I didn't show my ID to any of them. Just tell them you're from Rome. If you look like a student, they'll give it to you for a lower price. I bought a ton of stuff in Florence and saved a bunch of money. I also bought an amazingly expensive leather jacket for a price that was not even close to the ticket price. Just haggle - it's that simple. It's easier in Florence than in Rome.
11/20 - Tuesday
I had my presentation for Roman History at the Museo Nazionale on Roman Sculpture, which was pretty cool. I enjoy art and I can spend hours in a museum - that's just how I am. Others can tolerate art for a certain amount of time and leave, but that isn't me. If it's art that I like, I'll spend more time there. This museum was really cool and tied into everything we're learning about - Roman Emperors. Definitely checkout these museums in Rome, especially the little ones that no one's heard of, they're worth the adventure.
11/21 - Wednesday
The amazing night with President and Mrs. Garvey! We were lucky enough to go out to dinner with them tonight to a nice restaurant in Rome. They bought dinner for us and all of the CUA students were able to have a really fantastic time with them. We drank with them, we talked to them about things we're doing next semester, and most of all - about Rome and Italy. They seemed sincerely intrigued about our semester abroad and President Garvey said this to us:
"I told my son, when he studied abroad, that I don't care what his grades are - if he learns a new language and is able to use it, that's the best education there is!"
That definitely stuck with me.
November 26, 2012
Updates 11/26!
Dear Readers,
Thank you for asking questions during the Challenge Week! I hope my answers were satisfying!
I'll be updating my blog soon with delayed posts and new pictures from Italy (from the last month)! Get excited!
Sorry I'm way behind, but I only have about 3 more weeks before I head home and it's crunch time here!
Happy Reading
-- M
Thank you for asking questions during the Challenge Week! I hope my answers were satisfying!
I'll be updating my blog soon with delayed posts and new pictures from Italy (from the last month)! Get excited!
Sorry I'm way behind, but I only have about 3 more weeks before I head home and it's crunch time here!
Happy Reading
-- M
November 19, 2012
Challenge Week 1: Answers
Anonymous: I guess the main question I want to ask is what was your favorite moment you experienced in Italy? So far, there can still be more moments to be had.
My Answer: This is a really difficult question. There are a ton of favorite moments that I've had since I've been living in Rome. I enjoy getting to know the locals - the people at local bars and restaurants who enjoy seeing me, not because they know I'm spending a ton of money there, but because they enjoy talking to me. Everyone appreciates me here - they love seeing the red headed girl sporting her Italian fashion and walking down the street, totally vulnerable to guys gaping at her with dropped jaws and blurting flirtatious phrases. I love being mistaken for Italian - that's the biggest compliment for an American here. I enjoy being asked directions to a particular place, or where a certain street is, or which bus will go where. It's all these little things that make the Italian life much more worthwhile.
One of the best moments in Italy - so far - was when I went out for my birthday. In the beginning of September, you don't know all 50 people in your program in Rome. But for my birthday, I decided to go to Testaccio because I really wanted to go clubbing. I had great things about this one place in particular, called Coyote Bar, that was supposedly amazing. So I decided that I would go there and invited anyone and everyone to come out with me for my birthday! There were a nice group of people that came out with me that night to celebrate my birthday. Some friends bought me drinks, I danced my butt off, I ended up meeting some random foreign guys, I danced on a stage/table with my friends. It was one of the most memorable nights since I've been here.
Knowing that I have all these friends, most of whom I never met before coming here, was such a great feeling. And even better, they didn't mind coming out with me to a - what could have been horrible - club for a night. It was hands down one of my MANY favorite moments.
I'm sorry that was ridiculously lengthy, but I hope it answered your question.
Anonymous: Just want to start by saying these question posts are a great idea! So Thanksgiving is coming up and I was wondering if you had any plans? Considering you're in Italy and all, I was curious if Thanksgiving is any different there than it is in the US.
My Answer: Haha, thank you for your feedback! I felt like trying something fun & different, so I'm glad you're enjoying it! Italy actually doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving because it's an American holiday. Usually back home I would have a dinner with my family and we would take our time cooking. We'd watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, which unfortunately I'm missing this year. But this year, I'm heading to Sorrento and Naples for a 4-day mini vacation! We're having a "country lunch/dinner" in Sorrento where they make buffalo cheese for Thanksgiving, which I'm sure will be fantastic! But I can't believe I'm missing Thanksgiving back home.
Italians don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all. Holiday-wise, it's literally Christmas after Halloween, and they don't even really celebrate Halloween. But Christmas lights have already been put up here around stores and at outside restaurants. The stores have already set up their Christmas themed stuff in the windows and everyone is stocking up on fur coats, boots, hats, and scarfs. They do absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving. I've also heard from friends that have previously studied abroad in Rome that turkey is very difficult to find. They don't just sell turkey in stores like they do back home. The meats here are usually beef, chicken, pork, and anything else I'm forgetting other than turkey. Weird, huh?
Anonymous: There's this girl, we dated for almost 2 years. Except she was really distant from me towards the end of our relationship and eventually we broke up. I found out from a friend that she was cheating on me. Now she wants to get back together. I'm not sure if she's truly sorry for what she did or if she's just missing me b/c she feels all alone in college. I know you can't tell me what to do, but if you don't mind telling me what would you do if you were in my shoes?
My Answer: I'm sorry this happened to you. I've been cheating on more than once, unfortunately and I know how this goes - you want to get back together because you think you love them, but in reality, they'll probably do it again. Not only that, but you will never EVER be able to trust them again. Ever.
