Ciao Ragazzi!

I've started going to Santa Susanna, the national American Catholic Church in Rome, so designated by Pope Benedict XV in 1922. I think I will still go to daily mass at one of the neighborhood churches. I was able to take the tour after mass Sunday and hear about the story of St. Susanna, St. Gabinous the father of St. Susanna and St. Felicity. The frescoes also tell the story. The tour started with a visit to the sacristy where a glass-floor allows a clear view of the excavation , ruins of two columns that were part of the left aisle of the original Constantinian church.

We ended the tour with a prayer in the crypt (third picture) where St. Susanna, St. Gabinus and Felicity are buried. In this Sacred place the Eucharist has been celebrated since 285 A.D. In the altar fresco you can see St. Susanna, on the left, has her eyes towards heaven, as does St. Gabinus in the center. St. Felicity on the right looks directly at us to tell us that it is up

to us now to continue as she has done , to witness Jesus in our earthly life.

I finished my classes at Dante Alighieri (certificate and all) and will start the Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci next week. It is closer to my apartment. I took a picture of my class on our last day. The other pic is at lunch after class one day with our teacher, Chiara, at a restaurant in Villa Torlonia (Torlonia

Park). You can see some old ruins behind us. In the class picture there is Fred and France (Quebec Canada), me, Emilia (Greece), Ron (NY), Valerie (Paris), Naoko and Michiko (Japan), Kholoud (Dubai), Marco (Poland), Maria (Venezuela) and Sr. Marlene (Indonesia). Not pictured: Michele - Hawaii and Jaehyoung (Korea). Ciao ragazzi! Buona Fortuna! In Bocca al Lupo!


I forgot to mention in my last post that there was a group of pilgrims at the Papal Audience from my hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan. Unfortunately, when they cheered I couldn't see where they were sitting to go over and say hello. Also, Roxie, unfortunately I forgot my camera the day I spoke to il Papa (cringe) so hopefully I can find the pictures online.

A Few Pretty Cool Things...

I went to the Papal Audience today and Pope Benedict XVI spoke to me! He said (Thank You) "Grazie" to my "God Bless You". I guess I was a little nervous he was right in front of my face talking to me because I said "God Bless You" again! He said (Thank You) "Grazie" again! I was up front again after the audience with a couple of young students standing next to me. John Connolly is from Wisconsin and Shelia Jenne' is from Washington. John had waited 8 years I think to do what he did today. He purchased a zucchetto (the white beanie type hat) from Pope Benedict XVI's tailor and gave it to one of the guards. They actually took off the zucchetto from Pope Benedict XVI's head and replaced it with John's and gave John the one The Pope was wearing! He was so excited. I'll have to check out the pictures online. The Pope spoke about St. Paul fostering our love for Christ.

Last week had a surreal American feel to it. I went to an Irish Pub with a Canadian couple and watched American football. Father Karl and my brother Clarence would be happy to know most of the bar was cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win over the Atlanta Falcons. We ate cheesburgers and pattate fritte (french fries). After class one day I walked right into the filming of a Ferrari commercial. Cool, huh? I was just another tourist in the background eating gelato with my classmate from Korea, Jaehyoung. Also, as I only have one English speaking TV channel (BBC World from London) on the other channels I have caught some American style programs... Ballando con Le Stelle (Dancing with the Stars) and La Isla Famosa (Survivor). My classmates got a laugh when I told them that we eat alligator in Louisiana. I told them we eat it fried, blackened with spices etc. but I don't think they believed me. I tried to explain about Cajuns etc. but don't think it translated well. My friends tease me when we go out because I frequently order my favorite dish. It is a pasta with panchetta (bacon), red pepper flakes, tomatoes etc. Amatriciana...a traditional Roman dish. But I still do try new things everytime I go out...deep fried stuffed zucchini flowers, meat stuffed olives etc. Yum!

Viva il Papa!

I decided to skip class today and hop on bus #62 and go see Pope Benedict XVI at the Papal Audience today at St. Peter's Square. Wow! At first I was about 30 rows back (still very close) and then I moved up to the first row! It is easy to maneuver around when you are alone. Pope Benedict XVI spoke about Judas today. I met some tourists from Texas and Minnesota. I was able to tell them how to get around the city, some places to eat etc. I can't believe how much I've learned since I've been here. A German couple I met actually snapped the other picture of me before I left. On my way home I actually bought a Diet Coke (Coke Light). I think it
was habit. That was the first American food/beverage I've had since I've been here. I actually don't miss it. Unfortunately there was a terrible subway crash here during the morning rush the other day. One girl died and ~20 critically injured and ~100 injured. I actually took the bus to school that morning. Monday I start a new school close to my new apt. and I can walk 10 minutes to class. Anjanette...see something familiar???

Meet my neighbor...

