Last night, after having walked all of Rome on foot to find a pair of Birkenstocks (Which I did finally buy a pair, very comfortable. Those babies are NOT cheap...) I went to a church very close to where I am staying, Basilica Maria sopra Minerva, where St. Catherine of Siena's remains are (Very good!) to see a Great Britain's National Children's Orchestra concert. (It's actually kind of funny the way it happened because I had been wanting to go see a performance, and while I had been in the church earlier in the day, I saw a sign that advertised this children's orchestra free of charge. So I was like, 'Hey! That's awesome!' and went of course. )Now, I don't ever expect things of that nature to be that great, considering can never really be too sure how good things will be anymore, especially in the music world, especially with programs, ESPECIALLY when they are free. Boy did I eat my words...
I went into the church, which was pretty much full, and waited for the concert to start. It started late (In other words, it started in Italian time...) and began with a few speaches given by the director, etc. etc. When it began, I was literally BLOWN away. Those kids were so good, I couldn't even believe it. And it wasn't as if they were playing easy repertoire, either. So out of curiousity, I looked in the program to see what this program was all about. Guess how old these children were? Just guess...7-14 years old. 7-14 YEARS OLD! That did it for me. Kudos to those children who played last night, who should have been paid, ESP the soloists. Incredible talent. I felt so good afterwards that I had gelato for dinner, just because :)
And thus I continue to learn: Rule 45 (I figure I must be nearing 45 by now)- Don't make pre-judgements. Sometimes you will be SO surprised. Rule 46- Do NOT wave your arms frantically like a crazy person from the audience, in a church, to your child because a. ...they know you are there. A simple wave is sufficient if you would like to second that notion. b...it's totally embaressing.
Very positive night for me which was much, much needed. More than anything because that music was full of such JOY, and joy is such an addicting feeling when it is real and it is pure, which was definitely evident last night.
God is good.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
I Parrochini
Not too much new from this end, especially on the Santa Cecilia front, since it is the weekend, and I won't be able to do much until Monday. SO, I am taking my time to check some e-mails, and also go searching for a new pair of sandals, considering the only pair I brought with me broke while I was walking(Figures). I think I shall buy a pair of Birkenstocks, which, btw, are ridiculously popular here. I was really apalled actually. EVERYONE has a pair. It's actually pretty weird...But, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?...Sometimes...:) More than anything, I just need to take it easy today, and so, time for a story.
As you all know, this week Miriam accompanied me to my Italian exams, which was great, because talking to her really helped the 6 hour waiting periods pass by quickly(As much as that is even possible). On the frist day, the day which I had to wait the longest amount of time, we were telling stories of things that we have experienced, particular stories, that have really impacted our lives. Conversion stories, specific events, etc. So of course, I started to tell a story I once heard, told by a priest, who is a missionary, that has always stuck with me. While this particular priest was living in a very very poor town in the Dominican Republic, someone came into the church, where he said mass, and stole a great deal of things. So in the middle of my explaining this story, I wanted to say that the parishoners were so sad, that they began to cry. So imagine me (Most of you know how dramatic I can be, folks, especially when I am speaking of something that I felt has really impacted me.) The phrase in Italian is, ' I parrochiani(pa'-rroe-key-Aun-knee) erano triste, triste, e hanno cominciato a piangere.' Instead, with my very serious, emphatic face say 'I parrochini (pa'-rroe-KEY-knee) erano triste, triste, e hanno cominciato a piangere.' Which means 'The tupées were so, so sad, and they all started to cry.' Well, you can imagine me, thinking I am telling something so moving and Miriam bursted out in laughter. I, of course, at first, was like 'What the crap? That's not funny.' Then she apologized for laughing, which was her instinctive reaction, but then told me what I had said. And of course, I then began a series of laughter, which has stayed ever since. It is now the running joke between Miriam and I and also everyone else I have met, because I have let everyone know. Rule 1: Never take yourself too seriously. Rule 2: Amazing how just one letter makes all the difference...
