"Come sei diche TACO?"

I think it is a rule of thumb that when you move to a foreign country you acquire many practical skills (and maybe some not so practical ones). I have recently found myself saying things like “Oh yea, my aunt is a hair dresser” and “My roommate is Italian”. This weekend Mathilde, (from New Orleans) volunteered me to trim up Austin’s (from Oregon) hairline. I can’t say I have never done this, but I am no expert. I believe the perk of being volunteered for such activities comes if the subject is attractive. Isn’t one more apt to volunteer if this is true? Anyway, I digress. It would be nice if my roommate (Daniela) being Italian actually helped take my test on Friday and explain that I lost my key and need a new one. Maybe it will even help me lose my Spanish accent while speaking Italian!

There is a restaurant here called “Tex Mex”. That’s right, even Italy has Mexican Restaurants! On Sunday night, the girls and I went out for margaritas and tacos. After examining the menu intently, Ellie says, “I wonder what the word for taco is in Italian.” Oh man! I’m pretty sure taco is taco in every language. Although this isn’t your authentic Mexican (what is authentic Mexican anyway?), I did have the freshest cheese I have ever had on my enchiladas. It turned out to also be the most expensive Mexican food I have ever paid for...25 Euros! But the best part was when I got home, I didn’t even smell like I had been at a Mexican restaurant!

Last night we had a potluck in my apartment. It amazes me that you can get 15 American students from all different regions together to eat and still call it a “potluck”. I thought that was only a southern United States tradition. Kate says it is a “church thing” and it us 10 minutes to explain to our Italian teacher how to say potluck and then what it actually meant. We should have just told her it meant we wouldn’t be studying last night. The whole shebang turned out to be a true success besides the whirlwind that wind through my living room. Let’s just say I swiffered before and after the party. Nevertheless, it is now a permanent statue on our weekly social calendar; Gretchen (from Virginia) says “our parents would be proud!”