Week 8: 325

As I sit here, staring out into the countryside of Italy, I find it difficult to write this blog. I don’t know why. I can’t figure out how such an awesome experience is leaving me speechless. I am literally writing exactly what I am feeling at this point. Excuse the random thoughts that might appear. I can’t control them.
When I think about how I have changed during this trip, I struggle to keep my mind focused only on myself. There is a constant interference of you guys; Ben, Clint, Andrea, Carol, Nicole, Eric, Pammers, John, Professor, Sara, and Danilo. The eleven of you have taught me so much without even knowing it. I have learned about myself through you. Every excursion, every meal, and every conversation has given me insight into each of your lives and I thrive on that. Your personal stories and experiences have made me question certain things in my own life, helping me to see what is really important. One experience I would like to focus on is my journey with Euchre. As insignificant as learning Euchre is, the journey is worth mentioning. I have had a bad experience with this game and had no desire to learn it. I cringed at the word “trump.” After seeing how much you guys loved to play and the passion you had for the game, I was determined to be part of that. I wanted to know what made Sara yell at Eric and why Clint would put cards behind his ears. Your continued support, patience, and assistance, even on the bad days, are what made me the player I am today. You guys would not let me quit and because of that, I can now officially raise my hand to the famous question, “Who here knows how to play Euchre?” I am proud to say that I now know how to play, but more proud to say of how I learned how to play.
When I sit here and think about the overall trip, I am stuck on the words “make an effort.” I have always tried new things and what not, but this trip has made me break out of my comfort zone even more than before. The one stand out experience of this was going to visit Fernando and the family. When my grandma gave me his address back in January, a little part of me never thought it would pan out. While I was in Italy, I would always see the number, but always put off making the call. Finally, one night at dinner, Danilo said, “Ok, so we will call them tonight.” I was so nervous about the phone call. So many questions of uncertainty, I couldn’t take it. Once Danilo finished speaking Italian ridiculously fast and got everything organized, he handed me the phone to thank Fernando. This is one moment I will never forget. Just hearing his monotone voice confirm times and say you’re welcome, I sensed his excitement and gratitude that shot a burst of emotions throughout my body. I was on a Fernando high for the next four days. After the trip, I realized where a little push and a little effort could get me. I had the time of my life experiencing my extended, Italian family. This was definitely an experience that taught me the value of family and confirmed the saying “You never know what life will bring.” (John Scheetz came with me on the trip. Who would have thought?)
Italy has shown me how to attack life. There’s no room for pretty good; you have to be “Da best.” This doesn’t mean you have to be the strongest, smartest, or richest. The measurement of the best is within you. Clearly things are not going to be perfect, but with so many ways of seeing things, maybe it is better that way. It is through imperfections that we discover the most about ourselves. In Smiles, Fellini states that one of the most striking things about Rome was its “monumental rudeness” and “gigantic vulgarity.” After reading this statement, I was convinced that he hated the city, but he turned these negative qualities positive. He later mentions that the vulgarity “is an enrichment, an aspect of the fascination that Rome inspires.”
While we were waiting outside the airport for our flight out of Palermo, I saw something that turned around my whole weekend and gave me a new outlook on the whole trip. It was a pigeon on barbed wire. When I saw this little bugger, I just got the feeling of freedom, independence, and confidence. This pigeon was going against what was socially acceptable and taking on a challenge that didn’t even make sense. Did he care that his pigeon friends thought standing on barbed wire was a stupid idea? No. He had a vision, got the urge to explore, and did it. I know he is a better pigeon because of it. That pigeon helped me to realize that that is the type of attitude I need to develop. Take that stand above negativity and doubt and confidently make moves towards knowing myself. It was a moment of inspiration and oddly enough it came from Europe’s most trusted bird.
“You only get one first shot at Italy.” This is a line taken from my first 325 blog and to be completely honest, I would not have wanted my first time to be any other way. From Johnny sandwiches and Danilo sayings to Kemps and To-Lido, we have made nothing but memories. It has been a pleasure and a true blessing to have been given this opportunity. Thank you.

