Nerina's Recital and Greve in Chianti

I arrived at Nerina's recital early because I was told seats were filling up fast. I found a nice standing space on the wall near Ginevra and Nerina's father Andrea, who came from Rome to see his little girl perform. But just before the performance, which, typical Italian syle, started 30 minutes late, I was charged with grandma duty. Nerina's nonna had not arrived and Ginevra asked me to keep an eye out for her. I was not upset by this, though I didn't want to miss the recital. Luckily, just as the recital was about to begin, Nerina's nonna came marching up the steps (the woman knows no other gait--she's 83 years old and is more independent and domineering than her daughter, my boss). She never remembers me, so when I told her where her seat was in Italian, she looked at me as if to say, "What is this American, trying to speak Italian, doing at my granddaughter’s reciatal? " Well nonna found her place and I got wedged in behind the entrance door and a row of seats, which proved ideal for picture taking, but inconvenient if anyone wanted to get in or out--which happened throughout the entire performance. Regardless, the recital was adorable, as the children are still at the age where they think that the louder they yell, the better actors they are. Under this criterion, we have at least a dozen rising stars in our midst. Nerina had a small part as a narrator in a Grimm tale about a golden goose. I wasn't really focused on the plot to be honest. I was very proud of her and have some nice videos to share with anyone interested in seeing them. After the recital there was a school-family party with treats and small talk. I didn't stay long after I gave Nerina her congratulatory Valentine, because I felt very much out of place and didn't want my boss to feel she had to entertain me or introduce me to everyone. So, I went to pick up some wine at my favorite Enoteca where they call me Bellina and then went home to read and chat with my roommates.
On Sunday, Rachel and I got up early (8am) in order to join the small group going to Greve in Chianti, organized by Father Bruno. He's a sweet old man with a wry sense of humor and, I hate to say it, some disturbingly blue eyes. I don't trust Italians with blue eyes. I did, however, discover that he is from Verona. Those northern Italians tend to share the traits of their bordering neighbors. After a few hours with him as our tour guide in Chianti, I forgot about the unnatural eyes and simply enjoyed the beautiful countryside. Padre Bruno bought us all a glass of Chianti after our brief hike and then we headed back to Florence, which is only about 30 min away. It was a quick trip, but I'm glad I did something nice on San Valentino day and also got back in time to work on my presentation for my Literature of the Grand Tour of Italy class. (It went very well by the way. My professoressa, Simonetta, says I always do more than she expects--I think that's a compliment--and it made me happy.) I would do whatever that woman told me to; she's my idol.
In other news, Nerina is leaving me for a whole week to go on a skiing trip with her dad and cousin. Apparently her other grandmother owns a hotel in the mountains; the child is spoiled rotten. I have no idea what I am going to do for a whole week without her. I am going to a Fiorentina soccer game on Sunday, my host brother Tommaso just invited me to breakfast with him on Monday, and we are going to the opera again on Wednesday, so I guess I have plenty to do, but I will miss that girl. If I ever have a daughter, I pray (prego) that she is like Nerina. I might even swipe her name. Ci vediamo, we'll see. Oh, and Saturday I am having Japanese dinner with Rita, who has become my best Italian friend. We went to aperetivo on Wednesday and it was a really nice place. Rita also wants to go on a trip to Croatia with me. Croatia was not on my original destination list, but for only 100 euros, I will definitely go. Also, we're going to that club in Pisa again soon. I will spend the night at Rita's house again, and then we want to go to Siena together . All of you who are coming to visit me will have to meet her. Ok, that's enough for now. As soon as I get ready, I am going to the Florence Natural History Museum. I love taxidermy... Ciao tutti! I miss you.

Amo, Melissa