Friday, September 11, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday, September 6th
I am so excited about internet at my apartment. If you had read the last post, I fixed my typos...I Was just so excited about getting a post on here! I should be out enjoying the sun, but I will be honest...resting is something I have not done much of lately. I have had zero contact with t.v., news, media etc. Our school has specific hours and then it is locked so when I am at school I work away and then until yesterday I haven't had access to internet, etc. Basically, sitting on my bed, typing on the internet is familiar and relaxing for me!
When I say zero contact, I mean it......today I am going to check for the first time.
Italy is taking this huge precaution with Swine flu....the kids wash their hands before lunch, after lunch and change their shoes from inside to outside. It's a lot of transitions for little 6 year olds, but it's becoming routine....I bring this up because I think the flu is spreading in the US? I don't know I will look.
Our school has a guard and is gated with a buzzer. I have noticed that all around the apartments are gated with a buzzer. When you first approach my apartment, there is a large gate, push the buzzer, then approach the apt. push a buzzer then inside. Why the heck am I talking about doorbells and buzzers? Well...everything here is just totally different and everywhere I go it seems like I push a buzzer or there is a guard and a gate.
Appertivos...o.k. these are cool. Basically it is a spread of food.......GOOD food. You buy a drink for like 8 euros and then you eat as much as you want. I guess it would be something like a happy hour. I enjoy them....they are from around 7-10.... SO I have been meeting different groups of people for "appertivo" . The spread is more than typical. It's like stuffed olives, every kind of cheese known to mankind, oils, lots of breads, amazing veggies, fish, everything!
For those of you that really know me I have never been that into food. I just eat it, like most of it, but haven't put much emphasis on it. I am lucky in the sense that I haven't had to monitor too carefully,etc
Here all I think about is food!!!!!!!!!!!! All the time.Last night I had this amazing pasta. It sounds sick but it had veggies, rabbit, and cheese in it. It was marinated with butter and sage. It was the table winner........incredible! The menu was handwritten in Italian...like this sloppy cursive. I can't read Italian so I Had no idea what to order. I can decipher some words because they may have the same beginnings like butter started with a b. I can't wait to understand the language. And everyone that has moved here says it takes time to learn so I am assuming it will be awhile.
The kids in my room are beautiful. Most of you know I taught first grade then left it and have taught fifth for the last four. The age gap is so emotionally, socially, physically different. I LOVE the little ones. I would take them home if I could. Absolutely precious. And I really don't have any behaviors. The first day of school one of the little girls came in and clung to her mom. She had never been in an American school, speaks Italian, spent three months in California for her father's work. And now mom would like her to learn English so she can talk with the kids when they spend time in L.A. It is mandated that I speak English to the kids as the purpose of me being flown out to Italy is total immersion of English for the kids. I could connect to this little girl abit as I am imaging I have the same feelings when I go into a grocery store. It is so overwhelming, people talk to me and I have no idea what they are saying, and I am frustrated because I want to communicate but can't. I feel as though I am playing charades quite a bit first word......anyway these kids are amazing.
So I am sure everyone is wondering about the men. I have been so busy thinking about food that I have forgotten about men for now. It's really good for methink......food...work...food..work. There are DEFINITELY good looking men all around me which is nice to see. But seriously I haven't been looking...I am just over it for now. I also think in Milan it is not quite the "typical" Italy you think of. It's metropolitan like NY. I was walking to the subway and the men do just kind of blurt things out to you. I haven't quite figured out what is being said but it's the same word over and over....I think it's pretty maybe....or something like that. Or who knows maybe their calling me a bad name...I honestly have no idea!!!
And I am so excited to travel. I should probably be doing it right now as the weather is still good. But I have been so overwhelmed. I did have a teacher ask me if I wanted to go to Ibiza, Spain........I was like yes....she said the plane ticket would be cheap. I was absolutely awe struck when she told me the price. 39 euros round trip ticket. I guess you can find these sick deals out of the Milano airport if you keep your eyes out. So Columbus day weekend I will be in Ibiza, Spain.......lying out on the Mediterranean. I may need to slow down on the gelato!
