So my day started with getting up late, and not wanting to get up at all. I got dressed, and left late for school, which being an American I fretted about slightly. When will I learn my lesson??? I got there just before the bell and Valeria (teacher) did not join class until like 15, almost 20 after 8. WHY DO I FRET??? Why do I worry about it at all?? I will eventually learn I suppose!!
So, the problem with the lesson for this class today was that I needed Internet, and I did not remember until last night when I was falling asleep that I would not have it. I was talking to Nick, and my response to this revelation was, "well, I'll just figure it out tomorrow...we'll just go with it!" He was so very proud of my Italian response to the situation. So, I told Valeria what happened and she said that it was fine because she needed to do some oral test, and I could talk to the other students. I was happy about this because they were having all this drama when I arrived about some study trips to London in March, and I wanted to know what all of the drama was about. Thankfully, they were already one step ahead of me and started talking about it as soon as Valeria gave us free reign. So, they explained that they have a few choices, and they do not want to stay with families because one set of friends had a bad experience with that. Apparently the host family left dinner on the table for them to eat later because the English eat earlier than the Italians. Anyway, so then they discussed money, locations (London vs. Bath), and choosing something that the majority of them wants to do because they do not want to go alone. I was able to talk to them a little about random things. It was one girl's birthday and she said that they just typically have cake and dinner with family and friends. 18 is their big birthday! They explained that there is no legal drinking age, but it is accepted that younger than 16 is not given alcohol out in restaurants, but older than 16 is okay! At 18 they can drive, and become a legal adult. We talked a little about NYC, and I showed them the boroughs, etc. I promised to do a less about NYC next week with them! One boy asked me about Starbucks and said he had it in English, but they do not have it in Italy, which I already knew of course. The funny part was him asking if I had ever had it. Ummm...yes, it was invented in America I told him....he got a little excited! It was so cute!! No, really! So, class ended, and Valeria talked to me about private classes in the Spring. Yay for potential travel money!
My next class was Rosina's class. I LOVE that in both schools now I can walk around and hear students say, "eeeyyy Elisa (or Ely or Elyse in a cute Italian accent)!!!" They say it with enthusiasm and excitement and it just warms my heart! It makes me feel like I am reaching them...like even when I am frustrated with the situation some days, maybe they still love me and are not frustrated with my presence. This class always gives me a warm welcoming. So, we were supposed to do my "Christmas in Dixie" lesson, so Rosina went to get us a laptop so we can plug into the Internet to get the video. This was a slow process, as we had to get a second computer...wait for the Internet...get speakers that a student randomly had in his backpack (and had no answer for why he had them)...then the computer froze...then we used a student's phone hooked up to the speakers...WOW! However, I stayed calm and stress free throughout because I KNEW the Italians were not stressed about it!!!!
When we were finally able to get started, we listened to the song, and they filled in the blank words. They got them easily and quickly. Then we moved on to labeling the cities and states in the song. We talked about how in America we write/say, "city, state". We labeled all of the ones in the song, and I wrote them on the board. We even talked about states nicknames because the song refers to Detroit as "Motown". It was actually a really fun conversation. We ended with them naming other cities and states that they know! We had a lot of fun actually! They were calling out cities and states, and we found them on the map! They seemed to really enjoy it! The best part was that they seemed to be learning, grasping the concept of how we express where we live, etc., and having fun all at the same time! It makes it so much fun for me, and the fact that they listen to each other, respect each other, me, and the teacher...well, that just makes a world of difference!! They even asked me about Seattle, Washington. I said, "on Friday I will bring you someone from Seattle!!" Haha...Nick and I got a good laugh out of me saying this! However, it is true; on Friday I will bring them Nick, and he is from Seattle.
I left there feeling good about what I am doing here! I felt like today I was able to teach about America (the Fulbright ETA goal), get them to speak English, and HAVE FUN!!! I mean learning is supposed to be fun...playing is how children learn, why can it not be how teenagers learn??
So, after class, Rosina offered to drive me to school. She is so sweet! She asked what I was doing for Christmas, and said that she would try to arrange something for me with the younger people in her family sometime around Christmas. I have this guilty feeling when I have to tell all of the teachers that I already have invitations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Anyway, so it was a nice ride to the other school! She said that she thought the students really enjoyed class today! I love that she just sits back and lets me have control. I often glance at her to check in, but otherwise it is all me and them! She does speak up to get control if necessary, but otherwise she just lets me teach! I appreciate this because it shows the students that I have some authority! It also allows us to connect and learn from each other in a more relaxed manner!