Week 7: 225

After our walking tour of Bernini, we discovered many bees floating around on several fountains and monuments. For this art blog, I am going to discuss the importance and history of these bees.
To Bee or not to Bee. Is that really the question? For the Barberini family, it was no question that the bee was going to be their family symbol. As the family began to prosper, they moved to Florence. Once in Florence, they changed their last name Tafani (black horse-flies) to Barberini, which is taken from their home town of Barberino. After they changed their name from Tafani, they upgraded their family crest from three horse-flies, to three golden bees, which they felt was more appropriate for a high class family flourishing in Florence. The bees basically represent iconographic social climbing. Another interesting interpretation was that the bees represent teamwork and industriousness, which are two well-known characteristics of Barberini, but this interpretation came later.
Barberini’s bees can be found in many art pieces around the city. For example, one of the most popular places, other than the family coat of arms, that the bee is shown is at the base of the badacchino of Bernini in St. Peter’s Basilica. It is also found on another one of Bernini’s works called the Triton Fountain, located in Piazza Barberini. Also in Piazza Barberini, there was the Fountain of Bees, which we were told was the best water in Rome. It is also interesting to note that the image of the bee is on vestments worn by priests, in the museum beneath the Santa Maria Maggiore.
It is clear that this symbol of the bee was very significant to Roman art and culture. The bees continue to appear around the city and represent more than we know. The Barberini family was determined to leave their mark and because of that will survive forever.

Week 7: 325

Last Wednesday, instead of staying in a big group, we split up and did each other’s walking tours. The tour that my group followed was to St. Paul’s. We had never been there before, so I was very excited to see the second largest basilica in Rome. (Second to St. Peter’s Basilica)
Our student group of three was accompanied by the “widely known” Professor Mustafaga. After getting a group Momento, we headed to the metro and began our tour. I kind of had the feeling like we were pirates on an adventure, guided by a map, looking for the hidden treasure. I wanted to commit fully to this tour, so I brought no distractions. Not even my camera. I just wanted to be free from everything and fully experience this walking tour.
After a pleasant lunch post up, we made our way to the back of the basilica where we saw several memorials honoring Italian soldiers. There was also a nice grassy knoll and playground set, which a couple of us took very seriously. It was finally time to enter the basilica, so we followed the path to the entrance.
As we entered the St. Paul’s, I was struck by its beautiful atmosphere. There was a courtyard that accented the entrance with a statue of St. Paul himself. The tour paper included specific information regarding this statue, which was very beneficial. When we entered the actual building, I was blown away by its size. I knew it was going to be big, but not this big. Wowzers! We discovered many frescos along the ceiling, portraits dedicated to the popes, and the chains of St. Paul. One area that we spend some time on was the dome painting. There were so many hidden ideas and messages that with the help of the tour information and high definition equipment, I was able to see and understand it all.
St. Paul’s was outstanding in every way, but not to the point where it intimidated me. I was almost comforted by its awesome atmosphere. There was something about the way it presented itself that made it my favorite church so far. This walking tour was different from our normal excursions and I really enjoyed it. Our tour definitely led us to the perfect treasure.

Week 6: 490

I have to say this might have been my favorite class all semester. We looked at religion and spirituality in respect to health; the pros and cons of too much or too little. When we discussed these topics, professor brought up two questions which were, “Can you be spiritual without being religious?” and “Can you be religious without being spiritual?” Thinking about these questions, I tried to find a category to put myself in. I attend mass regularly, for the most part, and have a certain sense of spirituality in my life, but I felt like I hadn’t quite found the answer I was looking for. That is when professor gave us the blog topic and I slowly began to realize where I stood in respect to religion and spirituality.
The topic for this blog focuses on the power of prayer. When I heard him say these three words, I had a rush of feeling come over my body. It was a mix of comfort, confidence, and faith. I couldn’t believe that I got that certain feeling from a homework assignment. I realized how much prayer really does play a role in my life, whether it is at mass or on my own. One experience in particular is during mass when there is anointing of the sick. When the priest goes from person to person, I watch the congregation reach their hands out to touch the person being anointed. The prayer and support that is transferred at that moment brings tears to my eyes and I know that something special is happening. The reading for this section actually provides evidence that many people depend on religion and spirituality when they cope with physical health and stress of surgery.
The power of prayer cannot be measured by any means. It provides people with different feelings and emotions and contains endless possibilities. I find prayer not only to be an outlet, but also a way in. It is an outlet from the world, where you can find a personal sense of peace and comfort. At the same time, it allows you to get involved in the lives of others, whether they know it or not. God’s presence through prayer is unexplainable, but it’s there. Prayer is public, private, spiritual, and faith-filled, and will never cease to amaze me.

