So now I totally understand why just about everyone who has a blog starts out each entry with, "Sorry I haven't written in so long..." although, I would like to think I have a better excuse, or at least one that I feel comfortable with: I paid €20 for a month internet connection in my apartment (about 30 USD) and it is by far the best test in patience I have ever encountered. People always say, "Wow, special education, you must be patient." I have never had to remind myself to be patient with a student, but not throwing my computer out of the window is a totally different story (Don't worry daddy, I wouldn't actually do it). So now I am in the LdM computer lab between classes with fantastic internet connection and attempting to navigate an Italian keyboard which is quite fun and quirky. Where to begin...

Class started this week! Of course I took a first day of school photo mom and dad!

This topic seems like something everyone is interested in :) I am absolutely in love with my classes. I start at 9:00 on Tuesday monring with my Italian 101 course. It is very cute and fun to learn the basics of a language over again. I frequently find myself struggling not to say phrases in French and Spanish. Somehow, the 2 or 3 things I actually know how to say in Spanish keep coming out in full force here. My professor is a Florentine native and not surprisingly, most people here are. Italy is very family focused and the children tend to grow up and raise their families close to their parents and grandparents and so on. I think it is a beautiful way to live. She did, however, come to the States for a portion of time and taught Italian at UNC! Upon hearing this, I jumped up excitedly and told her that I am from Durham, NC! I think we will be good friends. Not to mention, today after class she had us all stay an extra 5 minutes to tell us what Disco/Bars to avoid and where to go to meet nice normal Italians who do not prey on American girls. Side note: Apparently, at a lot of Discos (or Discoes?), people will try to pass as Italian men to pick up girls. Albanian men are known for using their looks to pretend to be Italian and fulfill the "Italian Stallion" fantasy... smart, creepy, and no worries Patrick, not for me! Oh and in case anyone is curious, a disco(teca) is a club, a caffe and a bar are interchangable, and a Tabbachi store sells Stamps and Cigs, two essentials. Three cheers for getting side-tracked!

So, after a small break, I go to my History course called The Holocaust: Jewish and Christian Responses. Such an interesting course with an incredible professor. I am so impressed by the level of studying we will be doing in this class. We started class on Tuesday by going on a walking tour to understand why it is important to study the Holocaust in Europe: "the history is written on the walls". We walked to Orsanmichele Church and heard this story:

In 1492, the Jews were kicked out of Spain and came to Italy to find work as accountants. They were wanted here for their work but at the same time were seen as a threat to the Church and society by the majority. Because of this, they were districted to a Ghetto so people of Firenze knew where they were and so they could not infiltrate the system. This ghetto was completely wiped out in the late 1800s because the Italians were embarassed by the area. They left not physical memory of the ghetto existing at all. Now, this area is a rich shopping district called the Piazza della Republicca. An archway stands in the Piazza as a mark of the city and above the arch, a plaque states that the "scum" that existed in this place before was eliminated and the city was renewed and restored without it. Catch the Anti-Semitic view point still in place? When the Jews came to Firenze, Lorenzo de Medici was in rule and was seen as a protector of the Jews. In 1493, he died and shortly following an important event took place. A young Jewish man got into a fight with some young Catholic men. It was a typical boy's fight between hormonal 20 year old men, but the Jewish man was accused of bludgeoning a statue of Mary and Child during this fight. As his punishment, he was sentenced to death by dismemberment. At each church in Firenze, he was to be displayed and a body part was to be removed as payment for his crime. Fortunately, he was saved the torture due to a mob who killed him instantly at the first church, however, the process still continued. The statue remains at the Orsanmichele Church with a plaque stating this event. Historians believe the man was innocent. The plaque reads he admitted to the crime and the church was justified.

How's that for diving right in?
I also have digital photography on Tuesday nights which makes for a pretty intense day. But the first class, we spent time reading the syllabus (all 6 pages), introducing ourselves with questions ranging from "What's your favorite book?" to "What goal do you want to realize in life?" Hello class, my name is Martha, I love Harry Potter and in life, I want to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilites and their families and be able to give more of myself and my possessions. Wanna be friends on facebook? :) The last 2 and a half hours were spent making a collage about myself. I spent the whole 2.5 hours of course and I believe Mr. Thompson would be proud.

Okay more later tonight maybe?
Ciao!