THE BEGINNING OF LENT | FEBRUARY 28, 2006

Lent begins tomorrow. Forty days until Easter. I wonder what Ash Wednesday is like here in Rome, the Catholic Capitol of the world.

I was raised Catholic, and went through baptism and first communion, but I was never confirmed. You could probably call me a CE Catholic - meaning I go to church on Christmas and Easter (if I even go then). When I was growing up, I didn't understand a lot about other religions - other Christians, Judaism, Buddhism, etc... but now that I am older I know a bit more, especially since I have lots of different friends.

Regarding this idea of giving up something for Lent - I wasn't aware that all Christians did it for Lent until now. I didn't even realize that all Christians have Ash Wednesday too. I just thought it was a Catholic thing. Anyway, the idea of giving up something for Lent is supposed to be a daily reminder of the suffering that Jesus went through... I think. But other religions have similar practices, whether it be fasting, or some other sort of daily constraint.

Anyway, I think it is a good idea to practice giving something up, to administer more self-control and teach yourself that you cannot have everything you want. When I was little I would give things up like watching television, drinking soda, and more recently, swearing (ha ha). But now I think I am going to give up something that I have on a daily basis, and have cravings for - sweets! Chocolate, candy, baked goods... anything that is purposefully loaded with sugar, I am going to try to go forty days without. Do you think I can do it? That would mean even no sweets while my family is here, and they have to try gelato!

Or maybe I should go all out and give up snacking as well - no more chips, and other treats loaded with salt... ahhhh!!! Hmm, maybe I am being silly... any other ideas?

LONDON DAY 3 (GOODBYE) | FEBRUARY 27, 2006

Nobody wants to leave London! Well, at least I don't want to leave London. I could stay here for another week in this nice hostel, with the warm comforter. And I barely saw any of the city. Maybe Steven will want to come back here with me someday.

The only nice thing about leaving London is to get back to the euro currency. Generally, the euro to dollar rate is 1:1.22. But I think it all evens out - you still pay about the same as you would in the States. In the England though, the rate for pounds to dollars is about 1:1.80, and you still pay the same amount of pounds... so a 99¢ cheeseburger is .99£, but that is really about $1.80... so you think you are paying the same, but you really aren't! It is confusing, and I think I spent well over $400 on this trip. No more traveling for me...

Today we went to St. Paul's Cathedral, to climb the 530 steps to the top of the dome, and see spectacular views of the city. The sky was a bit cloudy, but the views were great, it really allowed me to get a sense of the layout of London.

         

I think that London is a very contemporary city - I've seen more modern architecture there than I have in all of Europe. They love their glass, steel frame, dynamic buildings. And the planning of the city is also very different; it is not quite set up like Rome - concentric circles, or like Paris - completely axial. A lot of the streets are curved, and the buildings simply follow suite. It is encouraging to be in such a modern city after seeing all these monumental roman buildings.

LONDON DAY 2 | FEBRUARY 26, 2006

I forgot what it is like to sleep on a bunk bed. When I lived at home, I shared a bunk bed with my sister and I slept on the top bunk. The bottom bed was full size and the top was a twin. It worked well. The bed here is a metal frame with two twin beds. They must not be very well put together, because every time the person below me moves, I can feel it. It is like I am a mannequin and someone is controlling how I move in my sleep by moving the bed I am sleeping on. I don't remember that ever happening when I shared a bunk with my sister, but maybe she wasn't such a mobile sleeper. Oh well...

We did more wandering in the city again today - nothing too exciting to report. To me, London does not feel like one of those towns where there are things you have to see - like Rome or Paris. There are plenty of interesting monuments, museums, and buildings, but I just don't know enough about the city to be adamant about seeing any of them in particular.

The best part of the day was when we went to see "STOMP." What a lively show it is. In case you have not heard of it, "STOMP" is the show that is completely percussion and choreography. They do not use drums and instruments, though, they use brooms, zippos, sinks, garbage cans, etc. The show had eight people, who would usually use the same device to make a beat. It was amazing how much variety they could get out of the different things they were using to make sound.

And there was humor involved too. One of the jokes in the show was that one girl was always bringing out the wrong prop and making a fool of herself. Again, I am not describing things too well, but it was an amazing show nonetheless. I definitely recommend it to anyone who can see it!

LONDON DAY 1 | FEBRUARY 25, 2006

Getting into London turned out to be a nine hour, adventurous, affair. It began with a completely packed twenty minute bus ride to Termini Station. Then we rode a metro line to the last stop. The metro was so packed that we had to pull each other in to make sure we all made it; once inside, there was no room to move or breath. Then we got on a bus to the airport... another thirty minute ride. Two hours waiting in the airport, two hour plus flight... fighting for at least a half an hour to get a bus into London, another hour bus ride, then the best part, finding our hostel at 2:30 am in the morning... but alas, we are here!

And the hostel we are staying in is very satisfactory. It is geared towards young people, and the staff is very friendly. We are staying in a 6 person room with bunk beds, but we didn't meet the girls we were staying with until we all woke up this morning for breakfast. It's so cute when you meet new people traveling, and they always ask... what are you studying in Rome? Oh, architecture - that's the perfect city! Everyone says that, no joke! Anyway, the three girls in our room are nice.

Our day didn't really start until towards 11 am, because we were all so tired getting out of bed this morning. The first thing we did was head towards the train station to get some British £. Then we got the idea in our heads that we wanted to buy tickets for the theater, so we took the metro to Leicester Square - the theater center of the town. We bought tickets to see STOMP tomorrow at 3:00! I am excited, I have always wanted to see that show.

London feels so different than Rome - but not in a bad way. It reminds me of New York, but is still different. It is definitely a commercial/tourist city. It seems that every block is lined with things you want to see/do/buy/eat/hear/etc.! There are tons of people everywhere. I don't know how many "suburbs" there are, but way too many to see them all in the three days we will be here. It is just a very, very busy city.

One of the best things is that they have a lot of items I have been craving like books in english and Doritos and Dr. Pepper! Don't worry, I am not going to bring all those things back! I have some self-control. And the food here is awesome - all different venues, and even salads with actual salad dressing!

