Local Happenings

Hi all! Not too much happening these days in the little town of Opera. Since White Week back in February I haven't left the local Milan area, and it's actually been kind of nice to check out some more local places. And, have a chance to just lay low and relax. Of course, I haven't even made a dent, but each time I go someplace new I'm glad I got the chance to go!

Some rights reserved by celine nadeau

A couple of Fridays ago, we had a girls' night and headed out to the middle-of-nowhere Milan to see a band, The Goodwines, play. The band's drummer is married to a teacher I work with and I had been waiting for a chance to hear them play. We had a really great time and realized that Italians don't really move with the music, so we were the only ones offering much audience participation. I had a really great time and thought their set was fantastic! Check out their site...they sing in English, but all the conversation between songs was in Italian.

Last Sunday, I met up with some fellow ASM teachers and had the closest thing I've seen to an American meal for lunch- a bacon cheddar burger from Tizzy's Bar and Grill. So delicious! And yesterday I went to my first movie in Milan. Each week, one movie is shown in English at different theaters on different nights. So  last night we headed into the city to see The Descendants. I thought the movie was good, but it was just nice to be able to see something in English. I was, however, distracted by the Italian subtitles and the constant use of profanity did help me learn at least one Italian bad word.

Just finished the Stramilano!

Last week, "Flat Carter" arrived here in Milan. Laurie's little boy, Carter, is already in Kindergarten and working on a Flat Stanley-esque project. I've been busy taking Flat Carter to various places in Opera and Milan. Flat Carter might get the chance to go to Amsterdam this weekend with a friend of mine, and Spring Break in Cinque Terre is just around the corner.

Picnicking in the park 

Meeting the Principal