Hey y'all -
Forgot to write about today!
Today, we woke up really early to get ready. We all met KG at the metro stop near our apartment (Barberini) at 8.15. Crazy early. But it was a fun day!
We went to Ostia Antica, where we saw some ruins from a civilization that used to live there. It was really interesting. Dr. White from UT also met up with us and showed us his excavation site, where he is trying to discover information about a synagogue in Ostia Antica.
We were really tired by the end of the day. But now, we're back at the AIRC, and our papers are printed and turned in.
It's so strange to be almost done with these two classes - they are too much fun.
Tonight, we're going to RELAX, watch movies, go to dinner, play games, etc. (Gelato from the Frigidarium will probably be in there somewhere...)
Have a great day!
Ashley
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Adam and Paolo!
Hey y'all -
So, I had a GREAT time with Adam and Paolo yesterday. I walked to their hotel around 2 to meet up with them, and I was so glad to see familiar faces! I adore those boys.
They were hungry, so we got some pizza and had a picnic by the Colosseum. :) It was very touristy and cute. After that, we walked around the Forums and the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Then, we headed toward the Pantheon. After visiting the Pantheon, we headed back toward where my apartment is, stopping for gelato along the way. We went to an electric store around the corner from my apartment to pick up an adapter for Paolo's camera, and then we went to the Santa Maria church with "The Ecstasy of St. Theresa." We sat in that church for a bit, and then we went across the street to see the Paulist Fathers' Church in Rome. It was beautiful! And they spoke in English! Haha, yay. Anyway, we saw a poster with Father Dave and Jimmy and that other really nice priest from St. Austin's, so Paolo took a picture of Adam and I pointing to it like fools.
Then, I headed back to my apartment to change for daily Mass. I met up with Adam and Paolo at the Paulist church at 6, and then after Mass, we ran into a guy who had just graduated from UT. He was really cool, so we all went out to dinner near my apartment. It was absolutely delicious, and I had a great time with those boys. Then, we parted ways and decided to meet at 7 tonight for dinner again.
After leaving the boys, I talked with my three roommates for a while. We had some quality girl story time, and it was a lot of fun. (I adore you girls.) Then, I edited my papers and went to the grocery store with Apu for some fruit. After that, I tried to steal internet from the boys' hallway. It was semi-successful, and I got to send a few emails.
Then, Alex and I went back to her apartment and talked for a while about our lives. We can't believe this program is almost over! So sad!
I am getting REALLY excited for Mom, Kim, and Chris to get here! We're going to have such a great time!
I love you all!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Italy is the best. You should all come here.
So, I had a GREAT time with Adam and Paolo yesterday. I walked to their hotel around 2 to meet up with them, and I was so glad to see familiar faces! I adore those boys.
They were hungry, so we got some pizza and had a picnic by the Colosseum. :) It was very touristy and cute. After that, we walked around the Forums and the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Then, we headed toward the Pantheon. After visiting the Pantheon, we headed back toward where my apartment is, stopping for gelato along the way. We went to an electric store around the corner from my apartment to pick up an adapter for Paolo's camera, and then we went to the Santa Maria church with "The Ecstasy of St. Theresa." We sat in that church for a bit, and then we went across the street to see the Paulist Fathers' Church in Rome. It was beautiful! And they spoke in English! Haha, yay. Anyway, we saw a poster with Father Dave and Jimmy and that other really nice priest from St. Austin's, so Paolo took a picture of Adam and I pointing to it like fools.
Then, I headed back to my apartment to change for daily Mass. I met up with Adam and Paolo at the Paulist church at 6, and then after Mass, we ran into a guy who had just graduated from UT. He was really cool, so we all went out to dinner near my apartment. It was absolutely delicious, and I had a great time with those boys. Then, we parted ways and decided to meet at 7 tonight for dinner again.
After leaving the boys, I talked with my three roommates for a while. We had some quality girl story time, and it was a lot of fun. (I adore you girls.) Then, I edited my papers and went to the grocery store with Apu for some fruit. After that, I tried to steal internet from the boys' hallway. It was semi-successful, and I got to send a few emails.
Then, Alex and I went back to her apartment and talked for a while about our lives. We can't believe this program is almost over! So sad!
I am getting REALLY excited for Mom, Kim, and Chris to get here! We're going to have such a great time!