Week 6: 225

For this week’s blog, we had endless pieces of artwork to choose from. I was very interested in the fresco by Raffaelo Sanzio called “The Fire at Borgo” and decided to give biographical information on Raffaello himself. The actual artwork is found in the Vatican Museum, with a width of 670 cm, and was created in 1514.
Raffaello was born on April 6, 1483, to a father who inspired and encouraged his artistic lifestyle. At a young age, he father began to notice his talent and found him a great teacher, Perugino. At the ripe age of seventeen, Raffaello left Perugino with the permission to practice the true lifestyle of a painter. His first major painting was The Marriage of the Virgin, which has Perugino’s influence in the perspectives and relationship of figures and architecture. After three more great pieces of work, Raffaello moved to Florence, where his main teachers were Leonardo and Michelangelo. There were many Madonnas created during 1505 and 1507.
In 1908, Raffaello made moves to Rome, where he created some of his greatest works. This includes the Stanza della Segnatura. There are four main fresco walls which have breathtaking art work. At the end of 1519, Raffaello completed ten large tapestries that were hung on the Sistine Chapel walls, which were woven together. From the frescos to the tapestries, Raffaello made great strides in not only the artistic world, but the whole world. He is a hero who died on his own birthday.

Week 6: 325

Before the pope starts two of his major speeches, he starts off with the line “To Rome and to the world.” This simple statement opens up many avenues into Italian culture. It creates an atmosphere of unity among all nations, while emphasizing the Roman bond.
After reading Barzini, he mentioned something in the beginning of chapter sixteen that caught my black eye. After talking about Rome’s aging beauty, he states, “He must not allow himself to be deceived. He must look beneath the surface.” Rome has more to offer than meets the eye. It silently creates a universal spirit, in which everyone is connected. What is it about this place that makes everyone feel like family? Is it the ruins? Is it the art? Regardless of the cause, Rome includes the world in all its glory.
One of the best examples of this universal quality is the papal audience. There were people from all over the world coming together for the same cause. Standing in front of what seemed like thousands of Spanish people, I felt comforted. Our language barrier and different cultures seemed to fade away. We were united. We were influenced by the universal spirit that Rome produces. If I could thank Rome for anything, it would be its ability to create an “and” rather than an “or.”

Week 5: 490

Last Thursday, I put away the whistle and kickball and instead of being called Ms. D, I was Dr. Daltorio. Our class excursion took us to Santos Spiritos, an Italian hospital. Our goal for the day was to observe the Italian hospital, noting its similarities and differences from the American hospital. Suited up in my white trench coat, I was ready for a day of delivery, surgery, and X-ray diagnosis.
As we walked up to the building, I honestly thought it was another historical building of Rome. I had no clue it was a hospital from the outside. When we walked inside, I was still confused because I did not feel like I was in a hospital. There were so many stairways and hallways we had to take before finally reaching our classroom destination. When we were in the classroom we talked with several doctors and nurses who were in charge of nursing students and got an idea of the Italian nursing program. Once we completed our discussion, it was time to explore the actual hospital.
As we walked down the stairs, I noticed that each floor had a certain aspect that it focused on. For example, one floor was cardiovascular while the other one was obstetrician. It was interesting to observe how Italians organize their health system and patient care. Speaking of organizing, I felt like the Italian way of organizing was less technologically advanced as Americans. I don’t want to say it was old fashioned, but like it was. Also, the overall atmosphere of the hospital seemed older and less modern than I expected.
After reflecting on the experience, I wondered how much religion played a part in the hospital’s mission. The hospital is obviously religious based on the name, but how much did they emphasize it. Did they pay more attention to religion because the hospital is set in Rome? Is religion a basic necessity to hospitals here in Rome? These questions were just a mixture of the readings and the hospital experience. In the readings, I realized that spirituality, religion, and health go hand-in-hand. The essay mentions Jesus’ healing and how religion provides tremendous benefits to a person’s well-being. I can almost assume that this hospital includes these beliefs and builds their foundation on faith and God.

