Carrot Spaghetti

So Its been three weeks, and I'm sickkk of pasta and pizza! So I figured I'd try something a little different.
Get ready to have THE MOST DELICIOUS Carrot Spaghetti.

I went to the market and got just 4 ingredients:

3 big carrots
1 little onion
2 cloves of garlic
Olive oil
1 jar of any kind of pasta sauce you like (I got Barilla Basil sauce)

To start, I used a vegetable peeler and peeled the carrot into long thin strip and put those in a bowl.
Next I diced the whole onion (feel free to leave the onion out.. I thoroughly enjoyed it)
Use 2 cloves of garlic (I could have used more) and dice into small pieces. Put the onion and garlic in another bowl, mix up.

Next I coated the bottom of the frying pan with olive oil - i used a little too much, so, just lightly coat the bottom.
When the oil gets hot, put the carrots in and toss constantly. Keep checking for how soft they get.
When they start getting pasta like, add the onion and garlic. Let the onion get transparent, and the carrots get soft and spaghetti like - I just taste tested when they looked done.

I emptied the frying pan into my bowl and coated it with a little pasta sauce - however much you want.

It was SO tasty! And a GREAT alternative to heavy starchy pasta.
Then I powercleaned the apartment, took a quick shower, and am hopping into bed - gotta be up and at the airport in 5 hours!

Ciao Ciao!

L'autobus, il Colosseo, e "coca-cola light"

What a day already.
I woke up at 7:45 - LATE! I rushed out the door, barely any makeup, hair crazy (thats what I get for going to bed with wet hair) and no gloves! (BURR!) I walk to the Leone stop and catch the 942 bus to Piazza Venezia for my very first on-site class (Capitoline Hill).. I got there at 9, and looked. and looked and looked.. Walked around.. and looked some more. Ancient Rome and its Monuments was no where to be found.. After walking up and down the Fori Imperiali a few times, I decided that since I was already there, and was CLEARLY not going to find my class, that I'd do some exploring of my own. I walked down the to Foro Romano e Palatino, and took some great pictures. Then I walked down the il Colosseo (the colosseum). Took some more pretty great pictures. I debated wether or not to go on the Colosseo tour (and decided against it) and walked around a bit more. Then I played a quick game of L'autobus roulette, and hopped on the first bus I saw (going in the direction of campus) I think it was the 527? It took me back over the Tiber! Yes! But.. kept going, until I went through the tunnel near the Vatican - ooopps. Too far! I hopped off the bus, crossed the street and prepared myself for another game of bus roulette, when I saw a Roma Souvenir Shop. I walked in, got a few postcards for Mom, and walked back outside - the 416 (?) pulled up and I got on. It went back over the Tiber (shoot) and I got off at the first stop I could. I decided not to chance it (although I had plenty of time and a 24-hour bus pass) and walked over the Tiber and to a bus stop that I'm familiar with. I got on the 23, which stops RIGHT IN FRONT of the Tiber Campus. I got myself a bag of Pugliesi and a Coca-Cola Light and headed to the Student Lounge. I don't have class until 3:45 - Fascism and Authoritarianism in Italy, Spain and Portugal. So I'm doing some reading, and (of course) blogging! I hate that I haven't really been able to keep up with the blog, which such a terrible internet connection here, but maybe I'll do most of my blogging here at school, where the internet is at least descent.

I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet, but expect some good ones when I get it figured out!

Questo è tutto per ora! (that's it for now!)

Ciao Ciao!

Best. Gelato. Ever.

I decided to indulge in some gelato tonight, and went to Old Bridge. The BEST gelato place in the Vatican area.
I got the 2.50 Euro portion of pistaccio and hazelnut combined.
It was delicious, and ate it faster than normal.

I also figured out how to ride the bus today and rode it halfway home, met the girls out for dinner, then walked home.

Its nice to have all of tomorrow off to get some homework done, book my flight to Sicilia, go shopping, and just lay around.
I feel like I'm going to enjoy having Friday's off. Its nice. :)

A domani,

CIAO!

