This weekend was fairly low-key in Rome, exaggerated even more so by the incredible weekend my younger brother Scotty had at home. We did have a power outage for a while on Friday, maybe for the whole city we couldn't tell beyond our few streets and we have no way of accessing news- but it was actually pretty funny as we all sat in the dark and finished off the gelato Bri had brought home because it couldn't go in the freezer.
For anybody who missed all my other social media postings about it - Scotty hit a game winning three (off a great pass) to win the game against Downers Grove North on Saturday night. I went back and watched it on GameCube and even I can admit I cried a bit. I'm so happy that he got to have a moment like that- the air punches, crazy dance and the fans storming the court. It's awesome. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. There are few people in this world that exhibit the kind of inherent goodness that Scott does. Not to say that he isn't a little jerk his fair share of the time- but people who have the good fortune to have him in their life count him in their blessings. It was an extraordinary moment to watch on a small screen, so I can't imagine how great it felt for him. I'm still waiting and hoping for a picture of the punch in the air, but until then here are a few of the fans storming the court and celebrating with him and the team, as well as of my parents and their closest friends celebrating in the stands- both of which I took from the DGS basketball page.
I didn't honestly think I would get homesick in Rome- but this would have made me homesick even at Marquette. It's difficult to miss out on such important moments in people's lives when all you want to do is share in it with them. The relief to me came when I saw (and I hope that it is) Marco down on the court celebrating with him as well in that huge crowd. Knowing his storytelling, there will be the longest possible tale of this shot waiting for me when I get home, and I am so looking forward to it. Also, from the countless conversations Marco and I have had I know that Scott getting a moment like this meant as much to Marco as it would have to me, so I'm glad that he could be there not only in place of me as the substitute sibling, but also because I know he will never stop reliving it with Scotty. All in all I'm so impressed by you Scott! Not only for the shot but for the interview after- where he took the time to compliment everyone on the team for their contribution to his shining moment, further exhibiting his character. Love you Ooglay- wish I could have been there with you.
While Scott was having an incredible weekend in Downers, we were enjoying a weekend in Rome. Most of us are beginning to travel next weekend (Dublin! To see the superstar's future wife and my own best friend Emma Murry!) so we had a lot of homework to get done and out of the way, but also wanted to spend some time enjoying the city.
The weekend basically started Wednesday.. which is becoming somewhat of a pattern that I have no problem with. A group of us that all go to Marquette spoke to other study abroad students from Marquette that we knew were abroad- whether or not we knew them that well personally- and we got together for a dinner! It was a very fun night- and just a constant reminder of how unique the attachment students have to Marquette is. As a university Marquette genuinely strives for that unity of "We Are Marquette" and to make all the students invested in the school, and they do pretty well by it. As we were leaving our roommates even commented that they would not have really thought to get a group together from their school. In spite of knowing each other minimally, most of us not at all, it was a very fun night. We even broke out the cheesy sign to submit to Marquette study abroad.
Thursday was Kelly's birthday! We celebrated by going to our now usual cafe. The man who works there decorated the top and after Kelly and I simultaneously "aww-ed" he wrote "aww" on the cappuccino that the next customer ordered with a smiley face. We're pretty sure he likes us and isn't teasing us. Pretty sure.
We spent the rest of the day shopping, treated ourselves to Giolitti's gelato and then ended up back at class. That night we went out with our roommates to dinner at Toni's- a restaurant many people had been told they had to eat at in Italy. It's in Trastevere so it's close to us and in a fun area so we decided to try it. I now know exactly why it comes so highly recommended by other Americans. It is the Carabbas of Italy. And I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. The food was better, definitely. But the serving sizes were equivalent. It's a place where they ask you if you want to take it home- something that I have not heard once before Toni's since being in Italy. It was amazing though, and they gave us a few extra birthday desserts which was incredibly nice. Did I mention that the prices were good? So we like this place. A lot.
Other things that happened this weekend- learned how to make homemade crepes! Honestly I don't even like them. They aren't quite pancakes and I'm beginning to question whether or not I even like Nutella- something I can only admit because Nicole isn't close enough to kill me. Nonetheless we had a very fun time making them. We also tried out a club for the first time- the Tistacchio is a group of clubs that is actually very close and just a couple blocks behind the grocery store we go to. So. Much. Fun. We all got to dance for the first time since being here and had a great time doing that as well as just actually being out with Italians. Most of the bars that we usually go to are in Campo de Fiore, and there are about as many Italians as there are Americans there. The clubs though were pretty much all Italians. Ultimately a very different experience and a ton of fun! I've been in Rome three and a half weeks and I've done more things outside my comfort zone (running alone in the city, going to clubs sober, using sharp knives, talked with strangers) than I ever did prior to this experience.
I also managed to fit in a few runs- and found these stairs right before our apartment on my way back. Great to end my workout on, but ultimately made me question whether or not I have already developed lung cancer from all the secondhand smoke I inhale here. It's possible that I'm just out of shape- but I think I'll stick with my secondhand smoke story for now. If you can see clearly enough down so far, I live on the street that runs perpendicular to the stairs just about half a block to the right if you're looking at the picture. There's a little market behind our apartment on Sundays too so I wandered through that on my way home.
I can't believe it's already February. We're going to try and watch the Superbowl tonight .. Although it's not until 12:30 a.m. our time so we'll see how awake I am for that one. At the very least we're eating burgers and having a bit of an American night. February already! Wow. Be home in just about three months.. Don't even want to think about that. It's a good thing I booked my flight home ahead of time or else I don't think there is anybody who could have convinced me to come home, with the exception of the enticement of my Grandma's treats. Something my cousins have teased me with already as they receive second semester care packages and I'm left for a couple months without the best mini cheesecakes and ginger snaps. That's all I've got. Dublin on Thursday- I'm coming for you Emma Murry!
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