My second day of classes went just as well as I expected it would. The vast majority of the students are very well-behaved and eager to learn. The rest are tolerable – aside from that one class yesterday. I think if that continues the way it’s going next time I see them on Monday, I might have to have a conversation with some people.

All of my classes today were with Cristina, the first teacher I made contact with before leaving the US. She seems to be the main English teacher and I can see why. She controls the class very well, gets the students to be productive, and is fluent in English herself. I will enjoy working with her over the next three months.

On Thursdays (or, Giovedi, for anyone paying attention), we have a one-hour break between 9 and 10am. Cristina normally takes a walk around Civitanova Alta to buy some bread for lunch and get a coffee. Today I accompanied her and it was nice to get some fresh air. I got some Ciabatta to go with dinner tonight and a great big pizza to reheat for lunch. We agreed today that next Thursday when we go for our walk that we will speak only in Italian so that I can improve. We’ll see how well I do!

The weather has turned quite beautiful here in the Marche region. The skies are blue the sun is warm and the snow is melting – yay! In fact, it’s gotten so nice that I’m a bit concerned the snow might melt too fast and cause flooding. Today we’re going to drive around the area so Maria Carla can show me some more sights. I’ll bring my camera and hopefully get some good shots.

I’m hoping on Saturday to visit some nearby caves with amazing displays of stalactites and stalagmites. I’ve seen pictures and it’s SO pretty. I can’t wait to see it for myself. Maria Carla also invited me to a musical performance in Ancona on Sunday. She is going with some friends and invited me along. It will be my first adults-only adventure and I’m greatly looking forward to it.

I’m hoping to get out and try some new foods, too. Yesterday Maria Carla made some gnocchi with gorgonzola that was just amazing. I’m not a huge fan of gnocchi – in fact, I avoid it whenever I can. Usually it’s soggy or too chewy or just plain unpleasant. Not this stuff. It was perfect. Creamy and smooth with just the right amount of chew to it. I stuffed myself silly, I won’t deny it. I’m definitely going to have to figure out how to make gnocchi like that at home.