What a special country...

On this particular morning I am using special in the sarcastic/ironic sense. Today was incident/occurrence #500 (probably) that will make me a more patient and tolerant person by the time I return to the US. Here is the latest chapter in my saga of trying to understand the Italian education system and sign up for exams -

As you probably know, I was supposed to "reserve" my spot for two Scienze Politiche exams, to take place today and tomorrow. The one for today was actually only to officially get my grade, as I already did the exam in November and I know how I did. But for making it a matter of record, apparently they designate a time and day to do the exam. I was not finding my exam slots online to register like I should, so first I asked my tutor. Then I asked Lucia. Then Lucia directed me to the office for foreign students. Then I e-mailed my professors. Then one of my professors didn't e-mail me back so I went to her office hours last week to ask what time of day I should show up and to which classroom. I made sure to be at the right room promptly at 10 am today, and I was one of a few from class in addition to many from a couple other of her classes. And you want to know what she said? What with the technical problems, the forms that they produce for us to get our grades (somehow) aren't even ready, and we will have to get the grades in January instead...

Really Italy? Really? I am not even stressed out by this so much as mildly annoyed and less surprised than you would think.

At least now I am here at the Scienze Politiche library to work on my paper for tomorrow. Oh yeah, I have to e-mail that professor to find out where and when I need to go tomorrow because he didn't respond to those questions yet even though I have asked him... always an adventure...

I am working on a post about my weekend but for now I need to focus on the school stuff - I will hopefully finish it tomorrow after the exam. If you'd like to see my daytrip Saturday in pictures, check out Picasa.

If you are a student taking finals I hope they're going well! If you are an adult working I hope things aren't too hectic in the middle of the Christmas season!