this is it (ROME 15)

Today is the day! I am going back to the United States because it is May 16th, 2012. (I just had to state the date to remind myself that it is actually happening.)

As I just come back from having dinner in my favorite neighborhood, having drinks with friends, and walking around in the nice weather down the cobble stone streets, I have to look back on my previous semester. Clearly, there is no better way to do this, then to reflect on this blog!

beautiful tiber river, at night 

When I first got here, I expected to transition quickly, but as many of my friends and family know, it didn't happen with ease. Eventually though, just like everyone had comforted me, things did fall into place.

Between all my typical study abroad moves, traveling the world, going to major festivals, and seeking out all possible rated restaurants in every city, this experience was much more to me then just those things.

From barely surviving first semester freshman year, to living away for four months in Italy, is something I would have never deemed possible. Although, it just shows, with a little faith in yourself, a lot is possible!

Before I get too emotional, I know that this experience has brought me to become more independent then ever before. After looking back at my first post, I remember my goals, and this was certainly one of them. From being in a Rome hospital, to hiding out under cover on a train, and taking planes (a common fear of mine) almost every week, I can manage anything that is about to come my way.

I met great people, was put in situations that have taught me life lessons, and now have a want to travel to so many different and new places!

Now as I go to the airport, to board a flight back to AMERICA (?) I know a lot of exciting things are ahead of me. A majority of my friends from studying abroad, PLUS all my best friends from school and home will all be working in New York City this summer. I recently got an internship at Nickelodeon Integrated Marketing, and could not be more excited about that opportunity.

As sad as I am to leave, I just have to remember that I will be back! I already have discussions with my parents to come some time soon after graduation, because I can't be away from my new favorite city for too long. It is amazing how much there is to do, see, (EAT!), and be apart of here.

I would not trade this experience for anything, and I know that I will have the memories and experiences of this semester for a lifetime.

All aboard the flight to JFK international airport. Oh how it seems like yesterday I was hearing something completely different!!

I love ya ROMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first day!

The last night! 

The End

Faster than I could have ever imagined, the semester is over! Overall, it was a great few months, and I learned so much about myself and about the people around me! I knew going into this spring that I would really miss my best friends, but there were so many amazing things that happened this semester that I know I would have been so sad to miss.

SO...with one of my favorite things being to make lists of things, I will leave you (referring to all our readers- I know we have a lot...) with a list.

My Favorite Things About this Semester (in word and picture form)
1. Recruitment
Being the vice president of recruitment for AEPhi was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! I am so happy to say that after getting to know our 49 new girls, I know that all my hard work paid off...they are amazing!!!

Jackie, Me, Elena and Steph! Could not have done it without them.

 2. Erica coming to visit!
Having my best friend from high school come visit was absolutely amazing! I loved showing her around Boston and introducing her to all my friends. Now i just need to book my plane ticket for the Fall to Michigan!

Erica and me!

3. Big Little Reveal
As one of the most fun sorority events of the Spring semester, I was SO glad I was in Boston for this! Marissa (my little) is one of my best friends, so I was so proud and happy to help her decorate the rooms of her TWO littles!

Marissa, Ariel, Suz and me

4. Pinning Suzanne at Initiation
It was such an amazing experience to pin my real sister, Suzanne, at her initiation with my sorority pin.

Such an exciting day!

5. Going to LA for Spring Break!
Such a fun week! 

Beautiful Hollywood sign hike!

6. Mike's 21st Birthday!
With almost all of my friends my age abroad, it was so exciting to finally have a 21st birthday I could partake in celebrating. Even though I wasn't invited to AC with Mike and all his friends (downfall of being younger than your boyfriend), I was so happy to be able to be with Mike on his birthday!

The nigh before the big 2-1

7. Family Surprising Suzanne for Her Birthday
I spent the whole semester coordinating with my mom for my parents and Melissa to surprise Suz the weekend of her birthday! I told Suzanne I had a whole day planned for the two of us, and then walked into a restaurant on Newbury where my family was waiting! It was so great to have them in Boston, even if it was just for a short two days.

Fam on Newbury

8. Marathon Monday
Best. Day. Ever. 

Celebrating!!

9. Working With a Real Client
One of my classes this semester allowed me to do a mini session in the clinic with a real client. It was so exciting (and scary) but it was an amazing experience that made me confident and excited to start graduate school in the fall!

10. Living With Amazing Roommates
This semester I lived with three amazing girls, and had the most amazing time. I will miss the time we spent together everyday, especially cooking dinners with Laura every night.

11. Formal
Formal is always the perfect end to great semesters! This year our formal was at the Hyatt in Cambridge, on the top floor overlooking the Charles River. BEAUTIFUL!

My handsome date!

12. Running a 5K!
I love running, and it was so fun to finally run a real race! Already signed up for my next one!

Before the run!!

