Casino

Casino meaning confusion and chaos... ie how people seem to use it in Italian.

I haven't written for a few days, more or less on purpose. I know it would be unreasonable to keep up the kind of pace I was on so I am slowing down a bit, amalgamating things.

This week has been sort of hectic because I am doing my last week at orientation school while also starting (or at least attempting to start) university courses. I don't really feel like going through everything so far blow by blow, but here is where it stands now.

I have been to all but one meeting of a course called "History of the Foreign Relations of Italy." So far it seems to be pretty good. I have had sort of conversations with two students, the professor knows I am foreign... and I understood more of lecture today than I did on Tuesday (yes, it is in Italian for those of you who are wondering). I know the time period and subject matter we are discussing and even some of the major themes! Yay! But I will have aids such as a tutor, doing legwork in my spare time, and borrowing notes from others to fill in the gaps of what I don't catch.

I tried out another class yesterday afternoon and decided no (too hard, not interesting enough, but good to try) and then tried to go to another this afternoon... but there was no one there, in the room specified on all the information. I waited like 35 minutes before giving up for sure. Who knows... but I e-mailed the professor and we will see if I get a response.

The goal is 3 classes, so the options remaining are one that I scoped out which doesn't start until October (not worth going into detail but they divide the semester into 3 parts here). Or, I could take a course on history or something at Lettere e Filosofia, the part of the university I was thinking of attending only next semester. Now it seems like it might work to mix the two faculties to get better flexibility. But Lettere starts either this week or the next week... and of course I don't know the exact schedule of courses at the moment. So things are a little bit still up in the air... and I was a bit frustrated earlier today when the course I thought would be there wasn't. But bit by bit... I will get there. And I think my schedule in terms of hours in class per week will be pretty light compared to usual at Georgetown.

Things otherwise are good. I have been talking more and more with Centro Fiorenza students and today even talked to two students at the university. There are always tons of people here (at the university) and it is sort of weird not to know anyone... but I knew that would happen. The worst thing is walking through a cloud of cigarette smoke every time I enter or exit a building. Italy has moved toward no smoking in most buildings... but outside you can really tell how many more people here smoke compared to the U.S. I just try to hold my breath as much as possible.

I have found I do some of my best thinking on the bus. Once I find a seat, I don't know... I can just zone out and really think. I enjoy it.

In class at Centro Fiorenza this week we have also been talking a lot about stereotypes, immigration, things like that. I am always learning more and more about life in Italy and life in Europe, and how they relate to and view the rest of the world. I find it all really interesting.

This weekend I am going to try to go to an exhibit on Impressionism in a museum here in Florence, it only runs through Sept 28. I might go with Mairi, the girl from my class. Otherwise, not sure yet what I am doing this weekend, but it will be nice to have more time to take it easy. Doing both schools this week has led to some long days. I can't believe I have been here almost three weeks already... the last two have really flown.

I think that is the update for now - I will write again when I have more to share!