So much to say...

It's been two days and I don't even know where to begin.  I'll start with the airport.

I look like a lost child in any airport.  I've never traveled or flown alone, for that matter, and this journey was absolutely terrifying (at first).  Chicago and Detroit weren't too difficult to navigate, but Fiumicino in Rome was complete chaos and a sea of people speaking anything but English.  Needless to say, the airport is not a good representation of Italy.  Luckily, I was able to find others my age who looked equally as lost and discovered they too were JCU students!  Smooth sailing all the way to the school.

I'm living in the Gianicolo apartments in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome which is on the opposite side of the Tiber river from all of the famous monuments, etc.  Trastevere is exactly how you would imagine Rome- winding cobblestone streets, quaint shops, gelaterie, insane traffic, and more restaurants than I could ever visit in my time here.

The courtyard

Video coming later...

John Cabot has two campuses (Gaurini and Tiber) and both are within a short walking distance.  The walk is breathtaking, and I think only this video can truly capture it.

Another video comin' atcha...

Me, Allison, Tara, and Allie

Penne all'arrabbiata con vino della casa

After arriving on Thursday, we immediately had orientation at the Tiber campus on Friday.  The group of friends I made shortly after arriving are some of the most amazing and hysterical people I have ever met.  In short, our walking tour when a little something like this...

Circus Maximus

Colosseum

La Fontana di Trevi

The Pantheon

Time is flyin' already so I will leave you with this little taste of Rome, and I already have my next post in the works!  Ciaoooo!

 

Pre-travel musings

To no surprise, the first advice given on my travel sheet is to "get plenty of rest the night before," and I'm clearly doing the opposite of this.  Why do we always feel the need to push ourselves to keep our eyes open in anticipation for what's to come?  I'm not sure I'll ever have the answer to that one.

A few minutes ago, I opened up a word document that I wrote in January for the new year detailing my "Eleven in 2011."  Eleven goals for the year 2011, simple.  I really believe in creating lists and posting them in visible places.  Sure, I've always known the direction I want to go, but what exactly do you want to do?  I'm really visual and write down everything that I want to remember, and I'm not just talking about the week's agenda but quotes, ideas, and things that I read and never want to forget.  I think that the ability to see a list of what you want to accomplish keeps you on track and posting it in a place that serves as a constant reminder doesn't hurt either (posting that bad boy right on my desktop works for me!)

There's nothing more satisfying than crossing one off either...  BAM feels good:

7.  Travel.  Somewhere exciting, interesting, historical.

Good night?  Hopefully?

Like a kid on Christmas morning

I'm tucked in my bed (minus the footie pj's) intently listening for any rustling coming from the living room or any space in the vicinity of the tree.  I can't sleep because the suspense of the coveted items I've been lusting at for months, circled from the Toys R' Us catalog and promptly given to my parents for shopping reference, is too much to bear.  The moment where I can finally bolt down the stairs, appropriately at 5:30 AM (the butt-crack of dawn- I know my parents loved this one), and tear open the colorful packaging to reveal such surprises that will entertain me for weeks to come and slowly become tossed to the side as another Christmas eve nears.

This is how I feel about Italy.

Two things:  I know time is going to f-l-y, literally.  I consistently receive the same reaction, "WOW, five weeks!"  Not a lot of time people.  I absolutely refuse to look at this experience as a dwindling passage of time but rather an opportunity to cram as much as possible into these weeks.  I will get to see and do everything on my list; however, I also know I can only be so prepared and that these inevitable surprises will happen (good or bad) despite my efforts to plan out every detail.

Some thoughts:

1.  If you think you can't...  YOU CAN!
I never imagined being able to afford to study abroad.  The good news is:  there's always a way and a program that will work for you.  Your school wants students to have these opportunities and participate in their programs and are willing to aid you in finances.  Loans, scholarships, and grants are all possible, but you really have to do your research to know what's available and what the best options are for you.  I don't think anyone would regret money spent on travel and the time spent living in an amazing country.


2.  Be persistently ANNOYING!
Your counselor, financial advisers, and the study abroad office are all there for a reason, so use them!  Get in contact with everyone associated with your program or major to understand how your credits will transfer and how your experience will fit into your schedule.  Personally, I met with my journalism adviser three times, my international studies adviser twice, and I cannot even begin to evaluate how many times I've been in the abroad office or have called IU financial services.  Ask questions and demand answers because you deserve them in regards to your trip and making sure every detail is taken care of.


3.  A deadline is a deadline is a deadline is a deadline is a DEADLINE!
Think college apps season during the fall of your senior year of high school.  Deadlines are real, and you REALLY won't be studying abroad unless you observe them.  Do you want to know the truth?  The entire procedure is a paperwork nightmare, so I suggest you write down and set reminders for these deadlines and make copies of all your information.  (The fax machine and your e-mail inbox will be your best friends)  If you find yourself in a situation in which you are unable to meet a deadline, make a phone call ASAP because there is a good chance you can be granted an extension.


Buon viaggio!  Next post coming from Roma!

"Have you started packing?"

And the answer is:  NO.  I am a compulsive over-packer.  I love to have options and by options I mean an array of outfits in an attempt to not be what we call an 'outfit repeater'.  However, I'm slowly learning that this is okay.  The researcher in me set out to Google for insight on Italian street style and was not at all surprised to learn that this is a culture of well dressed men and women.  I think that most Americans believe Europeans are born with this inherent sense of style; and while we are reaching for our Nike running shorts and t-shirts (this is me), they are throwing on dresses and blazers... effortlessly.  Obviously, I'm not the most stylish girl to set foot in Europe, but I will certainly embrace this and try to pack pieces that are not only versatile but that I will actually wear for the sake of eliminating my need for options.

I'd heard of this before, but I think the 5 piece French wardrobe is very interesting and practical.  It's based on minimalist five classic pieces that can continuously be interchanged; granted, these are not all of the pieces comprised in one's wardrobe but rather create a foundation to make outfits to suit all occasions.  This is the mentality and inspiration I'm (trying) to uphold while picking and choosing through my closet.

1.  Gap's take on a classic trench

2.  J Brand skinny jeans

3.  A pretty blouse by Anthropologie

4.  The LBD also by Anthropologie

5.  Michael Kor's ballet flat

I also found Julie's "What to Pack for a Trip to Europe" post SO helpful (and pics provided).  You can check it out here.

Happy packing!

Here we go...

In honor of my little grand opening post, I just want to say 'go you!' if you're reading this; but, seriously, I really appreciate your interest.  I would have to estimate about five people know about this blog project, and that is fine by me!  Shout out to my single follower Evan, how special!  I will consciously attempt to update daily with photos, observations, and commentary (maybe some humor and sarcasm if you're lucky) to have something to rememeber my experience by.  With that said, I think the ol' Facebook will be retiring for this time period because I want to slap myself everytime I check that website when there's so much to see and do outside!  I don't want to fall off the face of the earth for five weeks, so I invite you to come here...  Bookmark it!

My beloved Blackberry will also join me on this trip, exciting because I do love you mobile internet and Twitter.  I just received my italian phone number and honestly do not even know how to dial an international number or what the charges are; so I think a selective group of friends, whom I can't live without, will get the honor of having my international number.  If you have BBM though that would make our lives much easier.  So stay tuned.

Also, if anyone can tell me how to make the margin larger that the blog text fits into please do!