This morning started out like most: too early and with breakfast; though this
morning I was excited to replace a tostate with a boiled egg. Some days it is the simple pleasures!! As I was preparing my breakfast, I felt led
to grab my bible and one of my old Journeys I had torn out to bring with me. This was just what I needed this morning; it
was focused on something I really needed to read and pray about and I am so
grateful that God guides us to the things we need to hear. Take home message: the devil/the enemy is the
father of lies; he will work to tear apart the best relationships (families,
friendships, churches, etc). We have to
choose not to believe his lies and not to be led into their traps!
Before I left, I had to deal with my clothes outside
drying, and to tell this story I have to start with waking up at 3 am. It was difficult to go to sleep last night
because it was starting to storm, but I eventually did. However, at 3 am this morning I was woken up
by the WIND!! It was so strong that it
was rattling my windows and doors, and the metal things that go down over
them! I immediately remembered the few
things I had on the line drying and the windows were open to the drying area
where my other stuff was on the drying rack.
So, I had to jump out of bed, put on shoes (I’ve been wearing my UGGS as
house shoes because I was washing my real house shoes…and my friend Tamsin that
I met in Florence who is from Australia says that they only wear their UGGS as
house shoes and her mom is embarrassed when Tamsin does wear them out of the house…funny huh!), and ran to put all the
stuff away so that it didn’t blow
away. To say that I was annoyed would be
an understatement. Not to mention it took me a while to go back to sleep, and
only with the help of my sound machine app (glad I acclimated myself to it
before I left). The good thing though,
was that it was 3 am, and I still had 4 hours to sleep! Sometimes
it is the little things!
Today was going to be my first day to catch the bus
alone and take it to school.
Nervous…yeah, I was! So I quickly
(eh) got dressed, wearing my polka dot UA skirt, and headed out the door! My first stop would have to be a Tabacchi to
buy a bus ticket, but of course I did not see the one Virginia said would be
there, and I noticed that it was looking like rain! So, I decided that I had time to run back
upstairs to grab my rain jacket (one of the BEST things I bought in preparation
for this trip…thank you Columbia for your fabulous rain gear!); this meant up
the stairs….::insert panting:: When I
got back down stairs I still had plenty of time to find the open Tabacchi, but
still could not find it. I went in a
grocery store to ask and the lady told me that if I did not see an open
Tabacchi, I had to go to the bus station; umm, no…too far away! So, I walked back towards the place it was
supposed to be and then sure enough I saw it!
I don’t know if I passed it without realizing it, but there it was
nonetheless, and with plenty of time to spare!
I bought my ticket, and went to wait on the bus. I immediately regretted forgetting a book or
my NOOK.
Bus came at 8:30, which gave me 30 minutes to make
it to school. I was fortunate to get a
seat on the bus after about 2 stops and I settled in to watch the screen (thank
goodness for new buses with tv screens that tell you what stop is next) and
thus for my stop. We started traveling
the familiar path that Virginia had taken yesterday to get to school. Then I started watching the stops tick by and
I was not seeing anything familiar anymore.
I tried not to panic and check my bus stop sheet, but I was looking and
looking and never saw familiar stops. I was convinced that I had somehow missed my
stop. In the meantime I was seeing
beautiful view of the hills and mountains around Castrolibero.
It reminded me so much of the time I was
“lost” on the bus in Siena; I panicked, but got a beautiful tour of the Siena
countryside! I eventually realized that
I was looking after my bus stop, assuming I’d missed it, but we were still like
4 or 5 stops from mine, so I calmed down! It wouldn’t be ME if I didn’t panic just a little bit! As we approached my stop I stood up and
pressed the red button; I felt like every eye on the bus was staring at
me. Oh wait, that’s because they were all staring at me! I felt like saying, “Hi! I’m Elyse and yes, I
am American. Yes I realize that I look
like it. Now, please stop staring because it makes me slightly uncomfortable.”
Instead, I walked off the bus with my head held high, looking confident
and as though their stares did not faze me whatsoever.
I climbed the hill to the school, which was a great
workout. Thankfully a car was going in
the gate as I approached because otherwise I don’t know how I would have gotten
in.
