Buon Compleanno!
Wednesday was my friend Dan’s (the only guy student from Loyola) birthday! He just turned 20, and so his host family threw him a little birthday dinner to celebrate. He invited me and Katherine to come over after school for dinner, which we were excited for because we wanted to meet Nonna! His host mom is somewhat famous; she’s this little old lady who everyone calls “nonna” (which means “grandma” in Italian), and is such a funny cute little woman. So, we picked up some wine and flowers, and headed to nonna’s for dinner.
Before dinner, we had some wine and snacks in the sitting room, which Dan had never even been in because it’s a room reserved for when guests come over. The apartment was really cute and antique looking, like everything had been in its place for the 50 years that nonna had lived in Rome. We had a nice dinner with nonna and her son (who lives with her). Nonna shared with us stories of the previous students she had hosted; she remembered everything about every one of them! It was so funny to hear her rattle off the cities and schools of her previous students, as well as little anecdotes about them. She had quite an impressive memory!
I also enjoyed the way she had no problem correcting us when we made mistakes as we were speaking with her in Italian. Dan had warned us that she helps you with your Italian “out of love.” So we were prepared for the critical ear. Although I think it’s a good way to learn, because you’re not saying things in Italian that you think are right, but rather learning what the correct grammar usage is.
Anyway, after a delicious dinner, nonna brought out a homemade chocolate cake with a cream icing drizzled on top with 20 candles in it for Dan! She lit the candles for him as we took pictures! After cake and coffee and a little more conversation, we said goodbye to Dan and nonna, and headed home (just a 15 min. walk from Dan’s neighborhood) to study for our Italian exam the next day. Although I think I only got as far as opening my book on my bed before falling asleep…
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