Ahh! It's cold in Roma now.
Yay for a cold mid-June. :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Aqueduct Adventures
Hey y'all -
So, last night after leaving the AIRC, Alex and I cooked dinner for ourselves and Royce. We finished Season 2 of HIMYM and then watched the Season 4 finale (which neither Alex nor I had seen). It was so good!
Then, I went back to my apartment and talked to Shyam, Apu, Ishanee, and Meagan for a bit. I was really tired (which makes no sense because I slept in and took a nap), so I went to bed early.
I woke up this morning and got cappuccinos with Alex, Apu, and Ishanee and then we went to the Barberini Metro Stop. We caught the 8.20 metro to go meet Albert out in Roman suburbia.
We went to a dig site to watch them work, but they hadn't actually started digging yet. We heard about their project - and it was actually pretty cool. Then, we started helping them pull weeds to prepare the site for digging.
After that, we went on another "Death March" with Albert. It was a beautiful day because the rain this weekend brought in a cold front. Thank goodness. So, the walk along the aqueducts was really cool. We actually got to stand on top of an Aqueduct Claudia, and it was a crazy cool experience!
Gosh, the Roman countryside is so beautiful. Today, I just kept looking around and thinking "I love Europe so much." I didn't think I was a country girl - but apparently in Europe I am. :)
Then, we took the metro to look at some more aqueducts that have become part of the city gates.
After all the aqueduct fun, we headed back to our apartments to get our computers, and now we're at the AIRC to work on our last papers - which are due tomorrow.
I'm almost done... I'm gonna write about one more page for a paper and then edit both of them. Almost done with the semester - it feels really strange.
Tonight, I'm going to eat at a ristorante near our apartments with some friends from the program. It should be a fun night - I'm really glad I've done most of my papers already! :)
Ciao bellas,
Ashley
So, last night after leaving the AIRC, Alex and I cooked dinner for ourselves and Royce. We finished Season 2 of HIMYM and then watched the Season 4 finale (which neither Alex nor I had seen). It was so good!
Then, I went back to my apartment and talked to Shyam, Apu, Ishanee, and Meagan for a bit. I was really tired (which makes no sense because I slept in and took a nap), so I went to bed early.
I woke up this morning and got cappuccinos with Alex, Apu, and Ishanee and then we went to the Barberini Metro Stop. We caught the 8.20 metro to go meet Albert out in Roman suburbia.
We went to a dig site to watch them work, but they hadn't actually started digging yet. We heard about their project - and it was actually pretty cool. Then, we started helping them pull weeds to prepare the site for digging.
After that, we went on another "Death March" with Albert. It was a beautiful day because the rain this weekend brought in a cold front. Thank goodness. So, the walk along the aqueducts was really cool. We actually got to stand on top of an Aqueduct Claudia, and it was a crazy cool experience!
Gosh, the Roman countryside is so beautiful. Today, I just kept looking around and thinking "I love Europe so much." I didn't think I was a country girl - but apparently in Europe I am. :)
Then, we took the metro to look at some more aqueducts that have become part of the city gates.
After all the aqueduct fun, we headed back to our apartments to get our computers, and now we're at the AIRC to work on our last papers - which are due tomorrow.
I'm almost done... I'm gonna write about one more page for a paper and then edit both of them. Almost done with the semester - it feels really strange.
Tonight, I'm going to eat at a ristorante near our apartments with some friends from the program. It should be a fun night - I'm really glad I've done most of my papers already! :)
Ciao bellas,
Ashley
Sunday, June 21, 2009
When it rains...
Hey y'all -
It's been a very rainy day in Roma, but I absolutely LOVE the rain, so it's been fabulous.
