So I sang it. A cappello. Scared out of what wits I have left.
But once I was done, they clapped and all were cheery. I know that usually doing something crazy while abroad includes a bunjee rope, or a airplane, or too much beer, or all of the above, (and I'm not discounting these ideas from my plans) but this was pretty crazy for the moment. Afterwards, we all helped the boys carry their equipment to the car and one nice lady gave me a ride home.
These are all the pictures I got. Cherish them.
Alessandra, the organizer, and coworker of hers, reading a very hilarious skit that I understood nothing of. Don't worry, I laughed anyways.
One of the singers of the night. Not the one who sang Hallelujah, but he was just as great.
Now, the moment you've all really been waiting for....
SNOW! Ah! I was SO excited on Wedneday, when after cineforum, I walked out of the building to a nice skiff of snow on the ground and cars! It was so great! And in the morning Leo came banging on my door to show me! I pretended I hadn't seen it already.
And then, two days later, it snowed again! Like a lot, and big huge flakes, too. There is about 3 inches of snow, which by the sounds of it is A LOT for here. Like, too much. I say, not enough. But, there are chains on the tires of the buses and cars and there are snowplows out and about. There were only 4 people in Leo's class yesterday. Yes, I said yesterday. They have school on Saturdays here, if I hadn't already mentioned that.
Anways, here are some pictures from the snow in the last week:
Walking from Cineforum
A piazza with lights and snow and everything!
A car with Buono! (Good) written on the windsheild. There was a different word on every car parked on the street. Someone else was pretty excited, too!
The day after, walking Bella! She thinks the snow is just nifty.
My bus stop and my bus! With snow!
Bella drinking from a puddle that has been here for over a month. Gross. It was turning kind of slushy at this point, though!
The park... with, you guessed it, snow!
I think I have some of these same pictures withough snow, too. It's fun to compare!
Mine and Bella's footprints
A rose with snow. This is why I love Italy. There will be flowers all year, whether is snows or not. It's just that furtile and just not that cold. People are still putting out fresh flowers in their pots.
Benny at Leo's schoolyard. There was a sort of festival where Leo sang, "So This is Christmas" (Is that the actual name of it? I don't think so, but you all know what I'm talking about) with his class.
Leo at the school
Waiting for the bus the day that it snowed more! I had two shots of them here, Benny looked the same in both. She thought it was hilarious.
The street where I live.
The girls experimenting with the snow.
Across the street from the bus stop. Not the same one as from the other picture, just incase you were confused.
More snow!
Then, today, after the snow had time to settle and the clouds headed out, leaving only the sun and happy thoughts, I took the kids out to play! Here you have it:
My first Italian Snow Angel!
Me and the girls. Leo is pretty good with the camera.
Someone had gone and written TI AMO (I love you) in the snow in big letters.
Benny and Leo on the hill, ready to Bob, as they call it, and Sarah chilling out on the hill behind them. The yellow building behind them is ours.
Bella! Look at her short little coat of hair!
This kids!
Me and Bella and Bob and Leo's glove. I said he was pretty good, not really good.
My new boots! Yes! Sadly to say, my rubber boots have failed me horribly and broke in three places. My feet have been pretty wet up til Saturday when I hit up the market. (This is also where the title of my post comes in. I have boughten boots. I really just wanted to show off that I've been studying the past perfect tense and I'm acing it.)
While Leo and Benny rode with Bob, Sarah and I made heart patterns in the snow. She kept saying over and over again, "Uno grandissimo, grandissimo, grandissimo.... (and so one) cuore." (A really big, really big, really big... (and so on) heart.)
More of the landscape
Our building and Sarah at the table and Leo by the tree. I don't really know where Benny was at this point. In the snow? Definately. (Also, in case you didn't know, you can click on the pictures and they should open in a new window much bigger and more wonderful)
The sun! And the snow! My perfect winter day!
Me and the landscape. And a new touque from the market. I also got real wool socks. Knee highs.
So, may my newly winterized face be a Ciao and Happy Holidays to you! As for the holidays here, I had a hard few in this week. I was very deperately wondering why on Earth I was here for Christmas and not at home with my wonderful family and amazing friends.
Then it snowed, and you know when you're at a party, and you hardly know anyone, and you really just feel like leaving, but maybe something fun or interesting will happen, so you stick around, and then, all of a sudden, your best friend shows up and you have a lighter heart and a really gret time? That's how I felt when it snowed. I know that Canadians know best of all that weather affects mood drastically, but this was a slap in the face reminder for me.
After I felt better, I had the best day with the kids I think I have ever had, and I head out tonight to Valentina and Andrea's for our last dinner before Christmas and my trip. I just need to remember, that even when it's rainy and cold here, I have a home and family and friends here. And even when I am lonely, when it is rainy and cold, I have the most amazing home and the most wonderful people in Canada who I cannot wait to see in June. I truly, honestly wish I could hop on home, even if just for Christmas day to sit in front of the tree with my family and watch the snow from the front window and the fake fire on TV and sing carols and eat oranges and make cookies with Lisa and go skidooing with Rollie and make nuts and bolts with Mom and serve brunch with Dad (Apparently I'm missing the food a lot right now), but I know that being here is going to be wonderful and fun, if I want it to be. And I do, so I am going to make it that way.
Also, I have been smartly reminded by Peter that I really haven't told you much about the traditions going on here. I am going to take some pictures today and tomorrow and post them along with what I have learned about how the Christmas season is celebrated here. I think I never really thought of it, because so far it's been pretty much the same, or so I thought. When he brought it up, I realised it really is quite different, in the little things, and few big ones.
I also think my newly found lightheartedness comes from the fact that I have finally finished all of my shopping. For the kids and everything. Sigh of relief. I also have boots and everything I need for winter, as well as train tickets for Swizeraland a week from Tuesday. I feel relaxed, festive, and I have gelato as a Christmas Present for Val and Andy, as I will now be referring to them. She is making pizza tonght and I am bringing the wine, as always. Looking forward to tonight and the next week.
I hope you all are, too. I know many of you are either awaiting a trip home, making a trip home or finished a trip home. I'm wishing you all safe roads and warm weather, this week before Christmas! And trust me, coming from someone whose heart has gone from feeling like a lump of that cold, slimy gunk in a forgotten slew, to a balloon full of sunshine, if you need some help getting into the spirit, but up some decorations, play some good ol' Christmas tunes, make some cookies, talk to the people you love and play with kids in the snow. That's about all you need. Ever.
Auguri!
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