There is just one little thing that I can't get used to... the cars driving on the left side of the road! Luckily, there are signs at the crosswalks that tell you which way to look so you don't get hit. Even the cars here are interesting, the cabs look like they are from the Dick Tracy movie.

         

After we bought our STOMP tickets we saw St. Martin-in-the-Fields then went to the National Gallery - London's collection of Western European Paintings. I usually get bored looking at paintings, because they have no meaning to me, but this Gallery had Rembrandt, Manet, Monet, Seurat, Pissaro and Van Gogh among others... I especially loved seeing the Impressionists paintings. From far away you can tell what they are, but when you get close you can see the brush strokes and the immense detail.

The neatest exhibit was a temporary photo exhibit by Tom Hunter called "Living in Hell and Other Stories." The photographs that he takes depict scenes or themes of Renaissance paintings. So he studies a painting, then sets up a scene that will look similar to the painting. I am not describing this very well, but the photograph and painting correlation was actually very intriguing. So intriguing, that I bought a book all about it... so maybe I will scan that in later so this description begins to make sense...

We did a bunch of other touristy things afterwards - went to see the Changing of the Guards, the London Eye (world's biggest ferris wheel - £45 to ride - I think not!), Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, blah, blah, blah...

At the end of the day the three of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe with T and Jen, two of the girls from our hostel. I usually don't like going to those places (lame-o) but I had an absolute blast! We got there and had to wait quite a bit to eat so we went to the Hard Rock Cafe Store just next door. Well, it turns out that they have a cellar in the basement where they keep the guitars that have been donated to the cafe from famous musicians! So we got a tour and even got to hold the guitars! I had one of the tour guide people take a picture of the five of us as well.

         

And the food there was just what I needed... a nice fatty chips and dip appetizer, followed by a veggie burger with fries, yum yum! It was fun to talk to T and Jen (ok, scream over the loud music). T is from South Africa and is looking for a job in London, and Jen is from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is on vacation. She is also a fellow vegetarian, so hooray!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!! | FEBRUARY 24, 2006

Oops, I almost forgot to make a Happy Birthday post for my older brother before I leave for London. His birthday is actually tomorrow, the 25th, but I may not be able to post then. So Happy 24th Birthday Nick (it took me awhile to figure out how old you are turning...)!

I wish I could celebrate your birthday with you... I hope you eat lots of cake (carrot cake?) and ice cream and receive nice presents! I will be thinking of you tomorrow!

I am off to London tonight with Jessica and Ashley... let's hope this trip goes well. It is another that I have not planned out, but I am bringing a travel book about London, so I will have plenty of time to read that in the airport. Ciao!

MY PARENTS LOVE ME | FEBRUARY 23, 2006

I am the luckiest girl in the world... and do you know why? Look closely at the image below. It is an image of the contents of a package I received today from my father. Do you see what is in the very front? In those two luxurious pink bottles? PINK BUTTERCREAM FROSTING!!! If I was ever uncertain, I can now be assured that my parents truly do love me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Can anyone guess what I am having for dinner tonight?

Today one of my classmates asked me (as we were walking by TA on our way to class), "So what's it like down there?" I figured he wanted me to tell him how many rooms there are and what each room is used for, but after I told him, I found out that wasn't what meant. He asked, "Is there wireless internet down there or a coffee bar or something?" (At this point I was totally confused). When I told him no (there is wireless but I do not use it), he asked, "So why do you spend three hours down there every night? Do you really like cats that much?"

Umm... is the concept of volunteering time for a cause you believe in really that foreign? He is someone who does not know me very well, and he was not trying to be a jerk, but why is it so strange that I volunteer here? "You volunteer? Oh..." "Well, I would volunteer too, if I had the time." "Why do you spend so much time at that shelter?" "Why do you like cats so much? Why didn't you just become a vet?" And then there is Chris, who always tells me when he sees a cat, or a product about cats or for cats... but I think that is cute.

So I told my classmate that I really love animals and helping them. When he didn't believe that, I told him I did it to get out of my apartment. If he can't understand the logic behind wanting to help out, maybe he can understand the logic of wanting something to do.

The benefits of volunteering are immense! First off, I have met tons wonderful people working there that I would not be meeting otherwise. And they are always willing to help me out or chat with me (trust me, the conversations with these people, who are mostly adults, are the most thought evoking of any I have in Rome). Secondly, I get out of my apartment and involved with something that I could not do back in the States. I could volunteer, yes, but this is such a unique operation, I doubt any are similar back home. Thirdly, it keeps me busy, and clears my mind. Volunteering makes me feel happy, and at ease.

PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ARE ANNOYING | FEBRUARY 22, 2006

People love to complain. Something is always wrong. How could things possibly be satisfactory, ever? That is just absurd!

I have studio course every Wednesday from 10 - 5. Today for some reason, we started off with a discussion of our history class the night before. I had wondered why our studio instructor was sitting in on our history class, but then brushed it off as her interest in the lecture topic (Corretti - strategies for seclusion in churches and palaces).

But it turns out, students have been complaining to her about our history class. Why they have been complaining to her, I have no idea, but she was concerned, so she sat in on class.

So here is what students are complaining about: the professor does not teach in chronological order, the lectures are boring, he doesn't give exact dates and names of buildings (all the time), he runs class over the allotted time... oh my gosh, shut up! They are complaining against something that is different - something that they are not used to... did you really come to Rome to take the same kind of classes you could easily take in Ames? Are your expectations that low?

Yes, I get frustrated when class runs over time - we all have plans, dinner to make, homework to do (in the case of the people complaining - beer to drink)... but isn't it exciting that we have such a knowledgeable, intelligent history professor? Deal with him, talk to him about it if it concerns you that much.

And you want to complain about the lecture topics...? Well, you can't learn the complete history of Rome in one semester! We received a syllabus at the beginning of the semester, that clearly states the lecture topics, why act so surprised?

I think that half of the class is auditing anyway - meaning they can go to class if they want to, but they don't have to do assignments and will not receive any credit - only knowledge. So shut up and do that already. If you can't handle a professor who has a different teaching style, grow up or go away.