I love you all!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Italy is the best. You should all come here.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
American Academy, Paolo and Adam
Hey beautiful people -
After midterms, we all headed back to the boys' apartment where we watched part of the Dark Night. I had forgotten almost all of the movie, and it was really good to see it again. Such a great movie! I miss Heath Ledger.
Oh, Alex and I ate strawberries and Nutella. It was so delicious.
Then, we all parted ways to get ready for dinner at the American Academy. We got all dressed up, and then we walked over to the Victor Emmanuel Monument near the AIRC to catch the bus to Trastevere. We met up with KG and a friend of his, and, after a bus ride, we walked a few blocks to the American Academy. The AA had such a fabulous view of Rome from the roof - we all got really cute pictures. :) (To be posted soon...)
Dinner was pretty good - the company was the best part, for sure. After dinner, we all went with KG to get some good gelato from a place that last year's group recommended. It was yummy. Then, we walked all the way home. I played a card game with Alex, Vicki, Harvey, Stephen, and Apu, and then we all headed to bed.
I woke up pretty early to take a shower. Then, Meagan and I headed out for cappuccinos and internet before meeting for class. The class thought we'd be able to go into the Forum of Augustus, but it turns out that we're doing that (maybe) on Thursday. We went to the AIRC to have a brief lecture, and then we headed to the Pantheon. I absolutely love the Pantheon. It's a fabulous, beautiful place. After the Pantheon, we rode a bus to Circus Maximus. KG taught us about that for a little, and then we took the metro home.
It was really, really hot today. The metro did not smell very pleasant. But, oh well. It's in Rome, after all.
After getting back to our apartments, some of us went to go get pizza from next door. Then, I worked on editing my papers, and then I went to go see Paolo and Adam!
I really need to get to bed, so I'm going to tell y'all about the rest of my wonderful day when I get some time tomorrow.
I hope everyone is having a great week!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Papers for the week done! Only one more paper and one more exam for my two classes left! :)
After midterms, we all headed back to the boys' apartment where we watched part of the Dark Night. I had forgotten almost all of the movie, and it was really good to see it again. Such a great movie! I miss Heath Ledger.
Oh, Alex and I ate strawberries and Nutella. It was so delicious.
Then, we all parted ways to get ready for dinner at the American Academy. We got all dressed up, and then we walked over to the Victor Emmanuel Monument near the AIRC to catch the bus to Trastevere. We met up with KG and a friend of his, and, after a bus ride, we walked a few blocks to the American Academy. The AA had such a fabulous view of Rome from the roof - we all got really cute pictures. :) (To be posted soon...)
Dinner was pretty good - the company was the best part, for sure. After dinner, we all went with KG to get some good gelato from a place that last year's group recommended. It was yummy. Then, we walked all the way home. I played a card game with Alex, Vicki, Harvey, Stephen, and Apu, and then we all headed to bed.
I woke up pretty early to take a shower. Then, Meagan and I headed out for cappuccinos and internet before meeting for class. The class thought we'd be able to go into the Forum of Augustus, but it turns out that we're doing that (maybe) on Thursday. We went to the AIRC to have a brief lecture, and then we headed to the Pantheon. I absolutely love the Pantheon. It's a fabulous, beautiful place. After the Pantheon, we rode a bus to Circus Maximus. KG taught us about that for a little, and then we took the metro home.
It was really, really hot today. The metro did not smell very pleasant. But, oh well. It's in Rome, after all.
After getting back to our apartments, some of us went to go get pizza from next door. Then, I worked on editing my papers, and then I went to go see Paolo and Adam!
I really need to get to bed, so I'm going to tell y'all about the rest of my wonderful day when I get some time tomorrow.
I hope everyone is having a great week!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Papers for the week done! Only one more paper and one more exam for my two classes left! :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Midterms DONE!!!
Hey beautiful people -
We just finished our two midterms! YAY! We have papers due Wednesday, but one of mine is almost done, and the other is coming along pretty well, too.
Last night, we got a lot of studying done, and I got a chance to "borrow" wireless internet in the boys' apartment hallway. It was fun to talk to some Austin friends - y'all are the best!
I slept in really late (almost 11) and then took and shower and got ready. Alex and I went to go get cappuccinos at our favorite place by the AIRC (The Glass Ristorante), and went over our outlines together. Then, we came to the AIRC to use internet where I got to talk to my dear friend, Preston (finally!).
Then, we took exams. They are done, so YAY.
