Apartment? Check. Job? CHECK!

Yeah, so...I gots me a teachin' job! And I couldn't be happier!

The school at which I received my certification to teach English (as of Oct. 2) has hired me...to teach English! My employer is the American Language Center (or, Istituto Americana, if you'd rather), and I started today! Group classes start next week, so I will get to teach English to groups of 3-5 people at various levels (elementary, intermediate, advanced) at different times of the day. There's no telling who or when those will happen, as things like class enrollment (or really any type of initial school/business orientation, etc...) happen at the last minute. So, I'll probably know next Tuesday if I'm teaching a class next Wednesday. And, if I happen to be teaching Wednesday, I'll know at the beginning of class Wednesday how many students I'll have. That day. Should be interesting...

Anywho, the student I met with today is a 21-year-old who studied English last year in America for nine months (in North Carolina, of all places!). He returned to Italy in August, and has since decided that he wants to attend university in the States. So, it is my responsibility to work with him two hours each day to get his spoken, written and grammatical English to the level it needs to be to get accepted to, attend and succeed at an American University. No pressure, right?! The good news (for us both) is that he will also be taking a TOEFL prep course through the ALC, which will prepare him to take an entrance exam specifically for international students. This means I share the burden with the instructor of that class...which happens to be the director of the school. So, I may be biased, but I'd say this kid is in pretty good hands. (This is where you, loyal blog readers, chime in and tell me how right I am! Please and thank you, of course.)

As it stands, I have an apartment for a month (after which I will look for a more permanent residence) and a job until at least June. Yay! Now, I can't say for sure, but it looks like I'll be coming back stateside around Christmas or New Years, as I'll have to apply for a work visa at the American Embassy, most likely in Chicago. I'll be sure to report when, exactly, this will be happening, as I'll want to maximize the amount of time I can spend with you and regale you with tales of my English instruction. Which I will have because I actually have a JOB! Splendid.

Looks like I need to skedaddle and plan some lessons!

Baci e abbracci!

Kinda like a blind date...

Hello!

It is with much joy and excitement that I share with you the following pieces of news: I have passed my grammar exam, and thus, have acquired my Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification! Booyah, reflexive pronouns and future perfect continuous tense! I owned you!

Also, I have found a place to live! We (my friend, Meara, and two fellow classmates, Liz and Christina) are moving into our new apartment tomorrow (Saturday). It's very near the Arno River and also very close to the center of the city and all that takes place there (markets, shopping, potential employment, etc). The interesting thing about this particular experience is that none of us have seen the place. That is why moving into it will be kind of like a blind date. I'm guessing there will be some charming aspects to it, and those are what will make us glad to call it 'home,' but there will undoubtedly also be some characteristics that make us...uh, less glad. Regardless, pictures will follow, as will a description of my reaction to the place upon opening the door for the first time.

So, with a TEFL certificate in hand and an apartment at the ready, it's time for me to go drink vino with my classmates, many of whom will be returning to the states or continuing their respective journeys tomorrow. You might not guess that four weeks can bring 14 women from different backgrounds, ages, experiences and personalities together so well or so closely, but these particular four weeks did just that for this particular group of 14 women. The fact that the class is over is kind of bittersweet, now that I think about it. Maybe a tad more sweet than bitter, but the hangover I'll have tomorrow will probably make me feel just the opposite.

Ciao for now...