Terramoto (Earthquake)

I'm finally all settled in and ready to reflect on my experience during the earthquakes. This day was very well one of the worst days of my life!

The first earthqauke that was felt in Carpi happened during the programs visit to Florence so we didnt feel it..  The program coordinators let us know that our familes were most likely very shaken up and that school would be cancelled that Monday for cautionary reasons (because it was a 6.0). Like a typical Missourian who has never felt an earthquake before, I remember thinking it was all a little bit silly and that earthquakes werent that big of a deal and I hoped that I would get to feel an aftershock. 

Well a week went by and there were aftershocks and my family would ask me if I felt them but being sick all week, I spent a lot of my time asleep so I never felt any of them.

It was Tuesday of the next week and I was sitting in the back of my classroom preparing my lesson that I was about to teach. 

I will say before I go any further that perhaps one of the most frightening things about an earthquake is the initial rumble that you can only recognize (and become ultra sensitive to) if you have been through one. 

Anyway, I was sitting in the back and all of the sudden everyone gasps really loud and seriously in a split second everyone was under their desks. They were so on edge that they knew the rumble that I still cant remember hearing. It took a couple of seconds before I really understood what was going on... I seriously stood up really slowly and almost in a mocking tone nelt on the ground and crawled under the desk from the side.... THEN the shaking started. In that moment I was reminded of the pure fear that comes from deep in your stomach when your afraid for your life. All I could do to keep myself calm was to comfort the girl in front of me... as she was crying hysterically. It felt like slow motion. I remember looking up and seeing the art project hanging from the ceiling swinging back and fourth and the walls swaying. The desks that were keeping us safe were rattling on the floor.... and the SOUNDS, the sounds are what will FOREVER haunt me. I am still jumpy to this day.

The school that I was in was very old and like many structures in Carpi, wasn't very well maintained. 

After about 30 seconds of intense shaking (and what felt like a couple mintues) we all jumped up and I instinctively grabbed my books and about 3 kids and told the rest to follow me in Italian (I usually has to think about my words before I said them but this time it just blurted out)! We ran outside and we sat in circles by class outside. We sat there for a couple of minutes while some kids calmed down and others broke down.... it was very hard to see them so upset and only being able to say so much to comfort them!

All of the sudden I started seeing parents RUNNING towards the schools from all directions, THEY WERE FRANTIC! Imagine if this were to happen in your town and everyone in your family were in all different directions and parts of the cities... the streets were jammed with cars and people were jumping out of their cars and leaving them in the streets running so that they could check on their kids. 

I just remember that that was one of the worst days of my sickness and I almost stayed home from school because I felt so bad... I was just sitting there with my class feeling SO alone, and wanting my mom or Jake to come running for me and make sure I was okay. I just needed a hug or a few words checking to see if I was okay. But it was the middle of the night for them and the phone lines were too busy to send texts or calls. 

After being reunited with my Italian host mom and sister we jumped in the car to rush home and check on Nonno and Dido (grandpa and dog). Everyone was okay. We stayed outside for the next few hours trying to wait out the following aftershocks, which were just as scary. They say that most of the damgage is done during the aftershocks. 

That was when I noticed that thunder before the shake.... that sound makes your heart drop to the pit of your stomach and start racing! 

Being so used to tornado warnings and hiding out in the basement, you think that things like this wouldnt scare me so bad, but in a way it was much worse than a torando becuase there is NO warning... just when you think your safe and theyre all over another strikes and you have to run for your life.

After about 3 hours of waiting outside there had been a pretty big gap in the aftershocks so we all agreed that we should eat lunch... but outside. 

We decided to eat on their back covered patio. I was soooo sick I couldnt even taste the food. I had a migrane and a sinus infection, so my misery definately added to the confusion and horror.

