A Long One Coming

It's been a while since I've uploaded anything. So, let me give it a crack tonight working from present to past.

This week is finally coming to an end. Next week is the last week of classes followed by a few days of finals. That means that this week was the deadline for projects and last waves of test. For my marketing class, my partner and I ended up putting together a 22 page marketing plan for Starbucks's customer service problem. With that completed we met on Monday to put together the presentation for Tuesday. Upon completion I was informed that night that my partner was diagnosed with a highly contagious disease and was quarantined from public outings from her apartment through Friday. That meant in the notoriously known marketing class with this project being the cornerstore of the class I was going solo. Tuesday came and after a brief self phsyching up I strolled into the class and pitched the best effort on a marketing plan idea I could muster. I was given positive feedback from those in my class, but the final decision rests in the grade from the prof which we'll get back hopefully tomorrow. Today brought about the final italian test before the final. I'm hoping the grade comes back as high as I think my performance on the test would allow. With the exception of one or two verbs I think I nailed another solid ace on it, keeping my total class average at a solid A. I'll find out Monday for sure. I wrapped up drawings on a storyboard on the advertising project we have due tomorrow. The presentation includes a recap of our previous presentation, modifications to our target market, the updated print ad, our radio ad, the commercial ad, and our budget and allocation for the final product. Once that is done we should be golden for the final. It still irritates me that all teachers panic during the final week or two of classes and make all final tests or projects before the finals due at the same time. In may ways the schedule turns out to be worst than the finals one. Someday I hope college professors realize we are always enrolled in at least three more classes than their own which may hopefully mean a more level distribution of assignments and tests. One can only hope. Until that happens I will hold true to my belief that upper level professors wreak the havoc upon their own students as their professors of days gone by did for them as a means for a vain attempt at equality.

In other news, I pack tomorrow night and leave for Berlin early Friday morning. I'll be meeting up with my friend, Denton, who is studying in Spain. Hopefully a few days of seeing a few good museums and worldknown monuments as well as eating brautwurst and beer will give me a reenergizing boost before finals week. I'll post more about that trip when I return. All I know is a backpack is a mere formality for that trip. It's so cold there I will be wearing everything I own here thus making it unmeaningful to bring a full backpacking pack.

Last week Lindsay came to visit. It was a really fun week. I was able to go back and see all the highlights of Rome and show off my city. I only hope it came off as a positive image. We took an Ancient Rome tour which filled me in on all the facts of certain areas of the city that I go by but haven't heard any info on since I was here after my freshman year. The week was also Thanksgiving, so for the holiday we headed to Florence. There we saw the David, the Duomo, the Medici Castle, Piazza Spagna, and Piazza Michelangelo. A train ride back to Rome brought us to a typical Italian dinner for the Thanksgiving meal. Some things just get substitued naturally during a semester in a country that doesn't recognize particular American holidays. Hopefully numerous pictures, laughs, and gelato sent her home on a good note.

The two weeks before that were more of the same with school and day to day routine. One thing we all enjoy here is being able to shun the label of tourist and become locals in a way. We walk with a purpose or ride the bus like normal commuters heading to school. We know where to go in the city for our particular needs and don't sidetrack from them. We hardly look at monuments we pass as we are looking towards the goal of getting to class on time or meeting a group at a particular location. There's no greater feeling than being asked by other italians directions to a particular place or a general question that most locals would no. Unfortunately, I have to look at them and reply with "non lo so." Maybe one day that aspect will be different.

The weekend prior I took a trip to Sicily. That turned out to be a great time. The group was rather small and after an hour all of us knew one another just fine. We stayed in a 3 star hotel in Catania which springboarded us into the other areas including Siracusa, ancient roman ruins, and Mount Etna which is the largest active volcano in Europe. The rain held off for the most part until the last morning which was fine. I mean, who doesn't like having a picture taken at the beach holding an umbrella?

As you can tell some details are fuzzy. It's also very late and I have a presentation at noon tomorrow to prep for so I can't delay too much.

The semester is winding down to a close. More and more people are talking of going home, and what they can't wait to get back to. Joining those conversations is a bit double edged, I think. Sure, I can't wait to get back to family and Waco. Being around Christmas and regaining a spot in local society again. Perhaps even playing a round or two of golf before traveling to see family. On the other hand, being here is absolutely amazing and realizing there is only limited time left spurs us on to venture out to see more and gain more stories before finally heading home. I am going back for one more final semester. I have 12 hours and an internship between me and a diploma and an ongoing career. I can't wait to get on that path and finish it out. I admire those around me that have gone down that path and are coming out on the other side. A few are spreading outward from the central texas area. One so far as a potential spot in my old stomping grounds of Jersey. Looking on as they press forward towards their futures and careers is inspritational to say the least. So long have I looked at is as a monumental final chapter to life. Being a part of others' cycle to the next stage has shown me that it's only another part of the trail of life. I can only stand by and hope that I meet it head on and directed as those I know now who are going through that trial.

I know that leaving here I will be going back to that infamous Baylor campus at winter break. That means everyone has gone home for the holidays to be with their family. Traffic around Waco has resumed to it's semi-frustrating state and parking around campus is unlimited. I know the town will be empty and I won't see signs of normal college life until well into January. Though I do anticipate being able to spend time with those that are in Waco until jobs begin elsewhere. Robert, I hope all goes well with the job hunts outside the state, but you'd better not be gone before we have last reminiscent session in person of the past four years and where our paths are headed. Joey, don't worry, I know you'll be around next semester, and with us potentially being neighbors I'm sure it'll be like the past three years...except without me having the pets. John, (and Val), you'd better believe while your short time in Waco is coming to a close it will be full of coffee trips and rock climbing, maybe even an occasional bear trail or two (you'd be surprised, I'll keep up with you for two trips around). And all the others in the area that will be coming back to Baylor in the spring...here's to four final months of fun and memories.

Oh, and not to be outdone for family...I was walking to school the other day and notice a peculiar sight in Piazza Trilussa near campus. A grade school field trip was heading back to their charter bus to go home. What was ironic was the teacher holding a rope at the front of the line, and a crowd of twenty-five to thirty 7 year olds holding on to the rope like little ducks following along and chaperones in the back keeping an eye on the stragglers. Those kids better be thankful of the sights and experiences they have as kids in school, as well as for the teachers that put up with them during the experience. ;)

Testing

Check one, check one.
Let's see if I can figure out how this thing is operating.