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!