Here is the youtube.com link to my most favorite song ever. I sang it a lot today. :) (Notice the very clever blog title today.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHNs_b_sy0
Last night, Alex and I cooked pasta again for dinner. We had baby bow ties and big bow ties, and it was really cute. And delicious. Then, we watched some more "How I Met Your Mother" and borrowed internet from the generous donor in our apartment complex. :)
Later last night, the group of us who went to Venice for the weekend returned, and it got REALLY loud. (The weekend was very peacefully quiet.) So, we caught up with them for a bit and heard about their amazing weekend. I'm really excited to go to Venice with Kim and Chris in a week and a half!
I went to bed early, and woke up for American Mass at St. Susanna (the Paulist Father Church) at 10.30. Back to St. Peter's for High Mass in a week! :)
Then, I went back to my apartment to work on my papers. I got through one and a half papers, and then I took a really long nap. The rain (complete with thunder and lightening) made the apartment really dark, and it was really quiet all day. Perfect conditions for napping. :)
Oh, I had some really interesting dreams - in one, I was dating Batman, and he saved me from Darth Vader... Not really sure how those two stories got mixed up in my head.
Then, I woke up and talked with Apu and Ishanee for a bit - they had gone shopping, so we had a mini-fashion show.
Alex and I went to go get cappuccinos on our way to the AIRC, and now we are working on papers and catching up on internet.
We all wrote in a card for KG for Father's Day - he's been a father figure to all of us in Roma - and we just gave it to him. He's such a sweet man. :)
Tonight, we're going to work on papers some more and just keep relaxing, enjoying our last few days together in Roma.
It's been a relaxing weekend with lots of sleeping - which is good because I was definitely missing sleep.
I really wish time would go by slower. I'm going to miss living in Europe.
Can't wait to see Mom, Kim, and Chris in five days!
Ciao,
Ashley
It's been a very rainy day in Roma, but I absolutely LOVE the rain, so it's been fabulous.
Here is the youtube.com link to my most favorite song ever. I sang it a lot today. :) (Notice the very clever blog title today.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHNs_b_sy0
Last night, Alex and I cooked pasta again for dinner. We had baby bow ties and big bow ties, and it was really cute. And delicious. Then, we watched some more "How I Met Your Mother" and borrowed internet from the generous donor in our apartment complex. :)
Later last night, the group of us who went to Venice for the weekend returned, and it got REALLY loud. (The weekend was very peacefully quiet.) So, we caught up with them for a bit and heard about their amazing weekend. I'm really excited to go to Venice with Kim and Chris in a week and a half!
I went to bed early, and woke up for American Mass at St. Susanna (the Paulist Father Church) at 10.30. Back to St. Peter's for High Mass in a week! :)
Then, I went back to my apartment to work on my papers. I got through one and a half papers, and then I took a really long nap. The rain (complete with thunder and lightening) made the apartment really dark, and it was really quiet all day. Perfect conditions for napping. :)
Oh, I had some really interesting dreams - in one, I was dating Batman, and he saved me from Darth Vader... Not really sure how those two stories got mixed up in my head.
Then, I woke up and talked with Apu and Ishanee for a bit - they had gone shopping, so we had a mini-fashion show.
Alex and I went to go get cappuccinos on our way to the AIRC, and now we are working on papers and catching up on internet.
We all wrote in a card for KG for Father's Day - he's been a father figure to all of us in Roma - and we just gave it to him. He's such a sweet man. :)
Tonight, we're going to work on papers some more and just keep relaxing, enjoying our last few days together in Roma.
It's been a relaxing weekend with lots of sleeping - which is good because I was definitely missing sleep.
I really wish time would go by slower. I'm going to miss living in Europe.
Can't wait to see Mom, Kim, and Chris in five days!
Ciao,
Ashley
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Shopping!
Hey beautiful people -
Just wanted to say that shopping was perfectissimo! Alex and I wandered down Corso for a bit, window shopping and getting "Ciao bella"-ed a bunch. :) I've gotta say that I was beginning to think that attractive Italian men were non-existent, but today I was proven wrong. (There were some boys in uniform...)
