Then I had Lilla's 4th years. I had them doing the postcard activity. About 80% of them were working, and the others...well, they were sitting in the back doing NOTHING. I do not understand how these kids do nothing and continue to pass through the years of school. I'm sorry, but if you do NOTHING and you dont learn anything, how can you make a passing grade? The others that were doing the work were still getting yelled at by Lilla. She kept slamming things and getting mad. They were trying to tell her that they were working, but she kept getting angry at them and putting them down. They were becoming so frustrated and annoyed, but thankfully they kept working. I also got to teach them, and Lilla, the difference between a moose and a reindeer! When the groups read their descriptions, they had done a GREAT job, and I was really proud of them. That one group of course did NOTHING, but the others were great. Lilla still pointed out that they were......
So then we were on to the first years. Lilla had suggested that I do something about international food because that is what they were talking about. So, I printed these worksheets where you had to draw a country's flag and then tell some of their typical dishes. I tried to keep it simple and do countries that were near them, or thought they might know something about: Greece, Spain, the U.S., Britian, Italy (each group had Italy and another country), and China. They had NO clue about any country but Italy and a little bit of American (mostly hotdogs...) and British food. It was then that I realized how as Americans we are so aware of other country's food because ours is so influenced by it, and our food IS their food; even if it has been Americanized, think about how many Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, etc. etc. restaurants we have. Our food is so influenced by other places, but theirs is not. Theirs is Italian food, and they have no real need to know these others. Sure, there are different restaurants in Italy from other countries, but they dont feel the need to eat them or eat them as consistently as Americans do. So, I let them get started, and Lilla started slamming things and yelling at them to be quiet, which is hard to do when you are doing group work, and I have asked them to talk to each other and work together. At one point the principal came in, and looked a bit shocked to see me in there because I am not supposed to be in that class, but she came to check up on them. So, Lilla started explaining what we were doing, and the students were answering questions about things, and then started talking about some broken desk, etc. When she left, Lilla started pumping her fists and getting excited that it went well. Then she started telling me how it was good that the preside didn't see their conduct note in the register because she can get ...ughh what was the word she used...anyway, she gets mean when she sees that kind of stuff. Afterwards, I had them read their lists out, and we talked about some foods. Then Lilla changed it up and started talking about what they had read in their book, which by the way was nothing of significance about international food except that each country has it's own food and it is tied to their culture. She told me to ask questions, but since I had not read the book, that was difficult and thankfully a student redirected Lilla's attention from me.
When this class was over with I started walking home because Francesca is in London and has a substitute for another subject there. I stopped at the grocery store to get some turkey. Nick was already finished with classes so I had been talking to him the whole time. I came home and skyped with Nick, worked on blogs and such, and eventually made lunch. Then I worked on blogs/emails some more and talked to Nick.
At 2:30 I had to meet one of my students in the piazza near my apartment, and we talked about private lessons. This REALLY challenged my Italian comprehension skills. There was one moment that I did not realize that she was suggesting I come to their house until she asked me for my address and said that M. could just come to me. Wow...I dont always understand what people are saying to me! This can be so frustrating and overwhelming, but I handled it well. I am not exactly sure what I should do with her during these lessons, but I suppose we will figure it out tomorrow when she comes to my apartment.
Once we parted ways, I figured I would take the time I thought I'd be spending doing a lesson to go walk around the city! I got a cappuccino at my favorite place,
I spent the next hour writing emails, etc. I got to talk to Kelly for a bit, which is always a happy thing! I do miss my Tuscaloosa people so much; so much that it makes my heart ache thinking about not being near them! What does that even mean?!?!? I do not want to lose them...I want them to be in my life and such for forever and a day!
Once Nick was finished with class we were able to talk, work on stuff together via skype, and then I made dinner. I made chicken with fresh pasta and my Brilla Ricotta e Noci sauce (Sicilian), and holy cow that was an INCREDIBLE meal! It was so good that I did not want it to be finished! Then I spent some time working on the remaining interview questions from Richmond before I worked on blogs some more.
All the while, and after, I was talking to Nick on skype. We have so much fun talking to each other. I dont think I've laughed quite this much, ever. If I live in Richmond we will only be 1 hour from each other, and I think that we will have fun! I know he will be studying, and I will be working, but I think we will have so much fun during the down time.
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