Now, Alex and I are going to buy sunglasses (the ocean ate mine in Cinqueterra). Then, we'll head back to the apartments and get ready for dinner at the American Academy tonight. :)
I love you all! Bices!
Ciao,
Ashley
We just finished our two midterms! YAY! We have papers due Wednesday, but one of mine is almost done, and the other is coming along pretty well, too.
Last night, we got a lot of studying done, and I got a chance to "borrow" wireless internet in the boys' apartment hallway. It was fun to talk to some Austin friends - y'all are the best!
I slept in really late (almost 11) and then took and shower and got ready. Alex and I went to go get cappuccinos at our favorite place by the AIRC (The Glass Ristorante), and went over our outlines together. Then, we came to the AIRC to use internet where I got to talk to my dear friend, Preston (finally!).
Then, we took exams. They are done, so YAY.
Now, Alex and I are going to buy sunglasses (the ocean ate mine in Cinqueterra). Then, we'll head back to the apartments and get ready for dinner at the American Academy tonight. :)
I love you all! Bices!
Ciao,
Ashley
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I MET THE POPE TODAY!!!
OH MY GOSH! The Vatican was SO incredible. I MET THE POPE!
I woke up really early this morning to get ready for High Mass. I met Alex, Royce, Adam, and Daniel outside out apartments to walk to the bus stop (where we met up with Vicki and Stephen). We all got on the bus which took us straight to the Vatican. I was really tired until the bus passed right in front of St. Peter's Square. And then I started getting REALLY excited! It was so beautiful - I can't even find the words to describe how awesome it was to see St. Peter's in person!
Anyway, we got off the bus and walked to get cappuccinos since we were really early for High Mass. I'm getting addicted to the amazing Italian coffee, by the way. After cappuccinos and croissants, we headed back to St. Peter's and walked around a bit, taking pictures! It was so exciting. I can't even write about it without smiling.
We met up with KG (Dr. Karl Galinsky) and got through security really quickly. We all walked around taking pictures and admiring St. Peter's Basilica for about an hour before we lined up to get in for High Mass. Michaelangelo's Pieta is in St. Peter's Basilica - it was so awesome to see in person because it's one of my favorite pieces of sculpture. Oh, we also met up with Harvey and Barghav in the basilica. They had a bit of a bus mis-hap, but it got sorted out.
Mass (even though I couldn't understand all the words) was absolutely incredible. I loved watching the priests, bishops, and cardinals process in through the long nave of St. Peter's. It was such an amazing experience - and I plan on going to St. Peter's every Sunday until I leave Italia now. :)
After High Mass, we all went into St. Peter's Square where we waited for Pope Benedict to come out and say, "Hey, Ashley." Which he did, of course. Yeah, I got a personal shout-out from Benny himself. OK, not really. But pretty much, he waved to me. And blessed me. So, I think that's practically the same.
After getting blessed from the POPE!, KG took us all out to lunch at a nearby ristorante. It was absolutely delicious - and free lunch is always good lunch. :) It was really sweet of KG to take us all out (Thanks again, KG!).
After lunch, Alex and I went back to St. Peter's to mail our postcards. Unfortunately, we needed stamps, and we couldn't figure out how to use the machines to buy stamps. We tried all the buttons and levers - we even prayed that it would work - but we had no luck. She and I are going back on Friday (no class, YAY), so we're going to get postcards mailed then.
Then, Alex and I walked around the area for a bit, got some gelato, and took a bus back to our apartments. We ran into Linda (a woman from the AIRC) who told us that we could come to the AIRC to study for our exams tomorrow. Which was really sweet.
Now, Alex and I are going to be productive... soon. :)
This is what happened before I met the POPE since my last post...
On Saturday evening, Alex and I went to go get some pizza by a place near the AIRC. We took it to the Trevi Fountain and ate while people-watching. It was really relaxing and hilarious to see how touristy some people were being.
Then, we headed to the grocery store to get some lunch supplies for the week. The lady in front of me in the check-out line spilled her bleach over EVERYTHING (including her fruit) and it was really sad. But the guy scanning items didn't make her pay for it, so that's good. Anyway, when we got back to the apartments, I climbed up the insanely steep three flights of stairs to get to my apartment.