Alex and I got croissants and cappuccinos at a new place today right by the Trevi Fountain - it was awesome, and the guys who served us were really nice. But not too nice. And not creepy nice.
I bought some new sunglasses because the Cinqueterra ocean ate mine (silly waves), and they're pretty sweet. They aren't Gucci like I was hoping, but they'll do. :)
Then, Alex and I went into Sephora where I picked up my first perfume ever. It smells delicious. It's Lancome Miracle.
The two of us went to H&M (best store EVER) and shopped on the four floor store for a loooong time. I ended up buying a headband (my black one broke in Florence), four new shirts (three blue, one purple of course), and a new dress (yellow). The clothes are very cute - I'm excited to start wearing them. Haha, I'm such a girl.
Anyway, now we're going to work on our papers for a bit, and then we are going to cook dinner with Vicki and watch some more HIMYM (so addicting!). We bought this Strawberry-chello stuff the other day, and we're excited to try it tonight! :)
Ciao bella(s) ciao!
Ashley
Just wanted to say that shopping was perfectissimo! Alex and I wandered down Corso for a bit, window shopping and getting "Ciao bella"-ed a bunch. :) I've gotta say that I was beginning to think that attractive Italian men were non-existent, but today I was proven wrong. (There were some boys in uniform...)
Alex and I got croissants and cappuccinos at a new place today right by the Trevi Fountain - it was awesome, and the guys who served us were really nice. But not too nice. And not creepy nice.
I bought some new sunglasses because the Cinqueterra ocean ate mine (silly waves), and they're pretty sweet. They aren't Gucci like I was hoping, but they'll do. :)
Then, Alex and I went into Sephora where I picked up my first perfume ever. It smells delicious. It's Lancome Miracle.
The two of us went to H&M (best store EVER) and shopped on the four floor store for a loooong time. I ended up buying a headband (my black one broke in Florence), four new shirts (three blue, one purple of course), and a new dress (yellow). The clothes are very cute - I'm excited to start wearing them. Haha, I'm such a girl.
Anyway, now we're going to work on our papers for a bit, and then we are going to cook dinner with Vicki and watch some more HIMYM (so addicting!). We bought this Strawberry-chello stuff the other day, and we're excited to try it tonight! :)
Ciao bella(s) ciao!
Ashley
Weekend of Relaxation
Hey y'all -
So, yesterday, I called Mom when I left the AIRC. It was so great to talk to her - and hear a familiar voice. I'm really excited to see her, Kim, and Chris in 6 days!!
Then, Alex and I walked to get cappuccinos at Glass Ristorante. (It's really bad - they know who we are when we walk in now...) We walked home to our apartments and cooked dinner. I had a note from our neighbors across the hall (another AIRC group) saying that Adam and Paolo had dropped off my phone and charger. So, Alex and I went over and met them and saw their apartment for a bit. They are some really sweet girls. It's too bad we only overlap for a week.
We ate some delicious pasta with pesto, and we watched a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother," the greatest TV show in the world.
Then, she and I slept in until really, really, really late. We got ready, and now we are borrowing some internet before shopping all day! :) Best weekend ever.
I've started the outlines for both of my papers - should probably get some more work done tonight.
I hope everyone has a great Saturday!
Ciao,
Ashley
So, yesterday, I called Mom when I left the AIRC. It was so great to talk to her - and hear a familiar voice. I'm really excited to see her, Kim, and Chris in 6 days!!
Then, Alex and I walked to get cappuccinos at Glass Ristorante. (It's really bad - they know who we are when we walk in now...) We walked home to our apartments and cooked dinner. I had a note from our neighbors across the hall (another AIRC group) saying that Adam and Paolo had dropped off my phone and charger. So, Alex and I went over and met them and saw their apartment for a bit. They are some really sweet girls. It's too bad we only overlap for a week.
We ate some delicious pasta with pesto, and we watched a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother," the greatest TV show in the world.
