Questa è la mia vita: Coffee and lemons

The day started with Valeria's class in the computer lab. Thanks once again to the difficulties with the substitute, we did not have a whole hour, and all we were able to accomplish was setting up more people on the website. This is driving me crazy because we are not able to do anything. This is becoming so frustrating because we have now lost about 2, no 3 weeks.

Rosina's class was next, and after some Italian confusion I made them understand that I already had the lab reserved for the hour. When we went to the lab, a few of the students did a presentation about the Fiera. They told me some of the history, and how it has been moved to the location I went to. It used to be in the historical center where the roads are very tiny, and they were telling me that you would be trapped in one spot for a while as people were trying to move around and buy stuff. That sounds miserable. They talked about the things you can buy, and how you can still go and buy flowers, etc. They did a great job, and their English was really good! It is always interesting to learn about the traditions from my students. They seem to enjoy telling me about it, but now if I could only get them to understand that Americans do not ONLY eat junk food/fast food. After they finished, and we discussed a few things, we worked on adding them to their wikispaces website, and I added Rosina as well. Rosina LOVED it, and was really excited about the idea. Then the students made me promise that I would speak to them in Italian on Friday, if they ONLY spoke in English during class. They said that it is not fair that they have to speak in English, but I do not have to speak in Italian. First of all, they are not really supposed to know that I even know Italian at all. Second, what would they learn if I tried to speak Italian all of the time and not English, which is by the way what they are supposed to be learning! However, I agreed to speak Italian a bit more!

Rosina took me to get a cappuccino and cornetto, and we ended up having coffee with two other teachers from the school. They were complaining about the logisitcs of the afternoon classes at the school, but I only know that because Rosina explained it to me, not because I understood the Italian. Anyway, so after our coffee, she drove me to the school in Castrolibero. She promised that the next week we would go back to the other place we had coffee (the one where she knew the owner). So, she dropped me off, and I headed into the lions' den.

I had Francesca's class first and we finished the differences between the schools lesson (after having to change computer labs) and then I gave them the homework to choose 5 things that they would want in their ideal school (American or Italian) and tell me why, etc. Overall the lesson was fine. Francesca did ask me a lot of questions about final grades/tests in the U.S. and of course, we do it differently from the British. The idea I get is that they think that American schools aren't hard because we do not have final test/interrogations given by teachers other than the one we had in class. The system is more than I want to write, but I personally think it is a little...I think ours is equally as difficult, and we are required to learn the material, not just memorize. I suppose I will continue to disappoint some by being born American, but that was out of my control AND I like being American. I do not see anything wrong with it.

P.S. I was also asked if Americans still hate the British. Statements were made to the effect of, "but Americans do not like the British," "even now they will not speak to a British person," etc. etc. Umm...I dont know a single American that is holding a grudge from 1776ish. First of all, there are no living survivors, and second of all...we got our freedom, and that's what we wanted. In fact, correct me if I am wrong (and I certainly could be), but isn't Britain one of our greatest allies. Not to mention the fact that most of America is fascinated with William, Harry, Kate, Diana, etc.

Finally, I had Angelino's class. We were able to get through some of the lesson, and it was relatively painless. It is just so difficult to keep them from talking the ENTIRE time. There are a few that pay attention, but it is just so difficult and I end up raising my voice OVER them, which hurts my throat and head.

I headed home after school to have lunch, write blogs, etc.

In the afternoon, I decided to walk around a bit. I went to the historical center and the first street was lined with flowers, fruit trees, etc. etc. all for sale. I wish I could take a lemon tree home!! Or an orange tree! That would be SO cool!