Been a while....

Today is Sunday, and I am thankful to have a day off from teaching. The weather has been freezing - and I mean biting cold, where it almost hurts to have any skin exposed. I sometimes try to cover my face with my scarf and am tempted to buy gloves and a new coat. I have a few coats already, but none seem heavy enough. It has rained here and there, but it is coldest when there are no clouds in the sky. A student told me the other day that winter will be even colder.

Teaching is going well. The hours have piled up and I have a very full schedule now. The language center that I work for basically sends us teachers out to different schools around Rome. I go to several high schools, where I am impressed by my student’s knowledge of English, and I love thinking of new ways to challenge them, and feel actual pride when they are successful. They have also forced me to know my English grammar inside and out, because they love challenging me as well. They tell me everything - from an argument they had with their boyfriend over the weekend to their thoughts on futbol. I’ve learned that to get the boys talking, I just have to mention futbol. I also go to several middle schools, where I teach 11-year olds, who like to giggle all the time. They know some English from watching TV, and I have learned all their favorite English quotes from their favorite programs, even though I have seen none of them. The boys love The Simpsons. Lastly, I have a few private lessons at the language center, where I teach an Italian man my age, some older women and several 5-year olds, who I adore. I love to listen to them speaking Italian to each other while coloring. I understand everything - from the girl saying the boy’s coloring is “cosi, cosi” (so-so), to one boy teasing the other boy that his picture looks “feminile” (like a girl). They make me laugh, and they love coming to class, so that makes me happy. I have had to speak Italian when student’s parents want to talk to me, and I have been doing pretty well.

We spend about 20-25 hours actually teaching each week, and about 20 hours on the buses and metro getting from school to school, and another 20 hours planning our lessons in room 4 at the language center, where we get to know the other teachers. So, we work about 60 hours a week, and get paid for 20.

I didn’t think I would miss driving at all, but sometimes I do. I don’t mind public transportation, but there are times I don’t want to deal with the crowds, the funky smells, the waiting, the motion sickness from the driver who is trying to text on his cell phone while driving. I do love walking though. I love waking up, getting dressed and walking over to the market for milk or something. I love the city life, and being greeted by “buongiorno” everywhere I go, as I walk down the street. I love how the city comes to life in the morning, and everyone seems happy, like old friends, and I love being apart of it - not just observing from the outside.

Sean and I went out for a bit last night - we went to this bohemian lounge, with seats close to the ground, and dim lighting. We had some drinks and watched the futbol match. The bar was full of men glued to the big screen watching futbol, and their bored-looking girlfriends and wives. It was pretty fun though, and the wine was delicious, so that kept me occupied.

We watch MTV every morning, while drinking our homemade espressos. We have our favorite Italian artists now, and love seeing the American or English artists too. We wonder what is popular at home and if it’s the same. Probably not.
The city is getting ready for Christmas, and I am getting very excited also. Christmas has always been my favorite, but I am not sure it will be the same - my first time ever being away from family. I am tempted to buy tons of Christmas decorations, hoping the more decorations, the less I will miss home. We get 2 weeks off for the holidays and we are thinking of going to Paris or London - maybe both!

So, anyway, all is well on this side of the world, and I hope everything is well for everyone else. I miss everyone a lot, and wish my whole family and all my friends could be here to experience this amazing life with me. Ciao for now.

More weekend pics...

Domenica con Andrea...Bocelli

Sunday evening after a long day at the beach, we hopped onto the metro, along with the rest of Rome and headed to Piazza del Popolo. About a million people crowded around a grand, beautifully lit outdoor stage, complete with full orchestra and none other than legendary opera singer Andrea Bocelli. We couldn’t believe it - Andrea Bocelli, performing live, in a free concert for the people of Rome. The music was incredible, powerful and sent chills to everyone listening. We were so excited to have been a part of this night, and it was the perfect way to end our weekend. Here are pics...it’s hard to tell but I promise that’s him on stage. We were far back, but his voice carried across the entire city...it was really lovely.

Proper Saturday Afternoon.

So, I have been working a lot lately which is good - teaching all sorts of new kids. I still love it, but have to say, it is quite exhausting. I worked this morning at 9am which meant I had to get up at 7am. Then I taught 11 year olds, then 5 year olds, then a 27 year old one after the other. I finally stopped for some pizza and am home in my sweats where I belong on a Saturday evening. It has been raining, and is really cold. So, Sean's special hot cocoa from Spain sounds perfect right about now too. We are debating on if we're ready to see a movie in Italian. That may be something for tonight, although I am not sure I can peal Sean away from the futbol game on TV now. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Il mondo cambia.

Italians are rejoicing today as Roma finally won a futbol match, and Barack Obama is the new president of the United States. On my bus ride home from teaching this evening, I saw walls all over the city covered with posters that read, “Il Mondo Cambia” (The world changes) next to blown up photos of the new US president. Press coverage on TV has been equally devoted to the final outcome of the US election. I feel truly moved that people all over the world see America’s new president as hope for their future. Africans, Asians, Europeans and Americans cheering is all over the news of the day. My lesson plans for my classes today were not necessary as everyone wanted to discuss their relief in Obama’s win. And now, the world looks to the US and waits for change, progress and not only an improved America, but a new, improved world.

Over the river and through Villa Borghese...

November First.

Happy Halloween! It’s always strange to think about what everyone is doing back at home at certain times of my day. I am sure, as I wake up this morning, all my friends are partying into the night, fully costumed, no doubt. Hope everyone is having a blast as I have my Saturday morning coffee. Italians don’t actually celebrate Halloween. There were a few places with spooky orange and black decorations, but were catering to the Americans living abroad. I heard that the children go trick-or-treating, but I did not see one little costumed bambino all day or night. It was pouring like crazy last night. We celebrated by eating a ton of candy, which isn’t too different from any other night, other than we had an excuse that made it ok. We walked around town with our broken yellow umbrella that I made Sean buy from an Indian man selling them on a street corner. Sean has refused to buy anything from these particular vendors walking around Rome, selling...well....just stuff, as they tend to be obtrusive and pushy as most street vendors are. So against principal, we bought one. I have to say that selling umbrellas on a rainy day is a pretty smart business move. They also sell beer on the Spanish Steps which I also find a pretty genius idea. Anyway, so last night we trotted around town, doing a little window shopping. My 2 favorite words in Italian are “posso provare?”, which means “Can I try this on?” I also know all my numbers in Italian so I have no problem telling sales clerks my size. Thank God I learned this crucial survival vocabulary. I am currently in the market for galoshes, which are more for practical reasons at this time. All I could find were pink flowered ones or purple polka-dot ones and I quickly decided galoshes probably aren’t suitable for someone over the age of 11. I also stumbled across this little gem of a store. As we walked into this underground shop, my eyes were met with amazing clothes that I decided I have to have one of everything. Sean said he felt like he was walking into my closet...everything looked so “me”. I would describe it as a far improved, Euro version of my closet. Either way, I loved everything, but didn’t buy anything...yet. I am making note of all the fun places my mom and I will go when she visits for Christmas. I hope she wasn’t planning on sight seeing - only shopping. Just kidding...So, today is gloomy outside again. I am dreading the end of my last English-written novel, as I am not sure where I will buy another. Sean is making me learn more Italian vocabulary, which is only for my benefit. He is also trying to convince me to go on a day trip outside of Rome. I swear when it’s raining, and I practically live in a cave with no natural light, it is hard to get out of my favorite comfy sweats. Ok, ok, I’ll go.

Where I blog, student protest and beyond...