At Long Last, Weekend!

After an exhausting four day week I have a three day weekend. Yippee!! And no, this is no special Roman holiday, this is a weekly occurrence. Yeah for no class on Fridays (thats right Jim, no class on Fridays). So what did I do with this new found freedom, you may ask? The answer, homework. My human trafficking professor assigned a gargantuan amount of reading. Like five chapters. You might think that this is nothing, and normally I would too. However, these five chapters are particularly long, extremely dense, and very depressing. So, two chapters in, and three tissue boxes later, my roommates decided to rip my readings from my hands. Those two are crafty, let me tell you.

After convincing me that I did not have to do all my homework in one night (because I actually have a whole weekend, what? No speech tournament? Again, I say what???) they guided me into the kitchen to bake yet another recipe that Erica found. This time it is Berry Lemon Bars. They are currently baking, but I will let you know how they turn out. The last recipe we attempted was delicious. We made peanut butter cupcakes with a chocolate ganache. It cost us one of the precious peanut butters that we found, but man, they were worth it.

Also, after a week and a half I feel like I know my way around the kitchen. Now, don't get me wrong, I have cooked before. Ask my family, I have whipped up some delicious meals (blackened chicken alfredo anyone?), but this kitchen is just plain weird. We have a gas oven and stovetop, that we have to light. Seriously. We have to open the oven, turn on the gas, and light it before we bake. I feel like I have stepped into a vignette of the 1920's (maybe I have my eras wrong, I don't know, I don't profess to be a history buff). Anyway, I digress. Tonight I made myself roasted potatoes with basil and garlic and a chicken breast with a pesto sauce. It was quite scrumptious, If I do say so myself.

Very exciting news (awkward transition, but I have always struggled with those)!!! Today Erica and I met with some ladies from Campus Crusade. They came to our apartment, showed us the ropes of the public transportation, and then we went out for coffee. We chatted for quite some time. They gave us tips of the best coffee in Rome, the best gelato, when to go to the touristy spots, and some good places for shopping. However, my favorite part of the afternoon was them showing us a church! Before I came I was a little nervous that I would be unable to find an English speaking church, but it turns out that there is one a mere bus ride away! It is the only English speaking church in Rome, and it turns out that it is Baptist. Some may call this luck, but I say it wasn't luck, it was Providence (quick, name that movie). Erica and I plan on attending this Sunday. I will let yo know how it goes. Melissa and Beth Ann (the Campus Crusade ladies) also invited us to help with some events that they plan and host. Erica and I both said we would love to help. How cool is that? I can meet Italians my age, socialize, and talk about my faith. I think it sounds like a pretty cool deal.

On the docket for this weekend. Shopping (we all forgot something in the panic of packing for four whole months), the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, bus tour (?), and perhaps hitting up some museums. Who knows. I don't have to do it all right now, I do have four months! : )