We were about halfway through our meal and we hear the BIGGEST thunder yet! It sounded like the cracking of thunderstorms right under our feet. It was soooo loud! We were in the backyard but we were still under the house and in an enclosed TINY fenced in yard. In a matter of second Camilla, Daniela, and I ended up in each other's arms int he corner of the yard as Maurizio struggled to help Nonno out of his chair. Camilla was screaming for her Nonno so loud and the neighbors were screaming for us! I remember just standing there watching them... and the moment that I saw the pure fear in those men's eyes was the moment that I realized that this was bad. It is almost unheard of to have two major eathqaukes in the same day and 3 major earthquakes in a week. 

We finally made our way to the front yard and the neighbors said that they saw our basketball swaying back and fourth like it was going to fall. 

This was the moment that everyone knew that we couldnt relax and we moved further away from the houses.

We went to a grassy area accross the street and stayed int he shade of small trees. I remind you once again... I HAD A MAJOR MIGRANE... 

We sat on the ground and I remember there being very persistant aftershocks, one after the other... and it was sooo freaky to sit on the ground and feel the earth just shaking under you.

After waiting for another 30 minutes, I couldnt handle it anymore and I had to ask my mom if I could lay down... I layed on a blanket, in 80+ degree heat, face down to let my sinuses drain and tried to sleep. I would just start to doze off and there would be another aftershock that would startle me... Ill never forget these feelings... me heart would beat so fast. It was like going to a haunted house and getting the crap scared out of you... THAT feeling.

Occasionally my mom would check on me, after about an hour she finally felt safe enough to go inside and got me some medicine..... I felt soooo much better after it kicked in. 

When I woke up I got on my dads Ipad to update my facebook about the day and checked the stats about everything.... a town 20 km from us was 70% demolished and my program professor emailed us that the program had ended. 

I was so sad.

This lead to a very sad night for me..... I could barely talk. I wasnt prepared to leave my family yet... I still had so much to do.

That night we had a community dinner in the quad of the houses... everyone contributed with fold out chairs, tables, and brought togther random cold cuts and vegis to make a meal. 

Everyone slept in cars or tents. 

The next morning I went inside to pack... I was so scared because I knew the shaking was not done and my room was on the second floor. 

I was on edge every little thing would make me jump.

Well, It was time to go... I had to say goodbye.. That was REALLLLLY hard.My whole fmily cried as we hugged. We bonded way too much over this experience and I was so scared for them.

Well, I have been home for almost a month now and I think the earthquakes have finally stopped. They persisted for a good 2 weeks after I left...

Earthquakes are SCARY! I wouldnt wish it upon anyone! (but scientists have said that the biggest fault line int he world is in St Louis MO) Ahhhhh....

Love you all,

Melissa

My first lesson!

My first lesson went so much better than i ever expected. Of course, there were bumps... but it went fairly smooth. The class was so open to everything that I wanted to teach them.
I started out by showing them pictures of an American Elementary school in Columbia. They were amazed, and had soooo many questions for me. Then, I passed around pictures of activities that american kids do... like rising bikes, playing video games, dancing, and different kinds of sports. I have noticed that Italian kids do all of these things too, so I think it helped them identify and connect to me (us). Then, I passed around pictures of the Mizzou campus and they loved them... again, LOTS of questions... The funniest was when a picture of memorial union was being passed around and they saw everyone's laptop out while they were eating. and a little boy said, "you are rich because you eat and have computer at the same time!" and i just said, "no, we are always studying... we don't have time between classes to just sit and eat, we have to always be studying."
Next, I worked on normal English conversations. They loved this. They struggled only with the phrase "How are you today?" They answered with things like "I am fun." or "I am Wednesday." But we worked it out together. :)
Then, I had them write Enlgish animal names on the board one by one, then say the word outloud to the class and spell it... they LOVED this!

They added to my lesson by incorporating questions... a boy stood up and said..."What animals swim", then another said "What has four legs" This was so great. They were so engaged.
Then, I asked them..." Which animals live on a farm... we circled the answers together, and then I taught them "Old McDonald had a farm". Surprisingly they already knew the tune in Italian so it was farely easy to teach them the song in English. I had little groups at a time come forward and pick an animal. We would talk about the sound first, then sing it with the class.
After this, I had them all complete the sentence ...."My favorite animal is...." and then draw a picture... There were many fun answers and interesting pictures!!! As they were coloring I walked around and asked them questions relating to their pictures... like about colors and shapes. They are very smart!
They loved being creative.

