The Workings of a Good Week

After the difficulties of last week, it is with great joy that I can say with certainty that this was a really nice week. The bike really freed me up, helped a ton, and I have been able to go to the pool a few times. It is truly amazing how the need to "burn off steam" manifests throughout my day. I reach a point sometimes, usually right after lunch, where I am so frustrated, tired, burnt out, sometimes angry, that I know I just need to get myself moving, get myself woken up and relaxed. 

The pool is a really fun experience. Getting the system down, which makes it a lot easier, and am building up in my strength in the water. So relaxing and fun to swim, the best being when my timing works out that the sun is setting out the window of the pool and reflecting off the water. The ultimate! 

I have discovered the cappuccino. I like them better than espresso's, and have had one a day, at school. Want to learn how to make them right, so I can have them at home!

Some very good news: My school is taking a trip to Emilia Romagna for a week, and for some reason I assumed I couldn't go, but yesterday I mentioned it to my mom and she gave me the greenlight, so on April 21st I will be taking an overnight ship from Palermo to Rome (so cool), boarding a bus to Romagna, and spending a week exploring that region  of Italy, including the Republic of San Marino, Urbino, Ravena, Bologna, Rimini, and more. So excited about that! 

On Saturday I go to Verona! I am leaving early morning and spending a week. AFS organized it all, and I am really excited. Am going to see Milan, Venice, and I'm sure a million other amazing places. 

At school yesterday a teacher came in to our class room and smacked a kid on the back of the head much harder than I expected. Then he did it to another kid, and another. Italian punishment! Hilarious and fascinating. 

I'm off to work out and then later later go to see "La Matassa,"  an Italian comedy with two Sicilian actors. We're seeing it really late, and I am expecting it to be really funny. Ciao!

Zander

P.S. 

Reading: "The Last Temptation of Christ" by Nikos Kazantzakis (Loving every word), and "Fiabe Italiane" by Italo Calvino

Listening: "All Songs Considered" NPR Podcast (Free, and awesome music, new and old)

Watching: "Weeds" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"