Studying abroad?

I don't really think studying abroad is the best term to describe what we are doing over here. Of course we are taking classes and "studying" but it is really so much more than that. I'm obsessed with my daily routine. Thankfully, I convinced bestie Chelsey to drop her second class and only take 3 hours this session - I'm always a great influence when it comes to the schooling. 

We are living the greatest life. We wake up then go to class, get out around 12:45, eat lunch, get some gelato, and explore all day long. Pretty much everyone else is taking 6 hours and has class spread out all day long and they have no time to explore. Chels and I get to wander around this amazing city and everyday we just stumble upon beauty. I have never walked so much in my life. I've never loved walking so much. I am just in love with the fact that I am living in Rome, Italy. It still feels so surreal every morning I wake up. I am truly blessed to be living my dream (like to give a shout out to the Luns and Marmie, love you and thank you). 

Monday was a hard day of class. The only complaint I have about our class is that she speaks Italian the whole time. I don't know any Italian (even after a week of class) and it is very hard to understand her 99% of the time. I guess it is the best way to learn a language and hopefully it will pay off in the end. I wish I was taking Italian 102 next session instead of stupid Shakespeare. I mean don't get me wrong I love me some Shakespeare but I'd rather not take a Literature course while in Italy. Buzz kill if you ask me. Plus, I love Shakespeare movies more than the actual written plays :). 

We had our first exam on Tuesday. It was not as bad as I had anticipated. The "listening" portion was the worst part. She would say a word out loud and we had to write it down. Sounds relatively easy but nope, it was ridiculous. She said a word and the whole class just looked at her with a blank stare and she just laughed at us. After class, Chels and I decided it would be a great day to hang out by the Colosseum. We are thinking about making it a weekly routine. It was one of those perfect days - not even the highschool Italian boys reading my journal over my shoulder and mocking me could ruin it. We grabbed a couple of drinks (apple juice, of course) and started writing. I have been wanting to keep a journal but it is harder than blogging. Finding the time to write, explore, and enjoy the city is very difficult and almost not even worth it most days. I'd rather just enjoy myself than try to document every single moment (wise advice from Chels' dad). Here are a couple of pictures from Colosseum Tuesday:

Came across Circo Massimo on the walk to the Colosseum. 

See, just apple juice :)

And this is the picture that brought me to Rome. 

Tuesday night we went out to dinner in Campo dei Fiori. As we were walking there, I finally found the most adorable stackable rings at one of the street vendors tables. I was excited because I did my first bargaining but of course I was still ripped off because I woke up with a green finger. You live, you learn. 

After dinner we went out a few people to the Irish pub Scholar's and I almost karaoke-d. I have never done that (with the exception of the two hour TSwift session Stephers and I did on her birthday ha!). Sadly, there was too long of a line and "we" were getting a little tired. I really wanted to sing 'Friends in Low Places' by Garth Brooks but of course they don't know Garth Brooks over here so then we switched to *NSYNC. I really want to actually do it before I leave. When in Rome... Here are a few pictures of that night:

 Before "dinner" (Chels and I started cooking at home so we can afford to shop)

 Not all mine. 

 Me, Malissa, Chels, Caroline, Alycia

Wednesday was great. Chelsey and I woke up a little late but made it to the bus stop on time but the bus didn't. Our class starts at 11:00 and our bus finally made it there at 11:10, so we got to school at 11:30. The whole way there we were contemplating just taking the day off . We didn't know what the culture is like here about being late so we were worried about walking in thirty minutes late. Thankfully, class was cancelled! It was a little annoying because we were stressing out so much but awesome! We now have a 5 day weekend. Classes were cancelled today (Thursday, June 2) for a national holiday and there are no classes on Friday's. So, with no class we went on a hunt for some iced coffee. We definitely hit the jack pot. These two photos pretty much explain the difference in the cultures.

 This is the dumb italian sized iced coffee I got for 1.10 euro at the cafe next to the bus stop. Are you kidding me?

And here is the greatness we found at a cafe next to our school. Americanized (or americano) iced coffee with chocolate and normal sized cups and only 1.50 euro with JCU card! Just when I start to feel defeated something like this comes along :)

After Chelsey and I found our new coffee spot we went exploring like usual. I actually found my favorite pizza EVER! It was basically sausage pizza (sausage link pieces not normal pizza sausage). It was so great. I was disappointed because for some reason I am not in love with the food over here. I want to be in love with the food and I was just talking about how I'm really needing that one meal that does it for me - and of course I found it the next day :). I was so happy. It is just the little things like that that can really make your day. 

While exploring, we ran into all the great shopping areas. We don't have a Zara anywhere near us in the states and boy are we glad we don't. It was the cutest store I have ever been into. I loved pretty much everything except for the prices. It is pretty weird though because Chelsey and I have almost the same exact taste. I would pick up something and she would have already awed over it and vice versa. It was pretty funny. The clothes were just so simple, yet so chic. I should NOT go back but I already did :(. I needed to get a new cardigan because I came here with only one. What was I thinking though only brining one cardigan? I was under the impression that it was going to be extremely hot everyday but Rome has bi-polar weather. I can barely breathe at night it's so hot (in our non-air conditioned apartment) but it can get pretty chilly outside randomly. Speaking of our non-air conditioned apartment, it's a little irritating because it feels nice with the windows open but we wake up with bug bites all over ourselves.

Love you and miss you all!