Sunday.
My last day on my study abroad. Time flies! Hopefully the next 145 days will fly by too :) I took more than 10 min to get ready today. Deanna even commented that she's never seen me take so long to put on my makeup. Haha it was nice to get a little dressed up today. We took the metro to the end of the line then walked another ten minutes to church. It was all in Italian today. That's something I'm not sure I'll miss. It's nice to understand whats going on for 3 hours of church.
I was in a tight pencil skirt thinking that I could change after church, but the director wanted a "where's Waldo photo" at the Spanish steps. Smart idea, but I was hot and sticky and chaffing...tmi? We found a little sandwich shop, grabbed a bite, then headed back to the hotel where I stripped down and took a nap in my tank top and my slip!
I woke up cause everyone was came back. It's totally fine cause I was ready for some gelato! My final one!! So so sad. I got a large with mint, coffee, and straciatella. I was a happy camper and you better believe I ate the whole thing!
It took me about an hour to repack all of my stuff. I pulled all the dirty and clean out of my suitcase and checked off everything off my list. I didn't loose anything! I'm so proud of myself! After packing though I realized I needed normal clothes for dinner...it shouldn't be another hour to repack...I hope. I skyped and hung out for a little while and then headed out to dinner around 7:30.
Took us a little while for 6 of us to be happy with our restaurant choice. We finally sat down, ate, and were off to the colosseum around 9:15. So I lied about my last gelato. I got another one with everyone after dinner but sadly it wasn't as good. Should have quit while I was ahead. We met everyone and shot lightening rockets vendors are always selling. Chilling at the the colosseum out final night. Nbd.
We were walking back to the hotel when we discovered the cannoli place was still open. I had to have a taste to end my night on a delicious dessert!! Haley and I split one and then we finally made it back to the hotel. It's now almost 11 and I have to wake up in 5 hours, but I'm not complaining cause I'll be in Washington DC in 23 hours!!
For those of you who have been following my blog on this wonderful experience...thank you! I really have had the best time and I've met so many great people that I want to share with as many people as possible. I'm sure my mama will be sick of hearing about it even just on the drive to our house!! I'm so grateful I was able to travel this much this summer and I can't wait to now travel with my handsome fiancé in the future. Off to get ready for bed! Happy Sunday!!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Day 29 Rome, Italy
Saturday.
Hooray for sleeping in! Didnt get out of bed until 9 today! Ate a croissant or two or three for breakfast, got ready (which consists of me putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up), and headed out with Erica, Caitlin, Nate, and jay.
We hit three different spots. First the Trevi Fountain. Then the pantheon. Then the Spanish steps. The Trevi fountain was beautiful and bigger than I was expecting! The pantheon was pretty neat and we even got to go in for free. The Spanish steps was in the nicest little area! Plus, I found my final Disney store haha. The steps were so wide and there was a cold cold fountain that I got to stick my feet it. Needed a much needed cool down. It was hot hot hot today.
After Caitlin found a good cannoli place by the colosseum. My first pod cannoli experience! The last one I tried was soggy and I thought that's how they were suppose to be. Nope! Then we found a little pizzeria, grabbed a slice or two and headed back to the hotel.
Nap time! I literally slept in my undies cause it is so hot in our room with no air conditioning. Luckily, I still got a pretty good nap! Caitlin then came in and was all ready for gelato. I was still stuffed from all the desserts earlier!! But I went anyway...only two more days of gelato! Then we all got on the subway and went to circo Maximo where Caitlin found a good bakery...more food! I got a flaky pastry that I love I just don't ever remember what they are called. We thought circo Maximo was inside a gate however its basically a large oval hole with dirt and a tree in the middle. But it is where the chariot races were held!
By this point it was around 6:30 and we all wanted to get out of the heat and just hang out at the hotel. Caitlin, jay, and I started 21 jump street which is rated R in front of Matt who we later found out is the son of a member of the first quorum of the 70. He did laugh at a few parts! Haha oh well. Then I skyped Dave for a few. Connection kinda stinks. Then it was time for dinner!
Four weeks ago today we all met up as a group at a pub in London. It is crazy that in about 36 hours I will be on a flight to the states. We ate dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant and just enjoyed each others company. Its amazing how much we have learned about each other and ourselves over these four weeks. It's not our final night but that was a great closer to this trip.
We got gelato...I'm getting closer to my final one. Then jay Caitlin and I finished 21 jump street- we put headphones in this time haha. Then I showered and now we are all hanging out before we go to bed! Pretty chill night filled with fun and laughter!! Last day tomorrow! Happy Saturday!!
Hooray for sleeping in! Didnt get out of bed until 9 today! Ate a croissant or two or three for breakfast, got ready (which consists of me putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up), and headed out with Erica, Caitlin, Nate, and jay.
We hit three different spots. First the Trevi Fountain. Then the pantheon. Then the Spanish steps. The Trevi fountain was beautiful and bigger than I was expecting! The pantheon was pretty neat and we even got to go in for free. The Spanish steps was in the nicest little area! Plus, I found my final Disney store haha. The steps were so wide and there was a cold cold fountain that I got to stick my feet it. Needed a much needed cool down. It was hot hot hot today.