Doing as the Romans do! All week!!

As you can see, I haven't posted in a few days (mi dispiace!) I've been so busy with classes starting and settling into my Roman life!

Classes so far have been good!

Monday from 2:15-3:30 I have History of Rome and Ancient Italy. Its really interesting so far, and I got the book half off from someone who took the class previously! (ALWAYS LOOK AT BOOKS FOR SALE HALF-OFF SIGNS AROUND CAMPUS!)
And then from 5:15 - 7:05 I had Intensive Italian. Which is proving to be quite useful when speaking to the owner of the minimart right next door to our apartment. (He loves that I'm improving my Italian!)

Then on Tuesdays I have only Intensive Italian again from 5:15 to 7:05. The textbook for Italian is around 116 Euro, so I'm splitting with a few people from class, and making copies. Last night I got a pizza and a bottle of wine on my way home (but was too tired to eat it.) I missed being in Theta meetings, but slightly enjoyed going to bed at 10:45 on a Tuesday night ;)

Wednesdays I have my same Monday Schedule, History of Rome and Ancient Italy, and Intensive Italian.
I went to school with Alicia today (early) and did some homework in the library.
Then during my break I had just enough time to finish the Permesso process, and I am now legally permitted to stay and study in Italy! (Yay!)

And Thursday I have Ancient Rome and its Monuments at 9:30 AM until 12:15. From there I only have Intensive Italian at 5:15.

I'm really enjoying Italian, and having it everyday. The professor refuses to speak English at all in class! Its challenging, but definitely worth it. (Next weekend 28/31.1.2010, the class is taking a trip to Sicily!) I'm very excited, we're working on all the details, and I'll know all the details tomorrow, but apparently, its only going to be 95 Euro!

I also took my first bus today, I walked half-way to campus then caught the 23 all the way to the Tiber campus. Its a really great feeling being able to navigate my way through the streets of Rome.

I also talked to Tatjana yesterday on Facebook, and am planning my first trip out of Italy and into Germany! It'll be so much fun to get to see her, and experience another country.

I have to walk everywhere, and the the only shoes I brought have heels. The cobblestone roads have ruined the heels, and I'm going shopping with one of my friends on Friday to "Europeanize" our wardrobes! I'm DEFINITELY starting with a pair of black boots! WITHOUT HEELS! The bright side of walking everywhere is the great shape I'll be in. At first, climbing the stairs of our apartment would leave me wheezing and my legs burning, now I don't even realize I've walked up all those steps!

I'm looking forward to the nightlife - my roommates went to a Karaoke bar last night (I had too much homework to go!), and I want to go there soon!

I haven't eaten anymore gelato, but I might indulge in some tomorrow while I wait between classes. :)

I think that's my whole week thus far, so "a domani!" (til tomorrow!)

CIAO!

Campo de'Fiori

We went to Campo de'Fiori tonight and it was pretty crazy. We walked to San Pietro and got a taxi to Campo de'Fiori. We went to the Drunken Ship, where we got free shots, then went and watched Italians attempt to play beer-pong. Next we went Sloppy Sams, another American bar. They were playing Lady GaGa when we walked in. Got more free shots and had another couple drinks. We stopped at this fabulous sandwich place and got prosciutto and mozzarella sandwiches and ate them in the taxi on the way home. We got let off at Old Bridge, where we explained to the guys what we had to drink and where. We got Gelato and walked home.

Gelato flavor of the day: Nutella

CIAO!

When In Rome...

Honestly, tonight has been my slump night.
I knew it was coming - but it hit me like a ton of bricks. We walked from our apartment in the Vatican in to Campo Di Fiori only to decide the bars were just too crowded and that we were all home sick. We got gelato on the way home - I got fragola (strawberry) and it was really quite good. It brought me up a little bit. I also uploaded my pictures onto my computer, so photo posts are coming soon!

