ThE fIRsT FeW dAyS!!!!

The first few days have been kind of crazy. I am learning new things every second and just trying to soak everything in. After I had unpacked on the first night, Giulio came to pick me up at the house and we went and got Alessandro. From there we went to the studio where he works...and now I work...we finally got off the main roads and I saw what Rome is really like...very narrow streets, laundry hanging from the windows...it's just amazing. The studio is right near the city center. There are actually pillars from old Rome built into the walls. It's so neat. Hard to explain. I met our coworkers whom are both very easy to get a long with. Funny too. Fabiana came to pick me up from there and we went home. Alessandro and I ate dinner. I was going to wait for Giulio to get home around 9 but I was too tired and probably would have fallen asleep on my bed, which I was starting to do anyway. Jet leg.

Thursday I got up at 8:30. Got dressed and made some coffee (espresso). Giulio and I took Alessandro to school and then headed to one of the Government buildings to get me a "Social security number" so I could open a bank account here. It was interesting. A lot different then here. Didn't have to wait forever and while we waited went and had breakfast...mmmm donuts.

From there we went to the studio (http://www.studioromoli.eu/index.html). We jumped right into working. We are building a scale model of a spa type store. It's going to be pretty cool. We worked on that til about 11:30 then made some coffee, worked til 1, ate lunch and had coffee...delicious pasta...schnitzel...artichoke...and a coca light :) worked at the studio until 4 and then Fabiana came and got me to get Alessandro from school. Tonight was important because we went to the Colesium for Fabiana's exhibition, which was quite magnificent. AMAZING!!! We were late and Ale (ah-lei is what we call him and easier to type) wasn't a happy camper. It was breathtaking. I got to meet Giulio's parents. They were very kind but couldn't speak much english. His dad even said "See you later alligator" to me when they left us. While we walked around Everyone was staring at me. One, because I am American, and Two, because I wasn't wearing a coat and everyone else was. It was almost 60, but for them it is cold. After that we went to get pizza next to "Magic Sound" The pizza was delicious and fresh...I ate a lot and then they told me we were going for Tiramisu...i never turn down dessert...thank gosh because it was delicious, but I sure was stuffed.



This morning we got up and did it all over again. We stopped at the bank this morning first, but had no luck with getting an account for me. Both people that we had to speak to were gone for the day, even the person in charge of changing over the dollar. So we have to go back on Monday morning. At the studio I met some of Giulio's students and we all went for lunch together. The boys ate McDonalds and got made fun of. It smelled just the same as home but the sandwiches were smaller.

Back at the studio, I worked on the model until about 4 and then Fabiana picked me up. She drives a moped everywhere so she has to come to the studio everyday to get the car. After school we went to the baby supermarket...just stuff for babies...and then the regular supermarket. It was great. Everything was fresh...bread, fruit, meat, and fish, which we got for dinner. We came home and i played with Ale while Fabiana made dinner for him. I taught him his first english word today, "ball." He loves the puzzle that I got for him too with the ABC's. He likes to make the animal noises with me. We had a very good dinner tonight eventhough it was fish. Rhombo fish, potatoes, bread, and a blood orange. Coffee and chocolate for dessert!!! YUM! I am trying to catch some of March Madness, but they are getting to be a little late and it's time for bed. Ciao