Honest to Goodness Labor

It's official. I have been working for the past two weeks!

In a moment of frustration, I sent out resumes and cover letters to Montessori schools all over the world. Little did I know how fruitful that fit would be...

I sent a lot of resumes to schools in Northern California, two to China, one to Japan, France, and a random school in Italy...

Less than an hour later I received a phone call from the school in Italy. I had thought they were looking for someone for Fall 2009, but they actually needed someone immediately. “Can you come tomorrow?” the woman translating for my boss asked me.

Why yes. Yes, I can.

I went, I saw, and now I'm working. The school is nice – in a suburb of Mantova (of Shakespearian fame : Latin name Mantua) – the children are adorable, and what's wonderful is that it is an ACTUAL Montessori school, in that there are Montessori materials, and the woman for whom I am taking over was also Montessori trained.

I'm really happy. The only drawback is I have to live here during the week, and so I only see Domi on the weekends – but we've spent two glorious weekends together already, and I'm happy to make that sacrifice if it means really using my skills and education.

I've agreed to return in September, and it all is working out perfectly, because the woman I took over for is on maternity leave, and so will be gone next year, but then I'll be leaving and she'll be returning. Everyone is happy, all is peachy... it's a good thing.

What is also great is I'm actually earning a live-able salary and I'm working full-time. I take the bus to and from work, I'm able to afford all my expenses and still have some leftover...

I really like the people I work with. I like the kids and their families.

I speak to the children in English. They, for the most part, speak to me more in Italian than anything else, but for the moment I'm trying to build up relationships. I'll wait until September before I try encouraging them to speak more in English. On the good side, there are already a couple of children who try to speak in English with me. On the other hand there are a fair few who don't speak or understand what I'm saying...

I'm sure that that will come with time and their relationship with me.

My Italian isn't improving as rapidly as I would like it, but part of the problem is that I'm not taking classes anymore, and I'm working exclusively in English. I understand most of what is being said, but I'm not getting much practice anymore. I've got the basics, but until I return to Biella and spend time goofing around with friends... that's all I'll use. No worries. It will come.

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This city is really pretty. There's a fair amount of stuff to do. It's surrounded by lakes. People ride bikes here.

The weather's nice now that it's May. I'm going to start jogging during my break at school. It's sunny and beautiful.

The point to this post is : I am happy and productive. Good things are happening.

PS Pictures soon to come!