Reality is setting in.

This is happening.

Tomorrow, I’ll be walking across the stage at Commencement after spending four years loving, living, and learning at Roger Williams University.

(Commencement) Ball so hard.

I’ve met so many impactful people- friends that will remain close to me for the rest of my life. From the members of the “Core Four” in my Admissions past- Lisa, Adam, and Claire, to Abby, to Senate colleagues in Kevin, Ryan, Celine, Emily, and Blair, to ExCon, to all of the other amazing individuals (Emily, Jill and Jill, Shannon, Bobby and more!) I have had the joy and honor of working with over the past few years- I love you all.

Core Four, four years later

These relationships expand beyond that of my peers. I have never met a more dedicated, caring group of faculty members than those I have encountered at Roger Williams. June Speakman and Jeffrey Meriwether, the chairs of the Political Science and History departments, respectively have instilled in me a sense of passion and for a life in the academy. Joseph Roberts and Laura D’Amore have never failed to read a paper they did not have to, to help me develop the best work possible. Autumn Quezada-Grant and Charlotte Carrington have made me believe that I can do anything I want to do and be anyone I want to be. Dave Moskowitz, with whom I’ve sparred verbally on multiple occasions has kept me grounded, while Jennifer Stevens has helped me gain practical experience as a historian. They have carefully molded me into the individual I am today and without them I would not have had the success I did. From writing me countless letters of recommendation to letting me have the occasional nervous breakdown on the floor of their offices, they have never failed me.

Autumn and I

This trend continues with staff members at the university. The amount of times I’ve pestered Carol and Adrienne in the SP&L office cannot be counted. I’ll miss little things, like Pat from the FCAS coffee cart knowing my order and brightening my morning or Jesse, the “honorary RA” in Maple who never failed to attend to our residence hall needs. This community I’ve been a part of has changed my life for the better. Where else could the President, Provost, and several Vice Presidents know your name? It’s kind of like Cheers.

Just us, with the first family of RWU

But now, we need to move on. Forge new relationships while keeping the old close to your heart.

We are the Class of 2013. Remember that, where ever you go. Whether you’re in line for a coffee before heading to your big-boy/girl job or teaching English in a foreign country, or just living your life- let yourself remember. Be nostalgic. But do so with caution. Don’t  get so caught up in the past that your forget to live in the present.

The promised end.

This is a place, these are the people that I will remember.

Tom

Commencement tickets a few weeks ago.

Commencement Ball tickets last week.

My cap and gown today.

It’s so surreal to think that in just over a month I’ll be in the Commencement tent.

With warm weather here, I just want to sit outside and let the sun embrace me. Instead, I’m holed up in the library writing my thesis. Which, (fun) I’m presenting at the Religion and the State conference this coming weekend here on campus.

In grad school news, after being accepted to King’s College London, University College London, the New School for Social Research, University of St. Andrew’s (and a whole bunch of others), I had a slight panic. Usually people have no options and freak out, instead I had too many…

I’m pleased to announce (for those of you who haven’t yet heard) that I’ve decided on the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland! I’ll be shipping off to the land of kilts and deep fried Mars Bars in September for a one year M.Litt in Modern History program.

I’m off to try to get some sun before hitting the books again.

Keep counting down,

Tom

Today marks 99 days until Commencement. It’s a very bittersweet feeling. While I’ve had an amazing time over the past four years here in Bristol, I’m ready for a new challenge, a new adventure, and a new location. Which is why I’m super stoked I’ve been offered admission to four grad schools in the UK (UCL, Goldsmiths, Royal Holloway, and Queen Mary)! While I’m still waiting to hear from some more schools in the US, Canada, and a few more in England, getting in somewhere is an amazing feeling. I remember getting my acceptance letter to Roger Williams and how that changed my life- allowing me to spend the past four years with an amazingly dedicated faculty, an incredibly welcoming student body, and be a part of a truly spectacular campus community. Hopefully, in deciding my plans for postgraduate study, I can find a place like Roger Williams to engage my mind, body, and spirit. I’ll keep you posted, as I should know definitively what I’m doing in May.

I’m taking a slightly less intense semester (this is the first time in a while I haven’t taken 6 classes), as I’m only in three traditional courses that take place in the classroom. I’m also engaged in two independent studies- the first, being my political science thesis (something to do with libertarianism, still hammering out the deets) and the other being run through the Community Partnership Center, doing research on maritime history at Bristol’s own Herreshoff Museum. It’ll be an interesting experience, putting my theoretical skills as a historian into practice- digging through archives, doing independent research, and potentially finding something groundbreaking.