There, I worked on papers with Shyam, Apu, Ishanee, and Meagan in our apartment for a bit. The apartment started getting REALLY hot (yay for Rome summers), so Shyam, Meagan, and I went to go get some gelato around 11. We got a little lost on the way to find this new place, but it was worth it because a guidebook told us that that gelateria was JP2's favorite in all of Rome. It was really, really crowded, but the gelato was really good!
When we got back, I headed to bed so I could wake up early (720 AM!) to go to the Vatican! Which was amazing!
My life is officially complete, having met Pope Benny. :)
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - I'm in love with Italia today.
I woke up really early this morning to get ready for High Mass. I met Alex, Royce, Adam, and Daniel outside out apartments to walk to the bus stop (where we met up with Vicki and Stephen). We all got on the bus which took us straight to the Vatican. I was really tired until the bus passed right in front of St. Peter's Square. And then I started getting REALLY excited! It was so beautiful - I can't even find the words to describe how awesome it was to see St. Peter's in person!
Anyway, we got off the bus and walked to get cappuccinos since we were really early for High Mass. I'm getting addicted to the amazing Italian coffee, by the way. After cappuccinos and croissants, we headed back to St. Peter's and walked around a bit, taking pictures! It was so exciting. I can't even write about it without smiling.
We met up with KG (Dr. Karl Galinsky) and got through security really quickly. We all walked around taking pictures and admiring St. Peter's Basilica for about an hour before we lined up to get in for High Mass. Michaelangelo's Pieta is in St. Peter's Basilica - it was so awesome to see in person because it's one of my favorite pieces of sculpture. Oh, we also met up with Harvey and Barghav in the basilica. They had a bit of a bus mis-hap, but it got sorted out.
Mass (even though I couldn't understand all the words) was absolutely incredible. I loved watching the priests, bishops, and cardinals process in through the long nave of St. Peter's. It was such an amazing experience - and I plan on going to St. Peter's every Sunday until I leave Italia now. :)
After High Mass, we all went into St. Peter's Square where we waited for Pope Benedict to come out and say, "Hey, Ashley." Which he did, of course. Yeah, I got a personal shout-out from Benny himself. OK, not really. But pretty much, he waved to me. And blessed me. So, I think that's practically the same.
After getting blessed from the POPE!, KG took us all out to lunch at a nearby ristorante. It was absolutely delicious - and free lunch is always good lunch. :) It was really sweet of KG to take us all out (Thanks again, KG!).
After lunch, Alex and I went back to St. Peter's to mail our postcards. Unfortunately, we needed stamps, and we couldn't figure out how to use the machines to buy stamps. We tried all the buttons and levers - we even prayed that it would work - but we had no luck. She and I are going back on Friday (no class, YAY), so we're going to get postcards mailed then.
Then, Alex and I walked around the area for a bit, got some gelato, and took a bus back to our apartments. We ran into Linda (a woman from the AIRC) who told us that we could come to the AIRC to study for our exams tomorrow. Which was really sweet.
Now, Alex and I are going to be productive... soon. :)
This is what happened before I met the POPE since my last post...
On Saturday evening, Alex and I went to go get some pizza by a place near the AIRC. We took it to the Trevi Fountain and ate while people-watching. It was really relaxing and hilarious to see how touristy some people were being.
Then, we headed to the grocery store to get some lunch supplies for the week. The lady in front of me in the check-out line spilled her bleach over EVERYTHING (including her fruit) and it was really sad. But the guy scanning items didn't make her pay for it, so that's good. Anyway, when we got back to the apartments, I climbed up the insanely steep three flights of stairs to get to my apartment.
There, I worked on papers with Shyam, Apu, Ishanee, and Meagan in our apartment for a bit. The apartment started getting REALLY hot (yay for Rome summers), so Shyam, Meagan, and I went to go get some gelato around 11. We got a little lost on the way to find this new place, but it was worth it because a guidebook told us that that gelateria was JP2's favorite in all of Rome. It was really, really crowded, but the gelato was really good!
When we got back, I headed to bed so I could wake up early (720 AM!) to go to the Vatican! Which was amazing!
My life is officially complete, having met Pope Benny. :)
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - I'm in love with Italia today.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Gay Pride Parade
There's a Gay Pride Parade happening right outside the AIRC right now... So the group is getting some free Lady Gaga music. :)
Hey y'all -
Thursday evening, we headed back to the apartments after a midterm review session. A bunch of us hung out in the boys' apartment, trying to read for class and listening to music. I got all caught up on the reading, which is good news because I've been able to relax this weekend!