We did our permesso de soggurno today (our permits to stay) and do the Italians LOVE their paperwork!
Lorenzo our land lord came over today to fix the breakers and say "ciao!"
I also signed up for soccer try-outs! They're on monday and im really excited! I hope I make it!

The SALDI (sales) are BEYOND AMAZING here - I can't wait to get some tall black and brown boots I scouted out yesterday. It'll be nice to have a relaxed day tomorrow - everyone in the apartment definitely needs a relaxed, wake up whenever, day drink kind of day before we make the trek back out the the Campo Di Fiori -- until then, I'm probably watching UP on my laptop and trying to fall asleep with just my Lufthansa blanket.

Gelato Flavor of the Day: Pesca (peach) and Fragola (strawberry) -- I know. I stopped for gelato twice today! Homesickness calls for Fragola gelato from Old Bridge.

CAIO!

Correction!

For Alicia's birthday, we're not going to Rome or Napoli - we're going to Paris or Napoli - our first out of Italy experience!
ok,

CIAO!

Rome in one day...

So, today was eventful to say the least. The girls and I from the apartment went looking for the Trevi Fountain after Orientation and well... We found the Pantheon, The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, Etruscan Ruins, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We must have walked so far today. It was amazing, but I just felt like I crammed it all too much, and wanted to spend more time at every monument.

My favorite place was the Pantheon, I got Mango gelato and ate it on the steps of the fountain right outside the Pantheon. GORGEOUS. So the sales here are so fabulous - I'm going back to get a pair of black and brown boots tomorrow - they were only 35 euro!

The Colosseum was breathtaking - and came out of nowhere! We crossed the street, turned the corner, and there it was. The Colosseum. I can't wait to go inside it, but heard that it was expensive. :( Oh well! When in Rome!! (We also discovered the Colosseum Bar Crawl - it starts at midnight and follows all the bars around the Colosseum, you end watching the sun rise on a hill overlooking the Colosseum - we're planning that soon, I'll let you know!!)

The Roman Forum was crazy. Seeing all those statues was just so crazy. Knowing they've been there for so long. Its breathtaking.

There are Etruscan Ruins EVERYWHERE. They're so gorgeous. The bright green grass under the fallen columns. So gorgeous. As we were standing there admiring them, a man came up with the most beautiful scarves I've seen ever! I didn't want to buy the first scarves I saw though.. So I said "no - grazi" and kept walking (we later found another stand and I indulged myself in two GORGEOUS scarves - one green and one pink.) All I need to know now is how to tie a scarf like an European!

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was also breathtaking, and in the middle of a city. I love how Urban Roma is (except for the graffiti EVERYWHERE). It was so beautiful.

We also walked through the Vatican again before we realized that we would be walking through St. Peter's Square EVERY DAY ON THE WAY TO CLASS. It makes me so happy. I also realized that on the way back from dinner, all the pictures I show and all the explaining I do will NEVER serve the Vatican at night justice. Its so gorgeous. I can't wait to just stand and look, and become familiar with the Vatican.

I bought my first bottle of wine today - only 5.50 euro! (I'm sure a massive hangover will ensue).
We also started talking about where we wanted to travel first. Alicia's birthday is next Friday, and we're most likely going to Rome or Napoli. I can't wait.

I ordered my first gelato and dinner in full Italian today. It was so exciting! When I bought my scarves I also only spoke Italian. Its just so real, I'm here. I've seen all these things, and I can interact with the locals. It makes me so happy to see what I can accomplish.

Its chilly outside, but we don't care - we're going out.

Gelato flavor of the day: Mango

CIAO!

(I know I promised pictures today, but I need my camera for tonight, so I'll either upload tonight after the bars, or tomorrow morning.)
Ok,
CIAO!

Home at Last!

