Back in the last century, I loved camping; I loved the economy of it. Being a minimalist is a welcome lifestyle, even if only temporary. I never went camping for a full month until I came to Italy. Picking a Site “Let’s go camping!” a friend would say, and I’d be ready. Once we’d picked … More Band-Aids, Baby Wipes, and Bug Spray
For the past three weeks, my students and I have heard accents and languages from all over the world. We’ve also felt fortunate when multilingual service industry employees help us when our own stammering, unconjugated attempt at Italian fails us. We haven’t received any mistreatment or disrespect from the people whose country we’ve chosen as … More Incident in Old Italy
If Emily Dickinson had written in Italian, she might have said: L’anima sceglie i suoi compagni e poi chiude la porta; la sua divina maggioranza estranei non sopporta. Impassible, sente il cocchio che si ferma presso il cancello esterno. Impassible, guarda un re prostrarsi sul suo tappeto. So che da tutto il mondo puo scegliare … More The Soul selects her own Society, even in Italy
Last week when Lauren, Stacey, and I were meandering around town before going to our respective temporary homes, we spent a lot of time in the Piazza della Signoria, where magnificent sculptures stand in their passionate and furious Renaissance poses, exposed to weather and tourists. Although we’d visited the Piazza before, we were newly enthralled … More Joy
As amazing as Florence has been for two weeks, I quite frequently realize my privilege of advanced ability, and if I were differently able, my joy would also be different. My student Sierra White and I discussed this subject, and she helped me with the content of this blog entry. First, the physical concerns Taxis, … More Differently Able in Florence
In my first week of classes at the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF), I’m learning way more than I’m teaching—typical for me in any class, anywhere, but in Florence the learning is exponentially curvier. My colleagues who have taught for the Education Abroad program in Florence told me they have taken classes alongside the students, … More Back to Class
In which I eat at an American fast-casual Italian restaurant and anticipate becoming a food snob. … More Oh Geez, American Italian Food
I fall in love with words. My current word-affair is with traipse, and I’ve been speaking it furtively as well as conspicuously in reference to the Italy trip. Apparently, traipse is an uncommon word. According to one of my favorite books, The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), it belongs in Frequency Band 3, meaning it occurs … More Word Nerd
Oh, the places I’ll go in Italy! … More Love Like a Burning City in the Breast
It started in Salzburg. Last summer, I traveled to Europe for the first time in my then-47 years. The trip included my very supportive dean, the Study Abroad director, and several friends and colleagues from Eastern Kentucky University, where I have taught for fifteen years. Our reason for the visit was to attend the Salzburg … More The Meaning of Life Is Comfortable Shoes
An American Feminist Teacher 