Another week of classes gone by! With all the time I spend in class and doing work, I'm really starting to fret that I am never going to make it out of this country! Regardless, it was a good week, and I'm really finding some of the discussions interesting.
My literature class is very stimulating. I'm going to contact AU to see if I can get it approved for a higher class there, and therefore get credit for my minor. It was only approved for a 200 level class, and with the work and class discussion, it feels like much more!
Creative Writing is okay, but I'm still too shy to participate fully. I really enjoyed an exercise we did in class the other day though, so I am hoping to feel more comfortable. ( And by class, I mean sitting on the roof terrace of one building, which has the BEST view of Rome I have seen yet. Funny how at AU the terrace is the basement! Anyway, if any of ya'll from other European paradises come to Rome, remind me to take you there!)
Italian Media and Pop Culture has been very compelling. I'm not sure I like the idea of how to learn about Italian culture in these two areas, that American culture must be bashed. I'm not saying that from an ethnocentric point of view; there are definitely areas where American culture needs to improve. It is just very odd for me. Ironically, the students who steer the class discussion this way are students from America, but who have been residents students at AUR the past three or four years. Perhaps, because they have been here longer, they know what they are talking about!
Speaking of students, AUR has been very different than I imagined. The school is not involved in much, outside of academics. A part of me wishes I had chosen a more enclave type of program. Because it's a partner program, it really is like starting college over again. Making friends, meeting professors, finding your way around. Resident students are not very friendly. I spend most of my time with my roommates, ( 3 AU girls- two I had never met; and 2 GW girls who are great) With every one's apartments spread all over the city, it's hard to meet people in the conventional way. Last week, I got to see a bunch of people from JCU! AU threw a dinner for all students in Rome, so it was fun to see my other friends studying here. There are about 25 other AU kids at AUR as well, so it's nice to see familiar faces, even if I don't know names or have much in common with them.
No classes yesterday,! For me, anyway! With everyone else busy, I set out on my own to explore the Pantheon. I didn't want to sit around in the apartment all day getting lonely, so it was a mini-adventure. I also wandered by this church ( Santa Maria sopra Minerva). It didn't look like much from my viewpoint in the piazza outside, but with the crowd of people coming out and no where to go, I wandered in. It was absolutely beautiful! The art inside was stunning, covering the ceilings with swirling colors. There was also a bunch of smaller chapels, and St. Catherine of Sienna was buried under the main altar! Marvelous frescos scattered through out, and many different areas for prayer and reverence, where I solemnly lit a candle for Uncle Mark. It was nice to have that moment to myself, and a good reminder at how life is a gift. I really wish he could have been there to see it. Even better, about my time there- choir practice was in session! It enchanted me even more than the ornate decorations, and I'm really glad I wandered in.
This morning I went to the catacombs of San Callisto. The setting was unearthly, and I had chills the entire time. This is Rome's largest underground cemetery-- over 15 miles of labyrinth mazes of tombs! We were taken into the Pope's tomb too, where popes were buried during the 3rd Century. I'm still astounded how it is its own underground world; it's location never guesses unless you know of its existence. I didn't get claustrophobic while underground exploring, because I think I was too distracted by everything it stood for. It was dark and damp. I didn't expect to be cold, but I think my shivering was more because of the fact I was touring an underground haven where at least half a million people were laid to rest! ( PS. Obviously the tour would not be complete without a plug for Christianity at the end.) Oh! and Before the tour she was explaining different symbols that were on tombs or in fresco's and what their significance was. Not going to lie, a little bit of me was excited that I knew the anchor was the international symbol for hope ( thanks delta gamma! ha!)
Well tonight, off to enjoy some Roman nightlife. I'm hoping it will provide me with the distraction I need! Tomorrow, the beach! Next weekend, hopefully Ischia!
lots of x's and o's
me
keep in touch!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Venice, Please and Thank you!
I made my first venture out of Rome this weekend! From Friday morning until Sunday night, I spent my time exploring the lovely city of Venice and I do not even know where to begin to write about this experience. Each time I have thought my time abroad or heard others traveling tales, it always seem like a discovery and people have these moments that are unexpressable. Now, after a couple of weeks, I have finally had a moment like that in my life. Yes, I have been to wonderful places; and seen some great things in my life ( like OMG nantucket is SO the best place ever. just kidding) Anyway, this has been a singular experience that I will remember vividly forever.
