Last bits of the semester

Christmastime is in full gear in la citta eterna.  All the streets are decorated in lights and tinsel and there are Christmas trees in the main piazzas.  It's so beautiful to walk around at night especially and feel the magic of the season in the city.  Two weekends ago, my roommates--with the exception of Cara--were away on trips, so Cara and I had a chill weekend getting our comm papers done (okay, maybe that part wasn't so chill), watching too many movies, and enjoying Rome in its wintery goodness (translation=chilly, but acceptably cold...no snow here!).  We walked along Via Condotti (the main designer/luxury fashion brands street in Rome) and people-watched/saw all the Christmas decorations.  Later we went to a nativity scene exhibit in Piazza del Popolo which included nativity scenes from all over the world made out of everything from popcorn, bread, pasta, and dried oranges, to wine corks, paper, straw, felt, clay, shells, and ceramic.  They were all so intricate and creative; definitely was a cool way to truly feel Christmas around me, especially in the Catholic capital of the world.

Piazza di Spagna

Pasta nativity scene...so Italy

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

Saturday, December 8th was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, during which the Pope visits Piazza Mignanelli (near Piazza di Spagna) every year to crown the Mary column.  Needless to say, all the streets even remotely close to the area were jam-packed with people.  We managed to get a decent spot along the Pope's route on Via del Corso and after a lot of waiting in the cold, we were rewarded with our first sight of il Papa!  He was so cute and tiny in his little popemobile!  I was so frazzled trying to get decent pictures (they were all coming out blurry) that I just barely looked up from my camera to actually see him go by.  Wow. What a "Is this real life?" kind of moment.  Here is the best pic I was able to snap of Papa Benny.  Hopefully I'll get some better ones next Wednesday when I go to the Papal audience!

Papa Benny

Last week was our last week of classes--how crazy is that?!  Last week was busy finishing final papers and projects as well as getting prepped for finals.  I must admit--the stress of papers and finals, the near approaching goodbyes and end of our first semester, and the million other little things to get planned and figured out in a week's time are all wearing on me.  I took a break yesterday to go with Anna to a prayer hour that Deacon Nick was leading and it was kind of just what I needed.  5 of us went in total to the convent/chapel of an American order of nuns who are studying in Rome (pretty much just like how the 6 deacons are studying at the North American College here).  They led a prayer hour that included a Rosary, Adoration, and Vespers--all of which we joined in on.  Afterwards, we stayed around for a good amount of time just to chat with them.  They were all so interested in our study abroad program and were so grateful to have visitors.  After we left, Deacon Nick bought gelato for the 4 of us who went at Giolitti and stayed around to chat with us!  He is always so nice to all of us SMC girls (as are all the other deacons and priests that work with our program).  I'm definitely looking forward to another semester of visiting all the cool Catholic things that this city has to offer with them.

On Friday of last week, 23 of us on the program took a break from studying to attend a cooking class that we had planned a couple months ago.  I knew I wanted to try to do some kind of cooking class while in Italy (aka the capital of amazing food), but I never imagined it would come together so well and be so fun!  The place is called Cooking Classes in Rome, and is run by Chef Andrea (an Italian) and his wife Erica (an American).  All 23 of us smicks worked together to make and enjoy a delicious four course meal with their guidance, which included a salad, homemade pasta, a meat dish, and tiramisu.  Oh and I can't forget, WINE!  We were given 4 different types of wine--one glass for each course!  Chef Andrea was so funny and nice, joking around with us in the kitchen and teaching us all about the best and freshest foods as well as tips for preparation.  Afterwards, he let us take pictures on his moped like true Italians :)  Talk about a great study break.  It was so much fun getting to know Andrea and Erica as well as talking to some of the other Saint Mary's girls who I haven't had much interaction with over the course of the semester.  It was really a coming-together of our group and another wonderful memory of studying abroad that we will cherish forever.

Chef Andrea and Erica

Love me some Smick Chicks

Biggest bottle of wine I've ever seen!

Homemade gnochetti

Tiramisu = amazing

Amidst the many emotions of these past couple weeks, I've come to a few realizations.  Or maybe they were things I already knew but hadn't yet thought about.  In either case, what it comes down to is that plans change all the time; you can't expect the best from everything, but you also can't expect the worst.  You have to expect (and truly know) that in the end, it is God's plan--not yours--that will prevail.  And His plan is where you will be happiest.  A few days ago I had to change my plans for our upcoming 4-week Christmas break.  I was intending to travel Europe with Ann-Marie for 10 days before continuing further travel with Shannon (who is also staying for spring semester); however, I had to reevaluate my plan, and it turns out that now I am returning home for the Christmas break.  At first I was upset at the change of plans, especially amidst the stress of finals and my last week.  I was so intent on seeing everything I could possibly fit in during my study abroad experience, but the truth is, it is exhausting trying to do everything!  I feel that I have certainly made the most of my fall semester, and that I am in great need of time to relax and recharge at home for Christmas.  Plus I get to reconnect with my family who I miss like crazy, especially during the holiday season.  And the best part?  I don't have to say goodbye to Roma quite yet.  It's just "see you later" for a month until I return for spring semester in January!  Even though it wasn't my original plan, I know it's going to be great--and probably much better--than anything I could have planned!  There's no place like home for the holidays!  So as of today, I have 5 more days in Rome until I return to my little Egg Harbor.  I just have one more final tomorrow and then I will be soaking up the remainder of my time with the fall semester girls.  I'll be sure to post my final first semester blog entry later this week!