eh

I do not do well when it is not sunny outside. Clouds seriously affect my mood in a badddd way. Today is sorta overcast and I therefore am a little gloomy. I keep reminding myself that it is ok that I am not doing as well as other students in my class, after all some of them have already been here for a month! It is my competitive nature, competitive with myself I mean. I get easily frustrated when I don't know a word, or a phrase, or can't understand someone. People say things and I am clueless. There are two people in my class I really like. One is an older woman from Switzerland, she is very patient, very kind, and I feel comfortable talking with her. She is really good at explaining things to me and helps me form sentences. The other is a bubbly girl from Korea who has already been here a month. She speaks very well, sings and loves opera, and is always in a good mood. She linked arms with me today when we walked back from our coffee break. It made me realize how much I miss my friends! Yes you friends :) Go buy a plane ticket and come play in Italy with me in May! Amanda passport schmassport ;)

There are several Scandinavians in my class. One girl from Norway, another from Holland, and a guy from Denmark. I don't really like them. I want to, but they are kind of cold, not very friendly, don't strike up conversations, they are not patient, and don't make eye contact. Perhaps they don't like americans, I don't know. I dread it when I am paired up with one, because they make me nervous when I try to speak. Usually my teacher pairs me with people who are more patient. I think she knows that I am a little shy and a little nervous. I find it hard because my personality doesn't come across in Italian, since I don't know the language well enough to make jokes or be my more out going self. I am trying so hard to speak correctly, that it is hard for me to be myself. I also find myself jealous of all the Europeans who are so much closer to home and in a place where things are at least familiar. Maybe they are not italian, but for them it is more like me going to D.C., the framework is still the same. The sweet Korean girl is far from home though, as is the guy from the Philippines so I shouldn't be too jealous.

There is nothing worse, I think, than someone saying something to you and you having no freaking clue what they said. Do they want something, are they telling you something important?? I had to speak to the teacher for the first time today in front of everyone. Nothing major, she asks random people what they did yesterday and how they are today at the beginning of class. I could feel myself blushing. Ug. I know it has only been three days, I know. It will get better, but languages are not my thing, it is really hard for me. Which reminds me, Auntie Anna any language learning advice you have is always welcome!! You are so experienced in helping people learn languages.

I am trying to come up with something fun to do this afternoon without walking a million miles. Which reminds me, Dad how do you convert things into metric. People were talking about temperatures today and I was clueless!! And I need some basis for kilometers and meters compared to miles etc. These little things make such a difference. Hopefully I can figure out a bus to take somewhere and come back in a better mood! Thanks for reading my little rant session :)