I still haven't gotten over jet lag.

Man, it's rough. I've never had to adjust to such a big time change. Only six hours, yes, but it's still six hours. It's just after 7pm; my roommates and I just finished washing and drying the dishes after a nice home-cooked meal (thanks, Nina!) Hold on, did I say washing and drying? Yeah, I did. We don't have a dishwasher, or a dryer. The Europeans really know how to conserve, it's great.

There are so many interesting differences between the culture of the Stati Uniti (United States) and Italia. Here, in Italy, they really do take their time with everything. For example, when you're at a restaurant they don't bring out a table's food all together, it's brought out as it's ready. At the end of the meal you have to ask for the conto (check), they won't bring it to you, it's considered rude. So before you know it, you've been sitting around for over two hours, thoroughly enjoying your company. Oh yeah, and no one eats before 8pm. 

The days here seem to move at a slower pace, but still feeling productive and incredibly active. Italians keep busy, but take ample time to rest during the natural valley in your body's activity. Stores shut down, the door man goes home, and the city sleeps for several hours. Once we've taken the time to relax around nostra casa (our house), it's 7:30 or so and you can begin your evening. 

Apparently, most everyone in the city is still on vacation until this weekend. This week, come September, shops will reopen, more people will be in the streets, returning to work, school begins, and the city becomes alive again. I didn't even realize, until someone pointed it out, that most shops around here are closed. BUT! I happen to live in Nomentana, which is a more residential area, rather than a tourist attraction. I enjoy it thoroughly. So things in the heart of Rome are still bustling with families and couples and people from all over the place. 

As I continue with this blog, I would, ideally, like to focus on different aspects of Roman/Italian culture that I've observed, as well as highlights from all the fun activities! Before I end, I do have to mention the Trastevere area. It is a strip right along the river, full of drink stands, merchandise stands and game stands. Basically everything. We went here last night and walked around, really just exploring the area. Three other girls, Jen, Nina and Nicole, and I happened to meet an incredibly nice Italian couple who gave us some tips on places to go, such as discotecas. They were so nice and helpful and just downright friendly. Along with finding a fun and vibrant place to go at night, I think talking to Titziana and Massimo (!) gave us confidence in approaching locals and pushing us to swallow our fear and talk to people. They are all so willing to talk to you in their broken English and listen to your stuttering Italian; especially when you compliment their shoes.

Word of the Day: 

ghiaccio (ghee-AH-choh): ice

Completely rare to be served ice with a drink. Most likely you will have to ask if you want it.

Pictures are taking too long to upload at the moment, but have no worries. Perhaps later tonight I'll put some up.

Buon giorno da Roma!

I'M HERE! Yes, I made it. 

My roommates (housemates?) and I are about to go find a cafe, but I wanted to touch on a few things that stuck out to me so far, that I will elaborate on later:

Italians really do have the fashion thing going for them. Even some older, grandma-type ladies were sporting fresh kicks. These are my kind of people.

There is graffiti EVERYWHERE. I'm not kidding. It's a sort of odd mixture to see the art among the old structures.

There must be no rules to driving in Italy. These people do not, and I repeat, DO NOT hold back on aggression and impatience.

Our apartment is. absolutely. stunning. And I mean, you have no idea. Just wait until I get the pictures up; most of which will most likely not do it's beauty any justice. It's spaceous, high ceilings, lots of windows with your typical Italian-style shutters...I mean, really. 

My roommates (housemates?) are all so nice! I have a feeling it will be a very pleasant and exciting 4 months. But really, I miss you guys.

Sono pronto!

I'm ready.

Today was stressful. I'm learning a lot about myself and how I. Hate. Packing. That is tacked on the list, right next to "I. Hate. Moving." Who would have thought trying to pack your life into a suitcase would be so hard. Right.

But I'M DONE! Hallelujah! I will be sitting on my plane to Philedelphia in just 12 hours. And in 17 hours I will be sitting on my plane to Rome...!!!

Today I said good-bye to Kirsten, my best friend since 7th grade, and we finally got to say, "See you in Europe!" How often do you get to speak those beautiful words to your best friend? (Kirsten is studying in Montpellier, France for the year and she leaves in a little over a week).

Anyway, I just wanted to update one last time before I get to Italy because who knows when I'll be on the internet next. This is also helping to relieve some stress. Whatever; I'll be in Italy soon and it will all be ok, and the next thing I know, it will be December.

OH YEAH. Send love, encouragement$, and rants to:

(my school address)

Briana Cohen

c/o CEA GlobalCampus Rome
Viale di Villa Mossimo, 29
00161 Roma, Italia


-or-


(cell phone)

+1 765 252 0325
This is my "U.S. Virtual number." Call this and you pay whatever domestic fees according to your service provider, and at a lower (but still not cheap) price for me to receive the call.

+39 3357641146
My Italian number! Call this and you, of course, pay whatever long distance fees, but the incoming call is free for me. So, if you're feeling generous and want to give me (and by me, I mean my dad) a gift, call this number. But I will understand if you call the first.

Either way, Europe does have the internet, so I'll have access to email, facebook, this blog. Don't worry your pretty, little heads- you can still reach me.

I love, and will miss, you all! Ciao!

Oh yeah...

A few more things, in case they haven't been drilled in to your heads as I've seen you before my departure...

1) I leave in 3 days? (Monday)

2) We've received our housing assignments, orientation schedule and many other fun, informational emails from our advisors abroad.

3) I'm living with...6...7? other girls in, what I'm assuming is, a suite-style apartment in Rome. (!!!)

4) RE: #3: I've talked with several of them, and they seem great! Of course everyone is excited; it would be unhuman not to be.

That's it, I think. I'll make sure to have a post with my Italian address and phone number(s), which will need some explaining. Either way, I'll put that up soon. So don't worry mom, grandma, etc...You can still send me stuff.

Like a brick wall.

First of all, big thanks to the boyfriend, Drew, for putting up with me today. You're the best, baby!

Today sucked. 

Drew helped me move all of my junk out of my apartment and then drop it off at my parent's houses.  Why did that suck? I hate moving stuff. I think I had a minor melt-down in the midst of it all. It's all so tedious and things get messy; I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.

But on the bright side, all my stuff is out! Ok, not all of it, but most of it. I plan on returning to the apartment tomorrow to clean so I can officially be done with University Park Apartments and our musty, humid rooms. Bleh. 

Anyway, I'm starting to feel a little better about finally having all my stuff in one place. And by one place I mean my mom's house in addition to my dad's. Either way, now it's my turn to go through it all and see what is coming with me, staying, or being permanently exiled from my life. Yay, organization!

But really, today sucked because it was the last big chunk of time I am able to spend time with Drew until December. Sad face. Needless to say, part of the melt-down included the realization of not seeing my boyfriend for three and a half months. Not that it's the end of the world, but we've never spent any extended time apart from one another; so I figure a lot of it is the shock of not being able to just physically be together. Kind of like when Kirsten, Marissa and I all parted ways when we started college. Boy, did we cry. It was kind of funny, really. But we did all that girly stuff, saying good-bye as if it were the last time we'd ever see each other. Then we realized our friendship was stronger than distance and it's all been ok from there. I guess? Whatever.

Today is continuing to suck only because CDs are taking 30 minutes to import to my computer. This is really lame.