My life is too good sometimes.

Every once in a while, I get so overwhelmed with the beauty and goodness around me that I could actually fly if I wanted to.

This is one of those moments. This morning I was a very poor lady wondering how to pay my rent due next week, when it seems that I am getting a huge lump sum of money left over from my loan. So I can actually breath now and sleep at night. As some of you may know, the tourist season has been so bad that in the past 10 days I've gotten only 3 tours. Small ones. Not good when you really really need the money. Well, I'm still poor in the long run, and I will have to pay this money off, but thank God I have a place to live and food to eat.

This morning before all of this happened, my roomate Rossana put 5euro of credit on my phone, just as a small act of kindness to keep me from worrying about not being able to use my phone. She is gold.

Also, I am officially and completely registered for classes. And I'm loved! And I didn't even have to wait for my bus to come today! It was just there! It's the little things in life, guys.

Time to celebrate.

Ghost Town.

So, I'm back and severely jet-lagged. I keep waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning. This could take a while to get over.

With that said, I'm feeling a little strange about my return. I gave a tour today (thank the Lord, because I still have no money) and there was no one at the Vatican, yet again. When you are standing in front of Saint Peter's square for an hour and no one walks by, it is divine intervention when you get a tour. But it was strange to be in the museums today. It could be because I'm so tired, but I feel like I'm floating through my day watching myself talk at people.

Also, my friends aren't around yet and Freya wont be back this semester, so I haven't gotten back into the swing of things yet. Eventually.

New York ended up being a really nice trip. I almost got everything done that I wanted to do, but the rest of my list will be completed in March when I come back for a wedding. Must make it to MoMA and spend some time with my city folk.

Not much has changed here since I've been gone... my favorite mosaic in the Vatican Museums has finally been revealed after over a month of restoration. That's about it. I also have a fixed computer thanks to my Daddy, so music and bellydance have come back into my life. I'm thrilled. Still have no internet in my apartment, so don't expect much of me. But I will have some nice abs soon, after dancing and pilates. Hurrah!

I think my financial things are finally working out at school, so I might be able to register for classes sometime before the semester starts in two weeks. What a mess.

So order of the day... get an adapter, get home, eat leftover pasta, read, bellydance, shower, read, sleep.

Ummm, but in reality, I'll probably fall asleep once I get home. I'm beat.

Just want you all to know...

...that the American government is just as freaking incompetant as the Italian one. You do not live in the Promised Land.

Stupid government has still not sent important forms to my house so that my school will accept my student loan. Which means I'm still not registered for classes, which means that my loan might be cancelled, which means that I have to spend my so called vacation worrying about money, yet again?

So stupid American government is a big fat loser and is just as slow and unorganized as the post office in Rome. And that's the truth. Ha.

I get to leave tomorrow morning because I'm sick of this country too. I need a break from everything, please.

Umm, candy canes. Everything can be solved in candy canes. I'm convinced. And it's so hard for me to stay mad at these things because I'm too full of love, as usual.

New York!

Baby's on Fire!

I am a bit of a con artist when it comes to school. I'm not a good student, I don't go to classes, I hand everything in late, but people like me.

Success! Everything is finished! Done with school! Time to celebrate with a bottle of wine and a good book. Mmmmm.

Lady Elvis.

So, I'm writing a research paper on Elvis' portrayal in the media as a religious icon, specifically in art. I'm reading/listening/watching everything Elvis, which you all know for me is not a chore at all. I did come across the most incredible piece of audio though. I've never heard Elvis cuss like this before, but man, the guy was badass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmLIBL4xgJ0&feature=related

Wouldn't want to get on his bad side! Either way, I want his '68 special in full. When he sings 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' I die.

Things to do in NY:

• Go to a freaking diner for every meal. Fin is constantly making fun of me because he says that every conversation we have I mention a diner at some point. I can't help it. Thick french toast smothered in syrup, or a huge burger with fries and a pickle, or grilled cheese, or a BLT on a toasted bagel with a thin layer of mayo (and a pickle o'course). Oh gosh, I'm hungry.

• THRIFT STORES!!!!!!! You don't understand. There are quite a few vintage shops here, but the Italians can't figure out that used crap should be 5€ per bag, just like at the Salvation Army where you can stuff a bag to the bursting point and pay 5 bucks. Heaven. Also, I need a new wardrobe, new bags, new shoes, new accessories, and there is nothing quite like getting clothes that are already broken in for you while paying nothing as well. I'm sick of spending so much money on everything!

• Bleeker Street. Must take a nice long walk down one of my most favorite streets in all of NYC, stop at the record shop and buy nothing, and head over to Tea Spot while I'm in the area.

• The Met and MoMa NEED to be visited, considering that my last trip to the states was severely lacking in art. I'm such a spoiled biotch and I'm getting tired of seeing the Vatican Museum collection all the time... I need something to spice it up.

• Payless. With Rome being a graveyard for shoes (curse you, san pietrini!) every single pair I own is either completely worn down or not made for the monsoon weather we get here every once in a while. Time for some good, cheap shoes to last me the winter.

• Basso 56. I am telling you, if you are reading this and have never been to this restaurant in NYC, please go. It's on 56th and 8th ave, serves really incredible Italian fusion food (the chef Paolo is from Rome) and the co-owner Alex (from Albania) is absolutely wonderful (and super attractive). This is the only restaurant I actually want to eat in... every other time I just wanna go to a diner.

• Bryant/Central Parks. Must stroll, must experience kissing in both parks, because when I was actually living in NYC I never got to. Or did I? Don't remember, so it obviously wasn't that great. Either way, this time around I get to do all of the wonderful romantic things I've always wanted to do in NYC. Hooray!

• Alice's Tea Cup. This is a day for the girlies... high tea with my cousins, including my little Julia. Can't wait to see that curly head.

• Fireplace! I'm dying for a fireplace, with the Christmas tree being the only other light in the room, a Wayne Watson Christmas album playing, and homemade cocoa from scratch. Also, I am really excited for roast beast on Christmas day. I'm really hungry. Oh gosh.

That's all I can think of right now. I'll add on, or you all can help me plan my 3 weeks there. Love!

BIRTHDAY!

You all will not believe how perfect my birthday was. Turning 21 in Italy is probably better than it ever would've been in the states... there wasn't that whole 'ooooo, you can drink now!' thing hanging over my head. I've been able to drink in Italy since I've got here, and in the states for that matter. Apparently I look older than I am.

Well, I had a tour Saturday morning, and since I let everyone in on the fact that they were on a special birthday tour (and because I'm a pretty damn good guide) I got about 55€ in tips. SWEET! Then, Fin came over and he bought me the classical guitar I had been eyeing :) Then we went to go meet Rita for a drink in Trastevere, than we headed of to San Lorenzo for some dinner.

Okay. Best part. We went to go see some live music, and it just so happened to be rockabilly night!!!!! So I got to dance to the music I always dream of dancing to! It was perfect! And all of my favorite people were there (well, most of my favorite people!) and we danced and had a fabulous time.

I have no clue what time we got home. Who cares? Birthday! Now I'm an oldie.

Things to look foward to: coming home in December! I'm so excited! Can't wait to get into NYC. Okay. no more time on the computer in the internet point love you all byebye!