T is for Tomatoes

I thought I would never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever say this, but . . .




I like tomatoes.

I know, I KNOW! No one has hijacked my blog, there is no gun to my head. This is real life. I enjoy them. They are good.

I have had like 3-4 sandwiches with just cheese and tomato. What? I know. It's weird. But I love it. I have had bruschetta with mounds of tomatoes, and wanted more. I got pizza with spinach, ricotta cheese, and, yes, tomatoes, which ended up being one of my favorite meals.

Also, I have freckles now. I am having a serious identity crisis.

F is for Florence

It's official: I am in LOVE with Florence. The day we stepped off of the train, got to our hotel, and walked to the river, I almost cried. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever witnessed. It was one of those moments where I needed someone to pinch (or really, slap) me to convince me I was there. That night we walked around, enjoyed the sights and architecture, and then we ended up in this little piazza where a small band was playing. I was wearing a long big skirt, and was having fun dancing along. They started to play a paso doble/Spanish sounding song, and I was waving my skirt around like a matador. Out of nowhere, this middle-aged guy comes running over, fingers to his head like a bull. He started to dance with me, and it was hilarious! He was from Australia, and was showing me where his daughters were and how embarrassed they were that he was causing a scene. Because really, no one else was dancing, and everyone was watching us. Good thing I HATE attention ;)

I'm loving the art we have been able to see, and I have also been loving the food. Our second night in Florence, we went to this restaurant that was near our hotel, and I may or may not have had a spiritual experience. (I know dad will hate that I keep saying that . . . but get used to it, old man!) I had a gnocchi with parmesan, sage and butter. I die. It was soooooooo incredible. I also got some white beans with olive oil, and black truffle ice cream for dessert. It was so fantastic I can't even handle it.

Well, all in all, Florence is more incredible than I ever imagined it could be. I want to go back already. Actually, I want to go back with a husband, it was so romantic. I will post pictures sometime soon, I promise. Next stop? Venice!

G is for Gelato

Yes. This is happening. An entire blog post dedicated to my creamy friend, gelato. I have always liked it, but having it everyday since I have been here like it's laced with cocaine? This is serious. All drug references aside, this stuff is good. I can't explain why it is so much better than ice cream (which I also love, don't get jealous, ice cream. We are still very much in a serious relationship), but it just is. The first day, I had melone, which was like this slice of heaven. And the second day, it was banana and nocciola (hazelnut), which was so insanely good it made me crazy. Third day? Coconut and limone. The place we went wasn't quite as good, as I had heard from some of the other girls, so I went with flavors that there is simply no way I COULDN'T like it. Also, the guy working the register gave me a little wink and was flirtatious. Gelato and a confidence boost? Sold. Today, it was a mousse panna cotta, ginger and cinnamon, and a chocolate pepperoncini . . . glorious. Hallelujah. It was appropriate for a Sunday, it was truly a spiritual experience.

So, I know this won't be the trend for the entire trip, but I feel like I have something good going with Italy, so why stop now?

R is for Roma Romance

Whoa whoa whoa, take it easy. Nothing sketchy went down with any Italian men, nor will it (this trip at least . . . BYU lays down the LAW on dating here).I am simply wanting to express how much I loved Rome tonight.

First of all, we went to Pompeii today, and then briefly to Naples to go to the Archeological museum, which has lots of artifacts, mosaics, etc FROM Pompeii. It was a really cool experience, I was not expecting what I got. I took quite a few pictures, but none really do it justice (is this going to be a common theme? I swer I'm not trying to make excuses for my photography skills. They suck and I know it). The train rides were really fun too! On the way to pompeii I sat by Heather's (Professor Jensen) two daughters, Annie and Lucy. It was Lucy's eighth birthday today, too bad she couldn't get baptized in Rome. :) I ended up becoming with friends with Lucy and later Henry, who is maybe 5 or 6. George is warming up to me, but I think he will love me by the end of our trip. George is 3 by the way, and super awesome. All of these kids are so much fun, I wish they could hang out with Dallin, Claire and Spencer. Although, I just thought of the George/Spencer combo, and it would either be the funniest thing I have ever seen, or the most chaotic. The ride back was really fun, I'm starting to really enjoy each of the people I am traveling with, and I'm excited for the new friendships!