Spring semester is definitely in full swing with events- two that I’m particularly looking forward to are Senior Pub Night and Steak and Ale Night. And I can’t not mention Commencement Ball… I’m really just in awe that I’m a senior in college. I feel like I usually mention the passage of time in each of my blogs, but am just dumbfounded that four years have nearly elapsed.

My friends and I are making plans for careers, future study, and real life is imminent. When did we get so old? Somewhere between nap time and writing my thesis I guess…

Yikes.

My prolonged absence can probably be explained by my celebration of thesis being done (I present tomorrow!) and realization of all the rest of the work I need to do. I also have to do ANOTHER thesis for my second major, so to quote Jay-Z, “On to the next one.”

I had a weird moment where I realized that I was registering for classes at RWU for the last time. Ever. Since I had a brief existential crisis as a result, I thought, why not take Existentialism? Additionally, I’m taking History of Religion, Crime and Dissent in Early New England, and Leadership in American Politics. I’m doing an independent study for my Political Science thesis, so I’m still figuring out what I’ll be researching ad nauseam until April.

I took the GREs. Don’t do it, ever. It is one of the most soul crushing, life-force sucking four hours you will ever be subject to. Or just study more than I did.

It’s been a whirlwind semester as Academic Affairs chair of Student Senate- from planning Grad School Month, to running Professor of the Semester, to investigating a faculty member. But, I am Academic Affairs chair no longer. I’ve been promoted due to a vacancy left by our former Student Body Vice President, Kevin, who is graduating early. He leaves behind very large shoes to fill, but I have high hopes that I can do the job.

Senate’s last big event for the semester is Winter Illumination on Wednesday, December 5th from 4.30-5.30. Come and get free cider, hot chocolate, gingerbread people and for the chance to win some cool prizes.

I feel as though it was only just September and I was buying textbooks for my classes and now it’s time to sell them back, having (hopefully) skimmed read all of them. Crazy town.

I’ll check in again before finals, because there is nothing I love more than procrastinating by doing other semi-productive work. Some things never change.

Tom

Every time I want to sit down to update y’all on my life, something stops me. Thesis, a quiz, thesis, an article to write, thesis…you get the idea.

Surprisingly, from a mass of tangentially related, far-flung sources, my thesis has begun to congeal into a kind of cool, readable piece of academic work.

My job as a research assistant for the History Department has seen a jump in excitement from copy maker to hard core researcher. I’m currently working on two research projects with two different professors: one tracks the chronological development of the History Department at RWU while the other examines the revolutionary art of Latin America and its influence on revolutionary art in the Arab Spring. Next semester, I’ll also be working with the Hershoff Maritime Museum in Bristol doing some archival stuff. It’s almost like I’m a historian. Hmm..

It’s difficult to believe that September is gone and October is quickly slipping away. Anyone that knows me knows that fall is absolutely my favorite season. The weather, the leaves, and pumpkin flavored everything make autumn the best.  And the air is charged with potential, with the opportunity for change around every corner. With mid-terms behind me, it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to think about the future.

Grad school apps are coming along. GREs are officially scheduled for November 6th. Remember how in high school, teachers were like, “Math is important. You’re going to need it,” and then you kind of scoffed and rolled your eyes. Well, if you plan on taking the GREs, you should listen to them. As someone who despises math with 60% of my being, I am not looking forward to that ordeal.

This week I did something scary. I planned my Spring 2013 schedule in the usual fashion (color-coded Excel spreadsheet) and I realized that I was planning my last semester at Roger Williams. Ever. Like…never again would I plan on taking a class here.

Cue quarter-life crisis.

Excuse me while I dry heave and cry in a corner,

Tom

Reality has set it. I’m a senior. There are theses to write, a cap and gown to purchase, GREs to take, and real life to figure out. Grad school or work? New York or LA (or London or Chicago or DC…)? Decisions, decisions.

Real life multiple choice questions?

But that’s the future. Let’s talk about the now. Since I’m a masochist, I’m taking six courses, chairing a Student Senate committee, editing the Internationalist at Hawk, working as a research assistant in the History Department, and commuting to campus. There may be some nap taking on the couch in the Student Senate office.

Last First Day of School

Classes. Foreign Policy of Russia and China; Research Methods in Political Science; History Senior Seminar; Colonial America; Ethnic Conflict; Rich State, Poor State.

Books on books on books

Student Senate. I’m the Academic Affairs committee chair. Our big thing for September is a co-sponsored series of events for Graduate School Month with the Career Center. Looming is Professor of the Semester selection and Senate scholarship awarding.

