What does Sarah do all day?

So, many of my friends have asked what I am doing with my time in Rome. I had lofty goals of taking cooking classes while learning Italian, finding a new career and painting the many historical sites here in Rome. Those of you who know me well will understand the struggle for me to relax and be okay with not having "something" to do. I've run through many crazy ideas and attempts, from starting an ugly souvenir stand in front of our house (we live by all of the catacombes, and many tourists pass, but there are no souvenir stands!) to reviving my desire to become an arbourist, to touring the sties (though....really, I've never really cared too much for ancient history), and have come to the conclusion that there is no one answer.

Right now I am loving the fact I can spend time running, and seeing what I could do in a marathon if I actually had the time to train properly. Since we live near the Appia Antica Regional Park, the runs are stunning and I get to be outside at least three to four mornings a week. Granted, running on the trails has its challenges....a sheep herd (with real shepards and shepard dogs), wild dogs, dogs with owners that don't seem to care where/what their dogs do, people who ignore the "no cars allowed" signs, and a lovely organic garden! Don't forget the myriad of "forgotten" historical treasures that only appear once the grass has either been cut away or dies....through, the more I get to understand the area, the more I think I am running over millions of dead Romans (there are three catacombes near us). Not sure how motivating that is...? Next week I am starting my interval training, and the only track I know of is the one next to the Roman Baths that was built for the 1960 Olympics....that should be lovely! Since I am running my next marathon in San Francisco, I need to practice hills, so will be starting to run the Aventine hill in two weeks....another lovely (but probably grueling) run! Richard has joined the running fun (some might say motivated me to start running) and true to form is training for a 100K run....

While I have started working with CHF again through the summer, I am keeping my weekly time to go out with one of my new friends....this week we shared our favorite shopping spots, from open air markets to large super-markets. I'm becoming a bigger and bigger fan of outdoor markets, helps with my Italian and is a more pleasant experience. Next week we are taking a walk around the Aventine Hill so I can find a nice running route. I also am continuing my new "learning initiative" (I think I worked for an international development NGO for too long!!!) into global religions. I read this fantastic book call "An introduction to Islam" which, while not written well, sparked my interest into why there is so much conflict between the three global religions....and so I am doing my own exploration into Islam and Christianity and Judaism. Not sure where it will go, but it is interesting....

I'm sure there are many, many adventures to come.....but, thought I would share my most recent passions!!!