Since my last blog, I've been on a trip to Florence. I know it's a catastrophe to say that we didn't see David this trip, but I'm definitely going back to Florence when I can! I've seen a lot, learned a lot, and it was all around a great. I'm still amazed that I'm here, with so many opportunities to travel. On Sunday, a group of us volunteered after to mass to join the choir in preparation for their Easter service. I think it's going to be a really cool experience. It's a great opportunity to learn Italian through the songs and get to know more residents of Orvieto.

We just ended a meeting with a man named Kieth Pecklers, an ecumenical author and speaker, that is also the spokesperson for ABC news' Vatican coverage. It was really cool to get to hear his views and pose some questions that he might be able to help us with.

This is the last week of the first class of the program, and I have a presentation already out of the way. Tomorrow is the exam, and a paper is due Monday morning before the new class begins (DRAWING!!!). It's been a busy week, but it's still been great. If I ever get a little frustrated or stressed, I just remember... I'M IN ITALY!!!

This weekend will be spent with a few other students in southern Tuscany, in Pisa, Lucca, and Livorno. I won't have any reading for homework to worry about. I'll just relax and enjoy the traveling.

Now for some photos.


The group in Assisi.


A bird taking a bath in a garden in Florence.


The bird again.


River through Florence.


The Duomo and other buildings in Florence.


Duomo detail, just a fraction of the entire thing.