Iguazu Falls

I wrote this blog post like a month ago and never uploaded it! Sorry!!

Last weekend my program took us on an excursion to Iguazu Falls, in the northeastern part of Argentina (on the boarder of Brazil and Paraguay).

It is newly added to the seven natural wonders of the world so I went to two world wonders in two weeks (along with Machu Picchu!).

It was such a beautiful place, if you ever go to Argentina, please go! I have heard it's better than Niagra Falls, although I have never visited there. It was also extremely beautiful because we walked through a jungle to get to the falls! Over rivers, through the woods to the falls!

We took a 14 hour bus Thursday night and got into Iguazu Friday morning. We spent Friday at an estancia (a ranch). This estancia is family run and it produces mate (the typical Argentine drink, kind of like green tea). We spent the day swimming, playing games, eating, and lounging around. First we toured the mate plantation, then they had an asado for us (an asado is a barbecue full of grilled meat where they roasted a whole pig, cow, etc). It was absolutely amazing meat, probably the best steak I have had here.

The Estancia

Mate Plantation

Where we had the asado

I then spent the rest of the day playing in a highly competitive volleyball game between 8 of us in the residensia, dominating with Team Skyball. Although half of the time was spent arguing over the rules of volleyball (which CLEARLY I know them all, thanks to my brothers gosh no one would listen to me). Although in the end team sky ball lost the match, we were clearly the winning team.

Roommies at the top of the falls

At the top of the falls

Devil's Throat

Cara, me, and Arielle at Devil's Throat

At the bottom of the falls on the boat ride

Boat ride

The next day we headed to the falls. I will let the pictures tell you how great it was. Although the day started out rainy and gray, it didn't matter. The falls were breathtaking and so powerful. I told me roommates "If I see an animal today, I'm going to freak out". Thank god the rain came, because it scared all of the animals away. It was my lucky day. The boat ride was by far the best part of the day and it was such a thrill. We all got soaking wet, actually it looked like we all showered in our clothes.

The next day we went to an indigenous community. We saw how the Guarani tribe lives and how they preserved their culture and traditions over the years. It was kind of a weird experience I kind of felt like an impostor on their lives, but I guess it was a good experience and put life in perspective.

Guarani children singing to us

My children (can you spot Cara?)  

It was a great weekend and was truly a once in a lifetime experience. It was so beautiful, although I do wish it would have been sunnier throughout the weekend. But it was amazing and I am so lucky to have been able to go!


Besos,
Ellen

officially seen it all (ROME 14)

Hey Hey Hey! I have waited way to long to blog, but this post will explain everything!

Last Friday, I was awoken early, and took a flight to Milan! I was excited to see a fast pace city and see the fashion capital of the world! The flight was actually more efficient and cheaper then the train, so we were there in about an hour.

We got to Milan and I didn't even feel like I was in Italy anymore! We settled into the hotel, and went to a famous Panini shop.  After this, we went to see the Duomo. I have realized that there is almost a famous Duomo in every Italian city, but this is one of the prettiest ones I have seen. When you climb to the top, instead of being in a dome, you are on the roof of the church! It was really nice out, so we spent some time up there.

After that, we went to one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. It is home of the original Prada and was so beautiful and fun to walk around. Everyone is dressed so nicely there, that it was even a tad intimidating!

That night, I ended up not feeling well at all. To not bore you all with those details, I ended up coming back to Rome early Saturday morning. I had my program take me to the hospital, and I was admitted later that afternoon for kidney stones!

Now, I usually get a variety of health problems, but this was a first! I almost made it through an entire semester without an urgent health issue, but of course one week before my body had to find something!

I can officially say that I was admitted into a foreign hospital now though, so that really completes the abroad experience? The best thing is that, they are not that serious, and eventually they will pass. I have to drink a lot of water, but I am back to doing normal daily activities! My program took great care of me, and I am really proud of myself for getting through the whole process. Between the language barrier with the doctors, and a strange setting, it was scary in the very beginning. Right now, I am just thinking that I can enjoy my last weekend in Rome.

This week was the last week of classes! It was weird to leave school, because I remember sitting in class the very first day, months ago. 

           

I have been going to my favorite restaurants, and trying some new ones this week as well. I can't have dairy because of these stones, so it has been kind of limiting. Although, maybe I will shed some of this pasta weight off before I enter the USA?

This weekend, I plan on doing some Rome bucket list activities as well as studying! I forgot that finals are never fun, whether you are in Boston or Rome. There is a lot of studying, reading and writing to be done in the short span of four days. 

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, so tomorrow we are going to one of my favorite parks, Villa Borghese and having a picnic as a great study break!

I have been slowly packing up and getting presents for all my friends & family back at home.I can't believe that I return home THIS WEEK on Wednesday! I still can't completely grasp it.

One last blog post will be coming your way before I officially leave though, so no need to worry yet :) 

Ali