We left Friday morning on a 4 hour train ride that actually ended up being closer to 6.5 hours! woo Italians and their attention to time ( Something that I am still getting used too) We decided to stay in Mestra, right outside the actual "floating city", so it was only about a 10 minute train ride away. Our hotel, if you can call it that, was something else. The bathroom consisted of a toilet and then a nozzle coming out of the wall for a shower. Surprisingly, I was pumped for it! I felt like adventurous traveler for the first time in my life. I was on my own, with some friends, ready to explore a city I know nothing about it.
By the time we stepped out of Santa Lucia station and glimpsed the Grand Canal for the first time, night had fallen and Venice was all lit up. I'm being totally cliche right now, but I am willing to risk it. I was literally awed. I have been searching for words to desribe it, and still cannot. It's actually quite frustrating, not being able to put beauty into words. After a dinner in San Marco Piazza, we wandered out to the main square. A few different small chamber orchestras set up there at night, with tables around them offering drinks and desserts. Sarah, Melanie, Colleen and I took a seat down and ordered some desserts and wine. When they brought it over, the display was just so beautiful. The orchestra had just began phantom of the opera, and the presentation combined with that was too much. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I have never been so greatful. I felt undeserving of this experience; at the same time, I have never felt so thankful or blessed. Not many people get to experience being abroad, and feeling like this put a lot of things about my life into perspective for me.
Later that night, we met Uncle George for the first time. Yes, that would be the owner of Hotel Giannovi. We came back around 1:45 am, and the hotel was completely shut down. Apparently, the afternoon attendent didn't tell us about the 1am curfew, so after panicking and ringing the bell, we met Uncle George for the first time. The stories that follow this man are incredible. IM me or email me for detials!
Saturday was spent with a morning walking tour of unknown Venice, followed by jewelry shopping. Venician glass is incredible!! We found this little shop and spent about 2 hours there! The girl who handmakes it was a sweetheart and picked up on our interest ( and the 500 dollars we collectively spent there) and offered to show us how she makes beads. It was SO cool. We are all in love now. Glassblowing may be my future, if global warming really does kill all the polar bears! ( sad thought :()
SUnday morning, we did the typical gondola ride, but it was every bit as amazing as I could imagine. GO to VENICE NOW! We were up early, after a night talking to Uncle George in the lobby ( Really, this man is too funny/crazy/ eccentric for words) At one point, he talked about how if anything happens at the "hotel", he has a friend behind the desk. I honestly thought the man was going to whip out a gun. Luckily, it was just a huge baseball bat. After hugging him to go bed( yes he makes you hug- violation of personal space anyone?!), I finally retired.
So this has been extremely long. My weekend was great and I came back to some great surprises in my inbox. ( Thanks for keeping in touch guys :) :)! ) It really means a lot to me to hear from people, especially when it comes from people I really miss! Ok, enough of that. ew.
No other trips planned yet, but I would to do Florence/Sienna soon. We will see!
xoxox
Molly
We left Friday morning on a 4 hour train ride that actually ended up being closer to 6.5 hours! woo Italians and their attention to time ( Something that I am still getting used too) We decided to stay in Mestra, right outside the actual "floating city", so it was only about a 10 minute train ride away. Our hotel, if you can call it that, was something else. The bathroom consisted of a toilet and then a nozzle coming out of the wall for a shower. Surprisingly, I was pumped for it! I felt like adventurous traveler for the first time in my life. I was on my own, with some friends, ready to explore a city I know nothing about it.
By the time we stepped out of Santa Lucia station and glimpsed the Grand Canal for the first time, night had fallen and Venice was all lit up. I'm being totally cliche right now, but I am willing to risk it. I was literally awed. I have been searching for words to desribe it, and still cannot. It's actually quite frustrating, not being able to put beauty into words. After a dinner in San Marco Piazza, we wandered out to the main square. A few different small chamber orchestras set up there at night, with tables around them offering drinks and desserts. Sarah, Melanie, Colleen and I took a seat down and ordered some desserts and wine. When they brought it over, the display was just so beautiful. The orchestra had just began phantom of the opera, and the presentation combined with that was too much. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I have never been so greatful. I felt undeserving of this experience; at the same time, I have never felt so thankful or blessed. Not many people get to experience being abroad, and feeling like this put a lot of things about my life into perspective for me.
