A week ago I wrote a lovely blog about the lessons I learned in just one day here in Milan. Unfortunately the blog didn't save so I lost the piece and was too lazy to rewrite the whole thing, but I was amazed at what I could accomplish in just one day.
The blog essentially said that there are lessons all around us...that it's just a matter of opening our eyes so we can see them. For example, I learned that we really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. I had assumed this girl who worked in the tea shop was an immigrant and working there because it was an easy job, but I later found out she had her PhD in anthropology...completely unexpected. Who knows why she works in the tea room, but it's certainly not for a lack of education.
This past weekend has been, by far, the best I've had in Milan and probably one of the best in general in quite a long while. Granted, I had a fantastic time in Dublin last weekend with my dear friends there, but this past weekend in Italy was just what I needed to restore my sense of wonder and appreciation for the small things.
Friday night started out pretty low key. I went to my friend Katy's apartment to have aperitivo with her roommates and her. We sat around the house until midnight talking and that simple thing mad me so happy...probably because I was with people my own age and not just the family I've been living with. It's so nice to have your own space and to have friends together. Just like last weekend with Jamie and Tommy in Dublin, having dinner with friends and socializing with them is such an easy way to have a good time. We even played stupid games last weekend but it was so much fun!
After the aperitivo on Friday night we went to a club near where I live in Milan. It was a 50's theme party with DJs playing all the great songs from that time period. We danced until 4 or so in the morning. I am surprised I was able to stay up that long but we had such a fantastic time. I even met a nice boy who walked me home because it was so late.
Saturday was one of those perfect days where you do nothing extraordinary, but enjoy every minute of it. I went into the center to get my race packet for the 10K I was doing on Sunday, then I sat in the square in front of the duomo waiting on Katy. I got a watermelon slushie and enjoyed the sun while I people watched. I'm telling you, I could do this every day. I smiled and had to control myself so I wouldn't laugh out loud. People watching has to be the best activity ever. I saw so many things that made me smile. There was one guy, I'm guessing Swedish, dressed in jean shorts, hemmed with a burberry like fabric, and a white undershirt that made me giggle...I kept picturing my friend Josh in this outfit and it makes me laugh still. There were some American girls that were complaining of walking too much, and a tiny little boy, maybe 2 1/2 years old, riding a bike around everyone's feet. Simple things, but so great.
When Katy arrived, we went to this place near the duomo called Mama Burger. After drinking a bit too much on Friday, it was the perfect cure to our night out. The burgers were gigantic and came with fries and a beer (hair of the dog and all). Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it. We left the burger joint and got a few beers for our purse and then we walked down to Parco Sempione. In the sunshine, there were tons of people laying out, playing soccer, etc. in the park. We put a sheet out and enjoyed more people watching (my jean shorts guy passed again) and chatting about future plans for travel, etc. We decided to move to the bar/restaurant in the park and were enjoying more people watching, I'm telling you it's the best, when I started drooling over "Maverick" from Top Gun. I couldn't stop staring at this guy and Katy agreed, he was beautiful.
We were trying to be serious and talk about all our future plans, my not knowing what to do next and what path the Lord has laid out for me, when all of a sudden a bird pooped on my head! Just last weekend, Jamie and Tommy and I were talking about this and how it had never happened to us, but that it is supposed to be a sign of good luck. I was a bit grossed out, and laughing uncontrollably, but finally said, "It's ok; it's good fortune." The waiter brought over some napkins and also laughing, he said the same thing "Buona fortuna," so Katy and I are convinced something good is coming.
My race was first thing Sunday morning, and honestly, I didn't think I'd make it the whole way. I got up and went to the duomo (starting point) and waited an hour before we began. I haven't been running much so I wasn't sure the 10k was possible, but adrenaline kicked in and it was actually quite easy. I got before and after shots of myself to remember the day.
Sitting back at the duomo with beer in hand after the race (rebuild those carbs) a guy walked up and sat down next to me. He was in Milan visiting for the weekend. He wasn't someone attractive and actually I found him to be quite a slob upon first impressions, but he was so nice. He spoke very little English but we enjoyed chatting a while. In a text he later sent, he said "You are beautiful, me thinks." So, so kind. I believe, whatever the reason, he was meant to be at the duomo with me yesterday, maybe as a reminder for me to be polite to everyone, to give everyone a chance.
