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.