Mi piacciono

A few things I like:

How wonderful my roommate Gloria is. I'm finally to a point where we can communicate beyond gesturing, so I can talk to her about my classes, ask her what's she's doing during the day, how she feels, and so on. Today I was in the room reading out loud to myself (to practice my pronunciation) and she came in to get something, but instead of just leaving she sat down and listened and helped me. It was just such a nice and simple gesture. I was reading Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", yes British poetry in Italian, and she said it was beautiful. Probably the poem, not my reading.

The fact that today at the mensa (university cafeteria) I sat and talked in Italian with a guy from Toga. Isn't that just crazy? My native language is English, his is French, and we got to know each other a little in Italian. I just love it.

Non mi piacciono:

The weather today--crummy and reminiscent of Edinburgh. But I got a lot of studying done, AND bought a bicycle! My friend Adriana and I went to a bike shop and bought some used road bikes so we can go on trips around Tuscany with the Siena cycling club and hopefully do some things on our own as well. I'm so excited! We're picking them up tomorrow and will of course be getting some little helmets and locks as well.

My intensive Italian class è finito. This is good because I will have more time to explore but sad because I have really enjoyed it and learned so much. So goes life though, time for a little change. I foresee March being a wonderful month!