Scrubs, gallery openings, and lots of papers.

So if you are wondering what we've been up to, it's a whole lot of ridiculousness... working a lot and such. Stef has been at Berlitz every day, except for today (yet another bus strike).

Last night I had a final project for my Art Gallery Management class and my group had to put on an exhibition. So we got a couple of friends to display their artwork, bought some food and wine, and held an exhibition that was very successful. Here are a few pictures of our group:


















Melissa, Ursula (my professor), Freya, Alison, Me, Catie

















Things get silly.

Afterwards I went to my friend Rita's house to play guitar and sing Christmas songs. Now I'll be holed up at home all weekend writing 3 papers, painting, and studying for finals and such. Tomorrow night is my friend Steven's concert at one the churches by my old apartment.

And then we come home on the 15th. Cute right? I'm excited for the season, but there are a few things I'm dreading, like renewing my visa in the depths of the Italian Consulate. People don't realize how that the DMV is a dream compared to the 5th ave hell hole with dim lighting and broken seats.

Anyway... life is hectic but good as long as there I can make a sandwich with prosciutto, smoked cheese, olive oil, salt, and some rucola. Mmmmmmmmm...

A can of crazy!

This week is the start of the madness. Papers, gallery exhibitions to plan, finals, packing to move into a new apartment... wonderful.

I have a final on the 14th and a flight to NY on the 15th. And somewhere in between there I have to move all of our stuff into our new apartment next door. WHY!? Haven't been getting good sleep because of my neck, and I've been getting sick off and on for the past couple of weeks. I think a doctor's appointment is in order, along with being with my family, going into the city to hit up the museums and galleries, renewing my visa, translating documents, all for my month vacation back home in NY.

No worries though. I'm looking forward to Starbucks, Fox Soccer Channel, internet in my house, seeing my family and friendsies, and getting to squeeze Steven and Julia for a whole month!!!!!

And because we are bringing our family from the homeland with us, I'll still get to speak Italian all break. I think this is a great deal.

Less than a month until we arrive at JFK.

Or Ellis Island.

Birthday fun!

So I'm 20 now, along with the rest of the world. My birthday was actually the best one I've ever had, and it was totally worth losing my teenage years.

The day started off with a really really attractive bus driver that took me all the way to school. I had a midterm that day that I totally rocked because it was so easy, and after that class I went to Freya's house and we had some celebratory wine and pizza. I hung out there the rest of the day and Stef and other friends met up with us, and we went out for a monstrous dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant here. Tons and tons and tons of free food, lots of wonderful pictures, and a little limoncello later, we walked our way over to Piazza Trilussa (possibly my most favorite place in Rome), sat on the steps for a few hours, and sang Cat Stevens and Beatles songs with a bunch of Italians that had a guitar.

It was a wonderful night full of so many friendly faces and beautiful music. What more could a birthday girl ask for?

And now, I'm all feverish and trying to get my way through the school day, which isn't working out too well. But I'm a trooper.

I made my schedule for next semester and it goes a little something like this:
Art for Arts Sake
Italian Writing Styles
Painting II
Van Gogh to Warhol
Art of Renaissance and Baroque

This is exactly why I moved to Rome.

Really excited to come home though! I just want to eat a huge Christmas meal and take a wicked nap right after. Mmmm...

My Vacation from Rome.

I just had a week off from school and I did my most favorite thing in the world: nothing.

I slept all day, sometimes went out at night, but mostly just vegged around the house and walked around aimlessly. It was amazing.

Back into the grind. I think I'm becoming a nerd with the amount of work I have to do. It's probably better this way because as of this Thursday I will officially leave my teenage years. I need to grow up, I guess. (Expect another post soon completely contradicting this one).

Ummm... I'm diving into the Italian language, because I realized that I have barely been speaking it since I've been here, and I need to get back on track.

And also, Palermo better beat Napoli next week. That's all I'm saying.

I have nothing to wear for my birthday. Must find a nice outfit for fun and games.