And you know who these people are - there is someone like this in every office, and maybe even in every family! Don't be the person who always finds something "bad" to complain about. Be as negative as you want, but don't waste your breath. Complaining only gets you somewhere when it is constructive and to the point (and, oh yes, directed to the correct person).

LOVEY DOVEY FEELINGS | FEBRUARY 21, 2006

Even though my mom's parents do not read my website, maybe someone can relay my thanks to them for a wonderful Valentine's Day package with dark chocolate dove hearts and a squishy toy! Not only is dark chocolate my favorite, but I have been craving american chocolate (it is a bit different here). Thanks! (Oh, yeah, and I really needed a stress reliever toy!)

There is nothing better than the feeling of love. Whether it be for family, a significant other, friends, or even an animal, I don't think there is any other emotion that leaves you more fulfilled and content.

For example, even though I am far away from the people that I love (and let's not forget Data, Obot and the other kitties), I don't feel lonely and miserable. I do miss them, yes (because I know Courtney will freak out if I don't say that), but I think of them daily, and I know I am in their thoughts as well. Even if I can't be with them, I feel happy if I know they are healthy and happy. And I look forward to hearing from them, whether it be on the phone or by email. And I especially look forward to seeing them all again!

Hmm, why do I feel that this post is a week old... belonging to the 14th? Oh well, you feel how you feel... when you feel it? Yikes, my writing skills are going down hill... must be this other paper I am working on that are stealing all my creative juices. I better shut up now before it is too late to redeem myself!

DEGREES OF ADAPTATION | FEBRUARY 20, 2006

There are varying degrees of adaptation. There is the adaptation to simple things, like the bus running late or it starting to rain, all the way to more complex things, like moving to a different country or getting a divorce. I am usually one to adapt very well - except for two things - others changing my schedule and the never-ending overhaul change I am trying to make in my diet.

The problem with changes in my schedule is easy to explain. I am the type of person who plans out what they will do the next day the night before - whether it be an intense day with many classes, or just a day of going to work. I keep a planner and cross things off my list after I have done them. I try to do things in the most logical order, i.e. get all my shopping done at the same time, in the same part of town, etc.

So when all of a sudden, I am informed, by a teacher, that class has been changed to tomorrow night instead of Wednesday, or that we have an assignment due tomorrow that was just assigned, I get a bit flustered, because in my mind, the rest of my night is completely booked and full. I am getting better at this (especially now that I am in Rome) though, so it doesn't bother me as much as it used to. If my teachers completely screw over our schedules, with not a care in the world for what we may already have planned, I just skip their event, or make minor changes in my schedule. There is no point in getting upset about that anymore. I'll just go to bed later and later until I get everything on my list done.

But the thing that I cannot adapt, I cannot seem to change, without help, is my diet! I am not saying go on a diet, because I don't believe in the word being used in that sense. People who go on diets don't stay healthy, because they are only doing something temporarily. People who change their lifestyle stick with it. Ok, so why can't I change my lifestyle? Why do I try and try, everyday, to eat more healthy, but in the end, I always fail? Why do I always end up eating something that is not good for me, or not exercising?

I do not smoke, and I rarely drink, but I am not healthy. I am not at a healthy weight, and I think my heart rate is even bad. And all this makes me be in a not healthy state-of-mind. Once, not so long ago, I was able to make a change in my lifestyle. I ate healthy foods, and even got up early to exercise. I felt great, both mentally and physically. But this only lasted one summer, and I think that is because I had a partner to help me - Steven! Then I went back to school and got fat. And Steven was able to stick with it, and now he looks and feels better than he probably ever did before.

What, what, what is wrong with my self-control? I try baby-steps. I don't try to make it a cold turkey change, one day you are a munching pig, they next day you are not... but it doesn't work. And I have no one to blame but myself, and my messed up mind. I will try, try, try again. Some people just assume you are healthy because you are a vegetarian, well... we can still eat potato chips, fast foods and sweets!

Moderation is the key.

[Sorry this is scatter-brained. I didn't proofread, I am in too much of a hurry!]

MONREALE & MONDELLO | FEBRUARY 19, 2006

Day 2 in Sicily turned out to be much more interesting. We took a bus to Monreale, a city up in the hills, south of Palermo. There was a Norman (I think) church there, with a lot of mosaics and beautifully intricate tile work. The neatest thing about the church though, was climbing stairs up onto the roof of it and getting gorgeous views of its cloister, the sea and mountains, and city of Palermo. I never fail to be amazed by gorgeous landscapes, especially with such variation. I think it is because I don't see much of that in Iowa. Iowa is mostly flat and plain (except near the Mississippi).

         

After that excursion, we set out to Mondello, a town west of Palermo, with a gorgeous white sand beach with clear blue water. We didn't go swimming or anything (it was 60°+F) but we did get to see another dramatic landscape. There were a lot of people out on the beach, even though no one was swimming. I think it was some sort of holiday, because there were carnivals in both Palermo and Mondello, and all the little kids were running around in costumes (similar to what american kids would wear for Halloween). Mondello is a resort town, so I bet the beach is packed during the summer. That is the type of place I would like to go with Steven for our honeymoon, only not with all those people - somewhere sunny, with clear blue water, tropical fish and coral reef...

       

We went back into Palermo at the end of the day to take the train home. We ate at the same dinner we ate at the night before, because it was so cheap - 12" pizza for €4!!! Overall, Palermo was really inexpensive, we only had to pay entrance fees twice (out of about 6 or 7 places) and those fees were only €1-1.50. I would love to go back to Sicily someday to see the Greek ruins and the volcano. I just don't look forward to those long train rides - 12 hours is too much! Luckily, on the way home, we had a new car with nice seats, and we the 6 person car all to ourselves. That doesn't mean you can sleep any better, but it does make it more comfortable.

I feel a bit worn out on traveling, and I am going to London this weekend! Hopefully I rest well before then.

