Damn Teenagers!

When I first arrived in Siena and realized that I was studying with about ten 18 and 19 year olds, I was determined to be pissed at the idea of this! Their fresh minds were already 2 weeks ahead of me (they started beginning of Feb) and they seemed to be goofing off and not taking things seriously since they were not themselves paying to be here. I was disappointed and wanted to meet other 30-somethings and talk about life and jobs, etc.

Well, that was my initial thinking...after being stubborn the first week and really wanting to be mad about this...well, my eyes were opened I guess. Turns out....I adore the students -- each and every one for various reasons....yes, some still "act" like teens, but they are teens afterall (mainly referring to the boys here!) I think really I just wish I would have travelled when I was their age. So I would like to introduce you to them...well, as well as I can in a blog...

Julia -- she is my housemate, she is from Seattle and she is so darn cute and beautiful. She is very much into fashion...and not in the Paris Hilton way, but in the...well, Seattle way I guess. She wears the cutest, most unique things and she can pull it off so well. She is also incredibly mature and intelligent. Julia has been a translator for me at meal time too. We both look forward to our morning breakfast chats (secretly in English:) and she gets to tell me of the boys she has kissed during her travels to Portugal. She has a great laugh/giggle....well, I just adore this young lady.

Claire -- Very tall, sweet, quiet, lovely Claire -- with amazing eyelashes!(seriously!!!). She is also from Seattle. We had lunch today together and she helped me pick out a pair of earrings (the girls commented that I never where jewelry, so I insisted one of them help me pick out a pair).

Alana -- from Boston, super nice, but a little timid. She's definitely has the "cool artist/photographer" thing going on and we love to talk about photography stuff. I helped her with a college admissions essay yesterday (ya, I know a few things about that I guess:) and then we enjoyed pizza and a beer outside at the Piazza del Campo. Alana and I seemed to both struggle with learning Italian, but we are supporting one another!

Melanie -- Wonderful, sophisticated woman in her 30's! Melanie is from Switzerland and is doing what I am doing sort of -- left the "real world" despite a few hesitations, but is enjoying travelling alone and discovering a ton!

Annie, Amy, other Julia -- I don't know these girls really well, because they are not in my class, but Annie is from Chicago and reminds me of my funny friend Kimbo in Chicago. Amy is actually going to CU Boulder for college, so we had a few things to talk about and the other Julia is very bright and sweet!

Pat, Sid, Ben, Mike -- these guys...well, they are typical teen boys...a bit immature, but funny and so dern cute...overall, I think they are a hoot! Each one has a little crush on one of the girls. They drink...well, a lot because there aren't a lot of limitations on them. Sid likes to shop...for nice Italian suites and he is fortunate that there are no limitations to how many suites he wants to buy...but he looks so cute in his Italian made suites! Ben and Mike are the "nor cal" guys...they like to tease me about being from the "805". Pat is from Connecticut and is a bit awkward, but really trying not to piss people off. I enjoyed a cappaccino with him this morning -- his treat!

Getting to know these students has made me realize again that I love working with this age group and perhaps I will look for jobs related to American students travelling abroad.