What an adventure the last couple hours has been. Since getting on a plane in O'hare (there was no one famous afterall), I took an 8 1/2 hour flight to Munich. Waited in the Munich airport, took a flight into Italy, moved into my apartment, almost got killed A MILLION TIMES by the taxi driver driving like a maniac, had some delicious pizza at a Trattoria and Pizzaria, from there my four roommates and I walked 10 minutes to the Vatican, and I was amazed by its beauty. Just the size and magnitude of it. Its awe inspiring. I can't wait to see it in the daylight with hundreds of thousands of people there. After taking a million pictures in the Vatican (my third country today), we went to this fabulous hole in the wall Gelatoria. I had the Nutella flavor. It was so good.

But here's a little more:

Munich:
-Observations-
1. Germans are tall
2. I am short
3. Adelholzener bottled water is pretty spectacular
4. The terminals are like 2 miles apart.. and I was wearing heels..

Also in Munich: Matt you would have LOVED the outfits the German police wore. They were like brown sweaters with dark green pants, it looked pretty hilarious.

Rome
-Observations-
1. Everything is relatively cheap
2. ASK THE WAITRESS FOR THE CHECK!!! (If not, you could get stuck at your table for over an hour, in your coat, with your money in your hand - they will ignore you if you don't ask.)
3. Everything is so laid back.
4. Its stunning. No where else in the world will you hear the sound of a choir singing in the Vatican at midnight, and a car horn blaring right behind it
5. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING in Rome is graffiti'd.
6. If you speak a little Italian here and there, the Italians will love you.
7. The Vatican is gorgeous

Gelato Flavor of the Day: Nutella

Thats it for now. I'll upload the Vatican pictures tomorrow - its 1 am and I'm sleepy.

CIAO!

Someone famous??

So they're taping down cords and setting up cameras and lights in the terminal next to me.
Someone famous coming in? I'll keep you posted!

Sitting in O'hare

So, I got here 4 hours early - just to be safe. It was a pretty smooth start, except that my bag as 3 km overweight - they gave me a cute little Lufthansa box (apparently its only United Airlines that only lets you check one bag, under 23 km) so anyway, I got through security and got to my gate. B16 - until I saw that the Gate said: Dubi.. Umm, not right. I went up and asked - they only said, yes of course, your just 4 hours early. So I sat down, hopped on the internet, and am writing! Its dark outside, except the blinking lights of planes out on the runway. I'm still not nervous. I think it might hit me as I sit in the airport in Munich.
The terminal is completely empty, except me, and a young asian mother feeding her baby a bottle, and some guy that just walked by me with a bag of McDonalds fries. Yum.
Mom called on skype, already comforting to hear her :)

1 day left

I woke up this morning knowing I still have so much to do.. but now, there is so little time to do it all. As I was packing, it hit me. I am leaving for Rome tomorrow at 8:55 pm. Its been so far away for such a long time, that now that its tomorrow, I'm just getting a little nervous. Can I do this? Can I be independent of everyone here? Of course I can - I have to. At this point, there really isnt a choice.
This is it. Roma.
I am so excited for this, but as always, my fear of looking like a tourist, and not knowing the language is making me nervous as well. So is the fact that I am about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. All by myself. I can't wait to get into Rome, see everything, just soak it all in, then get to my apartment in the Trastevere neighborhood.
Ok, I still have a lot to do today, so I'll pick up with this later.
CIAO!

5:54 am in Rome

Its 10:54 PM here (Chicago) and 5:54 AM in Rome. I wanted to get myself ready for the time change, but DOUBT that's going to happen..

I'll just have to deal with Jetlag, like everyone else.

Mom is trying to get me to download this thing that puts you to sleep almost instantly, Pzizz sleep module. At this point, I'll try anything to fall asleep fast!

I have so much to accomplish before Tuesday (my big day!) hopefully tomorrow will be more productive and happy. I'll cross my fingers.

Until then, I hope this Pzizz thing works - I could use some sleep!

CIAO!

4 Days!

So I figured I'd make a blog for myself (and anyone else interested) so that I could remember every single moment of my Study Abroad experience. I'll post pictures, add my thoughts, and just share my experience!
I hope you enjoy my blog!
Ciao!