PALERMO, SICILY | FEBRUARY 18, 2006

After a thirteen hour train ride, Nate, Chris and I arrived in Palermo, Sicily. I have never been on a train for that long of a time period before, and it was a bit of an experience. We left Rome at 8:55 pm, in a train car with such a foul smell that I wasn't able to sleep much before our train transfer at 5:30 am. Not that it would have helped that much anyway... when we backed into a boat around 4:00 am (to make the cross between Italy and Sicily) the train was screeching so loud, I can't imagine anyone didn't wake up. Being on the boat/train wasn't bad besides that part though. They just put you in, along with a few other rail lines, and you make the cross and reconnect with the rail lines. The train we transferred to was a whole other story... all I will say is that if you can get a private cab, cherish it!

What is important is that we got to Palermo, safe and sound, a little before 10:00 am. Since we hadn't planned anything to do yet, we stopped at a tourist desk to ask for suggestions. So we made our little rounds back and forth across the city, seeing churches, parks, the market, a castle, and a theater, among the other vernacular architecture. There are many different influences on the architecture here, especially Norman and Moorish, and that provided for a very interesting change from what we are used to seeing in Rome.

Palermo is very different than Rome. There are hardly any tourists, and we rarely had to pay for admittance to anything. The city seems to have retained its "original" character, refusing to become "americanized." The only McDonald's we saw was in the train station, and the only english-speaking people we overheard were some Irish tourists. It is refreshing to feel like we are really exploring a town for what it is - not what is has become due to tourist requirements.

Of course, there are student hostels here, and attractions aimed towards tourists, and even one of those site-seeing buses! But I just don't feel overwhelmed by tourism like I do in Rome. In Rome there is a gelateria on every corner, and some strange man trying to sell you a toy that flies or knock-off designer sunglasses. There is not as much of that here; it is not as intense.

My favorite things that we visited today were the Cathedral and the Zisa Castle, but that is probably because they both had Moorish influence and it reminded me of my trip to Spain with my dad!

         

GESO MADNESS | FEBRUARY 17, 2006

There is nothing like pouring a Geso model to start off your day! We are going all sorts of fun things in studio this semester, making models out of paper, pouring geso molds... all to represent our perception of space! Will we ever get to design something relevant? Normally I do not mind doing these mindless projects, but it is making me feel so ... mindless! I do know that we get to propose a site to work on at our midterm review, but then what? We spend the last month and a half working on designing something? I feel like I am a freshman all over again, doing these little exercises to "expand my mind." Well, it is kind of working...

In other news, I successfully booked entrance to see Michelangelo's David and Da Vinci's The Last Supper (in two different cities) yesterday for my family's trip here in March. And I am currently researching how to tour the Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini factories in Italy (all near one another). I have already been turned down once with the Ferrari factory when asking about tours, but I am going to try, try, try again. It feels good to get these things taken care of, but it is kind of stressful planning this big ($expensive$) trip! I hope that they will be satisfied with all these plans in the end, and appreciate having me as their own little tour guide.

I am off to Sicily tonight, ciao ciao! I will try to update there if I can, but if not, I will on Monday!

MUSTACHE CAT | FEBRUARY 16, 2006

There are a million negative little things I could say today... not because I am having a bad day, but because I am contemplative, and unfortunately, being contemplative involves negative thoughts. At least for me. So to make myself feel better, I am just going to post an Albert Einstein quote and a funny picture of a cat at the shelter.

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
Albert Einstein

Is it just me or does this cat have a mustache?

Ok, I am done with all that now.

I sent a resume to a firm called Architecture Project in Malta today. Trisa, a friend of mine from the Blogosphere, first recommended them to me, then when I was talking to my history instructor, it turns out that one of the Partners is his good friend (today he said, "he's like my brother," it's cute when men say that) from a previous job. So I had Fabio, my instructor, put in a word for me, and off I sent the resume and a little cover letter. We will see how that goes...

I know I am jumping to conclusions, but if I am offered a job, and take it, I will feel like I am abandoning Steven and my family. I know they all want me to do what is best for my career, but I also know they will miss me, as I will miss them. I would love to stay here over the summer, more than anyone can understand... maybe I can get Steven to come out here too!

Today I listened to B96 (via live streaming), the trashy Chicago radio station that Steven and I sometimes listen to. I don't really like all the silly things they talk about, but I was thinking... I haven't heard any new music in a long time! I don't want to go back to the States to have missed some new songs, so I will bear it for that. It is amazing how listening to music can make me feel so at home and connected with the US (this does not apply to the song called, "I'm in love with a stripper").

A BETTER DAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2006

Ta da! I now have the magical Permesso di Soggiorno, in all of its glory. I arrived at the police station at 6:00 am and waited for a number until 7:10 (I was number 7). Then I went back at 9:00 and waited for another two hours... just to have someone highlight a bunch of papers I brought in, ask me my eye/hair color and height, and take my fingerprints. What a big... hassle. That is all the more I will say.

Today Deborah took me to a health food store a bit outside of the Center (of Rome). It is called Natura Sí, and they had all sorts of wonderful organic foods and meat substitutes... I was so excited! I have been having a hard time finding those things in the grocery stores near where I live. Normally I walk by at least one butcher shop a day with some sort of lamb or something hanging in a window, yuck! Ok, at least yuck for me. Not yuck for some people.

Anyway, I bought all sorts of wonderful things, like soy milk, and meatless gyro mix, and whole wheat pasta. Deborah even told me how to make some Italian style vegetarian soup (she is a vegan, as are most people at the shelter, so she gives me all sorts of great recipe ideas), and I can't wait to try it. I am hoping that I will be able to practice my "Italian cooking" then make a feast for my family when they stay in Rome! Ok, a vegetarian feast probably doesn't sound that exciting to them... wait! We will be 60% vegetarian when they come! Steven, Christina and I all do not eat meat. Muah ha ha, we will overpower my mom and dad!

I am just kidding. It doesn't bother me that they eat meat. It doesn't bother me that anyone eats meat. I just don't know how to cook it for anyone who does eat it, and I am not going to be learning how anytime soon...

But the point is, I am excited about what I was able to buy today... and I am very lucky and grateful to have Deborah as a friend.

I am going to Sicily this weekend, the large island directly south of Italy. I am not sure what is there... or what I am going to do while I am there, but I am excited to go to the island and see what it is like. Apparently (a friend told me) that you take the train from Rome to Palermo (a town there) and the train actually drives onto a boat while you go over the sea. Neat, huh? Good thing I am not claustrophobic! Oh, and another fun thing about the trip? I am going with two boys I never really talk to or hang out with... Chris and Nate... so yeah, we'll see how this goes.

PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO = NIGHTMARE | FEBRUARY 14, 2006

I am on a quest! I am on a quest for my... PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO!!! What is it you ask? It isn't a type of pizza. And don't worry, it isn't anything fun or exciting either! It is my residency permit! And lucky, lucky me... I get to wake up at 5:45 every morning to go stand in line at the police station until they let me have mine! Hooray!!!

In case you weren't aware, the Italians are a bit notorious for being... let's say... laid back and relaxed. So when it comes to getting something official done with the police, it become a bit of a process, and half of the process depends on sheer luck. So this Permesso thing is actual my residency permit, and makes it legal for me to live in Italy. Of course, you can visit Italy for up to a month (or whatever the amount of time is) without having one of these, but if you get caught without one, you supposedly get in trouble. And what is worse, if you do not have one, the police will not help you if you get robbed/attacked/raped/whatever. Some girls from Penn State University who live in the same apartment building as me had their computers stolen, but the police apparently would not help them because they didn't have this Permesso thing.

Here is the deal though. They make it a bit difficult to get this thing. You have to have all these documents prepared - some from the US and some from here, with a lot of your passport photos too. Luckily, the school helps us prepare these (and charges us for it of course) but that is where the help stops.

The place that gives you your Permesso is open only on Monday - Friday mornings, except for Thursdays, when it is not open in the mornings, but in the afternoon. And you can't just go there when it opens and wait in line - you have to have a number, like the type of number you get when you are returning something at a store. But getting the number is not that easy either. They say that they start to give out numbers at 7:30, when the office opens at 8:30... but number have been given out earlier than that too. And the really crappy part is that they only serve a certain number of people every day, which is not a fixed number of course, but changes on a daily whim.

Our first attempt - Ashley and I get up at 5:30 am yesterday morning to go stand in line at 6:00. Some of our friends who just got their Permessos went at the same time and had no problems so we figure we will do the same. Well, we get there to stand in line, and a police officer yells at us to come back at 7:30, which is when he says they will start handing out numbers. We kind of know that we should not come back at 7:30 because all the numbers will be taken, so we come back at 7:00, only to find out that there are ten other people there, and guess what? They are only giving out ten numbers today, so sorry. And they are handing them out at 7:10, not 7:30.

We go home defeated, but just decide to get there again at 6:00 today and wait for our numbers. Well, when we get there at 6:00, there are already nine people there, and they inform us (some of our classmates) that the police told them that they are only giving out nine tickets today.

So I get to go home and go back to bed, and even talk to Steven on the phone a bit before I do that... but I am so FRUSTRATED!!! When am I ever going to get this thing?! Of course, I have only tried two days, and I am going to keep on trying, but I can't get up this early every damn day! I go to bed well past 1:00am every night and I am cranky, dammit!

This whole situation reminds me of something that happened at Christmas this year. My brother-in-law, Andrew, really wanted an XBox, so he got up really early with his wife to drive to the store he knew was getting the biggest shipment. When he got there though (well before they opened) he found at that people were camping there in their tents over-night to be first in line.

Is that what I need to do to get this damn thing? Stay in a damn tent over night and freeze my butt off?

It is nice that the school helps us with preparing the documents to take there, but I wish there was some way we could just spend a day getting all these at once so we didn't have to deal with the hassle. From what I have heard, you get your number, then go back at 8:30 to wait in a line for a very long time, and then they just take your papers, get your fingerprints, and you are done.

All I can say is, there is hope for tomorrow.

OH NO, I almost forgot! Today is Data's one year anniversary of our adoption of him! Happy Anniversary Data! And to celebrate I am going to post a picture of Obi-wan, my other cat in Iowa. Hmm, that doesn't seem right. I guess I am just looking for an excuse to post a picture of Obi-wan with the Star Wars toys my dad ordered for me (because Data ate the others).

HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY | FEBRUARY 13, 2006

Look at the gorgeous flowers that Steven sent me for Valentine's Day! I think these are the best he ever gave me... but maybe I just feel that way because he is far away and I miss him so much. Let's hope I don't kill them off right away! I am a bit notorious for killing flowers, but I am going to try really hard with these ones because they are so gorgeous.

I have been having a series of "so-so" days - not doing much, feeling unmotivated, etc. It seems the only concrete thing I do is go to the shelter to volunteer, and sometimes I feel too antsy even to do that. I am not sure what is going on with me. I feel anxious all the time, like I am running from one appointment to the next. Then when I try to relax, I won't let myself do it, I feel like I should be keeping busy instead. Sometimes I go on walks to try to calm myself down/wear myself out, but that doesn't seem to work too well either.

The thing is, I shouldn't be feeling so busy because I haven't been doing any school work. I try to read and I can't concentrate. I try to research and I can't concentrate. I try to work out studio ideas and I can't concentrate. I think I am having a hard time adapting to a "work-space" here. Normally, if I was in my apartment in Ames, I would stay up late working on things in my bedroom... but I can't do that here. I have no private space just for me, for only myself to use and clean and worry about. I miss that. Any ideas?

CURSED BY JAQUA | FEBRUARY 12, 2006

I have been cursed by Jaqua Beauty. For Christmas my sister bought me the most wonderful lotion I have ever used in my life - Pink Buttercream Frosting! It smells just like frosting, so good that they had to put a warning label on it - "WARNING: This product smells good enough to eat, but is not edible." I am the type of person who only uses lotion when they have dry skin, but this lotion is so good I want to wear it all the time. And it doesn't help that my hands are constantly dry anyway!

Of course, being of the female species, I received plenty of other types of lotion this Christmas, but I selected this one to bring with me to Europe. And now that it is almost empty, I am frantically searching the internet for a means to replace it. No such luck. International shipping is non-existent from their website. They have no retailers in Italy, and the closest is in England. There are plenty of types of lotion I can buy here, but this one is so good, I can't imagine not having it to use! Why did Jaqua do this to me?