After Caitlin found a good cannoli place by the colosseum. My first pod cannoli experience! The last one I tried was soggy and I thought that's how they were suppose to be. Nope! Then we found a little pizzeria, grabbed a slice or two and headed back to the hotel.
Nap time! I literally slept in my undies cause it is so hot in our room with no air conditioning. Luckily, I still got a pretty good nap! Caitlin then came in and was all ready for gelato. I was still stuffed from all the desserts earlier!! But I went anyway...only two more days of gelato! Then we all got on the subway and went to circo Maximo where Caitlin found a good bakery...more food! I got a flaky pastry that I love I just don't ever remember what they are called. We thought circo Maximo was inside a gate however its basically a large oval hole with dirt and a tree in the middle. But it is where the chariot races were held!
By this point it was around 6:30 and we all wanted to get out of the heat and just hang out at the hotel. Caitlin, jay, and I started 21 jump street which is rated R in front of Matt who we later found out is the son of a member of the first quorum of the 70. He did laugh at a few parts! Haha oh well. Then I skyped Dave for a few. Connection kinda stinks. Then it was time for dinner!
Four weeks ago today we all met up as a group at a pub in London. It is crazy that in about 36 hours I will be on a flight to the states. We ate dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant and just enjoyed each others company. Its amazing how much we have learned about each other and ourselves over these four weeks. It's not our final night but that was a great closer to this trip.
We got gelato...I'm getting closer to my final one. Then jay Caitlin and I finished 21 jump street- we put headphones in this time haha. Then I showered and now we are all hanging out before we go to bed! Pretty chill night filled with fun and laughter!! Last day tomorrow! Happy Saturday!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Day 28 Rome, Italy
Friday.
What a much needed day. We got to sleep in a little and then we all put on our athletic shorts that we haven't been able to wear all trip and headed to the beach.
We all got to the metro and everyone was running and we were all thinking they were late for work. Then a lady at security said, "excuse me, do you know that there's a strike going on and the last train is coming??" oh boy!! We raced down and I've never seen a metro so packed in my entire life. So we bagged that idea but luckily the train station was only one stop away. The group split up and I was with three of the best navigators of our group. Oh yeah! We made it to the train station but we missed the first train. Got on the next one and were off to St. Marinella.
I stepped off the train and could already smell the salt water! It was fantastic. The beach was super crowded and mostly reserved, so we had to get an umbrella at the back. It made me so grateful for my free Bethany beach, and popster for always getting up and getting us close to the water!
We spent the day at the beach most of the day. The water was surprisingly cold but it felt so so good! Jay, Caitlin, and I went out and had our own little space then stripped! We were yelling at each other from each of our spots, "did you do it!?" The response was usually a bathing suit waved out of the water. Haha When in Rome! The sand was so stinking hot, I think I have blisters! But I also got some good sun I think. Such a great dayljust to relax and hang out.
We headed back on the train a little after 5. Got back. Took a nice cold shower. Then went to dinner at the same place we went last night and gelato at the same place. I was having déjà vu but they both were great so it was totally worth the repeat.
A lot of us wanted I watch a movie so some watched the notebook while others watched inception on my computer. I skyped my mama an Dave a little in between and now I'm ready for my good night sleep and I get to sleep in!! Woohooo!!
What a much needed day. We got to sleep in a little and then we all put on our athletic shorts that we haven't been able to wear all trip and headed to the beach.
We all got to the metro and everyone was running and we were all thinking they were late for work. Then a lady at security said, "excuse me, do you know that there's a strike going on and the last train is coming??" oh boy!! We raced down and I've never seen a metro so packed in my entire life. So we bagged that idea but luckily the train station was only one stop away. The group split up and I was with three of the best navigators of our group. Oh yeah! We made it to the train station but we missed the first train. Got on the next one and were off to St. Marinella.
I stepped off the train and could already smell the salt water! It was fantastic. The beach was super crowded and mostly reserved, so we had to get an umbrella at the back. It made me so grateful for my free Bethany beach, and popster for always getting up and getting us close to the water!
We spent the day at the beach most of the day. The water was surprisingly cold but it felt so so good! Jay, Caitlin, and I went out and had our own little space then stripped! We were yelling at each other from each of our spots, "did you do it!?" The response was usually a bathing suit waved out of the water. Haha When in Rome! The sand was so stinking hot, I think I have blisters! But I also got some good sun I think. Such a great dayljust to relax and hang out.
We headed back on the train a little after 5. Got back. Took a nice cold shower. Then went to dinner at the same place we went last night and gelato at the same place. I was having déjà vu but they both were great so it was totally worth the repeat.
A lot of us wanted I watch a movie so some watched the notebook while others watched inception on my computer. I skyped my mama an Dave a little in between and now I'm ready for my good night sleep and I get to sleep in!! Woohooo!!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 27 Rome, Italy
Thursday.
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Day 26 Rome, Italy
Wednesday.
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day 25 Rome, Italy
Tuesday.
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 24 Florence, Italy
Monday
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
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