After I got back home I made a big plate of pasta bolognase and then went out to the park to lie in the sun a few hours. I actually am beginning to get some color back! My friend from Friday night called and invited me out that evening so I met him for gelatto and a walk through the park. It was really a nice way to finish the weekend. I think it all goes back to keeping eyes open and staying positive about things. I'm not always good at this, and often, I complain about things, but I'm getting better. I found a Shakespeare quote that says "Nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so." I think this is my new motto. Things will happen, one way or the other, so why not stay positive and enjoy life? Good things from now on. :)
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Parenting 101
You might read that title and ask yourself "What is Hannah doing writing about parenting; she doesn't have any children." You are absolutely right too. I've got no kids, but I have helped, in some small way, to raise quite a few.
I began babysitting when I was ten, and yes, that means I've got 20 years of experience in the "field." I went to school to become an educator and thus taught, raising my experience level even more, for another 7 years. I've done diaper duty to prom preparation and everything in between. I've kept kids who have already graduated college for goodness sake...and are quite likely to marry and have kids before me!! In this time, I've not been a parent, but I've certainly had some of the responsibilities of one and I think it's been fantastic preparation for what will one day, hopefully, be the chance to put all that I've learned into practice with my own darling children.
Last week, I wrote on my personal Facebook page and Gia's page about kids' chores. I was curious if kids in Italy were required to do less than kids in the states and if that's a cultural thing or not. I had a friend comment on all the tasks her four year old daughter (in SC) does to help build responsibility. I didn't get paid for chores growing up, but there were certain things around the house that I was required to do, and I don't think I complained too much about it (I'll check with Mom on this). I believe it is important to teach kids to be responsible from an early age because it carries over into adulthood.
Here is a list of some of the things the children here in Italy, in this family, DON'T do.
Girl (11) Boy (15)
Put away pjs Put away pjs (he actually leaves them on the sofa each morning)
Put away dishes (leaves them unless I ask)
Flush the toilet...quite often, he "forgets"
Make bed Make bed
Put away wet towels Put away wet towels
Put lid on toothpaste when finished
To my knowledge, there are no "requirements" in this household of things the children must do. They will, with reluctance, do things if asked.
Along with the lack of responsibility, the children, in my humble opinion, are learning no respect for elders. At first, I thought it was a "lost in translation thing," but I'm becoming more and more familiar with their tone with their parents and I can see it's not about the language. For example, the 15 year old has all to often addressed me in a tone which quite frankly, wouldn't fly at home. "Hannah, you need to cook the pasta more." "Hannah, buy the pesto from Essalunga." Now, I let it slide a few times, but after a while, I politely reminded the child that there is a right way and a wrong way to ask for something. He will not tell me what to do. If he'd like something, he can simply put it in the form of a question and add a please! "Hannah, would you please buy the pesto from..." will go a lot farther than the latter.
Two weeks ago, on the mother's birthday, we all went to the mountains together. The mother came downstairs in tears because she was upset with her daughter and she didn't know what to do. The child was so difficult. It was hard for me because I was there when the daughter pitched a fit about her ski bib not fitting and refused to ski with her mother. We (the mom, son and I) went on without the daughter but it was a miserable day as "Mom" was upset from it all.
Last night, the 15 year old came home from a tennis tournament which required him to miss school on Wednesday. He and his mother got into a screaming match for over an hour about how he didn't want to go to school on Thursday. I thought the mother would win when I heard her telling him, in Italian "be more responsible." To my great disappointment, he's home today. Yes, he woke up at a nice 9 am and went straight to the TV. Again, this wouldn't fly. I asked him why he was home, he told me it was because he didn't have an assignment that was due today, and he went back to watching TV. AGH!
I do realize that I've only been here two months and I don't know the entire situation since I can't understand all of the language, but I do know from observation that something is off in this household. I can't come right out and say the family is doing things wrong because there is a lot they do well. When they are all happy, it's a pleasant place to be. They get along great and crack jokes. The children say their please and thank yous (to me) and are polite the majority of the time. When they are arguing though, it's a different story.