Later that night, we met Uncle George for the first time. Yes, that would be the owner of Hotel Giannovi. We came back around 1:45 am, and the hotel was completely shut down. Apparently, the afternoon attendent didn't tell us about the 1am curfew, so after panicking and ringing the bell, we met Uncle George for the first time. The stories that follow this man are incredible. IM me or email me for detials!
Saturday was spent with a morning walking tour of unknown Venice, followed by jewelry shopping. Venician glass is incredible!! We found this little shop and spent about 2 hours there! The girl who handmakes it was a sweetheart and picked up on our interest ( and the 500 dollars we collectively spent there) and offered to show us how she makes beads. It was SO cool. We are all in love now. Glassblowing may be my future, if global warming really does kill all the polar bears! ( sad thought :()
SUnday morning, we did the typical gondola ride, but it was every bit as amazing as I could imagine. GO to VENICE NOW! We were up early, after a night talking to Uncle George in the lobby ( Really, this man is too funny/crazy/ eccentric for words) At one point, he talked about how if anything happens at the "hotel", he has a friend behind the desk. I honestly thought the man was going to whip out a gun. Luckily, it was just a huge baseball bat. After hugging him to go bed( yes he makes you hug- violation of personal space anyone?!), I finally retired.
So this has been extremely long. My weekend was great and I came back to some great surprises in my inbox. ( Thanks for keeping in touch guys :) :)! ) It really means a lot to me to hear from people, especially when it comes from people I really miss! Ok, enough of that. ew.
No other trips planned yet, but I would to do Florence/Sienna soon. We will see!
xoxox
Molly
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I'm still alive!
It's been almost a week since I have written, but yes I am still alive. ( Though I think Caroline may be the only person who reads this... thanks Caroline I LOVE YOU!) Anyway, I havn't written because everytime I go to write it feels really fake. I don't want to make it seem like I am writing for an auidence, but sometimes that can be kind of a challenge.
Anyway, last week was good. Sometimes I am positive that I am figuring out this place out, and then at other times I want to become that cliche tourist and whip out a map! I did some more sightseeing and the Forum is my favorite place! Being there was amazing. I just loved it, and was so enthralled by everything, but even that seems too shallow.
Classes started this week, which has been lovely, because it adds a much needed scheduale to my day. I really like a few of them; Creative Writing is one I'm not exactly looking forward to, but I'm hoping it won't be that bad. Everyone says that going abroad classes are so easy, and that will not be the case here! I already have lots of work and reading, but luckily the thrill of buying new school supplies is distracting me from that. ( I think notebooks over here are EVEN better)
So my classes are:
Intro to Italian Language and Culture ( loves it)
Religion and Spirituality in Medieval Italian Literature
Italian Media and Pop Culture
Creative Writing
Art of Antiquity( this one I get to go to museusms woo!)
The school trips opened up today, but filled up really fast. I am however going to go on the Pompei day trip and the Assissi Day Trip, which I'm pretty excited about. Not to mention Venice this weekend!
Ok, well not much else is new here... If I like you, you have been getting personal emails or will get one soon! :) or maybe letters, if I am feeling especially happy!
keep in touch.
xoxo
Molly
Anyway, last week was good. Sometimes I am positive that I am figuring out this place out, and then at other times I want to become that cliche tourist and whip out a map! I did some more sightseeing and the Forum is my favorite place! Being there was amazing. I just loved it, and was so enthralled by everything, but even that seems too shallow.
Classes started this week, which has been lovely, because it adds a much needed scheduale to my day. I really like a few of them; Creative Writing is one I'm not exactly looking forward to, but I'm hoping it won't be that bad. Everyone says that going abroad classes are so easy, and that will not be the case here! I already have lots of work and reading, but luckily the thrill of buying new school supplies is distracting me from that. ( I think notebooks over here are EVEN better)
So my classes are:
Intro to Italian Language and Culture ( loves it)
Religion and Spirituality in Medieval Italian Literature
Italian Media and Pop Culture
Creative Writing
Art of Antiquity( this one I get to go to museusms woo!)
