And a Soup-Stained Tie

The past few days since we got back from Venice have been somewhat low key. Most of us have homework to do (not me, though because for some reason I haven't had more than a little bit of reading), and about half of the apartment has been racing to finish the first season of Ugly Betty in preparation for the season premier next week. I guess that this is routine, and I kind of like that we have settled into one. We all get up in the morning and do our own thing/go to school for most of the day. But, by the time dusk falls all six of us are back in the apartment to cook dinner (tonight we made grilled cheese and tomato soup!) and hang out and figure out plans for the later part of the evening. By doing this, it makes Rome feel more like home - which is good, because in a lot of ways I don't necessarily feel like I belong in this city all of the time.

Parts of my day frustrate me and make me feel like I don't belong, especially when I can't quite figure out how to communicate with the locals. I also get particularly down when I don't get or don't know how to respond to many of the cultural cues that the Italians are known for. And they aren't big things, but little things like paying for your food before you actually go up to order it, and having to say "no" 4 times before anyone really gets that when you say no you mean no. I am quite aware of the fact that this is a part of the whole "being abroad experience," but at times (especially when I am trying to use broad hand gestures to let the lady at the copy center know that she gave me the wrong packet for my class) I wish that all of these cultural things were laid out in a book and given to us before we get here so we don't look like stupid American idiots.

On an entirely unrelated note - I am heading to London for a long weekend to see friends and sorority sisters, celebrate Yom Kippur, and go back to see Stacey, Kurt, and Astin. I will try and update while I am there, but if I don't - I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and an easy fast (for those of you that it applies to). Much love from Roma!