I try not to look at parents and judge because you never know what another person is thinking or doing, but living in Italy has given me a true behind the scenes look at the way this family ticks. It's also made me really grateful for the amazing parents I had growing up, and instilled in me values I hope to pass along to my own kids one day.
I began babysitting when I was ten, and yes, that means I've got 20 years of experience in the "field." I went to school to become an educator and thus taught, raising my experience level even more, for another 7 years. I've done diaper duty to prom preparation and everything in between. I've kept kids who have already graduated college for goodness sake...and are quite likely to marry and have kids before me!! In this time, I've not been a parent, but I've certainly had some of the responsibilities of one and I think it's been fantastic preparation for what will one day, hopefully, be the chance to put all that I've learned into practice with my own darling children.
Last week, I wrote on my personal Facebook page and Gia's page about kids' chores. I was curious if kids in Italy were required to do less than kids in the states and if that's a cultural thing or not. I had a friend comment on all the tasks her four year old daughter (in SC) does to help build responsibility. I didn't get paid for chores growing up, but there were certain things around the house that I was required to do, and I don't think I complained too much about it (I'll check with Mom on this). I believe it is important to teach kids to be responsible from an early age because it carries over into adulthood.
Here is a list of some of the things the children here in Italy, in this family, DON'T do.
Girl (11) Boy (15)
Put away pjs Put away pjs (he actually leaves them on the sofa each morning)
Put away dishes (leaves them unless I ask)
Flush the toilet...quite often, he "forgets"
Make bed Make bed
Put away wet towels Put away wet towels
Put lid on toothpaste when finished
To my knowledge, there are no "requirements" in this household of things the children must do. They will, with reluctance, do things if asked.
Along with the lack of responsibility, the children, in my humble opinion, are learning no respect for elders. At first, I thought it was a "lost in translation thing," but I'm becoming more and more familiar with their tone with their parents and I can see it's not about the language. For example, the 15 year old has all to often addressed me in a tone which quite frankly, wouldn't fly at home. "Hannah, you need to cook the pasta more." "Hannah, buy the pesto from Essalunga." Now, I let it slide a few times, but after a while, I politely reminded the child that there is a right way and a wrong way to ask for something. He will not tell me what to do. If he'd like something, he can simply put it in the form of a question and add a please! "Hannah, would you please buy the pesto from..." will go a lot farther than the latter.
Two weeks ago, on the mother's birthday, we all went to the mountains together. The mother came downstairs in tears because she was upset with her daughter and she didn't know what to do. The child was so difficult. It was hard for me because I was there when the daughter pitched a fit about her ski bib not fitting and refused to ski with her mother. We (the mom, son and I) went on without the daughter but it was a miserable day as "Mom" was upset from it all.
Last night, the 15 year old came home from a tennis tournament which required him to miss school on Wednesday. He and his mother got into a screaming match for over an hour about how he didn't want to go to school on Thursday. I thought the mother would win when I heard her telling him, in Italian "be more responsible." To my great disappointment, he's home today. Yes, he woke up at a nice 9 am and went straight to the TV. Again, this wouldn't fly. I asked him why he was home, he told me it was because he didn't have an assignment that was due today, and he went back to watching TV. AGH!
I do realize that I've only been here two months and I don't know the entire situation since I can't understand all of the language, but I do know from observation that something is off in this household. I can't come right out and say the family is doing things wrong because there is a lot they do well. When they are all happy, it's a pleasant place to be. They get along great and crack jokes. The children say their please and thank yous (to me) and are polite the majority of the time. When they are arguing though, it's a different story.
I try not to look at parents and judge because you never know what another person is thinking or doing, but living in Italy has given me a true behind the scenes look at the way this family ticks. It's also made me really grateful for the amazing parents I had growing up, and instilled in me values I hope to pass along to my own kids one day.
Monday, March 5, 2012
"Here comes the rain, here comes the rain."
Years ago, I went to New Orleans Jazz Fest with my dear friend Ashley Henson. It was one of our many trips to follow Dave Matthews and Widespread Panic. We arrived at the fairgrounds for the shows to begin and not long after Dave took the stage, it began to rain. He was about to sing his song JTR, and with the instruments already playing the melody, he sang "Here comes the rain, here comes the rain." Then in true Dave Matthews form, he muttered some incomprehensible phrases to himself and the show went on. It was one of the best concerts I ever went to, despite the rain. We left soaked to the bone and with blackened feet from our flip flops in the mud, but none of that mattered...it actually made the event more memorable.
