Dear Research Diary,

I've been thinking non-stop about my thesis and it's driving me crazy! I just don't know what to write about! Without abandoning my current path, I've taken a moment to return to step one and re-evaluate my options. I think I need to stop thinking about my thesis as the end of the world, and to chose something that I really enjoy. My senior thesis will not determine the rest of my career, or even the next step in my education. As long as I demonstrate my ability to research and write, I have the freedom to chose what I want (within certain limits of course).

The obvious choice is to write about something Italian. This makes sense, given that I am in Rome and read adequate Italian. I've studied Italy's history and its politics, but I'm not sure if I feel truly compelled to embrace an Italian topic. My favorite period in art history has always been the first have of the 20th century, so Futurism would be a nice choice. I'm going to read and summarize the chapter on Futurism in the ever handy Art Since 1900, and add this to my pool of thesis ideas. I think that by doing this with several possible topics, one will eventually emerge victorious. YES, this is something I should have done a while ago, but better late than never.......and it's definitely not too late!!!!!! I will soon find the perfect thesis topic!!!!!!!!!!!