All in my prayers!, as always, as I am office to purchase some Birkenstocks...Ouch. :)
As you all know, this week Miriam accompanied me to my Italian exams, which was great, because talking to her really helped the 6 hour waiting periods pass by quickly(As much as that is even possible). On the frist day, the day which I had to wait the longest amount of time, we were telling stories of things that we have experienced, particular stories, that have really impacted our lives. Conversion stories, specific events, etc. So of course, I started to tell a story I once heard, told by a priest, who is a missionary, that has always stuck with me. While this particular priest was living in a very very poor town in the Dominican Republic, someone came into the church, where he said mass, and stole a great deal of things. So in the middle of my explaining this story, I wanted to say that the parishoners were so sad, that they began to cry. So imagine me (Most of you know how dramatic I can be, folks, especially when I am speaking of something that I felt has really impacted me.) The phrase in Italian is, ' I parrochiani(pa'-rroe-key-Aun-knee) erano triste, triste, e hanno cominciato a piangere.' Instead, with my very serious, emphatic face say 'I parrochini (pa'-rroe-KEY-knee) erano triste, triste, e hanno cominciato a piangere.' Which means 'The tupées were so, so sad, and they all started to cry.' Well, you can imagine me, thinking I am telling something so moving and Miriam bursted out in laughter. I, of course, at first, was like 'What the crap? That's not funny.' Then she apologized for laughing, which was her instinctive reaction, but then told me what I had said. And of course, I then began a series of laughter, which has stayed ever since. It is now the running joke between Miriam and I and also everyone else I have met, because I have let everyone know. Rule 1: Never take yourself too seriously. Rule 2: Amazing how just one letter makes all the difference...
All in my prayers!, as always, as I am office to purchase some Birkenstocks...Ouch. :)
Friday, September 5, 2008
Official Results and other things...
O.k... SO ... The official results are in fact in and it is, as of now :), a 'No.' But as I have said, I am in the process of getting together with a teacher/administrator at Santa Cecilia, whom I have been in contact with for almost a year now. She has expressed wanting to have an appointment with me. I shall call her and see what happens and also try to speak to the director. And then if after that NOTHING happens, than I will know I have done all that I can. Certainly, in any situation, God's will be done because I am certainly open to listening.
This day and yesterday has been real emotional ride, because, as mentioned before, this is always a very difficult thing to deal with and just saddening in general. Però(but)...I can safely say this is nothing new to me, considering situations like this have definitely happened before and in the end, it has turned out to be, not necessarily, THE best, but FOR the best, the RIGHT thing, helping me learn more about myself and persevere. As far as I am concerned, I have had so many good things happen here in Rome and still very much believe I am supposed to be here for a while. These are just trying things that happen that teach meabout myself, as a person, my weaknesses, as difficult as they are to handle.This is certainly not, however, the worst thing that has happened, will happen, or the end of the world.
As a matter of fact, something pretty interesting happened to me on my way back from Santa Cecilia, after going to see the official results of the Italian exams. I went to mass at a church nearby Santa Cecilia, and then decided I would take a route I haven't taken before, just to see and explore, and LOW AND BEHOLD, guess what I found? I was walking, look up, and on the corner of the street I see a engraved plaque, on the side of a building which in 1591 was a Jesuit hospital (That was the year the plague struck Rome and the Jesuits opened a hopsital.), that stated that in 1591 Santo Luigi Gonzaga (St. Aloysius Gonzaga) died on the octave of Corpus Christi in this building, after having suffered with being sick himself for three months. Now, that might not seem significant to the average Joe, BUT for me St. Aloysius Gonzaga is extremely meaningful, considering that it was on his feast day (June 21) of 2007 that I had a profound experience at Old St. Joseph's, Philadelphia, PA (Also ironically Jesuit), which I feel has ultimately led me here to Rome. I don't believe in coincidences. :) and remembered this, which is something St. Aloysius Gonzaga lived by, 'He who loves God does not truly love Him if he is not in a constant and ardent desire to suffer for his sake.' Did I mention he is also the Patron Saint of the Youth? And that I have recently been informed about a group named 'Nouvi Orrizonti' who works specifically with battered youth, and was formed by a woman named Chiara Amirante, who was a student of Chiara Lubich, founder of the 'Focolare'?
Things are happening and who knows what will come from them. Maybe not what I am thinking might happen. But at the same time, nothing happens that coincidentally, and God works in VERY mysterious ways.
I love you all...and am praying, ESP to St. Aloysius Gonzaga... ;)
This day and yesterday has been real emotional ride, because, as mentioned before, this is always a very difficult thing to deal with and just saddening in general. Però(but)...I can safely say this is nothing new to me, considering situations like this have definitely happened before and in the end, it has turned out to be, not necessarily, THE best, but FOR the best, the RIGHT thing, helping me learn more about myself and persevere. As far as I am concerned, I have had so many good things happen here in Rome and still very much believe I am supposed to be here for a while. These are just trying things that happen that teach meabout myself, as a person, my weaknesses, as difficult as they are to handle.This is certainly not, however, the worst thing that has happened, will happen, or the end of the world.
