It's only Saturday...but yet, it's Saturday?!

Sooo I always feel like I have this overflow of information surging through my brain. As a result, I've finally gotten my act together to start a blog. It's been way too long. There have been so many days when I'll think, wow, I really need to release this info somehow...and then I'll write a journal entry...but then more stuff will happen, and my brain will fill right up again. This blog will allow me to keep track of revelations, experiences, ponderings, and overall thoughts as I live! (I was going to make this specifically for Rome, but then I realized that it could be helpful for after Rome, too.)

Soooo. What's new.

Last night I went to this art exhibit with my friend Valentina- my new Italian friend, who is a 23-year old student in Rome. She works at the bookstore near school, and from the moment I met her, I knew we could be friends. She's very friendly and nice, but beyond that, she just seems like a good person- like exuding a kind of warmth that I would like to have in a good friend. It was funny, cause I remember thinking, "Hmm..she's Italian. I'm American. Neither of us are fluent in the other's language...while she seems cool, we could never be friends!" But then, one day, we somehow started talking, and it turned out we had a lot in common. I mentioned that I want to do some sort of social work. So does she. She's a philosophy major, looking at the philosophy of language, so we both have a fascination with languages and understanding, in general, how and why people interact the way they do (one of the core reasons why I am majoring in religion, and looking at religion in society.) In the course of this conversation, she said, "if we lived in the same city, we should be friends!" I wasn't sure if that meant that we could've been friends if I were going to be in Rome for longer-- or if she meant that she wishes she could be friends with me, but knows she can't...or perhaps the third option, that she would like to be friends with me! Pretty soon thereafter, we exchanged numbers, and spent the night walking around San Lorenzo. We stopped in a bar she likes, and we drank some tea, and ate some biscotti. She treated me, saying that she was my guide.

Then, earlier this week, I got a text message from her asking for my email address, so now we've been emailing...and she invited me to go to an art exhibit with her. We took the bus together, and went to this exhibit down near the president's house. She's so funny, because I think she gets a kick out of touring me, so she tries to think of things to do that will either show me her favorite places in her town...or give me a more enriching Italian experience in general. For example, when she took me to San Lorenzo, she said she wanted me to see a hip side of town, where a lot of young people hang out, and then she took me to her favorite bar. And then, after the exhibit, she gave me the option of going to a sandwich place she loves, or getting Neopolitan pizza- pizza famous in Naples. I chose the second option, and we spent a good 45 min. looking for her favorite Neopolitan Pizzeria...and eventually ended up going to another famous pizzeria in town. She wouldn't settle for anything less than amazing! When we sat down, she asked if they served Neopolitan pizza, and the waiter responded, "yes...at your own risk"- meaning that the Pizzeria CAN make it, but it might not be authentic or very good. So much for that. The pizza, we had, Roman as it was, was amazing nonetheless. And it was a great time.

In general, being friends with her is a crazy conglomeration of feelings- cause it's really refreshing to be around someone so giving and genuine, who is just really excited to show me her city...but at the same time, it can be really challenging with the language gap. We'll switch constantly between Italian words here and there, with the overall dialogue being in English. Thankfully, we also both kind of speak French, so if we can't think of an English or Italian word, we'll try French to articulate our thoughts. It's a very interesting experience. I've never been close to anyone who doesn't speak English, I'm realizing...so I'm excited to get to know someone in this new way. It makes me think about how I use my language...and helps me be more concise with my ideas...paring down my long-winded explanations into simple sentences, to get to the essence of what I'm trying to say.

Also, culturally, I've noticed some interesting things. She spent a good portion of the evening (last night) talking about her crush- this guy in a band she likes- and it fascinates me, how even in a country thousands of miles from the US, there are girls who get nervous when talking to their crushes...and just silly stuff like that. While there are so many cultural differences-- like just the fact that Italians greet and leave each other by kissing each other on both cheeks (like the French!), and also that Valentina will respond with, "Che bello!" (how beautiful!) whenever she wants to express happiness or excitement over something...not, "Oh wow" or "oh cool" (I feel like there're countless expressions like that in American English!) but always "Che belloooo!" in Italian-- there are also so many cultural similarities. She wears baggy jeans and sneakers- one of the more casual Italian-dressers- and carries a backpack...so we're actually not that different in how we dress, except that my sneakers are a little less skater-ish, and my jeans are a little less baggy. But, as a liberal, open-minded, socially-active person, she reminds me of a lot of my friends at Haverford...working at her bookstore, where they serve "Free-Trade" tea, and fresh produce, and she talks about being a student, and not wanting to spend a lot of money. Ah. I find it all so fascinating!

Anywayyy...I enjoy her company, and I'm excited to have an Italian friend. So that's what's new in my life at the moment.

Todayyy...I think I'm going to change my plane ticket home, to make it a few days later...cause one of my best friends in the world- my doubles partner from high school, Megan!- is coming to Europe a few days after I'm supposed to leave. I would love to meet up with her and see her. Otherwise, I might not see her for another year or so...ahh. Sadness. I had been questioning how long I would like to be here anyway, but that's giving me a push to stay and truly travel and experience various cultures on my own...something that I might not have a chance to do again, ever. Whew. So, perhaps a week in France, a week in England?? Maybe I'll stick to countries whose languages I know? Who knows. I might meet up with the great Bea Chang, if possible. We'll have to see. I know that at least for the first week after the program, I'm supposed to travel with Becky, so that'll be fun. And then we'll see after that. Ok...well I'm going running soon with Valentina, and I think her boss? That'll be interesting. Then, over to Trastevere to do dinner with Becky. Fun times ahead.

Tata for now my lovely blog.
Ciao!!