I was trying to hit all points of learning styles, and I think I succeeded.
The two Pakistani kids THRIVED during my lesson, it was so amazing to see them LOVING it. My teacher told me that they spoke English growing up so this was very exciting for them. It made me happy.

At the end they sang for me the Italian version of Old McDonald, and had me repeat the Italian words! :)
Here's a vid..

The First Week---Scuola!

My first week in Italy has been so many things; spiritual, exhilarating, insightful, and a LEARNING experience for sure ... I have had brief moments of panic and anxiety when I'm alone at school or at Camilla's dance class, or when I'm trying to purchase something....I now know how it feels to be a minority and it can be very scary and frustrating at times. I can especially identify with the non-Italian speaking students in my classroom, I am very sad for them. I know that it is very hard to find the funds to help all of the ESL students in America but we always find a way to separate them and make sure they are learning. It frustrates me that in my Italian classroom there are two different students who are recent immigrants from the Middle East (Pakistan, I think) and they dont receive ANY special attention, at all. They just sit there and zone out all day. They just can't keep up. I wish I could do something. Although I am frustrated in my class about that, I am also learning so much about different teaching styles. I love the interaction hat happens between my host teacher and her students. It is very encouraging and everyone is always actively engaged. The class doesn't seem boring at all, in fact I look around and every single student (except for the Pakistani boys) are thoroughly enjoying everything!  Learning seems so fun. The thing that was a little shocking the first day was how loud that they allow there classroom to get! It is a very active classroom so the teacher is constantly asking questions and getting verbal feedback from the class. Like America, they do raise their hands but they don't wait to be called on they scream and jump.... now just imagine twenty-five ten year olds in a tiny room all doing that at once, to be called on. It gets so loud. My ears were almost ringing. But the atmosphere is so much fun. Although it gets very loud they are so engaged in what the teacher is saying she can lightly signal for them to sit down and be quiet and they all do it right away.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3864136558824&saved

Here in Italy I have noticed the extreme respect for any kind of authority that the kids have, much different that America... it's very refreshing.
My teacher told me that she doesnt believe in homework but she has to give it because the parents want it. The parents here in Italy are soooo much into there children's life and act as a teacher at home also. Daniela sits down for almost  two hours every evening (even weekends) to work on homework with Camilla. My teacher, Mariachristina says that there in no curriculum for them to follow in Carpi so she decides what the kids need to learn.This is VERY different. I couldn't imagine it. She also does not specialize in any specific grade but instead starts in First grade with her class and stays with them every year until fifth, when they move on to Schola Media (middle school). I can see the true bond that everyone has developed and I actually really like that method, I really think it creates a safe learning environment, and they are more open to express themselves. For example, along with the homework Mariachristina assigns for the kids every night  she encourages them to come up with their own game for the lesson, and then teach it to the class the next day in class. I watched as a boy stood in front of the class acting almost as the teacher. Everyone loved this, It is just amazing to me how engaged they are, all of the time. They are so positive and love school.
At my school in Carpi they dont have a principle at the school or a front office. They teachers work at colleagues, my teacher said, they make the decisions together.
On Wednesday, for the music section of the class, Mariachristina taught the students how to read music with  the recorders. She drew a music staff on the board and asked a few kids to come up to the board and add their own note. It was very non-tonal so she competed the line with a "sol" "do" and smiled at me! ;)

After they played the recorders for a little while she opened up the classroom for anyone to come up and sing or play a solo. They would come up and sing for each other (pop songs) It was soo cute. They all love each other so much.
I think what I appreciate most is the sense of community and joy that I see everyday with such little resources. These schools don't have a library or cafeteria. They don't have a playground with a jungle gym and the families purchase the school books, they aren't just rented out for free. But these kids LOVE to learn. Of course, they don't know any different. But especially now, I can see the amazing impact a good teacher can make.

I am learning so much!

And this week I GET TO TEACH!

Much love,
Melissa

My Heaven!

