Who says there's no love like your first? Away from NYC, I'm falling for something warmer . . .

So I'm a big liar. I haven't updated at all...and now I suppose it's too late to go back and explain everything I've already experienced. But for what it's worth, I will try to work as much of it as I can into my future entries, which I absolutely promise will be more frequent. Although I have to actually take my laptop to school (somewhat of an inconvenience) in order to upload my pictures, I'm going to have to become more determined to make this work. Even though I'm so busy, it's something that is really important to me. When I started this whole adventure, I knew that I was looking for something. I'm still not sure exactly what that is, but I do know that in order for me to gain anything out of this trip, I've got to do a lot more reflecting on my experiences.

First, I do want to say how completely and totally I have fallen for Roma. I know I've only been here for a little over two weeks but I know that if I had to be stuck anywhere in the world out of all the places I've ever been, it would be here. Never have I seen such beauty or met so many people so kind and so full of life. I know just saying that without actually writing in detail (which I will do from now on!) about people I've met doesn't really do much to convey what I mean about this culture's powers of enchantment, but it's so crazy. So many people here are so kind, so gracious. People are always willing to help, whether it's with directions or my Italian grammar or to explain something about Italy, there is just something about the people of Rome that is so different from what I'm used to in Philly and New York. I don't quite know how to explain it...there's a warmth, an appreciation for beauty that is completely lacking in the demeanor of the inhabitants of the US cities I've lived in. I feel absolutely at home here. I mean sometimes people stare at me on the metro, and sometimes people get impatient with my limited Italian, but for the most part, I feel safer and more welcome than I ever did in US cities. I absolutely love it! I'm really enjoying my international business classes too.....sooo if this feeling doesn't fade too quickly, I'm thinking I would love to work/live here someday...we'll see I suppose. But for now, I'm hopelessly enamored and I just want to bask. That's not so bad is it?

Pictures coming as soon as humanly possible!

Oh and Lizzy visits this weekend!!!! Can't wait to explore with her!!!