Buon San Valentino

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!  Buon San Valentino!  Valentine’s Day in Italy is not a very big deal!  This seems rather ironic to me seeing as how Italians are (stereotypically) romantic!  It is not all over the place, but there are certain stores with a lot of cheesy red hearts and flowers.  Most of it are things that say, “Ti Amo!” or “I love you” or “Ti voglio Bene” or….anyway, most of it is just rather cheap looking and cheesy!  It is rather disappointing!!  Oh, “ti voglio bene” means “I want you well” or something similar.  Anyway, I learned in Florence at school that it is what kids say to their parents and stuff.  This is what they say instead of, “I love you!”  They only say, “I love you” to significant others, husbands, wives, etc.  There were some stores with candy and flowers, but again, it was nothing TOO much…

So how did I spend my Valentine’s Day?  Well, this morning I finally got the internet back up, but it took me another 10 minutes or so of fighting it!  I then got dressed, ate breakfast, and then I walked to school!  

First up was Valeria’s class.  I asked them to write love letters; either to a friend or a boy/girlfriend.  They were supposed to say 3-4 things they love about that person, and then one thing they would want to do with them on Valentine’s Day!  I told them, by the time we started, that if they would give me 30 minutes, then I would give them 10-15 to talk, study for other tests, etc.  HOWEVER, very few of them even participated.  They sat in small groups and studied for a test, made cheat sheets for that test, and did anything BUT the assignment I gave them!  A few of them participated, and I am grateful for them!  My sweet B. was so excited to show me her new Tiffany necklace she ordered!! She knows I love Tiffany, and she does too! Sweet girl!!! When I put their Valentine on the board, a few of them came up to hug me, kiss me, and it was so sweet!  They also altered the list of “love” words we made.  They marked out boyfriend and circled jewelry!  Haha…I do love some of these kids in this class.  

Before I ran to the other school, I stepped into Rosina’s class to give them their Valentine!  I put it up on the board and had to go quickly.  As I left the building I could hear them yelling and “oohing and ahhing” over it!  Their class window is right next to the entrance to the school! It was so cute, and I turned around to see them, and a few waved!  

Patrizia’s class was next.  We talked about food in the South, and I let them feel the grits I brought.  I thought it was the best way to explain the grits!  We talked a little bit about the southern language, but then I learned some things about their dialects.  A lot of the southern dialect words came from Spanish, French, or…..it was interesting to learn this!  Oh, Portugal.  It was fun to hear them talking about it, and I love listening to Patrizia speak in Italian because it helps me learn!!  

For my one hour break I went to get some coffee.  I had a small cornetto and enjoyed every bit of both!  Then I went to the computers to print stuff (train tickets, etc. etc.).

Linda’s class was last.  We did a few quick things from “The South” lesson, and then Linda made one of the boys stand up to do his “recipe”.  This was HILARIOUS!!  When he first came up there, he leaned over to me and said, “will you help me?? I jump, you jump.  Right?” I thought it was hilarious that he was quoting “Titanic”.  He named ingredients, we wrote them down, and then did the instructions.  The funniest part was when Linda told them that the class had to act out the instructions and the student had to guess the verbs.  We had so much fun doing this.  We laughed and had the best time.  The funniest part was when he was doing a GREAT job speaking in English and then said, “poi aspetta!”  This means, “then wait”.  What makes this funny is that we would NEVER say that as a transition in English!  I explained to them that we do not say this, nor do we say, “stop” after we are finished saying something.   However, the Italians (students) have a habit of saying, “basta” when they are finished, so then in English they say, “stop” when they are finished talking.  When class was over, I gave Linda her valentine and she was so excited.  She said that the best part was that it was thoughtful and unexpected.  So sweet.  Linda also made some comments about the bread in Gubbio and how it has no salt; I expressed my dislike for this.  All of the students were excited when I said Nick liked it… they said, “Niiiiiiiiiick.  Awwww!”  It was so sweet!  I love that they love Nick! 
As I left school I was talking to Nick and telling him how I thought that THIS class was what Fulbright was supposed to be like.  This class is engaged, interactive, does what I ask, asks questions, etc. etc.  They do not all understand everything I say, but they listen; they try!  They tell me when they do not understand and this is SO helpful!  They are respectful of each other, and of me!  Linda lets me teach, but she is engaged in the conversations as well!  It is the perfect balance and blend of EVERYTHING!! I love this class so much!  I am so lucky to have them, and I look forward to my time with them every week!  

I went home for lunch, checked the gas, organized some things in my room and for Fulbright, and worked on blogs.  Then I worked on resumes and such.  Then I talked to Antonella about an hour before I was supposed to go to my student’s, B., house!  Antonella gave me some more details about the fellowship and told me to have the family call her!  

B. lives in Piazza Bilotti, which is the place where all of the lights were hanging at Christmas.  It is right next to Corso Mazzini; prime real-estate.  So, it was a really nice place.  When I arrived, it was just her, her private English teacher, and her mom.  Her brother was in his room.  From the beginning it was an interrogation.  I felt so bad, but I did not have the answers to their questions, and I kept pointing them to Antonella, just as she said I should.  However, I was enjoying getting to know B., her mom, and her English teacher who is from Toronto.  Her dad eventually came home, and then I met her brother.  B.’s dad loves her so much, and it was so sweet to see them together.  It was fun to watch the family dynamics, and a culture lesson all at once.  The Italian parents are soooo worried about sending their children anywhere, just as Antonella said they would be.  Her brother, despite the fact that he went on two trips abroad before he was B.’s age, said that his sister could NOT go do this for 4 weeks if she got it!  He said that because she was a girl, and only 16, she should not go to the U.S. for that long.  He was dead serious too!  B.’s English teacher told him that he was a male shovenist!  Glad she said it and not me!  I was excited about the fact that I understood MOST of what they all said in Italian!  That is always a success!  The English teacher said she could tell I understood, and talked to me about learning Italian!  Overall, the “meeting” went well.  I had to keep directing them to Antonella, and explaining that this is just a nomination.  We tried to call Antonella, but could not reach her!  OH, and we had the most wonderful tea!  I don’t know what she did, but it was incredible!  As we were leaving, English teacher and I, Antonella called.  As I left, B.’s mom was talking to her!  So, teacher and I walked down the stairs together, because she too has a fear of elevators.  Then she walked with me to show me where her school is and invited me to visit.  

Once she left me, I called Nick.  We spent most of the evening/night talking.  He sent me a really sweet Valentine’s gift; he went on a scavenger hunt around Gubbioto make something for me!  It was really sweet!  We agreed last week that instead of trying to buy presents, we would just spend our money doing something extra fun or eating somewhere nice during our upcoming travels: Reggio Emilia, Parma, Roma, Gubbio, Perugia, and Assisi.  However, I do have to say that I have the most wonderful Valentine!  Hmmm…to bore you with all the reasons or not?  I think I’ll leave everyone in suspense for now!  

I also got to talk to Erin on facebook today, which always makes me happy!  I had a lot of Valentine’s today: Nick, my momma, daddy, April, Mrs. Malissa, Erin….a day full of love!  I also felt some love from my favorite girls at home!!

So, while some view Valentine’s as this horrendous day to celebrate couples, I believe, and always have, that it should just be a day to share your love; love with friends, family, significant others, etc.  That being said, the greatest love of all comes from our Savior and Father.  How amazing to know that we can love because we were first loved by God who loves us more than we can fathom!  Amazing Love….unending love…everlasting love…unconditional love…this is what we should be seeking every day, and Valentine’s Day is just a Hallmark excuse to share it!  I’ll take it…I love any excuse to tell those whom I love, that I love them!