So, she dropped me off close to the school, and I walked the rest of the way! It was SUCH a beautiful day outside today, so I enjoyed the relatively short walk. I enjoyed my 30 minutes before Francesca's class by talking to Nick, making copies of the map activity I had for them, and writing some helpful things on the papers for them!
Before class started, Francesca asked what I was doing for Christmas, and I once again felt bad having to tell someone that I already had plans.
I was a little nervous about how class would go with Francesca today, but it was actually really good! I used these pages out of a book Fulbright gave us that had them labeling the states and learning how to ask what city a state is in, and how to answer. They knew a lot of states. We had to take it slowly, and I walked around to help! I so desperately want them to see that I am there to help them learn, not to just talk above their heads. So, I try to always make sure they understand me, and I try to go directly to them if I can. We talked about cities they knew, and as soon as I handed them the sheets, before we even got started, they said, "where is Seattle??" We had a discussion about the difference between Washington, the state, and Washington D.C. I actually had a lot of fun with them today! They taught me some things, and the best part was teaching them to say, "Connecticut". They were trying to pronounce every letter, the way you typically do in Italian. I was trying to teach them, and then I realized that this was their "cuddruriaddri, the dialect treat that I cannot pronounce. So, we went back and forth trying to pronounce each other's words, and it was so much fun! I enjoyed just laughing with them and proving to them that we all have things to learn about each other's languages, and thus I am not there to judge, but only to help! I LOVE these moments, and they restore my faith in why I am here in their classrooms. We made it through all 3 worksheets, and there was only that one girl (that always has the "die teacher die" look on her face) that did not really participate until I would walk around to help and then she would fake busyness. I will even say that Francesca sat back today and just let me teach! It was great because they were more interactive. They were even able to laugh with her about some things! It was a great day! I also had to explain the difference between hoodie and sweatshirt to Francesca! It was funny!
So, feeling good about things, I headed off to Angelino's class. It started off badly, except for when E. saw me she ran to hug me! She hugged me so tight, and for so long. She kept saying, "I love you so much!!" Then my other sweet girl came up and hugged me and was hanging on my arm! I was sure to love on them and let them know that I love being with them! I hope that this will encourage them to start paying more attention. Angelino was not there, and so T. (Wisconsin boy) and I were a bit worried about how this would go! They were running around like animals, throwing things at each other and just being wild. Finally, Angelino came in and was so angry at them! I told him that I needed the computer lab, and so he yelled at them (and this time I think the anger/raised voice was justified). Then, we went upstairs to find that Francesca had the computer lab, so we went to a different one. I handed them their papers, and we got started. We listened to "Christmas in Dixie" once, and then a second time, stopping at the missing words! They did a great job of listening and filling in the blanks. We talked about it being cold in NYC, warm in California, and the nicknames used in the song. At one point I teared up listening to the song and zoned out...Angelino snapped me out of it by asking if I was okay and that I looked like I was remembering something. I won't lie, I was thinking about home at Christmas. I am so grateful to be here, and I am L-O-V-I-N-G it, but I was missing home at the moment! However, we went on with the lesson and labeled all of the states and cities. My "atheist/I hate Christmas" boy was really into this lesson! He knew A LOT of states and cities; Angelino informed me that his dad has a lot of books about this stuff and that he likes them! So, I was excited that he was engaged in and excited about the lesson! They all sang with the song some, and I really enjoyed it! There were moments of chaos, but it was successful in my book nonetheless! This made me happy, and it was much needed!
When class was over, I went to find Virginia. I talked to her for a bit. I had the funniest uniquely Italian moment with her today! She started asking me when Nick was coming this weekend, and I told her that he was coming tomorrow night. She asked what time, and when I said that it was going to be like 11:30 at night, she gave me strict instructions NOT to go to the train station that time of night. I reassured her that I had no intentions of doing so, and that Nick was going to take a cab. THEN...came the funny, uniquely Italian part of the conversation. It went like this:
V: You need to have something prepared for him when he arrives.
E: Ummm huh??? Prepared??
V: Yes, you need to have something prepared for him.
