.one hand waving free.

Dear Corpus, this is what i imagine our apartment to look like...

photo by heidi lauren

products from anthropologie

photo heidi lauren

I hope you like it!

A half day at the beach...

 Ok so our day at the beach may not have been the most sunny, but it definitely gained points for its character...

The time had finally come for a group of about ten of us to head to the black sand beaches on the coast of Italy. Being our much awaited day off we ventured to leave around 9.30 am. We stumbled out of our beds in anticipation for relaxation and tanned, sun kissed skin. As we made our way to the sub we observed the ominous clouds and cool chill, but this being true to most Italian mornings we had faith that the clouds would burn off by noon and the sun would soon be warming our faces.  The trip cost us one euro for about an hour ride to the beaches. I dove into the world Dosteosky (the idiot) to pass the time. As we arrived to our destination, we scrambled to all get out of the metro in one piece and as a group. Many of us were still feeling a tad bit tired and hungry, so we stopped at a bar (in the states a cafe) for cappuccinos and some snacks. We then walked for about ten minutes past the beaches that charge, past the nude beaches, to the beach of our choosing. (the free beach)

At this point the wind had really picked up, the sun was nowhere to be found. Some brave souls lay there towels down and settled in for a nap, while about five us rented lounge chairs for five euro. Usually  I would hope to be a cheapo but this day, I too invested in a platform above the sand. I think the chairs were my favorite part of the day, no sand in the face, no sand in my stuff, and a feeling of being organized with no sand. The weather had peaks of sun at times, but for the most part it felt ominous. Since I didn't have much hope of getting sun, I ventured to apply my new photographic knowledge to the interesting things on the beach. Feathers, graffiti, and kites were among the objects my lens chose to focus on. After about two hours the rain began to fall, and we began to gather our stuff and leave.

We made our way home, a good time being had by all!

oh yeah I forgot to mention...

So I forgot to mention that before our long walk the guys picked Kendal, Mary Beth, and I up for an early morning mopeding adventure. So much fun! This is definitely the way to see Rome. I loved every minute of it, eyes watering and all!

walking around Rome...

Our starting point...

the group...

Our hilarious belgium/celebrity/professor tour guide for the day...

some of the sights along the way...

still feeling good...

Loved this little old man...

a midmorning pastry and cappuccino stop with the girls...

a pyramid built into the wall...

finishing an eight hour day of walking 13 miles around Roma...so happy.

OuR hUmBlE aBoDe...

This is a view from our balcony...

My absolute favorite place in our little apartment is our little balcony. This is where I take time in the morning to focus on God, do my devos, and write my little notes to home. At night I love to see people sitting and talking on their balconies while seeing the lights of Rome. 

Todi y Orvietto

Todi

taking a break in a cute cafe for a cappuccino and a lemon croissant

cute little old italian men

photoshoot

beautiful church in the square

tiramisu

Last weekend we spent a beautiful day in Northern Italy. We visited the medieval town of Todi and then traveled to an agricultural town in Orvietto where we partook of a thirteen course dinner. It was so nice to get out and into the country, before returning to the fast pace of Roma. I could almost imagine the place as it was hundreds of years ago...with the horse drawn carriages and the townspeople going to mass and getting their proscuitto and cheese for the week. It was great to be able to meet and get to know  my fellow classmates in a relaxed atmosphere. Here's to Todi and the beautiful city of Roma!

First week in Roma...

  

all the girls outside the palace along the tiver river

a man from one of the many beautiful water fountains

a view before crossing the bridge to get to the campus of Temple University

I love Roma!

tree lined streets

The first week in Roma has been magical! The air of this place lets off the alluring aroma of history, classical beauty, and great food. I promise I will get better with retracing my steps during the days, but this week has been overwhelming with the stuff we were discovering and all the activities packed into the days... It is definitely true what they say about 1000 years in Rome not being enough. I feel like I could spend a lifetime here and still will not be able to grasp the richness of the culture and the stories buried within the architecture. 

Later today I will post our adventure to Todi, a medieval hill town, and our 13 course meal in Orvietto. But for now I am off to buy some groceries and to head to my first day of class. Ciao!

RoMa RoMa RoMa

 Roma, Italia.


the roomies and I frolicking around the vatican. Is this really happening?