I have decided that when I go to heaven it will be JUST like Italy!
I am so happy here.

The flight in was horrible for me, I was very uncomfortable and couldn't sleep very well during the whole 14 hours. By the time our bus finally approached Carpi I had so many different emotions flying through my head... I was sooo nervous to meet my family but also very excited because we had already created a bond emailing back and forth for a month prior to my arrival.

It was only awkward for the first couple minutes, because my family is incredibly genuine and loving- I am in very good hands here.

Grandpa (Nonno), Umberto, lives next door., but comes over for every meal. He is sooo sweet, I love him to death. He cannot speak much English... but he always says, "CIAO BELLISSIMO!!!!" when he sees me! and during the meal he will say very goodissimo and laugh. :) It's so cute.

They are teaching me Italian and I am teaching them English!

For my first lunch my Italian Dad, Maurizio, made pasta (penne) with tuna and green olives and homemade bread. It was SOOO good. They also offered me both sparkling water and natural spring water from giant glass bottles. I told them that I would try the carbonated water, and I didn't really care for it... They thought that it was so funny. :)

After lunch I gave them their gifts, they love everything so much. They are so affectionate so I got LOTS of kisses.

I think what I find so special here, is that they are so pure-hearted and happy. They love each other so purely and they always want to be together.

After lunch I helped Camilla, my little sister, with her English homework... it amazes me how smart she is at only 12 years old. She already knows English, French, and Italian. (I would say that her English is almost fluent.) She also showed me her art work and it is beautiful she is so proud of her work and I took some pictures. :)

and my favorite!

My family then took me to the main piazza to get some gelato! The buildings are so historic and beautiful.

Then, we went home and Maurizio started to make dinner while Camilla and I played with her smurfs! (She collects smurfs!)

For dinner we had homemade bread and sandwiches. All of the food is so much more fresh here. I have never enjoyed tomatoes but I was eating them up! Also, the mozzarella is not like our mozzarella at all, it's a lot more plain and

Then, it was time for me to sleep, I tried to stay awake with Camilla to watch a Disney princess movie but I couldn't fight it, and I feel asleep on the couch! :)

This morning I woke up, and automatically smiled. I cant remember the last time that I did that :)
I only knew what time it was by my phone alarm... I probably could have slept all day, my room was so dark because Maurizio pulled my window shutters last night.

For breakfast we had these little biscuit pastries with powdered sugar on them and strawberries with tea.

After breakfast I came back upstairs to my room and started to write in my diary and fell alseep. I woke up to Camilla telling me that it was time to get ready to go her grandma's (Nonna) house for lunch. My Italian dad Maurizio is always messing around with me. While I was getting ready he came walked by my door and asked me if he should wear his rock chalk Jayhawk shirt (they hosted a KU girl a couple of years ago).

Nonna is an amazing cook!! She made a feast for us. She individually wrapped each little tortellini noodle. This was the best meal that I had had yet. She served it with a white sparkling wine and homemade bread. I was stuffed after I ate one bowl. But little did I know, there were TWO more courses. The second meal was some kind of seasoned (YUM) pork and rosemary potatos (that she cooked outside in a brick grill by her garden). The third meal was some sausage ( that she stuffed herself) even though I was force feeding myself the last two meals it was still amazing. THEN, FOR DESERT we had strawberries and whipped cream and a chocolate pudding bunt cake of some sort.
Nonna has a beautiful garden.

Camilla and Daniella showed me around. They enjoy gardens by touching the leaves.. rubbing their fingers together and then smelling them. I thought it was odd at first but then they told me to. The first one I smelled was a lemon plant.... THE LEAVES ACTUALLY SMELLED LIKE LEMON... and a MINT plant...  rosemary and oregano.
The others were blooming plants. They were beautiful!

After Nonna's we went back to the piazza for a Camilla's school music concert!


First up was the Saltini Elementary School (where I will be teaching) singing.

Then, Camilla played her recorder (flute) with her friends.

Camilla told me that they learn the solfedge and sing the song before they even learn how to play it!

