The things I love

Some of the things that I love about Italy:
The men at the little tire/car shop down the street from my apartment that I always walk by!  They always seem like they are REALLY enjoying each others company each morning, and I love to see them.  They usually say buongiorno to me, and they do not make me feel dirty like some of the other men in Italy!  I also just love my walk to school!  I love being able to walk to school!

This morning I had to go to Fermi first to see if I could find my thumb drive which I realized late on Saturday night that I may have left at the school.  Virginia was kind enough to allow me to take the time to go look (which she always needs the first hour anyway).  Linda and Patrizia both helped me search once they arrived at school, but my search started with the lady who doesn't seem to like me.  She was not helpful at all! Patrizia told me that she would ask around.  She also asked me for some sort of test, which I was nervous to make, but I enjoy helping them out; it had to be about the U.S., so I guess I am the resident expert! Ha!  I went to the other building just to check in the lab, but it was locked.  I gave up and went to school with the hopes that Patrizia and the others would find it.  I took the bus to the stadium and then walked.   

When I arrived, Virginia was teaching, and I just ended up letting her have the other hour because she was on a roll, I did not have my thumb drive, and I was really thrown off by not having my materials.  Not my finest moment I suppose, but today I took the easy road.  After this class, I went to get the key for the bathroom from Signora Sara and when I came in she said, "ahhh bella mia!"  (ahh, my beautiful!) That made me smile and feel special!  Virginia had a student bring me a chocolate treat, which was perfect after the weirdness of the morning and not being able to find my thumb drive.

I spent the next two hours working on blogs...still trying to catch up!  Then, when it was time to go to Angelino's class, I discovered that "Angelino non c'e'!"  I wish I had known this two hours ago! The substitute had me come in and talk to him.  I explained, in my best Italian, that I do not usually teach on Mondays, so I did not have anything planned.  I talked to him about where I was from, living here, etc.  He used to teach at Fermi and he said the students are better.  Some of my students who were there, most were gone to Rome on a school trip, were getting a kick out of me having to speak Italian! :) I suppose it is only fair! The sub did not speak any English, and after about 15 minutes he told me I could go home if I wanted to!  Umm...as opposed to sitting here for another 45 minutes doing nothing?  Yes please!

As I was walking down the big hill, I received a text from Patrizia saying that they found my thumbdrive.  So, I proceeded to walk from one school to the other.  When I got there, they had it waiting for me!  I went to the teachers' room to use the computers and saw Linda and Patrizia, and was sure to thank them for helping me locate it!


Then I walked home and made lunch (salad) and worked on blogs.  I also googled the distances to my schools, and when I walk to the far away school it is 2 1/2 miles, which means I walk 5 miles on the days that I walk to and from school.  It is 1/2 of a mile to the close school, making it a 1 mile round trip! (my total for today was like 7ish miles).  I was sooooo excited that Nick was coming home to Italy.  I took a nap trying to kill time waiting on Nick.

It was so sunny and beautiful in my room too! It was nice.  I eventually got up and went out for a walk.  I even wore UW for my Nick.

While I was out I stopped in H & M to try on a few dresses/skirts (didn't like any of them), and NICK TEXTED TO SAY HE WAS IN ITALY!!!!!! Then he was able to call and I was so excited!  I could barely stand myself!!  When I left H & M, thoroughly disappointed, I walked down to the river to enjoy the sunshine! Everyone was eating gelato but me, which always happens now! I was trying to be good and resist so that I could indulge while Erin and Meagan were here!

Pretty day on the Corso

I walked home and sat in the kitchen for a while to enjoy the sunshine and plan lessons.  I was able to talk to Nick, and eventually skype with him!  HAPPY GIRL!!  I made dinner of veggies and pasta, and planned a lesson about healthy food!  I did A LOT of lesson planning, took a shower, moved all of my things back to my bedroom, and then spent some time on Skype.  I talked to April (il mio April) and my daddy who reminded to keep praying about all of the upcoming job decisions, etc.  I talked to Nick on the phone some more, and then we were able to sleep on skype (FINALLY!).