There are a thousand other things I crave from the States that I cannot buy here: salsa, ramen noodles, boca burgers, soy products, along with non-food items like books in english and cheap school supplies. But I can get by without all that. The lotion though, I am not so sure about...

NO OLYMPICS FOR KIM | FEBRUARY 11, 2006

Sorry to disappoint anyone, but I will not be attending the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. I do not get excited about sports, and do not feel the urge to go to the Olympics simply because they are in the same country as me. I just thought I should post this because some of my family has been asking me about it... I. JUST. DON'T. CARE. And if I were to go, I would prefer to go with someone from my family so I could talk to them when I got bored.

Hope that isn't too negative for you. It is just that everyone is all hyped up about the Olympics starting yesterday, and I am not quite as excited. I think it is cool, but sports are not my thing.

PLANNING AHEAD | FEBRUARY 10, 2006

Hooray! In one month exactly, Steven and my family will be getting on a plane in Chicago to come see me in Rome!

Unfortunately, we have not planned our trip at all or made any reservations (hotels or museums), so I am going to use this post to graphically display a proposed itinerary to Steven and my family. I apologize for your boredom, but sometimes you have to do a little presentation to sell your ideas to the client.

PROPOSED INTINERARY
March 11 Saturday - 11:50 arrival at FCO airport (yeah right, are planes ever on time anymore?) Take train/bus into Roma, eat lunch, get back on train to Florence.
March 12 Sunday - Florence
March 13 Monday - Florence
Churches in Florence - Duomo-climb into Dome, open Monday-Saturday, Santa Croce, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, San Miniato al Monte- but only for its views of the city! Yeah, hope you all like going into churches as much as I do...
Museums in Florence - Academia (see Michelangelo's David), Uffizi (see The Birth of Venus) and Bargello.
Random Places in Florence - Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Pizzalle Michelangelo.
March 14 Tuesday - train to Modena, visit Galleria Ferrari , take train to Milan.
March 15 Wednesday - Milan, take train to Venice.
Things to do in Milan - Duomo - see Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Pinacoteca di Brera Museum (maybe).
March 16 Thursday - Venice
March 17 Friday - Venice, take train to Pompeii.
Things to do in Venice - Gondola rides, of course, and visit St. Mark's... yeah, I really haven't figured out much else about Venice. I heard they only serve seafood though, so good luck to me and Steven finding vegetarian dishes.
March 18 Saturday - Pompeii, visit volcanic ruins.
March 19 Sunday - Positano/Capri, bask in the sun.
March 20 Monday - Rome
March 21 Tuesday - Rome
March 22 Wednesday - Rome
March 23 Thursday - Rome
Churches in Rome - St. Peter's and Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St. Ivo alla Sapienza, Santa Sabina, Santa Maria della Vittoria, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontani, Santa Maria in Trastevere
Museums in Rome - Vatican Museum, Musei Capitolini, EUR Museum, Borghese Museum
Random Places in Rome - Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, the Forums, Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Isola Tiberina, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant' Angelo, Palazzo Cenci, Villa Borghese, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, Baths at Caracalla, Masusoleo di Augusto, Campidoglio
March 24 Friday - Steven and family depart FCO airport at 7:00 (whoa, that is early, I hope I don't cry when they leave!).

Ha ha, I was catching up on blogography.com today (it is extremely difficult to find time to read all the blogs I like here) and I found a funny post about vegetarianism, complete with graphics. Check it out if you care to here. My sister is actually trying out the vegetarian thing now too, so I am happy for her.

I booked tickets and a hostel in London today, for the 24th - 27th of February. My bank account is already running low, so I am not sure how many more trips I can take, but London is a must. I would still love to go to Greece, and back to Madrid.

NO NAPS FOR YOU | FEBRUARY 9, 2006

I love to take naps. I could take a nap anytime, any day, almost anywhere (although I would prefer my bed). Problem - I have not taken a nap since I arrived in Rome. Well, at least a nap in the fashion I prefer. There is too much to do and see everyday, so I just keep going and going until I eventually collapse at night. This is my own fault for filling my schedule the way that I do. And I guess this is all for the better. Steven told me adults aren't supposed to take naps anyway. Ok, I am a hypocrite. After I wrote this I went home and took a much needed two hour nap. I was feeling really run down, with my cold and hectic schedule. Now it is back to work, work work!

I am sure you have all head that new Madonna song "Hung Up" by now... whether you like it or not though, I must say the rest of the CD, "Confessions on a Dance Floor," is awesome. Well, awesome if you are into techno-ish music that you would listen to at a club or something. I think it would be a really good cd to listen to while you are working out, or trying to be in a better mood (which is what I use it for, ha ha). How old is Madonna anyway? Should she still be producing this kind of music? Oh well...

And now to make this my most scatter-brained post yet (it seems that is my general state this week), I have to post another picture of Tambora, the persian cat I posted a picture of yesterday. When he came into the shelter his hair was all knotty because his owners did not brush him, so they had to shave almost all his hair off and put him in a little sweater! He looks so adorable/funny! He is a really nice cat though, and I am looking forward to spending more time with him.

MOST BORING POST EVER | FEBRUARY 8, 2006

Yesterday I forgot to say thank you to: my parents for sending me my first package, my mom's parents and my dad's parents for each sending me a card, and my friend Cristina for her card! I feel so loved!!!

School continues to be uneventful/somewhat pointless. It seems the highlight of my day is going to TA to volunteer and hang out with the people/cats there, which is kind of sad... Hmmm, let me rephrase that. I don't think it is sad, but I am sure some people do!

I have no plans for this weekend. If I stayed in Rome it would be my first weekend doing so. Does anyone have any suggestions on travel destinations? I want to go somewhere close to Rome so it can just be a day trip, but I don't know where... Assisi? Urbino? Lecce? Palermo? Maybe I should just stay in Rome and relax. If I don't have the effort to plan this little excursion, it is not going to be that much fun anyway.

HAPPY TO BE "HOME" | FEBRUARY 7, 2006

After being gone for a whole week - how sweet it is to be home! Although, secretly, it feels strange to call Roma my "home." One of the first things I did today was go visit TA because I hadn't seen any of the cats for so long. I know this is silly, but Cher seemed bigger than before I left! I really missed all the cats and people at TA while I was away. It will be hard to go home this summer and leave the shelter.

