Why do I feel...

so angry and desperate to go home recently??

I think it is because of a few things:
1. The way the Italians do the roommate thing
2. I was just with people who I could relate to and speak fluently with
3. I just spent over a week with my Nick and was sad to leave
4. Sometimes I just miss America

I walked to school today because it was nice weather outside.  I met Virginia in the classroom, and she asked me, "what time did you get to Cosenza last night?" I said that it was like 7 pm.  SHe asked if I slept well, and I said that I did, but I wish I could have slept longer.  She said, "yeah, you look tired!"  Okay, I am glad that I started my day on Skype with Nick telling me how beautiful I looked, despite my objections because I didn't put on much make up and didn't really do anything with my hair!  Not that I feel make up is what makes a person pretty, but I suppose it can keep you from looking tired.  That being said, I hadn't felt like I looked tired, but thank you for that comment.

For the first hour I sat in the computer lab and worked on a few things while I waited.  Point further proven regarding my comments to Fulbright.  Nick was not happy either.  When the students did come to the lab, Virginia did not come with them.  Therefore, I chose NOT to finish the Civil Rights lesson, but rather to just talk to them and get then engaged in conversation!  This does not always happen when Virginia is with them!  So, I talked to them about how I had not seen them in  month, and I wanted to know what they had been up to!  We talked about travel (where I had been and why, but also where they like to travel to and why), food, and other random things.  I explained the New York project idea to them, and they seemed really excited.  Class ended with them showing me some pictures of Italian food, and Calabrian foods in particular!  They are a great group...I wish I would have had more time with them over the year!  :(

For my two hour break, I worked on stuff in the computer lab.  I worked on my NYC project ideas, etc. and then from the window I could see some "holy frickin' cows" in the "field" on the hill behind the school.  These are also called sheep, but you get the point!  So, I was very productive on my break, and then it was time to go to Angelino's class. 

I do not actually teach in his class on Mondays, but I just sit and observe as he tries to teach them grammar from the text book.  There is one boy, who started out quite rebellious and would always leave the room, who now pays attention and really seems to be learning the material!  I am proud of him for really trying these days.  While I was sitting there, I could once again see this "farm/land/something" on the hill behind the school, but this time I was watching horses chase each other.  They would run and then stop to "fight'!  They would stand on their back legs and "fight", but they weren't really fighting!  It looked more like a game of tag and then when they would catch each other, they would do like little boys might do and have a quick round of rough and tumble "wrestling"!  It happened quite a few times, and it was fun to just watch the horses!  It was a total, "what is my life right this minute?" moment.  There was partial chaos going on in the classroom, but I was completely distracted by watching the horses out on the hill!  These are the moments when I LOVE Italy!

After school I decided to walk home because there was no bus, it was nice weather, and the exercise doesn't hurt anybody! I called Rosina to thank her again for the food, the ride home, etc.  She seemed genuinely shocked that I was thanking her again!  This usually happens when I offer many thanks to my Italian teachers, etc.  They act as though they do not deserve a "thank you".  Very strange to me!  I stopped at the grocery store to buy a few things because all I had were the things that Rosina gave me, which wasn't enough for lunch.  I came home and ate lunch, talked to Nick for a bit, worked on unpacking all of my things, and then worked on lessons plans most of the night. 

Ernesto came to get Sofia's money for the bills, and so I went out to talk to them as well!  We talked about how the water heater works, and how we can turn it up for a shower, but need to turn it back down.  Sofia and I agreed that we did not want to pay that much money again!  So, I am glad that we were able to all communicate that with each other.

Nick and I did Bible study together, and I really enjoy and value this time together.

RIght now I need to be focusing more on my Bible study, growing closer to the Lord, remembering to appreciate every moment that I have here in Cosenza, learn to deal with some things (i.e. being forced to live with other people...something I swore I would never do again after Tuscaloosa), and learn to view some things as a test of my patience and actually PASS the test.  Also, I need to be slower to anger...something I have been failing at miserably in the past few weeks; with regards to certain situations (nothing in Reggio or with Nick of course).