Living in Ireland, I got a good taste of the rain. It didn't matter if it was terrible outside, you still got up most days and did something. It might have been a walk through St. Stephens Green to Grafton Street or a jog down the canal. It could have been miserable outside, but life went on because it had to, because it was normal in Dublin and people had jobs to do, no matter the weather. There were days when I would prefer to sit on the "couch" and watch movies, but most days, if I didn't have to work, I got up and did something just to get out of the house. My friends and I commented on this a lot because back home, if we had weather like that we'd just stay in the the house and lay low, but you can't do that in a place where the rain is so common. It becomes depressing.
It hasn't been rainy here in Milan much, but it began yesterday and is supposed to continue throughout the middle of the week. It's funny, but I woke up in a better mood today with the rain than I have in several days with sun. Yes, I love my sunshine and I will do just about anything to make sure I build back my tan, but the rain doesn't seem so bad here. It's coming down heavier than it did most days in Dublin, but it's refreshing here in Milan. Maybe it's because the city is so gray and dirty looking most of the time that the rain is almost a symbol for the cleansing of winter and freshness of spring. The grass is getting greener, the air is crisp, it's actually put me in a great mood. Waking up today, I planned to immediately go for a run but the rain was coming down too hard so I opted for a workout video. I showered and got ready for a grocery store trip and then even walked through the open market that is near my apartment on Monday. In Charleston, I'd probably go to and from work and that's it on a day like today, but Dublin taught me to get out there, even on the yucky days, and not let the rain bring me down. Yes, there are still times I'd rather fix a cup of hot tea and watch a movie, but for the most part, I'm learning to embrace even the rainy moments as good ones...from now on, I'll try to "seize the day" no matter the weather!
Living in Ireland, I got a good taste of the rain. It didn't matter if it was terrible outside, you still got up most days and did something. It might have been a walk through St. Stephens Green to Grafton Street or a jog down the canal. It could have been miserable outside, but life went on because it had to, because it was normal in Dublin and people had jobs to do, no matter the weather. There were days when I would prefer to sit on the "couch" and watch movies, but most days, if I didn't have to work, I got up and did something just to get out of the house. My friends and I commented on this a lot because back home, if we had weather like that we'd just stay in the the house and lay low, but you can't do that in a place where the rain is so common. It becomes depressing.
It hasn't been rainy here in Milan much, but it began yesterday and is supposed to continue throughout the middle of the week. It's funny, but I woke up in a better mood today with the rain than I have in several days with sun. Yes, I love my sunshine and I will do just about anything to make sure I build back my tan, but the rain doesn't seem so bad here. It's coming down heavier than it did most days in Dublin, but it's refreshing here in Milan. Maybe it's because the city is so gray and dirty looking most of the time that the rain is almost a symbol for the cleansing of winter and freshness of spring. The grass is getting greener, the air is crisp, it's actually put me in a great mood. Waking up today, I planned to immediately go for a run but the rain was coming down too hard so I opted for a workout video. I showered and got ready for a grocery store trip and then even walked through the open market that is near my apartment on Monday. In Charleston, I'd probably go to and from work and that's it on a day like today, but Dublin taught me to get out there, even on the yucky days, and not let the rain bring me down. Yes, there are still times I'd rather fix a cup of hot tea and watch a movie, but for the most part, I'm learning to embrace even the rainy moments as good ones...from now on, I'll try to "seize the day" no matter the weather!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Non Parlo :(
I had very interesting learning experiences yesterday and today, so I thought I better get to blogging so I could share them. Yesterday was an ordinary day...I had to pick up the kids and drive them home from school. The good thing was that noone had appointments after school like they normally do.
It was a sunny day and warmer than it's been, so I enjoyed getting up and going out for a short run yesterday morning. I took Mia, the Border Collie, and we sat in the sun for about half an hour. When we came home, I went out on the balcony in the sun for another hour or so. I left to get Matteo from school, but didn't realize he was getting out an hour later yesterday so I was in the car waiting for a long time (not happy as I'm trying to get some sort of color back on my pasty skin and I could have been in the sun this whole time). As soon as I found out Matteo would be late, I headed towards Elena. I needed gas, but I had to pick up Elena from school first. She and I went to the gas station after I got her, which hasn't been a problem for me in the past, but yesterday we had some issues.