The school trips opened up today, but filled up really fast. I am however going to go on the Pompei day trip and the Assissi Day Trip, which I'm pretty excited about. Not to mention Venice this weekend!
Ok, well not much else is new here... If I like you, you have been getting personal emails or will get one soon! :) or maybe letters, if I am feeling especially happy!
keep in touch.
xoxo
Molly
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Well Im here!
First things first- I still cannot find the apostrophe on this keyboard so I apologize right now for any grammar mistakes caused by this! It is driving me crazy!
Well lets see.. It is now Wednesday night, and I arrived in Rome Monday morning. The whole experience is difficult to describe. I do not want to make it sound like I am complaining, but it has been extremely overwhelming. The first two days were very hard, and I felt like I was not making the most of it because I have not had the time of my life since the second I arrived. It is going to take some getting used too, but I think ( well hope) I am up for the challenge- encourgage me and help me from home please!
Upon arriving at the airport, I was brought to my apartment with another girl from AU who I did not know, was informed that the phone and internet were not working, quickly shown around the apartment, and then left on our own! It was almost too much for me to take, but then more people arrived within the hour and things became much much better! ps my apartment is beautiful! ( and now we have internet!)
ummm lets see, yesterday was spent on campus doing paperwork and what not. The campus is quaint and cute and there is a park nearby that I really want to explore!
My italian has not really improved; last night I was going to be brave and try ravioli alla noci. Luckily, I found out in time that noci= nuts!! I can only imagine the phone call home on that one to inform my parents that I was already down an epipen and in the hosptial because of eating nuts!
Today was more exploring around the Spanish steps earlier, and I started to have a little more fun. Seeing this area of the city really made me feel like I was in Rome. The past couple of days have felt like just being in a random town I do not know my way around. I plan on heading back to that area asap because I am dying to see the Keats musuem ( where he died!) It overlooks the steps and has a bunch of his manuscripts still there. so cool! ( yes yes, that is the literature minor side of me coming out!)
Well, as I write, my roommates are cooking dinner. I have warned them I am picky, but willing to try being adventerous. Not sure what is up for the rest of the week, but hoping that my nerves for being here for so long start to die down soon!
please please please keep in touch!
xoxo
me
ps. ciao!
Well lets see.. It is now Wednesday night, and I arrived in Rome Monday morning. The whole experience is difficult to describe. I do not want to make it sound like I am complaining, but it has been extremely overwhelming. The first two days were very hard, and I felt like I was not making the most of it because I have not had the time of my life since the second I arrived. It is going to take some getting used too, but I think ( well hope) I am up for the challenge- encourgage me and help me from home please!
Upon arriving at the airport, I was brought to my apartment with another girl from AU who I did not know, was informed that the phone and internet were not working, quickly shown around the apartment, and then left on our own! It was almost too much for me to take, but then more people arrived within the hour and things became much much better! ps my apartment is beautiful! ( and now we have internet!)
ummm lets see, yesterday was spent on campus doing paperwork and what not. The campus is quaint and cute and there is a park nearby that I really want to explore!
My italian has not really improved; last night I was going to be brave and try ravioli alla noci. Luckily, I found out in time that noci= nuts!! I can only imagine the phone call home on that one to inform my parents that I was already down an epipen and in the hosptial because of eating nuts!
Today was more exploring around the Spanish steps earlier, and I started to have a little more fun. Seeing this area of the city really made me feel like I was in Rome. The past couple of days have felt like just being in a random town I do not know my way around. I plan on heading back to that area asap because I am dying to see the Keats musuem ( where he died!) It overlooks the steps and has a bunch of his manuscripts still there. so cool! ( yes yes, that is the literature minor side of me coming out!)
Well, as I write, my roommates are cooking dinner. I have warned them I am picky, but willing to try being adventerous. Not sure what is up for the rest of the week, but hoping that my nerves for being here for so long start to die down soon!
please please please keep in touch!
xoxo
me
ps. ciao!
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