Taking It All In

A smart friend of mine told me, just take it all in. ;)

As I've been taking it all in, I've come up with some guidelines.

1) Learn how to lock and unlock doors... otherwise you will lock yourself in and out of bathrooms, apartments, and then some.

2) 90 degrees + no air-conditioner + straight hair = wasted time and money

3) Alcohol is on every corner and is cheap... and they don't card. Take advantage! lol

4) Learn to love everyone you're studying with. It's been one day, and it has become quite clear that this will be my family for the duration of my time here.

5) Knowing how to use a map is essential if you don't want to get lost in Rome. Carrying it with you is even more important.

6) Italian pizza and gellato are delicious!

7) Must be fit, or be able to fake it. We walk everywhere for long periods of time... both with and without purpose. It's almost the equivalent of me driving aimlessly, except we go exploring the city by foot. Today, we walked to campus... a good 40 minute walk in the beating hot 90 degree sun, and then went exploring around Piazza di Popilo. Even though our wonderful dean got us all metro passes, we ended up making the trek back to the apartments by foot.

8) Do not take flowers from random Indian men. They will make you pay for it.

9) Always have your keys in case you are not with or get separated from roommates.

10) Everyone is in the same boat. Everyone has their times of home sickness and nervousness, but we're all in this together.

11) Living in the Residence is like being on real world. haha

12) Italian men are gorgeous. I like you... do you like me?

13) Rome is beautiful and has much to offer.

Very excited to see what comes next. It's been one day, and I've already met so many cool people, seen so many spectacular sights, and experienced a whole new world.

Signing off missing you all and sending my love,
Ciao Bella...