Here are a few pictures of the school; I'll have to take pictures of the other half on another day:
 |
| 1/2 of the school...and gym (the far right) |
I went up to the open area and ran
into Angelino, the male English teacher who lived in Chicago. He asked who I was there to work with today
and then he took me to the auditorium to meet Francesca.
Thus started my morning of wandering around the
event that Francesca had organized for a delayed “European Day of Languages”,
which is typically held on September 26th, but they were in
France. So, she had set up a “village”
for the students to make their way through, and they had to complete certain
tasks in English. If they did so, the
student working the activity would sign their “passport” (which reminded me of
the passports for the Cultural Celebration at the Children’s Program). So, Francesca greeted me and then invited me
to just have a look around and talk to the students. Virginia was also in there having a look when
I arrived. She gave me a warm greeting
and asked me when I would need something to eat; like what time. Okay, they LOVE to feed me! I told her that
maybe around 11 I might need something to drink; she insisted on a cappuccino
and a “smaller” pastry than yesterday, and perhaps we might split it! Seriously, do I look malnourished or
something because every time I turn around they are wanting to feed me! When she left, I began looking at the
different areas that were set up. There
was: a post office, a grocery store, a travel agency, a bank, a classroom to do
a “science experiment”, a place to order breakfast, a German something, a place
to dance to the Macarena (sp?) which was the Spanish section, a tabacchi type
place, and then a place to pick up pamphlets about the languages throughout the
European Union.
 |
| Macarena area |
 |
| Some of the things in the grocery store |
 |
| Breakfast area |
I met one of the students who lived in Wisconsin
from birth-12 years old, and then his mom, who is Italian, wanted to return
home. He said that both of his parents
are fluent in English and Italian, but he did not know any Italian before
moving here. He was very sweet and it
was nice to speak to a native speaker! I
also met the mayor of Castrolibero, and the headmistress seemed particularly
excited to introduce me to him. He was
very nice and they took a picture of all of us together. I met some other students and wandered around
to look at all of the posters and centers.
I talked to some students and then Francesca made some of the students talk to me. They were very nervous; I feel their
pain! I think this is what makes me a
decent candidate for them because I understand their fear of messing up the
language or saying the wrong thing! However, it is kind of like two wrongs not
making a right; two nervous speakers afraid to speak each other’s language do
not make a conversation! The
students were very sweet and asked me some questions and I tried to just talk
to them and encourage them with smiles; I wanted to be reassuring.
At some point I ate my little snack bar and then
needed to get the key to go to the bathroom.
I made my way upstairs to ask Sara for the key. When I found her in her office she insisted
that I try this marble type cake that she had made; more food! It was not my
favorite cake, but I am not a cake person, and this was a bit dry for my taste,
which is the reason I don’t care for cake in the first place. I ate some of it and told her I was so
full. She gave me the key and I was
off! Ughh food! However, I appreciate the kindness behind the
gesture; it should be noted that I do NOT overlook their generosity, it is just
that I cannot eat this much food!
I went back downstairs and rejoined the day of
languages in the auditorium. Francesca had me talk to these three 5th
year students (so they are 18 and will turn 19). The sort of leader of the group seemed to be
the “stud”; slightly awkward when he was trying to be all cool and in pick up
mode. Angelino and Francesca seemed to
be snickering to the side; then he asked me how old I was and when I said 26,
he said, “but…you look 18!” Haha; well thank you my friend, but no, I am 26. I talked to Angelino a good bit and when I
told him I used to dance he made me go do the Macarena with the two girls
running that area…and videoed it…I almost died…bleh! However, the two girls were dancers and we
talked for a minute or two about them dancing; their English was very limited, but they were so very
sweet. Lilla had come in with her class
at this point and she came over to talk to me and Angelino. She and Angelino started discussing what I
was supposed to do in the classroom, but they quickly seemed to disagree. Lilla started telling him about planning for
me to do “bullyism” and violence because these are “important”. He seemed to disagree with her. He suggested that the first thing I should do is about who I am and where I am from
because most of their students have no idea; even if they know the U.S., they
may not know where Alabama is! I agree with him! He said that when he shared pictures from
when he lived in Chicago, his students were amazed at how different it was;
THIS is the kind of stuff I want to do.
