School is NOT a picnic

The day started off a little rough.  When I got to school, Virginia was not there at first.  The students were standing by the radiator, which was not actually on, and I had just walked away from them when Virginia came in the classroom.  She got really angry at them for not being in their desks.  She told them that just because she was late, it did not give them an excuse to be standing by the window.  I personally did not see how this was any different than any other day in the Italian schools, but oh well.  Virginia asked if I could take them to the lab immediately, which shocked me.  She said that she needed time to grade their tests because she does not have time to do anything at home.  The one day I was completely prepared to only have ONE hour or less, and now I had the prospect of the TWO hours that I am supposed to have with them....hmmm...  So, Virginia began explaining this to them and when she had sort of finished, this one sweet girl asked if she could share the cucili that her mom made with me. Virginia lit into her!  She started telling her how school is not a picnic and asking them if they had not eaten breakfast.  They all said that they had eaten breakfast, and sweet friend was telling V. how she just wanted to make sure she was able to share it with me.  Virginia turned to me and asked if I wanted to eat it now; I explained that I could take it in a napkin, which the girl had a whole stack of, and I could eat it later.  Virginia was so frustrated, but let the girl give it to me in some napkins.  She then told them more about how school is not a picnic. 

So then we went to the lab and we set up their website for the NYC project.  Once we finished doing this, which did take us a while, I had them do the postcard activity!  They were awesome!  They were asking me questions, talking to each other about the activity, and working really hard.  I did allow them to use googletranslate, but ONLY if they really needed it!  Virginia then came in the room and started asking how much longer we would need and insisting that we hurry because she needed 15 minutes to tell them how horribly they did on their test.  We still had like 40 minutes left, so I encouraged them to keep working.  So then Virginia and I started talking about random things.  In the meantime I was trying to continue helping the students.  She was asking me if I was going to see Signora Gabriella in Florence and insisting that I MUST do this.  Then she started talking to me about how she had not forgotten about the book project that she wanted to do with me; seeing as how this is the first time I've heard of it since November when I did that translation, I somehow doubt this.  Then she had me show her the wikispaces website and was asking questions about whether or not she could use something like this to promote the school and share it with other teachers, schools, etc.  Then when she finally made them stop the postcard activity, she was passing out the tests, and one girl was trying to write their names on the postcard paper and Virginia made her cry by yelling at her about not getting her test or something!  It was just a rough morning, and I could tell that the students were struggling with it. 

When class was over I stayed in the computer lab to work until my next class.  I talked to Nick for a few minutes, worked on blogs, and prepared for the rest of the day. 

During Angelino's class I sat there on my phone and talked to April on facebook chat.  Yes, I realize that this made me no better than the students sitting there playing on their phones.  So sue me...I was in need of conversation with my \a, and I did feel much better after it!  It didn't affect the students anyway. 

I went home and ate lunch and spent the afternoon in a funk (in Nick's terms: I was in a band!).  I was having credit card drama, money crap, and eventually got to talk to Nick.  Then I had to go to the bank.  I talked to my momma for a long time on the phone and that was nice!  I spent most of the evening talking to Nick and trying to get out of a funk!  I love when we can work through things and he constantly reminds me that we can talk about ANYTHING...anything! 



I also had a skype date with Erin to get to, so it was good that I was out of my funk.  It was so much fun to talk to my love.  We talked about Italy plans (HOLY COW IT IS GETTING SO CLOSE!!), and wedding plans!  OH MY GOSH...my Erin is getting married!  I can hardly believe it...where did life go?!?! We worked out details in order for me to make train reservations, etc.  I am getting so excited!  

Meagan had not made it home in time for us all 3 to chat, so then I had an hour chat with my Meagan!  We talked Italy plans, caught up on life, and I cannot wait to see her!  Meagan was the very first (well, maybe tied with Christy) person to say that she was coming to visit, and NOW she IS coming!  I love me some Meagan, and I cannot believe that I will see her face IN Italy!  This is incredibly exciting for me! I cannot wait to hug her neck! 

Sometimes here in Italy I find it frustrating when I do not ever get to finish a thought; it drives me CRAZY!