Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi...

My gosh, I haven't been this happy in a while. Complete and utter bliss.

Just finished a full weekend of working, just cleaned the house, and now Chris (boyfriend) is coming over and some of Steffi's friends, and we are making a lovely dinner of rabbit, mushrooms, pasta and whatever else we have in the house. Then some spumante and fresh strawberries. MMMMMM!

But I fell in love again with Rome, and with God. I didn't get to go to church today because of work, but Steffi and I read the bible out loud together and discussed the book of Matthew. Did you know that in the oldest versions of the bible the book of Matthew stops at 28:8? The verse says:

28:8 - And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring the disciples word.

I actually kind of like that it originally ended there, with this mysterious supernatural resurrection. Also, if you can, listen to Keith Green's 'Easter Song'. Amazingly composed and the words are stunning.

The heavens opened up today and it rained and hailed in such a beautiful way. I met beautiful people at work today, and some of my clients from last week returned to say hi. This couple that was here last week prayed before their meal. It made me cry a little, because I had been so emotional after the death of a friend's mother, and it was comforting to see people praying. Made me think of home.

What a beautiful life this is, no? And best of all, I get to sleep until forever tomorrow morning for the first time in months. NO WORK NO SCHOOL! Genius!

I love you all. I hope everyone has a beautiful easter, enjoys your meals and your family and friends.

Mommy, call me! :)

The angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hour

Only Rome could make me this dramatic...

Somewhere in these ancient walls I fell
peacefully tumbling
down
and
down
giving myself up completely to be
thrown into the whirlwind
of loud faces and even louder truths.
Here I am
your willing slave
ready to crawl across filthy floors
and sleep in your sun.
The streets vibrate with each step I take
humming a tune that I've heard
somewhere in my dreams.
I hold on so tightly
careful not to let one single drop
slide through my fingers,
prepared to drink and bathe and soak
in this dirty water.
I'm ready for you to grab me again
and squeeze me so hard I just might
be crushed, but even with my last breath I'd say
'Bury me within these walls.'

Monumental News!

So, my friends. Tomorrow I become and adult.

Tomorrow Stef and I pay rent, in full, without any help from anyone, without borrowing any money, without stress and crying. We've worked hard, and we will pay our rent completely on our own this month for the first time. Holy crap, we are growing up.

Isn't it wonderful how God takes care of us?

Mmm... I can smell spring!

After quite a few days of rain, greyness and chilly winds, Rome is starting to warm up. I'm preparing for at least three days of warm sunny goodness to save me from the grasp of winter.

And spring in Rome! What a brilliant time to be here... people shedding their winter coats (everyone but the Italians... they never seem to get the spring memo), parks being filled with families and little kids playing football. Then there are the street performers. Last year we got some acrobats from Cirque de Soleil doing odd contortions and balancing acts in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. I wonder what it will be like in San Giovanni! Probably more MtV crap. Oh well.

I'm most excited for the nights to get warmer... I can't wait to be able to walk around at night trying to feign a smile while half freezing to death. No, it isn't really *that* cold, but Italy has made me a whimp, what can I say. Anyway, spring is the season of new beginnings and love. Oh what a joy to love and live in the spring in Rome!

I know work is going to pick up too, and now I'm wondering if I get to wear pretty dresses instead of stupid black pants. BORING!

Good thing/bad thing: Just broke a guitar string. Sucks major because I really wanted to play. But now I get to go into the guitar shop right near piazza San Cosimato and buy some strings and make friends with the guys that work there!

Also, with the warmth comes the opportunity to make a couple extra bucks by singing in the piazza with my friends and my guitar. Even if we only make enough to buy a bottle of wine, no worries. Good times had by all! OOOOO SPRING, COME TO ME BABY!

Oh what a life.

My gosh, I just can't seem to get back into a rhythm. I'm trying hard to juggle everything, but this weekend I have too many things to catch up on... late papers to write, gotta go to work from 10-6 everyday, gotta see il ragazzo, must study for midterm on Monday, and I have a fabulous presentation as well that I haven't even thought about starting. AHHHHH!

The brilliant thing is that I am starting to train my wrist to play bar chords on the guitar. After about 8 years of playing in one position, I'm ready for the workout and the new callouses. I don't care if rough hands aren't considered sexy on a woman... I'm all about my guitar callouses. Point is, after playing for about a half hour, my wrist is killing me. Maybe mommy can teach me some good wrist exercises for increased strength. Hoorah!

Tomorrow night, I go out, but the rest of the weekend I'll be inside after work, getting my life in order. I've been having a meltdown lately because I hate all of my clothes and feel like I cannot truly be myself in cold weather. Next winter I'll move to Lampedusa and eat fish all day. Mmm.

I'm feeling a great affinity towards Elvis these days. My Elvis-sense is tingling. I will now shower, put some curlers in my hair, and fall asleep to It Happened at the World's Fair.

Non posso parlare inglese di più!

My list of nicknames at work is growing... 'La Piccola', 'Kennedy', 'Onassis', 'Biancaneve'...

But everything is wonderful. Even though I haven't been sleeping much lately, today was great at work... I got to take an order from a group of young Americans and use the special digital thingy! And I did everything right! And I was able to joke around with my co-workers today, all in Italian. I CAN JOKE IN ITALIAN! YAY!

Everything is as it should be... work, love life... well that's it actually. School is still a casino because I need to catch up on all of my work. That's what tonite is for though.

I miss everyone.