Early Friday morning, we met Albert at the EUR Fermi metro stop to see a museum that Mussolini put together to exhibit the greatness of Roma. It was an interesting museum, but I'm not a huge fan of Fascist architecture, so I was glad when we moved on. After that, Albert took us to another museum where we saw the opus sectie, a room of reconstructed mosaic walls/floors/ceiling. It was really beautiful.
Then, we took the metro and got lunch in a park somewhere closer to the heart of Roma. (We also got our papers from the first week back. It's a relief to know the expectations of the class now. Only two more papers and tests for each class left!) After lunch, Dr. Galinsky took us to meet Darius at a museum that had been previously used as a power plant. Now, statues and other pieces from the Capitoline Museum are exhibited there. It was really cool. Alex, Ishanee, and I went around the museum taking pictures posing like the statues. Some pretty ridiculous pictures should be on Facebook soon. :)
After the museums, we headed back to the AIRC to use the internet before heading back to the apartments. We got ready to go out and then went to go get some DELICIOUS pizza! (And gelato.) After dinner, we headed back to the apartments to hang out for a bit before going out. Last night was really fun - it's always nice to bond with people outside of the class environment.
We headed to bed (really) tired when we got home. I was really ready to sleep by the time we got home.
Today, I woke up around 11. Perfect day to sleep in because it finally got really hot in Roma! I wrote one of my papers that is due on Wednesday in about an hour - it's nice to have one draft out of the way. :) Because Paolo and Adam are coming to visit on Tuesday! I'm really excited to see those boys (from LOA, for those of you who don't know them).
I got showered and started some laundry. Then, I finished Slumdog Millionaire (such a good movie) and relaxed and played games for a while.
Then, we all headed to the AIRC (where I am now) for another review session for Midterms on Monday.
I did some more research for my papers due Wednesday, and now I'm just catching up on the internet before we leave.
Alex and I are going to get some pizza and do some grocery shopping.
Tonight, a few of us might be going out to try a club near our apartments - we'll see! :)
Have a great weekend, y'all!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Vatican High Mass tomorrow! :) Yay!
Thursday evening, we headed back to the apartments after a midterm review session. A bunch of us hung out in the boys' apartment, trying to read for class and listening to music. I got all caught up on the reading, which is good news because I've been able to relax this weekend!
Early Friday morning, we met Albert at the EUR Fermi metro stop to see a museum that Mussolini put together to exhibit the greatness of Roma. It was an interesting museum, but I'm not a huge fan of Fascist architecture, so I was glad when we moved on. After that, Albert took us to another museum where we saw the opus sectie, a room of reconstructed mosaic walls/floors/ceiling. It was really beautiful.
Then, we took the metro and got lunch in a park somewhere closer to the heart of Roma. (We also got our papers from the first week back. It's a relief to know the expectations of the class now. Only two more papers and tests for each class left!) After lunch, Dr. Galinsky took us to meet Darius at a museum that had been previously used as a power plant. Now, statues and other pieces from the Capitoline Museum are exhibited there. It was really cool. Alex, Ishanee, and I went around the museum taking pictures posing like the statues. Some pretty ridiculous pictures should be on Facebook soon. :)
After the museums, we headed back to the AIRC to use the internet before heading back to the apartments. We got ready to go out and then went to go get some DELICIOUS pizza! (And gelato.) After dinner, we headed back to the apartments to hang out for a bit before going out. Last night was really fun - it's always nice to bond with people outside of the class environment.
We headed to bed (really) tired when we got home. I was really ready to sleep by the time we got home.
Today, I woke up around 11. Perfect day to sleep in because it finally got really hot in Roma! I wrote one of my papers that is due on Wednesday in about an hour - it's nice to have one draft out of the way. :) Because Paolo and Adam are coming to visit on Tuesday! I'm really excited to see those boys (from LOA, for those of you who don't know them).
I got showered and started some laundry. Then, I finished Slumdog Millionaire (such a good movie) and relaxed and played games for a while.
Then, we all headed to the AIRC (where I am now) for another review session for Midterms on Monday.
I did some more research for my papers due Wednesday, and now I'm just catching up on the internet before we leave.
Alex and I are going to get some pizza and do some grocery shopping.
Tonight, a few of us might be going out to try a club near our apartments - we'll see! :)
Have a great weekend, y'all!
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Vatican High Mass tomorrow! :) Yay!
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