I have to go to class occasionally

The classes I am taking are as follows:

Italian language: Although I still hate the conjuntive tense, I have improved vastly in my language skills. Why any language choose to use their subjunctive tense, I don't know. But I really am better than before. I can actually talk to people sometimes and understand them! It's fantastic. We (the american students) even talk to each other in Italian now(sometimes). On the street the other day, someone asked me where Via Qualcosa was. I had no idea where it was but I at least understood them and knew how to respond. Every time I understand even the smallest thing in Italian I count it as a personal victory.

Renaissance Art History: I am more of a modern and contemporary art kinda guy but this class has raised my appreciation for renaissance art a couple notches, which is a good thing because there is little besides renaissance art in this country. One thing I have learned is that gothic art is even lamer than renaissance art. This class is taught in english, which Marco and Christina think makes it too easy(troppo facile). I agree.

Nuovo Cinema Italiano: This class is taught in italian by Piero, the teacher that does not understand how little we understand. We started with neorealism films that no one ever watches, like Ossessione, Bellissima, Umberto D, and Roma Citta Aperta. Then we continued on with the documentaries of Vittorio De Seta(more real than neorealism!), which were really good. Now we are starting the new new cinema of the 80's. Probably the hardest thing I have had to do in Italy is try to listen to Piero speak for an hour straight. E' molto difficile e annoio! But today he used me as an example of someone who did well on our exam. I was as surprised as anyone, believe me. What he probably meant was that I did quite well for someone who doesn't know Italian.

20^th Century Italian Culture: A lot of wacky stuff happened in Italy in the 20^th century. My teacher, Davide, is really awesome and has the strangest accent I have ever heard. He is always ready to go on tangents like arguing the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones. He is a Stones man. I am a Beatles man. Somehow we manage to get along anyway.