This might not be what you want to hear now, but I promise you'll move on to bigger and much better things. Say hell no, stand your ground, don't cave or give in. You're an amazing person who deserves much better than her crap. That's what I would do and HAVE DONE - I gathered up all my emotions and courage, said hell no, never caved in to second thoughts, and moved on to bigger and better things. :) Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6smkh6c-0
My Answer: This is a really difficult question. There are a ton of favorite moments that I've had since I've been living in Rome. I enjoy getting to know the locals - the people at local bars and restaurants who enjoy seeing me, not because they know I'm spending a ton of money there, but because they enjoy talking to me. Everyone appreciates me here - they love seeing the red headed girl sporting her Italian fashion and walking down the street, totally vulnerable to guys gaping at her with dropped jaws and blurting flirtatious phrases. I love being mistaken for Italian - that's the biggest compliment for an American here. I enjoy being asked directions to a particular place, or where a certain street is, or which bus will go where. It's all these little things that make the Italian life much more worthwhile.
One of the best moments in Italy - so far - was when I went out for my birthday. In the beginning of September, you don't know all 50 people in your program in Rome. But for my birthday, I decided to go to Testaccio because I really wanted to go clubbing. I had great things about this one place in particular, called Coyote Bar, that was supposedly amazing. So I decided that I would go there and invited anyone and everyone to come out with me for my birthday! There were a nice group of people that came out with me that night to celebrate my birthday. Some friends bought me drinks, I danced my butt off, I ended up meeting some random foreign guys, I danced on a stage/table with my friends. It was one of the most memorable nights since I've been here.
Knowing that I have all these friends, most of whom I never met before coming here, was such a great feeling. And even better, they didn't mind coming out with me to a - what could have been horrible - club for a night. It was hands down one of my MANY favorite moments.
I'm sorry that was ridiculously lengthy, but I hope it answered your question.
Anonymous: Just want to start by saying these question posts are a great idea! So Thanksgiving is coming up and I was wondering if you had any plans? Considering you're in Italy and all, I was curious if Thanksgiving is any different there than it is in the US.
My Answer: Haha, thank you for your feedback! I felt like trying something fun & different, so I'm glad you're enjoying it! Italy actually doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving because it's an American holiday. Usually back home I would have a dinner with my family and we would take our time cooking. We'd watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, which unfortunately I'm missing this year. But this year, I'm heading to Sorrento and Naples for a 4-day mini vacation! We're having a "country lunch/dinner" in Sorrento where they make buffalo cheese for Thanksgiving, which I'm sure will be fantastic! But I can't believe I'm missing Thanksgiving back home.
Italians don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all. Holiday-wise, it's literally Christmas after Halloween, and they don't even really celebrate Halloween. But Christmas lights have already been put up here around stores and at outside restaurants. The stores have already set up their Christmas themed stuff in the windows and everyone is stocking up on fur coats, boots, hats, and scarfs. They do absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving. I've also heard from friends that have previously studied abroad in Rome that turkey is very difficult to find. They don't just sell turkey in stores like they do back home. The meats here are usually beef, chicken, pork, and anything else I'm forgetting other than turkey. Weird, huh?
Anonymous: There's this girl, we dated for almost 2 years. Except she was really distant from me towards the end of our relationship and eventually we broke up. I found out from a friend that she was cheating on me. Now she wants to get back together. I'm not sure if she's truly sorry for what she did or if she's just missing me b/c she feels all alone in college. I know you can't tell me what to do, but if you don't mind telling me what would you do if you were in my shoes?
My Answer: I'm sorry this happened to you. I've been cheating on more than once, unfortunately and I know how this goes - you want to get back together because you think you love them, but in reality, they'll probably do it again. Not only that, but you will never EVER be able to trust them again. Ever.
This might not be what you want to hear now, but I promise you'll move on to bigger and much better things. Say hell no, stand your ground, don't cave or give in. You're an amazing person who deserves much better than her crap. That's what I would do and HAVE DONE - I gathered up all my emotions and courage, said hell no, never caved in to second thoughts, and moved on to bigger and better things. :) Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6smkh6c-0
November 18, 2012
Challenge Week 1
Dear Readers,
I'm trying something new - once a week, of each month, I will answer questions that are emailed to me, or posted anonymously on my blog if you prefer I don't know who you are. You will have one week to ask me one or tons of questions that I will answer right here, on my blog, for all to read.
Feel free to ask me anything, about life, Italy, etc. during this week. Since today is Sunday (here in Rome), I will begin today - 18 Nov - and end reading questions next Sunday - 25 Nov - at noon.
Let the Challenge Week 1 COMMENCE! --> mncullinan@gmail.com
or comment anonymously on this blog post!
Happy Reading ;)
Marie
I'm trying something new - once a week, of each month, I will answer questions that are emailed to me, or posted anonymously on my blog if you prefer I don't know who you are. You will have one week to ask me one or tons of questions that I will answer right here, on my blog, for all to read.
Feel free to ask me anything, about life, Italy, etc. during this week. Since today is Sunday (here in Rome), I will begin today - 18 Nov - and end reading questions next Sunday - 25 Nov - at noon.
Let the Challenge Week 1 COMMENCE! --> mncullinan@gmail.com
or comment anonymously on this blog post!
