Bambini and Boots

I love my children. And I get to see them every week this semester! I took off to go to the Scuola Materna yesterday morning half an hour ahead of time, since I knew my directional sense (or lack thereof) was likely to get me in trouble. As it turns out, that was good. I got halfway to the city before I was sure I'd missed my turn, but I managed to find my way to the correct school via three Italians (an little old lady, a newspaper deliverer, and a young woman) who didn't really know quite where it was but knew there were a couple of Scuola Materne somwhere close by. As it turns out, I got there right on time, but it took me five minutes to get through the rather complex security (you have to get buzzed into two separate doors). The children, though, were adorable. I taught them the Good Morning song, how to introduce themselves, the names of their family members, and the colors. Classroom discipline being not quite the same here as in the states, all the children had to show me their pictures individually before we could proceed to a new activity.

They were also pretty cute while learning colors. The Italian word for yellow is giallo (pronounced with a g like the one in "gym"). They were so excited that the English word for yellow is similar to the Italian one that our color learning went something like this:

Micaya: In English, this color is yellow. Can you say yellow?
Bambini: Giallo!!
Micaya: No, listen: yellow.
Bambini: Giallo!!
Micaya: Yellow
Bambini: Giallo!!

Sigh.

So my other exciting news from yesterday was: my boots. I have never understood women's obsession with shoes. I mean, they're just things that go on your feet so they don't get hurt, right? What's the big deal? Well, now I understand. I love these boots. I adore these boots. And buying them was fate . . . fate, I tell you. I decided to walk down a new street yesterday, and I walked past a tiny shoe shop. In the window were these boots, just sitting there all innocently looking gorgeous and sexy at me. They were a little above the price range I'd been looking for, even at half off (Everything in Italy is currently on sale since it's carnivale). However, the shop was closed for its mid-day break, so I told myself I should just go study and leave the boots be. Well, I then proceeded to get horridly lost. Sienese streets don't ever go in a straight line, and I got completely disoriented. By the time I got back to the piazza, it was an hour later, which was when the shop opened. So I told myself I'd just go and try them on. Well, as it turns out, there was only one pair of these boots left in the entire store, and they were my size. So I bought them. I bought them and walked out of the store with an enormous carrier bag, and I've been basking in the purchase ever since. Last night, Flannery and I literally just sat on my bed staring at my boots where they were propped against my desk talking about how lovely they are. They're made from this rich, dark brown leather that is incredibly smooth. They lace all the way up my calves. Anyway, I have never been so in love with a thing . . . I know it's very unQuaker of me, but I really love these boots.

Ciao, amici!