I smile because...

God's grace and mercy saved me from...well, a lot of things.

One Year Ago Today, I was in Siena, Italy, where I had the most wonderful Italian food I have ever had; even to this day.  It was a weird day, but I can say that today, November 19, 2012, there is not ONE OUNCE of sadness to be had.  In fact, I am moved to tears by the fact that there are no tears.  Some will understand the significance of this, and others will not.   The important thing to know is that God is good!
http://dreaminginitalianthistime.blogspot.it/2011/11/you-know-like-in-movies.html

I had breakfast, got dressed, checked facebook, and left the apartment to walk to school.  I got there and was sweating from being in a layer or two.  I had on a sleeveless dress, but had to walk around in that for a while, just to cool off.  When Virginia arrived, we went to class, and then I went to the lab to set up the Thanksgiving lesson.  I was SO excited to be able to show them the videos of the Rockettes and the beginning of the parade, however, Youtube had decided not to work.  I was at least grateful that the computer worked and such.  One step at a time I suppose.  I've found that here in Italy, at least one aspect of the technology is NOT going to work!  However, I felt like the lesson went well.  They seemed interested, and amused by my enthusiasm for the parade and the Rockettes.  Virginia had a lot of questions, and gave them homework to look up the Presidents I mentioned, and asked them to bring a recipe for making a turkey!  Virginia loves her history lessons.  I did have one embarrassing moment with her in class today when I mentioned that a friend goes to church on Thanksgiving and he is Orthodox, Virginia said, "oooh I think I know who this special person is!!"  This was with the students, and out of reflex I turned and said, "Virginia!!!" I did not mean to, but I could not help myself.  OOOOH Virginia...gotta love her! At the end I tried to get them to tell me things that they were thankful for, and only like 3 of them grasped the concept enough to tell me family.  The others had no idea what I was asking.  I was rather disappointed by this because I so desperately wanted to do this with them.

After class, I stayed in the lab for a bit, and Virginia had a student bring me a juice.  I eventually left the lab to give Virginia her key back and to give her the thank you card I had written for her and Franco.  The idea of the thank you card seemed to be a bit foreign...maybe...or maybe I just got that impression.  Do NOT misunderstand me, she was grateful, but seemed a bit shocked to receive one.  However, I find it necessary to write them, and so while my Italian may not have been perfect, it was the best I could do.

I went to the bar and got a snack.  It was this thing that is apparently a Calabrian Christmas pastry.  Amazing, and now I now what the things are I have been seeing in the pastry shop windows.  Here is a picture:

After this, I went to the other side of the school to wait for class.  I just sat and relaxed a bit.  Angelino's class was up next.  I was not teaching today, and they were disappointed.  I hated to disappoint them because I do love some of these students.  They were rowdy and inattentive most of the time.  IT blows my mind what they get away with.  My faves are still my faves though, and I have a heart for them! I wish there were a way to get some of the guys in the class more involved, they are so bored and apathetic, that it breaks my heart.  I just sat there watching them today wondering what life held for them.  What happens after they do nothing in high school...after they waste these precious, formative years slacking off and smoking.  However, class came and went.

I was starting to feel sick though.  I have that tickle in my throat and drainage into my chest.  With each cough it was getting worse.  I was just feeling icky and was ready to go home.  I missed the bus though, so I put on my rain jacket and started walking.  It was only drizzling, but I was walking.  I eventually caught up to one of my students and he walked with me.  We talked while we walked towards another bus stop.  He was looking to take the same bus that I normally take, so I agreed to wait with him.  Some of his friends caught up to us, and teenagers are silly!  :) I then counted my coins only to realize that I did not have the equivalent of 1 euro.  He said to wait and see if a controlar...umm..I forget the word...anyway, the men who check for tickets.  Luck would have it that they were riding all of the buses today, so I began the rest of my walk when he got on the bus.  I was happy to talk to him though.  He was sweet.

So, I walked home and talked to Nick.  When I got home, I talked my momma!!   Then, I had left over pizza for lunch.  I sat and put pictures on facebook, worked on blogs, emailed people, listened to music, talked to Nick, and had some tea.  I talked to April for a bit on skype phone.  I just tried to relax.  In fact, I spent most of the night laying in bed.  My throat is starting to hurt...my head hurts a little...and right now my ears are aching.  I made a list of things I need to buy now that MY MONEY IS FINALLY IN MY ITALIAN ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!  However, I did not go shopping because it is rainy and I do not feel well.  Lila came by for my rent money, and I just spent the night in a mostly dark apartment with the bedside lamp on.  I am trying to save my energy and get well for this weekend in Naples.  I talked to my sweet friend Britt o facebook for a while.  I am so grateful to have people like Britt in my life!!

I also got my official schedule for my other school, so maybe now there will be a bit more stability in my life. I also talked to Angelino about always doing my hour of teaching on Wednesdays.  So, yay for some structure.