End of an Era...

I have come to the devastating realization that I need to write my last post. I have been putting it off for a while now, pretending I was too busy to actually sit down and write. I dropped my parents off at the airport for their adventure in Rome last week and I thought this would be the perfect time to wrap up my blog. Ouch. 


This post is the last chapter to my little Italian novel. I couldn't have asked for a greater adventure. I wouldn't give my summer back for anything in the world. Well, maybe for an internship/job with a distinguished Italian designer after graduation? That would be pretty nice... I will be returning one day, though. You can count on it. La La in Italia Due, so stayed tuned 'followers' :).


In the meantime, I have just created a style blog at www.sparklesandstripes.com. I got the name from my two favorite clothing/accessory pieces, sparkles (sequins) and stripes. You can never go wrong with either one and together they make the perfect combo. I hope you switch gears and follow me there now. 


Well, I hope you have enjoyed living my summer with me because I really enjoyed sitting down and writing it all out for you. Here's to the end of an era...Grazie e Arriverdci. 

Bella, Bella, Bella!

This was a common phrase used by the Italian men when referring to American girls. I must say that API had a pretty good looking group this summer - both sessions. Here are some random photos that I never posted of mi amici. Enjoy :)

 

the whole second session 

Buonasera Roma.

Hello everyone!

Here are some photos from my last night in Rome! It was such a great night. The day was a little odd. We (Julie, Kristen and I) had planned on going to Tivoli for a little morning adventure. Tivoli is only about a 40 minute train ride from Rome so were were planning to go and then come back and pack. However, our adventure did not transpire - not really too shocking though, but it was quite the let down. I had been wanting to go to Tivoli for a long time but sometimes things just don't work out. After feeling a little defeated, we decided to power through the "customer service" line to get a refund. We ended up some striking up some conversations and experiencing our last encounter with a wonderful smelling old man. Sadly, I miss complaining about those guys, but I'm kind of thinking that is a little pathetic?...Oh, well. The good news is that we actually managed to receive a refund. It was quite a shock to all of us considering things never worked out so easily - a little bittersweet moment.

After Termini we all went back to our different apartments and packed up our Roman life. It pretty much took the whole day. Julie was a great friend and helped me roll all my stuff over to her apartment which was a few blocks away. It was a great workout especially with the gypsy suitcase that broke halfway there. I may be a little embarrassed that I had to buy a second big suitcase to pack all my 'made in Italy' things... but truth be told it was all worth it. Here are a couple pictures of my room from the second session. I don't know why I never showed them off before because this apartment was very nice. The orange was a little much...Julie and Kristen loved all the orange I can assure you. 

Last stop - Spanish Steps/Via Del Corso/The Wedding Cake/Colosseo at night. After packing a few of us (the ones still around) went to the Spanish Steps for dinner. It wasn't the best meal I had in Italy but I enjoyed the company as always. After dinner we stopped on Via Del Corso to get our last taste of gelato...  

Ciao, ruins.

Ciao, Colosseo.

Ciao, Giulio Cesare. 

That was a really sad night. I can't believe it's all over. I can't believe I can't walk around all day long after class and read in front of the Colosseo. I lived a fairy tale this summer.