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.

If I didn't know any better...well, never mind

Someone is going to be 21 in less than 4 months. And I totally stole this idea from someone at work, but I've decided to compose a list of 21 things to do before I turn 21. But I suck at making lists, and ya'll don't - especially Amanda, so I need help! I'm trying to think of things that are fun and silly and kind of young and childish, maybe a little crazy or even subversive (I know that's a difficult ideal). Keep in mind I will be in Sicily from January 23rd till April 16th (which is my birthday) so I'm thinking maybe in terms of stamps on my passport, etc. Things having to do with the number 21 would be really cool, too. I already know the very last item on my list, which I'm only going to do if I get all the others done, but I can't tell you, because it's my excuse for a dirty little secret. It's really not dirty, I promise. Hmmm...what about read for 21 hours straight? Do you think I could do that? I've never been to an opera, so that's definitely going on the list, somewhere. Write me your suggestions quick because I need to get started. Also, does anyone want to join me in these?

Tie your hair in ribbons and lace and wear pearls round your neck, and all the pretty princes will see you...

So I've been thinking.

This isn't going to be like what happens when Amanda has thoughts, all deep and interesting, so don't get too excited.

I've been thinking about shoes. And handbags. First of all, Puma shoes are just fugly. I don't care how expensive they are. So this is a question for all of you who are studying abroad, or have, or have traveled in Europe.

What kind of purse did you wear? Because all the study abroad people say to only wear a purse with a long strap across your chest and to keep it in front of you. I can't imagine stylish Italian women actually dressing like that. And I'm not entirely sure I want to be without my adorable little Coach handbag for a whole semester. What do you think? Will it scream "I'm an American - try to rob me!" or will it be my safest bet for not looking like a slob?

It didn't seem wrong to sing the sad song...

So finals are over except for Greek on Monday afternoon, which won't take too many hours to study for. I don't feel so amazing about any of them, and I usually feel good about most of my finals. And there seems to be some problem with that art/archeology class transferring. Looks like online summer classes for me.

These past two days have been a blur. Actually, so has this week, and I'm not completely sure that I don't feel cheated out of a semester.

All I want to do right now is something fun, that has nothing to do with studying. I want to go crazy, and paint a town a color, and have one of those moments when you forget yourself because you're so happy and...I really want to stop using all of these crappy cliches. Anyone up for it?

Sigh not so, ladies sigh not so...

So I had a panic moment today. They cancelled ALL the Latin and Greek classes at the Mediterranean Center for the Arts and Sciences, because there weren't at least 3 students in any of them. They also cancelled my Roman Archeology and Art class that I was so excited about. But they said that for the Latin and Greek classes, I could arrange for individual instruction from a Ph. D. professor for an extra $1200 for each class. Obviously, if I had $2400, I probably would have already spent it on shoes. So I didn't know what to do, but after a few calls and emails, I was told that I didn't have to pay the extra fee. Something about Baylor being an affiliate university, and scholarship waiver, or something. The point is that I get individual instruction. For free. Also, I replaced the Roman Archeology and Art class with History of Archeology and Art in Sicily, which oddly enough is going to count as a history credit. The other one was only going to be an elective, which I certainly didn't need - I have so many already. So now I think I will be able to get away with taking 16 and 18 hours my last two semesters, and stay in the Honor's program, and get the Philosophy minor.

What started out to be a nightmare ended up the solution to some of my problems.

Also, I downloaded songs from the movies made of Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Much Ado About Nothing, and I discovered Superpoke on Facebook, which is so addicting it's scary. It's been a good day.