Wings winning the cup, Pompeii for the weekend, Bloom, SCHOOL WORK!!!

Sorry I have not written in awhile, but classes have really been piling on the presentations and midterms!

Well last Monday after the military parade we all went out to this Pub called Scholars to watch the Wings play. It was alot of fun because of course the pub was full of Americans, and they played classic bar songs. (Come on Eileen, Journey, Sweet Caroline, etc.) A friend of ours payed the bar $250 to keep the bar open until the game was oer, needless to say we stayed until 6AM. Inside we were not really sure of the time, but when we left it was sunnyshine out and everything. Oh the things we will do to watch our team win the cup in Roma. Of course we all stayed in on Tuesday night . Wednesday night we headed back to scholars, only this time we got to watch the Wings WIN THE CUP .. in ROMA!!! It was really cool to see, except there was some pretty angry Pens Fans that harassed the whole night!

Thursday was pretty low key because we were all still tired from Wednesday and Monday. But Friday morning we left for Pompeii, an anceint ruin city. The first thing we did when we got there was CLIMB the VOLCANO, Mt.Vesuvius (for those of you who watch Greek, this is the REAL Mt.Vesuius). But of course the weather had to be crappy, and it rained the whole way up, of course though the second we got back to the bus the sun was breaking through the clouds. After that we headed to the hotel to relax and get ready for dinner in the hotel dinning hall. YUMM!!! is all I have to describe our dinners in the hotel! That night we all just made friends with the really old bartenders. In Italy when you start a job you have basically a contract for life, they dont believe in switching jobs. Both of the bartenders were really nice and named, Raphael. Saturday we headed for the ruins in the city of Pompeii. But of course once again it was pouring, and I mean pouring. So we all wore ponchos, and had umbrellas. Our tour guide was awesome, and really funny and knew how to get on our level with the humor. FINALLY THE SUN CAME THROUGH AND WE HAD SUNSHINE!!! We got to see the rest of the ruins in nice weather, then just walked around and had some pizza while we waited for the bus. That night after a delicious dinner some of us headed to the beach, others stayed with our new friends at the bar, and some headed to bed early. Sunday morning after breakfast we finally had nice weather and we all headed to the beach! There we were in the water, laying out, and playing football with our leader Tom. It was one of the best times so far. I lovveee being at the beach and getting tan. (DAD DONT YOU WORRY I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU AND I PUT ON MY SUNSCREEN, ON MY FACE AND SHOULDERS)

Monday was pretty tired, but we had a week full of homework, and presentations. Monday night though we did make it to the closing night for this club, Bloom. It was alot of fun, just 5 of us roommates went and danced the whole time. It was alot of fun, we know the promotions guys so we were pretty VIP haha and got to walk right in. It was a good night!

We have seminars all week, one on Life After MSU (about resumes, interiews, internships, public speaking), one on creatiity (havent had it yet), and one on the Advertising Industry (haent had it yet). Also I had my group presentation in my PR class. It went really well, and our Professor LOVED ours! We had to pretend we were a celebrity's PR team and what we would do about thier scandals. We chose Miley Cyrus (I thought of you Ollie, miss you and love you. Of course you too Chelsea!). Also I have a Fact Sheet on Greece due today for my international Adertising class, a midterm today in that class, anddd a midterm tomorrow in my PR class. But tomorrow, Friday, is my roommate Alyssa's Birthday so we are having another apartment over for dinner, and then all going out for the Colosseum Pub Crawl, because she is obsessed with the Colosseum.

Saturday morning we will board our bus for the TEN HOUR ride to NICE, FRANCE.

Till then ... when in Roma.

seeing the sunrise, hearing an italian women rip one, walking through the entire italian military

**Sidenote: my spelling is really bad because I type really fast and I have a European keyboard here folks, this crap ain't as easy as you think.

So much has happened since Friday ...

We had that group dinner Friday night as this little Italian place about a block from the Tiber River, where we had the giggles the entire time for some reason. It was one of those nights where no matter what anyone said or did we would laugh for 10-15 minutes after. We unfortunately did not get to see Sex and the City, it was sold out :( I was soooo mad, I mean how could an English speaking version of it sell out in a country that speaks ITALIAN!?!?!? So instead we walked down to the Trevi fountain where we all through 3 coins in. One for your return to Italy, one so you will fall in love while you are here, and one so that you will marry the one you fell in love with. It tradition I guess. I posted some pictures of it too!

