This is Day 94 (??!?!?!!!)

Yes, I am on Day 94 of my Roman adventure. Very crazy. I can't believe all that I have done. From going to Medjugorje, to Austria, to Germany, to France, to the Cinque Terre... and I've seen some incredible things. With 23 days remaining until my return to the States (wow, just 23??!?), I'm certain my adventures won't let up a bit.

Today I tried to go to a Wednesday Audience with the Pope. It was a sunny day when I left the house. I got down to the Vatican really early and I got front row seats. Way cool (although, this isn't hard to do for a Wednesday Audience). Then the clouds started rolling in. The person sitting next to me is from Texas. She works at a local parish in Plano. And--ha!-- wouldn't you know it? There is a brand new school opening down there and they are looking for theology teachers. (God is funny sometimes). As we talk, it begins to drizzle. The drizzle becomes biggger, like wads of spit. Soon, there's a flat-out fire-hydrant going off over my head. Without an umbrella to shield me from God's outburst (haha), I duck under the collanade of St. Peter's Square. "I'll save your seat" are the last words from my Texan friend.

The deluge ends-- in fact, it becomes sunny again-- and I head back towards my seat. One problem: the polizia have sectioned off my seating area. I can't get back. In fact, all seating areas are now closed off. I have to stand in the far corners of the Square. Grrrr.

It begins to drizzle again. Already wet and knowing that the only way I'll see the Pope is by big-screen, I walk home. *Snifffffff*.

But, this story doesn't end on a bad note (or a dry one either-- haha). Next Wednesday has another audience for me. I'll go and get front row again. And then I'll show you some cool pictures of the Pope.

In the meantime, I stand here in Rome like this guy with flowers, waiting for Valerie (who arrives on the 26th). Between now and then, I'm going to travel more of the streets of Rome. But, most especially, I've gotta finish my papers and study for exams. (And long terribly for my love!).

Lately, I haven't been up to too terribly much. I've been writing papers, putting together applications for jobs back home (and searching for jobs), walking around Rome, and going to class. And I've been keeping up with the Cardinals when I can. Hahaha.

And that's all that I have to report from out here. More pictures and stories to come in the near future, I'm sure. And I'll see you all (or most of you) on the weekends of June 10 and 17. Ciao!

Bridge crossing into Vatican City.

One of the statues on the bridge.

A random backroad.

Your everyday scooter.