Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Italians are never on time. I repeat… NEVER on time. As you have probably noticed I have been learning many things about the wonderful Italian culture and this is one of them. What is also interesting to note is that once you are brought into the Italian culture you’re not really on time for anything either. J I have decided that things that used to bother me all the time are really no longer a problem. My grandmother used to say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and it used to drive me crazy, ironically. However, being here has really made me realize that those small little things DON’T actually matter. Yes, you want to be on time for an interview and probably your sister’s wedding but if you’re a few minutes late to a group lunch don’t kill yourself trying to get there because most likely no one else will be there on time.

Orientation week was quite a success. I have met people from Brazil, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Scotland, England, Portugal, Romania, Poland and more countries that I can’t even remember right now. I have managed to speak to almost everyone in my study abroad class (called ERASMUS here) at least once. I can’t necessarily remember everyone’s names but I’ve made a point to know faces. Some of my newfound friends have been quite impressed with my social butterfly abilities and apparently I’m giving them quite the positive impression of Americans. Thank the Lord! Somebody had to!

Classes for my “major” here don’t start until February 28, so I have the week to continue meeting people, discover my routine and maybe take a trip to somewhere like Bologna or Siena. In Italian fashion, class times and places haven’t been listed online for my courses but am I worried? Absolutely not.

Words/Phrases of the day: “bisogno” meaning “need”, “Ho visuto” meaning “ I lived” and “Quello che mi hanno detto” meaning “That’s what I’ve been told” or “That’s what they told me”.

Peace, Love and ERASMUS,

Geni