Things have slowed down a bit since my last post. Classes started Monday, and I believe orientation is officially over. I've never been a student that hated school, especially in college, and I realized yesterday as I sat in the classroom listening to Dr. Cole talk about Italian culture and beauty I found myself content, happy even. I'm a science guy; humanities is not my thing, but when you study the history, architecture, religious influence, etc. about a new culture where you reside, it's a game changer. I'm excited to learn all this semester has to offer me both inside and out of the classroom. Because of classes starting, however, I haven't had much time these few days to explore the city. I did, earlier tonight, head out with a group of about ten or so students to get our hook up of gelato for the night and on the way got called an asshole by an Italian man on the street (the one word in English!) so that was a nice ending to my day. This week also launched the community dinner, and my group was the first up to bat. After consuming excessive, yet delicious, amounts of pasta and bread, we decided tacos would be a nice taste of home. Turned out everyone else thought so too! Now we had to get creative, example: there's no sour cream here, but we substituted greek yogurt instead. Earlier this afternoon I took advantage of the beautiful day by going for my first run through Rome with Abbie and Alexander. After running through the park, witnessing British-children-soccer-practice, and running aimlessly through the streets of Rome we finally got back to campus refreshed. This morning Dr. Cole took us on an impromptu mini field trip to a local church, St. Agnes Outside the Walls, named after a young martyr, St. Agnes. The beautiful building was impressive, but not as impressive as the fact that this is an ordinary church here in Rome! Tomorrow marks the beginning of our excursions through the city and let me tell you I can't wait! For now I think I'll help myself to some Nutella and cookies since gelato didn't work out.