Jessica in Rome

I admit there was once a time when learning Italian sounded fun and interesting. I had even investigated the Italian conversation classes at the local community college in Spokane. I figured it would be fun to say a few phrases to my long distance Italian boyfriend. Well, that all changed when we decided living on different continents sucked and we really wanted to be together. No more Italian conversation classes (probably taught in English, I’m guessing) to be learned at my leisure just for the fun of it. When I got off the 15 hour plane, Italian became a sink or swim necessity. The first few months I just listened hoping to absorb anything. When that didn’t work I signed up for the 2 week intensive course and the worst school ever. I was terrified and realized I only really knew how to say “ciao”. It was humiliating. The teacher was mean, and even though it was an “absolute beginner” class, I was the only one that wasn’t able to converse casually. I think this is probably where my attitude about learning Italian changed. I hated the school, hated feeling like the stupidest person on Earth and just wanted to crawl in bed and cry. I decided to at least switch schools, take an extensive course (only 2 days a week) and try to be positive. At the new school I loved my teacher, the secretary was friendly and all was conducive for me to learn this crazy language. That is…until I became the problem.
I don’t understand why I am still SO UNMOTIVATED to learn. After a year of twice a week courses (minus 2 months around the wedding and the summer when there are no classes) I can hold a conversation and am mostly comfortable talking to my in laws, but I am only at about a level 3 (of 9) or B1 (depending on which classification you are using). When I feel like I am making progress, a wrench is thrown into my confidence and my brain shuts off. Currently I am in pronomi hell. I kind of feel like I get it, but then I always mess up. I think I have a learning disorder when it comes to Italian. I took German in high school and I was the best in the class, even the German club president! I currently have a 3.9 in my (distance) college courses and am on the Dean’s list. What’s wrong with me? I have bought exercise book after exercise book and I attempt to fill in the blanks, only to get totally confused and frustrated. Then I give up, flip Sky Vivo to English and remember the good ole days where I was understood and witty in America.
Then about every 2 months I completely break down, sob for hours to Daniele about how I hate Italian, Rome and everything having to do with anything. I know “piano piano” and all that crap, but sometimes I feel like I will never learn. I will be a bumbling idiot forever.
I also hate it when I meet people in school who have been here for 3 months and can speak just as well as I can without ever taking lessons. It really drives home the fact that I completely suck at this.
I did however, buy more exercise books, one only for I Pronomi so hopefully it help rather than collect dust like the other ones I have bought.
*SIGH*

I think I am my own worst enemy.

I feel like a nerd writing about a trip to a fast food chain in Rome. But when you live so far away from things that used to be in your everyday life, experiencing them in your new one feels really…nice. I used to eat at Subway all the time, so finding this lonely store, on a random street corner when I wasn’t looking for it came as a pleasant surprise. I ate there three times last week! It was sooooo good. Maybe I am feeling a bit homesick? Or I am struggling with hammering out my “Italian self”. I don’t know, but for some reason a footlong sub (well, 3) made me feel better this week. As for the store, it was almost identical to the Subways in the states, but was cleaner and styled a little cuter. They carry all the normal sandwiches (Meatballs!) and the only differences I noticed was there weren’t as many breads to choose from, the soda is in cans, and they don’t toast the sandwiches. Everything else was the same, even the soups, cookies and the point cards. They even had Ranch dressing! It was also eerily quite inside. The staff was really nice, but on all 3 visits there was no one else inside. I think it is more of a lunch time place, as I went during the night around 9pm. Surprisingly it has been open for 2 years! I am glad found it, though I still think the Italian owned Orfeo: Re della Notte is the best sandwich shop in Rome (you can put mashed potatoes on your sandwich!) There are a few Subways scattered in Italy: Sicily, Naples, Vincenza, Milano, and a few other places.

Is there one near you? Does stumbling upon little reminders of your old life help you? Am I weird?

 I almost missed this completely, but looking up something caught my eye. Holy moly, it’s a horse in the Pantheon! One of the things I am beginning to love about Rome is all the unexpected surprises, no matter how big or small.

Looking at this horse up near the oculus, I remember all the balloons that have slipped out of my hands over the years, but never in a place as cool as the Pantheon.

Oli, an expat from South America, is learning the Italian art of relaxation:

Catching up on favorite blogs via Google Reader:

Her cage really is bigger than our car. We lovingly call it the Guest House.

