Daily Discoveries

I've been busy to say the least. But even looking back on things, busy is much different in Italy than it is in America. It's healthier and more enjoyable at first glance. On a crazy night with a lot of homework I get 7.5 hours of sleep instead of 3 back home. And while it feels like I've been in school from 9-5 all day, I still have time to take walks around the city as I mentioned before. Thanks to a terrific friend who made me promise to go in giro each day, I take time to "get lost" in the Siena. This part of the day is undoubtedly my favorite. I stumble across different ways to get home or things that I saw last summer that I forgot about. Ci sono i tesori dappertutto! (There are treasures everywhere!) Maybe next time I'll remember to take my camera and document it for you.

But getting to the events of the week, each day starts the same. My brisk walk across the north part of the city-my average travel time lands at 13 minutes-ends when I arrive at school just in time to open the doors of the Siena School as the bells of San Domenico chime. I slip into class and each day starts with our trip to the Wonderful World of Italian Grammar. A bit like Disneyworld, but not. After 2 weeks of this same thing, I can resolutely say that Italian grammar class and English grammar class are equally painful.

But I've made some more discoveries. At the close of the second week, either 1) my brain is learning how to learn quicker, or 2) my mind is starting to think in Italian. Or both. I'd be happy with that, too. Classes are becoming less painful and I'm less likely to hesitate before speaking. And two days in a row I haven't had a headache at the end of the day! I don't know exactly what's happening, but I think that is a GREAT sign!

Continuing on, we had course presentations this week. I attended them all just to get a feeling for each of the classes. Taking the pulse of the school, I think everyone is pretty excited. Excited to take other classes besides Italian and to get to know new and very interesting people. There are 6 new professors who are bringing with them a wave of excitement about their subject for us to tap into. Some are Italian, some are immigrants, but all have very interesting stories. There is still a whole week of intensive Italian before we get started, but time is already flying by so I'm sure I can wait a little bit longer.

Ho togliato la testa del toro (I cut the head of the bull, or made a decision when doubting between choices) and I'll be taking the two part Sociology class and Creative Writing. I'll go into more detail about them when we get started, but I wanted to talk about getting inspired by Jackie. I don't consider myself a creative person, but Jackie, the photography instructor, talked about the Photography class's requirement to keep a photo journal. I started today. I'll leave you with some of them. A dopo!

Specchio, specchio

There are only a couple of days until I leave and I've been so busy, as you could imagine. I had a great visit to Raleigh (and Greenville) where I got a lot done, but now sono alla casa mia, but there is still so much to do so! Every night before I go to sleep, I review what's finished and make note of the things I still have to do. I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now and you'd think I'd be making progress, but the list only seems to grow. Ma non c'e' problema--the things I need to finish will happen and the things that won't...won't. I've got a plane ticket, a passport, and a visa. It wouldn't be very economical, but I could go over there with nothing else and be a happy person! Maybe I'd be a little cold, but I'd still be pretty happy.

Preparing has made me pretty busy, but some things have come up that have lead me to slow down a little. I think it's important, especially now, for me to recognize what's going on, what's happened, and what might happen. I try not to spend too much time on the future, although that's my instinct. But now it seems impossible for me to be planning anything. My life seems to be stuck in the present (or rather the very near future): what I will do in Italy. I can't predict what experiences I'll have or how I'll change, but most of you know that I've wasted a little bit of time trying.

As for the past, it's been interesting to think about how my life has changed. College has truly been an opportunity for growth in all areas and I could not be more grateful to be able to attend Meredith. Every once in a while I can't help but wonder what things would have been like if things had or hadn't happened, but then realize that I wouldn't be the same. Yes, it is a cliche' but I realize I am who I am because of the experiences I've had. One change or another and I'd be even the slightest bit different. So now I'm here, just a matter of hours away from my big trip, ready to embrace whatever happens.