Leaving Rome ...

5-14-2009

A few weeks ago, Camilla and I had the conversation that I had been dreading. We finally talked about my early departure. I am ready to go home and surprisingly Camilla agreed with my thoughts about leaving. The family will leave Rome in June when the girls finish the school year. They will spend their summer in Tuscany, at the beach, and probably go to Cortina as well. They will return to Rome in September. Camilla said that she knows I wouldn't be happy to be outside of Rome for that long. Also, she needs someone who can work "full time" (she really means over time). Elena won't travel with the family during the summer, so she needs to find someone who can work from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. all summer long. I am not that person. We both know that.

Yesterday, Camilla brought apricots home from the supermarket for the first time this season. We were all eating apricots after lunch, and she told me that it is tradition in Italy to make a wish, or to think about something you desire to happen when you eat something for the first time during the year. I immediately wished that I would be home and thought about playing with my dog in the yard, and sleeping in my own bed with Nick. This experience has been great. I've accomplished a lot of what I came here to do. I have learned A LOT of Italian, and I am definitely a stronger person for having traveled to Italy to live with a foreign family. However, being away from my home has made me realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful life in Gainesville. I appreciate little things that I took for granted, and I am more than ready to go home. I appreciate my laundry room. I appreciate my air conditioner. I appreciate long strolls through my neighborhood. I appreciate being able to hop in my car and go for a ride ...

All my travel plans are arranged, and Nick will fly to Italy to help me get home. He arrives in just two weeks. I am sooooo excited that we will have a vacation in Italy together. Also, Camilla informed me that she will not be able to help me get to the airport, and so I really need his support. I was pretty angry about the whole airport thing with Camilla. She was aware of my travel plans, and it's in the contract that the host family is supposed to take the au pair to and from the airport. BULLCRAP on her part!! Anyway, I suppose it was a blessing because Nick is now coming to Rome. YAY!!!! I am busy planning our itinerary.

The last few days have been pretty rough here. I think it has something to do with my upcoming departure, but ... Yesterday night, Anna screamed in my face and almost hit me right in front of Camilla. I turned off the television at dinner time (because Camilla told me to do so) and she was really angry. She was watching "Il Mago di Oz" the DVD I bought her. They LOVE this movie by the way. Anyway, Camilla said nothing to her about treating me so terribly. I was more mad at Camilla than Anna. I think she should have said something to Anna about screaming in my face like a demon. It made me feel like dirt. I know she is just a child, and I'm taking it way too personally, but in a way it's like Camilla condoning such behavior not to say anything to her. I think it's strange. A lot of the time, I feel like the ugly step-sister here.

After dinner, I cleaned the kitchen and promptly went to my room and closed the door. My feelings were really hurt. Dinner was silent, and Camilla was giving me demands without saying "please and thank you." I really dislike that as well. It's amazing how much nicer an order is when it's followed by "please."

I really want the next two weeks to be full of good times and good memories. I care about these children and I hope they will look back with fond memories of our time together. I am working on a DVD slideshow of all the pictures I have taken of the children to give to Camilla. The language barrier has been difficult, and I know Camilla had hoped the children would learn more English.

I will have the entire weekend to myself in Rome. I need it. :o)