It is a bummer to be back in class again, but I am so deriously sick, so I have no idea what we are doing anyway. It seems we are spending a week studying Borromini...? I am not sure, but I hope I feel better soon.

DAY 3 PARIS | FEBRUARY 6, 2006

Our last day in Paris was very mild. We woke up and checked out of our campground when we were supposed to, then took a train outside of Paris to visit the St. Denis Cathedral.

I think that the cathedral at St. Denis is the most impressive cathedral I have ever seen. It is the first cathedral in the world to be done in the gothic style. It feels so imposing when you are inside. I think that is because the point of these humongous cathedrals was to make people feel "the power of God." I think in Medieval times, religion filled people with more fear than feelings of love.

                  

The piers inside of the cathedral are massive, but the stained glass makes it feel absolutely magnificent. There is an upper and lower crypt in the back of the cathedral, and under the nave is a graveyard that you can still peek in to underneath the church. Recently, my dad asked me if we would be seeing any crypts when he comes to visit. We got to see a lot in Spain when we went together, and he would have really liked this one. I think a lot of french kings and queens are buried there.

I would definitely say this made my trip to Paris well worth it.

The rest of the day was lax, we shopped, ate lunch buffet at a Pizza Hut, then went to the airport. Getting home was a bit of a hassle, but overall, I am very pleased with the RyanAir flight.

DAY 2 PARIS | FEBRUARY 5, 2006

I am surprised at how many "beautiful" people I see riding the Paris metro system. They are just polished, well-groomed, beautiful people - men with strong facial lines, women with perfectly flawless hair and makeup... I wonder how they pull it off. I always thought the French had a reputation for being unclean, but I don't see how that is so. And there is some French perfume that I keep smelling on the women here... I have got to figure out what that is before I leave! It smells so delicious!

Last night was my first time seeing the Eiffel Tower and it is absolutely amazing at night! All the joints are lit up and it is like a glowing beacon in the sky. Seeing it during the day is cool too... but riding the elevator all the way to the top is SCARY!!! We did it late in the afternoon today, right before the sunset. It was fun to go all the way up and see all of Paris, but it was also foggy and freezing, so it was not as great as it could have been. To go up the tour you get into this double story red elevator. They pack you in there with people because so many are trying to get to the top, so if you are claustrophobic, it is probably not the thing for you. You get off of that elevator at the second pier because it does not go all the way to the top. Then you get into a little tube elevator that is smaller but still jammed with people - and the whole time you can see out around you because it is a glass elevator just suspended in the tower. Like I said, a bit scary, but someone like my dad would get a major hoot out of it.

                  

We did other touristy things today - the Louvre, Grande Arche at La Défense, the Arc de Triomphe and the Moulin Rouge. We even went to see a movie, "Pride and Prejudice," at a French theater, but it was v.o. (version originale), meaning in english with french subtitles. It was actually an enjoyable movie, makes me want to read the book!

Going to the Louvre was amazing. There is so much to see there, I do not understand how a person could ever see it all in one day! We got free entry, so it was a bit crowded, but we got to see the things we wanted to see - Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Vénus de Milo, and my personal favorite, Psyche and Cupid. We explored the Greek and Egyptian galleries the most, and I think seeing the statues there is the most interesting. I appreciate paintings, but statues grab my attention more.

After the Louvre we went to see the Grande Arche. Not much to do there because it is out in a business park, but neat to see nonetheless. And to anyone who lives in/near Chicago or has ever been there - does that orange thing look a bit familiar?

                  

         

I had read that views from the top of The Arc de Triomphe were great so we went there to see how much it would cost to go up and... lucky us, it was free! And the views were amazing, but like I said, foggy and freezing. Twelve different roads end at the Arc de Triomphe, so the round-about of traffic is crazy there. I can't imagine driving a car in Europe at all (except maybe in Germany, where there is no speed limit on the highway!).

We were both worn out after taking at least 300 stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, so that is when we went to the theater. After the movie we went up the Eiffel Tower, the hopped on the subway to see the Moulin Rouge at night. Right now it is more of a naughty dance theater, so we didn't go inside, but I still wanted to see it. We ate at a pub across the street. There are hardly any vegetarian dishes here in Paris... but I manage with soup, bread, crepes and frites (french fries, ha ha).

We still have one more day here before we get on our next RyanAir flight back to Rome (we leave late Monday night). There was a cool Star Wars exhibition I saw on a poster in the subway, but it is closed on Mondays... I guess it will be neat to explore the city aimlessly!

From my observations, it seems that everyone gets to be sick at least once while they are in Europe, and now it is my turn. I started developing a bad cough while I was in Verona, and it turned worse in France. I barely slept the second night here, so I went to French pharmacy to buy some drugs. Now I am taking a pill called Rhumagrip and a spray (for my nose) called Humex. The pharmacist who helped me was really nice and spoke good english, and I feel better today! At least I was able to sleep through the night. There is nothing worse than being away from home and being sick. Okay, maybe being away from home, being on vacation, and being sick...

Oops, one last note. Here is a picture of my nephew with the birthday present I sent my older brother from Rome - a customizable Herbie remote control car.

DAY 1 PARIS | FEBRUARY 4, 2006

Our first day in Paris was cold and windy... but not rainy or freezing, so it was perfectly bearable. The first place we visited was Sainte-Chapelle, and I have never seen such a amazing chapel in my entire life. It feels like the entire upper chapel is made of stained glass, and it feels like the ceiling is simply floating above you.

                  

After Sainte-Chapelle, we visited Notre-Dame, then ate lunch nearby. Then we went to see the Panthéon and the Jardin du Luxembourg (which had a really neat photography exhibit on the exterior). We also went by the Lourve to see what time it opens tomorrow, did a bit of shopping, and tried to figure out how to get into the Pompidou Centre. We did a lot for our first day and I think both of us our very tired - but how excited and lucky we are to go back to our beloved Campground Richard! I think we are going to try to go to the Eiffel tower tonight to eat dinner near there and see it at night.

