I don't know where to begin...

The showers are hot now.

I have more pictures coming soon.

My classes are awesome. I'm still figuring out the one that is at Baylor, but I think everything just might turn out okay. I have two field trips this weekend, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Saturday we're going to Catania to have a tour of the historical parts, so I'm excited. My roommates are talking about staying the night in a hostel and not coming back with the rest of the group, which the school actually encourages, so that we can spend more time in that city.

Right now I'm in the computer lab. My Latin prof couldn't make it to our regularly scheduled class time so she wanted to have it later...it was supposed to be now, but I guess she forgot. I have some reading for Philosophy I could do in the library, anyway. Tonight at 8 we have another free meal - there's a fish dinner at some hotel, and apparently they're going to teach us something about fish, or how to cook it, or food, or something. I'm excited. And hungry. Tomorrow night is another one of those talks where they tell us how to be safe. This one's just for the women, and I'm pretty sure I know exactly what they're going to say, but it's mandatory. It's amazing the lengths people will go to in order to correct others' stupidity when in reality, I think we all know how to behave at this point. It's only a matter of if we care to or not.

I'm working on my list of things to do before I turn 21, and by working on it, I mean I'm actually accomplishing the things, not just making the list. :-)

I've been smiling all day. I finally was able to buy francobolli, stamps, so I can send mail now.

I'm here!!!!

And I'm soooooooooo tired. It's almost 7 PM here, so its noon there. No sleep for I don't know how long....been here for a few hours...my apartment is AMAZINGLY beautiful....Still have to go through orientation....no internet in the apt, so I'm here in the tiny computer lab at MCAS, I wish I spoke the language, gas not working yet in the apt, cold shower, gorgeous boutiques, soo tired, can't talk anymore....why is no one on skype?

Just remember, darling, all the while...

Is it just me or is no one posting blogs anymore except faithful Amanda? This won't do - I demand more reading material.

So it's about 58 hours until I take off and watch one of my dreams come true. :-) I love saying that, even if it's cheesy. I've wanted to go to Europe for a long time, and I've wanted to study abroad since I got to college; now it's finally happening. I've been anxious about it for so long that right now I'm just excited. I'm actually pretty happy right now. I have one more day of work, then I get to see Amanda, and then the adventure starts. I'm *almost* done packing - I think I need to go through and kick some things out of my suitcases. And add some other things. My dad bought me some more memory for my camera today, so I'm going to take a crap load of pictures.

I'm going to miss everyone like crazy. I promise to stay safe like everyone keeps telling me, and not to do anything too stupid....

which reminds me, I never did finish that list, but 21 things is a little bit ambitious, so how about 7?

1. See a freaking opera already! Another one of those things, like going to Europe, that I've always wanted to do.

2. Write 21 letters, cards, or post cards. (I like this one because I've already done 11).

3. Write 21 blog posts.

4. Taste 21 different types of wine. (Thank goodness I'm going to Sicily so this will be legal. I've already tasted merlot, chardonnay, white zinfandel, pinot grigio, and champagne, which I think should count, since it's just carbonated wine, right?).

5. Memorize a whole book of the Bible. (I'm thinking 3rd John).

6. Read 7 books by different authors that I've never read before.

7. My DLS. Which, as I said before, I promise is not anything bad.