Resident Travestere and Orientation day

I apologize for lagging on my blogs the past two days. I've just been a bit busy adjusting to this city...and I was trying to figure out how to use Erin's portable keyboard thing for the iPad because typing on this little screen isn't the easiest thing in the world. A keyboard would have also been useful to take notes in class. Whelp, guess it's back to old fashion paper and pen for class! (I still need to buy a notebook haha)

~Resident Trastevere~
So, we stayed at a hostel the first night since we couldn't move into our apartment until the 25th. But, Ya know... Hostels aren't that bad for the most part. But, it's probably because we we're upgraded to a private one. Due to jet lag, we all woke up around 5:30am. Ridiculous. It sucked because I wanted to sleep more but couldn't. My body wasn't agreeing with me whatsoever. Our window led to this balcony area that had a very eerie yet calming vibe to it (Images featured below).

 

Getting a taxi from the hostel to the trastevere was a damn struggle. The girl at the front desk told us it would take an hour to catch a cab there because of the heavy rain so our best bet would be to walk to the nearest plaza and flag one down there. THIS. EFFIN. SUCKED. Mitch (another friend of mine that just happened to be staying at the same hostel) and I were so aggressive. At this point, I was ready to give up. I just felt very frustrated and flustered. It was a combination of the rain pouring down on us and not being able to as for help. I immediately knew that the language barrier was going to be the MAIN problem. Wasn't the best way to start out the trip. But, We eventually got one and made it to Resident Trastevere.

The apartment itself is more spacious than I imagined it would be. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms for 8 girls. Yeaup. You read right, 8 girls. It may sound spacious but I feel like it's only spacious because everything (tables, beds, couches, tv, fridge, stove, sink, etc) is small. *note: I filmed a video but I want to edit it so you guys aren't watching a 3 minute long video of me walking around lol)

I'm in a triple with Erin and my homegirl Melody. Aren't we cute? Haha The three of us are convined they don't wash the comforters, which is really nasty but... Check this. We made an Oreo with the comforter and 2 bed sheets. Whoooo, instant "wash" (You might be wondering why we didn't just wash the comforters. Well, we  cant cos they don't use dryer machines here... There is no way a comforter will dry in time for us to use it at night. I was saying to use a blow dryer but ehh)

We used this day to catch up on sleep, go to the local market, and just chill. We bought a couple bottles of wine buuuuut no bottle opener. So, we were googling ways to pull out the screw and My found this video of a dude opening it up using a shoe lol Lets just say we were still u successful. 

~Orientation Day~

edit: Orientation Day started at 12:30pm and it's located at the ACCENT center. ACCENT is where I'll be having classes and... it's a 25 minute commute. No biggie. I've never been there so the plan was to leave at 11:15pm with a couple of my roommates so we didn't get lost. We follow the directions, take the tram, and get off at the last stop (at least we think we're following the directions correctly). In front of you when you get off the tram was Piazza Venezia! The very first big touristy site I set my eyes on. So, of course we decided to be typical, basic girls and take a gazillion pictures. Here's a cute one of all of us (btw, shout out to mymy for letting me steal his gopro)

So, it hits close to 12 and we figure we should head towards orientation. After wondering around for what seemed like forever, me and Erin finally made it to orientation. Yeah, we were late by 20 minutes but that's ok. We got there and it's all thank to this old Italian lady who couldn't find her glasses. Lol Getting lost in general sucks. But, getting lost in Rome is beautiful. We passed through this gorgeous alleyway that had little shops, restaurants and gelato that eventually led us to a farmers/flea market (pics below)

 

If you know me at all, you know I don't like being helpless and feeling vulnerable. To some degree, Rome makes me feel this way. One of the worse things about being in a different country is the language barrier. Not being able to understand or speak Italian is so frustrating. So, when we got lost, I immediately started to feel defeated. Hate that. So, asking around for directions to ACCENT sucked. Erin and I don't speak or understand Italian at all. Hand gestures was our only communication. I mean, waving your had left and right and shit can only get you so far.

There are just so many major difference between here and the states. 

Ciao da Roma!

PHEW I AM FINALLY HERE lol

Let's just give a quick recap because I'm ridiculously tired from today's travels, changing time zones is messing with my mind, and I don't have the brain power to write creatively :) haha

Preparing and packing for this trip was very hectic. Shoutout to all the realtives that came over Saturday night to wish me safe travels! and an even bigger shoutout to the best mommy in the world for packing my suitcase (I'm being very careful taking stuff out because I don't want to ruin it's perfection haha)

I was a hot mess running last minute errands before our flight yesterday (or is it today or.. idk lol) Got me sweating but I was able to get everything I needed done. So, when our friend dropped us off at LAX, I was really nervous. I've flown dozens of times but I've never gone out of the country without family. I've never done something like this on my own and to be frank, it's quite scary. But, traveling with these goobs makes this whole thing a lot easier to adjust to.

I knew the trip wouldn't be too bad when checking in my luggage and getting through security only took less than a half hour since we were put through an expedited security line. That was phenomenal cos I didn't have to take off my entire wardrobe 

On another note, I forgot how great airplane food was.
Definitely satisfied with dinner and breakfast! 

