Earthquakes

First of all, let me say that my thoughts and prayers go out to all the people in the area of Italy where there was serious damage and many lives lost.

Then let me say, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

An EARTHQUAKE?!?!?!?!

Ok, when I was getting ready to come to Italy, everyone said "Watch out for the Italian men." Nobody said watch out for the seismic activity that will make your bed move around!!

Monday night I was at a hotel with my friend B, who was visiting. At about 3:30 in the morning the bed started shaking and I was like whoa, what is this? By the time I was awake enough to understand what was going on, the rumbling was over. So I called my mom to assure her that I was ok.

The woman did not believe that there had been an earthquake. I think she thought that I was under the influence.

I know I have an active imagination, but even I cannot imagine an earthquake!
What's even more ridiculous is that a lot of people on my program slept through it. How do you sleep through an earthquake? Can you teach me? This might be a valuable skill.

In other news:

-Malawi said no dice to Madonna adopting another baby. I do recognize that the little girl's life would probably be better outside of the orphanage, but seriously, Madonna's 50 years old. That is too old to be raising a toddler. I know, because whenever I spend time with Jasmine, that child exhausts me, and we have to play games that involve "lying very still with our eyes shut and no talking".

-19 days left in Italy. That is weird.

-There's a creepy mime by the Trevi Fountain who whacks girls on the butt with his baton. Next time that happens to me, I'm whacking him back. You'll probably be able to read about it online-"American Student Gets Into Brawl With Mime-Explains "He Started It, That Butt-Toucher"" (P.S. I'm sure there is some joke about a mime and fighting but what can I say I'm too tired from pretending to study Italian, but really reading about Michelle Obama)