Well I Am off to explore the city today. I may post another one today later as I don't want to forget everything that has happened since I have been here.
Chow!
Laura
When I say zero contact, I mean it......today I am going to check for the first time.
Italy is taking this huge precaution with Swine flu....the kids wash their hands before lunch, after lunch and change their shoes from inside to outside. It's a lot of transitions for little 6 year olds, but it's becoming routine....I bring this up because I think the flu is spreading in the US? I don't know I will look.
Our school has a guard and is gated with a buzzer. I have noticed that all around the apartments are gated with a buzzer. When you first approach my apartment, there is a large gate, push the buzzer, then approach the apt. push a buzzer then inside. Why the heck am I talking about doorbells and buzzers? Well...everything here is just totally different and everywhere I go it seems like I push a buzzer or there is a guard and a gate.
Appertivos...o.k. these are cool. Basically it is a spread of food.......GOOD food. You buy a drink for like 8 euros and then you eat as much as you want. I guess it would be something like a happy hour. I enjoy them....they are from around 7-10.... SO I have been meeting different groups of people for "appertivo" . The spread is more than typical. It's like stuffed olives, every kind of cheese known to mankind, oils, lots of breads, amazing veggies, fish, everything!
For those of you that really know me I have never been that into food. I just eat it, like most of it, but haven't put much emphasis on it. I am lucky in the sense that I haven't had to monitor too carefully,etc
Here all I think about is food!!!!!!!!!!!! All the time.Last night I had this amazing pasta. It sounds sick but it had veggies, rabbit, and cheese in it. It was marinated with butter and sage. It was the table winner........incredible! The menu was handwritten in Italian...like this sloppy cursive. I can't read Italian so I Had no idea what to order. I can decipher some words because they may have the same beginnings like butter started with a b. I can't wait to understand the language. And everyone that has moved here says it takes time to learn so I am assuming it will be awhile.
The kids in my room are beautiful. Most of you know I taught first grade then left it and have taught fifth for the last four. The age gap is so emotionally, socially, physically different. I LOVE the little ones. I would take them home if I could. Absolutely precious. And I really don't have any behaviors. The first day of school one of the little girls came in and clung to her mom. She had never been in an American school, speaks Italian, spent three months in California for her father's work. And now mom would like her to learn English so she can talk with the kids when they spend time in L.A. It is mandated that I speak English to the kids as the purpose of me being flown out to Italy is total immersion of English for the kids. I could connect to this little girl abit as I am imaging I have the same feelings when I go into a grocery store. It is so overwhelming, people talk to me and I have no idea what they are saying, and I am frustrated because I want to communicate but can't. I feel as though I am playing charades quite a bit first word......anyway these kids are amazing.
So I am sure everyone is wondering about the men. I have been so busy thinking about food that I have forgotten about men for now. It's really good for methink......food...work...food..work. There are DEFINITELY good looking men all around me which is nice to see. But seriously I haven't been looking...I am just over it for now. I also think in Milan it is not quite the "typical" Italy you think of. It's metropolitan like NY. I was walking to the subway and the men do just kind of blurt things out to you. I haven't quite figured out what is being said but it's the same word over and over....I think it's pretty maybe....or something like that. Or who knows maybe their calling me a bad name...I honestly have no idea!!!
And I am so excited to travel. I should probably be doing it right now as the weather is still good. But I have been so overwhelmed. I did have a teacher ask me if I wanted to go to Ibiza, Spain........I was like yes....she said the plane ticket would be cheap. I was absolutely awe struck when she told me the price. 39 euros round trip ticket. I guess you can find these sick deals out of the Milano airport if you keep your eyes out. So Columbus day weekend I will be in Ibiza, Spain.......lying out on the Mediterranean. I may need to slow down on the gelato!
Well I Am off to explore the city today. I may post another one today later as I don't want to forget everything that has happened since I have been here.
Chow!
