Lazarus

So, you thought I was joking when I said that the only reason why I didn't post was because I didn't have internet? Enter Fastweb: return of the blog.

When I look at the last entry I posted, it's in some ways amazing how the more things change the more they stay the same. I've fulfilled my cliche quota for the post, thank you.

Still dealing with apartment haps and mishaps, still trying to be eco and failing for the most part (I'm sorry...but bleach smells clean.), still taking useless videos and pictures of things that are probably interesting to me and .2 other people in this universe (the two/tenths of Graham that tune into my inane stories). That's something that's changed quite a bit -- today's our two year anniversary. It's really quite exciting to look across the dinner table and still get giddy. It's been a delicious time so far :)

Rather than try to recap (I've lived in a grand total of 5 apartments since my last post), let's just go from here like we never left, shall we?

I'm experimenting. In my head, carrots will work as a substitute for squash when roasted and cut into sticks. Essentially trying to make carrot oven french fries here. Will report back on the findings.

Just downloaded "Bright Star", seeing as how Italians more or less abhor any film that doesn't have some big-tittied blonde falling for a fat, balding neurotic guy (read: Woody Allen meets Chevy Chase) and probably will never getting around to releasing it in the cinemas here. Opened up the file to see the quality and WHY is it that all period films feel the need to have at least one ginger troll-looking child. You know the type -- hungry-eyed little woodland creature dressed and coiffed like a real-life Raggedy Ann. Hope this film is good, though -- two hours of Keats. At least I won't have to blah-blah-blah about the state of Italian entertainment at the museum anymore. There's only so much you can say, really. See above.

Carrots smell good.

Place spic-and-span; Graham's ma coming in tonight. Meal so far? Culurjones and Falanghina.
HAHA. Love dialect names.

Ah. Screenshot for the ginger hobbit:
Am I right?







Thought so.


Oh yes. Minor side note -- I am the proud holder of a Tessera Sanitaria, folks. I know that this will blow all of your minds, but yes. I have state-run health insurance. My doctor has her office down the block from me for the princely sum of €no-more-taxes-than-you're-paying. We'll see how it goes, but I should be rolling in around naked in my glut of free pharmaceuticals by this time next month. Or something to that vague effect.

We open the box of €14 pandoro tonight (it was on special offer...what do you think we are? Lorenzo de' Medici?)...excitement!!

next... Florence! Watch this space...

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!

List of things:

• I'm leaving for Nice tomorrow, staying until Sunday night, and I don't speak a word of French except for the bad ones. Freya and I plan on living on a diet of baguettes, brie, and vin to keep our spending to a minimum. Also because we have to pay to get into all of the museums. Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Miro'... sono emozionata!
• I have so much work to do it's disgusting. Why am I going away for the weekend?
• Excited for Christmas and food. People need to feed me and love me.
• Tired of Rome, so Nice will be a nice change.

kisses.

Crazy Asians.

I was gathering at the Vatican this morning, and this Asian guys starts filming me. Before I knew it, I'm being swarmed by about 15 other people that wanted to take their picture with me. They all kept taking turns making peace signs and thumbs up, and I'm being pushed every which way to get in between these people so they can all get a picture. All of my friends were just pointing and laughing.

They probably thought I was someone famous.

Either way, by far the most bizarre experience in Piazza San Pietro.

Fat Americans.

Mommy sent me this and I died laughing in the computer lab at school.


After a two year visit to the United States , Michelangelo's 'David' is returning to Italy ...








His Proud Sponsors were:





Not that far off, no?

Impegnata.

After really learning how much work it'll take for me to become a restorer, I've made a new decision as far as my art historical career goes. Giving tours has sparked something in me, just as teaching bellydance lessons did about 3 years ago.

I want to teach! Picture me, in NYC, being a professor at one of the billions of universities and giving tours at the Met. Fabulous, no? I'll buy a vespa as well... a shiny red one with camel-colored seats. Mmmm.

Yes, I come up with new things everyday, but I actually follow through, no? I moved to Italy when everyone thought it was just a pipedream. After dreaming of becoming a tour guide and wearing cute outfits while telling people about Michelangelo, I landed a job. I'm driven when I need to be.

I have plans... graduate in December 2009, stay in Italy until May working, and then find out the cheapest way for me to get to grad school, whether it be in the EU or in the states. Then we'll see about settling down somewhere I can land a job. PhD? Lovely idea. I'll be only 22 when I graduate, so I can be nice and young when I finish my schooling.

I decided all of this within the past hour or so, while sitting through my Restoration class. Nothing can stop me now!

It'll be a boyfriendless two weeks... I'll fill up my time with some nice research about the rest of my life.

Happy! Rome is beautiful, and getting colder, but things are lovely. I wont be playing at the open mic this Thursday, because Rita's daddy and sister are here, so we're having dinner. Excited! Then I might head out to Big Mama's to watch this female jazz guitarist.