We drove into the station, which is closed for lunch hours, and attempted to do self service. I've not done this before in Italy so putting the cash in the machine and figuring out what to do next was a trick. I asked Elena to press the button for our pump, but I guess she didn't do so because another man came up right behind us and put his 20 euro in on top of our 30. This means that when he pressed the pump number it assumed he wanted 50 euro in gas...in his moped. He was polite and told us to move the car so we could get gas after he was done, and he gave Elena the pump to hold so it wouldn't reset. Well, it did anyway. We couldn't get anything . I was on empty and had been for three days but we couldn't do anything now. The station was closed and I was out of cash. I don't use my cards here so we had no choice but to leave. Another couple had offered to give us 5 euro to make sure I had enough gas to get to Matteo and back but I declined. We raced to get Matteo from school and went back to the station (which opens at 2) to explain to the attendant what had happened. Luckily, I had the receipt from the earlier attempt so we were able to get our money back and then retry. I was so frustrated as noone at the station spoke English and Elena had no clue what to do or say. It was hard for her to translate what I was trying to express. Thankfully we accomplished it after a while and we were good to go...and I now know to make sure to press the number on the pump without asking Ely to do it!!
This morning was another "fun" experience for me. I've been trying to find a salon to get my hair cut and highlighted and finally found one near the apartment that looked decent and sold good products (I often judge based on what is stocked on the product shelf). I made an appointment for this morning, but was nervous because the salon owner spoke little English and I didn't know what was going to happen. Elena taught me how to say "Come questi capelli" and I have been practicing all week to say this when I planned to show a picture of Jenny McCarthy's hair. I even used a mneumonic device and sang this phrase to "Ice Ice Baby" to help me remember. Well, wouldn't you know my phone wouldn't open the internet site I had saved with the pic so I had nothing to go by this morning. The salon owner and stylist understood pretty well what I was trying to say, but when she took the razor to the back of my head I started crying! She stopped and said "calmo, tranquile" over and over so I tried to repeat in my head "it will grow back, it will grow back" over and over. Luckily, she saw my nervous reaction and didn't take much more. The back of my head is stacked pretty well and the color turned out ok, very blonde, but boy that was nerve racking this am. I kept thinking I'd need a glass of wine later to help me relax!
All of these simple little tasks become so complicated when there is a language barrier. I'm learning a good bit of Italian, but it's mostly vocabulary or random phrases. I was proud to have my one beauty shop phrase memorized and I didn't even get to use it! I am taking all of these moments in as learning experiences though...I have just a few more months here (which is hard to believe) so I will do my best to gain even more Italian knowledge and go home better for it. I've gotten pretty good at finding a way to communicate so I'll just keep on trucking and hope someone understands!
It was a sunny day and warmer than it's been, so I enjoyed getting up and going out for a short run yesterday morning. I took Mia, the Border Collie, and we sat in the sun for about half an hour. When we came home, I went out on the balcony in the sun for another hour or so. I left to get Matteo from school, but didn't realize he was getting out an hour later yesterday so I was in the car waiting for a long time (not happy as I'm trying to get some sort of color back on my pasty skin and I could have been in the sun this whole time). As soon as I found out Matteo would be late, I headed towards Elena. I needed gas, but I had to pick up Elena from school first. She and I went to the gas station after I got her, which hasn't been a problem for me in the past, but yesterday we had some issues.
We drove into the station, which is closed for lunch hours, and attempted to do self service. I've not done this before in Italy so putting the cash in the machine and figuring out what to do next was a trick. I asked Elena to press the button for our pump, but I guess she didn't do so because another man came up right behind us and put his 20 euro in on top of our 30. This means that when he pressed the pump number it assumed he wanted 50 euro in gas...in his moped. He was polite and told us to move the car so we could get gas after he was done, and he gave Elena the pump to hold so it wouldn't reset. Well, it did anyway. We couldn't get anything . I was on empty and had been for three days but we couldn't do anything now. The station was closed and I was out of cash. I don't use my cards here so we had no choice but to leave. Another couple had offered to give us 5 euro to make sure I had enough gas to get to Matteo and back but I declined. We raced to get Matteo from school and went back to the station (which opens at 2) to explain to the attendant what had happened. Luckily, I had the receipt from the earlier attempt so we were able to get our money back and then retry. I was so frustrated as noone at the station spoke English and Elena had no clue what to do or say. It was hard for her to translate what I was trying to express. Thankfully we accomplished it after a while and we were good to go...and I now know to make sure to press the number on the pump without asking Ely to do it!!