Happy Reading ;)
Marie
November 14, 2012
The 'Anonymous' Comment
Thanks to an 'Anonymous' reader, he/she has inspired me to write this post on love.
'Anonymous' commented on my last post with the story of a particular marriage, saying,
"It is strange, but I was just thinking today how I don't believe in love in a marriage anymore... A very powerful message from a not so well written story."
Here's my response to this comment:
I believe marriage needs love and vice versa. I'm 20 and nowhere near marriage (though I wish I were), but I know love when I see it (not talking about myself). To marry, you need love - always, always. If these two people will truly spend the rest of their lives with each other, it deserves marriage. It's worthy of a lifetime...and 65 years down the road, they will still love each other. Even after 4 kids, a ton of financial problems, and maybe some job losses. Love isn't about where your money for rent is coming from. It isn't about who's cooking dinner first or solely about sex. Love is about having a best friend. It's about giving your everything to ONE PERSON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I refuse to divorce after I get married and I think everyone else should do the same. Love isn't about marrying someone, getting bored, and marrying someone else. I haven't had a good history of relationships and I'm not saying that my future will be this amazing Prince Charming. In fact, I haven't found a guy who I can sincerely trust with every detail of my life. I've held back and I'll keep holding back until I have a ring on my finger. But this is MY take on love and marriage.
To Anonymous, I hope that one day you find love. Every marriage needs love or I don't count it as a "true" marriage. Your definition of "true love" or a "true marriage" may be something specific or flat out unattainable. However, realistic dreams of a healthy and happy marriage will work out for you, I'm sure. True love takes a lot of things - time, courage, trust, loyalty, friendship, etc. It's an all-inclusive deal - I think everyone is meant to be with someone, but no one ever deserves to be in a relationship where love doesn't exist, where love can't be seen, heard, or felt. That's like saying you have a best friend you've been through everything with, but in reality you haven't talked to them for 20+ years. Everyone deserves to be in a loving relationship. Everyone deserves to have a best friend, someone to be in their corner when times get rough, someone to love them completely and totally for everything they are. No matter what they've done, been through, whatever. If you aren't in a happy and healthy relationship, get out of it.
I think being in a marriage where there is no love is worse than never experiencing love. It shows that you're holding yourself back from something you truly deserve, which is love in a marriage - a lifetime of love in a blessed sacrament with your best friend. I'm Catholic and I expect to get married in a church one day and walk down the aisle to my future husband, watching his jaw drop in awe. And while love exists in every aspect of a marriage, from sunrise to sun down, it's more than a simple commitment. It is never a one-way relationship - it's always a team effort. I believe everyone has the potential to love and be loved tremendously. I'm 20, but while I'm going into the field of Social Work, I believe everyone should be loved. Love changes things - love could change a loveless marriage too.
One day, I hope to marry an amazing guy. I want to feel love - from hugs and holding hands, to sex (which I haven't done but that's another story). I want to see love - from my husband cooking dinner for me and massaging my feet at the end of a really crappy day, to having kids and realizing what the effect of our love can do! I want to hear love - from phone calls and hearing him say my name, to listening to his voice read to me on a rainy night. There are so many things that happen in between, from the "love at first sight" moment to your old age - there's a ton of love in between. I think everyone deserves to experience those little moments, adding up to one beautiful healthy and happy marriage.
I hope this inspires you, Anonymous. Just know you're loved anyway :)
'Anonymous' commented on my last post with the story of a particular marriage, saying,
"It is strange, but I was just thinking today how I don't believe in love in a marriage anymore... A very powerful message from a not so well written story."
Here's my response to this comment:
I believe marriage needs love and vice versa. I'm 20 and nowhere near marriage (though I wish I were), but I know love when I see it (not talking about myself). To marry, you need love - always, always. If these two people will truly spend the rest of their lives with each other, it deserves marriage. It's worthy of a lifetime...and 65 years down the road, they will still love each other. Even after 4 kids, a ton of financial problems, and maybe some job losses. Love isn't about where your money for rent is coming from. It isn't about who's cooking dinner first or solely about sex. Love is about having a best friend. It's about giving your everything to ONE PERSON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I refuse to divorce after I get married and I think everyone else should do the same. Love isn't about marrying someone, getting bored, and marrying someone else. I haven't had a good history of relationships and I'm not saying that my future will be this amazing Prince Charming. In fact, I haven't found a guy who I can sincerely trust with every detail of my life. I've held back and I'll keep holding back until I have a ring on my finger. But this is MY take on love and marriage.
To Anonymous, I hope that one day you find love. Every marriage needs love or I don't count it as a "true" marriage. Your definition of "true love" or a "true marriage" may be something specific or flat out unattainable. However, realistic dreams of a healthy and happy marriage will work out for you, I'm sure. True love takes a lot of things - time, courage, trust, loyalty, friendship, etc. It's an all-inclusive deal - I think everyone is meant to be with someone, but no one ever deserves to be in a relationship where love doesn't exist, where love can't be seen, heard, or felt. That's like saying you have a best friend you've been through everything with, but in reality you haven't talked to them for 20+ years. Everyone deserves to be in a loving relationship. Everyone deserves to have a best friend, someone to be in their corner when times get rough, someone to love them completely and totally for everything they are. No matter what they've done, been through, whatever. If you aren't in a happy and healthy relationship, get out of it.
