Tag: Rome

Easter in Rome

Easter in Rome

By |

Celebrating Easter in the world capital of Catholicism was definitely something I can check off my bucket list.  Loyola had a bunch of tickets to go to St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday.  It was mass… with the pope!! Luckily, Father Al (one of the priests here at John Felice Rome Center) was generous enough to give me five tickets so that my family was able to experience this as well.

We had to get up early, as all the tourists from all over the world were slowly flooding into the square to see the pope.  It was a long line, but we got in and got very good seats right in the middle.  The pope and his cardinals led the mass, which was very long (almost three hours!) but very worth it.

It was a normal Easter Sunday mass, but at the end, the pope went up into the Vatican’s window and gave his address.  He had to have said “Happy Easter” in at least 20 languages, to cater to everyone in the audience.  It was cool to hear him do this, as it was suddenly like a huge rally.  Whenever the pope would speak a certain language, the country’s natives would start chanting, cheering and waving flags. The rally like nature was like a Cleveland Brown’s game… minus the continuous losses.

I’m grateful I got the chance to see the pope again (I also went to a papal audience). Even though my family was very jet-lagged, they really enjoyed it, as well.   It was great being able to celebrate Easter in a foreign country with not only my family, but also the Pope!

Awaiting My Family

Awaiting My Family

By |

This upcoming Easter weekend, my mom, dad, brother and sister are all headed over to Rome to visit me! I’m currently making a list of places for us to go/eat/sight see.  They’re coming for a week, and are hoping to make it to all Rome’s main attractions: The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, The Trevi Fountain and The Spanish Steps. They also are going on a wine tour through the vineyards in Tuscany.

I’m excited for their arrival, especially because I will be their personal tour guide (like a true Roman). My family is very obnoxious and very fun, so I know this will be a trip they will never forget!

Here’s a picture of my mom, dad, me, my 15 year old sister and my 16 year old brother.  This was during our big family vacation.  We had themed nights where each family cooked and decorated, and this night was Italian night. My aunt made us all shirts, and we dressed up like guidos/guidettes… Jersey Shore style.  We’re trying to look intimidating. I think its working!

One More Month

One More Month

By |

While looking at my calendar, I saw that I had marked on this day, March 28th, “One month to go :(”.  I can’t believe I only have one month left here in Rome! Time has flown by and I have enjoyed every single minute of my time exploring Europe.

I will be very sad to leave here, as Loyola’s John Felice Rome Center has made a huge impact on my life.  Everyone told me that after this study abroad experience, I would be a whole new person.  I never believed it, but I am starting to see it.  This experience has bettered me and opened my eyes to many things I never knew existed.  I have learned a ton as well as made many new friends thanks to Loyola’s great sense of community at the JFRC.

Although I am sad to leave Europe, I am looking forward to coming home to my family and friends.  Here’s a few things I am excited about.

  1. My mom’s delicious meals: My mom makes the best dinners.  Not only do I miss the food, but I miss sitting with my parents, brother and sister around the dinner table (especially Sundays) all talking and laughing.
  2. My immediate family: As well as my aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.  My family is extremely close.  I have 21 cousins and we hang out all the time, especially at my grandparent’s pool in the summer.  I particularly miss my little 2 year old cousin and beautiful godchild, Paylin!
  3. American food and restaurants/not having to pay for water: In Europe, wherever you go, you have to pay for water, and even bread.  I miss going to a restaurant, being able to drink water for free and eat unlimited bread.  Don’t get me wrong, the food here is AMAZING, but it gets a little pricey, and I’m a broke college student.
  4. American stores: European fashion is great and very stylish, but again, it is pricey, and I miss Forever 21 and Target!
  5. My friends: I have five best friends that mean more to me than anything.  We are all very close and have a ton of fun together in whatever we do.  They are the funniest girls I know. Here’s the two friends I’ve known the longest- second grade and then senior year!

It’s crazy that I have one more month here.  No matter how sad I get about leaving, I will be thankful to make it home to everything and everyone I miss!!

Mini Care Package From Home to Rome

Mini Care Package From Home to Rome

By |

I’ve been obsessively checking my mailbox for the past few weeks, since I knew a little package was coming for me from home.  Before I left for Italy, I ordered a few necessities online, and of course with my luck, they got to the States the day after I leave! So my lovely mother sent them to Italy with a few extra things.

My mom sent me trashy tabloids (my guilty pleasure), a nice card with notes from my siblings and parents and a few newspaper articles.  Both of them were from my local newspaper at home.  One of them was about the insane amount of snow Rome received the past month, and the other was about how Krakow, Poland is a great place to vacation. (where I’m going for spring break- its where my grandmother’s family is from)

It was a great care package and it’s always nice to hear from my family back home.  I’m lucky they sent me things, because it is nearly impossible to get things to Rome without paying a heavy tax.  My friend received some food and she had to pay 300 euro!  My package, luckily, got here quickly and easily. And I’m definitely going to enjoy having my new clothes to wear and soaking in all the American gossip from the tabloids.

