Midmark..

It is so hard to believe that my time in Rome is already more than halfway over. I can't believe the pace at which this experience is moving. While I do feel a bit homesick, I truly could get used to living in this country. I have absolutely fallen in love with Italy. I am already planning my first trip back (if I can save up the funds, it will be at the end of this school year.)

The last week was absolutely jam packed. Now that teaching is into full gear, I hardly have time to sleep, let alone update the blog. My sincerest apologies for the lack of posts-I know how eager you all are to read about our Roman excursions and debauchery. Teaching is incredible. I am having the most wonderful experience. My cooperating teachers are both SO helpful and so knowledgeable. They are also very trusting and allowing me to do so much with the classes. I am getting observed this week, which is sort of a big deal, but I am feeling very confident in myself and my abilities. The students are so wonderful and so much fun. I know that I've definitely made the right choice in going into education. I plan on buying some Marymount International School gear this week. I hope that my trip back to Italy this summer will be during the school year so I'd still be able to visit my kids...

I was also able to meet up with Emily and some other TCNJ kids last week--they were beginning their study abroad experience in Italy. It was so nice to see them. I also felt like an expert, showing them around Rome and giving them some of the tips/tricks I've picked u in the short time I've been here. Right now, the plan is to go visit them in Florence this weekend... that should be fun!

I spent another weekend here in Rome with Alyssa and Nick (the others were traveling to Sienna, where I may be stopping this weekend en route home from Florence). We finally got to do some of the touristy things that we've been putting off--seeing the inside of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum for example. These were serious highlights of my trip so far. I highly suggest that anyone who plans to go to Rome take a tour (an actual tour with a guide, not an audio tour) of these two places. There is such a rich history behind this city. It is founded on wonderful myths and legends and seriously has one of the most fascinating historical foundations. I want to go for another tour (perhaps when my family comes...) just to hear the information again. I thought knowing a ton of information about TCNJ was impressive (as in for tours) but it completely pales in comparison to the knowledge these guides have about Rome and Italy. I bought a couple of books and am tearing through them voraciously... I can't get enough of the history of this place. I love it.

The last big touristy spot in Rome that I still need to venture to is the Vatican. I pass by St. Peters every single day on the way to school, but I haven't yet had the opportunity to explore. I can't wait to see what I can, there is clearly a whole sector of Rome I am missing out on by not having explored this section yet. I am certain that this will happen, hopefully very soon!
Everything is still going incredibly well, clearly. I think to myself every day about how hard it is going to be to leave... I should stop worrying so much about that though, there is still a lot of time to enjoy this truly magnificent place.

Here just a few pictures from the weekend... We had absolutely beautiful weather. It was definitely a pleasant surprise considering the weather called for rain.

Stories to Remember:
Accidentally becoming members of Molly's with Nick
Garbo. Goodfellas. Shari Vari.
Ending up in Testacchio.. more like Tesketchy-o
Annalisa at the American Bar
The delicious gelato by the Spanish steps
Any time Nick speaks Italian
My students. Especially the grade eights.
The middle school talent show last Friday...


Words of the Day:
small alley/street: vicolo/via/viale
hazelnut: nocciolo
I can: posso (from the verb potere-to be able to)