I'm kind of a big deal.

Research Assistant. You need some copies? I can make those copies.

Internationalist. RWU’s source for all things international. Currently we publish on a rolling basis online. Check it out.

Commuting. Gas is pricey. :/

Less than nine months until Commencement. It’s like I’m pregnant…with emotion.

Here’s to hoping for no complications,

Tom

I’ve been so caught up in traveling, and living, and studying that I seem to have forgotten to update you on all of it!

The last month has flown by leaving me in a state of despair over having to fly home on Saturday. But, regret isn’t something worth having- so I’ll always cherish the good times, the friends I’ve made, and the amazing experience I’ve have the past few months.

It was weird not being home for Thanksgiving, but luckily in a city with so many American students, Thanksgiving still happens. I had the pleasure of going to The Diner with my friend Rachel and her family to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, complete with all the trimmings. The next day, I had a field trip to Pompeii for my Archaeology class. I continue to be amazed at the ability to see things in living color for all of my classes.

Still standing.

I spent the next weekend in Amsterdam, enjoying the beautiful canals and touring the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Heineken Factory. It was very surreal with all the canals, which make it very difficult to get lost. I’ve grown used to using the Arno in Florence as a point of reference- while Amsterdam has countless waterways in a language I don’t quite understand.

I took a study break last weekend and went to Venice for the day- another city famous for its canals. After seeing all the main sites, I jumped back on a train and high-tailed it for Florence. I’ve finished four of my five exams, written my last paper, bought all my gifts, and begrudgingly started packing.

All that I have left to do is my Italian exam and say goodbye. Tomorrow, we’re having a farewell reception in Florence’s city hall (swanky, I know). I’ll part ways with professors, staff (Alessia, the student services coordinator is of course my favorite with Serena, Elena, and Rino coming in close behind), and the friends I’ve made.

It’s strange to be going home, where I can drive, go to a supermarket, have good Internet. Not eating pasta everyday or starting my morning with an espresso will be odd. Not saying “ciao” or “grazie” or “vorrei…” will take some getting used to. But in the end, I’ve enjoyed every second of my time here.

Best class of the semester- Michelangelo.

And no matter where any of us end up, or what we go on to do, or think about, we’ll always have Florence.

Safe travels home and Happy Holidays- always with love,

Tom

Let me start off by saying Fall Break was amazing! I started off by taking a train to Naples from Florence. Naples is…something. It was a little bit sketchy and fairly dirty. But, it does have amazing pizza. I went to Pizzeria Michele on the suggestion of Rino, one of the staff members of Palazzo Ruccelai who hails from Naples.

Honestly…it was life changing. The dough. The dough…was the absolute best pizza dough I have ever had in my life. (Julia Roberts is a big fan of their pizza as well.) They only have two kinds of pizza- cheese and no cheese. And since they’ve been making pizza since the nineteenth century, they know what they’re doing.

After hanging around Naples for a night and the following day, we headed to the port to get on our boat to Catania. We decided to get a bite to eat, since it would be a fairly long trip. We figured pizza would be a good choice. False. This was the worst pizza I have ever had in my life. Since I don’t anticipate you being near the port of Naples and I erased the name of the place from my memory, I won’t tell it to you. But really, disgusting.

After sleeping on the ferry for the majority of the night, I arrived in Catania, which was absolutely beautiful. Florence is very set in the Renaissance, so it was amazing to see a completely different style of city. I much prefer Gothic architecture, so it was pretty cool.

The next day, I got on a bus to Nicolosi en route to Mount Etna. And then I climbed it. Climbed an active volcano. It was very surreal and put me in kind of an existential mood. The views were absolutely stunning, the air so crisp, and the experience was pretty life changing. (That seems to be the theme of this particular post.)

But, the memories of Fall Break fade as I get back into the grove of classes. It’s hard to believe that I only have a little over a month left here in Florence.

Last weekend, I went to Rome for my Michelangelo class and saw the Sistine Ceiling which was, of course, life changing. It’s amazing the difference it makes when studying art history to actually see the thing you’re studying. Slides do not do it justice. It is so immense, so massive, so awe-inspiring that you can’t say anything.

In the flesh...erm, marble.

This week, we had the finals of the soccer tournament for American students studying in Florence. Palacco Ruccelai made it to the final game, but unfortuantely lost last night. Still- second place ain’t bad.

Winners in my eyes.