This morning was another "fun" experience for me. I've been trying to find a salon to get my hair cut and highlighted and finally found one near the apartment that looked decent and sold good products (I often judge based on what is stocked on the product shelf). I made an appointment for this morning, but was nervous because the salon owner spoke little English and I didn't know what was going to happen. Elena taught me how to say "Come questi capelli" and I have been practicing all week to say this when I planned to show a picture of Jenny McCarthy's hair. I even used a mneumonic device and sang this phrase to "Ice Ice Baby" to help me remember. Well, wouldn't you know my phone wouldn't open the internet site I had saved with the pic so I had nothing to go by this morning. The salon owner and stylist understood pretty well what I was trying to say, but when she took the razor to the back of my head I started crying! She stopped and said "calmo, tranquile" over and over so I tried to repeat in my head "it will grow back, it will grow back" over and over. Luckily, she saw my nervous reaction and didn't take much more. The back of my head is stacked pretty well and the color turned out ok, very blonde, but boy that was nerve racking this am. I kept thinking I'd need a glass of wine later to help me relax!
All of these simple little tasks become so complicated when there is a language barrier. I'm learning a good bit of Italian, but it's mostly vocabulary or random phrases. I was proud to have my one beauty shop phrase memorized and I didn't even get to use it! I am taking all of these moments in as learning experiences though...I have just a few more months here (which is hard to believe) so I will do my best to gain even more Italian knowledge and go home better for it. I've gotten pretty good at finding a way to communicate so I'll just keep on trucking and hope someone understands!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Ups and Downs and Ups Again
It's funny how sometimes you miss home so much you think there is no other place on earth quite as good, and then sometimes you think, "Gosh, I'm having the time of my life and I don't want it to end." It's been this way for me all throughout this journey. I had my ups and downs in Ireland and I certainly wanted to be home a lot of the time while I was there, but then there were those moments where all I could do was pinch myself to realize that I was actually on this amazing adventure and it wasn't a dream. I was living a life that many people only hoped they could.
Moving to Milan was a bit different for me as I had never been here before and quite frankly, it's not the most attractive of places. Ireland has an allure to it because of the green...which happens to be my favorite color...you just get drawn to it. Milan doesn't have the same appeal. I will say though that in the last few days, I've really started to feel comfortable here. I've made a new friend who is from New York, but living here in the city. I've been out a few times both here in Milan and to other surrounding areas (day trip to Verona last Sunday). I've had the best mint julep I've ever tasted here in Milan (random how a southern staple like that was done so well here in the North of Italy). I've accomplished the daunting task of learning to drive stick (and I'm having so much fun with it). I tell you, I'm enjoying the crazy traffic circles. It's fun with the kids in the car to go round and round...it's like we're on a roller coaster or something!! I am enjoying the rise in temperature and the fact that I can run with the dog in the park. It may sound boring to many, but my daily routine of exercise, carpool, making lunch, teaching, etc is really quite pleasant. I think that's because basically, I'm playing mom and it's always been a dream of mine to actually be a mother.
Yes, I miss teaching at Stiles Point. Yes, I miss my family and friends in Charleston (and Dublin). Yes, I would like an actual income instead of this little pocket change I'm getting here, but I am so thankful for these opportunities. I was really worried about going home to my "old" life and getting a bit frightened by 1) going back to the real world and 2) things not being as exciting at home, but you know what, life is what you make it. Traveling is and always will be a part of me, but so is Charleston. All of these experiences I've had, places I've been, and things I've seen are part of the great puzzle that is me...it's what makes me who I am.
