end of week 2

I have just completed my first full week of classes. It is a completely different week set up for me this semester. Instead of the usual nine to ten classes, I am only taking four, and it is wonderful!
I hate to speak too soon, but I love all of my classes and teachers already. I hate philosophy, but my philosophy teacher is extremely helpful and doing what she can to help us to understand what we are reading. She guides us really well, and even when someone gives a completely wrong answer, helps them to get it right.
My Italian teacher is quite possibly the most adorable human being I have ever met. She is so short, a little pudgy, and easily over 75. She laughs at all of her own jokes, most of which we dont understand because she constantly switches from italian to english without noticing. She is helpful and understanding that we are all new at this, so the environment is easy going and fun so far.
I have a three hour music class on Mondays only. It is exactly that. Three hours of music. The concentration is in 19th century romanticism, starting with Beethoven. We spent the class learning a bit about Beethoven, and listening to the entire 5th Symphony. In this class there are only three students. Its sad how little the arts are appreciated now a days. All of the art classes here have few students in them. Its hard to say that though, because I couldnt be happier that there are only three of us because it just means more personal attention and a better relationship with the teacher.
Ms. Garriot is a chatterbox, and spent the first 45 minutes of class talking about the weather, herself, and us. I guess it was nice to spend 45 minutes doing that since we had 3 hours for class. God once again showed how small this world truly is, and how the theory of 6 degrees of separation continues to be true. This teacher is also quite old, and has had a lifetime of accomplishment in the music world. One of these accomplishments is having played for the Florence Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years. I sat there thinking, there is no way she could know Richard (from Guiseppes) but I might as well ask. I did, and her mouth dropped. She couldnt believe I knew his name, and said, how do you know our cellist? I knew then that she obviously had known him, because Richard plays the cello. She said they had played together for at least 3 or 4 years, because the time of him coming and her leaving overlapped. I was amazed, and we had a great little chat about Phoenix and his restaurant and how crazy the world is.
On Tuesday night I have a three hour art class called Fresco. We will be getting to make actual frescos on tiles, using Lyme and water, just like Michaelangelo did :) This teacher is also a joy. Anytime I get to meet someone that has the same appreciation for art forms that I do, I cant help but be happy. She is a firm believer in not giving up, and if we produce something that we think ugly, remembering that everything has its own beauty. The two other students in this class and I are all beginners, which helps to make me feel at ease. She said it is a very interactive class, where she will be helping us and we will help each other. In addition, our teacher, Ms. Lucy, will be taking us on short tours around the city to certain Churches to see famous frescos to inspire us.
When I wasnt in class, I explored the city with friends, took naps, and thankfully found time to go for a run and do some yoga.
Today after lunch I am going to a dance class with another girl who has been here for the year. She has been taking dance since August so she knows the ropes around here and was extremely willing to take me under her wing and have a companion for classes! Cant wait to finally dance again, it has been toooo long!
Arrivederci!