"Take It Easy"

The Eagles have long told me to "take it easy" and to "lighten up while you still can", but these words have never meant more to me than this past weekend.

This is going to be a long blog, so be prepared.

First thing: Wow. I walk past the Vatican on my way to class! My mind is blown every morning and especially when you put on the ipod and listen to "Lovers in Japan" by Coldplay. I'm taking classes at John Cabot University (JCU). If you can believe it, it actually has less students than East Grand Rapids H.S. did when I graduated. It's a much different atmosphere than MSU. I'm actually getting to know my adviser and my profs! JCU is located in Trastevere which is mostly a residentialy Italian neighborhood.
Here's what I've noticed on the way to class,

1. Italians have paninis for breakfast.
2. There are two buttons in some bathrooms - one for #1 and the other for #2.
3. There is an old and beautiful church in Trastevere. There are dozens of chandeliers at the front of the church by the altar. Amazing.
4. Shops open on the owner's time. This could be anywhere from 7am to noon.
5. I saw two Italian men talking so animately that I looked like they were fighting. But it's just how they interact with each other.
6. On the first day while I was walking to class, there was a young Grandma with her Grandchild. The little kid was eating a croissant the size of his face.
7. It feels like everyone knows everyone in Trastevere.
8. The other day, a woman opened her shutters to dry clothes (most Italians don't own a dryer). I started laughing when she was hanging up only her massively large bras.
9. I had the best pastry of my life for only 80 cents.

Anways, I love all my classes. I'm taking a MacroEcon, PoliSci: Third World Development, Italian 101, and Euro. History: 1945 and after. All my profs seem very intelligent and a lot of fun. Here's to hoping they won't give out much homework ...

Second thing: I went to Torino this past weekend with 3 other friends of mine. Torino is where the Olympics were in 2006, sooo you guessed it! I skied in the ALPS! My intent was to ski on Friday in Sestriere (about an hour train ride and 45 min. bus ride away from Torino) and return in the evening to be with my friends for the rest of the weekend. On the contrary, God had other plans for me. On the way to Oulx (city at the base of the mountains), the TrenItalia workers picked a perfect time to start a strike. I had to switch trains, and luckily a guardian angel (disguised as an Italian man) told me where to go. I finally ended up in Oulx only to find that it would be 2 hours until the bus came to take me up to Sestriere. I decided that I should just stay the night in the mountains so I would have more than a half hour to ski.

On the bus ride up to Sestriere, I met Arrita (another Guardian Angel) from Finland. She had just been cross country skiing while her husband and son were "adventure skiing" in Sestriere. Arrita was amazing. She showed me where to buy tickets, where the information center was, and she wouldn't leave my side until I had booked a hotel for the night. I was so grateful for her and it was actually hard to say good-bye. We had a good time speaking English to one another and mocking Italians for having their Siesta time in the afternoon.

Anways, I finally ended up skiing! I skied in Sestriere for 4 hours. I was the last one on the hill at the end of the day (totally something my Grandma would have done).
1. I had a playlist on so I skied for everyone when I heard a song that reminded me of one of you.
2. BRAD - I was skiing to YES while making a run for you, and a snow snake came up and bit me while I was in the powder. So, yes, I fell on your run. Haha.
3. Mom - my skiing in the Alps was for you. Completely and totally a dedication to you.

I really had forgotten how much the mountain can beat you up, but what a rewarding feeling it is at the end of the day. Example: I am so incredibly proud of the massive bruise on my knee. I still have no idea how I got it ... but the fall in the powder was worth it.

Third Thing: I finally met up with my friends in Torino. We had a great dinner (I highly recommend green apple gelato) and caught our train at 10pm.

Then the trouble started. We woke up at 4:30am and realized two of the girls I was with had their purses stolen. We had taken an overnight train, and the four of us had been asleep in our own compartment. We were all being smart with our luggage and felt safe with how everything was. Turns out, we were wrong. I luckily had nothing stolen, and thank God now that my Mom made me get such a ridiculous travel/"slash proof" purse. It was a pretty terrifying moment for all of us, especially because it was our first trip out of Roma. On the brighter side, we are all okay and most of what was stolen can be replaced. Just make sure you send some thoughts/prayers our for the two girls that lost so much.

Fourth Thing: So, yes, it was a very eventful weekend, and I am sure I skipped over some other details. Everyone should know that I have not been lost! Yes, that's right, Kaitlin Koperski has not been lost in Europe! Please make a note of that.

"We are a collection of the stories we tell." - from my TE250 class

Alright, well I'm finally running out of things to say.
Hope everyone has a great week!
You are loved and prayed for,
Kaitlin

"The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changin horizon ... for each day to have a new and different sun."
-Christopher McCandless