Rant

So this happened a few days ago**. On Friday, I decided to run to the Colosseum. As I headed there, I found a track. I was so excited. It was like Christmas morning. All my runs these days are long/normal runs. I try to throw in some hill repeats or fartleks, but it is hard. Anyway, I found my way onto the track, ran a few laps, and felt so happy. Until...dun dun dun...I start to leave. There is a man waiting for me and says something in Italian. I told him I only spoke a little bit of Italian and he replied in English saying that I need a membership to run on the track. Wait, what? I would have to join a running club just to run on a track--a track that was super worn down. The only track I've seen in Rome can't be run on. I was devastated and mad. Well, first I was relieved that I only got a warning. But I was mad. You can ride the bus for free and there are water fountains everywhere, but I can't use a track that has two other people on it? What the heck. Absolutely ridiculous. I could understand if it was a school's track, but it wasn't! I think what was the worst part was that I was so happy at first, but 10 minutes later that happiness was taken away.

Later on Friday, I stopped at the tobacco shop to get a stamp. I asked for a stamp to the United States. The lady didn't understand where I wanted it to go. She had to bring over another worker and the guy at the counter. She was all snooty about it. Then, when I went to pay, she didn't even say how much it cost and just turned the monitor towards me. I'm trying!!! Give me a break.

Well sorry about that! Just had to vent a little. Good thing I'm in London this week, where people speak English.

**I lied. I wrote this on Friday. I'm in London for the week and won't be able to get to a computer and I wanted you to still have something to read!

the neighborhood

ditto

Support for Kristen and Project Appalachia

On Friday, the La Salle community was asked to wear red in solidarity for the service group that went to Appalachia. On their afternoon hike, they took a wrong turn and ended up lost in the cold for many hours. They went through such a trying time there and everyone was shaken up after what happened.  I can't believe it. For me, not even there, it is shocking. I can't fathom what they are feeling. My roommate Kristen went on the trip. She is the nicest person ever and I am so sad that I can't be at La Salle for her during this. But I'm sending my thoughts to her and the other students. But even though  Steve, Katie, and I can't be on campus to wear red, we decided to wear red here in Rome. It was the least we could do to spread the awareness of the seriousness of the incident. Well, I know Kristen reads this (when she isn't participating in a million activities), so I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you! I'm thinking of you!

Go La Salle!

Congrats to La Salle for a big week. On Wednesday, the university celebrates it 150th anniversary. Also on Wednesday, the men's basketball team (sort of) plays in the NCAA tournament. It is one of four play-in games but I hoping they win!! It is kind of funny. The last time the team made it to the tournament was the 91-92 season. The next season I was born. My dad went to La Salle so I've been going to basketball games since I was born. I've been a La Salle basketball fan since birth--my room is blue and gold. But so now, the season when I'm in Rome, they make the tournament. What the heck. I've only been waiting my whole life for this and now I can't even watch. I'm the curse. Maybe I'll just stay in Rome!!

here's proof

A Lover of the Light

Last night I went to the Mumford and Sons concert in Rome with Katie, Steve, and Sal. We had to take the tram to the bus to the metro to the bus just to get to the venue. I really didn't mind--the trip wasn't long and I was excited. The line to get in was very long. We had to pick up our tickets at will call, along with a lot of other people. I was very nervous about the ticket--what if they need the credit card information or they didn't have it?? But it all worked out. The opening band wasn't really my taste--kind of too loud and repetitive. I was there to see Mumford so it didn't matter. When they finally came out, it was crazy. Everyone was signing along. They were great live--it was just a better CD version, more animated. It was if the CD was flat and the concert was 3-D, real life. Does that make sense? They played a mix from both of their CD's. Overall, they were great. I can't really describe it.

However...(But what does she have to complain about? She went to Mumford.) the venue wasn't great. I couldn't see the stage at all, so I was only really listening to what was going on. It was very packed. At one point, before Mumford came on, I really felt like crying, not in a good way. It was jammed packed, the guy in front of me was very tall, I had too much ice cream earlier, and my feet hurt. It got better but I was very uncomfortable the whole time. The show was great but it could have been better, you know? It had nothing to do with Mumford though.

Busy Saturday

So I had a super packed morning to get everything done before Mumford (!) tonight, St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, and London on Monday. Well, I ran, through laundry in, and hurried to catch the tram. I went to Piazza Navona to see Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone. I walked around Piazza Navona, headed to Campo de Fiori, walked through the Jewish Quarter, and finally arrived at Il Vittoriano. I took the elevator to the top--some amazing views up there. I could even see the people on top of St. Peter's! It was all very cool, but I needed to get home to eat and prepare for the busy next couple of days. It was nice having a (sort of) set schedule and then spontaneously walking down a road or into a random church.

Oh! But when I was on the tram, there was an older guy who was definitely making verbal advances to this girl next me. I was super uncomfortable and I don't even know Italian. She didn't respond at all to him, which I think was a good move. But it was icky. When he got off the tram, she heaved a sigh of relief, and I looked over at her to smile. We shared a common moment of relief that the guy had left.

Piazza Navona

Four Rivers Statue

pasta

Campo de Fiori

Campo

the synagogue

 

that's me

Via del Corso

the Colosseum

Forum

Roma

Forum

Pi Day (A Little Late)

I just realized that I didn't write about Pi Day at all yesterday!! I'm such a bad person! It's my favorite holiday and it is a chance for everyone to appreciate the wonderfulness of math (even though they have to be bribed with actual pie). Well HAPPY BELATED PI DAY!!

lol

stop it!

absolutely amazing

next halloween. any takers?

The Red Balloon

Well, my spring break officially started yesterday night. To celebrate, I saw the new pope. So what exciting things did I do today? I slept in late (8:45), ran to a new place, went to the library, and now just wasting time until bed. So exciting. My flatmates left around 6:00 pm for their spring break adventure (Budapest, Vienna, and Prague), so I've been here, all alone. I went to the grocery store, but I am bored out of my mind. I don't even have a book to read. But luckily I found a website that has free educational videos (you are all thinking I'm a dork right now). I found a decent amount of free movies. What I actually watched was The Red Balloon, a short film about a Parisian boy and his red balloon. I love this film. In high school, we watched it in French class, but I had seen it before. I remember my friend Maryellen saying that she wasn't surprised that I had already seen it. Ahead of the curve, I guess. But you can watch the whole film online if you haven't seen it. It's magical.