Adjusting to Rome...

It's been so wonderful hearing from so many of my friends and family over the past week. I've gotten a lot of, "Update us on how things are...!!" but haven't been able to find the words to express what's been going on. Leaving the Bay Area was so difficult. I had a friend who bet that I would be crying on the plane until I flew over New York. Well, he wasn't that far off as I was weepy up until we started flying over Lake Winnipeg (which for those of you who don't know, is in Central Canada...).

I was greeted in Rome by Alan, who works in the office at the school. He drove me to my B&B which has been my home for the past week. My school and B&B are located in "the Cassia" which is north of the city. It's really pretty up here with lots of farmlands and a big nature preserve right next to our school.

This past week I was at orientation....which has been good but challenging as I have had a difficult time adjusting to the +9 hour time change. Built into our orientation were things such as go to the mall and get our phones, look for housing, open our Italian bank accounts, get our Italian ID numbers etc. The staff at the school has been very helpful and friendly making this transition much easier.

I did find an apartment in Prati (an area of Rome) and hope to move in next weekend. It's quite spacious and I will definitely have room for visitors! It's very close to St. Peter's and the Vatican. Tomorrow the whole staff returns to work with staff development/prep/meetings Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while the kids come Thursday. However, my kids come on Friday so I get an extra day. :)

Other than that, I'm still adjusting. I'm definitely homesick and have had my moments of wanting to come home....but I know things will get better once I'm more settled. I Skyped with my family today and got to say hi to my parents, niece, nephew and of course, Cooper-who was pretending to not care that I was on the computer.....;)
xoxo, Carrie