Longest Groundhog Day

• saw the Pope today. That was cool. went to the Roma soccer game. That was cool, too.
• Jokes!
• The Papal audience was amazing. When Benedict XVI walked in the colossal room, it lit up. Though we had to listen to the same message in about 12 different language, seeing all of the people from different geographical backgrounds come and sing a song for the Pope was certainly a "cool" experience. BUT, sorry Benedict, the best part of the service was when a little boy around the age of 5 rushed up the steps right to the Pope, knelt down, and received a personal blessing and kiss on the forehead. I literally started to tear up, just a little bit. This is an experience I can't explain, but if you are Catholic, an audience with the Pope is surely something to put on the bucket list.
• After hours away from the Rome Center to get my fingerprints done (in a building with entirely no toilet paper) ....
• Molti studenti andiamo a calcio. Roma vs. ???? (I was there, honest.) The soccer games are played at the Olympic Stadium just down the hill from the JFRC. It was unfortunately a tie, 1-1, but a legitimate experience, nonetheless.
• **Egypt in our thoughts and prayers**The groundhog didn't see his shadow**I miss America and watching the NBA in sports bars opposed to a constantly freezing computer screen***