I think being in a marriage where there is no love is worse than never experiencing love. It shows that you're holding yourself back from something you truly deserve, which is love in a marriage - a lifetime of love in a blessed sacrament with your best friend. I'm Catholic and I expect to get married in a church one day and walk down the aisle to my future husband, watching his jaw drop in awe. And while love exists in every aspect of a marriage, from sunrise to sun down, it's more than a simple commitment. It is never a one-way relationship - it's always a team effort. I believe everyone has the potential to love and be loved tremendously. I'm 20, but while I'm going into the field of Social Work, I believe everyone should be loved. Love changes things - love could change a loveless marriage too.
One day, I hope to marry an amazing guy. I want to feel love - from hugs and holding hands, to sex (which I haven't done but that's another story). I want to see love - from my husband cooking dinner for me and massaging my feet at the end of a really crappy day, to having kids and realizing what the effect of our love can do! I want to hear love - from phone calls and hearing him say my name, to listening to his voice read to me on a rainy night. There are so many things that happen in between, from the "love at first sight" moment to your old age - there's a ton of love in between. I think everyone deserves to experience those little moments, adding up to one beautiful healthy and happy marriage.
I hope this inspires you, Anonymous. Just know you're loved anyway :)
November 13, 2012
Randomly explored Google+
I found this random, realistic, but poorly written story:
“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son— I’m a loving husband….
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.
So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!"
“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son— I’m a loving husband….
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.
So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!"
November 4, 2012
New things to cook!
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies (one of my favorites!)
Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Pie
French Apple Tart (Tarte de Pommes a la Normande)
Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin Muffins with Streusel Topping
Carbonara - Ashley's favorite!
Cinnamon Rolls! YEAHH!
Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Pie
French Apple Tart (Tarte de Pommes a la Normande)
Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin Muffins with Streusel Topping
Carbonara - Ashley's favorite!
Cinnamon Rolls! YEAHH!
Songs to add to your playlist!
This is a really random post, but here are some songs that I've been listening to that you might enjoy:
Christina Aguilera - Your Body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cfCgLgiFDM
Yellowcard's latest album, Southern Air
especially their song Sleep in the Snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CISrLrRGQF4
All Time Low - Painting Flowers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJz1ScjwV18
Paramore:
Renegade - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMEBCK0Zzv8
Monster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkzfhjzdCKA
David Guetta ft. Sia - She Wolfhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVzljDmoPVs
David Guetta ft. Akon - Crank it up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbC72UtNNGY
We are the in crowd - Kiss me again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM3Rv2RO1Do&feature=branded
Madonna - Revolver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMqFJslmPbk
Awesome Choreos - Hip Hop:
(1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBnCbyKW1Cs
(2) Nika Kljun - one of my favorites!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz5MQCkmvJY&feature=fvst
(3) Nika Kljun - Big Sean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__SFo3m0tqs
(4) Nika Kljun - Nicki Minaj
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adUhxUy2Vrw
Awesome Choreos - Ballroom:
(1) Samba - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZjWUUj6-iI
(2) Samba - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Kwwfg-lgE&feature=related
(3) Cha cha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31uBhw3HKU8
(4) Cha cha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU6o6ZcqN18&feature=fvwrel
Christina Aguilera - Your Body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cfCgLgiFDM
Yellowcard's latest album, Southern Air
especially their song Sleep in the Snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CISrLrRGQF4
All Time Low - Painting Flowers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJz1ScjwV18
Paramore:
Renegade - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMEBCK0Zzv8
Monster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkzfhjzdCKA
David Guetta ft. Sia - She Wolfhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVzljDmoPVs
David Guetta ft. Akon - Crank it up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbC72UtNNGY
We are the in crowd - Kiss me again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM3Rv2RO1Do&feature=branded
Madonna - Revolver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMqFJslmPbk
Awesome Choreos - Hip Hop:
(1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBnCbyKW1Cs
(2) Nika Kljun - one of my favorites!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz5MQCkmvJY&feature=fvst
(3) Nika Kljun - Big Sean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__SFo3m0tqs
(4) Nika Kljun - Nicki Minaj
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adUhxUy2Vrw
Awesome Choreos - Ballroom:
(1) Samba - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZjWUUj6-iI
(2) Samba - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Kwwfg-lgE&feature=related
(3) Cha cha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31uBhw3HKU8
(4) Cha cha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU6o6ZcqN18&feature=fvwrel
November 3, 2012
10/31 - 11/11
It's certainly been a while since I've written. So here I am, sitting on the bed next to my sister in their rented apartment in Rome, writing this post on my sister's laptop. Yes - you read that correctly. Here's what happened since my last update on 10/29:
10/31 - Wednesday (Halloween)
I spent a solid couple days freaking out about my family and their safety. It rained in Rome all week, which kept me (unfortunately) from walking around the places that I wanted to see. But I'm not in a rush because I still have a ton of time left in Italy. I was really worried that my house wouldn't be able to withstand Hurricane Sandy. Thankfully, after days of freaking out and not hearing from many people back home, my family was able to contact me somehow.
They told me they were safe. The entire house is still standing, there was no flooding and there was no outside damage done to the house (no fallen trees crashing into the house, no branches breaking windows etc.). My car was tied down so well, thanks to my dad, that it didn't move an INCH during the hurricane. My family was without power for days, but able to contact me from outside sources of electricity. Everything was okay and that's all that mattered.