Then, she and I slept in until really, really, really late. We got ready, and now we are borrowing some internet before shopping all day! :) Best weekend ever.
I've started the outlines for both of my papers - should probably get some more work done tonight.
I hope everyone has a great Saturday!
Ciao,
Ashley
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pictures
Hey y'all -
So I finally posted pictures of my trip on Facebook. Hopefully I didn't overflow your NewsFeeds.
If you don't have Facebook, you will see pictures soon.
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Happy Friday!!
So I finally posted pictures of my trip on Facebook. Hopefully I didn't overflow your NewsFeeds.
If you don't have Facebook, you will see pictures soon.
Ciao,
Ashley
PS - Happy Friday!!
Rome-ing Around
Hey y'all -
Wednesday evening, I went out to dinner with Adam, Paolo, and Meagan. We tried a new pasta place closer to the Pantheon, and it was delicious!! (And relatively inexpensive.)
After dinner, we took a walk around Roma, visiting some sites that Rick Steves recommends. Paolo absolutely adores RS and carries the 2004 edition of his Roma book around like it's the Bible. It's hilarious.
Anyway, we visited the Spanish Steps and watched the most beautiful sunset from the top of the steps. It was incredible. After the Spanish Steps, we all headed toward Piazza de Popolo, which I had never seen before. It was really pretty - in fact, Alex and I might be heading there tonight for some fireworks! After sitting around there for a bit taking in the beauty, we walked past the Pantheon to get gelato at Frigidarium, the best ice cream place in Roma. While eating our ice cream, we noticed a UT baseball game playing in a bar across the street. So, we decided to go watch the game (which ended up being a game from a few days ago) and have a few pitchers of Italian beer. We met some seminarians next to us, and they were so nice. They were watching soccer, but one guy was from Tennessee (he thought we were from the less cool UT) and he was really nice to talk to. After seeing the game (we won! big surprise...), we headed back to the apartments. Adam and Paolo dropped off Meagan and I, and then I went to go see Alex, who was really, really bored. (Poor baby, Alex.)
She and I talked for a bit before heading to bed. Everyone is starting to get really tired since we have such busy, exciting days. We can't believe our program is almost OVER! It's so crazy.
Anyway, on Friday, we woke up for a full day. We met at the AIRC after morning cappuccinos and walked to the Forum of Augustus, where we actually got to go down into the excavation pit. So cool! (Thanks for getting us special permission, KG! It was awesome.)
After the Forum of Augustus, we walked to the museum where the Ara Pacis is located. It was really beautiful, and I'm going to write one of my last papers on the famous altar. After seeing the museum, some of us went to KG's apartment to each our lunches. His apartment was so beautiful!
After lunch, we met up with Albert and went to go see the Palace of Saint Angelo. It was really beautiful, and at the top, we had a GREAT view of all of Roma and St. Peter's Square.
It took us a long time to figure out the buses to get back to our apartments, but we finally managed to find home. I took a shower, and went to daily Mass at the Paulist church a few blocks away.
Then, I went home and worked on my papers and talked to my roommates for a bit. Then, Adam and Paolo came over and came to dinner with a big group of students from my program. Dinner was so delicious - the place we went to had over 100 sauces!! Mine was yummy.
After dinner, a few of us walked to get gelato from Frigidarium and then sat and ate it in Piazza Venezia. It was a really fun night.
Then, we walked back to our apartments and said goodbye to Adam and Paolo.
This morning, Alex, Adam, Paolo, and I went to St. Peter's. We walked around the basilica for a while, and then Alex and I left to go home while the boys climbed up the dome. (I just realized that they have my American cell phone because I gave it to them to use as an alarm... I need to get that before they leave.) Alex and I caught a bus back to our apartments. Then, I worked on my papers for a bit and cleaned up my room a bit.
Now, I'm at the AIRC uploading pictures and catching up on my blog.
I really can't wait to see Mom, Kim, and Chris in a week - we're going to have such a great time in Roma and Venezia!
