A Week of Work (June 11th-June 17th)

You know those weeks where you feel like you're just running around and never really get a chance to stop and smell the roses? (in Rome's case...the city). Well, this was one of those weeks. If I broke it up into a day by day post, you'd probably be extremely bored and disappointed. So, I figured this go round I'd just do a whole ESPN highlights kind of deal, except with my life.

Round 1 of UF exams were finally here. A small part of me thought that they would never come, and that our study abroad experience would just become an "abroad" experience. False. Marketing exam on Tuesday, Management exam on Thursday. In Gainesville, a week like this would consist of me just sitting in my room all day studying, watching Ellen, and napping periodically. In Rome, however, I still was expected to go to Italian class every day for 4 hours and also to get out in the world and see things. Like the Pope.

Wednesday morning, everyone, St. John's kids and all, went to the Papal audience. Every Wednesday and Sunday, the Pope comes out and greets the people of Rome. Lines were bound to be long, so we got a early start and headed out at 8:30. (Two hours early). Even with the head start, the Vatican was packed with people from all across the world. Lines were completely disregarded and we all just made a run/shove for it. For some reason, the Papal audience was held inside today...possibly because of impending bad weather that never came. Greeted by the super fashionable Swiss Guard, we made our way inside to a giant auditorium and prepared to wait. When the Pope finally made his way out, the crowd erupted like he was a Hollywood star or a famous athlete....or the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope speaks a lot of languages, 6 or 7 I think, English being one of them. He addressed everyone in their own language and also called out to specific groups present in the audience, St. John's included. Well, he didn't call out to the groups, but this really cool guy with an awesome old school British accent did.

The St. John's crew (plus Josh from Oklahoma State) are leaving soon. So, we tried (and succeeded) to organize a group beach day to Nettuno Beach on Saturday. A "short" hour train ride would take us to Nettuno where we would have to walk 10-15 minutes to arrive at the public beach. It was beautiful. Black sand and all. The water was crystal clear and beyond blue. And beyond cold. A group of us ventured out into the salty sea and swam to a line of rocks in the distance (a longer distance than we had anticipated) The weather was absolutely beautiful and not humid, unlike Florida. Surprisingly, I don't think a single person got sun burnt. Other than the sandy/dirty train ride home, it was a rather lovely outing. Good group bonding time. It's unfortunate that we are all becoming so close right as everyone is getting ready to leave to go back to New York. (How many of you read "New York" with an accent? I sure typed it with one.)

As we are getting closer and closer to the St. John's students leaving, us UF kids have to start planning our trip for the week summer break we have coming up. Details to follow of course. Hope you all are having a fabulous day, wherever you are!