Lilla eventually walked away and Angelino continued to tell me about the
school system and the way the students programs work.
Here
is what I learned: The ministry of education (sounds so
Harry Potter…the Ministry of Magic…haha) sets forth a general “program”. At the end of the year the students have to
take these tests. The tests are taken
with 3 teachers from their school and 3 from outside, and the test is divided
into oral and written portions. They are
tested on the materials that were to be covered, and this explains a little bit
about why Lilla is not straying very much, but we’ll see! I’m hoping that Rome
explains more of my role!
He also told me that the students cell phones are a MAJOR distraction and that they have a rule saying they can't have them in class, but the students complain AND the parents call and say that they need to be able to get in touch with their child at ALL times! Thus, the students play on the phone and do not learn/pay attention. WHOA...different!!
I wandered around a bit more, talking to some
students and observing as they completed their tasks. One of the classes I spent time with
yesterday came in so I went to greet some of them. I spoke to a few of them. Later, Angelino introduced me to one of the
girls that had been sitting in front yesterday (and I had noticed was so pretty
and one of the ones laughing and snickering with her friend). He introduced her as being famous, and at
first I thought he was kidding; he wasn’t.
She might not be famous, but
she sings and said that last year she was on approximately 30 tv shows. She sang a little bit for me and OH MY
GOODNESS!!! It was beautiful; voice of an angel! One of the other girls asked me what sort of
music I listened to, and they do not like the answer, “Christian music and a
bit of country music, but I know some of the popular songs.” I asked her what she liked to listen to, and
her answer was, “Justin Beiber!!!!!!!!!!”
I told her that he was very popular in high schools in the US as
well. I asked how old she was, and then
she asked me how old I am. She is 16,
and her friend was 15; perfect Justin Beiber ages. Chances are that I didn’t even spell his last
name correctly. I talked to the singer
girl a bit more, whose name I think is Alisia (or something like this), and
they had me hand out some prizes to some of the students. They had been doing this all morning; as a
class left, they drew passports from the students who completed their passport
and handed out a few prizes. They asked
me to do the last group I was in there for.
OH MY GOSH….they were all crowding me and screaming to pick their name
and it was OVERWHELMING…I felt slightly claustrophobic and I could not hear anything. I did NOT enjoy that. Thankfully, not too long after that a
student came to fetch me. She approached
me (didn’t take her long to spot me) and said that her teacher was looking for
me. I grabbed my things and was actually
excited to escape the noise; only enter to the noisy hallways! I’m telling you, it is overwhelming and over
stimulating; I truly do not know how any student with attention issues or
overstimulation issues would survive.
When I arrived in Virginia’s class, it was break
time. She had a cappuccino waiting on me
and a pastry. The pastry was never eaten
because her students had a birthday “cake” for a classmate turning 18; they
were lighting the candle and everything.
I am amazed at the things that happen in the school that we aren’t
allowed to do! They gathered around and
sang, and I tried to video. Virginia saw
me trying to do so and had them sing again; though they were not nearly as
enthusiastic for the camera! :/ They
brought me and Virginia huge pieces of the cake; we got smaller pieces. The cake was like fresh, homemade whip cream,
with chocolate and these cookies on top; it was AH-MAAAAAZING!!! I didn’t eat
much of it though given the fact that I was already full of unhealthy things. Once we were finished, it was time to leave. The other teacher arrived, and began telling
me how beautiful I was, and Virginia was telling me how this lady was a
wonderful mother and was saying that she could be another mother for me here in
Italy! Such sweet women everywhere! They told me that she was a wonderful cook; I
hope to taste her cooking sometime!
As we left the classroom I asked Virginia if there
was some where I could print some of the Fulbright documents; first we went to
the teachers’ lounge, but there was no paper.