I picked up the keys for my new apartment. I thought I'd take a picture of my neighbor down the block The Pantheon. Here is a picture of my first day in my apt. The sofa is actually a sofa bed ready to receive any visitors I may have! Hint! Hint! Any takers??? I took a wrong turn going to my apartment and ended up at the Trevi Fountain. It works! It works! You throw a coin in the fountain and you WILL return to Rome! The bottom of my apartment building is lined with shops. There is a child's barbershop next door. Notice all the scooters lined up. Half

the city zips around on these. I don't dare try in Rome's traffic!

Settling into everyday routine...

It's lunchtime and time for a caffe and a tramezzino or panini. At 11:00 we have a 20 minute break where my classmates and I go to have a cup of coffee or a sandwich. I skip the coffee but can't resist the panini and tramezzinos with mozzarella, tomatoes and salami among other varieties. I like them caldo (hot). You typically pay for what you want then take your ticket to the counter to pick what you want to eat. We typically eat/drink standing at the counter or go grab a table outside in the sunshine to watch the people go about their business in Piazza Bologna.
I also took the bus for the first time today. I know...not very
exciting but it was my initiation into the public transportation system. Rome has buses, trams and a subway ready to take you anywhere in the city. It is actually a fairly easy, convenient and quick to use. My friend Valerie (Paris) and Michele (Hawaii) and I went to go grab a meal after class at a very plain (the best food) restaurant in one of the neighborhoods near Campo di Fiore. We feasted on pasta, antipasti (roasted veggies) etc. then went to Giollito's to get a couple scoops of the best gelato in Rome.

Also, I found an apartment. Finally! I can't believe the great location. It is right in the middle of Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) and the Pantheon. It doesn't hurt that it is a stone's throw away from Giollito's too. You walk out of my door a minute or two, turn the corner and ta-da! There it is...the Pantheon! Good thing I'm not a shopper because all the stores with clothes, jewelry, antiques, shoes, shoes, shoes (did I mention shoes??) and shoes would probably send me over the edge. The nuns told me I was so sweet I could stay forever at the convent but I can't pass this location up. It is also walking distance to guess where?!?....Citta' del Vaticano...The Vatican! Nice huh??? I'm starting to think that I may never leave Rome....

Ahhh Pizza! Sono Peina! (I'm full!)

OK...for those of you who know me well...you know I LOVE food. I love cooking, I love eating, I love the food network etc. so there had to be a post about the food here in Rome. On the way home I stopped around the corner to grab some dolce (sweets) and pizza. I know my fellow pilgrims to Italy know this already but for those that don't, the vend0rs have a variety of rectangle shaped pizzas in the window and you tell them how much you want. I just ate a piece of pizza topped with fried potatoes (yes, you heard me correctly...fried potatoes) that was so good, I ate it before I could take the picture! Mmmmm! OK..I'm sure my mom will pick up on this so I'll explain... I don't eat mushrooms and there is a piece of mushroom pizza pictured above. The vendor just added it on to my order for free. For some reason they like to give "La Americana" free food. Of course I'm not complaining. Maybe they think we Americans eat too much!! Imagine that!?!? Anyway, the food here is as good as you would think it is and better!...pizza, gelato, pasta...Oh My!

Chiara, non ho capito!

(Chiara, I didn't understand that!)

I can't believe I'm back in school! My teacher, Chiara, is up front by the map of Italy. You can see some of our homework on the board. "i Compiti"...6 frasi con "essere" and 6 frase con "avere". Write 6 sentences using the verbs to be and to have. There is a student from Korea, Japan, Poland, France, Venezuela, Germany, 2 French Canadians (married), a Sister from Indonesia, a Hawaiian, a New Yorker and me. "Di dov'e Tiara? Tiara e di Bossier City, in Louisiana. Io sono Americana. I couldn't help stopping by one of the fruit stands on the walk home...but the traffic is horrible. I felt like I was in a video game trying to avoid the cars! Buona Giornata! Have a great day!

Timber!!!

Well, my first full day in Rome started out very interestingly. I went to mass at 7:30am and surprisingly I could follow everything that was said except the homily. I could only pick out a word or two here and there. I remember looking at the altar and nuns and thinking how beautifully they were singing. And then all of a sudden I see the pew rushing toward me. I FAINTED!!!!! An elderly and probably the most frail nun had to help me outside to get some fresh air. I can't believe I fainted. After mass the nuns gave me a nice breakfast of bread, butter and jam, juice and cafe. Sr. Patricia checked on me later. After a little rest I set out to find a grocery store and walk to my school. It took me ~1 hour to walk to and find my school but only ~25 minutes to walk back. I found a grocery store around the corner and many little shops and bancomat (ATM) but everything was closed. I was hungry and needed to eat so I was forced to get some.....you guessed it.....gelato(ice cream)! Two big scoops of limone (lemon) and fragola (strawberry). I walked home and sat in the courtyard and watched a nun water the flowers. On my walk today I did learn one thing....Italian men may not know a lot of English but they do know one word...."boyfriend"...as in do you have a boyfriend??