Week 5: 225

After visiting the Vatican for the first time, I was blown away. There was so much tradition and history inside these walls that nothing seemed to be without purpose. The one piece of art that I want to dissect is the tomb of Pope John Paul II. This was one of the last pieces that we saw and through this blog, I want to give the history and story behind its greatness.
The actual tomb of Pope John Paul II consists of many layers and coffins. The first, innermost part of the three traditional coffins is called the cypress coffin. This coffin was then placed in a larger, zinc casket, which is shut. This is the middle part of the coffin, which contains three bronze plaques. These include a simple cross at the head of the coffin, a plaque the Pope’s name and length of his life and pope reign, and finally the Pope’s personal coat of arms at the foot. This layer of the coffin was then lowered into a large walnut casket, containing three identical plaques, and then shut with nails and pure gold. Inside the tomb, where the body lays, there is a sealed eulogy detaining the life and works of the Pope. Also, there are three bags containing gold, silver, and copper coins. Each bag contains one coin for each year John Paul II reigned as pope.
The outer part of the coffin, which we all saw, is a plain marble slab, which contains his name in Latin and the dates of his pontificate. This type of burial habit was one of John Paul’s requests. He wanted his burial to resemble that of Pope Paul VI’s, which was one of simplicity and earth. He did not want an aboveground tomb, but one that was in “bare earth.” This quality is one of the reasons John Paul II was such an outstanding man. His humble attitude and forgiving spirit stole the hearts of millions of people, who continue to show their respects to him today.

Week 5: 325

Monday on the schedule, under the excursion section, there was the word “leisure.” Our excursion was leisure? What did that mean? Were we going to take the day off and stay on campus? Why would we want to stay on campus all day doing nothing, when we could be exploring Rome? I had no idea what to expect for our leisure excursion to say the least.
To my surprise, we ended up at Rome’s beautiful park that was filled with trees, fountains, sculptures, and ducks that stretched for acres. Professor’s only instructions for the day were to be back in two and half hours. That’s it.
As I entered the park, I thought about our discussion in the classroom that morning. What is the point of leisure? The typical American answer was to relax and regroup in order to perform better. We began talking about the Italian definition of leisure and how it is not taken as a moment in time to recharge, but a moment in time to grow. In Smiles, an essay written by Muriel Spark, focuses on her own experience of Rome. In the final paragraph, she writes, “Work is pleasure and pleasure is work. “ I can bet there aren’t too many people who can agree with that statement. Spark does not separate work and leisure, but rather combines them, creating a more fulfilling experience. This shows us that Italians take leisure a step further than just R &R.
Leisure is basically an art. When you see it and feel it in the right light, everything clicks and just makes sense. During our two month vacation before coming to Rome, I found out what made my leisure, great leisure. It was people. Conversing, learning, and listening was what made my time worthwhile. This all clicked for me when Carol and I went walking through the park together. The conversation was easy, I was not concerned with time, and there was nothing to worry about. I found such contentment in the rhythm of our walk, the laughter in conversation, and the overall atmosphere of green. I realized that giving time and sharing it with people was all the leisure I could ask for. I was not “recharging my battery,” but enhancing the quality.

Week 4: 490

Last Thursday, in our health care class, we were given a task that required us to interact directly with Italians. The mission was to go into a local market, ask people for a minute, and pray that they would take a health care survey. This survey was written in Italian and asked questions regarding people’s personal opinions on Italy’s national health care. With only two hours in an English-free speaking market, our goal was to survey ten females and ten males.
The first route I decided to take was the produce section. It must have been my lucky day because the first guy I surveyed, summoned all his friends, and urged them to take the survey. It was interesting to see them all interact with each other, questioning the reason for the survey, and laughing at each other’s answers. Within three minutes, I was already halfway done with the males.
As I continued through the market, I realized things would not be that simple. Rejection became my middle name. I was shooed away, given the cold shoulder, and at one point just got stared at for an uncomfortably long time. Once I realized my hesitant, American attitude was getting me nowhere, I turned on the Italian in me and was determined to get all 20 surveys done. I basically tried to be like Danilo. Whenever he has to approach people, he has a certain charisma that makes him approachable and confident. He knows what he needs to do and does not wait for it to happen. This “go get ‘em” attitude was the turning point of my experience. Before I knew it, I had only two more surveys to go. I started to get a feel for which people would be willing to listen and which ones could care less. I started carrying myself with more confidence and took rejection as just another nibble to the catch.
Not only did I learn things about myself through this experience, but also about Italians in general. Barzini mentions that Italian are very suspicious of people they do not know. The other thing that triggered some thoughts while reading Barzini is at the end of chapter ten when he states, “Power, personal power, is the key.” Although this can be taken many ways, we can relate it to the market experience. When I approached certain people who did not want anything to do with the survey, were they rejecting me to boost their personal power? Did they feel threatened by these surveys, which directly threatened their power? Or did they simple not care? It is interesting to see how each person handles situations differently.

