It's been an action-packed few days.
First up was Mario's 40th birthday on Friday. For me, birthdays are big deals - I'd have one every day if I could. Not for the presents, just the fun and merriment and the occasion - and a time to soak up everything you've achieved, gloat in your own special day, share it with friends and family and look forward to the next one.
But for Italians, they are a lot more low key. All of the 'big' birthdays just aren't a big deal in Italy. They seem to go by without you even realising.
But Mario deserved more than that. I was determined that his 40th birthday was going to be celebrated in style. Eight years ago, he was that ill with cancer that he didn't think he'd even think he'd even live to see another birthday. In fact, this is the first year since being in remission that he no longer has to have twice-yearly check-ups. It seemed like a perfect reason to celebrate to me. So we did. I even managed to sneak a surprise birthday cake into the restaurant, along with friends that he didn't even know were coming. Saturday evening was a repeat performance. And there's more to come next weekend, too.
Oh, and I've also been busy arranging to go back to school for a few hours each week. I love teaching and I've missed the sulky teenage girls who pout into their mirrored compacts during class, the charming teenage boys who try to sneak out of class for a quick cigarette and the 10-year-olds who will do whatever you say just as long as you tell them it's a game.
I start again in two weeks and can't wait.
Comments