I'm going to make my time here as memorable as possible. I'll miss it when I'm gone, but instead of being sad that the trip is over, I want to be grateful that I ever had the chance to take it. I hope that when I get home to Charleston I'll be able to fondly look back at my time abroad...I hope that when I'm home, I will remember this roller coaster of emotions in the attempt of reminding myself to appreciate what is in front of me rather than looking over my shoulder for something "better".
Moving to Milan was a bit different for me as I had never been here before and quite frankly, it's not the most attractive of places. Ireland has an allure to it because of the green...which happens to be my favorite color...you just get drawn to it. Milan doesn't have the same appeal. I will say though that in the last few days, I've really started to feel comfortable here. I've made a new friend who is from New York, but living here in the city. I've been out a few times both here in Milan and to other surrounding areas (day trip to Verona last Sunday). I've had the best mint julep I've ever tasted here in Milan (random how a southern staple like that was done so well here in the North of Italy). I've accomplished the daunting task of learning to drive stick (and I'm having so much fun with it). I tell you, I'm enjoying the crazy traffic circles. It's fun with the kids in the car to go round and round...it's like we're on a roller coaster or something!! I am enjoying the rise in temperature and the fact that I can run with the dog in the park. It may sound boring to many, but my daily routine of exercise, carpool, making lunch, teaching, etc is really quite pleasant. I think that's because basically, I'm playing mom and it's always been a dream of mine to actually be a mother.
Yes, I miss teaching at Stiles Point. Yes, I miss my family and friends in Charleston (and Dublin). Yes, I would like an actual income instead of this little pocket change I'm getting here, but I am so thankful for these opportunities. I was really worried about going home to my "old" life and getting a bit frightened by 1) going back to the real world and 2) things not being as exciting at home, but you know what, life is what you make it. Traveling is and always will be a part of me, but so is Charleston. All of these experiences I've had, places I've been, and things I've seen are part of the great puzzle that is me...it's what makes me who I am.
I'm going to make my time here as memorable as possible. I'll miss it when I'm gone, but instead of being sad that the trip is over, I want to be grateful that I ever had the chance to take it. I hope that when I get home to Charleston I'll be able to fondly look back at my time abroad...I hope that when I'm home, I will remember this roller coaster of emotions in the attempt of reminding myself to appreciate what is in front of me rather than looking over my shoulder for something "better".
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Life Goes On
This phrase is often used after something bad has happened as a way of saying, "Oh well, move forward." That's not the meaning of the phrase I'm thinking today though. In my mind, "life goes on" means simply that. I may not be in Charleston, but life there is going on.
Leaving Charleston last June was difficult for me because I was worried about what would happen while I was away. I knew that things would occur, good and bad, and I constantly checked in to see what the latest scoop was. I'm a very attached person, especially to my friends and family, so I called and emailed very often to hear the latest news. Before moving, I was told that life in Charleston would be the same when I returned. I knew part of this would be true. The family and friends I had would be there when I returned, the school where I worked would more than likely have the same kinds of lessons going on; nothing too extraordinary would have taken place in my absence. I found this to be comforting because I didn't want to miss out on anything at home.
Unfortunately, I moved before one of my best friends got married so I missed the wedding. I let this hang over my head for a long while upset that I'd missed out on this special event. Then I pulled it together and thought about all the wonderful experiences I was having while I was away and I was happy to have the opportunity to make such fantastic memories.
While home for Christmas, another one of my best friends got engaged. I was so thankful to be in town for this because I was able to be part of the celebration. Now that I'm in Italy, I've missed another very special proposal and will soon be missing the birth of a first baby for another couple.
It's bound to happen, when you're away, life goes on. People don't stop living because you aren't there. I've always realized that this was the case and I didn't expect for anyone to put their life on hold waiting on me to return, but I guess living away has proven to me that I am even more of a home-body than I ever thought. I'd never change the fact that I've travelled and I'd not be completely against having to be away from home in the future for whatever reason may cause me to leave again, but I will say, I love my family and friends and I love Charleston, and I'm very sorry that I'm missing out on such special occasions with the ones I care so much about.
Leaving Charleston last June was difficult for me because I was worried about what would happen while I was away. I knew that things would occur, good and bad, and I constantly checked in to see what the latest scoop was. I'm a very attached person, especially to my friends and family, so I called and emailed very often to hear the latest news. Before moving, I was told that life in Charleston would be the same when I returned. I knew part of this would be true. The family and friends I had would be there when I returned, the school where I worked would more than likely have the same kinds of lessons going on; nothing too extraordinary would have taken place in my absence. I found this to be comforting because I didn't want to miss out on anything at home.