Week 4: 325

If there is one word that is thrown around Rome, other than pronto, it’s piazza. So many piazzas, so little time. Whenever directions are given, I feel like a piazza is involved. No matter what. So why is there so much hype about these gathering areas? What makes them so special that they outnumber all the churches found in Italy? (That statistic I just threw out is nothing but a lie. Sounded kind of good, didn’t it?) It seems like by the amount of piazzas, they serve a special purpose in the function of the Roman culture.
After today’s scavenger hunt, we were able to discover more piazzas than before. The Piazza della Navona was filled with fountains, churches, statues, restaurants, and hundreds of people. This atmosphere was one of hustle and bustle, but at the same time cool and collected. When we continued onward with our scavie hunt, we encounter at least ten piazzas within 90 minutes. Each one with its own personality and own style. Even though each is unique, they all serve a similar purpose that helps create the overall atmosphere of Rome.
The piazzas seem to be inspired by the history and laid back attitude of the Italians. The space provided is very relaxing, yet still has an ancient Roman twist. The piazzas provide both natives and tourists a place to post their bodies, enjoy a sweet treat, and reflect on the city before them. It is interesting to notice that these piazzas are not filled with greens, flowers, trees, and paths. They do not stray away from the stone and solid beauty of the city.
With all these little and sometimes large areas of recreation, it’s easy to fall in love with city even more than before. Who knows how Rome will surprise us next?

Week 3: 490

When is government control too much? When do you just want to tell the system to get off your back? After discussing this issue in class, I have decided that no matter how hard we scratch, the itch will always be there. Sometimes, scratching too hard can even spread the itch, making it worse than before. So what’s the solution? More Benadryl? An ice pack? We wish it was that simple.
There are so many things in everyday life that I assume are “right” just because they are socially accepted. When we talked about the seat belt law, I realized that there is some personal invasion by government telling you to always buckle up. Thinking about this triggered some Dayna senses and I tried to figure out where the government should draw the line.
The government obviously is going to have control over many parts of our lives. Personally, I really don’t feel the government on my back to the point where I can’t handle it. There are so many issues in this country that the government is almost forced to tighten the harness. Do we bring this control upon ourselves? Maybe. To rebel against the control, people are finding ways to keep their life in their own hands. For example, consumer driven health care emphasizes personal control and power. That’s what everyone wants to feel. There are so many ins and outs of this debate that it’s hard to see the end of the tunnel. We need to Shawshank our way to the end and we may be surprised at what we find.

Week 3: 225

What a day we had on Tuesday! It was cold, rainy, we thought we were going, we get on the metro, Danilo decides to convince us to reschedule, we agree on rescheduling, we can’t get a hold of Laura, we walk to Palatine Hill, we post up at the entrance still trying to reschedule, and before we know it we’re walking up the steps to Palatine Hill. Woah! Talk about getting your emotions played with. Through all the wind, hills, and water we ended up having a great, educational experience. After the tour, I decided to focus today’s blog on the history of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. He was a Roman emperor who took up residence at Palatine Hill.
Gaius took reign after his great uncle, Tiberius. According to his uncle’s will, Gaius and his cousin were to share the throne. So in order to ensure ultimate power, Gaius had his cousin killed. That took care of that. At the start of his reign in 37 AD, Gaius was doing many generous works such as, giving cash bonuses to Praetorian Guards, honoring his father and other relatives publically, and reimbursed people who were wronged by imperial tax.
With all going so well for him, many would assume that his reign was long and glorious. Unfortunately, it only lasted four years, taking a turn for the worst. According to the records, Gaius was insane. His empire began to crumble before him when he started making out-of-line comments that insinuated his cruelty, immoral sexual tendencies, and disrespect towards the Senate. Some say he was misunderstood. Others say he was crazy. No matter what the case, Gaius was soon murdered by his own men, capping off his reign in only four years.