Picasso exhibit is starting on the 11th here in Rome, which is another exciting thing for me. Also, I'm going to Nice for 4 days starting the 23rd to visit some Picasso and Magritte museums with my Picasso class. Printmaking is tomorrow, so I get to get my hands all lovely and dirty in black inks and lanoleum shavings. Then there is a weekend of tours and reading to do, while preparing some assignments for classes and sitting in the park. Possibly some guitar in there as well... I promised I would learn 'Landslide'.

Happy October! Miss you Mommy! (and Aunt Maggie... considering that you two are the only ones that read this hehe!)

So here we have it, the link to my first article written for my tour company's website:

http://www.wheninrometours.com/Articles/Rome-News/Top-Gelaterie-for-Gelato-Addicts.html

Extremely corny, but I get paid and that's all that matters.

Summer has officially ended, but my first week of school has been decent, and tonight is the first open mic of the season at the pub we go to. Hooray!

Severly lacking in Technology.

So, my computer is busted, our internet is turned off, and I've been living the life of an Amish bachelor... reading books by candlelight and eating take-out. Haven't really been in the mood for cruisin' lately, so I've been sticking to the area of Esquilino, going to parks and practically eating books everyday.

But I am loving it and soaking it all in. Soon all of my friends will be back in Rome, I'll be starting school and working as well, so this is probably the only time I can sit back and enjoy my whole lot of nothing before the chaos begins.

I don't even miss the internet. I miss the fact that there is no music in my house because I have no means of playing it. WOE! I barely even know what Elvis sounds like anymore (exaggeration).

Things are wonderful otherwise. I plan on taking a much needed trip to Florence before school starts. My poor little Art Historian soul is dying to see David up close for the first time. Now I have the funds to do so, so whether anyone wants to come or not, Florence is my next stop.

Work is delicious. I am thriving, making loads of tips because I can't help but gush about Michelangelo like he is my son or something... I wish everyone could take my tours. People always ask me if I get bored of talking about the same thing everyday, but I truly never do. New people, new questions, new personalities. I love it. Today I had these two women that were so overwhelmed they started to cry in the Vatican Tombs. I got to share in that moment and they thanked me profusely after the tour for my energy and enthusiasm.

Some American gave me a 50 USD tip today... I'm going to H&M when I get back to the states!

I love everything. I wake up early, smiling and singing every morning. Tomorrow I'm meeting my friend Sina for breakfast in front of the Pantheon before work. Che bella vita!

Kisses to all. Come to Rome please!

A real update!

So, a little review on the trip back to the States... America was great and it was the first time since I've been back that I really felt like I wanted to be there. I missed Rome, but for more practical reasons than anything. I loved being surrounded by my family and I felt a new love for America that I haven't felt in a while. It was great to see Ariana graduate and also to hang out with people my age... I had never really had the typical high school experience, so this past time around I got to have a taste of what it was like.

Even so, upon coming back to Rome I was set on loosing the job at the restaurant. The amazing thing is that my next door neighbor Romy (who has also attended AUR) works for a touring company and it turns out that they needed people.

So here I am! I officially finished at the restaurant this past Thursday night and as of today I have given my 3rd tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. My little Art Historian heart is fluttering! I have been able to revel in Michelangelo's masterpieces while also sharing my passion with other people. It is truly the greatest thing that has happened to me since I've been here. And imagine... wherever I do end up, even in NY, I can put on my resume that I gave tours in the Vatican City. I've got it made!

And, my gosh, do I get paid for it! For what I make in one tour in 3 hours I would make in the restaurant after two days of 16 hours. So I am doing much better financially as of late. I couldn't ask for anything more.

All of my friends have pretty much gone home for the summer and Stef and I are looking for a new apartment. Other than that, life is beautiful as always, and I finally have all of my nights off to do what I want with.

Blessed beyond belief!

Quickie.

Tomorrow (or today, counting the time for me) will be the biggest day of my life since I've been in Rome.

Tomorrow I become a full-blown tour guide of the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica. I also finish off my last night at the restaurant. Wish me luck. Pray for me. I'll write details soon!

My Roman Holiday, Part 1

So, with our grand return home coming up within the next ten days (woo hoo!), I know that I will be continually asked the same few questions by everyone: Do you love Rome? Do you want to go back? Do you think you'll end up in Italy? Don't you miss your family? How is your mother dealing with this?

But above all, I always have to explain to people that my life here is probably very different than they assume it is. No, I don't come straight out of the film Roman Holiday. My own version isn't sitting at a cafè across from the Pantheon or eating gelato on the Spanish Steps (it also isn't passing out in front of the Colosseum and having strange men find me and take me home, even if they are Gregory Peck). No, my friends. My life is a little less Hollywood, believe it or not. Allow me to show you through my series of posts that reveal what life in Rome really is... not what some rich study-abroad will tell you.

So Part 1 begins with the excitement coursing through my veins as we speak... EURO 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay... honestly, I've always wanted to move to Italy, right? But the extra and final push I needed was winning the World Cup 2006. It truly was one of the greatest moments of my life because it finalized my decision to get the heck out of Fordham and start a new life in my big beautiful Italian bubble. I also promised myself that I would never miss something this big again, because although it was amazing to watch that moment with my family, literally a half-hour later I was on the road to Pennsylvania to yet another location that couldn't care less about the World Cup or calcio for that matter.

