The Beginning: my second semester

All right… so here it goes… Re-landing in Italy wasn't the best experience in the world. I was that idiot running through the Frankfurt airport to my connecting flight, cursing under my breath at the Airport and how horrible and unorganized they are… that is until I found out that that they were actually holding my flight for me. In the end it worked out, I was the last one on the plain, which awarded me some not so wonderful looks but then who are these people to judge? Then of course my luggage was lost so after waiting in the airport for two hours, I gave up and had to have them deliver it to me… five days late... When I finally arrived in Viterbo I didn't have the keys to my new apartment and of course it was pouring rain so my bags and I got soaked waiting for the girl who had my keys... and thennnnnnn (it was a rather long day) I got into my new house and had no clue how to turn on the heater… by the way it’s like 3 or 4 degrees Celsius in Viterbo right now and often worse in the evening. It wasn’t the best evening and the next two days I actually spent in bed because no one was in Viterbo and I didn’t have a heater… even taking a shower was hilarious because the air in the house was so cold that if any part of your skin was wet but not under the warm water, the air would shock you… needless to say, during my showers I was laughing hysterically at how cold my skin was and the shock between the hot water and the freezing air… and then on top of that I couldn’t buy anything because it was epiphany… so I had no clothes or makeup because my bags were still gone, no shoes and nothing to do!!!… so yeah It wasn’t the best first few days ever… I have to say… even thought it sounds like I had the worst time ever, it was actually ok, and I can just laugh at it now!

After that wonderful week we got to meet the new students and get to know them, it was actually wonderful. It was raining for a lot of their orientation activities and some of them got cancelled so I was able to fill in and take some stuff over when we had the time. I got to know them pretty well. It was really fun and these guys are wonderful! I’ve met a few new people who I was able to get to know pretty well and can hang out with all the time! It’s amazing and really fun! They are very different from the old crowd who were more up on the adventures and dance parties. This crowd has more of a desire to drink and sit around and talk instead of move... different! There are a few people who I specifically hang out with a lot now.

This guy is my new roommate, we live in a little apartment in the ancient district of Viterbo. Our house is actually only one small section of some old families castle. We live on Piazza Della Morte where all of the public executions were held. Our little house is really perfect, you walk in the front door and look down a long straight hallway to our actual door which then opens to another little hallway where you hang your coats up and then you can either go up stairs to our large open living room or go downstairs to the bedrooms and bathroom. The living room is really nice because it is naturally lit with two skylights and it's really comfy. The bedrooms are nice and big and we are the only two students in USAC who have full sized beds. The shower is hilarious, you step up into the tub and have to hold the shower head for yourself and before i moved in they only had a half of a shower curtain so for the first few days we had to stand in the corner hoping not to spray water everywhere.... it was kind of a funny sight. Our kitchen is even funnier, to open the oven you have to close the door, and it's a good thing that Scott is 6'4" because i can't reach a single thing. Scott is from Idaho, he lives in a little town called Moscow and goes to the University of Iowa.

This guy is my new best friend, His name is Dylan and he is kind of amazing!!! He is from Ohio and he goes to Miami University (in Ohio) He is just the nicest guy you will ever meet and I rather love him!!!! He's in the air force and has hilarious stories and the best heart ever. Dylan is a Classics Historian so being able to show him around Rome and seeing his face when he sees the monuments for the first time is one of the best feelings ever. Whenever I go anywhere Dylan is with me so you will see him all the time in my pictures and stuff!! I spend all of my time with this guy and his roommate, who you will meet next. I'm not going to lie I'm really in love with Dylan and he knows it!! I'll make him come and visit so you all can meet him...

My next huge adventure is happening this weekend!! We happen to be in the middle of the huge festival of Carnival so what are we doing??????? We are going to the epicenter... Venice!!! We will be there in the midst of thousands of masked and costumed Italians dancing in St. Marco's square and living the dream!! About 15 of us are flying out on Thursday and sharing two little apartments and going crazy!!! Don't you worry this is one experience I won't be able to hide from the world!! You will be able to see millions of pictures on facebook when i finally get back and i promise to tell the story!!! Check facebook I'm uploading pictures of everyone and everything!!! Love you all and miss you all and hey if any of you want to call me ever, feel free!!! Hugs and kisses!!!