a week in review

This last week has been a whirlwind! I have been trying to complete projects before Eric and Mary Ann get here and still fit in a few things that I have been wanting to do here! A quick list of things I have seen and enjoyed in the past week.

Melissa, a friend and student who is also in graphic, and I joined her former priest from Rochester for an awesome tour around Rome. We walked for 5-6 hours and saw soooo many basilicas/cathedrals and learned SO much. Fr. Bob was spewing with information, quizzing us about different facts/catholic things/history, all while cracking us up with jokes and stories. It was awesome! We are hoping to fit in another tour before we head home and he leaves for home for the holidays.

Saint John in Lateran
[named after Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist]
the cathedral of Rome and the Papal residence during the 13th century
this cathedral had unique friezes above the main apse's arches. on the left side were stories from the old testament, and on the right were the corresponding stories from the new testament.

The Pope at the time (... I can't remember his name...) had a vision that St. John would rebuild the church. After being told of the Pope's dream John quickly started building churches and soon realized this was not what the Pope had meant; but more of a spiritual rebirth and growth. He was later known as Saint John the Evangelist. This sculpture, viewed at the right angle shows Saint John holding up the church. very neat :)
Saint Helen, Constantine's mother, traveled to Jerusalem several times during her life. On one occasion, she brought the stair case from Pilate's palace in which Jesus walked. They are now covered with wooden planks and now can not be walked on. One must kneel their entire way up. It was a unique experience... one very humbling, full of prayer, and quiet. Saint Helen also brought soil from Jerusalem. This is now in the Capuchin Crypt beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. Mary Ann, Eric, and I will go there next week.

Next: Mass in the Pantheon. QUITE AMAZING!

The Pantheon is a large space! Right before 10:30 everyone that wasn't attending mass was kicked out, so there were maaaaybe 50 of us. It was kind of an odd mass, but between the flood of natural light from the oculus, the music resonating around the room, and the strong smell of incense, it felt very intimate and special.

Best dinner of the week: Homemade Spinach and Artichoke dip!

1. Thaw/heat frozen artichoke hearts and spinach

2. Chop garlic, onions, and pecorino romano cheese
3. Sautee olive oil, garlic, and onions, add strained spinach and artichoke, add cheese, and a tub of cream cheese

4. Stir.

5. Transfer to glass pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until you can't stand it anymore because you can't wait to dig inEnjoy!
This was sooo delicious. We served it with tortilla chips but a couple weeks ago Bethany baked tortilla for thicker tortilla crisps.

Yesterday morning: Art History walk

LOVE these!

We walked 5.5 miles yesterday on our walk. We were kind of tired after it haha, but it was fun to see the north side of Rome and the contemporary side of Italian architecture.

Parca del Musica
cork tree

cooooooork

This was used to make olive oil.
grind our little olives around the circle and the oil will drain from the two drains at the front.

This complex was so neat... these are photos of the actual Parca de Musica. The Renzo Piano Building Workshop (an Italain architecture firm) was commissioned for this design in the late 90s because of their specialization in acoustics.
This steel sheath was is like a shell above the wooden and brick building. The

One last picture of the music complex. There are 4 buildings in all; one being this outside amphitheater. The largest is for 2200 people, which is the largest size buildings can be made before the acoustics are effected.

oooo time is ticking! Eric leaves for Europe tomorrow afternoon and arrives at 4:40 Sunday afternoon. I can not wait!!