Wednesday, September 26, 2012

'Lei ci ha.'

I have officially been accepted into the Rome program! I was so excited when I found out, it seemed like my hard work was finally paying off. But then I went to Italian class and I was having a lot of trouble understanding what we were learning. Then, I went online to my program's site and I saw that I now have a checklist three times as long as the old one. I felt so overwhelmed and nervous. I logged onto Facebook and saw that my cousin Tony from Rome was online so we began chatting. As we typed to each other, my worries began to melt away. Then, he invited me to Skype! I was so excited! As the screen began to load I saw Tony, his wife Maria, and their son Peter. As soon as I saw them looking at me, I remembered why I was taking Italian and doing all this work. In three months time, I will get to see those faces almost everyday.

Although I am in Italian 2, it was still somewhat difficult to understand everything they were saying to me, but with a little help from google translate I was able to have some great conversations with them. Maria asked me about what classes I would be taking.Tony wanted to know when I would be coming to Rome, where I would be staying, and who I would be staying with. He told me he has been looking at my photos on Facebook and wanted to know if my friends from the pictures would be coming with me. I told him that I would be coming solo but I would have roommates. Tony began to look a bit sad and then asked again if I would be alone in Rome. All of sudden in the background I heard Maria say, 'Lei ci ha," which means 'she will have us'. When I heard her say that I thought I was going to cry. I only met them a year ago and it was for only four days and despite all of that we love each other unconditionally…because we are all Perri's.

Exploring the city

This weekend a group of us went to Station Square for dinner! We ate at Bucca di Beppo! It was an amazing time! 




Hail to Pitt

Last weekend I went to my first Pitt football game. Thus far in my college career, I wouldn't say I have ever felt a large amount of school spirit. I am proud I go to Pitt but I feel more pride when I look at the Cathedral of Learning than when I think of the football team. However, last weekend I began to understand why people love going to Pitt sporting events.


My friends and I got there early so we could get seats near the front of the student section. I wasn't thrilled when my alarm went off but once we had all our Pitt gear on, I began to get excited! As soon as we got there we got to see the marching band play and the football players get off their bus. During the game, it was my goal to get onto the big screen and for a second or so we did!! We did the dances and the chants…the best part was when we did 'Sweet Caroline' after the third quarter! In that moment, I felt like I belonged there, alongs side everyone else in the stadium singing and everyone else who has sang that song for Pitt. It was a moment like in 'Perks of Being a Wallflower', in that moment I felt infinite. 




Some of the girls!


Me and Kelly


Our terrible tan/burn lines...

Saturday, September 22, 2012

How am I going to do this?

I wasn't going to post this but I want this blog to include most of what I am thinking/doing even the bad stuff…

Yesterday I went out to dinner with my friends, I had such a great time (pictures to come)! My one friend is studying abroad next semester like me only she will be in France. It was so nice to talk about it to someone who is going through what I am going through. We talked about 'meeting up in Paris' (how cool and casual does that sound?) and her coming to visit me in Rome! It is amazing to think that in a little over three months all of my planning will have paid off and I will be on a plane to Roma. How did this happen? It feel likes yesterday I was sitting in my first day of Italian I during the summer.

So, I have noticed a trend in my life or at least in my emotions. If one day I am extra, extra hyper and excited the next will bring me back to reality or even worse pessimism. Today I had to go home to watch my dogs while my parents were out. I was sitting there alone watching the series finale of 'Sex and the City' and I a thought popped into my head…'Hope, what are you doing? How on earth are you going to Rome by yourself?' For those of you who are not fans of 'Sex and the City', the finale shows Carrie in Paris away from everything and everyone she knows. It is funny how television can help you understand your own life sometimes. After finishing the episode, I realized it was just what I needed. I need to understand how much my life will be changing in three months. I know that sounds dramatic but I think it is better than thinking my life will be perfect once I am in Rome. I am so scared and nervous but as the saying goes

 life starts at the end of your comfort zone.

Monday, September 10, 2012

A great weekend.

This weekend went by so quickly….

On Friday Danielle, Kelly, and I went to Kelly's friends house for a Pitt themed party, hence the blue and gold outfits. Then we went to our friends apartment on campus, it was a lot of fun. Saturday was even better because my mom came over and we went to Target and had lunch together. Plus, in the evening Kelly, her sister Erin, and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner! Sunday was a filled with homework but I got a lot done, so all in all it was a fab weekend back at school!! 

I will have wifi in Rome!!

I got an email today from the program I am going to do in Rome, and they said that not only will there be a shared computer in my apartment but I will also have wifi! I really hope that it works and I can update on here and use things like Facebook and Skype!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

I can't stop...

I can feel people getting annoyed with how much I talk about going to Rome, but I can't stop. It is always on my mind. I bring it up all the time. I am so excited and nervous for it at the same time, so it is difficult for me not to talk about it. I'm not sure if this is something I need to work on because although I talk about it, I am still enjoying the semester with my friends so far. I can't tell if it is appropriate or too much...

On a good note, I am nearly down with all my study abroad application paper work and I still have a month until it's due! I am cannot wait!


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Lovely finds

After an entire four months with minimal amount shopping and many hard workouts in the gym, I decided to reward myself with a mini shopping spree! 
-$200 - 15 pounds + 4 shirts + 2 dresses + 1 pair of pants + 2 pairs of shoes + jewelry= 
A success

How to decorate the common area...

We finally bought some decorations for the common area in our room! The same night, we made mini cookies in our toaster oven! It was a very fun night, Sarah and Emma came over and we played catch phrase! Here are some awkward pictures :) 


School Pride!

Although I have yet to go to a Pitt football game (hopefully that will change soon), my friends and I still went to the pep rally/bonfire last week! It crazy to see how many people can fit onto the Cathedral lawn! It was nice to hear the band playing and the cheerleaders cheering, it brought me back to high school in  a way.
Me and Kelly before we left! 

Me and Danielle! 

Back into the school routine

I know this post is a bit delayed and I hope that this doesn't become a habit, but the first week of classes is always a bit hectic so that's my excuse haha. Even so, it has been so nice to see my friends again. I love that at no matter what time it is or where I am, there is always something to do!

Last week (the week before classes), a group of us went to Dozen and to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Our cupcakes!

Dinos!

Me, Aislin, and Sarah

Me and Holly

Beautiful butterflies!

As we walked through the museum, all I could think about was when my sister and I went to Europe. I remembered walking through the Tower of London and looking at the Crown Jewels, seeing the furniture in Versailles, and admiring the statues in the Vatican. I found myself unimpressed some of the things in there because of this. Despite feeling that way, I still had a fab time with my friends!