Unfortunately, I moved before one of my best friends got married so I missed the wedding. I let this hang over my head for a long while upset that I'd missed out on this special event. Then I pulled it together and thought about all the wonderful experiences I was having while I was away and I was happy to have the opportunity to make such fantastic memories.
While home for Christmas, another one of my best friends got engaged. I was so thankful to be in town for this because I was able to be part of the celebration. Now that I'm in Italy, I've missed another very special proposal and will soon be missing the birth of a first baby for another couple.
It's bound to happen, when you're away, life goes on. People don't stop living because you aren't there. I've always realized that this was the case and I didn't expect for anyone to put their life on hold waiting on me to return, but I guess living away has proven to me that I am even more of a home-body than I ever thought. I'd never change the fact that I've travelled and I'd not be completely against having to be away from home in the future for whatever reason may cause me to leave again, but I will say, I love my family and friends and I love Charleston, and I'm very sorry that I'm missing out on such special occasions with the ones I care so much about.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
All in a Day's Work
Teaching is my job, but more than that, it's my passion. When I'm not teaching, I'm not whole. I struggled with this in Ireland because I was only in a classroom once a week. It was a blessing that my friend Luke set me up with Dublin City University though because without that small amount of time in front of students, I'd have been lost.
It's coming up on three weeks here in Milan and Luke has helped me, yet again, to find a place to teach. I went a few weeks ago to visit a school out in Cesano Maderno (one hour from where I am in Milan). I met the lovely woman who started the school and since then, she and I have been emailing back and forth trying to create a schedule for me. I was contacted yesterday to see if I'd like to start teaching a private lesson to a student once a week. I said yes, of course, and went this morning for my first "lesson." I have to put lesson in quotes because my student, cute as he is, is only 15 months old! I wasn't teaching so much as playing, but still, it was a start.
This morning I drove the car to the metro station, took the metro to the train station, took the train to Cesano Maderno and then walked the last 5 minutes to the school. I met with the child and his mother in her office above the school. She is a dentist (perfect because I need my teeth cleaned!). We played for two hours before I took the long journey back home. It was fantastic though because in my one session with little Georgio, he learned two English words, "Hi" and "Bye."
I know it's not the same as being in a classroom, but with the tutoring I'm doing with Elena and Matteo, and a session a week with Georgio, I'm on my way back to what I love the most. My plan now is to meet with Matteo's teacher (we've already sent messages) and see about volunteering in her English class. I'd like to do the same for Elena's school. If I can have at least 3 mornings a week doing what I love, I know I'll be happier for it. I also know that it is all AMAZING experience to put on my resume for when I return to CCSD!!
It's coming up on three weeks here in Milan and Luke has helped me, yet again, to find a place to teach. I went a few weeks ago to visit a school out in Cesano Maderno (one hour from where I am in Milan). I met the lovely woman who started the school and since then, she and I have been emailing back and forth trying to create a schedule for me. I was contacted yesterday to see if I'd like to start teaching a private lesson to a student once a week. I said yes, of course, and went this morning for my first "lesson." I have to put lesson in quotes because my student, cute as he is, is only 15 months old! I wasn't teaching so much as playing, but still, it was a start.
This morning I drove the car to the metro station, took the metro to the train station, took the train to Cesano Maderno and then walked the last 5 minutes to the school. I met with the child and his mother in her office above the school. She is a dentist (perfect because I need my teeth cleaned!). We played for two hours before I took the long journey back home. It was fantastic though because in my one session with little Georgio, he learned two English words, "Hi" and "Bye."
I know it's not the same as being in a classroom, but with the tutoring I'm doing with Elena and Matteo, and a session a week with Georgio, I'm on my way back to what I love the most. My plan now is to meet with Matteo's teacher (we've already sent messages) and see about volunteering in her English class. I'd like to do the same for Elena's school. If I can have at least 3 mornings a week doing what I love, I know I'll be happier for it. I also know that it is all AMAZING experience to put on my resume for when I return to CCSD!!
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