On Friday, I went on a cultural activity organized by the school to Chianti. We went an olive oil factory to see how the oil is pressed, then had a tasting and a typical Tuscan lunch. The olive oil had literally just been pressed and it was, as you would expect, life changing. Can’t say I hated it. Every shop in Florence has little signs in their windows advertising the “New Oil.”

All about the green- exposure to light reduces the potency of the oil and the flavor.

Yesterday, I went to Pisa to take my obligatory Leaning Tower picture, before splitting. There’s not much else to see there. (Not quite life changing, but I’m glad I had my five minutes of doing the most touristy thing in Italy.)

This week, I’ve got a couple of tests, which remind me of the “study” portion of Study Abroad. However, there’s fun in sight, with a soccer game at the end of the week. Luckily the school was able to get super cheap tickets for the Florence vs. Milan game, which is apparently an epic rivalry. (Think Red Sox and Yankees). Next week is Thanksgiving, which we unfortunately don’t have off. But the day after, I’ll be spending the weekend in Pompeii with my Archaeology class getting down and dirty at the dig. Hopefully, I’ll also be able to get to Venice and Balzano for the Christmas markets. Although, I hear Florence has a pretty kick-butt Christmas market too. If you’re not too naughty, you might get a gift when I return…

More updates soon, I promise.

A presto!

I love that whenever I don’t feel like doing actual work, I can still blog and feel like I’ve accomplished something productive.

Hoping you’re enjoying Bristol as much as I’m enjoying Florence.

All my favorite Florence peeps at the Trevi Fountain!

As you know, I was in Rome last weekend for a field trip. We saw all the typical ancient sites- like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum. However, we also saw history in the making with the Occupy Rome protests on Saturday. Luckily, they were relatively peaceful while we observed the protests and were able to get on our train back to Florence before things got out of hand.

Me hanging out at the riot.

The fun of the Roman weekened was shortlived, since mid-terms are now in full swing. So far, I’ve solved the euro crisis, memorized eveything there is to know about the Sistine Ceiling, and successfully identified different archaeological strata. Now all I have left is Ancient Rome (which the field trip provided an excellent review for) and my Italian exam.

Luckily, all of my professors have been more than willing to have multiple review sessions for their classs. And, since the program is relatively small, most of us usually continue the study session at one of our apartments after the official review ends.

Once exams are over Thursday, I plan on scouring my apartment. I’m starting to believe someone comes in while we’re sleeping and covers everything in dust. Whoever or whatever you are, please stop. Then on Saturday, I’m taking a train to Naples and hiking for a few days before setting sail for Sicily, where I will be until Wednesday. I plan on spending the rest of fall break just relaxing in Florence, which should be a bit more decongested without the majority of the American student population.

Last night, the Registrar posted course schedules for Spring 2012, so I naturally chose all my classes and made an Excel spreadsheet of my schedule. I am probably the coolest person you know, right?

Sorry about my absence from the blogosphere lately. I’ve been busy enjoying all Florence has to offer and doing the “studying” portion of my study abroad.

Climbed the Duomo!

It’s hard to believe that this is the last week of classes before mid-terms and fall break!

Currently, I’m making study guides for my classes and planning study sessions with my classmates. This is very easy given my class sizes. My Michelangelo class has six students and my Archaeology class have five. My others are all under 20 students. It’s impossible not to get personal attention from professors.

On Friday, I had a field trip for my Archaeology class. After hopping on a super early train, my class arrived in Populonia with our professor. The class is team taught by a historian (our professor) and an archaeologist, who guest lectures in our classes sometimes. The archaeologist is in charge of a dig in Populonia, uncovering the remnants of a Roman villa. We had the chance to do some of our own digging and got to enjoy the beautiful seaside landscape. After leaving the dig, we explored some Etruscan tombs and headed up to the village of Populonia, which has under 20 full-time inhabitants.

Digging the situation.

After getting lunch, we ventured up to the acropolis, where there was another dig going on. While there, the team made a huge discovery of an inscription which reinforced the head archaeologists thesis regarding the temple he had excavated.

On Saturday, I headed to the Biblioteca delle Oblate to study, one of the hippest places in town. While you may think libraries are boring- this one is anything but. It has a cafe on the rooftop terrace with great views of the Duomo and is bustling with Italian students studying in the funky, modern environment. The library also hosts concerts, readings, and a variety of other events.

Biblioteca delle Oblate

Next weekend, I’ll be going to Rome for a field trip with my Ancient Rome class, which should be a lot of fun. And then I’ll tackle mid-terms.

Wish me luck!