Hello once again :) It has officially been 1 month since I arrived...1 down 8, to go. There are many things I miss about MN right now, including the changing colors of the leaves on the drive down to Winona and strangely enough, carpet! I finally bought some red, fuzzy slippers but they are already black on the bottom. Also, I'm curious to see how Italians do Halloween because this is a first here. I did see at the 'One Euro' store (just like the dollar store!) there were decorations for sale. This past weekend, my roommates and I weren't going out so we all dressed as an animal for the night. There was a bunny, a butterfly, a cat, and somehow I went from a turtle to a teenage mutant ninja turtle (funny photos to come) with a hanger as my weapon of choice.
There have been some new student additions, one spanish girl and 2 more danish students. I have been speaking mostly all in english lately which has been very easy but horrible for the learning italian part. This wednesday, I'll start taking language lessons at Centro Stranieri, Center for Foreigners with the same teacher I had at the school where I work. I've also started a convo exchange with a Roman woman on skype and met a guy in Firenze to practice. However, he was very negative and didn't have any patience with my italian so that was a first and last attempt at meeting in person.
We had an international dinner with all the students. There was salmon soup from Finland, a potato and bacon dish from Demark, spanish tortillas and crochettas, italian pasta, and banana bread courtesy of the only American. It was a true feast and very fun to have all the countries represented that night. Otherwise, I have been working on finding research on peer mentoring for my director, starting an information booklet for students, and giving another tour of Lucca, Firenze, and the library in Pistoia with the spanish girl.
Things are going well overall, I have days when all I really want is to be home and others where I truly feel blessed to be here...I recently had the best italian dinner ever at the house of my director's friend in the mountains surrounding Pistoia (just like the movies) and picking fresh vegis and fruits with my landlady Romana in her garden. I will add pics soon but hope this paints a better photo of the life here...
Much love, xoxo
Julie