My Italian Lessons

My Italian is coming along...still slowly, but surely! While I am struggling through this process of learning Italian, I am learning something new about myself and having an epiphany about this whole process every day I have a lesson.

My teacher Sabrina is so patient and has a great approach to my challenges. I really feel like a child wanting to please my teacher by doing well! Each lesson is becoming a sort of therapy session for me too. Sabrina says "To speak another language is to have another soul." And speaking another language is "to travel inside yourself". Amen! That's why I am having such a hard time with this...I definitely am set in my ways and I can feel that there's this other spirit/person/soul that wants to express itself, but I am really struggling. In fact I am sort of being stubborn about the whole thing. Sabrina said I speak better Italian when I have had a glass of wine because my jaw is not so tight...hmmmm...wine everyday before my lesson...probably not such a good idea!

I am reminded that I have ALWAYS found a way around homework, tests, etc. or I have made an exception to the rule. This philosophy for me in America has actually really worked out making life and college interesting and I was always coming up with creative ways to get around the task. In the end, I had succeeded in creating my own way, but honestly not learning what was intended in the first place.

There is NO way around learning Italian in Italy except for just learning it. Plain and simple....well, actually not so simple! I have decided to extend my studies one more week; I wish so much I could study longer, but it's just not in my budget. I will study at Saena Iulia until March 25th and I will also stay with my host family until then. Through this process of learning Italian I have also realized this is something I want to continue when I get home whether it's through a conversation group or continuing education.

Italian word for the day: Magari! (if only!) In my case...if only I could speak Italian perfectly!