Getting Difficult Over Here

Well, class is not getting difficult, but I think everything that can go wrong with technology has occurred with me the past few days.  My computer crashed on me a few days ago.  The ISU tech guy tried to fix the problem, but left me with a computer that is as slow as molasses in January.  To top it off, all of my design programs were deleted in the process.  This couldn't have been better timing, because I have a project due tomorrow that is based on the use of a design program.  This leaves me to work in the studio computer lab which is currently at a temperature of 100 degrees, not joking.  I will stop complaining now, but because of all this, my blog posts will be absent of pictures until the technology problem has been solved.

Okay, now to some fun stuff.  This whole week has been situated around the study of the Vatican City and its design.  We returned on Tuesday to learn about the piazza that is found in front of the San Pietro (Saint Peter's).  We did some sketching and analysis of the piazza.  The rest of the day was spent working on the next project.  Wednesday was also a work day and not much happened.  Today was a little bit more active.  We went to the Villa Medici to check out the gardens that are found there.  The villa is now the embassy of France.  I didn't expect to go to France this morning!  Anyways, this villa overlooks the entire city of Rome.  The views are great.  I would post some, but I can't, sorry.

After the Villa Medici visit Kyle, Caleb, Nick, Aaron, Garret, and I all stopped at Burger King.  I can't explain to you how good this greasy food tasted when all I have eaten is pasta for the past month!  It was worth it, but it hit the wallet pretty hard.  We all thought it was worth it though.  The rest of the afternoon was studio work time.  Well, that is all I have to tell you about at this point in time.  This week has been relatively dead in comparison to the past.  I hope it picks back up again.

Well, I found a photo of a sketch I have completed, so hopefully you can get an idea of some of the stuff I have been doing while over here.  It is a page of details of the Roman buildings.  Specifically it is called spolia.  Spolia is building material salvaged or stolen from other buildings, mainly the Coliseum.  These materials are then used to build or decorate new buildings.  Hope you enjoy!