Fried Food and English

Flying to Cork on Friday was quite the experience. Leaving campus at 9
in the morning was like a vacation of its own since we have been so
used to 5:00am wake up calls for flights. We got to the airport with
ease and zipped through security. Then we waited. Rome was having one
of its famous strikes, this time by airport ground workers. Our plane
was over three hours delayed. We survived and made it to Cork. We
checked in to our hostel (after going to the wrong one next door) and
called ROSEMARY to meet up.

Once we were together, it was magical, all joking aside it was really
amazing to see Rosemary in the place she's talked so much about. We
walked through Cork to St. Fin Barr's Cathedral and through the downtown.
Cork was everything I expected it to be, small mid 19th century
buildings everywhere, and pubs abounded. There were also a seemingly
large number of male barber shops, I should have partaken, but I did
not. We got dinner, and all I can say is, Fried food was reintroduced
to my life this last weekend. After seeing essentially nothing fried
in Rome, everything here was fried. It was weird to have a
cheeseburger again, I liked the idea, but by the end of the weekend my
body didn't. Believe me.

After being tuckered out by travel and a lot of food we went back to
see where Rosemary lives, and just sat and chatted for a whole before
walking "across town" 10 minutes to our Hostel. Saturday we woke up
kicking, had an excellent breakfast, met up with our lovely tour guide
Rosemary and got on the bus to Blarney Castle.

We got to Blarney in 20 minutes, how far away everything seemed to be
in Ireland. The castle was cool, not that amazing, but what was
amazing was the grounds surrounding the castle. They were gorgeous,
huge lawns, awesome trees, waterfalls, a creek; it was the place to
be. I didn't kiss the Blarney stone. Don't tell anyone. It was a weird
position and some old guy like held on to your hips while you did it.
I wasn't into it.

We went back to Cork and caught the first bus to Midleton, (yes, it's
spelled like that, annoying I know) to tour the Jameson factory. It
was cool to see how it is made, plus I loved the phone PR aspect of
the entire "Jameson Experience", making it almost a pilgrimage for
Jameson lovers. Well done Jameson. Well done. Turns out that although
it is bottled in Dublin, every drop of Jameson is made in Cork,
something our tour guide David was very adamant about. After getting
through with our tour we got a tasting and Rosemary and Olivia became
official Jameson tasters.

We went back to Cork, collected some dinner, and went to Rosemarys
apartment for some libations. We enjoyed some Irish TV with "Mr and
Mrs" where hilarious couples such as Brian and HILDEGARD answered
questions like "what is your favorite explorer". We then went to the
movie theater to take full advantage of the fact that we were in an
English speaking country and saw the Vow. Romantic Comedy for the win.

Sunday we went to Cobh (pronounced cove, you know, Irish) to see the
ocean, and take in some views, we got there to find a sleepy town that
we walked completely in 40 minutes, but that has some really
interesting history. First of all, the first person ever to be
processed at Ellis Island left from Cobh, and the Titanic's last port
of call was Cobh.

We went to the Titanic museum which had recently been renovated for
the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the sinking. It was cool to walk
through exactly where the passengers went, although it was also kind
of odd. We got some souvenirs, including Titanic branded white
chocolate (it was tragically delicious) We then took a train back in
to Cork, a tiny train mind you, of only two cars. It was rather funny.

We stopped by Rosemary's favorite place, a place that serves only hot
chocolate; it was sinfully delicious. We almost got a second round but
decided against it. Later on, we went to an Irish pub, and watched
Rosemary play fiddle with 6 other musicians in this bar, it was quite
the experience. It was really enthralling to see her play, seeing as
one of the reasons she came to Ireland was to hone her fiddle skills,
let me tell you, I watched for two hours and she is talented! We
walked back and had to say goodbye to Rosemary, and get in bed for our
4:45 wake up call to fly back to Rome Monday morning. It was unreal to
see Rosemary in Ireland, and I hope to see her in Rome and Switzerland
in April.

