Roxanne... You don't have to put on that red light.

"Roxanne... you don't have to put on that red light." Since I was a little girl, this song has been sung to me. Whether it was the first time someone heard my name or just as a greeting, this is what I heard. Then, I always got the follow up which was if this is what I always heard, and whether or not I'm sick of it. I'd always tell people I'm not sick of it, and I love this song. I embrace it... as long as they weren't singing it to reference me as a prostitute.

And so, today I live up to my name. Waking up in a rather bubbly mood, after showering, I decided to put on my jean skirt, and a black top with flip-flops. As someone else mentioned, Mondays in Roma are far more glorious than those back at home. Mondays are the beginning of a new week of adventures and sight seeing. I was looking good and feeling good. :)

Confident and excited to start my day, I strolled outside and to the metro. On my way, I began to notice stares I do not normally get. Though at first I thought it was because I just looked hot, I soon realized... not quite. So I began to notice what various Italian women were wearing. The consensus was pants or long skirts. Uh-oh! I soon realized that in broad day-light, I was the only one wearing a mini skirt, and that people were looking at me as a common street whore, rather than a student on the way to class. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Still, I looked good and decided to shrug off the unexpected looks. What did we learn today? Do not wear a short skirt during the day unless you want to get solicited.

On my way to school, I stopped at a bar to get some coffee and a panino. In Italy, you drink coffee in a bar, and alcohol elsewhere. When I got to school refreshed from sleeping in, I went to my one class, which was Italian. "Ciao Christiano!" I said to my teacher. "Ciao Roxanne!" I <3 him... Have I mentioned? Class was absolutely hysterical today. We began to use the essere or to be verb. "Sono Americana." I am American, or I am from America. "Sono una studentessa a Roma." I am a student in Rome. Then all of a sudden, an art grad student who sits in on our class, proudly states. "Non siamo delle rane." We are not frogs. You heard right kids. We are not frogs. No one knew what to do or say, and so we all just burst out laughing. Then, I responded, "Christiano, come sei dici in italiano, 'there must be something in the water.'" To which again, everyone just burst out laughing.

On the way home, I jumped on the bus with some architect majors and we made our way back to the residence. Of coarse, just my luck... the day I wear a skirt and flip flops, we get off the bus and it starts POURING rain. I had an umbrella, but still got completely soaked.

After doing some reading for class, I made my way to the supermarket with some neighbors. I made my famous chicken soup. It was delicious. :)

Later on, and I won't dwell on this... I had some serious home-sickness. Luckily, mom and dad made me feel better. LOVE YOU!!!

In addition, shout out to Arthur for also comforting me and letting me know he cares.
Sempre e per sempre... Always and Forever. :)

Til tomorrow...
Signing off,
Ciao Bella...