It was very cold today(50's)... I was not expecting this because yesterday it was in the high 80's and it was too hot to be outside for too long.

After Camilla's concert we came back home and all went to do our own thing, Camilla is working on her homework with Daniella, Maurizio is watching a race on TV and I am in my room writing this blog and uploading pictures.

I was just called downstairs for a snack. Maurizio prepared these beautiful pastries and orange tea for us.
We will have dinner in two hours. (I will never go hungry here)

 

They are so much fun, I love them so much.

I will update more later... I love you all.
Missy

Preparation..... 4 days!!

I will be on the plane to Italy in less than 4 days!!! It crazy how fast the time has flown by!

I am freaking out, the packing is the most stressful thing so far. I am making lists after lists of things to buy! I find myself jotting things down throughout the day when I think of something to add! :)
I am so scared of getting there and not having something.

I think I have decided on some of my "American" meals (treats)
Baked Potato Soup
Paula Dean's Chicken Georgia, mashed potatoes, and some kind of vegetable (props to Linley ans Susan)
Brownies
Popcorn
Hershey's Chocolate
Twizlers... and whatever else I can find.


I was also thinking maybe grilled cheese or chili (and cornbread)
Ill be going to the grocery store Thursday so I will know for sure what Im making by then! I want to get as much packaged American things as possible, so the seasonings or ingredients work out.

Please comment if you have any ideas.

I have been reading a book called Italinisimo by Louise Fili and Lise Apatoff, about "What Italians do Best"
One of the things that I found very interesting was the use of Hand Gestures.

One of the excerpts says "A father can give his son a emphatic, "NO!" to his request to use the car by tapping his front tooth with his index finger. The son will implore by pressing his palms together at his chest level, rocking them back and forth, while the exasperated mother cuts the air with two fingers in a scissors motion to the them to cease-all in crystal clear, silent exchange."

If you guys are curious Ill list what each of these mean:

1.Agreed/Beware (Intesa)
2. Crowded (Pieno di Gente)
3. O.K. (Tutto Bene)
4. I insist (Inisisto)
5. Hunger (Fame)
6. Finished (Finito)
7. No Good!! (Niente)
8. It has nothing to do with me (Io non so niente)
9. Secret Liason (L'intendono)
10. Cuckold (Le corna)
11. I don't care (Non me ne importa)
12. What do you want? (Che Vuoi?)

The next thing I want to share is Il Mercato or The Market. I am especially interested in this because, among many other things, Italy is known for its good food!

In the book, it says that the Market is open "Rain or shine, steaming freezing".
The vendor, like the one in the picture, put up stands int he center of town and offer goods from a wide range, such as suckling pigs to women's corsetry.
The vendors are not only your typical cashier but also an associate of sorts. They help their customers with any questions of quantity or recipes!
I can't wait to shop at the market.

The last thing I'm going to share with you about the book was maybe my favorite page!

 THE ITALIAN OPERA!
I will be living very close Venice, and I will also get to spend a weekend. I will hopefully get to see the Venice Opera House (La Fenice) which held the premieres of so many great works by Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. I just know that it's going to be surreal to be where so much of musical history was made (and is still very alive).

In other preperations, I have decided to make a list of words or phrases that I want to have down before I get there.
 So I'll share a few with you!

mom-mamma
dad-papa
sister-sorella
brother-fratello
grandpa- nonno
grandma-nonna
dog-cane
cat-gatto
teacher-insegnante
student- studenti
bathroom-bagno
quiet, please-piuttosto, si prega di
lunch- pranzo
breakfast- prima colazione
dinner- cena
cook- cucinare
water- acqua
shower-doccia
toilet- toilette
sleep-dormire
goodnight- buonanotte
hello-ciao
goodbye- addio/ciao
class-classe
school-scuola
friends-amici
thank you-grazie
please- per favore
What time is it?-Che ore sono?
My name is- Il mio nome e
How much does this cost- Quanto costa?
What time? a che ora?
It''s nice to meet you- il suo piacere di consoscerti

I am diligently studying my Italian lately.. its amazing all of the things that I found at the Public Library alone!
:)

