Sick. As. A. Dog. :/

Ciao!

Well, I guess this was going to happen sooner or later... but.... I'm pretty sick (just a cold, thankfully). Apparently, the trains here go a little bit faster than the trains in the U.S. (no one told me....) and there's lots of tunnels between here and Rome.....

Basically what happened was.... on the train, we would be going 120-140km/h (about 80-90mph) and we would go through these tunnels. The pressure would increase dramatically, and instinctively, I expected a mask to fall from the overhead bins... but they didn't.... and my ears were slowly destroyed by the pressure changes that I got a nice headache by the time I got there. 

METACOMMENT: Funny thing is, the fastest trains here go about 300km/h.... So, its pretty funny getting passed, then lapped, by the same train... TWICE.

Luckily for me, I knew in my mind that I packed some ibuprofen, so I decided I would get it when I got to my friend's house. But in reality, I left the ibuprofen back at my dorm. *ugh*. THANKFULLY, the Mancinellis gave me some Paracetamol (Italy's Tylenol equivalent). They're so nice :) I love them! They remind me of my family.

So, I'm trying to take some ibuprofen here at the dorm and take a few cough drops so I don't cough over everyone during class....

Huh. Coldplay seems to be soothing my mind.

I know I promised this a while ago, but the video tour will be done on a day when its actually sunny out. For some reason, we've been having some cloud issues.

Well, until next time....

Grazie per tua atenzione e Arrivederci!

Joel C. Yates
Sleeping All day.

Returning to Florence (:(

Well, its my last day in Rome :( but I can always come back!! :) Just a huge 'THANK YOU' (GRAZIE A MILLE) to the wonderful Mancinellis who were extremely hospitable, kind, and they took me in like their own family! I got to meet some of Veronica's friends while I was here and they are really excited for me to come again! I told all of them that since I visited them here in Rome, it is now their turn to come visit me in Florence :)

So, to end the week with a bang, I suppose that giving 'FREE HUGS' in the center of Rome wouldn't be a bad idea :)

Here are some photo highlights for you to enjoy!

 Looking at the Parthenon :)

 Joel's "On-The-Move" in Rome!

 Peace. with Veronica :)

 Veronica and the Colosseo :)

Shadow Pic :)

ABRACCI GRATIS!

(free hugs)

Until next time,

Ciao!

Benvenuto a Roma in Italia!

After a two-hour long wait at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella Train Station, four hours on the train (which I thought was an express.....), and ten minutes trying to find my friend in the Roma Termini Train Station... I am finally in Rome!!!

So. Ten Things About Today:

1) We went to the Hard Rock Cafe' here in Rome.
2) We went to the Spanish steps.
3) We went to the Trevi Fountain and made a few wishes.
4) We took a lot of awkward photos in an attempt to break some social norms.
5) I practiced my Italian with my friend Veronica, who is, apparently, very impressed.
6) We went to the Castel Sant'Angelo.
7) We took some photos in Piazza San Paolo (Vatican city)
8) We ate some gelato at the BEST Gelateria
9) We rode on the back of motorcycles.
10) We took full advantage of the public transportation system. Apparently, nobody pays for the buses.

Other than those 10 things, I am super super tired and I will sleep until 10:00 tomorrow morning!

Buona notte, e A Dopo!

Joel C. Yates

Week Two Update: Rome?

Well, I bet the majority of you are probably thinking.... "Wow, its been awhile since Joel has posted on his blog" and "Gee, I wonder when he'll post again". Folks, here is the remarkable post you all have been waiting for!

But in reality, the truth is that this was my first full week of school.... and not to sound like a freshman, but I would like to be able to adjust to my college schedule of classes, meal times, parties, and homework sessions in a relaxed fashion and organized manner.

So, its my 2nd weekend in Florence (whaaa?) and I decided that I would travel here:

ROME

It really wasn't a spontaneous decision, at least that's what I tell my parents, but I'm going to Rome because I want to see one of my friends from High School, Veronica Mancinelli, a native citizen of Rome, Italy. Sightseeing? I guess if I have to :)

OK, so this week, I had an encounter with one of these:

and if you're wondering what THAT^^^^^^^^ is.... well. its the Italian equivalent of a Twinkie with chocolate filling. EXCEPT its not deep-fried in a vat of oil AND its APPARENTLY super healthy. Why I bought it? I was hungry and I needed some quick energy. Did I satisfy my need? Partially. FIRSTLY, the Twinkie wasn't even a Twinkie. It was bread. Straight up, baked-in-an-oven, 'use-it-for-your-PBJ-sandwich', All-American BREAD. And inside was this frosting, almost like nutella, but chocolately substance.

All in all, I ate it anyway. It was super dry though.