I asked a ton of people what Italians did on Halloween. I heard different answers - they don't trick or treat, they don't really celebrate it, some go out, etc. After spending enough of the day on the computer trying to contact family & friends back home to make sure everyone was safe, I went home for dinner. My host mom made me dinner and I ate while watching tv with her. On tv was a cooking show. A young Italian woman was talking to this guy Giovanni over the phone on the show. He called in to tell her what Americans did for Halloween and he mentioned that the fall season, especially Halloween with all its pumpkins, is a great time for pumpkin pie! So this woman made pumpkin pie.
1. I know people - more than one - who have never had pumpkin pie ever.
2. My host mom sounded hilarious when she tried to pronounce "pumpkin pie".
3. I miss it - a lot. So much, it isn't even funny.
Some Italians DO trick or treat for Halloween. Mainly little kids. They get dressed up in their costumes and go from door to door with their parents & friends to get candy. Some Italians do this. Others don't celebrate, but maybe they'll go out with friends, just to do something simple. Drinks, or what not. The apartment bell rang about 3 times that night and my host mom freaked out. She didn't know what to do. So she asked what I do when the doorbell rings on Halloween. I explained to her that these kids expect you to give them candy. She opened the door and told the poor kids that she didn't have anything to give them - apparently Italians don't really prep for this like Americans do. We go all out back home with decorations, costumes, and candy. They don't do that here, but kids will get dressed up and go to doors.
Anyway, I felt bad that my host mom didn't pickup a little bag of candy, knowing it was Halloween. So she just kept answering the door to tell the kids that she didn't have anything to give them, even though I told her some Americans just don't answer the door.
11/1 - Thursday (All Saints Day)
Americans don't really celebrate All Saints Day, though I think the most you can do is go to mass. But today was another on and off rainy day.
11/2 - Friday (All Souls Day)
Today was more eventful! The weather was nice & I deserved a really nice day out with friends. On Halloween, I wanted to go to the Cappucchin Crypt. But I did it today instead with Ashley, Jeremy, and another friend from St. John's. It was absolutely amazing! If you aren't squeamish and go to Rome, make sure you checkout the Cappucchin Crypt! It's 6E per person to see the Cappucchin Museum before going to the Crypt. I also thought about buying some tasteful bones-and-other-skeletal-parts-of-the-human-body postcards, but thought that might be of poor taste. We all had a great time there! It was definitely worth it, even if you just go to say you did it!
That night I went out with Ashley to dinner at a place called Porchettoni in the back of Termini station. The restaurant is an amazing place, based off the huge feast of a dinner we had in Ariccia. But the walk from Termini to the restaurant is really sketchy...it's totally worth it though and the people there are extremely welcoming.
After dinner, we walked outside to head to Termini but saw these huge flashing lights and heard club music. We figured there were police around or something because it looked like the police maybe pulled someone over, but it wasn't. A DJ was playing music in the outside stairway of an apartment building near Sapienza University. He was facing the street with his DJ equipment. The college kids were all in the street smoking and/or drinking. They were all hanging out, but the music was so good I wanted to dance....except no one was dancing. It was freezing out and everyone had jackets...except me. But I love the cold.
I turned to Ashley and said, "These Italian kids have no idea how to have a good time." So we just started dancing in the street. Why not! I'd rather start a dance party at a random DJ rave than something stupid. But it was fun that we were the only Americans among the Italian college population in the street that night, and we stayed for maybe over an hour or so. It was a great time!
11/4 - Sunday
Ashley and I decided to head to the Porta Portese in Trastevere today. However, we got really lost - but it worked out better that way. We found tons upon TONS of chocolate vendors, restaurants, churches, and people outside on a Sunday just enjoying themselves. It rained too, on and off. It made the day better and worse, but in the end, I still enjoyed myself so it doesn't matter.
11/5 - Monday
We went back to classes today. Break is officially over. But I was able to catchup on Vampire Diaries & How I Met Your Mother. And randomly travel a bit during the week. I also got a brief job babysitting my professor's year and a half year old son, who is adorable.
11/8 - Thursday
Today I went to St. Peter's again. Why? There's something called a "Scavi" that you can pay to do at St. Peter's. It's a guided group that are able to go under St. Peter's and look at the tombs and history underneath the Basilica. So, I have literally been all over St. Peter's Basilics - from top to bottom.
To checkout the Excavations/Scavi of St. Peter's, click this link:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html
It was absolutely amazing, something that I don't even think most of the native Romans have done! Granted, I had to get up earlier than usual, but it was worth every Euro and every second of my morning.
Philosophy class met at Castel Sant'Angelo today! This is definitely my favorite place in Rome. It's beautiful. The restaurant in the Castle is gorgeous and so romantic. The view is just breath taking! I suggest going there in the afternoon when the sun highlights everywhere outside. Pictures are on my Facebook, but if/when you ever come to Italy, make time to enjoy this place in particular! I fell in love with it when I first came to Rome because it was practically down the street from where I was staying!
11/8 - Friday
Italian class today, since we're in the process of learning about fascism (and the causes/effects), we went to the Museum of Liberation - il museo della liberazione. It isn't really a "museum" persay, it's more of a building with things hung up inside it. However, that didn't mean it wasn't interesting.
The Museo della Liberazione was a prison building for prisoners of different backgrounds, used during the era of fascism in Italy. I know the Holocaust Museum in DC is scary to some people, but this was a prison that people were held in. With bricked windows and no air. For days, months. It was so recent too and was the actual BUILDING and ROOMS that these men were stuffed in!
It scared the living crap out of me.
There were messages, lyrics, poems, and anthems written on the walls, which are now encased in glass so no one can ruin the wall. The brickwork in front of the windows is still mostly there, though to create the museum, they knocked half of it out for circulation.
