Not a week passes since I have arrived in Italy and already I have experienced my first bus strike (or "sciopero" as they say). Except that I didn't notice it because I decided to walk since it is only a 20ish minute walk and it is so much fun to go through the center of the town and see all the bustling excitement. This morning, for example, a university-aged italian guy approached me as I was walking through the nuovo mercato and asked me (all in Italian) if I was from Firenze and if I would sign a petition to get city money to supplement a center for students who have aids. Yes, I definitely love the morning adventures that I get in the walk to school much better than taking the bus. My roommate, however, wanted to take the bus, so we parted ways at Piazza San Marco, and I got here a good 15 minutes before her. This was sort of a hard morning, because I think there is some tension between me and my roommate. I'm not exactly sure what it is coming from exactly, just general annoyance on both of our parts. I am beginning to realize that it is a difficult situation to be plunged into a small group of people and basically start all over again making friends and deciding who it is that I get along well with. It is just like freshman year all over again! I realize just how lucky I was freshman year to have Bea for a roommate. I love you Bea!! You are the most wonderful friend in the whole world! And now, I must get some cookies as we learn about Puccini's Manon Lescaut which is the first opera that we are seeing, complements of Signora Bing. *beaming smile* I am happy.

Ciao tutti!