As a matter of fact, something pretty interesting happened to me on my way back from Santa Cecilia, after going to see the official results of the Italian exams. I went to mass at a church nearby Santa Cecilia, and then decided I would take a route I haven't taken before, just to see and explore, and LOW AND BEHOLD, guess what I found? I was walking, look up, and on the corner of the street I see a engraved plaque, on the side of a building which in 1591 was a Jesuit hospital (That was the year the plague struck Rome and the Jesuits opened a hopsital.), that stated that in 1591 Santo Luigi Gonzaga (St. Aloysius Gonzaga) died on the octave of Corpus Christi in this building, after having suffered with being sick himself for three months. Now, that might not seem significant to the average Joe, BUT for me St. Aloysius Gonzaga is extremely meaningful, considering that it was on his feast day (June 21) of 2007 that I had a profound experience at Old St. Joseph's, Philadelphia, PA (Also ironically Jesuit), which I feel has ultimately led me here to Rome. I don't believe in coincidences. :) and remembered this, which is something St. Aloysius Gonzaga lived by, 'He who loves God does not truly love Him if he is not in a constant and ardent desire to suffer for his sake.' Did I mention he is also the Patron Saint of the Youth? And that I have recently been informed about a group named 'Nouvi Orrizonti' who works specifically with battered youth, and was formed by a woman named Chiara Amirante, who was a student of Chiara Lubich, founder of the 'Focolare'?
Things are happening and who knows what will come from them. Maybe not what I am thinking might happen. But at the same time, nothing happens that coincidentally, and God works in VERY mysterious ways.
I love you all...and am praying, ESP to St. Aloysius Gonzaga... ;)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
And so...
...I regret to say that I didn't pass my Italian Exam for Santa Cecilia, or those are at least the tentitive results. (They haven't been made official yet.)
I will explain the situation. This year there were 120 foreign candidates up for auditioning, of which the top 7 seven, and only the top 7, are invited back for an audition. This situation was made up due to the fact that in the past years so many people were allowed to audition after having a very easy/leniant Italian exam. Then it would happen that the people chosen for the school after the audition were, in fact, wonderful, very talented, but when it came to studying and going profoundly into different subjects, they couldn't understand what was going on, and would basically, as I understood, fail. This year is the first year they've adapted a system to change this situation. However, at all ends, the director of the school is the one who makes the final choices and decides who can audition. SOO, tomorrow I will return with Miriam, who took down the director's telephone number, so that we can make an appointment to talk to her about the situation. And also, I will talk with another professor I have been in contact with for the past few months.
In other words, I do in fact feel like I am supposed to fight for an audition at least and see what happens. THAT is very important for me to do. (And in fact reading today's reading's really 'concreted' that notion.) For one, I feel like it is what I have been brought here to do, and perhaps this is just something I have to work really hard for. And also, if I don't, I will always remember, 'Hmmm...I really felt like I should have worked for that, and I didn't because I was afraid to.' So I will try. And if I try and have no success, well than it will be saddening, as it always is when you audition and aren't accepted, especially after you have worked really hard, but at the same time, I will know that it wasn't God's will, as HARD as that is to accept, it's just the truth. And it always happens, at least in my life and I know that it must also in the lives of many others, that we are so dissapointed by these things and think how unjust it is that God took 'something away' that we worked so hard for, only to find out that the next thing we do ended up to be far more meaningful, and far more important in our lives, and most of all in the lives of those we can help, even though we are incapable of seeing how that works at first. Quindi(therefore), we shall what happens. Whichever way this situation goes, not that it will at all be easy to handle, it will be what's best. That just means God has something much bigger in store (Oh man...I can't even imagine what THAT would be like...) But this, I have rock solid faith in.
As always, from the city where everyone yells at you for no reason and you are told you can only practice at midnight, very lowly, so that no one can hear you, in my prayers, folks.
p.s. PLEASE continue to pray that I receive the virtue of patience and understanding, as I tend to want to say, to quote Minnie Driver in Return to Me, 'WHAT WAS GOD THINKING????' :)
Love you all...
