Rent Day!

Rent day is quickly becoming my favorite day of the month. Why would I be a fan of the day that I turn over lots (and lots) of euros? Well it means that even if  plan to just drop it off and get the signature I'm going to be sitting at the kitchen table of my landlady. Granted we're still playing charades more than conversing and capisce is heard more than any other word during the conversation it's a ton of fun.  

I think the topics discussed were something along the lines of the holidays, the weather, asking when my family was going to visit, checking that everything in the house was good, that I work too much and that I'm pretty low key for being so young. Again, I'm pretty sure this is what we were talking about. I also saw pictures from the summer when her family was here and they were at the islands since she was in shock that I hadn't yet made it out there. Oh we also talked about Nico and how it's good to have a companion and then I think she went to mention how she only has a few friends in the area....but her 5 kids in the states call all the time.

Right around then her son, who owns my house called. We chatted for a bit and I let him know about this new law preventing any cash transaction above 1,000 euros to happen so we needed a new way to pay rent. He also told me to expect a call from Fabio since the part for the shower was finally tracked down and arriving. Sweet! Not only would this shower finally get fixed (it hasn't worked since I moved in) but I get to see Fabio? Fabulous!

After hanging up the phone, I tried to leave but she kept wanting to talk to I let her...she's the sweetest thing in the world and if she's looking for someone to listen I'm that person because I really have no idea what she's saying 45% of the time. When I finally did get up and walked to the door (it was a little slow since it was a 7 mile run kind of day just before heading over there) she walked me out. Like in the previous months she waited until my door was open before closing hers and I once again was motivated to press on with Italian lessons just so I can talk to her. 

So Much Italian- Am I in Italy or Something?

It's the last week of FY11. If you haven't already, please thank your financial people for another great year. Seriously. I don't think you realize just how chaotic it gets this time of year.

I thought I was doing okay until I couldn't put more than 2 words together at a time. Words in English. I had to take a break to clear off my desk. And then another one about 2 hours later because it was covered in an inch of paper. As if that wasn't enough to realize I was brain fried...I kept forgetting things. As in, I would keep losing an hour worth of memory at a time.

Eek.

What was class going to be like?

Entertaining? Frustrating? A waste of time?

Luckily, there is another financial person in there so we both had the EOFY11 look on our faces but it was bad. Come to think of it, I don't think I recall much of what we did. I do remember thinking that I should leave at the break so I could get home and sleep but then figured that traffic would be worse than being called on yet again and not recalling how to say any number past 10 in Italian.

When I finally got home it was time to pay my rent to my neighbor. Please remember that they speak no English and my Italian is well, better than it was when I first got here, but nothing of real substance. Luckily her son, the owner of the building, was on the phone with her. He and I spoke and it sounds like I'll get to meet him late October. (Yes, he lives in NJ and owns a restaurant....I'm telling you it's what you do if you are from MdP!) Once we hung up and rent was paid/receiept signed we tried to chat. I pointed to pictures of her grandkids- I got their names. I was then waved into the living room to see 5 huge pictures of each of their daughters, each on their wedding day. At this point I was asked if I was Catholic as we turned and I saw a 2ft tall Virgin Mary statue (complete with white light glow from around her head). The second time she asked, I realized what I was being asked a responded with a no.

Trying not to be rude (but realizing that I'm going to need to take some serious Italian classes if I really wanted to talk with her) I walked back to the kitchen since that was my way back to the front door. She asked if I was sleepy and I responded with a "si" before she continued to speak and play charades. There was no second guessing what she was saying; she was telling me that when they look out the window in the morning (5am) that my car is already gone.  I laughed, responded with a "corro e lavoraro."

As I walked out the door (now that I established I go to bed at 10 and it was nearly 9) we talked about sabato and the times I'd be home for the repair guy. Well, let me rephrase- she talked, I nodded before wishing her a buon sera and headed back to my front door.