And this week's Picture of the Week:

'The Art of War'

a required reading for my Social Foundations Class

So. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and I will try to post a little bit more frequently during my trip to Rome.

Arrivederci,

Joel C. Yates

P.S. If you haven't tried the Recipe of the Month, you better.

Recipe of the Month: Pasta Bolognese

Buona notte!

So, the FEATURED Recipe of the Month is Pasta Bolognese (BOH-LO-NEH-SAY)! Please try this at home because it is SUPER DELICIOUS. We had it for dinner and this is the recipe our kitchen uses. So, literally, FROM OUR KITCHEN to YOURS.

Ingredients

• 1 large onion or 2 small, cut into 1-inch dice
• 2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch dice
• 4 cloves garlic
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for the pan
• Kosher salt
• 3 pounds ground chuck, brisket or round or combination
• 2 cups tomato paste
• 3 cups hearty red wine
• Water
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 bunch thyme, tied in a bundle
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• High quality extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing

Directions

1. In a food processor, puree onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into a coarse paste. In a large pan over medium heat, coat pan with oil. Add the pureed veggies and season generously with salt. Bring the pan to a medium-high heat and cook until all the water has evaporated and they become nice and brown, stirring frequently, about 15 to 20 minutes. Be patient, this is where the big flavors develop.

2. Add the ground beef and season again generously with salt. BROWN THE BEEF! Brown food tastes good. Don't rush this step. Cook another 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Add the tomato paste and cook until brown about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the red wine. Cook until the wine has reduced by half, another 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Add water to the pan until the water is about 1 inch above the meat. Toss in the bay leaves and the bundle of thyme and stir to combine everything. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally. As the water evaporates you will gradually need to add more, about 2 to 3 cups at a time. Don't be shy about adding water during the cooking process, you can always cook it out. This is a game of reduce and add more water. This is where big rich flavors develop. If you try to add all the water in the beginning you will have boiled meat sauce rather than a rich, thick meaty sauce. Stir and TASTE frequently. Season with salt, if needed (you probably will). Simmer for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

5. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat to cook the spaghetti. Pasta water should ALWAYS be well salted. Salty as the ocean! TASTE IT! If your pasta water is under seasoned it doesn't matter how good your sauce is, your complete dish will always taste under seasoned. When the water is at a rolling boil add the spaghetti and cook for 1 minute less than it calls for on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

6. While the pasta is cooking remove 1/2 of the ragu from the pot and reserve.

7. Drain the pasta and add to the pot with the remaining ragu. Stir or toss the pasta to coat with the sauce. Add some of the reserved sauce, if needed, to make it about an even ratio between pasta and sauce. Add the reserved pasta cooking water and cook the pasta and sauce together over a medium heat until the water has reduced. Turn off the heat and give a big sprinkle of Parmigiano and a generous drizzle of the high quality finishing olive oil. Toss or stir vigorously. Divide the pasta and sauce into serving bowls or 1 big pasta bowl. Top with remaining grated Parmigiano. Serve immediately.

Source: Villa Natalia Kitchen via Food Network Online

^^Joel's Stamp of Approval^^

Ok, so yeah, its a lot of work for one meal and I know that most of you lead busy lives. BUT. Sometime this month. Take one day and cook this AMAZING recipe. 

And once you do, please let me know how it worked out for you and if I like your experience, I'll feature it on the blog!

Happy Cooking and Ciao!

Joel C. Yates

Food Connoseiur 

"First-Day-of-School" Blues

Buona sera Americani (edited by my roomate Henry because I can't type in Italian),

Well, for all you Merrimack-ians and other people starting school today. I also started school today. I only had three classes:

CULTURE FOUNDATIONS - a glorified version of Art History and Literature. I decided that I would like my professor very much when he pulled out his masks and started dancing around the room.   I was happy to learn that he is fascinated by the performing arts. He's putting on a play in Villa Pietra this spring. Going to be in it.

WRITING I - literally the EASIEST writing class on the face of this planet. One major paper for this entire semester and three free writing exercises. Thats it. All reading material is to be covered in class unless we "wanted to be overachievers and do it ourselves"... and my professor is British. :D

ITALIAN - well. if I could understand my professor, I would totally tell you how Italian class was. Ciao?

Today's Advice: Even if the going gets tough, like Italian, keep trying and trying and eventually, you're grammar will correct itself and you'll be fine :)

Coming Soon! A tour of Villa La Pietra! Voiced by me!

Also Coming Soon: Recipes from the Florentines!

Off to eat dinner,

Joel C. Yates

Picture Installment 1: Benvenuti a Firenze!

Alright folks,

I know you've all been waiting for some pictures so, here's the link to my Facebook's Photo Album.

<LINK UNDER CONSTRUCTION>


I hope it works!

Let me know how you like the pictures!

--Joel C. Yates