After the Trevi my roommates and I headed to this club called Gilda, where we met some John Cabbot (the other school that kids from State go to in Rome) and hung out with them and danced there. This club or "disco techa" in Italian, was amazing, they played American music which was wierd, they had professional dancers, and even a drag queen [I thought of you Cioci Kim, this guy was sweet looking, but I couldn't ever get a good shot of him with my camera, sorry:( ] Leaving the club, it was really difficult to find a taxi, needless to say we got to see the sunrise in Roma. Our program leader Becky says you have to stay up one whole night and see the sun rise at least once while we where here. It was sooo gorgeous to see, and it followed such an amazing night.

Saturday...

We had out walking tour of this museum in Rome, where we got to see lots and lots and lots of ruins, and statues. Some were very cool, and its amazing to think how much history can be in one place. I really enjoyed the huge foot of the statue that was 7 times as big as the head. (I posted the pictures) Also there is a picture of Rome's famous "She-Wolf". After the museum we booked it to the movie and I finally got to see Sex and the City in Rome, how many times can you say that you did that in a lifetime? After the movie I came home and got ready to go out with everyone, and once again we went down to Trestevere.

Sunday...

Sunday we got to go to the Colosseum, and the forum. The Forum was really cool, because it was full of old ruins from temples, and churches and basillicas, and arches. It was really wierd to think that hundreds and thousands of years ago those people were here building them. The Colosseum was so sweet, loved it. Trivia: Jumper was the first movie in 50 years to be allowed to film inside the Colosseum, not even Gladiator was allowed to film inside. I posted some photos of that too. After our tour Allison, Alyssa and I went shopping!!!! I got a really cute white pencil skirt, a blouse, and a sundress. While we were walking down the street this Italian women completely ripped the loudest, juciest fart that I have ever heard. The best is she just kept walking not even fazing her, I think it was more uncomfortable for us and the couple walking next to us. HaHaHa!! After shopping the three us cooked some pasta and stayed in for the night.

Monday ...

I LOVE THE ITALIAN MILITARY!!!

Monday is an Italian national holiday, so everything is closed and no class for us. We all went down to the parade and watch the military men walk. Oh was I in heaven. After the parade, this girl Mackenzie and I basically stalked down the Navy boys we met. We followed the whole parade of gorgeous Italian men down the street to where they were boarding buses. I mean there were families saying goodbye and then there was me and Mackenzie just in awe of these gorgeous men. We finally found the bus with our boys on it, and said Ciao! The other people that were with us finally caught up and we all stood on the side waving and screaming ciao! The buses were honking and it probably was one of my favorite times here so far.
Tonight, we are all going to our friend's apartment, and going out to "the steps".

When in Rome ...

When In Rome . . .

Here are some photoes from the walking tour. I will get post more soon.


Wednesday was if I could describe it in one word, rediculous. We all definately paint the town that night.

Hours before ...
That morning we had our first group meeting, and basically it was us just talking about the last few nights out and everything that happened. I had my presentation on the Colosseum, and it went pretty good. The best part of it was when Beth and I played Elton John doing ''Bennie and the Jets'' at his concert outside of the Colosseum.



For lunch we at Archi Bar, and then had my first International Advertising class, which was really hard to concentrate in, and we were all head bobbing and falling asleep. Too long of a day for all of us to concentrate.

Finally the night life. We are just made salads and sandwhiches for dinner. Before finishing 3 bottles of wine and getting ready to head out to Trestevere ... again. We once again we back at our favorite square where a quick walk across the river and you had 2 40's for 5€, they are rediculously cheap. So back and forth we all went the whole night, and eventually we all were slowly getting wild. The locals in this area are indescribeable. First off we have the metro in the red camisole, who sings and dances to American pop music. He also poses for his picture to be taken, hilarious. Then there was this bum who tried to make out with this kid Kyle on the trip, and it was freaking hilarious to watch Kyle try to explain NO thank you in Italian. We were suppose to go to this club across the river, but by the time we got everyone ready to go it was kind of late, and it was a 20-25 minute walk. So we just stayed at the square and continued to indulge ourselves into the atmosphere, if I can put it politely. Some people went off the the pubs and a few of us just stayed on the steps, where we learned that Italians really love the blondes from America. When we got home we were still very awake and were not tired what so ever. We all stayed up for another hour or so talking and laughing and having a blast.