So here I am, in Italy for Euro 2008. Today is the first match for Italy against Holland. I'll be working all night but we always keep the game on. Let's pray for a victorious Italy, because even though I go home for 3 weeks, I'll be in Rome for the final... Italy MUST be in this final. I look forward to doing this:


EDIT: Just realized that I actually wont be in Italy for the final. Which means that I moved here for nothing. At least I'll be with Uncle Steve.

New Life!

Let's start with Graduation. I went to the AUR graduation this year because a lot of my good friends were graduating... specifically my friend Cortney (see above, Cortney, Freya). The graduation ceremony was held not to far from the school itself at Villa Aurelia.

I don't think you understand. This is a large manicured garden with fountains and a huge beautiful villa overlooking the entire city of Rome:



This is the view from the top... first off, look at my amazing colorful city! You don't see this kind of color in New York, that's for sure. I was swooning the whole time. The ceremony itself was incredible and short. At most, 40 kids graduate a year, making the whole experience that much more intimate. It wasn't like that huge anonymous ceremony we had to sit through for Stef's graduation at Fordham. It was quiet. We sang both the Italian and American National Anthem's. I cried during both of them.

Then comes the reception. Okay, maybe I'm not used to the high life, but it definitely felt nice to have a glass of prosecco in a lovely garden while we are all nicely dressed and mingling with teachers and family and friends.

(Freya, me, Alison, Rita)

So now, I cannot wait to graduate. Not only for the party, but because graduating from AUR isn't going to be like my stupid high school graduation, which for me wasn't much of an accomplishment at all. Also, if you plan on coming to visit, plan for May 2009 so that you can enjoy the free prosecco with me!

Okay. More on life. I got sent home from work two days ago because I was feeling nauseous and sick. I realized that most of it was just do to tension headaches I've been getting as a result of working too darn much (I thought the stress would be over after school) but also because I haven't been doing anything productive. Right now I'm sending out my CV and contacting anyone who will listen because I want to start giving tours. This little art-loving fiend wasn't cut out for the restaurant business... I'm really tired of rude Italians and having dirty fingernails all the time. Also, I'm quite sick of the harassment and I think it's best to get out of the situation before I start breaking necks. I love the people I work with, but they seem so miserable. They all work every single day and this has become their career. That may be fine for some people, but I need to be telling the world about the Sistine Chapel and making people appreciate modern art for the first time at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna.

So hopefully by the time I come back to Rome from the states I'll have a new job. One where I get to wear dresses and talk about art. There is nothing that would make me happier.

Okay, that's my life so far! I'm going to go see the Mirò exhibit and then give my friend a haircut before work. Yay!

This little girl has a few things on her mind.

Let's start with the good: I cannot stop listening to Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegretto. I think it is the greatest piece of music I've ever heard in my life and it makes me want to lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling every time I hear it (that's a positive thing, I swear).

Now on to the heavy... for my final project in my Van Gogh to Warhol class, we had to create a mock exhibition with a specific theme. I chose the psychological effects of artists as a result of war and violence. It is titled The Eve of Destruction after the P.F Sloan song, made famous by Barry McGuire. My gosh, the words of the song are enough to kill you. Then you have McGuire's raspy voice pleading with the listener to wake the hell up to what's going on around. Yes, it was written in the 1960s, but are we not still on the eve of destruction?

So actually, I am sitting here, writing my paper and listening to this song, looking at images of Picasso's Guernica and Kirchner's Artillerymen and crying my eyeballs out. I'm laughing as well, because what was supposed to be an easy assignment has turned into this monumental thing. Oh gosh.

I still have 4 more papers to write before this day is up. I have to work at 5. Can she do it?

Probably not, but what the hey.

The taste of freedom!

So here it is. I finished my last final this morning. I still have a few papers to write, but when that is over, so is all of the crap.

I changed my work schedule. I will be working more, but I am working nights only, five to be exact. So I'll be making more money, but I am not a waitress anymore. Get this... I'M A BARISTA! Yes my friends, I am working behind the bar, frothing perfect cappuccini and making beautiful desserts. I'm so happy to not be running around anymore cleaning up after people. And yes, five nights of my week are dedicated to work, but I have Friday and Sunday off completely, and I have all day to go to museums and galleries. I can do everything I want!

And I'll be making enough money to save a little for a couple of trips or to buy a keyboard. I'm thrilled. I have a full list of wonderful things I'll be doing this summer including: learning French, reading at least 30 books, bellydancing/yoga, painting constantly, finding a new Italian boy with a motorino (now accepting applications...)...

There is much more, but my feet hurt to much to go get my list.

Anyway, I'm going to shower and then sleep really hard. It is nearly 3, I just ate my dinner, and I still have to wake up tomorrow and do things. Oh summer, you are so close!