Dear Mom

Once a week I’m going to write a note to someone specific . If you still want to read it, be my guest, I have no secrets! And look out, you may be next!

Dear Mom,
Ciao. That’s the extent of my Italian knowledge. I can also count to roughly 160-something. Then I get angry over how stupid I am and quit.

Hope Marysville’s ok and Emily hasn’t driven everybody completely crazy. Odds are she has, but you never know. She could surprise me.

I’ll still try to call you at least once a week to let you know what’s going on, but you really don’t need to worry about me. I got this! Italy is amazing, and I love everybody back home, but I really don’t want this to end. It’s only the end of week 1, and I’m already in utter disbelief at everything I’ve gotten to see and do.

Today we hit up an epic flea market. I feel like this would be the part of Rome where you shine. There’s bartering down from the already cheap prices. I think I still have to work on my skills a little bit, but I did alright.

School’s started and its given Rome’s coolness a little bit of a hit. But it’s not too bad, and grades should be fine this quarter.

Money hasn’t been much of a problem yet. All I buy is food and cell phone minutes. I keep tearing through those, because we all call each other a lot. But it’s all good. I’m even doing some work for an Italian law firm tomorrow, to earn a little extra cash. And by work I mean moving boxes around their warehouse on the outskirts of town.

As for all the pictures you may have heard about or will see when I can get home, don’t worry! Responsible is my middle name, and we’re all having a good time, but we’re absolutely safe. We all do a fantastic job of looking out for each other at the bars, and there have been no incidents. The girls get us through the night, and then we get them back home at the end. It’s a good system.

Well I better get going. There’s some reading that I have to do for tomorrow, and I want to be a good student up through at least week 4. Take care, I love you and I’ll be in touch!

Arreviderci!