Week 3: 325

Italy is clearly a place that is booming with religion. Churches around every street corner kind of give it away. So much of Rome is filled with historical pieces that relate some way to the faith. Statues have been built and replicas have been made and are continuously being exposed to the people. Although some may consider this overbearing and out-of-date, I personally am forced to revisit my faith each time I encounter a part of this history.
From walking the streets of Rome, I am able to better understand the Catholic faith through the history. I mean, we just visited the Catacombs! What more can a girl ask for? Putting myself in the shoes of the early Christians was an eye opener for me. I was able to actually see the graves, walk the paths they once walked, and breathe the unhealthy air they considered holy. I was living my faith through history….literally.
It doesn’t take much to get me thinking. When we walk through the many churches and see how intricate and detailed each inch of the building is, I wonder how strong these people’s faiths were. To create something so beautiful and great, their love for God had to be outstanding. I wonder what I have done to show God how much I appreciate him. Have I become too consumed in the modern world that I leave little room to give my time to God? These questions are attributed to the history and wonder of Rome. In “The Smiles of Rome” in the Letter of Paul to the Church in Rome, there was a line that caught my attention and it read, “Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind.” My hope is that through this journey into my faith’s history, I will be able to change the way I think and in turn, change my behavior for the better.

Week 2: 490

Today’s health care question hits a place the Indians, Cavs, and Browns call home. The question is even though the Cleveland Clinic is rated the best hospital in the U.S., why is there still unhealthy people in Cuyahoga County?
This question can be taken from many different viewpoints and can be argued why the rate of unhealthy people is still abundant. First of all, curing all people from health related illnesses is unrealistic. Not everyone is going to win and sometimes the defeat is harder for some than others. Since Cleveland clearly is a sport-crazy city, I am going to compare this health care issue through the eyes of an athlete.
So here’s the game plan. The Cleveland Clinic is the NCAA national tournament. Everyone wants to be there because it is the best tournament in the country. The goal of everyone’s season is to make it to this tournament, giving themselves a chance at the best. The Cuyahoga County is the local team that usually makes tournament, sometimes to the Sweet Sixteen, but never past that. Other teams, such as, the Beverly Hills Hillers, the Euro-Loaded Europeans, and the Cash Money Chinese, are too much for the Hogas because of their number one strength…money.
Money is basically the number one key in this game we call health care. As much as people emphasize a strong defense, it clearly does not help you win the tournament. To be considered a champion, the offense must control the shots and dominate the floor from all angles. The best care comes from the Clinic and teams with the money make it to “The Show.”
The unfortunate truth about health care is that it is expensive and people who can afford it are winning championships. Peron even states in his article that health care is expensive, only because doctors are using the highest quality equipment. Regardless of reason for the cost, the big teams are winning and sadly, the local favorites are falling short.

Week 2: 225

The art work that I chose for this week is the Colossus of Constantine. I will examine the historical aspects of this piece, including economic status, original intentions, and religious influences. The Colossus of Constantine was found in the courtyard of the Musei Capitolini and consists of a head, feet, limbs, and hands. All the body parts are separated, posted up against the walls, to show how great in size this statue really was.
The statue was built with different types of material. The actual body trunk was constructed of wood, brick and bronze carapace, while the main pieces that remain consisted of marble. As we all know, the Romans never created anything that was short of great. The size of this statue was no exception. From head to toe, this masterpiece stood 35 feet high! Now if I’m not mistaken, that’s pretty darn high.
The story behind this statue is pretty interesting. Originally, in 307 AD, Co-Emperor Maxentinus had this colossal statue built of himself. Seems like a humble man, aye? After Constantine defeated Maxentinus, he gave the statue a little makeover, having it re-carved to represent himself in 312 AD. The remains of this statue were found in the Roman Forum, in the west apse of the Basilica of Maxentius. Constantine is probably most greatly remembered for making Christianity the official religion of the Empire.

Week 2: 325

There is nothing like cobblestone at your feet, the Italian language in your ear, and the feeling of history right before your eyes. With all these emotions surrounding your body as you walk the streets of Rome, it is easy to fall for Rome’s “fatal charm.” Barzini uses this statement “the fatal charm of Italy” to describe how this country puts a spell over anything that steps foot on its land.
When we first flew into Rome, I could already sense that this place was special. After walking through the city, I realized why. There was so much beauty and culture surrounding every street. The people are drenched in fashion and full of life. The ruins decorate the city with an artsy twist and historical story. Aside from all that, this city has more cafés, gelato shops, and snack bars than anywhere I have been. Not a bad deal. Barzini also mentions the art that Rome brings to its visitors. He categorizes all art as the “great art of being happy,” which then makes everyone happy.
As exhilarating as this Roman experience has been, there have been some moments that make me question our relationship (Mine and Rome’s relationship). The Rome experience basically starts from Termini. Something about this place gives me a rushed, uncomfortable, and intense feeling. People are in such a hurry sometimes, I feel like I am almost in their way. As we move into the city, there is a sense of speed. The cars are speeding, the pedestrians are speeding, and even time is speeding. Basically, the only thing that seems to be at rest is the man in the orange, fury blanket we see every morning at Termini.
I can confidently say that our relationship is moving in a forward direction and things are looking pretty bright for us in the future. As much as I am falling for this city, there are still flaws that I notice and have to learn to accept. It is my job to continue to work out the kinks, but I don’t expect it to be a one way street. Rome has to do its part in this relationship, which now that I think about it, will probably be hard. It amazing how one thing could be exhilarating and oppressing at the same time.