After the scariest Italian class of my life, Sarah wanted to go rock climbing because that's her passion. Since no one really wanted to go with her, I figured why not! Try something new. Plus I was really intrigued to see her in her climbing atmosphere, even if it's in another country. So we ended up transferring metro trains, finally got off at the right stop, walked less than a mile, and saw this HUGE facility.
I don't remember the name of this place, but it's this ginormous recreation center for all ages and all different sports. We knew it was the right place because the 80ft rock walls were outside and you seriously couldn't miss those. They had so many sports at this place - swimming lessons, competitive swimming, water aerobics, basketball, tennis, karate, work out classes, a skate park for skateboarding, rock climbing, etc.
Sarah was giving me the rock climbing 101 run down, which was extremely helpful since (1) I hate heights, (2) I know next to nulla about rock climbing, (3) THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLIMBING! WTH! Who knows these things!?
Sarah is super awesome and I loved seeing her climb. I have to say, I'm super glad I went because I had a great time too. But before I continue this story, here are some things you should know: (1) I rarely rock climb, (2) I hate the feeling of falling, and (3) going up isn't the problem but coming down IS. Because there was a class at the rock wall, Sarah was teaching me how to boulder, which I'm decent at. Bouldering and wall climbing are different.
Bouldering is a kind of climbing that looks like this:
Rock wall climbing is exactly how you remember it - literally going up a wall with ropes and stuff tied to you. So bouldering was interesting, mainly because you don't have ropes tied to you - it's just padded mat underneath. You either climb back down, or fall on the mat. While I enjoyed these, I don't have the muscle to climb regularly so I have to give climbers a ton of credit.
11/10 - Saturday
I got up early and left for Assisi. It was a day trip and I suggest going to Assisi if you're a fan of landscapes. Assisi was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. Go in the fall when the leaves are changing colors in early November. There's a Piazza in front of a church that I think might be la chiesa di Santa Chiara (Saint Clare). Her body was in there and while the main level of the church is small and narrow, it's quite grand downstairs with a mini museum of her things. In the afternoon, the sun hits the piazza perfectly, as well as the other parts of Assisi on the hill. As I've found with other places at certain times of the day, it was breathtaking.
I got back to Rome around 8.30 or 9pm. I was nervous/excited because my parents and my sister flew in for Family Week so they could spend the week with me and travel a bit. I was planning to meet them at their rented apartment after I came back from Assisi. Here's a weird story: the address said 3, but on the street there were two building with 3 - 3A and 3B. So I was standing outside on the street like....what is this nonsense? So I start banging on one of the doors to see if someone would hear me. I turn around and there's this guy staring at me on the street and I'm thinking, Oh perfect! Another old Italian creep. Yeahhh - that guy was my dad.
I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my dad before that night, ever. I'm a family person...and I've been a daddy's girl since I was born. So after not seeing my dad for months while I live in another country is...weird. But I miss my sister even more - my sometimes moody, dramatic, can-basically-pass-for-my-twin, partner in crime. My sister is 15 going on 30 and a sophomore at my alma mater high school, which is top of the top. I adore my sister like she's never believe and if I didn't have a limit as to how big my suitcase has to be to get home, I'd buy her everything here. Ya know, spoil the crap out of her. Anyway...
I was happy to see them, and my mom. Their apartment was REALLY nice. I was excited to see a bathtub! Too excited. They got lucky with such a great place in Rome! And internet. The first instructions I gave them was to stay in the apartment after they got there, don't go out anywhere, and just SLEEP. That worked out because we went out to dinner at a restaurant nearby and was able to show them around Rome at night, which isn't too busy on a Saturday night, but still - it's ROMA.
We had a great dinner at the restaurant. They were all giddy listening to me talk to the waiter, they loved the Italian food they ordered, and we headed back to their apartment. I hugged them goodbye and walked home to MY apartment after giving them the rundown about Sundays in Rome.
11/11 - Sunday
I took my family to a church in Prati near St. John's for noon mass. It was entirely in Italian and it's different than simply going to mass in the US. So I think they were surprised, if anything. I understand everything, so I had to translate for them afterward. Then I thought, Wow - it's going to be so different going to mass in the US again... which I probably shouldn't have thought because I don't want to go home. After mass, we walked around the area and went to lunch at Piccolo Diavolo, one of my favorite local places. It's inexpensive, the people are diverse, and the workers are adorably hilarious. I've noticed that whenever I go there to eat, they turn on American music - Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, or whoever - because they know that I'm American. But it's cute that they care. They also know me pretty well since I go there every week, haha.
We walked around the Vatican and got gelato outside the Vatican at this amazing place that I can't remember the name of right now, but trust me - it's top notch in Rome. We stood outside and it started pouring...POURING rain. So we walked home when the rain seemed to slow and hid in the bars when it got harder, which was really funny. We went back to their apartment and relaxed, talked about all things Italian, and caught up on life.
10/31 - Wednesday (Halloween)
I spent a solid couple days freaking out about my family and their safety. It rained in Rome all week, which kept me (unfortunately) from walking around the places that I wanted to see. But I'm not in a rush because I still have a ton of time left in Italy. I was really worried that my house wouldn't be able to withstand Hurricane Sandy. Thankfully, after days of freaking out and not hearing from many people back home, my family was able to contact me somehow.
