SNO PLACE LIKE ROME: Just call me chef sonja

I had the amazing opportunity to cook up a traditional Italian meal (for only 10 euros)!

It was a four course meal (course meals are very popular here) and there were about 12 students divided into groups. Our team got squash blossoms (soooo good, I can't wait to cook it at home). Squash blossoms are squash flowers (we used zucchini flowers because they don't have squash in Italy) stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella then deep fried in a beer batter. We also had some kind of thin sliced beef wrapped around prosciutto and

mozzarella with sage leaves, which ended up being my favorite! I forget what it's called......mom?? Anyway-Bucatini noodles were our 3rd course with homemade bacon pasta sauce (mmmm! and I don't even like bacon). And for dessert we had small wine cookies, all this topped off with some red wine!! malto buono!! The instructor was a local chef who owns his own restaurant right by where I live. He usually holds his own private cooking classes for 50 euros a person. He was hilarious, his strong accent topped with "thanks god!" when he was trying to say "thank god". Such a fun time!

I attempted a run yesterday along the Tiber river right before sunset. Gorgeous night, but I didn't quite make it to the river! I ended up getting lost on all the side roads and eventually finding my way when I was right by school. I actually enjoyed getting lost. I now

know my way around a little better, plus I discovered new places and on top of that I ran a lot more than I was planning on! Something I find interesting here is nobody goes for runs-and everyone stares at you when you do!! The only exercise going on is walking, and sometimes biking...and I have yet to see an obese person. That's odd especially with all the pizza, pasta and gelato eaten here! Actually, everyone (especially girls) are so skinny. Take that as a tip America.....all you have to do is WALK! Classes are going well..I really like my teachers. My Italiano professor Rosa Napoli reminds me of mom with her accent and the way she writes. I keep seeing Anthony everywhere I go! All the italian guys look alike (like karate kid) and Anthony falls in that category. Today was supposed to be beach day since it's been 90's and so humid (and we dont have air conditioning) ! But we woke up to rain...first rain day since I've been here and of course it's on the day we decide we want to take the hour train ride to the beach.

Here are some pictures from the cooking class:

My group..with some squash blossoms. It was sooo hot in the kitchen, we were sweaty and uncomfortable.

The meat course before it was cooked, I wish I could remember what it was called!

mmmm!! so delicious!!

Bucatini noodles

The wine cookies

This picture is blurry of Maria and I but it shows the beautiful view of Rome we have from the roof top of our school! (also where the cooking class was held)