Ireland was awesome, I will most definitely be back. I was obsessed
with the old houses, that aren't super old and breaking into pieces
(cough cough Rome), and all of the old cars I saw around town. I'm
obsessed with old cars, there's this 27 year old black station wagon
by grandpa has at the lake, and I've been eyeing it for years. One day
it will be mine (mark my words blog reading family members).

Now on to Roma to do that Italian homework I should have done
Thursday. Andiamo.

Fine Leather Goods: Florence 2012

Florence was amazing. Will, Meghan and I caught a morning train to
Florence and got hilariously lost finding our hostel. The town is
tiny, but we managed to make a huge circle before getting where we
needed to be. We dropped our stuff and hit the city hard.

Starting off at the Duomo we walked up and down the 463 stairs. It
seemed easy. Maybe the crazy amount of Roman hill hiking is rubbing
off on me. I was just happy my calves got a good workout. Let's not
get into my obsession with my legs. Not the time or place.

The view was amazing, and we could see all of Florence and planned out
what we would do next. We went to Santa Crocha, and missed the closing
by 3 minutes. Fail. We then went to the Ufitzi gallery to get our art
on and then settled in for a nice dinner. Needless to say, the fettuna
(white beans and tomato bruschetta, which is apparently a huge thing
in Firenze) was amazing. Along with the house chianti and fettucine
with eggplant and sausage. We walked through PONTE VECCHIO and looked
at jewelry I couldn't afford, all while on a bridge. It was really
cool.

Then the magic happened. There was a CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL in the piazza
di republica. Chocolate covered fruit on skewers, white chocolate with
espresso beans, and that was just the first tent. We made friends with
a chocolate vendor while singing to dirty dancing music from a nearby
bar. She said "patrick shwaze where are you, o, right dead". Clearly
we were meant to be friends.

We then decided to go to the restaurant we heard the amazing music
coming from. I found love at this restaurant, finally, a restaurant
where a vodka martini wasn't on the menu. Martinis are not meant to be
made with vodka. Take note people. It makes me very upset.

Anyway, we had one drink because as we realized this place was very
expensive. We enjoyed the random combination of expensive restaurant
with a live piano act, and karaoke bar with random tables acquiring
the microphone.

We passed out and woke up early the next day to get some stuff done
before our train back to Rome.

We went to see David, and I was really taken aback by how beautiful it
was in person. Usually I don't get that into art, but I could not walk
away from the statue. It's amazing, and I can't even describe it. That
was my biggest surprise of Europe so far, being so obsessed with the
statue. PS embarrassing story I just put together the whole "David and
Goliath" thing. I'm really smart, I promise.

We had three hours after leaving, to spend doing nothing, so we
shopped. And we shopped hard. We went to the leather market, I got a
really cool leather tray for like a key table, for when I have a real
apartment again. I also got two scarves, some crazy socks, an two
pairs of leather shoes. It was out of control.

High off of our purchases we walked to the train to study some Italian
and more than likely pass out. There was one guy in the car we got in,
and he was asleep. We woke him up (sorry) and he asked where we were.
I mistakingly said Rome, thinking he asked where we were going. We
said Florence and he had never gotten off the train when it stopped a
half hour before. Fail.

PS If you read this whole blog you get a special prize when I get
home. It was long. Well that is If I ever stop buying stuff for
myself. We'll see.

The Aftermath of Birthday Weekend

This week has been rediculous. Birthday weekend subsided, tired and
battered as we all were we went to class. Tuesday was valentines day,
and in true JFRC fashion 14 of my dearest friends and I went to dinner
by piazza navona, where about 10 of us got the same PEAR TORTELLINI. I
didn't get it, but it was amazing.

Anne, Will and I were at one end of the awkwardly L-shaped table with
our pizza having our own little party. The fun seemingly died down as
we all had to you know; go to college. I had a huge art exam on
Friday, and stayed in to study, that was a HORRIBLE IDEA.

I studied SO MUCH and still did horribly on the test. You can always
re take the class but you can't relive the party. Words to live by.
I'll do better next time, but that was depressing. Then Friday night
happened.