The morning that followed the night to remember ...
Our classes only have around 14 of us in them, so if someone does not show up, your professor is guaranteed to notice. Which was the case for a friend of mine, Matt, who not only could not make it to class because of the night before, but the whole group (including our teachers) knew why. When he finally showed up for the second class, everyone applauded him. It reminded me of a scene right out of a movie. In both classes kids were constantly running back and forth to the bathroom, I shall not have to say why. (Surprisingly, for once in my life I was not one of those kids!!)



I was going to stay in that night, when Mackenzie called and asked if I wanted to go out dancing with some Italian Navy boys that we met on Monday night. So Mackenzie, Lauren, Natalie and I went out with some very gorgeous Italian Navy boys. We had such a good time, having a drink at a pub that played motown music. Then we decided to go to a club across the river, but when we got there the people outside waiting to get in were looking a like Italian emo kids, but scary. So of course we left and found this pub called Irish Village. Here we just sat and had a few drinks before taking the longest taxi ride home.





Today (Friday) ...
I had both of my classes again. And in the middle of them we have a three hour break so before enjoying this nice time mine and another apartment had to have a meeting with Becky. We got some noise complaints from our apartment neighbors. Ahhh, its really hard to adapt to ABSOLUTE quiet hours after 10pm. Especially after coming home from a night out. So now we have to take our shoes off when we come home, before walking up the stairs to our apartment. We cannot wear our shoes inside, and have to really be careful when we come home and not say a word. At least for a few nights to let our neighbors cool down. Today AUR had a barbeque, so I had some hot dogs and just layed out in the courtyard, and soaked up some sunshine.


Tonight we have another group dinner, at of course downtown Trestevere, and the girls are going to the premiere of Sex and the City and the guys are going to see Indiana Jones. After we are taking a walk down to the Trevi Fountain, and going out to some local pubs for yet another night. This shall be an interesting night.




Here is a photo of all us
at the steps in Trestevere.

Loving the Roma!

I am finally here, and have been somewhat settled in for two days now.

The 8 hour plane ride on Sunday evening to Amsterdam, no I could not leave the airport don't worry, went by really fast to my surprise. I watched 3 movies, and got a dinner and a breakfast. They were actually pretty good, which I did not expect at all. The airplane ride to Rome, which was two hours was not that bad either, I organized my planner (of course I would have to organize my planner) and then slept the rest of the way.

When we got to Rome we took buses to our apartments, and had a guide from the American Uniersity of Rome (AUR), give us the basic low down of our apartment and neighborhood. That day me and my 5 roommates just unpacked and napped. Our apartment is HUGE and really nice and in a nice location. We are close to a grocery store, a bakery/meat market, a bank, a pharmacy, and there is a store similar to target a few blocks down the hill. That night we met the whole group at a pizzeria about a 10-15 minute walk from our apartment. After dinner some of us went with Amy and Nicola to this place called Trestevere (a neighborhood filled with open courtyards, pubs, and returants) to hang out. Amy has lived here for 8 years and is a really big help to find exciting places to go at night, good shopping, and basically just get around. Nicola is the guy that flew with us over here. He works for MSU and is fluent in French and Italian.

Today we went on a walking tour of some of downtown Rome. We walked by this open market and shopping area called Campo De Fiore where there are fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables daily. Also awesome clothing stores that we will have to go back to really soon!! :) We toured the Pantheon too, which was really exciting. My roommate Katie and I were (for the first time) ripped off by these gladiator costume wearing men. They took pictures with us and THEN asked for euros. Bummer! :( But they were cute photos. After the tour we all seperated and got lunch and gelattos before heading back to AUR for our orientation.

After orientation we went grocery shopping and headed home. I worked on my presentation, and everyone else got to nap! :( Alyssa and I cooked the dinner for tonight. Of course it was pasta and bread and wine! What else would we have??? After dinner we all just hung out and got ready before heading to this Irish Pub up the hill about 15 minutes. Here a group of us just hung out and enjoyed a few drinks before heading back for the night.

So far I love Rome and can't wait to experience more.

When in Rome ...