Last Class at UTEP

I really enjoyed our last class at UTEP but I am ready for the Italian experience. Although the lectures at the University were a bit rushed I think I learned quite a bit. Everything feels so real now that we are almost ready to go. I have been making lists of things that I need to get and do before leaving the country but for some reason I still have that nagging feeling that I am still missing something. There is so much to do and to plan and I only have one week to get everything together. Anyway, I hope everyone is as excited as me, and I really can't wait to start our Roman adventure.

Office of Study Abroad- Important Info

Yesterday's class was very important, and even though I was unable to stay for the entire period, I was very glad to hear all the information provided to us by the office of Study Abroad. It was good to get our packets back and be able to figure out what we were missing so that it can be processed as soon as possible because frankly I am looking forward to getting that money so that I can get a few things that I need for the trip, and also because that will part of the money that I will have to spend while in Rome.

I have to admit that I am scared of the pickpocketing situation in Rome, but then again, it can't possibly be worse than Juarez, so I am quite confident that we will be ok. I grew up in Juarez so I am very protective of my belongings everywhere I go. However, I am glad that the university takes the time to provide information about all the possible things that may happen while abroad.

Today will be our last day of class at UTEP and I am so excited. I have been thinking about this trip for almost six months now, and I can't believe that it is almost time to leave. It will be a fantastic experience for all of us, and I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to travel with such a wonderful group of people.

yesterday's class was great! The poem was much easier to read this time around. It was also an excellent poem and now I am very curious to visit the pyramid of Cestius. The author concentrates on the fact that he had no idea who Cestius was, or what he did. He only knew that his name was now representative of something good since it was directly related to the cementery were many people were buried.

We also listened to a song in Italian. I can easily tell the difference between Italian, German, and French, but I certainly understand Italian the most. It is so close to Spanish. I liked the song, and occasionally I was able to understand a word here and there. The problem is that it is too fast for me to comprehend, and I am sure if I could read the lyrics I would understand much more of it.

The lecture was particularly interesting for me because I love the Renaissance period. It is a period in history that is simply fascinating. The politics of the time were mysterious and complex, and the artistic value of the period is extremely significant. It is as though the most influential artists of all time were born during this period, and their purpose in life was to make Rome the eternally beautiful place that it is. 




We covered the topic of astrology and how it influenced the powerful decisions made by leaders of the time. There is so much mystery about the methods used during this time, such as astrology. In today's world we think of astrology as a science that has some valid points, but overall we do not base our most important decisions on the alignment of the planets or the cosmos. It is not that we are more rational, because Roman leaders of the time were certainly rational. We are simply different. Therefore, our decision making differs from theirs and is based on what is considered relevant in the 21st Century.