I haven’t had much to report on lately. It is raining tonight, which is nice. It has been warm, but today shifted to much cooler temperatures. It is interesting because the rain is always accompanied by lightening. Love the rain, not a fan of the lightening. For anyone in the midst of santa ana season in so cal, I am sorry. We had daylight savings time yesterday, so the days are short and it gets dark around 5:30pm. Now I am only 8 hours ahead of you all instead of 9. Christmas displays are beginning to be put out in store windows and I feel both nostalgic for home and excited for the upcoming winter in a new, big city.
It has been a strange transition, but it is official...I am a teacher. I officially love what I do, and am proud of what I do. To say, “I work in advertising” was a much more glamorous sounding profession, but when it really comes down to it, I feel better saying I teach. I make a difference, and honestly, I meet people everyday who are making a difference in me. I have my weekly schedule of students now, all of whom I am already attached to. I teach 4 different high school courses and have about a hundred Leonardos, Alessandros, Federicos, Luiges, etc. They are all beautiful - one student with black hair, and dark skin, but the lightest, piercing blue eyes. Another student with olive complexion and the thickest, curliest light brown hair. They all have this Euro look, that makes them seem exotic and naturally pleasant to look at. They are all stylish, with their gelled hair, Dolce & Gabbana T’s and designer shoes and sweaters and of course the aviator sunglasses which brings their coolness to a whole new level. They seemed intimidating at first, as most teens are, but after just 2 classes I absolutely adore the things that come out of their mouths. They are sweet kids, and I actually found myself saying after class, “it’s so refreshing to see such kind young people.” Sean pointed out the obvious that I sounded about a hundred years old. But, it was true. They seem to like me too, which makes teaching all the better. They are excited to tell me about their lives, and I am excited to apply grammar rules to the things they say (I know, nerdy). 2 students from another class asked if they could join my class today. Sean is convinced it’s because they wanted to be with their friends, but I have it in my mind it’s because they heard what a cool teacher I am. My younger students are even more fun, the bimbi (babies) - I have 2 5-year olds who I just love. Their eagerness and bright eyes makes my heart melt and when they get the answers right, I feel this genuine excitement and have no problem jumping up and down cheering to show them. Seeing young minds at work is pretty amazing. They absorb everything, and teaching them a new language is easier than I thought it would be. Plus, you can’t go wrong with coloring for an hour and half.
Other than lesson planning and teaching, I have been sleeping a lot, shopping a lot, catching up on Italian TV, learning Italian, reading and walking a lot. Sean hasn’t gotten tired of sightseeing, so every now and again, I will indulge him and go to some overly crowded tourist attraction. This weekend, we finally walked to the top of the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, where Mussolini used to give his speeches. We also found out we live down the street from the very spot that Julius Cesar was killed. We are walking all over history and rarely know it.
Today, I got off at the wrong bus stop, but found my way home because the same man plays the sax every day and night on the bridge that takes me to my apartment. I just followed the sweet sound of jazz and made it home. Actually, it wasn’t so sweet...I am no expert, but I am pretty sure his sax is out of tune and I am not sure if he is playing a song, or just random notes. Either way, it’s those familiar sights and sounds that make me smile and truly appreciate the nitty gritty of the city.
Besides my mom, and brother and dad, and everyone else who I love, the thing I miss the most about home, is having a dryer. Never complain about doing laundry, until you have to hang dry every single article of clothing you own. I think I have bought about a hundred new pairs of socks just to avoid a house full of hanging socks all over the place...
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