Good Rain

This morning when I pushed away the curtains I was presented with a grim panorama. Puddles had formed everywhere- all over the construction sites, on roofs, on balconies, in every dip in the road. I felt tired, but moved quickly so that I could have time to eat a bowl of cereal and drink some maté de coca, which my mama kindly sent in a package.

I sat eating my breakfast, looking out the big windows in the kitchen / living room. The rain was pounding against our balcony, and gusts of wind beat against the windows. I had the thought that possibly our building was going to fall over from topheaviness, since the only inhabited floor is the top!

Over the Mediterranean, I could see miniscule patches of shiny, rainless areas, moving as slowly as the clouds across the turbulent waters. I enjoyed watching the rain over the ocean, being able to see where the heavy spots were, or where there was none. I watched some news, which I am starting to really enjoy here, because I can understand tidbits of information. There was a program about how Barack Obama’s hair is turning grey- if nothing else the fact that there was a program about this all the way in Italy is indication of his importance! He looked serious and noble speaking to a crowd, his brow furrowed, his eyes showing nothing but concentration.

Maria gave me a massive yellow umbrella, definitely the largest umbrella I have ever seen. I reluctantly took it, saying that I didn’t really need it, that I had a hat and hood, but she insisted.

School was enjoyable today. Each day is getting better at Liceo MLK because I can understand a little more of what the teachers say, and the teachers are all really sweet and patient with me, often stopping to address me personally to make sure I know where we are in a textbook, to clarify a fact, a word, an idea. I appreciate it so much, and I think they appreciate the time I am putting in to learn the language and material.

Big news! I had my first oral interrogation yesterday in Italian class, taught by one of my favorite teachers, Professoresa Quaranta. I was to explain the reform of Italian “Commedie del Arte,” a 17th century form of entertainment. The reform was led by Carlo Goldoni (… era nato in Venezia in il anno 1709…) and progressed with landmarks such as the play “La Dona del Garbo,” in which every cast member had a written script, a new idea at the time. It was actually pretty fun; I was exhilarated to be able to explain this in Italian. At the end of the interrogation, I received a round of applause, and a perfect 10 in the book! Obviously this ten was a confidence booster, because I know my grammar was pretty iffy, but for my first time I think I did a good job. Wanted to share that landmark with you all!

So, today in school I spent a lot of the day looking out the window at a yellow tree across the road that was swaying violently in the wind. Leaves were blowing off, and at some points I wondered if it was going to fall over! The whole class stopped a few times to marvel at the power of the rain and wind- I couldn’t help but laugh, it was just so intense.

Got home, ate a really nice lunch of pasta and salmon. Spent the afternoon studying verb conjugations for my tutor. Walked over to the tutor’s house in the rain, and recited the many, many conjugations that I had studied. Did pretty well, but it is so intricate, and often pattern-less, so I had to struggle through a few. We ended up having a long conversation of college, life in America, New York City, etc. It was nice to just have a long conversation in Italian, especially with someone who knows a little bit of English so that I can explain things as much as I can in Italian, and if I can’t, he can help me translate.

Returned home, in the rain. Worked out in my room listening to the NPR podcast “All Songs Considered.” Really awesome, they had a program on Brian Eno and David Byrne’s new album. Totally free, and with hours of music available. Really excited to have discovered this!

Showered, got dressed in pj’s, and am planning on watching a movie later. I’m totally content just hanging out, listening to the rain, writing, relaxing. When else in my life can I do that?

Hope all is great on the homefront. Miss you all.

P.S. Listening to the newest Death Cab for Cutie album, "Narrow Stairs," and I would strongly suggest it. Favorite song so far "Long Division."