 

Tip: Be cognizant of the people sitting around you. They could constantly be spilling water on the floor which can wet your personal items (poor erin) And if you're sitting in the middle seat for 10 hours, your life sucks (aka me)

Unfortunately, My wasn't sitting with us and was by himself. Sucks right? Well, wrong... At his lonesome window seat, he was able to take a beautiful shot of the Northern Lights.  #whattabadass

On our second flight, I met another UCEAP student from UCLA. He's a cool dude. I felt terrible though because we were talking none-stop then I guess I fell asleep on him *crying/laughing emojis* hahaha

Taking a taxi to our hostel told me a lot about the drivers here in Rome. They have 1 rule and that's "Not to give a fxck". They would drive 90 mph in a 45 zone, weave through heavy traffic, cut pedestrians off even if they are already walking across the street, etc. I can't help but think that Erin may be unsafe here. Hahaha jk boo :) 

We just came back from our first dinner in Italy. Of course we took the basic route and got ourselves some good old fashion pizza! A lot of people who have gone abroad told me that the portions in Italy are much smaller than America. Uhhhmmm, dinner at this little restaurant said otherwise haha

Well, everyone's in bed now, extremely exhausted and it's getting pretty late here. I'll do a short little tour of my living space tomorrow once everything is settled and we're officially moved in! 

Ciao! 

**note: i'll add more pictures of us waiting at the airport once i get it from the gopro**

I got my classes!

I’m procrastinating on this paper a bit ‘cos I checked my email and I got my classes! Here’s descriptions of the courses I got straight off the Study Abroad site. 

In Rome, I will be taking…

Art, Crime, and Cultural Heritage

• The course focuses on the looting, destruction, and reselling of antiquities, with an emphasis on Italy, from classical antiquity to today. Students will consider issues such as what constitutes an art/cultural heritage crime, how ideas of value (both real and symbolic) have emerged historically and how have they changed over time, what constitutes “ownership” in the eyes of different entities, and how this has changed over the past 50 years, resulting in the current difficult and controversial issue of the repatriation of cultural artifacts, which have crossed international borders. The course includes a review of cultural heritage laws and the current international situation, as well as a discussion identifying challenges and providing suggestions for regulating the market of antiquities in the future.

Representing the “Other” in Contemporary Italian Literature

• This course aims to provide a general introduction of “alterity” and how it is represented in contemporary Italian literature. In this course, we will examine the writings by authors who have traditionally been excluded from Italian literature and who represent “marginal” subjects in Italian culture and society. Through many readings by various Italian authors, we will analyze how the cultural production of second generations in contemporary Italy is “challenging national homogeneity,” while at the same time changing Italian notions of national literature and culture

A bit sad that I don’t have class with Erin or My… But, it’s ok. Going abroad is all about meeting new people, right?

When in Madrid, I will be taking…

The City as Text. Urban Development and Art in Madrid

• Taking Madrid both as a natural extension of history and as a canvas or text, this course will analyze main art manifestations in the city and will provide students with an understanding of the reality of the capital’s artistic life from different perspectives. The course will not only approach official discourses but also more spontaneous, popular or marginal manifestations through the exploration of street art or alternative utilizations of public space -“secondary” layers of the city yet key in the mapping of today’s Madrid.

Old Religion and New Beliefs in Modern Spain

• This course will provide an overview of the religious beliefs that have shaped the Spanish society since the Middle Ages until the present day highlighting the initial enriching coexistence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the subsequent imposition of Catholicism, the multiple attempts to reach religious freedom during the nineteenth century, the declaration of Spain as a non-confessional country in the 1978 Constitution, and the new spiritual beliefs and practices that are being introduced by younger generations and immigrants. 

I have Old Religion with Erin. That should be pretty interesting since we are both Catholic. I have a feeling we’re going to be doing a lot of comparing and contrasting haha

Stay Tuned! 

Getting Ready

I’m currently in the library, working on a final paper I have due on Friday and it just dawned on me. This is my last finals week of my undergraduate career at UC Irvine… Wow. Where did the time go? It’s crazy to think that in a couple of months, I will be walking across the stage with a cap and gown, accepting a diploma and boom.. I will be a UC Irvine Alumnae. & then it’s goodbye college and hello to the real world. Yikes… Onto a less serious/happier note… Haha This time next week, I will be in Rome! Soooo surreal. I honestly can’t believe that it’s actually happening. I know I’ve said this many many times, but it’s thanks to everyone that has helped me out. This would not have been possible without you. 

Anyways, here’s a quick little update on how the rest of the week will look like. I will be going home to the Bay on Friday. But, my stay will be short. Just there to pack everything I need then I leave for Orange County on Sunday (lots of back and forth cos flying to Europe from SFO was a bajillion dollars more expensive). Then, on Monday, I will be on a plane headed to Rome! I’m ridiculously excited and I can’t want to share this with all of you. 

Stay tuned for more! :)

I want to formally thank everyone that has donated to help fund this trip, whether it was through the gofundme or in person or through mail, etc. I am eternally grateful and this experience would not have been possible without your help! Please expect a little something in the mail within the next couple of days<3

Oh, hello there

Family, friends, extended fam, fam-friends, colleagues, peers, teachers, etc.

Welcome to my blog! Like promised, I will utilize this blog to document my experience for…a couple of reasons.

1. like promised, I want to share my journey with all of you in hopes you feel like you’re present in europe with me
2. when I’m old, wrinkly, and can’t remember anything.. I want to be able to look back on this blog and remember exactly what I was feeling
3. finally, because i hope to discover another part of ninah that I haven’t found in the bay or at uc irvine

With that said, I would like all of you to know that I will be documenting EVERYTHING— so the bad, good, ugly and the pretty! :) aaand just as a small disclaimer.. most of you know, my mouth needs to be washed with soap because I have the tongue of a dirty sailor haha so please expect a little swearing here and there heehee