Looking out the window today, I wonder what the hell happened? It’s gray, cold and depressing out there! A stark contrast to the beautiful spring weather over this past weekend. D and I decided to make more of an effort to get out into the city and enjoy its treasures. This came with a catch though. He isn’t the touristy type here. I understand that you wouldn’t get excited about a city you lived in your whole life, but come on! It’s Rome and it has so much to offer. I brought up the point that he hasn’t even seen many of the sites I want to go to and there is no good reason not to go. He brought up the point that since I don’t work, there is no good reason to not be more domestically inclined. It’s true, I am a horrible housewife. What comes naturally to many women is like rocket science to me. I just don’t notice that pile of dirty clothes, my disorganized closet, the dishes that need washing and the shelves collecting dust bunnies. Don’t get me started on cooking, for everyone’s safety, it’s best I don’t go there. Ever. So we compromised and came to the agreement that if I played housewife during the week, we could be tourists together on the weekends in Rome without the whining and eye rolling.

We started our weekend adventures in Villa Borghese. For months I have had the fantasy of D renting me a row boat and rowing me all over the little man-made lake in the park. For only 6 euros, my dreams came true and I was rowed for a whole 20 minutes. I highly suggest this fun activity, definitely worth the money for a close up look at the beautiful Greek style temple on the little island in the middle of the lake. There are HUGE fish swimming in the waters as well. So FUN!

Giardino del Lago (Lake Garden)

Villa Borghese

Paddle Boat Rental: 3 euro per person for 20 minutes.

There is a Subway Sandwich Shop in Rome!!! I spotted it while driving through Rome today. Tomorrow I am there. I can’t sleep I am so excited. Will they have my Meatball sub? The cookies? It’s too much to bear!

Via Del Marrucini 18/C 18/D
Rome 00185
0039-0644-362-447

Update: Subway is not open Sundays. Sadness.

Well Happy Valentine’s Day readers! I wish you all a glorious day filled with chocolates, conversation hearts and love!

I never would have guessed I would be enjoying a Valentine’s Day with someone that so throughly completes me (that’s you D). Our love is non judgmental, fun, filled with laughter and based on friendship. I am a lucky girl! For me, Valentine’s day is no longer a cheap holiday that culminates with an expensive gift. No, it is a day to skip school and hang out with my best friend, my husband! D you have my heart forever!

Whatever your relationship status, make today about more than a cheesy card, spend it with those that love you!

Welcome to Jessica’s Ultra Fabulous Survivors Kit! Moving to Rome has been a mixed bag of good and bad, and a roller coaster ride of emotions…take PMS-ing and give it equal parts speed and codeine, it’s kinda like that. So I developed my little list of things that keep homesickness at bay and, best of all, keeps my head firmly on my shoulders.

*Whatever you do, keep a debit or credit card registered in the United States (or where ever you are from). For us Yankees, it give us access to iTunes USA and that means you can rent and buy movies and TV shows that take months (or years) to be released in Italy. Also having a card tied to the US has given me access to countless websites and online services I wouldn’t be able to with the old Postepay Card.

*If you want to amaze all your friends, or be the annoying person that can interject “I saw that like 5 MONTHS AGO!!!” whenever people talk about the new movie they saw at the Cinema, then check out my dirty little secret: moviealien and be Troppo Avanti like me.

*STOP!!! DO NOT pay 10+ euro for that Cosmo magazine! Go to my new favorite site Zinio and get a subscription to your favorite mags at a discount. Cosmo US is only $3.99 a issue or $12.00 for a year! The awesome thing is it’s completely digital! So while you learn this months kama sutra pose and the must have lipstick shade, you are saving a tree! There is a whole bunch of other mags on there, from Photography to Business Week. There are UK and Australia editions as well.

*You can find pancakes, peanut butter, and maple syrup really easily (I get them from my local Panorama out here in the boonies). However, I still miss Starbucks, Schnapps Liquor, bagels and a bum load of other goodies. In Rome you can find a lot of American foods at Castroni, but on several of my visits I wasn’t that impressed. It’s like paying way too much for those weird canned foods at gas stations or the dollar store. I have no idea why. Lesson is, I do find many American things in the regular supermarket. Just look for the dusty shelf in a out of the way place. There is always Food From Home too…mmmm Cadbury Cream Eggs….

So now you have a good start to your survival kit. There is a lot more to stuff to fit in, so stay tuned for upcoming posts!

What’s in your expat survival kit?

Hey Dems, don’t forget to cast your vote for which presidential nominee you want! I just completed my online vote and it was really quick and easy! Too bad the general elections don’t allow for internet voting, we’ll just have to do that the old fashioned way come November.

I guess it is no secret who I am rooting for:

I know, so American!

Spreading the Obama word on the streets of Rome.