1) I was scrolling through my camera roll and then all the sudden, I realized that there was not a lot of new photos that I had taken recently. In September, I took more than 200 photos. In November, I took about 40. Maybe I am getting more accustomed to Viterbese lifestyle. This inspires me to keep observing and noticing the differences and not to be stuck in "auto-pilot" mode.
2) More people are greeting me in Viterbo! Just within this week, I saw my singing teacher at a cafe. I walked into a local tabaccheria and the owner recognized me. I even met an Italian boy who was in my class during Cinque Giorni. I feel like I am starting to fit into the city, and it makes me feel very happy.
3) Not living on a defined campus is rather difficult. Because I have to ask my parents to drive me places and pick me up after hanging out with my friends, I find myself rarely going outside to spend time with my friends on the weekends. Also, every activity requires spending some money. I am not used to that because back at Episcopal, I could just hang out on campus with my friends so easily. I am glad I am getting this opposite social experience.
4) Environment affects people. This week, I had multiple dreams, in which there would be a random shooting while I am at a movie theater or a cafe. I think the international panic of terrorism seeped into my subconsciousness. But what I found more interesting happened when I was teaching English to little kids at San Giovanni. We gave them free time to draw, and one girl drew a British airplane that was bombing Italy. She said that she drew about warfare. Looking at this too realistic doodle done by a kid made me a bit sad.
5) On a related note, all I see on the news nowadays is about ISIS and its threat to Rome and Milan. If you happen to care, I am rather safe here in Viterbo. In the mean time, my host family is trying to avoid Rome, and our school is encouraging that as well. With the Jubilee happening in a couple of weeks, Rome and especially Vatican City has raised its securrity to its maximum level. I hope everyone stays safe.