Jess, Carlea, Justin and I arrived at Bergamo this past Saturday. Its a town in the north part of Italy, almost to Switzerland. It is very beautiful here...just picture the Sound of Music. On Sunday we met up with the other 8 tutors. There are 12 of us here at this camp, and there are 120 kids. Can you say crazy???? We are teaching in a Catholic School and its a maze. Its huge and there are nuns running around everywhere. Yesterday while in the courtyard, Jess and I smelled pot, so I think one of the nuns were smoking in the bushes. ahahahahah
So Sunday we hiked to the top of a mountain, 'Alpa Corta'. And when I say hiked, I really mean we scaled the side of a mountain. There was one time I was actually hanging by a tree branch seeing my life flash before my eyes. Two hours later, covered in mud, and tired to the point of exhaustion, we arrived at the top. And it was SO worth it. We had packed a lunch and ate by the river. Seriously words cannot describe how beautiful it was up there. Breathtaking.
The camp is going pretty good. I am starting to get the swing of things. My class is between 6-7 years old. They are so cute and so affectionate. They are always hugging me and wanting to hold my hand. I usually have three kids per hand, and then the other four hanging around my waist. I love it! I am teaching them pretty basic english, colors, numbers, animals. And coloring a lot!
So I am trying to decide what to do next. Teaching is very tiring, and I am thinking I want to be home for my grandma and grandpas 60th wedding anniversary. So next week may be my last camp, then I will have about two more weeks to just travel and relax around Italy. This is not set in stone, but I am thinking this is my new plan.
But I am not ready to join corporate america quite yet, so Jess and I may go to South America next. We have met so many people on our journey that say it is just Amazing down there.
Well...we shall see....
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
My first class. These kids were AMAZING, except the girl on the far right...she just cried all the time...
This is Riccardo...which we nicknamed 'Rico Sweaty' because he would sweat so much while running, that his hair would be completely wet.
This was not my student, but she loved me anyway, so I am not to blame for the poor English!
This is Riccardo...which we nicknamed 'Rico Sweaty' because he would sweat so much while running, that his hair would be completely wet.
This was not my student, but she loved me anyway, so I am not to blame for the poor English!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
First week of teaching...
Monday, my first day of teaching was horrible. I was so ready to quit, but I am not one to give up that easily. So I decided to stick it out. Tuesday morning I woke up and I was DREADING going back to that school. But I did. And here it is Wednesday, and things are starting to look up.
Teaching is hard. Planning lessons, keeping kids under control, and throw in the fact they dont speak the same language. Yeah, it's crazy. And I have these two kids in my afternoon group who are always fighting. They are constantly pushing each other and yelling, coloring on one another with permanent markers. Oh, and one of the kids is know to bite when he is mad.
Well, I won the 'biter' over today. I am always trying to make him feel part of the group. I was his partner in the water balloon toss. Balloons were bursting left and right, and it was down to two groups. Well, the other teams balloon popped and we caught the winning toss. If you could only see the look on the kids face. Priceless.
The kids really are amazing though. I have made some little friends who follow me all of the playground. One little girl is named Ilaria. She is only 8 but she is always trying to pick me up. She is so tiny, yet can lift me off the ground. I have given her the nickname 'beast'. ahahaha.
Hopefully I can make it as a teacher a little while longer. But I don't think I could do it anymore than a summer. 9 hours a day with kids is tiring. So on that note, I am off to bed....
Teaching is hard. Planning lessons, keeping kids under control, and throw in the fact they dont speak the same language. Yeah, it's crazy. And I have these two kids in my afternoon group who are always fighting. They are constantly pushing each other and yelling, coloring on one another with permanent markers. Oh, and one of the kids is know to bite when he is mad.
Well, I won the 'biter' over today. I am always trying to make him feel part of the group. I was his partner in the water balloon toss. Balloons were bursting left and right, and it was down to two groups. Well, the other teams balloon popped and we caught the winning toss. If you could only see the look on the kids face. Priceless.
The kids really are amazing though. I have made some little friends who follow me all of the playground. One little girl is named Ilaria. She is only 8 but she is always trying to pick me up. She is so tiny, yet can lift me off the ground. I have given her the nickname 'beast'. ahahaha.
Hopefully I can make it as a teacher a little while longer. But I don't think I could do it anymore than a summer. 9 hours a day with kids is tiring. So on that note, I am off to bed....
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Udine Baby
Jess and I arrived in Udine Italy yesterday (very close to Venice). All I can say is WOW....things are amazing. Jess and I are both staying with the same host family, and they are awesome. They live in a three story house and have two wonderful children. Julia is 7 and Elisa is 15. Elisa's english is really good, and she is actually studing 3 different languages besides Italian. Makes me feel stupid!
