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!

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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

Spring has arrived!

This was the first Saturday I've had in awhile without commitments or plans, so I headed out to the local market this morning to practice my Italian. Thankfully, that went without any traumatizing events and I came home with apples and strawberries to enjoy this week. This afternoon, I went for a walk through Opera and saw all kinds of flowers blooming. When I got home, I grabbed my camera and went for the same walk a second time; this time taking pictures of all the evidence Spring had arrived.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day, especially those in Savannah! I hate to miss the Woo party at the Hilton...good food, good drinks, accessible bathrooms, but most importantly, great friends!

My sister, me, and my mom on St. Pat's last year in Savannah...

An Anniversary of Sorts

So, where were you a year ago today?

For most of you, you probably don't remember March 11, 2011. It was a day much like any other. Except for one notable detail. A year ago today I received an email that changed quite a bit. An email that offered me the opportunity to live in Italy. An email that changed a lot about the course of my life, both personally and professionally.

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But, it's been a few weeks since I've reported in on this blog. It seems so much easier to share my thoughts when I've been someplace new or have something of particular interest to share. And, today, I'm just hanging out on the couch, enjoying a relaxing day off with no great stories of visits to fabulous places or anything of the sort.

The weather has taken a turn for the better and it is a relief that my winter coat can be put away for the time being. While I actually love coats, I was getting really tired of having to wear several layers, a hat, gloves, and scarf along with a huge coat every time I stepped out the door. I went back to riding my bike to work this week and took an hour long walk today around the corn fields in the morning sun.

I, of course, have been keeping busy. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm participating in the CoETaIL program. The first course is just wrapping up and our work is due this coming week. Thankfully, I knocked out the final project this morning. Part of the course requirements are to keep a blog on their site, so now I am also writing a second five.one.five.zero.zero site through WordPress. I've linked it in this post, but it is also on the list of "Blogs I Follow" in the right hand side bar list of gadget and such. If you are a teacher, which many of my readers are, you should consider blogging, and, perhaps even more importantly, reading blogs of other educators around the world. So, I've been using Google Reader and Feedly and now am reading 45 some odd blogs on a regular basis. I am a firm believer that the best teachers are looking outside their classroom walls, and walls of their school for ideas, activities and collaboration. Reading blogs is one step in this direction. So, enough on that soap box.

In other news, the MAIS (Mediterranean Association of International Schools) held a special education and technology conference at ASM this weekend. Since there was a technology focus, I had the chance to be involved and attend some of the conference sessions. While I was not blown away by the material that was shared, I did learn a few new things and met some great people. Here's hoping for the chance for more of these opportunities!

Until the next time...