Leading up to Easter

04/18/11, 04/19/11, 04/20/11, 04/21/11, 04/22/11, 04/23/11

     This week was another short one since we had Friday off again for Easter weekend. On Monday night, we tried to take our guests to Tony’s, but it was closed so we went to Casetta di Trastevere instead. When we got home, we were too tired to go out so we just went to bed. On Tuesday, we had a quick day of class and then we met up with the boys to go to a restaurant called Bir & Food. I went along to hang out, but after having eaten so much pizza and pasta in the past few days, my stomach couldn’t handle anymore of it so I made some chicken and vegetables before going. Because the boys had an early flight and we were pretty tired still, we all had a wine night together at our apartment and skyped with all of our friends still in Champaign. It was so good to see everyone and makes me really look forward to seeing them all in three short weeks! 

     On Wednesday, we had our second day of filming. This time, we were focusing the filming on Campo de Fiori, the main fresh market in Rome. Giovanni, the owner of Trattoria der Pallero, came back with us and walked around with us as we interviewed him. We finished up all the shots we needed to about an hour early so we had plenty of free time before our Italian exam later that afternoon. I hung out with Kelly and her sisters in between (they are in Rome for the week) and then headed to class. We were done early that day so I took a nap before getting ready to go out. Because so many people had visitors in, we were all going out. Again, we were going to Coyote, it is by far our favorite place to go out here because it’s always a guaranteed good time and yet again, it didn’t let us down. Although Kelly, Gina and I were the only ones from our apartment to go out, we wound up staying there until 3:30 because we were having so much fun! Plus, class was cancelled the following morning so we didn’t start until 1 p.m. so we had plenty of time to sleep in. 

My group in Campo di Fiori with Giovanni

Timmy, Gina, and I at Coyote

     Thursday was a quick day of class with Italian and then Italian Society & Culture. During our second class, we were just watching a movie about the mafia, which wound up actually being very fascinating. However, it was based off a true story around 1992 and it made me realize how recent that history truly was and how much has changed in a relatively short period. After class, Gina and I went to a sandwich place called Lo Zozzone that everyone raves about and I had yet to try. I got a salami sandwich with spreadable cheese, mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplant salad. Being exhausted from the night before, we both came home and climbed into our beds and watched movies for the remainder of the night! It was just what I needed! 

     I’m looking very forward to having a relaxing weekend in Rome for Easter with not much planned. It’s just Lauren, Kelly and I here for Rome as all my other roommates have family in. We plan to just relax, lay in the sun, and cook something fun for Easter! Friday was one of the first mornings where I didn’t set an alarm at all and it felt glorious. I woke up a little after 11, which was much needed. I felt like an entirely new person. After waking up and cleaning a bit, Lauren and I went for a run along the Tiber River. The remainder of the day I’ve been enjoying catching up on journaling for the past three weeks (it’s really easy to get behind!). 

     Saturday brought another lazy day. I had really been hoping the weather would be good over Easter weekend given I was staying in Rome. That way I could have done some schoolwork out in the sun at the gardens. Unfortunately, weather wasn’t in my favor and it was overcast and drizzled all day. While it wasn’t the ideal weather for going outside, it was perfect weather for finally catching up on schoolwork that I’m behind on. Plus, it allowed me to nap a bit and really rest for once. Rainy weather is about the only weather I am able to fall asleep and nap during. As the day went on, I was able to catch up on school and TV shows, while still getting to bed at a decent hour because I had a busy Easter Sunday ahead of me!