Lilla and Virginia seemed so formal with each other and then didn’t give
the regular separation “ciaos”; I cannot figure out these relationships. So we headed to the Headmistress’s office;
on the way there Virginia was speaking to me in Italian; between the noise and
the speed I had a hard time understanding her; began feeling like a fraud and
failure once more! She told me that I
had to turn on my Italian brain; so hard these days! I feel as though I have
regressed since I arrive instead of improving.
When we arrived in the headmistress’s office she let me print the stuff
and we spent a few minutes talking to her.
I had also asked Virginia about paying on the bus since I had forgotten
to buy the return ticket this morning.
She said that she thought I could; however, I got a great surprise when
she said that she had time to run me home and get back to school. I was happy for many reasons:
1. It
meant that I had someone to talk to for the ride home
2. It
saved me the money of the bus fare
3. I
got to go to the gas station where they have the gas attendant pump it for them
and then hand them the cash; so bizarre.
4. Virginia
is so nice and sweet
Virginia told me that she will probably stay in Rome
for a few days with her son after our orientation day. Apparently her mother was from Rome, she had
grandparents there, and she went to school there. She said that she thinks she left a piece of
her heart in Rome. I said, “I know that I’ve left a piece of mine in
NYC!!” She asked me why NYC and of
course all I oculd say was, “I love everything about it!” She asked if it
wasn’t too hectic and I told her that I found Rome to be beautiful, but way
more hectic than NYC and the streets caused me to continuously get lost. I explained that NYC is a grid (until a
certain point of course). She said that
she’d never been to NYC, or to the US for that matter. The American part of me thought, “how can you
teach English and you’ve never been to the US??” Forgive that selfish American thought; they
focus on the UK and their English; using their pronunciations and
everything. In that moment, I was so
glad she couldn’t read my thoughts!
She mentioned Christmas, and I told her that Lilla
said I should stay here. She said, “it
will be lonely if you don’t have invitations!”
I told her that Lilla had invited me for Christmas Eve, but I didn’t
have plans for Christmas day, which is the big day in the US!” She said, “ooh,
Lilla is faster than me!” So, I suppose
we’ll see! She then started explaining
to me that n Italy it is a big deal for them to have a “cradle”; this is a
homemade nativity. She said that her
husband is not only a doctor, but a great carpenter; he makes theirs and he
once won the prize for the best in Castrolibero. She said that her son’s birthday is soon
(next week or so), and after that they will start building it; 3
months…crazy!!! She also invited me for
some kind of dinner on December 8th.
I have since forgotten what the exact occasion was, but I’ll look it
up! I need to tell her that Francesca
and I had discussed the ballet. I do NOT
want to miss the ballet. She also told
me that her son and his girlfriend will be in town this weekend, and she wanted
to know if I wanted to go to dinner with them on Saturday night. Her son is about to be 27 and his girl friend
is just a few months younger than me!
She informed me that they do NOT smoke or drink; they’re very good
(followed by,”Thanks God…Dio”). I said
that I would LOVE to hang out with them!
So, I’m excited to see what happens!
She dropped me off at home and I came upstairs. I spent some time reading this travel book
that I’d gotten at the language day. It
was a travel brochure for the US, but written in Italian. I ate a few of my left over noodles and ate
all of the veggies on top of them. I
read the travel brochure; the NYC parts of course. I looked up a few words for clarification and
marked the pages; I figure this is a good way to read Italian and learn new
words! It was also the perfect activity
for the hour that it was raining cats and dogs!
Some of my favorite words were:
1. Grande
mela- Big Apple
2. Newyorkesi-
which in context seemed to mean, new
Yorkers
I learned some other words, but I’ll put them
later. I also took this time to read
through and highlight the Fulbright orientation information! I am pretty excited about the trip AND the
fact that they will be reimbursing us for our travel expenses and allotting us
30 euros a day for 4 days of the trip!
They will put this in our accounts in Nov! YAY!!! At this point every penny (cent) counts when I
know I will be going to Reggio Emilia (yay yay yay yay yay)!!!
Once it had stopped raining, and the sun was
shining, I slowly started gathering my things to head back to the hotel. This had not been the plan, but I’d been
unable to use the internet at the school today.