I will explain the situation. This year there were 120 foreign candidates up for auditioning, of which the top 7 seven, and only the top 7, are invited back for an audition. This situation was made up due to the fact that in the past years so many people were allowed to audition after having a very easy/leniant Italian exam. Then it would happen that the people chosen for the school after the audition were, in fact, wonderful, very talented, but when it came to studying and going profoundly into different subjects, they couldn't understand what was going on, and would basically, as I understood, fail. This year is the first year they've adapted a system to change this situation. However, at all ends, the director of the school is the one who makes the final choices and decides who can audition. SOO, tomorrow I will return with Miriam, who took down the director's telephone number, so that we can make an appointment to talk to her about the situation. And also, I will talk with another professor I have been in contact with for the past few months.
In other words, I do in fact feel like I am supposed to fight for an audition at least and see what happens. THAT is very important for me to do. (And in fact reading today's reading's really 'concreted' that notion.) For one, I feel like it is what I have been brought here to do, and perhaps this is just something I have to work really hard for. And also, if I don't, I will always remember, 'Hmmm...I really felt like I should have worked for that, and I didn't because I was afraid to.' So I will try. And if I try and have no success, well than it will be saddening, as it always is when you audition and aren't accepted, especially after you have worked really hard, but at the same time, I will know that it wasn't God's will, as HARD as that is to accept, it's just the truth. And it always happens, at least in my life and I know that it must also in the lives of many others, that we are so dissapointed by these things and think how unjust it is that God took 'something away' that we worked so hard for, only to find out that the next thing we do ended up to be far more meaningful, and far more important in our lives, and most of all in the lives of those we can help, even though we are incapable of seeing how that works at first. Quindi(therefore), we shall what happens. Whichever way this situation goes, not that it will at all be easy to handle, it will be what's best. That just means God has something much bigger in store (Oh man...I can't even imagine what THAT would be like...) But this, I have rock solid faith in.
As always, from the city where everyone yells at you for no reason and you are told you can only practice at midnight, very lowly, so that no one can hear you, in my prayers, folks.
p.s. PLEASE continue to pray that I receive the virtue of patience and understanding, as I tend to want to say, to quote Minnie Driver in Return to Me, 'WHAT WAS GOD THINKING????' :)
Love you all...
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Yesterday,The day before,Today and Tomorrow, and BEYOND!
So I am anxiously awaiting for tomorrow to find out, if in fact, I passed that Italian Exam. (Please pray for me that I did!)
Some interesting things on today's front: I have a new roommate! (I was saying in a double room, but when I came, no one was there so I had a room to myself.) She is a 19 year old girl from Sicily who has SO much energy that it's hard to keep up with her...My goodness. But other than that, she is a very kind person who probably needs someone calm in her life. I HOPE that's where I come in.
These past few days have been very trying for me, as you have read, because they have truly been chaotic. I feel very blessed that I have friends here to help me through, and also all of you back home who are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. (You're all the best!) I truly feel like I am fitting in here, BUT that doesn't take away from how much I miss you all. Oh man. No one here is as AWESOME as any one of you, that's just the bottom line. But, I shall make due as best I can. (Keep in mind that if I win the lottery, all of you will have magic plane tickets that can fly you here at any time, ALL the time.)
I love you all, and I will keep you up to date on Santa Cecilia. In my prayers, always.
ciao ciao
Some interesting things on today's front: I have a new roommate! (I was saying in a double room, but when I came, no one was there so I had a room to myself.) She is a 19 year old girl from Sicily who has SO much energy that it's hard to keep up with her...My goodness. But other than that, she is a very kind person who probably needs someone calm in her life. I HOPE that's where I come in.
These past few days have been very trying for me, as you have read, because they have truly been chaotic. I feel very blessed that I have friends here to help me through, and also all of you back home who are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. (You're all the best!) I truly feel like I am fitting in here, BUT that doesn't take away from how much I miss you all. Oh man. No one here is as AWESOME as any one of you, that's just the bottom line. But, I shall make due as best I can. (Keep in mind that if I win the lottery, all of you will have magic plane tickets that can fly you here at any time, ALL the time.)
I love you all, and I will keep you up to date on Santa Cecilia. In my prayers, always.
ciao ciao
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Santa Cecilia 'Italian Exam':Second and Final Round
Well everyone, I have officially finished my Italian exam and the verdict should be in within the next few days (Or so they say...) I am just so glad it's over because this has been a lot of chaos taken off of my back, consistent over the past two days.
