Mini Monsters

Hello!

There's not too much new that's going on around here, except that everyone is sick.  It seems that the IESers are just handing this cold off to each other.  I had a monster climb down into my throat on Wednesday morning and flex open its protective spikes.  I thought it would just go away because I usually don't get a sore throat for two days, but alas.  My lovely new pet clawed its way up into my sinuses, nestled in, and fell asleep.  I'm thankful that it's not the flu (especially like the one I had over Christmas), but it kind of dampens everything.

Classes start on Monday, which I am (mostly) looking forward to.  I will be taking The Jews in Rome: A History of the Diaspora, Monotheisms: Children of Abraham (which is about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), Italy and the European Union, Ancient Rome: History and Myth, and Italian.  I feel so blessed that Hope is going to recognize all of these classes and when I come home I will only have to take my Senior Seminar and my history major will be complete!  They have been so gracious and accommodating; another reason to love my beloved school!

As far as small victories go, I got to and from school alone this week!  I know I sound like a 13 year old craving pseudo-independence, but I feel like adapting to this foreign environment, I have to celebrate the little things.  I'm not the biggest fan of public transportation-I love love love the idea, but at least to me, the idea is better on paper.  I also tend to stress out about it being on time, getting off at the right stop, etc (I know you are all so surprised).  Add to that stress the uncertainty of city layout and a language barrier.  I may treat myself to some Nutella tonight! 

Oh wait......I would probably do that anyways....

Next weekend my friend Gemma and I are taking a trip to Florence, which is exciting!  We will be staying in a hostel both Friday night and Saturday night.  We already bought tickets to the Ufizzi Museum which boasts works of art from Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, da Vinci, and Botticelli.  I'm certainly no art history major, but this is some heavy stuff.  We are also thinking ahead for a trip to Naples.  Gemma's host mother, Anna, said that if we go in May, it might be warm enough to swim in the Mediterranean!

 

Since I haven't had any crazy adventures since I last updated, I will leave you with a picture of Il Coloseo at night.