Here. Safe. Happy.

So here I am, writing to you all from our very lovely new (old) apartment. As most of you know, we switched apartments with the people living next door to us. Long story. The point is that we now have a lovely studio with a little loft for Stef to sleep in (she just can't shake off the whole attic creature thing!).

We'll post pictures eventually, of course when we have fixed it up and decorated with the help of Mr Ikea.

School doesn't start until next Monday for me, which is wonderful because I still can't get my body to follow Rome time. I sit wide awake at 3am.

But I'm so happy to be back. I have really good feelings about this coming semester. I feel like it will be a perfect combination of my first semester (all fun, games, and Italian loveliness) and this past semester which was all serious business of paying rent and getting schoolwork done. Last semester I didn't really have the time or energy to spend exploring Rome and meeting new people. This time will be different and I'm happy for it.

My friend Freya took a semester off to go to a language school and do an intensive Italian course. I think I'll follow her lead this summer. I want this language so badly, and if I want to start speaking it fluently, it is essential to learn through speaking, reading, and hearing it constantly.

My family comes in 3 weeks. I'm gonna make them party ;)