Happy New Year!

On NYE, all of the new people arrived. We went to dinner at a restaurant close by. It wasnt very good. I got a pizza fritta, which I thought would be a pizza but it was more like a fried calzone that tasted really weird. Oh well! After dinner, most of the group was going to a square to ring in the New Year. Since it was supposed to be really crowded, a few of us decided to stay behind. We walked outside a few blocks to watch the fireworks at midnight. It was really neat! Apparently, we had a better time than the large group, as they didnt see any fireworks!

On New Years Day, our whole group had an orientation walk around Rome. We went to a couple churches that were beautiful. At Santa Maria della Maggiore, they were doing a New Years mass. I bought a rosary and a small cross. After that, we walked to the Colosseum and Forum. The Colosseum was closed inside but we got some pictures of the outside. We were allowed some free time after, so Thomas, Jessica and I walked to the Trevi Fountain to check it out. It is so beautiful! I got some pictures, and when I looked back on my camera to review them, they totally looked Photoshopped. We also had some gelato...Nutella!! After that it was time for our first lecture back at the hotel from 4 to 530.

The lecture was on ancient Rome. Thomas and I were really hungry after the lecture, so we found a nearby restaurant. I had the most amazing pasta...penne with tomato sauce, pecorino cheese and bacon. Yum! I called home and Nick and Marcey after dinner, then knocked out.

Today has been an interesting day. More to come on that...another hopefully minor medical problem. I have had some bladder problems the past day. I had to have a doctor come to the hotel ( at 100 €...grr) and then go for a urinalysis at a nearby lab. My urine is really dark, the doctor referred to it as il colore di marsala, or the color of marsala wine. I am supposed to hear back from him this afternoon. I have just been hanging out at the hotel. I missed the morning excursion, at least it was a short one! Anyway lecture time is nearing so I must go. I checked my grades...another A, yay! Just waiting to hear from one more class...the hard journalism one. Talk to everyone soon...keep my health in your prayers! Thinking about you all, and missing you too.

Love, Amy