They told me they were safe. The entire house is still standing, there was no flooding and there was no outside damage done to the house (no fallen trees crashing into the house, no branches breaking windows etc.). My car was tied down so well, thanks to my dad, that it didn't move an INCH during the hurricane. My family was without power for days, but able to contact me from outside sources of electricity. Everything was okay and that's all that mattered.
I asked a ton of people what Italians did on Halloween. I heard different answers - they don't trick or treat, they don't really celebrate it, some go out, etc. After spending enough of the day on the computer trying to contact family & friends back home to make sure everyone was safe, I went home for dinner. My host mom made me dinner and I ate while watching tv with her. On tv was a cooking show. A young Italian woman was talking to this guy Giovanni over the phone on the show. He called in to tell her what Americans did for Halloween and he mentioned that the fall season, especially Halloween with all its pumpkins, is a great time for pumpkin pie! So this woman made pumpkin pie.
1. I know people - more than one - who have never had pumpkin pie ever.
2. My host mom sounded hilarious when she tried to pronounce "pumpkin pie".
3. I miss it - a lot. So much, it isn't even funny.
Some Italians DO trick or treat for Halloween. Mainly little kids. They get dressed up in their costumes and go from door to door with their parents & friends to get candy. Some Italians do this. Others don't celebrate, but maybe they'll go out with friends, just to do something simple. Drinks, or what not. The apartment bell rang about 3 times that night and my host mom freaked out. She didn't know what to do. So she asked what I do when the doorbell rings on Halloween. I explained to her that these kids expect you to give them candy. She opened the door and told the poor kids that she didn't have anything to give them - apparently Italians don't really prep for this like Americans do. We go all out back home with decorations, costumes, and candy. They don't do that here, but kids will get dressed up and go to doors.
Anyway, I felt bad that my host mom didn't pickup a little bag of candy, knowing it was Halloween. So she just kept answering the door to tell the kids that she didn't have anything to give them, even though I told her some Americans just don't answer the door.
11/1 - Thursday (All Saints Day)
Americans don't really celebrate All Saints Day, though I think the most you can do is go to mass. But today was another on and off rainy day.
11/2 - Friday (All Souls Day)
Today was more eventful! The weather was nice & I deserved a really nice day out with friends. On Halloween, I wanted to go to the Cappucchin Crypt. But I did it today instead with Ashley, Jeremy, and another friend from St. John's. It was absolutely amazing! If you aren't squeamish and go to Rome, make sure you checkout the Cappucchin Crypt! It's 6E per person to see the Cappucchin Museum before going to the Crypt. I also thought about buying some tasteful bones-and-other-skeletal-parts-of-the-human-body postcards, but thought that might be of poor taste. We all had a great time there! It was definitely worth it, even if you just go to say you did it!
That night I went out with Ashley to dinner at a place called Porchettoni in the back of Termini station. The restaurant is an amazing place, based off the huge feast of a dinner we had in Ariccia. But the walk from Termini to the restaurant is really sketchy...it's totally worth it though and the people there are extremely welcoming.
After dinner, we walked outside to head to Termini but saw these huge flashing lights and heard club music. We figured there were police around or something because it looked like the police maybe pulled someone over, but it wasn't. A DJ was playing music in the outside stairway of an apartment building near Sapienza University. He was facing the street with his DJ equipment. The college kids were all in the street smoking and/or drinking. They were all hanging out, but the music was so good I wanted to dance....except no one was dancing. It was freezing out and everyone had jackets...except me. But I love the cold.
I turned to Ashley and said, "These Italian kids have no idea how to have a good time." So we just started dancing in the street. Why not! I'd rather start a dance party at a random DJ rave than something stupid. But it was fun that we were the only Americans among the Italian college population in the street that night, and we stayed for maybe over an hour or so. It was a great time!
11/4 - Sunday
Ashley and I decided to head to the Porta Portese in Trastevere today. However, we got really lost - but it worked out better that way. We found tons upon TONS of chocolate vendors, restaurants, churches, and people outside on a Sunday just enjoying themselves. It rained too, on and off. It made the day better and worse, but in the end, I still enjoyed myself so it doesn't matter.
11/5 - Monday
We went back to classes today. Break is officially over. But I was able to catchup on Vampire Diaries & How I Met Your Mother. And randomly travel a bit during the week. I also got a brief job babysitting my professor's year and a half year old son, who is adorable.
11/8 - Thursday
Today I went to St. Peter's again. Why? There's something called a "Scavi" that you can pay to do at St. Peter's. It's a guided group that are able to go under St. Peter's and look at the tombs and history underneath the Basilica. So, I have literally been all over St. Peter's Basilics - from top to bottom.
To checkout the Excavations/Scavi of St. Peter's, click this link:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html
It was absolutely amazing, something that I don't even think most of the native Romans have done! Granted, I had to get up earlier than usual, but it was worth every Euro and every second of my morning.
Philosophy class met at Castel Sant'Angelo today! This is definitely my favorite place in Rome. It's beautiful. The restaurant in the Castle is gorgeous and so romantic. The view is just breath taking! I suggest going there in the afternoon when the sun highlights everywhere outside. Pictures are on my Facebook, but if/when you ever come to Italy, make time to enjoy this place in particular! I fell in love with it when I first came to Rome because it was practically down the street from where I was staying!
11/8 - Friday
Italian class today, since we're in the process of learning about fascism (and the causes/effects), we went to the Museum of Liberation - il museo della liberazione. It isn't really a "museum" persay, it's more of a building with things hung up inside it. However, that didn't mean it wasn't interesting.