He wasn’t there when I first arrived, but did come to work later. He only spoke to me once or twice because I
now keep my headphones in and am either listening to music or using skype to
talk to people! However, I did not turn
down my free cappuccino; the most interaction we had today was him asking me if
I wanted it!
 |
| Cappuccino and WDJC |
So I updated my blog,
looked up Rome weather, train times for Rome, and emailed/skyped. My favorite thing about internet time today
was that I discovered that I can get WDJC’s (Birmingham’s Christian radio
station) live stream online. Okay, I can
get my local radio station, but Pandora doesn’t work in Italy…really guys?!?!?
Anyway, I was SO SO SO excited! It was amazing to sit there and do my stuff
with my favorite music/station in the background!!! I was able to skype with my mom (skype
phone), and video chat with April as she got read for work. It was a good day.
As I was getting ready to pack up, these older women
(probably 70s or 80s) started gathering in the outside area. A few started smoking and I knew it was time for me to go. One of the hotel guys came to get my
cappuccino cup and told me that those women were saying they liked how
beautiful I am. I think it is odd how
many Italians are saying this; it is sweet, but I think it is because I look so
different. Sweet of them though. As I was getting ready to go inside to use
the bathroom before I walked, there were 15 or so of them getting ready to walk
somewhere. Thankfully as I went inside,
M. was helping someone. As I left I
called my mom so that I would be on the phone and could only wave, smile, and
say “buona sera” as I left. Once again he looked a little like, “ughh I
wanted to say something!” I figure as
long as I need the internet I can be nice, but not overly nice and in no way
encourage him.
When I left the hotel it was starting to get cold;
my legs were freezing. I walked to one
of the Chinese stores and bought some more hangers. Then I walked to Corso Mazzini (main street)
and went in a few shops, just to be out with all of the people. I went in Zara and a few others. I started making my way home and went in a
store to look at pajamas, cards (bought a birthday card for someone…), and
other random things! The thing I love right
now about Italy is that they have my name on things; today I found a café cup/saucer
with my name on it, and a piggy bank.
Granted it says, “Elisa”, but that has always been my Italian name…so
technically they have my name! They also
have my momma’s name (Laura). It makes
me want to buy everything with my name on it, just because I haven’t always
been able to do that!
When I got home I took care of some house keeping
things and got out my stuff to start writing.
I eventually made dinner, but tonight I just made my veggie mix (white
zucch., carrots, & tomatoes) and heated up the last of my pasta with some
calabrese sauce. I’d had a bit of bread with olive oil when I first got
home. It was a great dinner though. I listened to some music while I wrote and
just relaxed. Earlier when I was home
while it was raining I’d been listening to Adele (love it). Tonight I listened to Adele and Idina
Menzel. It was wonderful. The last song on the Idina list is a live
version of her singing, “Tomorrow” from Annie; she dedicated it to her mom,
which I found exciting because Annie makes me think of my momma!!! I also watched
my nightly Gilmore Girls and wrote.
I had to hang up clothes and such tonight, fun, fun!
I also listened to a few of my videos…just to hear some familiar voices!
Tonight as I sat here writing, I wanted to see what
I was doing 1 year ago, and being the picture person I am, I have those things
on my computer. The two pictures I took
on October 16, 2011 were of me packing for my trip to Florence; weird! What I also discovered is that it has been 1
years since my best friend Erin moved to Charleston! It seems crazy to me that it has been 1
year! I know she will eventually read
this, and I want her to know how proud of her I am. She has been through a lot of changes
throughout this year and she remains a beautiful and wonderful person! I love her as big as the sky that separates
us! I don’t know where this next year
will take her, but I have faith that it will be somewhere amazing. As I looked through pictures from this time a
year ago, our last week(ish) together, all I could do was cry because I miss
being in the same city with her. My
heart aches to see you Erin, I hope you know that!! Watching Gilmore Girls every night makes me
think of you!
Impara con me:
Affascinante- fascinating
Cio`-
this;
that
Inoltre- besides
Wisconsin!!!! :) What part? That makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, are house shoes different than slippers?