Miriam and I, left this morning, but stopped on our way for a coffee break. (Yea right...Like after yesterday's events I was really going to believe they were going to start precisely at 9a.m.) After having a cappucino with a heart drawn into the foam, we headed over to the school, which was SPLITTING with students...Again. Though, this morning, most of them were there for a Solfeggio test (Uh-oh...) Yet anyway, we waited in the lobby for about an hour and a few girls walked by, only to result in Miriam informing me that they forgot to put on pants this morning. (They are called SHIRTS and are NOT to be worn as DRESSES...Mamma mia...) We waited for about an hour downstairs and since nothing was really being said, decided we would walk around looking for something to do in the mean time. We went across the street to this 'Pop Art' store which had the most offensive merchandise with pictures of the Blessed Mother. Miriam informed the owner that her merchandise was in awful taste, and that it was her perogative to sell what she thought was art, but that this 'art' she was selling was pretty terrible. (Good for her!) At that point, we get back to Santa Cecilia only to realize we misunderstood the instructions that morning and that the interviews were UPSTAIRS today! So we of course race up the stairs. Were told that they are held in room 12. Are they in room 12 though? Of COURSE not. They are in room 5, which is apparently on the other side of the building, running of course. When we get there, they haven't even begun and we had to wait about another hour before my test, which in the mean time, we met a few really interesting people from all parts of the world, not going to lie, mostly Korea. And we joked about the chaos. BUT then magically, my name was called, and well, I was made to read about St. Michael the Archangel. Can you imagine? What are the odds, because the readings are different for everyone, that I would have to read about St. Michael, especially since we had been talking about him that morning? Pretty awesome. I suppose I did well, because contrary to yesterday, I went in and went out in less than 5 minutes. Miriam says piece of cake, piece of pie and so did some of the teachers I met in the hallways, who couldn't believe I was an American. And then I told them my parents are from Colombia and Puerto Rico and they went, 'Ohhh... That's why.' God willing, I should know the results in two days.
Until then, you're in my hearts and in my prayers always.
Much love from the land of chaos and art.
Miriam and I, left this morning, but stopped on our way for a coffee break. (Yea right...Like after yesterday's events I was really going to believe they were going to start precisely at 9a.m.) After having a cappucino with a heart drawn into the foam, we headed over to the school, which was SPLITTING with students...Again. Though, this morning, most of them were there for a Solfeggio test (Uh-oh...) Yet anyway, we waited in the lobby for about an hour and a few girls walked by, only to result in Miriam informing me that they forgot to put on pants this morning. (They are called SHIRTS and are NOT to be worn as DRESSES...Mamma mia...) We waited for about an hour downstairs and since nothing was really being said, decided we would walk around looking for something to do in the mean time. We went across the street to this 'Pop Art' store which had the most offensive merchandise with pictures of the Blessed Mother. Miriam informed the owner that her merchandise was in awful taste, and that it was her perogative to sell what she thought was art, but that this 'art' she was selling was pretty terrible. (Good for her!) At that point, we get back to Santa Cecilia only to realize we misunderstood the instructions that morning and that the interviews were UPSTAIRS today! So we of course race up the stairs. Were told that they are held in room 12. Are they in room 12 though? Of COURSE not. They are in room 5, which is apparently on the other side of the building, running of course. When we get there, they haven't even begun and we had to wait about another hour before my test, which in the mean time, we met a few really interesting people from all parts of the world, not going to lie, mostly Korea. And we joked about the chaos. BUT then magically, my name was called, and well, I was made to read about St. Michael the Archangel. Can you imagine? What are the odds, because the readings are different for everyone, that I would have to read about St. Michael, especially since we had been talking about him that morning? Pretty awesome. I suppose I did well, because contrary to yesterday, I went in and went out in less than 5 minutes. Miriam says piece of cake, piece of pie and so did some of the teachers I met in the hallways, who couldn't believe I was an American. And then I told them my parents are from Colombia and Puerto Rico and they went, 'Ohhh... That's why.' God willing, I should know the results in two days.
Until then, you're in my hearts and in my prayers always.
Much love from the land of chaos and art.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Santa Cecilia: Round One
Today was the 'first half' (or one-tenth, who can say for sure?) of my Italian Entrance Exam for Santa Cecilia. As expected:Chaos.Miriam has offered to accompany me (Bless her soul...) to all of my Italian Exams (You will understand why I say 'all' in just a second.), and thank goodness because what would I do between the five hour wait periods without someone to talk to???
We arrived this morning at Santa Cecilia at 8:45 for a test that began at 9. After being there for ten minutes, we were witnesses of a room full of 120 foreign students waiting to take their Italian exam (You can imagine how that proceeded for role call, huh?) . Because we are in Italy, things became situated at aruond 10:30 at which time they passed out the Italian Written test, which was SOOO confusing, but doesn't count nearly as much as the oral, again, thank goodness. We had forty minutes to complete this test. I finished number 19. Afterwards, they tell us we will go in order of having finished our exam, and they will take 60 people today. So I think to myself 'YAY!' and then took it back in like three seconds.
