Proud to be an AMERICAN (in my heart...not on my clothes)

Yesterday I just got settled in a did some errands.  I went to the grocery store and the fruit stand in the morning.  I bought the biggest green onions I have ever seen in my life.  My entire hand was needed to grip the base.  I also did my laundry for the first time and I was not very pleased.  Most of my whites turned out a little discolored and my since there is no such thing dryers my clothes did not dry very soft at all.  Also in order for them to dry I had to put them on a clothes line on the balcony.  In the morning it did not look like it was going to rain so I left them out.  In the middle of class it started to down poor and I knew my new clean clothes were getting soaked!  At the grocery store I got ground beef and I made the best burger ever for dinner.  I had a toasted hamburger bun, tomatoes, onion, lettuce, ketchup, and mustard.    At the airport on Sunday,  I bought a new book called Second Chance by Jane Green.  I really like it so far and I am about 100 pages in.  I am enjoying her style of writing and hope to be able to read more tonight.  I always feel a little guilty reading it because it is so much more interesting than my econ book that also need to be read!

On a more serious note, recently there has been a terrorist attack in Paris by al-Qaida. The U.S. State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe.  Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks.  European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions.  It has been strongly advised NOT to travel this weekend.  I was supposed to take a 3 hour train to Lake Como and go back backing this weekend but I my friends and I will be staying in Rome now.  There is so much to do here anyway that I have not done yet.  There are a couple of reminders that have been told over and over.  We are advised not to be in areas where large groups congregate, avoid crowded tourist spots frequented by Americans,  and avoid expressions of the USA, such as wearing a flag or college sweatshirt that immediately identifies you.  I have a UC San Diego sweatshirt that I brought her but at our orientation I was told to NEVER wear it so I have yet to wear it.  The most important thing is to be alert and  pay attention to those around you.   Do not involve yourself in protests or rallies and to leave public places if you see signs of trouble.  I also just registered with the US Embassy so every time I plan to go somewhere I just have to register where I am gong and they will send me any alerts or warnings.

I was assigned my first research paper in philosophy today that is due next week.  I am going to make another delicious burger for dinner.  I don’t mind the rain at all especially since it is a warm rain and I don’t even need to wear jeans.  I like the wetness on my face and my hair always get super curly once I get inside and it dries again.