E: What do you mean by prepared?
V: YOu need to have some food prepared for him when he arrives.
E: At 11:30?? That's too late for dinner, and we will both have already eaten.
V: No, you must prepare something for him. He is a man.
E: Ummm...
V: Yes, you must prepare something. Men are hungry.
E: But he will have already eaten, and it will be so late.
Internal thought: You're crazy...I am not making dinner that late, and I am NOT making food that he is not going to want to eat!
Plus, I surprised him with dinner last week, doesn't that count?
V: No, you must prepare something because men are always needing to be fed. MY Nicola and insert other son's name that I cannot think of, are always hungry, and I always have something prepared for them to eat.
E: Internal thought...well, that is because YOU are an Italian woman, wife, and mother. I am not!
Well, I made dinner for him last week.
V: What did you make???
E: Chicken, vegetables, and some pasta. It was very simple, but yummy!
V: Well, simple can be very tasty. Tell me, what did you dress the pasta with?
E: Umm, pesto from a jar. Internal thought: It was really good...do not judge me for not making it myself!!
V: Ah, pesto is my favorite.
E: It is both of ours as well.
V: You know what else you must have???
E: What??? Internal thought: No, what must I have that I am probably not going to have??
V: Champagne. Insert pronunciation of champagne that I did NOT understand!!!
E: Huh???
V: Champagne.
E: OOOOOOOOHHH CHAMPAGNE. Internal thought: NO!! I hate champagne! Okay Elyse, just agree with her and move on!
Um....
V: Yes, you must have this prepared for him!
Thank goodness we started walking and she changed the subject! She did say that she would make us a cake! She also said that there was no need for us to accept her invite for Sunday because it would be all fish, and I do not eat seafood. Then we started walking out. She told me that I looked like a doll. She started naming dolls and saying that she could not come up with the doll's name. Then she suddenly turned and said, "Barbie!! Do you know what Barbie is??" It took me a minute because she pronounced it in a different way, but when I realized what she said, my immediate thought was, "you're crazy!!" I appreciated the compliment, but I do not, nor have I ever, look like Barbie Sweet Virginia. Then she insisted on driving me down the hill to the roundabout and I was on my way home.
The walk home was beautiful!! It was sunny outside, not too cold, and just a gorgeous day in Cosenza. When I got home, I made lunch and talked to my momma. I laid down to take a short nap, but without an alarm. I was VERY excited about this! However, not too long after I laid down I was jolted awake by the fact that I had an appointment at the Questura today to pick up my permesso di soggiorno. So, I forced myself to get out of bed.
I made it to the Questura right on time, but not that it would have mattered because no one was there. So, I walked through the door, and my Questura friend looked at me for a minute and then said, "ahhh Alabama, che successo?" I told him that I received an SMS about my permesso. (Ho ricevuto un messaggio a proposito del mio permesso di soggiorno.) He was a little confused, but I showed him the text message. He said that I needed to have received something by mail (haha...that's a joke) and I needed this (holding something up) to get it. Well, just so happened that I grabbed "this" on the way out. So, I handed it to him, and he started talking to another guy telling him that I lived nearby and he did not know why I would not have received it yet. Um, it's the Italian postal service?!?!?! So, the guy brought out this box of envelopes...nope...mine was not in there. Then, he grabbed mine from a random shelf...just laying out with no rhyme or reason...and there was my actual permesso. I WAS OFFICIAL!! So, he stuck it in this machine thingy, took my thumb prints again, said it was good until June (but lasts until August...sooo...), and I was on my way!! Holy cow!! I'm official!!!
I came home, skyped with April, wrote blogs, talked to Nick in Italian a lot on Facebook (we are trying to work towards a goal of only Italian after my birthday...I am scared), and eventually made dinner. I kept working on blogs, read random stuff, and kept chatting on fb.
Then, I took a shower so that I could talk to my Erin!! We were going to finally get to actually skype with each other!! I got to talk to her for a good bit of time!! The only bummer was that she could not see me for some reason! However, I could see her and it was amazing!! It made me miss her even more than I already did!! I love her thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiss much, and then some! I was so so so happy to see her beautiful face!
P.S. Today, the date in Italy is the same as the rest of the world. 12/12/12. The Italians put the date first, so tomorrow while the US will be 12/13/12, Italy will be 13/12/12. Interesting!
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