So back to Rome. We got back into town around 9pm, went back to our apartments, freshened up really quick, and then headed back out as a slightly smaller group. Rome was a having a Night at the Museum event of sorts (I am curious as to how often they do this), where anyone can get into the museums for free from 8pm to 2 am. So to start this off, Rome is straight up BEAUTIFUL and night. Add to that tons and tons of people EVERYWHERE out appreciating art . . . let's just say I was in heaven. We walked around, I just soaked up the whole experience. They city felt so alive, I didn't want to go home! There were crazy lines for every museum, but we (and especially me) wanted to go to a modern art exhibit that was just temporary. It was all art from about 1958-63, from Milan and Rome. Saw some Man Ray's, Duchamps' and a Louise Nevelson, which I loved and just knew I would. It was a nice break from all the more ancient stuff we have been looking at.

We ended up heading out a little before 1am, but I could stayed there all night, and honestly, it felt safer! There were more people out there than during the day it felt like! I was in love with the beauty and excitement of this city. I don't know if it will be my favorite, it is the first place I have been, but so far, it's amore.

J is for Jen in Rome

I am FINALLY here! I got in Thursday morning, and I literally could not grasp where I was at, what what going to happen, and for how long I get to be there. I managed to get myself to the apartments were are staying in, and on the train ride, I kept looking out the window and being unable to connect the fact that I was in Italy. Yeah, it was pretty, but it meant very little to me at the time. I think that flying sort of disconnects me from my understanding of location. If I were to take a train from Provo, then a boat, and then a car or train or something to Italy, I would recognize this more. But no, I get into one big long thing and get off of it somewhere new, with no way of knowing if they actually took me to the right place.

Well, it became very real for me once I stepped inside the Pantheon with my group. I have been looking at pictures of this for years and years, and I was not prepared for the experience I was about to have. I walked inside, and looked up, and started to cry (just a little, nothing too embarrasing). It was so much more than any picture could show. It was awe-inspiring and spiritual for me. I realized where I was, and the gravity of how much history I was about to encounter just took me aback.



That day we also visited the Trevi fountain, where I most definitely threw in a couple of coins and made some wishes. One came true as I had my first gelato of the trip (melone flavored . . . it was perfect).

Today (Friday) we had a crazy long day, but it was fantastic! We got to see the Colosseum (where I had another "Is this for real?" moment), the Roman Forum, many columns, Michelangelo's "Moses", and the Borghese Palace, which has some incredible pieces (the Bernini's were my favorite). I also took a mini nap on the side of some huge building on the grass, which we found out was not open to the public. The gate was open, what were we SUPPOSED to do, let that grass go untouched? Ok, it could hardly be called grass, but the area was pretty and we were done walking.

So Italy is amazing, I'm having the time of my life, I'm actually taking pictures (which you will just have to wait about 5 weeks for! But I promise I will fill in these posts!), I'm making friends, and I am excited for every single day!

E is for Europe (And Excited beyond all reason)

It is slightly surreal knowing that tomorrow at this time I will be on my way to Rome, beginning my study abroad adventure! I have been wanting to do this program for some time, and I can't believe that THAT time has actually come! I will be gone for 5 weeks, traveling to Italy, England and France. It is going to be extremely fun, but it will also be an academic trip. I have been studying art history for the last 4 years, and now I am able to go see so many of the works and sites that I have been staring at in books and writing papers on til the wee hours of the morning. There is work involved, yes, but it is also work for something I am passionate about. I could not be happier right now, or more anxious. I don't know what to expect, but I think that is making it all the more exciting!

I'm going to do my best to blog quite frequently, I promise! Don't judge me based on my previous blogging . . .it's a little pathetic. Some posts may be short ("G is for Gelato, endofstory"), some may actually be informative, and hopefully all will be entertaining. So, let the adventure begin! You will be hearing from me shortly!