Anne has an internship with democrats abroad in Rome, and there was a
fundraiser they were Putting on so we went. Well first of all it was
in a part of town none of us had ever been, on the B metro line, aka
shady city. We knew it was soul food themed but we did not know what
we were getting in to.

The entrance to the bar was a door leading immediately down a stairway
lit up blue, with mirrors in front of us. We could hear soul music
playing, paid our ten euro to get in, and walked in to a legitimate
soul club in the middle of nowhere Rome.

Low banquettes, a DJ, crazy club lights, music, a stripper pole, and
about 15 Jesuit school students. It. Was. Hilarious. We got food. Some
nondescript rice, chicken and collard greens, that Anne and
Nicole served us from the weird corner window in this bar. Then we
danced. Despite the stripper pole, and creepy people it was a really
fun time, we left really early, at like 10:30, and tried our best to
get home from god knows where Rome.

We found piazza di spagna so we were fine. Headed out to Firenze the
next morning, with plenty to talk about on the train.

Happy Birthday to Anne (and me)

This past weekend was the best weekend of doing pretty much nothing I have ever had. As it was Anne and my birthday weekend we had so many plans, that were obviously thrown out due to the snow in Roma. We couldn't do a lot, but we were not about to take it laying down, we are Loyola students. WE WILL PARTY.

After spending many an hour in the cafe not doing the 6 page research paper I could have easily written 5 times over in the time I wasted. I wouldn't have had it any other way, we all had a very good time, and made a whole lotta memories.

Yesterday (my birthday) was odd, with the internet down (oh the horror) and my paper that was due today yet to be written, I talked to my family, and it was really odd to not be with them on my birthday. I hadn't thought about it yet, but for the kid who strayed all of 26 miles for college it was a weird feeling.

Then of course, I went to my friends room and watched parent trap with my JFRC family. (Its okay to be jealous) After we got dinner (still no paper written) I realized how happy I really was. Not just for my birthday, but for my entire life.

I realized how lucky I am. I am completely separated from the family I have spent my first 20 birthdays with, however I am really happy to be here in Rome.

Honestly Happy, the most I have been in my entire life. The next year of my life will surely be interesting as I graduate and (hopefully) start a career, and I cannot wait to get started. Maybe I should go start that paper, maybe.

Passion and Opera Music?

So today my Values Based Leadership class was supposed to go to the Forum to see where caesar was assassinated, because you know, that happened in the city I am calling home, no big deal.

Anyway, it snowed, and Rome pretty much shut down, so my professor cancelled the field trip and instead, said he was going to give us a lecture on passion, as passion is important to the success of anyone in life, in everything that you do.

Immediately I was obsessed, because I am a nerd for history, leadership, and discussions on what makes people great, and helps them define success for themselves, my family is full of nerds (you know it's true if you are reading this) and we love our quotes, to talk about passion, so I was ready for this discussion.

However, this discussion went in a totally different direction. Instead we had a two hour long lecture on Mario Lanza, the American born Opera singer/Movie star, that is turns out, my professor is obsessed with. He is regarded as the best Operatic Tenor of all time, and after watching 10 of his performances, I can't say I disagree with.

His story however of only singing certain songs just once because of all it meant to him, how he sang every song as if it would be his last and the passion he put into every performance that made him such a great success made for a really interesting and unexpected discussion of passion and how it relates to success in any chosen venture.

My professor ended class giving us a "Greatest Hits" cd, and I have become obsessed with it, it is a case study on how passion can change a talent or knack into a calling (I hate that word). During a semester of trying to find just what my "knack" is it was an unexpected and appreciated lecture.

Turkey, Hold the Hat

To say Istanbul was an experience would be a gross underestimation of how much I learned and realized while in Istanbul this last weekend. First off, it was my first non Loyola sponsored travel, meaning that 4 course meals also came with a bill (weird, I know) and that we had a lot we had to figure out ourselves.

We left the JFRC at 4:30 to catch out 6:40 am flight, needless to say, I was exhausted, but it would soon be worth it. We flew SWISSAIR, which was amazing, wine, chocolate, and lunch at 10:30, that after being up for 7 hours I couldn't say no to. We connected in Zurich, the coolest airport I have ever seen, and were in Istanbul before we knew it. Once there we got a van of some sort to our hostel.