         

I like being here, but let me say, J'adore ROMA!!!

Also, I am still having website issues. Sorry, and I hope I can fix them when I get back to Roma.

CIAO VERONA, BONJOUR PARIS | FEBRUARY 3, 2006

Today turned out to be a much better day than yesterday. Our class only spent the morning in Verona. We visited Castelvecchio, an old fort in Verona that has been remodeled into an art gallery. The gothic paintings and sculptures were not that interesting to me, but exploring the top of the fort provided some neat views of the river in Verona.

                  

After we were done there, we were free free free for the weekend! Even though Ashley and I were going to get back on the bus at 2:00 to get a lift to the Verona train station, we had a bit of time to walk around Verona - including a stop at Casa di Giulietta - the supposed house of the Giulietta family from the Romeo and Juliet feud. Even though the play is fictitious, there did exist Giulietta and Capuleta families in Verona. The center of Verona is actually very nice - there is a main piazza with a big theater that mimics the Colosseum. A lot of the streets spurt out from this center, or at least around it, and they have white stone sidewalks. The effect of the sidewalks is really neat, especially at night, because it makes the whole town light up.

We left Verona on a train at 2:43 to go to Treviso, a town north of Venice. We bought our plane tickets really cheap (€25) from a company called RyanAir, and they fly you out of the most obscure airports in the middle of no where. So getting to the airport becomes a bit of a challenge... but after we got to the train station in Treviso I was able to use my poor Italian to ask which bus goes to the airport.

We got to the airport quite a bit early - 3 hours early in fact, and the airport only had two terminals - I think it was actually smaller than the shed my parents use for their cars back in Iowa. Ashley and I messed up a few times - getting our tickets, going through security, etc.... but in the end we got our tickets and made it through security. Because the airline is so small and there are only a few flights, we hardly ever had to wait, and security was at a minimum. The only weird part was that we had no assigned seats on the plane, and there is no indoor walkway to it - you just walk up to it and go up a stair to get to it. I think it actually works quite well though, everyone gets on the plane and sits wherever they want and there is not as much fuss or time wasted.

Ashley and I were a bit worried about making it to Paris alive - if you had heard the same RyanAir stories as us you would be too. But we made it alive! We stopped worrying as much when we say adults taking young children on to the flight, and saw that the seats on the plane were actually attached to the plane.

So I sat on the plane next to an older French man named Charles and his Columbian wife Ruby. He saw that I was trying to learn French phrases out of a book and he offered me some help. We got to talking and I asked him how to get to Paris from the airport (about 60 miles outside of Paris - convenient huh?). He started talking to me about the tube, and I thought he meant I could take the subway into Paris, but then I realized he was offering me a ride in his car. So... of course I normally wouldn't say yes... but Ashley and I thought it seemed ok, especially since there were two of us, so we accepted. And he drove us into Paris in his Renault, going 110 km ph, listening to Bob Marley on a French radio station. He took us right to the metro line we needed to take to our hotel. We offered him and his wife some money, but they backed up and said no. I have no idea how we got so lucky to get a ride from this nice couple, but it was really neat.

And our hotel is an entirely different story. Ashley and I are now calling it "Campground Richard" instead of its real name, "Hotel Richard," because when we booked the rooms we had an option to choose "hotel" or "campground" and we now think that a campground may have been a better idea. It took us a while to find it when we got off our metro stop... and when we did, we punched in the code to get in and were immediately barked at by a scary french woman with a saggy face and protruding teeth. She literally barked. She spoke no english and kept yelling at us in french. We managed to check in and pay for our sheet and towel rental, and then she took us up five flights of stairs (that are falling apart), all the while pointing at signs in english about check out times, shower times, and the 11 pm quiet time. Needless to say... this hostel is not the best I have stayed in (oh, how I miss the majestic hostel I stayed at in Granada, Spain)... the one word I can use to describe it is scary. Ashley and I are making the best of it though, we were prepared for the worst!

PALLADIAN DAY | FEBRUARY 2, 2006

I will spare you from the boring details of my day and stick to a simple synopsis. I spent the entire day looking at architecture done by Andrea Palladio in the 16th century. I got on the bus for Vicenza in the morning. I saw a neat theater in Vicenza and a bunch of other things. Then we saw Villa Rotonda, probably the highlight of the day, and only building I recognized. Then we saw another villa.

I feel like this is some boring diary entry, but I really wasn't that interested in the things we did or saw today. I suppose it is because I loathe spending time on a bus going from one destination to the next, feeling like I have no control over what I am spending my time doing.

BRION CIMITERO | FEBRUARY 1, 2006

I do not know when I will be able to post this update. I am in Verona, Italy, in a hotel with supposed wireless internet... but when I asked the desk clerk for the Network Key to connect, he refused to give it to me, "You have your mobile computer here... you just plug that into the phone line and dial your number.." Anyway...

I got on a bus very early this morning for Verona. Verona is in the northeastern region of Italy... perhaps in an area called Veneto? At this point in time I am uncertain about where exactly it is, due to my lack of internet access and useful guide books. Either way, I think it is about 400 miles from Rome and maybe only 45 or so from Venice (these are just guesses). I am surprised that we went by bus because it took all day to get here, but maybe that was just the least expensive/most convenient way.

We stopped in a little town called San Vito d'Altivole to look at the Brion Cimitero (cemetery) by Carlo Scarpa. Carlo Scarpa was an architect contemporary with Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, etc. Again... I do not know much about him except what my classmates told me at the cemetery site (we all had to prepare little presentations of the buildings we are going to see) and that was not much. All I do know is that he was commissioned to design this cemetery by the Brion family in 1969.

The cemetery was very graceful and serene. It covers quite a bit of land, and is fragmented into different elements - a chapel, a meditation pavilion, the Brion tombs, and then other tombs. Stone paths and water paths act as dividers between the different segments. There is also beautiful attention paid to the detail in the concrete and metal work here, which makes the cemetery feel more "other-wordly," at least in my opinion.

                  

And the setting for the cemetery couldn't be more perfect - is is surrounded my simple fields and the Alps. You walk (or drive) down a narrow path sided by tall fur trees to get to it.