My brother told me...

....everyone is going to delete me off of snapchat soon. I wouldn't even blame you. My snaps are either pointless (10 second video of my feet walking on cobblestones. Sorry.) or DAMN THATS THE COLOSSEUM! HOW DID SHE GET ON THE TOP LEVEL?! Sorry, peanut butter and jealous.

Anyway. I'm not really sure how to blog so humor me here.

I spent my Sunday with a cool dutch girl named Miriam. She didn't seem to react like everyone else at home when I told her that I simply wanted to come to Rome because I was bored. There wasn't the typical "what the f----" reaction to the whole boredom thing. That sounds kind of dumb reading it back, but I'm all about happy. EXTREME happy. I spent too many years being miserable to settle for content. I've realized that this need for happy isn't a great thing in the long run, but c'est la vie. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Anyway, Miriam was a lot of fun and a great resource for me to have here in the city. She lives with two girls who are also foreigners to Italy and they acknowledge how a good support system is essential. I'm lucky to have met her! She showed me how to use public transportation and some thrift shops. Vital stuff.

After we said goodbye I stumbled upon Piazza Barberini, which was right around the corner from Palazzo Barberini. I couldn't resist walking up the sun-soaked avenue to take in some Carlo Maderno architecture. He's the same guy who designed Saint Peters, guys! Nerd.

I ended up roaming around (rome-ing around har har!) and stumbling upon my favorite church and the church that Chris did his presentation on two years ago. I don't really remember any of the presentation, sorry Chris. I do remember that it was designed by Bernini though.

I found the Trevi fountain by accident too and remembered why I love getting lost in this city. You always find something incredibly awe-inspiring. Unfortunately the restorations going on at the Trevi don't discourage the massive swarms of tourists with selfie sticks. (got whacked in the face with FOUR too many selfie sticks yesterday, by the way) The Trevi is still lovely though, even without water. I'll come back when its restored and full of water to throw my coin though.

Fontana di Trevi. And Tourists.

Fontana de Piazza Barberini. Bees mean Barberini, kids.

San Carlo Quattro Fontane, my fave.

One

So a few days ago I got on a plane to Italy. I don't really know anyone here anymore and I don't have a savings account. Maybe I'm crazy. I'll just call it adventurous for now ;)

I fell in love with this city two years ago, surrounded by wonderful people who have ended up my very best friends. We spent literally 12+ hours a day together and with a single exception we never really got sick of each other. I think study abroad was so phenomenal for me 90% because of these beautiful souls.
The summer that I spent here two years ago was the best of my life and I've been itching and scheming to come back somehow. Now that I'm finally here, I realize more than ever how important those friendships are to me. This city still sparkles, but without my Romies its got a little less life. I will make friends to annoy with my incessant art facts, but in the meantime, I miss you guys...

Sarah, JD, Conrad, Gaby, Sassy, Tor, Loretta, Norbsy, Jorge, Lirio, Melissa, Pascale, Alexandra, Pasha, Fratty(sorry Chris)...(PSSSSSSt..visit)

I love you guys!