They also have four dogs. Two are puppies, only 4 weeks old. Jess and I are in heaven. They are the cutest things I have ever seen. Their names are Nip and Tuck. hahahaha.
Yesterday we got here and they immediately took us to a family bbq. It reminded me of home, except I was in an Italian countryside home and everyone was speaking a different language. It was exactly what you would think an Italian family to be like. Fun and friendly, great food, lots of food, did I mention the food? And wine and wine and lemon cello. They really know how to have a good time.
Today they drove us to the seaside city called Trieste. It was beautiful. It was once owned by Austria until WW1 when Italy took it back. We visited this castle that is now a university for astronomy. I think that will be my new major...
All in all it has been an amazing experience. Unfortunetly, Karen is not here with us to share in it. I miss her already. She was sent to work down south, and hopefully we can work together soon.
Tomorrow is my first day of work, and I think I am ready. I feel like this past week has been challenging, but I feel more confident and ready for the next step.
Miss you all. xoxo
ciao!
They also have four dogs. Two are puppies, only 4 weeks old. Jess and I are in heaven. They are the cutest things I have ever seen. Their names are Nip and Tuck. hahahaha.
Yesterday we got here and they immediately took us to a family bbq. It reminded me of home, except I was in an Italian countryside home and everyone was speaking a different language. It was exactly what you would think an Italian family to be like. Fun and friendly, great food, lots of food, did I mention the food? And wine and wine and lemon cello. They really know how to have a good time.
Today they drove us to the seaside city called Trieste. It was beautiful. It was once owned by Austria until WW1 when Italy took it back. We visited this castle that is now a university for astronomy. I think that will be my new major...
All in all it has been an amazing experience. Unfortunetly, Karen is not here with us to share in it. I miss her already. She was sent to work down south, and hopefully we can work together soon.
Tomorrow is my first day of work, and I think I am ready. I feel like this past week has been challenging, but I feel more confident and ready for the next step.
Miss you all. xoxo
ciao!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Still in San Remo
This city is so beautiful. The coast, the mountains, the palm trees. I love it.
Tomorrow is the last day of training, and we will find out which city we will be working in. I suppose we will jump on an overnight train, or leave first thing in the morning. Monday will be my first day of teaching. I am excited. And nervous. We have been given a lot of ideas for lesson plans, songs and games to play with the kids. But I will still have a lot to learn.
Yesterday we had several groups of Italian kids come and spend the day with us. They were amazing, and I had so much fun. But let me tell you how much energy you need to have to keep the attention of 10 kids for 8 hours a day.
Let me just say that espresso is my best friend.
ciao
Tomorrow is the last day of training, and we will find out which city we will be working in. I suppose we will jump on an overnight train, or leave first thing in the morning. Monday will be my first day of teaching. I am excited. And nervous. We have been given a lot of ideas for lesson plans, songs and games to play with the kids. But I will still have a lot to learn.
Yesterday we had several groups of Italian kids come and spend the day with us. They were amazing, and I had so much fun. But let me tell you how much energy you need to have to keep the attention of 10 kids for 8 hours a day.
Let me just say that espresso is my best friend.
ciao
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Wow what can I say? So much is happening. And computers are few and far between, so forgive me if I don't update this very often....
Venice was great, the city is amazing. Only it was pretty rainy and sun would have been nice. But I will take what I can get. It was a nice little ending to my vaca. And now I am ready for work....well kind of...
I started camp yesterday, and I can honestly say I am a little overwhelmed!!!! Its a lot to take in. I mean, I have never taught a class, and I thought I'd have an assistant who knew what they were doing. hahahaha. But I will have 10 little Italian children of my very own!
This week is training, so I will have a little time before I completely am on my own. But I love kids, so I think I will do alright. It is all so different than anything I have ever done before. But I say bring on the challenge! It is very exciting.
There is still time for people to apply...any of you folks that want to work in Italy. They have another training session in August...hint hint Joey...
Venice was great, the city is amazing. Only it was pretty rainy and sun would have been nice. But I will take what I can get. It was a nice little ending to my vaca. And now I am ready for work....well kind of...
I started camp yesterday, and I can honestly say I am a little overwhelmed!!!! Its a lot to take in. I mean, I have never taught a class, and I thought I'd have an assistant who knew what they were doing. hahahaha. But I will have 10 little Italian children of my very own!
This week is training, so I will have a little time before I completely am on my own. But I love kids, so I think I will do alright. It is all so different than anything I have ever done before. But I say bring on the challenge! It is very exciting.
There is still time for people to apply...any of you folks that want to work in Italy. They have another training session in August...hint hint Joey...
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