Laura
Saturday, September 5, 2009
First Post: September 5, 2009
It may take me a bit to figure this out. I could write so much that has happened in the last few weeks..as I have undergone a complete life change! But I will have to summarize!
August 18th I left........my ENORMOUS family which I love so dearly, my friends who sent me leaving with great celebrations and encouragement, my house which has been my ball and chain...but so charming and secure, my job which has been my stability, my daily 5 mile loop bridge run that clears my head, my cat Willow whom I have had since my very first year of teaching.....more or less a pretty stable and predictable life that has been good:)...with ofcourse a few ups and downs. Probably the hardest part..has been leaving friends, family and coworkers that have been such a strong support system for me.
So here I am now..in Milan, Italy........I missed my connection flight and spent a day in Paris...no not visiting the Eiffel Tower....more or less people watching at the airport for about 10 hours. I was in absolute awe at what men and women were wearing. I knew at that moment my R.E.I. Teva's probably were not going to cut it in the European Fashion world. Honestly...the jeans were tight,tight,tight...especially the men's!!! Even older men. I saw several women carrying their very young babies in four inch stilettos..no joke. Really everyone looked pretty good.
I missed the first day activities for all of the new teachers and was quite exhausted as I spent nine hours on a flight next to a professional wakeboarder who was on his way to Berth to be some judge....who wouldn't stop talking and then ten hours in the airport.
We spent the next several days learning the basics about Italy and our school. One thing I learned fast...is that the food is delicious...and quite a bit. The wine flows like water and more or less you just keep eating and drinking. I am loving the cheese, the meat, the pizza,the grilled veggies, the wine and the brioche(or the nutella inside it). I am sure at some point I will describe the food because I am in heaven. The weird part is I am not gaining weight...I don't know if it's because of the freshness of the food or my stress. But I have been eating a ton.
I was in shock I think for a couple of days with new everything. New people, new community, new job,new apartment, new culture, new language.................VERY,VERY,VERY hot and humid.I have now been here for a couple of weeks and I still have sooo much to learn bt I don't think I can ever quite explain the first couple of days. So much adrenaline and excitement..yet a little fear kicked in.
I will have to describe the school at a later post. But it's very nice. What I am impressed by so much is that I only have 13 students in my class...the kids get to go to Italian everyday and then they go to Art, computers, music and p.e. once a week. We also have a science teacher that will teach the kids. The school is in a suburb of Milano called Noverasco which is within a community called Opera which is right outside of Milan. It sits right next to a golf course so some of the classrooms and the teacher's lounge have a very nice view. On a sunny day you can see the Italian Alps.....I haven't seen them much yet...but one morning I glanced out my window and they reminded me of the Olympics. I guess being from the NW you are used to having the breathtaking mtns all around. But it's the same way as the peninsula with mtns all over.
In August, Italians take the month off. Yes....seriously the shops close and the city or community vacates....empty. I have been thinking it is so quiet and I didn't really quite fully understand how the town shuts down....the city. I kept asking where did everyone go? They....were at the beach. The shops are now all open and the people are everywhere. Bustling and excitement all around. And everyone is tan as most people really did leave to go to the beach for the full month of August.
And it is true...the people in Milan are dressed to a ten.Not just the models....everyone. The women everywhere are always dressed up.
I just moved right into the city. I have internet today at the apartment..........I am so excited about being in Milano. So I take a short bus ride from the school,,the 222. Then I hop on a train/tram the 24 for just a few minutes. Then I hop on another bus. Last night, I met a group of girls near the Duomo for appertivo. So I hopped on the subway which is only about 2 blocks away and 4 stops later I was a the Duomo which is the center of the city.The city is built all around the center.
My roommate is from Naples and teaches Italian at the high school so I am hoping to learn the language. It's not easy..I am clueless right now..I didn't make it too far with the Rosetta stone so I haven't needed to say the cat under the table or the cat over the table to anyone. I think you would only get that if you have seen the Rosetta stone! I am going to keep practicing and the school gives free lessons in a month. So over time hopefully. Marina, my roommate is being very helpful....
