I am under strict orders to share my cheese experiences since I have been abroad (no, I am not referring to my brother's high school nickname). I have to admit I have not been terribly adventurous yet in that regard. I have a soft spreadable cheese in the fridge that has gone on toast and in my eggs, and have gone through more than my share of fresh buffalo mozzeralla. Today I bought a nice gorgonzola as well. Since I'm trying to live within my means this summer I haven't spent too much on artisan food. Hopefully soon I will summon the nerve to indulge in some good cheese (and wine! - why not?) sometime soon. Fancy formaggio is clearly the reason God created credit cards.

Bohéme rehearsals are taking up quite a lot of my time. Yesterday the conductor announced that he was educated by Jesuits for 8 years. Upon further inquiry I discovered that he attended the same school that my brother now attends! I have cried in rehearsal approximately 8 times, because he keeps stopping to tell poignant stories.

Today in class we heard a long discourse on the Papal States, and my guess is that I was the only person in the room who had a clue what she was saying - and not because of the language barrier. But now I know how to say it: Stati Pontificiali - and I know that Novafeltria was part of them.

I sing in a concert tonight that begins at 9:30. I tried to explain to them that I don't begin things after 9 pm - I don't mind going past 9, but I don't like to begin any new activity after that time. They weren't terribly impressed.