It's been super hot the past few days, but it should rain this weekend and get a little cooler (thank goodness). On Monday, we're going digging in an excavation pit somewhere around Roma. It should be a blast - I'm hoping to find something really important and get famous. We'll see what happens. :) Look for me on the new, though.
I hope to see you all soon!
Ciao,
Ashley
Wednesday evening, I went out to dinner with Adam, Paolo, and Meagan. We tried a new pasta place closer to the Pantheon, and it was delicious!! (And relatively inexpensive.)
After dinner, we took a walk around Roma, visiting some sites that Rick Steves recommends. Paolo absolutely adores RS and carries the 2004 edition of his Roma book around like it's the Bible. It's hilarious.
Anyway, we visited the Spanish Steps and watched the most beautiful sunset from the top of the steps. It was incredible. After the Spanish Steps, we all headed toward Piazza de Popolo, which I had never seen before. It was really pretty - in fact, Alex and I might be heading there tonight for some fireworks! After sitting around there for a bit taking in the beauty, we walked past the Pantheon to get gelato at Frigidarium, the best ice cream place in Roma. While eating our ice cream, we noticed a UT baseball game playing in a bar across the street. So, we decided to go watch the game (which ended up being a game from a few days ago) and have a few pitchers of Italian beer. We met some seminarians next to us, and they were so nice. They were watching soccer, but one guy was from Tennessee (he thought we were from the less cool UT) and he was really nice to talk to. After seeing the game (we won! big surprise...), we headed back to the apartments. Adam and Paolo dropped off Meagan and I, and then I went to go see Alex, who was really, really bored. (Poor baby, Alex.)
She and I talked for a bit before heading to bed. Everyone is starting to get really tired since we have such busy, exciting days. We can't believe our program is almost OVER! It's so crazy.
Anyway, on Friday, we woke up for a full day. We met at the AIRC after morning cappuccinos and walked to the Forum of Augustus, where we actually got to go down into the excavation pit. So cool! (Thanks for getting us special permission, KG! It was awesome.)
After the Forum of Augustus, we walked to the museum where the Ara Pacis is located. It was really beautiful, and I'm going to write one of my last papers on the famous altar. After seeing the museum, some of us went to KG's apartment to each our lunches. His apartment was so beautiful!
After lunch, we met up with Albert and went to go see the Palace of Saint Angelo. It was really beautiful, and at the top, we had a GREAT view of all of Roma and St. Peter's Square.
It took us a long time to figure out the buses to get back to our apartments, but we finally managed to find home. I took a shower, and went to daily Mass at the Paulist church a few blocks away.
Then, I went home and worked on my papers and talked to my roommates for a bit. Then, Adam and Paolo came over and came to dinner with a big group of students from my program. Dinner was so delicious - the place we went to had over 100 sauces!! Mine was yummy.
After dinner, a few of us walked to get gelato from Frigidarium and then sat and ate it in Piazza Venezia. It was a really fun night.
Then, we walked back to our apartments and said goodbye to Adam and Paolo.
This morning, Alex, Adam, Paolo, and I went to St. Peter's. We walked around the basilica for a while, and then Alex and I left to go home while the boys climbed up the dome. (I just realized that they have my American cell phone because I gave it to them to use as an alarm... I need to get that before they leave.) Alex and I caught a bus back to our apartments. Then, I worked on my papers for a bit and cleaned up my room a bit.
Now, I'm at the AIRC uploading pictures and catching up on my blog.
I really can't wait to see Mom, Kim, and Chris in a week - we're going to have such a great time in Roma and Venezia!
It's been super hot the past few days, but it should rain this weekend and get a little cooler (thank goodness). On Monday, we're going digging in an excavation pit somewhere around Roma. It should be a blast - I'm hoping to find something really important and get famous. We'll see what happens. :) Look for me on the new, though.
I hope to see you all soon!
Ciao,
Ashley
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
