Getting To Know the People I Hang Out With

     So I haven't written on my blog for a while, because I recognized that I didn't even enjoy reading it that much and I was talking to my roommate Gabe (the one in purple. He is from Iowa) about it one day over a beer, and he just suggested continuing writting, but maybe switching it up to be something that I would want to read. 

So here goes nothing. This is my attempt to make this blog a little more interesting and enjoyable for you as my readers.

This is Gabe (my roomate from Iowa), myself, and Matt (one of my best friends from school).

 

      This is when we went hiking in the Gran Paradiso. I like this photo because it is a reflection of our relationship. We get along very well and have lots of fun together. This coming weekend we are finally all going to be able to go on a trip together for the weekend as just the three of us. We are going to Sweden together!

      Having lived with these guys for 3 months now, I am recognizing how fortunate I truly am to live with them. Sometimes I wonder who will cook me burgers when Matt leaves in December, and who will clean the apartment twice a week when Gabe leaves. This will be a problem that I have not solved yet!

     This is our kitchen, the guy in red in the front right is Cesare, our Italian roommate. He has been an amazing help to Matt, Gabe, and I. He always is patient with us trying to speak Italian (it always sucks) and enjoys hanging out with us all the time. All of these crazies is the normal group for an evening dinner at our apartment (don't tell anyone in USAC because apparently this is not supposed to happen). Matt, Gabe, Cesare, Enrico (Cesare's friend in Orange), and I are lucky to be able to hang out with some really cool girls (from left to right; Marina, Emily, Carson, Alexa, Cristina, and Samantha) that share the same ideas about this trip with us; yes going out and being 20-23ish is fun, but you can also enjoy yourself when surrounded by good company and a good plate of food in front of you.

     I am comfortable saying that I enjoy having what some would call a nontraditional study abroad experience; we don't go out and drink every night, but rather walk around a check out the city, have great conversation, and cook dinner together. Although everyone is different and some people enjoy different experiences, I like the one I am having here in Italy, and wouldn't trade it for any other experience.