Ancient Rome

You can see on the facade of this temple-turned-church were the dirt level used to be (see how high the door is?) back when this used to be a caw pasture, before they excavated it out to reveal the tomb of ceasar and temples and courtyards and such.

I am not quite tall enough to pull off being a goddess. I have no neck.

Mark and the Colloseum. While I am singing the praises of our RD's, our Res Life Director deserves as much. Mark is just amazing. He gives the best tours, too, although you have to keep up with his long stride. I cannot say enough good about him really, so I shall just leave it at that. I am just so thankful for him and his energy and genuine concern and interest in all of the students.

Arch of Triumph. It is so sad to see it and realize all that is means. Jews to this day will not pass beneath it. It commemorates the Romans conquering Jerusalem and making off with the holy objects.

The Jewish built the Pyramids, they built the Colloseum.

The one thingy, that we learned about in art class that I really like but can't think of it's name. I think emporer Trajan built it, maybe, but it has a whole history bas relief etched round and round it.

Mother-house church of the Franciscan TORs in Rome: Sts. Cosmas and Damian, right on the Roman forum in an old temple. It was before this mosaic of Christ and his sheep that Thomas Merton experienced his conversion.

The Tarpeian rock. Lots of bad people, and some not so bad people, got thrown off of this tower.

Olives. I have a new love for olive trees after these ten days in Italy. Like my Austrian love of Sunflowers.

Ruins of Ceasar's private little circus

Vestal Virgins (private joke, I think)

Caitlin's fresh-olive face.

My room-mate Amanda and I sneaked away Tuesday mornign from the bustling city of Rome to a smaller port town on the outskirts, where St. Maria Goretti lived. We didn't get to her actual house, because it was a bit out in the country, but we saw her tomb and a little museum and enjoyed the beach and searched for crabs.

Basilica where St. Maria Goretti's tomb is.

Me, wishing I had brought a change of clothes so that I could go swimming in that deep blue sea. It was warm water, comparatively

Liz and self overlooking the Roman Forum

A shot of Amanda Keena and Jackie Roesler and our awesome RD Katie Hess. They were trying to do a serious picture, and Katie just couldn't do it. I know that feeling.

Just a quick tribute: Katie and Vince have been the most incredible RD's possible and have made this semester so much better than it already was. They have gone way above and beyond and I have so much respect for them. If only all RD's were just like them!

The sacred stairs Jesus walked during his passion that St. Helen had moved from Jerusalem.

St. John Lateran, home parish of the Pope.

The picture is really bad, some guy took it for us and didn't steady the camera enough. It is a pity, because those three girls are some of the prettiest girls I know. My childhood best friend, Kristine, Bernadette (my borther-in-law's sister) , and Caitlin's childhood best friend Shelagh. Bernie and I found each other at Sunday Mass in St. Peters, then Caitlin and I went over to Christendom's campus to chat for a bit on Tuesday night, and we all went out for coffee/champagne on Wednesday night. Some of the best couple hours of my trip, really. It felt almost like talking to family (well, Bernadette could almost be considered family anyway). After going all semester without being able to talk to any family or old friends, it was just what i needed.

St. Paul's outside the walls.

Dinner in an authentic Italian restaraunt, it was fantastic. Clockwise from left are Phil, Alley, Brendan, Liz, Caitlin, Paul, John Paul, and Rob making the funny face. Late night Gelati followed, and some aimless wandering in the streets of Rome.