The door to the hostel was, um, shady, but inside we found a really nice hostel (with wifi) and a really knowledgable woman who ran it who really helped us optimize our time in Turkey. We then went off to the Galata tower, just a few minutes from the hostel and took in the city we had yet to get to know from above. We could see the entire city, and the bridges that connected the Asian, and European sides of Turkey.

After that, we went out to try and find some drinks, we were greeted by what looked like an alleyway lined with bars and restaurants, eventually we went to get food, and got swindled out of some Lira, we left, annoyed, and went on eventually ending up at a Hookah bar, where we were the only non turkish people in the room..

We ended the night with the largest feeling of culture shock I have ever felt, coming to Rome had nothing on Turkey, there we stuck out like sore thumbs, there were really no commonalities of our societies, and it was very striking, it was experience I really appreciate having.

Saturday we were up bright and early to see all that Turkey had to offer, it was our only full day there, and we made the most of it. We started at the Blue Mosque, which was truly beautiful, I have seen a lot of religious buildings in my short time abroad, but so far, the Mosques have any Christian church I have ever seen beat when it comes to architecture. (Sorry super Christian family members, I still love churches too)

We went to the Haghia Sophia, and I was just in awe of it. There really are no words to describe it. We later went to the Topkapi Palace, apparently the oldest surviving palace in the world, it was huge, and amazing- with some of the best views of the bay I had seen all weekend. We ended the sightseeing at the Grand Bazzar, which was an experience like I've never had before, and I don't think I'll ever have again, so many people trying to get us to buy things, which worked on some of us, and not on others. I walked out with nothing good, except for some watch I left in the hostel on purpose because I was so embarrassed I bought it.

Sunday, although we had to leave for the Airport at 12:30pm, we still had a full agenda, at 7:30 we left and went to the Turkish baths, where we, um bathed in this place that has been open since 1481, holy hell thats a long time. It was quite the experience, it ended with me being swaddled by some awkward Turkish guy while he hummed, it was an odd experience, that I don't think I'd do again, but that I am very happy I did.

We then, after much trial and tribulation went to the Asian side of Istanbul by shuttle boat, it was a really beautiful view, and it was also awesome to be able to say that we had gone to Asia! We then went to the Airport, went through fake security, and tried to get lunch.

The ticket counter was closed so we had to wait for it to open to go through security, and we went up to the food court. It was really weird, there was a Popeye's, Burger King (there were BK's everywhere, and a Sbarro. Needless to say we didn't eat anything and hoped for something better by the gate. After we got our boarding passes, we went in to the crazy huge duty free shopping mall and looked around, ate food (which was actually good) and found out our flight was delayed. So we shopped some more, and went to our gate, where there was individual security checkpoints for each gate. The Turkish people don't really mess around with their security.

We finally made it to Rome, after our delayed connection in Zurich and were back at the JFRC by 12:30. We were greeted by a cab that couldn't make it near our front gate because of all of the snow, and a crazy amount of snow that toppled some of the trees on the campus property, it was a crazy sight to see.

Istanbul was crazy, 1 city down, and I think 14 left to go?

Freshman Year?

Studying Abroad is like Freshman year, except 823423 times better.

The JFRC is a truly unique opportunity. I live in a dorm, but am thousands of miles from home. surrounded with some new, but some old friends, and it is a truly amazing experience. There are thoughtful staff members encouraging me to go out and do new things, while providing a welcoming environment for me to call "home".

The real reason studying abroad is like Freshman year, but better for me, is because I am someplace new, but I am not that 18 year old hot mess I was when I walked into my dorm room 2 and a half years ago.

I know more about myself, and am happy with who I am, I know better who I interact well with, who I should and should not care about, and I don't have to waste my time with people who won't matter in a few short months.

While still getting to know myself more and more every day, I know I'm not wasting any time, and will look back on this with no regrets, just love. Heres to studying abroad, am I right ladies and gentlemen?