I just finally went shopping for some gifts for my family. I promised that I would deck them out in Mizzou merch so I bought each of them a MU shirt.
I got my host mother a pretty necklace with a charm that says, "Embrace the Moment" I thought it was pretty and a sweet phrase in english that she can remember me by.
I got Camilla LOTS of things.
So far I got her the same necklace as her mom, except I got her two interchangable charges... one is a really cute "c"-for Camilla, and the other is a phrase one like her mom's that says "Do what you love"--- becuase that's how I try to live my life.
I also got Camilla a "Where's Waldo" book, and my friend, Erin, got her a "Hank the Cowdog" book and audio CD reader.
Im going to bring her some American Candy and Im still looking for stickers, becuase her mom says she loes stickers.
Its really hard for me to shop for the men... so far Ive just gotten a deck of cards from Shakespeare's that has a different picture of the Mizzou campus on each.
For Didono, the puppyy dog, I got her a bone that has Mizzou print on it... It looks really cute and I'm going to also buy her a package of yummy American dog treats.

Again, If you have any suggestions of cool gifts that I can take them or my classroom PLEASE comment!!

OKAY so, this is it..... I'm doing it.

STAY TUNED!!
Love you all.

Missy

23 more days!!!!

After MONTHS of anticipation, I have FINALLY received a warm introduction from my Italian host family. I am so excited!!! My family consists of Maurizio(daddy), Daniela(mummy), Camilla (my 12 year old sister), Umberto(grandpa), and dog Didone(Dido)!! They have insisted that I call them by their family names and they have, so conveniently, nicknamed me "Missy"! :)

Here is a picture of the beautiful ladies that I will be living with.
 Daniela and Camilla!

One thing that was very comforting ,while reading their letter, was how family oriented they seem to be! They said that they would like for me to always try to eat with them every morning and every night, and at night we will discuss our days with each other!

After emailing back and fourth a few times I am beginning to see how welcoming and sweet they are. They are genuinely happy for me to come! Everyone seems to know English pretty well, except for grandpa... but he looks like a hoot!!

 Here's the picture they sent me of Camilla and grandpa! 

They told me that they live in a small town right outside of Carpi in a house with a garden and Camilla attends the middle school there. Although I am working with Elementary schoolers, I plan on spending a lot of time with her, Daniela told me that Camilla is especially excited for me to come. Ever since they contacted me early yesterday(Tuesday) morning, I can't seem to think of much else. I am thinking about meals to make them, gifts to bring, activities to do... So many thoughts running through my head... constantly. 

(Maurizio)

I asked them if they had anything in particular that they would like for me to bring, and Camilla said that she wanted a "Where's Waldo" book!! So, I'll be getting that from Barnes and Noble tonight. They also mentioned that they would like to try American apple pie and cheesecake. 

----If you have any yummy "American" recipes or ideas on what I should take with me leave me a note!!! 

I will for sure deck them out in MIZZOU!!!!!!! :)

They assured me that they have unlimited internet access at home so that was a relief. So, I will for sure stay connected with you guys while I am there. I will take lots of pictures and hopefully have many stories to tell.

I am sooooo excited!! 

As my Italian host family said in their email to me, "Counting the days.."

Much love,

Missy

(Camilla and Dodino)

I'm going to ITALY!

As most of you may know, I am going to ITALY in May! Not just to be a geeky tourist and go sight seeing, but to teach!! I will live with an Italian host family (which I am SUPER psyched about) and teach in the Italian school system of a small town in Northeastern Italy called Carpi. No, Not Capri! Carpi.. Confusing I know! :)

One of our main assignments for this study abroad program is to keep a blog to help us share our thoughts and experiences during this journey- before, during, and after our trip to Italy!

Perhaps, one of the most important, yet tedious, parts of this whole thing is the preparation for the trip:
Learning the language, researching the culture, figuring out how to communicate AND teach English to Italian kids, and most of all preparing myself mentally for the total immersion into a whole new culture.

This blog will allow you to ride along with me as I face new challenges, share new insights, and most importantly grow.

HERE WE GOOO!!!!