Seeing David...

...except not the one who is my boyfriend, haha. No, yesterday was my first visit to the Accademia Gallery, I went with Lucia. She needed to scope it out because she is taking one of her classes there this week, and I just wanted to see. It really was pretty cool to see the real David up close and personal. Lucia told me a lot about it too. The statue was meant to be viewed from much farther away, and that is why his hands and head are disproportionately large for his body. I can go back there any time for free, AND skip the line, with my handy "Amici degli Uffizi" card, which works for many of the museums and churches here.

Also yesterday, I went to mass for the first time here in Italy. There is a church probably not even 5 minutes from the house and I went there. It was pretty neat, it got really crowded so if/when I go back I will need to remember to get there slightly early. I obviously knew what was going on most of the time, because Catholic mass is pretty standardized and I am familiar with the language. It was always nice when I could find the song and sing along by following the words. There was also a little pamphlet with the basic components of the mass so I had something from which to read for things like the Lord's Prayer. I also couldn't help but notice all the passato remoto in the readings... I will have to tell Trinita. Just goes to show you can't escape grammar EVER, even in church.

Also yesterday I went to a market in town that was selling all organic products - both food and other household items. If I were closer to going home, I might have been tempted to buy some gifts but it is not time for that yet... I did taste some jam and legitimate parmigiano reggiano though!

And after recounting those things, I come to the last development of the past few days... or lack of development maybe? Let's just say I will never take pre-registering for classes at Georgetown for granted EVER again! Last night Lucia and I met again to look at course offerings online. There are "orario"s, in fact multiple schedules/orari, but it is hard to navigate through them and I wasn't sure if together they made a complete list. At this point I only have one class that I am thinking of going to and signing up for. I am going to it tomorrow afternoon at 2 pm. It is called "History of Italian Foreign Relations" more or less. Beyond that, I have to see. I might end up taking one or even two courses at Lettere e Filosofia (different department of the university) this semester, whereas I'd been thinking I would take classes there only in the spring. Pretty much everything is a little chaotic even right now as classes started today, but according to the people Lucia has talked to in the university, it is even hard for Italian students right now. She said that there are just sort of like... structural problems within the university. Sigh.

At any rate, it is normal here too for students to sort of feel classes out in the beginning and sign up for them after attending the first session. I was very patient up until last week when it started to frustrate me... but even now, what else can I do? Lucia tells me not to worry so I just trust that in the end things will be fine. I am enjoying my time in this country but I must say I will be filled with joy and appreciation in spring when Georgetown allows me to pre-register online for Fall 2009 courses.

Oh yeah that's the other thing. At the very least, I am enrolled, but the enrollment system seems to be a card thing that was produced after Lucia gave them my documents. It has my info and picture and signature. Then on the back there is space for you to a) sign up for courses with the professor's signature and b) have your exam grade recorded also with the prof's signature when you eventually take your exam... and as far as I can tell it doesn't go much beyond that. I am trying to be open and accepting of things here, and I am with most things, but upon seeing that I was like woooooww..

So this week is my last at orientation school and first at university. I know as well as you what lies ahead but I will keep you posted!