Capitoline Museum - Constantine's big head!!

Hey beautiful people -

Yesterday, we went back to the apartments in the early afternoon, where I worked on one of my papers due Wednesday for just a little bit. The outline is almost done, so that's good. Also, I'm all caught up on my reading for class which is a relief. There's so much art/architecture/cultural history in Roma, and so much written about all of it! Which is good, mostly. Except when it's a beautiful day in Roma, and we want to go outside and play instead of read.

Anyway, after working for a little bit, I sat in my bed and watched the first half of "Slumdog Millionaire." It's really good so far - but not something I could watch right before going to bed. There are some really, really graphic scenes. Gross.

Then, I went to eat some Chinese food with Alex, Shyam, Apu, Ishanee, Adam, and Royce. The food was pretty good, but our waiter was really grumpy. We weren't really sure why he was so grumpy, but, eventually, (by speaking English, Italian, and Chinese) we got everything figured out. After dinner, Alex, Adam, Royce, and I stopped to get some gelato at a place near our apartment. By the way, I really need to stop eating gelato every day. It's delicious, but seriously. The group has justified all of our gelato eating by saying that we walk off whatever weight we would gain every day anyway. Which is probably true. But, a group just went to go get some gelato, and I was strong enough to say no. Plus, I miss the internet and I wanted to stay here at the AIRC and be productive.

After gelato last night, I played Phase 10 with Shyam, Alex, Apu, and Ishanee at the boys' apartment. It was really fun, and we played through all ten phases (which hardly ever happens... the game takes so long!). Oh, and I won. Yay!

After Phase 10, we headed back to our apartment, took showers, did some reading, and went to bed.

This morning, we had a reorientation at our apartments so we could learn what to do when our water/electricity doesn't work. (There have been some issues, but our apartment has been good for about a week.)

Then, we headed to the AIRC to drop off our computers. After that, we headed out to the Capitoline Museum. The biggest highlight from that museum is the colossal head of Constantine. (Also, there is that big right hand that is pointing to the sky.) It was pretty cool, and the group got a picture next to it, so it was cool!

After going around the museum for a few hours, we went to lunch. I had a tuna sandwich and some pineapple, and it was delicious!

After lunch, Meagan did her presentation on life expectancy in Roma, and then we went to go see a temple of Saturn/Jupiter/some other deity and the Theater of Marcellus. I love my classes, because now I can just walk around Roma and know what almost all of the building are. It's pretty sweet. :)

Then, Meagan, Alex, David, and I went to go see the Mouth of Truth. According to legend, if you put your hand in the mouth, the mouth will close and eat your hand if you are dishonest person. Luckily, the mouth didn't close and eat my hand. That would have been quite a catastrophe. But, on the other hand, I would have been all over the news and quite popular! :) Oh, except then I would be famous as a dishonest person. No good.

After getting pictures with the Mouth of Truth, we headed back to the AIRC. Now, we are just using internet (being semi-productive) before our classes this afternoon.

We have class until 7, and then Alex and I are going to try a pizza place right next door for dinner.

I'm gonna go and try to get some reading done!

Ciao,
Ashley

PS - Mass at St. Peter's in less than three days! :)