Week 1: 490

After we left class on Thursday, I went back and forth debating whether health care was a right or a privilege. I never really put much thought into it until I read the books assigned and discussed the issue in class. This is a very interesting topic for me because I have no real stance on the issue, but am forced to develop an opinion with supporting facts. The books that were assigned are very helpful for me when deciding which side to support in regards to health care being a right or a privilege.
I have decided that health care is a right. Everyone has the basic right to an affordable, qualified health care program. To deny someone those rights would be unethical. It’s hard for me to understand that someone has to earn the right to be taken care of. That is like telling someone that they are not good enough to be healthy. Who has the power to decide that?
With every right, there comes responsibility. Health care should be taken seriously and work in unison with the people and government. They should work similar to a good marriage. We know they are not going to like each other all the time, but there should always be a respect level. No party should abuse their power and communication should be the number one tool. Obviously, there will be flaws and mishaps, but not one of those flaws can be as bad as considering health care a privilege. People are entitled to health care and it is a right.

Week 1: 225

The art work that I chose to examine is the painting titled "The Prodigal Son." This painting was found on the right hand side of the arch. The overall image of this painting is the son running back to his father and about five other men surrounding the father-son bondage. In this painting, there are many things to take into consideration, but the ones that I will focus on are the formal aspects.
The formal aspects include: medium, line, color, space, composition, and style. It a very lightly painted picture, including reds, browns, blues, and white. There is no black and the majority of the stronger colors are the main focus, which is the son and father. The lines that stick out in this painting are diagonal. The clothing of the men is slanted on their bodies, attracting the eye to them. Clearly the father and son have the strongest lines. When their bodies meet, it forms a triangle shape, which signifies strength. This is the main focus of the painting and the light background increases this focal point. The style of this painting is very classic and artistic. There is significant space between the father and son and the other men. There is even a great deal of space from the people to the sky. Overall, this painting contains many aspects that can be observed and studied. It’s a beautiful piece of work.

Week 1: 325

Today was our first official day in Italy. After class, we took the train into Rome. Our goals for the day were to see the Coliseum and Roman Forum. As soon as we walked out of the Metro, there it was…The Coliseum! I could not stop taking pictures. I was just trying to grasp the fact that I was standing in front of one of the most historical monuments in the world.
The tour was very interesting. Laura did a great job of helping us get a better understanding of the how exactly the Coliseum came about. At one point, it was covered in marble! I never really thought about animal deaths during the battles and we found out over 5,000 animals were killed during the time of the Coliseum.
After wrapping up the Coliseum tour we went to see that Roman Forum. Personally, I had somewhat of a clue about the Coliseum, but the Roman Forum was totally new for me. After finding out that all the ruins were underground, I was in shock. It is unbelievable what is found and what they are continuing to find. I took this experience as one of many moments where I would have to learn from scratch. Knowledge is power!
This is evident in Barzini’s book when he writes about foreigners and their experience with Rome. He mentions that they continue to come back and indulge themselves in the city they love the most. Barzini points out that some foreigners are even “more Italian than the Italians.” To be able to gain that much knowledge from this country is outstanding. We are starting from the bottom and getting our first taste at a magical experience.
It is hard to say how I will change from this experience. Physically, I may get a tan, sport a new hair cut, or even pack on a couple more pounds. When I leave for the United States, I expect almost a new beginning. I want Italy to be my water in the desert; every bit counts and it gives your whole body a new, refreshing feeling. I want to be able to leave this experience knowing that I soaked up every minute of culture, history, beauty, and friendship. I sometimes get worried thinking that I will leave Italy following the saying, “You don’t know what you got until it’s gone.” I want to realize what I have before me and truly embrace the fact that you only get one first shot at Italy and this is it!