Snow in Rome

Snow in Rome

By |

One of the main reasons I was ecstatic for Rome was the fact that the weather is significally warmer than Chicago.  I packed a light jacket and a light pea coat, not even considering there could be any weather colder than maybe mid forty or fifty degrees. Little did I know that I would need a bigger jacket; there was snow coming!

This past weekend, as well as the weekend before, a huge snowstorm hit Rome.  Professors were saying that this is the worst snow Rome has had in about thirty years!  We had a snowday, because the professors couldn’t make it into class and we were also strongly encouraged to not leave the building.

The funny thing is, the snow wasn’t even that bad.  Italians just aren’t used to snow, so they had no idea how to react.  Also, using salt to melt the ice isn’t common here, so it was very slippery.  The whole city shut down. Busses and taxis stopped running and restaurants, cafes shut down.  It was impossible to get anywhere for a few days.

It was fun playing in the snow, even if it did seem significantly less than what I’m used to in my hometown (the snowbelt of Northeast Ohio).  It was cool to see my new friends from California experience their first snow; most of them had never experienced it!  Here’s a picture of the snow covering a vineyard in Tuscany (they got a lot more than Roma).

Top 5 Gelaterias In Rome

Top 5 Gelaterias In Rome

By |

So since leaving Rome the one thing I have missed more than anything, is some amazing gelato. So here is my list of the best places in the city of Rome.

1. Gelateria del Teatro – By far the best Gelato in Rome! Location is simply amazing, located down a picture perfect roman alleyway. And while it may be a little more expensive, it is simply amazing. Top Flavors: Sage Raspberry, Cecialian Chocolate, Orange Chocolate, Lemon, and basically everything else.

2. Old Bridge – Located across the street from the entrance to the Vatican Museums this place offers the best bang for your buck. They are in no way stingy in the amount for only a euro-fifty. Top Flavors: Fruti de Bosco, Pistachio, Chocolate

3. Trestevere – I do not actually remember the name of this place but it is located in Trestevere on a back alley where only the locals really go. It has the best Lemon gelato ever, which mixes perfectly with there other fruity flavors. Top Flavors: Lemon

4. Crematoria – After a nice mass a the Pantheon or a stroll through Piazza Navona, Crematoria is a something special. Top Flavors: Rose

5. San Crispino – If it where not for the fact that San Crispino has horrible service and they are very expensive it would be the best in Rome. Top Flavors: Whiskey, Honey

From Ohio to Roma

From Ohio to Roma

By |

It was weird coming home for winter break, because I knew wouldn’t be coming back to Chicago.  I’m studying abroad in Rome, Italy this semester, so it was crazy to think I’d be on another continent for the whole spring semester.

Most of my break was spent preparing for Rome.  There’s so much you need to do when traveling internationally and I definitely underestimated what I had to do.  It was stressful… but whenever I would get stress, I’d just think… I’M GOING TO ROME!!!

Besides packing and getting all the paper work ready, I hung out with my family and friends, relaxed and watched a ton of television (guilty pleasure).  The greatest thing about winter break is that Loyola gives us a whole month off. So there is tons of time to relax and have no stress.

My flights to Rome (yep, there were three layovers) was a week and a day ago, meaning I’m there now!! It is absolutely amazing. I am definitely having the time of my life.  I can already tell this was the best decision I’ve thus far in my life. I’ve made many new friends, I get to explore many places and travel to many different countries.  I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to study abroad.  I’m looking forward to updating all of you on my adventures!!!

Here’s a beautiful view from Rome

Im Tad, Like a Tadpole

Im Tad, Like a Tadpole

By |

In 2009 I started my attendance at Loyola completely unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to help people and I decided I would take advantage of every opportunity that was given to me.

I came to Loyola for a number of reasons, but I stayed after I realized how perfectly the school fit me. To this day I can approach any one of my professors, at almost any time, and ask for help on basically anything. Loyola offered me the college experience that I had never expected.

Since making the decision to come to Loyola my life has completely changed. I have done things that I never would have dreamed of and been involved in opportunities that have opened every possible door for me. Not only was I involved in research my freshman year, I also just got back from 12 weeks in Europe at JFRC (Loyola’s campus in Rome). And this January I am preparing to go to Panama on a dental brigade. And if like that wasn’t enough: I am fully trained as an EMT, I’ m involved in many different student organizations and I volunteer at different places on a weekly basis.

As for majors I started with Biology, like every other person interested in pre-med, and soon after changed everything, and then changed back. After a long process and 5 different changes I am a Biophysics and Biology double major, with minors in Math and Art, on a pre-dental track.

I grew up in Southern California, yes I know, why did I leave? It’s actually a pretty simple answer, Chicago!

Frank Sinatra put it best when he sang “Chicago is my kind of town”. The people are friendly, the sports are awesome, the environment is amazing and I can experience any of it with a simple thirty minute el ride downtown.