This morning I had the three hour international nutrition class. This is pretty much the world's most intense nutrition class. Yesterday, after our first three hour class, our homework was to look at 4 websites and come up with 3 questions for each, read a three page article on the determinants of nutrition, and read a 50 page packet on global economics related to international nutrition. It's actually a very interesting class, and despite it being a lot of work, I know I'm going to learn a lot.
This class makes me feel no different than I usually do in all my Penn State classes: the only conservative and the only skeptic, or at least the only one that's willing to speak up about it. I'm used to it, but it's just interesting now that it's on a much smaller scale: 19 people vs. 70 people. And my teacher actually knows my name- and that's weird.
I wish my dad was in that class with me. I know he would find it very interesting and he could add a ton to the discussion just because of the natural gifts he has with understanding world issues, governments, and economics. As I sit in class, I think about what he would say- I try to put myself in his shoes and think like he does because he is a very wise man. I would like Steven there too, but my dad has learned tact over the years and tends to step on people's toes less. I also try to have tact while standing up for what I believe in. It's an interesting challenge, but enjoyable. (It's also a self-esteem booster when I say something and people think it's ridiculous, irrelevant, or stupid and the teacher says it's great or that I'm RIGHT- gives me confidence in this mind that God gave me!)
Then I came back and had lunch. I'm tired of eating in Italy. The food is great, but the culture is so food-oriented that it's just a little overwhelming. Since it was a nice day, I wanted to go do something on my "Rome bucketlist", but naturally and like every other hour of my life, I couldn't find anyone to go. But darn it, I wanted to see the Colosseum, and I didn't care that I was going alone!
My friend Thalia told me that people stand outside and wait for English-speakers to walk by and convince them to join a tour group. Luckily, someone did approach me; I don't know all the cool things about the place, so it is always helpful to have an educated leader. I paid 25 Euro and got a guided tour of the Colosseum, Palentine Hill, and the Roman Forum. I would say that was a very good use of 25 Euro.
Anyway, the Colosseum is so darn photographable it's amazing! It used to be a lot more beautiful- covered in marble, had an overhang for shade, decorated- but I thought it was perfect to capture the skeleton of one of the most famous places in the world. The reason it's not as beautiful is due to the earthquake in 1334 A.D. that destroyed most of it and because of the Renaissance. Renaissance=recycling in Rome; the popes ordered churches to be built to try and kick start Rome's greatness again. Problem: resources were scare. Solution: there were LOTS of resources in already existing structures, like the Colosseum! Enter: St. Peter's Basilica. The ONLY reason it's beautiful and amazing is due to the fact that the Colosseum and other structures around Rome have holes and missing pieces from them.
Palentine Hill is another one of those places that got ripped off. It is where all the emperor's had their palaces, and it overlooks Circus Maximus. It was great to finally go into- I run past it whenever I run in Circus Maximus. Palentine Hill used to have the most rare, expensive, and beautiful gems in all the world, but once again- they are in the Vatican.
The Roman Forum was just desimated by flooding of the Tiber and sediment deposits over hundreds of years. The Forum is where the Roman Senate was, and great announcements, speeches (like the one after Julius Caesar's death) and executions proceeded. I went to the Forum before, as evidenced by album 1 of Italy, but this time I actually went in. It's always nice to get a new perspective.
Well, break's over. Off to do three modules online. One is estimated to take two hours. Wish me luck!
T-9 days until I'm off to Berlin!
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