Tivoli

Yesterday, we traveled to Tivoli, about an hours drive from Rome, and visited Villa d'Este. Filled with gorgeous frescoes and breathtaking gardens, the villa provided us with our first real taste of Rome's rich history.

 

Fountain of Neptune (part of it)

My kitty friend, Figaro

Gelato/Coffee break with friends: Izzy, Alli, Linh, and Chelsea

 

First expresso in Italy. So delicious (with half a packet of sugar)

Limone gelato (yes i got both)

My Last 24 Hours In Pictures

Dinner last night. Gnocchi Verdi.

Our regular gelato shop (only one I've been to so far)

Trevi Fountain. I threw a penny in, so I must be coming back to Rome! ;)

Whirlwinds and Butterflies

Tiber River

Day 3 of Rome and I finally have internet! It's been so hard not to share my experiences with anyone at home yet! So here it is, first days of Rome in brief:

Where I am currently sitting in my room. I love the green shutters!

The first day consisted of a sleep deprived, yet wonderful ride through the most romantic city. I call it my perfect man: classy,  charming, romantic, artsy, a little edge, a good cook, and warmth all around, therefore instant butterflies and love at first sight. There is such harmony in the ancient buildings and ruins running into the modern. First, we were dropped off at our apartments, and then whisked off to dinner at a cute pizzeria with even cuter waiters (all the girls were swooning over one in particular). Here's my first meal, bruschetta and margarita pizza!

When my roommates and I came back that night, we encountered the major challenge of the day: unlocking our door. Maybe it was our lack of sleep, but it took us about 15 minutes before we finally cracked the lock. Then that night we discovered the cons of living by the train. I bolted awake at about 2 am, not entirely sure where I was, but afraid a train was running right through our bedroom window. Last night I fell asleep to my ipod and found sleeping through the night much easier.

Roommates!

The days have been filled with lots of orientation…  helpful, but oh so tiring. The only thought on my mind is exploring and eating gelato! Three of my roommates and I were able to fulfill my latter wish last night. Delicious! I chose chocolate and Nutella. The owner was a charming, middle-aged man with google translator on his laptop! We asked him to explain what all the flavors were and he was very patient and helpful, even giving us samples. A customer came in and let one of us try a nutty flavor he ordered. So warm and friendly! I can assure you that gelato shop will be a regular occurrence. No pictures of the gelato though I hate to say. I’m already failing at photographing my food. It is just too wonderful that I eat it all before the thought of a picture crosses my mind! 

Today we visited a farm in the countryside just outside of Rome and I made certain to capture our lunch. It was 3 courses with dessert, coffee, and dessert liquore (limoncella, a little strong for me).

After lunch we went food shopping in the market. Everything was grown or made on the farm. Dream come true. I bought my first bottle of wine, olive oil, pesto, grapes (best I've ever tasted), tomatoes, and apples. Now I need some bread, cheese, and pasta!

I'm excited for jetlag to subside and have more time to explore the city without a strict schedule!

Love to you all! I miss everyone already! Come visit. Seriously. Italy is magical.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!

This is my 2:30 am, have to be up in 2 hours, but too excited to sleep face. 

ROME ROME ROME

Last dinner in the USA: melt in your mouth Filet Mignon and delicious veggies

Listening to: Paolo Nutini (he's Italian. perfect.)

Excited because I can fit 2 more pairs of shoes, my pillow, and art supplies in my suitcases... with room to spare. Packing might have come late, but it was done well thanks to the expertise and helpful hands of Corinne Medeiros (so glad you could be home for me and Lauryn!).

Also, shout out to my lovely friends Shiva and Whitney who ended up home this weekend and could send me off. So wonderful!

My next post will be in Roma!

Kindred Spirits

"Kindred Spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world." Anne of Green Gables

The more I venture beyond the boundaries of my hometown, the more I find such wisdom in this. From my time at APU to my time in Nepal, there are some people who have become a part of my very soul. Our lives intertwine, even for a moment, but the impressions on our hearts last forever. Today I felt the strong urge to flip my Bible to Esther and I my eyes met a dried red flower and a word: boldness. The flower, given to me by a girl who never left my side at Morning Star children's home in Nepal, represents so many memories and joys from the kindred spirits I encountered in that beautiful, broken country. My whole body sighed because I miss it in ways words can not express.

Me, Simrun (the girl who gave me the flower), and Tika (bottom)

 My handwritten "Boldness" embodies the theme of many lessons learned in Nepal.

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

I could go into lots of detail and make this blog super long, but no one likes to read anymore so I will just sum it up with: "For such a time as this" With every step, possess boldness, like Esther (it's an amazing story, go read it if you haven't), for you have a purpose and importance in this world. Don't let it pass you by while you are too consumed with fear or worry. Our spirits connect with others "for such a time as this" and we should dare to allow them. Rome holds kindred spirits who my heart longs to embrace. I will miss the love I experience here, in California, daily, but I am anxious to find new love in Rome, even if this new love is contained within my gelato cup or a frame in a museum.

4 more days and I am just beginning to pack, and by pack I mean throwing things in piles on my bedroom floor I hope will all fit into my suitcases. Of course I want to bring everything, I usually have a whole car's worth of space and weight limit? what? Well, at least my "To Do" list is shrinking quite rapidly. Bio test passed. Euros picked up from bank. Little necessities bought. New laptop case made.

It has an elephant. Would you expect less? :)

And now back to "packing"...