Friday, March 07, 2008

Cake, Champagne and cookies are a nice way to start a class.

Next week will be my last at work. Weird.

One of my classmates made oatmeal cookies. A couple weeks ago we had wine. I find it easier to speak in class after a glass of wine. ha.

The head of our Italian school had a big surprise for us. They offer an Italian cooking class at the school and she asked us to go to the kitchen. There was a gorgeous cake that said "Buona Fortuna/in Bocca al Lupo" and bottles of Champagne. She had the students who are moving to Italy come up front. There are six of us moving out of 14 students. All women.

One woman from the other class is moving to Rome and the others are split between Florence and Milan. The director said they have never had that many students moving to Italy at the same time. It's kind of ironic given the all the problems in Italy and the low dollar we are going now. At least I'm not alone in the madness.

The cake was Sicilian with a ricotta filling. As we stood there toasting and singing (one of the professors, a professional singer busted out with Volare) I was damn near giddy.

This is a clip of something I will not be doing when I move. First, the Trevi Fountain area is always crowded. How would I actually get close to the water? Second, I don't want to get arrested.

17 comments:

BigCNYC said...

ah come on sistergirl! you've got to get into the fountain. kick off your italian adventure in style.:O)

Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy said...

Wow, I can't believe so many are moving!! Crazy! Though, when I moved in 2003, the economy was bad so maybe people, depressed with job opps, are leaving anyway.

Make sure we get together with all of them!

Mark your calendar - I'm organizing a GTG in Florence the weekend of April 18th....

Unknown said...

Yes, alcohol definitely helps. After a shot of grappa you'll be speaking faster than Benigni!
Aw, that was nice of them to prepare a cake for you guys. Writing "Buona Fortuna" was a bit odd as it's considered sfigato but it was sweet just the same.
In bocca al lupo, ragazza!!!!!!

Linda

erin said...

yay! Your class sounded so fun!

I hope you can come to the GTG here in April :)

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

bigcnyc - ha. I can't let my hair get wet. I'm kidding!

sara - one is moving to work in fashion, the other is a belly dancer, one has family there and I'm not sure what the other two are doing.

regarding Florence, I am supposed to move into my real appartment that weekend. I will try to come but after spending all those euros (for deposit, first months rent etc.) my April budget might be blown to bits. Or I could just make it a day trip and not stay overnight. We'll see.

Linda - Grazie! I have to edit my post. the cake also said "in bocca al lupo". The other class that celebrated with us was Beginner's Italian so we spoke in English.

erin - It is a great class. Regarding Florence, (see my response to Sara) I hope I can attend.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Oh how fun! And how funny that so many are moving! Woohoo!

Also, even Cherrye and I are trying to come up to Firenze in Aprile...now if that doesn't tip the scales ;)

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Bleeding Espresso - ha! Florence is only 90 minutes away by train and around 40 euros round trip. I will start saying $$ now. :)

Jen said...

It sounds like a nice welcome to Italy! And what a blast if you could all meet up.

Anonymous said...

Its very ironic because I know two or three Italians that are LEAVING Italy because they cannot get decent jobs.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic send-off! I can only imagine how excited you are to get on with the big move. Save some money for the GTG...sounds like a fun group!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

jen - it was such a nice surprise and fun to meet the students in the other class. Living in L.A. you don't meet many Italian speakers or people who are studying it. It's not as practical as say Spanish.

ms. Violetta - Yes I guess the grass is always greener. Several of my Italian friends in Italy also used to live in the States.

la casalinga - I just have to get through the next two weeks. The movers come on the 18th and there are things I still need to donate, organize etc. Once that is done, while I will miss my stuff I will be very, very happy.

glamah16 said...

Oh I love that scene with Anita Eckberg!My roomate used to try to recreste that scene in another fountain in college. What a great school you went to, and that had so many people moving to Italy.Even at classes at the Alliance Francais Inever encountered people moving over .Exciting times ahead!Eithe way you llok at it the money situation is bad in both economies.

Liz Dwyer said...

Oh that's fabulous way to start a class. I wish every class I took started that way.

Very cool that you've got some other folks taking the leap with you. I love reading you saying, "I am," instead of, "I wish."

Anonymous said...

A lovely gesture! Hey, crazy is so good sometimes, it reminds you your alive!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

glamah16 - I love that scene too. You are correct that the economic situation in both countries is a problem. I hope the recession here does not last long.

los angelista - I wish every class started that way as well. ha.

confessions - I tend to over think things and stress over my plans. This move is forcing me to take a chance.

Tracie P. said...

you should totally walk around with a cat on your head!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

tracie b. - you are hilarious. people would say "che cazzo?!"