Informal Lessons and Plans

Last week’s Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were largely dedicated to my group’s first major project. Lots of research, ideas, discussion, debate and emotions. I’d say my major role was that of secretary and facilitator. A role I felt I had to take on almost by default. It brought back memories of my old days at APIRG.

Our group presented our concept along with the other three groups in the class that Thursday. There were many things about our group dynamics that really opened my eyes to a lot of issues that I never took much notice of before. I think I gained a new appreciation for management, and an understanding of why English teachers are in such demand world-wide.

Over lunch, I had a great discussion about relationships with the same Indian classmate/cousin/temporary roommate as before, that echoed my sentiments that I had when I wrote my last posting for my The Road Not Taken blog. The most memorable line he said was (pretty close to an exact quote): "Make sure the relationships you put your efforts into are clear. Because if they are not clear, your whole world will be screwed up." What a cousin.

That evening I also had some sense knocked into me by my Chilean roommate in a passionate speech about social expectations and money. I don’t really have a quote of his, but the general idea was that I don’t take these two things seriously enough. To use some of his words, I’m “like an animal” (refering to my tendency to eat just about anything) and should be more concerned about being remembered as the guy who eats like one. I think this was the first time I saw myself this way. What a roommate.

Friday was a holiday in Milan. St. Ambrogio day. All my roommates left the city for Naples and Riga (Latvia), leaving me alone, with the apartment to myself. I couldn’t stand the thought of staying home the entire weekend because of a lack of funds. So, I did the only logically thing: rely on credit. A thing that I feel I’ve been doing too much here, but the best way I think I could have managed. It’s times like this that I both love and hate “the system”.

I met my newfound German friends from salsa that afternoon. We had coffee and then explored the old castle market (where only tourists apparently go). I didn’t know this until I met them that day, but they’re part of a larger expate German babysitter community (some more of which we met in the market). It was a really stange discovery for me, which is why I include it here.

We spent a good hour or so there, then I got lost. Typical. Luckily, I found some of my classmates and stayed with them the rest of the time. All I could really say about that, was food. A lot of food! This is indeed what Italy is known for. I bought roasted chestnuts (which I happen to hate now), and the others got a lot of food from Sicily. Once again, as my junior high french teacher would say, it was “to die for”. In the evening, we went to another classmate’s houseparty, where a bunch of us stayed overnight, dancing a bit of salsa, eating small sandwiches and watching home-made videos.

The next day, I tried to go the salsa congress I mentioned earlier, but gave it up when I realized it would have been too hard to get to in time. And it was probably a good thing that I did.

When I got back to my apartment, the Romanian girl who I met last year in Modena messaged me. After coordinating a trip with a fellow classmate, I made it there the next day.

Being a Sunday in a small Italian town, meant time for church once again. It was cold and raining, so even though there was a market in the central square, the cathedral also seemed a warmer alternative. I met the Romanian girl after the service. She looked different from what I remembered, but it was nevertheless good to see her again. She invited me to her home, where I met her mother and aunt. It was a strangely familiar experience. After a lot of good food, practicing my Italian, and helping to decorate their Christmas tree, I was invited to stay an extra day. I didn’t have a change of clothes with me, but accepted the invitation nevertheless.

The next day, we were visited by my friend’s priest. Naturally, over coffee and later in their church, he told me of the benefits of their religion. It wasn’t done in a demining way, and I didn’t think it was the reason why I was invited to stay an extra day, so I didn’t mind. I even ended up helping to clean their church.

The rest of my time in Modena was spent touring the town, eating and praticing more Italian. Upon, leaving the two of us said we would spend more time together. I really hope so.

On Tuesday, I spent a large part of the day buying things for Christmas, paying off my bus ticket, and cleaning the apartment. In the evening, I went salsa dancing at a place called Tropicana. Although I could only stay for an hour (due to the metro schedule), it was a really nice time.

On Wednesday, I woke up with a very heavy head, that grew into a really bad headache. And to make matters worse, a good portion of the morning class was focused on a discussion about our course. A lot of dissatisfaction on the part of us students. I even took a risk and voiced some of my own concerns. It was nice that our professor, also the director of the program, was open to our opinions. Nevertheless, a lot of doubts remained with us.

On my way back to the apartment, I spoke with a classmate from Brazil and another from Indonesia. They came up with a good metaphor for what we are going through as a group though. It’s like we’re going through military service. We know it’s painful and hard (though not very disciplined), and a lot has to be done on the students’ part to get what we want, but hopefully we are stronger afterwards.

I had a long nap that evening, and woke to the return of my roommates who had gone to Naples.

Today, it was back to normal. Whatever that is.