The Museo della Liberazione was a prison building for prisoners of different backgrounds, used during the era of fascism in Italy. I know the Holocaust Museum in DC is scary to some people, but this was a prison that people were held in. With bricked windows and no air. For days, months. It was so recent too and was the actual BUILDING and ROOMS that these men were stuffed in!
It scared the living crap out of me.
There were messages, lyrics, poems, and anthems written on the walls, which are now encased in glass so no one can ruin the wall. The brickwork in front of the windows is still mostly there, though to create the museum, they knocked half of it out for circulation.
After the scariest Italian class of my life, Sarah wanted to go rock climbing because that's her passion. Since no one really wanted to go with her, I figured why not! Try something new. Plus I was really intrigued to see her in her climbing atmosphere, even if it's in another country. So we ended up transferring metro trains, finally got off at the right stop, walked less than a mile, and saw this HUGE facility.
I don't remember the name of this place, but it's this ginormous recreation center for all ages and all different sports. We knew it was the right place because the 80ft rock walls were outside and you seriously couldn't miss those. They had so many sports at this place - swimming lessons, competitive swimming, water aerobics, basketball, tennis, karate, work out classes, a skate park for skateboarding, rock climbing, etc.
Sarah was giving me the rock climbing 101 run down, which was extremely helpful since (1) I hate heights, (2) I know next to nulla about rock climbing, (3) THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLIMBING! WTH! Who knows these things!?
Sarah is super awesome and I loved seeing her climb. I have to say, I'm super glad I went because I had a great time too. But before I continue this story, here are some things you should know: (1) I rarely rock climb, (2) I hate the feeling of falling, and (3) going up isn't the problem but coming down IS. Because there was a class at the rock wall, Sarah was teaching me how to boulder, which I'm decent at. Bouldering and wall climbing are different.
Bouldering is a kind of climbing that looks like this:
Rock wall climbing is exactly how you remember it - literally going up a wall with ropes and stuff tied to you. So bouldering was interesting, mainly because you don't have ropes tied to you - it's just padded mat underneath. You either climb back down, or fall on the mat. While I enjoyed these, I don't have the muscle to climb regularly so I have to give climbers a ton of credit.
11/10 - Saturday
I got up early and left for Assisi. It was a day trip and I suggest going to Assisi if you're a fan of landscapes. Assisi was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. Go in the fall when the leaves are changing colors in early November. There's a Piazza in front of a church that I think might be la chiesa di Santa Chiara (Saint Clare). Her body was in there and while the main level of the church is small and narrow, it's quite grand downstairs with a mini museum of her things. In the afternoon, the sun hits the piazza perfectly, as well as the other parts of Assisi on the hill. As I've found with other places at certain times of the day, it was breathtaking.
I got back to Rome around 8.30 or 9pm. I was nervous/excited because my parents and my sister flew in for Family Week so they could spend the week with me and travel a bit. I was planning to meet them at their rented apartment after I came back from Assisi. Here's a weird story: the address said 3, but on the street there were two building with 3 - 3A and 3B. So I was standing outside on the street like....what is this nonsense? So I start banging on one of the doors to see if someone would hear me. I turn around and there's this guy staring at me on the street and I'm thinking, Oh perfect! Another old Italian creep. Yeahhh - that guy was my dad.
I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my dad before that night, ever. I'm a family person...and I've been a daddy's girl since I was born. So after not seeing my dad for months while I live in another country is...weird. But I miss my sister even more - my sometimes moody, dramatic, can-basically-pass-for-my-twin, partner in crime. My sister is 15 going on 30 and a sophomore at my alma mater high school, which is top of the top. I adore my sister like she's never believe and if I didn't have a limit as to how big my suitcase has to be to get home, I'd buy her everything here. Ya know, spoil the crap out of her. Anyway...
I was happy to see them, and my mom. Their apartment was REALLY nice. I was excited to see a bathtub! Too excited. They got lucky with such a great place in Rome! And internet. The first instructions I gave them was to stay in the apartment after they got there, don't go out anywhere, and just SLEEP. That worked out because we went out to dinner at a restaurant nearby and was able to show them around Rome at night, which isn't too busy on a Saturday night, but still - it's ROMA.
We had a great dinner at the restaurant. They were all giddy listening to me talk to the waiter, they loved the Italian food they ordered, and we headed back to their apartment. I hugged them goodbye and walked home to MY apartment after giving them the rundown about Sundays in Rome.
11/11 - Sunday
I took my family to a church in Prati near St. John's for noon mass. It was entirely in Italian and it's different than simply going to mass in the US. So I think they were surprised, if anything. I understand everything, so I had to translate for them afterward. Then I thought, Wow - it's going to be so different going to mass in the US again... which I probably shouldn't have thought because I don't want to go home. After mass, we walked around the area and went to lunch at Piccolo Diavolo, one of my favorite local places. It's inexpensive, the people are diverse, and the workers are adorably hilarious. I've noticed that whenever I go there to eat, they turn on American music - Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, or whoever - because they know that I'm American. But it's cute that they care. They also know me pretty well since I go there every week, haha.
We walked around the Vatican and got gelato outside the Vatican at this amazing place that I can't remember the name of right now, but trust me - it's top notch in Rome. We stood outside and it started pouring...POURING rain. So we walked home when the rain seemed to slow and hid in the bars when it got harder, which was really funny. We went back to their apartment and relaxed, talked about all things Italian, and caught up on life.
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