Gosh I have so much more I want to write but need to shower and head back to the city center for another delicious meal:) I will write more later.
August 18th I left........my ENORMOUS family which I love so dearly, my friends who sent me leaving with great celebrations and encouragement, my house which has been my ball and chain...but so charming and secure, my job which has been my stability, my daily 5 mile loop bridge run that clears my head, my cat Willow whom I have had since my very first year of teaching.....more or less a pretty stable and predictable life that has been good:)...with ofcourse a few ups and downs. Probably the hardest part..has been leaving friends, family and coworkers that have been such a strong support system for me.
So here I am now..in Milan, Italy........I missed my connection flight and spent a day in Paris...no not visiting the Eiffel Tower....more or less people watching at the airport for about 10 hours. I was in absolute awe at what men and women were wearing. I knew at that moment my R.E.I. Teva's probably were not going to cut it in the European Fashion world. Honestly...the jeans were tight,tight,tight...especially the men's!!! Even older men. I saw several women carrying their very young babies in four inch stilettos..no joke. Really everyone looked pretty good.
I missed the first day activities for all of the new teachers and was quite exhausted as I spent nine hours on a flight next to a professional wakeboarder who was on his way to Berth to be some judge....who wouldn't stop talking and then ten hours in the airport.
We spent the next several days learning the basics about Italy and our school. One thing I learned fast...is that the food is delicious...and quite a bit. The wine flows like water and more or less you just keep eating and drinking. I am loving the cheese, the meat, the pizza,the grilled veggies, the wine and the brioche(or the nutella inside it). I am sure at some point I will describe the food because I am in heaven. The weird part is I am not gaining weight...I don't know if it's because of the freshness of the food or my stress. But I have been eating a ton.
I was in shock I think for a couple of days with new everything. New people, new community, new job,new apartment, new culture, new language.................VERY,VERY,VERY hot and humid.I have now been here for a couple of weeks and I still have sooo much to learn bt I don't think I can ever quite explain the first couple of days. So much adrenaline and excitement..yet a little fear kicked in.
I will have to describe the school at a later post. But it's very nice. What I am impressed by so much is that I only have 13 students in my class...the kids get to go to Italian everyday and then they go to Art, computers, music and p.e. once a week. We also have a science teacher that will teach the kids. The school is in a suburb of Milano called Noverasco which is within a community called Opera which is right outside of Milan. It sits right next to a golf course so some of the classrooms and the teacher's lounge have a very nice view. On a sunny day you can see the Italian Alps.....I haven't seen them much yet...but one morning I glanced out my window and they reminded me of the Olympics. I guess being from the NW you are used to having the breathtaking mtns all around. But it's the same way as the peninsula with mtns all over.
In August, Italians take the month off. Yes....seriously the shops close and the city or community vacates....empty. I have been thinking it is so quiet and I didn't really quite fully understand how the town shuts down....the city. I kept asking where did everyone go? They....were at the beach. The shops are now all open and the people are everywhere. Bustling and excitement all around. And everyone is tan as most people really did leave to go to the beach for the full month of August.
And it is true...the people in Milan are dressed to a ten.Not just the models....everyone. The women everywhere are always dressed up.
I just moved right into the city. I have internet today at the apartment..........I am so excited about being in Milano. So I take a short bus ride from the school,,the 222. Then I hop on a train/tram the 24 for just a few minutes. Then I hop on another bus. Last night, I met a group of girls near the Duomo for appertivo. So I hopped on the subway which is only about 2 blocks away and 4 stops later I was a the Duomo which is the center of the city.The city is built all around the center.
My roommate is from Naples and teaches Italian at the high school so I am hoping to learn the language. It's not easy..I am clueless right now..I didn't make it too far with the Rosetta stone so I haven't needed to say the cat under the table or the cat over the table to anyone. I think you would only get that if you have seen the Rosetta stone! I am going to keep practicing and the school gives free lessons in a month. So over time hopefully. Marina, my roommate is being very helpful....
Gosh I have so much more I want to write but need to shower and head back to the city center for another delicious meal:) I will write more later.
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