One of the people in charge says to us, 'It will be an hour before we will begin. Please feel free to go shopping, eat gelato, drink a coffee. BUT be back in an hour! That's when we will begin.' This is at 11:30. We figure we have until 12:30-40.So Miriam and I return home. We eat lunch. We run a few errands and even think we will be late, which we in fact were. Question: Were WE late afterall? Response: NO!! The teachers were late. ONE HOUR late. Uh-oh...Here we go.
Let me just say that I might as well have been number 756,687 because well, they didn't quite keep with the whole number things. Somehow, I am still unsure how, they made up this system of lists where they choose a few students per list. I looked at the table. Like twenty lists. Uh oh. The interviews begin. There is ONE person giving interviews(There are two other teachers there, basically talking to the students about how much they like chocolate gelato more than teaching...I swear!)Twenty minutes with each student, give or take. Depends on whether she likes you and wants to have a longer conversation with you. (Remember: There are 60 people in this room. You do the math.) This person decides she wants to get a coffee. Comes back a little later. Around three, my friend has to leave. I wait. Look around at the different students. Drink a soda. Walk around. Look at the ceiling. Talk with another girl about how the people giving the test have lost their mind. (At which point, I notice how intricate their list system is and try to follow, but I think my mind is incable of working that way...) At 6p.m, one of the teachers there, NOT the one who is giving the interviews announces there will only be time for a few more students. So I take the time to go and ask if I will be next. I mean I have to to be next! I was number 19!...'No. You have to return tomorrow.' At that point, a girl who has clearly lived in Rome for a long time got in a screaming match with the lady who was giving the interviews. QUITE intense.
And yes, folks. This, without exaggeration, was my first day, of which I expect many, Italian Language Exam.
Please keep me in your prayers and pray that Rosie receive the virtue of PATIENCE! Mamma mia...
We arrived this morning at Santa Cecilia at 8:45 for a test that began at 9. After being there for ten minutes, we were witnesses of a room full of 120 foreign students waiting to take their Italian exam (You can imagine how that proceeded for role call, huh?) . Because we are in Italy, things became situated at aruond 10:30 at which time they passed out the Italian Written test, which was SOOO confusing, but doesn't count nearly as much as the oral, again, thank goodness. We had forty minutes to complete this test. I finished number 19. Afterwards, they tell us we will go in order of having finished our exam, and they will take 60 people today. So I think to myself 'YAY!' and then took it back in like three seconds.
One of the people in charge says to us, 'It will be an hour before we will begin. Please feel free to go shopping, eat gelato, drink a coffee. BUT be back in an hour! That's when we will begin.' This is at 11:30. We figure we have until 12:30-40.So Miriam and I return home. We eat lunch. We run a few errands and even think we will be late, which we in fact were. Question: Were WE late afterall? Response: NO!! The teachers were late. ONE HOUR late. Uh-oh...Here we go.
Let me just say that I might as well have been number 756,687 because well, they didn't quite keep with the whole number things. Somehow, I am still unsure how, they made up this system of lists where they choose a few students per list. I looked at the table. Like twenty lists. Uh oh. The interviews begin. There is ONE person giving interviews(There are two other teachers there, basically talking to the students about how much they like chocolate gelato more than teaching...I swear!)Twenty minutes with each student, give or take. Depends on whether she likes you and wants to have a longer conversation with you. (Remember: There are 60 people in this room. You do the math.) This person decides she wants to get a coffee. Comes back a little later. Around three, my friend has to leave. I wait. Look around at the different students. Drink a soda. Walk around. Look at the ceiling. Talk with another girl about how the people giving the test have lost their mind. (At which point, I notice how intricate their list system is and try to follow, but I think my mind is incable of working that way...) At 6p.m, one of the teachers there, NOT the one who is giving the interviews announces there will only be time for a few more students. So I take the time to go and ask if I will be next. I mean I have to to be next! I was number 19!...'No. You have to return tomorrow.' At that point, a girl who has clearly lived in Rome for a long time got in a screaming match with the lady who was giving the interviews. QUITE intense.
And yes, folks. This, without exaggeration, was my first day, of which I expect many, Italian Language Exam.
Please keep me in your prayers and pray that Rosie receive the virtue of PATIENCE! Mamma mia...
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