Sunshine and sickness

This morning I woke up and I was NOT feeling well!  I really did not want to go to work, but it was Thursday, so I felt like I should go because Thursdays and Fridays are my FAVORITE! I was excited to see and feel that it was warmer outside.  I had on a dress with a cardigan and my lighter coat, which ended up being TOO much!

I took Valeria's class to the lab, and for the first time we had everyone there.  However, they did not do their homework, and so it was difficult.  The ones who had done the homework did not want to present.  The ones that did present did a great job, but nobody else was listening.  I had to stop 3 times to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with them, but each time I sat back down they would resume their talking and inattentiveness.  It is so incredibly frustrating, and I REFUSE to make excuses for them like, "oooh it's right after Easter holidays" etc. etc.  These kids get excuses made for them every time something happens like this, and I am finding that it is a general lack of respect.  It is not all of them, but it is enough of them that the whole class just goes downhill and nothing gets done.  Well, next week is another week...we'll try then!  


Patrizia's class was WONDERFUL!  They did not know it, but they were presenting their work about NYC.  They were SOOO nervous, but this is why I purposefully did NOT tell them that they would have to do this!  I did not want then to rehearse, memorize, and worry!  They did not want to volunteer to speak, so they had me close my eyes and choose randomly from the website (their wikispaces website).  I just so happen to choose two girls who NEVER speak and they were fabulous!  THe first girl, D., talked about comicon and the event in NYC.  She did an incredible job!  I was so proud of her!  She had written a lot, and she did not read all of it straight from the screen, so I was even more proud!  The second girl that spoke did "The Upper East Side".  I was truly blown away by these girls, and yes, a lot of it had to do with the fact that I never hear them speak and then they were awesome! 


As I was leaving the computer lab a group of Linda's students came in to practice their powerpoint, and they were trying to hide the screen when they realized I was looking.  They were so adorable!  They were wanting to practice and did not want to spoil it for me!  I was so excited about that! 

For my hour break I had a cappuccino e cornetto con cioccolato, and then went to the teachers room to work on my map activity that I will let them do next week!  I talked to Nick briefly and then I had to go to Linda's class.  At some point during my break one of my students caught me and wanted to take a picture; my "pretty boy"...so this is the picture he wanted, and how he wanted us to pose:

Linda's class was AH-MAZING!! The Manhattan group presented, and they were awesome!  We were able to have great conversation about their presentation, and I showed them a video of the ball dropping on New Year's Eve.  They had never heard of this!  I feel like in the U.S. they show other celebrations around the world, so I know that in Australia they shoot fireworks off of the bridge in Sydney, etc.  Thus I was a little surprised that they knew nothing about this.  We also had a conversation about how "Top of the Rock" is way better than going to the top of the Empire State Building.  Then Linda had one of the students share the lyrics from a NY song.  Linda had suggested the song "Englishman in NY" for her to do.  The song was really interesting, and I'd never heard of it.  Linda said it was about a gay man, but I did not get that from the song.  She was also saying other things about the meaning that I did NOT get out of the song, but oh well.  Then they played the song and sang to it.  When the bell rang I was actually really sad for this class to be over.  I left there with the feeling of, "THIS IS WHAT FULBRIGHT IS ABOUT!!"

As I walked home I talked to Nick and went on and on about how Linda's class is what Fulbright is about; they are the reason that we are useful and have purpose here in Italy!  They refresh me and renew me every week...they the ones I look forward to spending time with and look forward to. 

I talked to Nick on the way home and then to my momma.  I had to leave quickly though because I had my afternoon class.  The afternoon class did the postcard activity, but they had one city postcard and one rural/beach card.  They spent almost the whole two hours answering the questions I had given them, and they worked so hard (well, most of them...there are a few in EVERY class).  We talked a little bit about it when they were finished.  I had them compare the two places, and then i also had them tell me things I should see in Cosenza, Calabria, and Italy.  I have seen most of the Italy ones, and will accomplish the Calabria and Cosenza ones for sure (the ones I have not).  Then we had to have a talk about how Americans eat more than junk food, and I promised them a lesson about it next week! 

Soapbox: I am SO TIRED of people thinking that Americans ONLY eat McDonald's and fast food...get real guys...surely you do not actually think this!  Apparently they do though! 

I was really glad that all of my lessons for today allowed me to be slightly passive because I was feeling worse and worse.  When I came home from class I got prepared to relax.  I let some black eyed peas soak, worked on random things, and relaxed.  I eventually made dinner- broccoli and black eyed peas...

BAM...healthy food and guess what...despite what some people here in Italy choose to believe, I AM AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a simple, yet amazing dinner!  I made some tea and I was really excited that it was still daylight at such a late hour!  I'm gonna love that!

I talked to Nick on skype,

 

worked on blogs, and worked on some Shutterfly projects.  Overall it was an amazing day!  Nyquil helped knock me out...