off to the mountains...

Well orientation is over. Sorry i haven't been able to update since monday/tuesday...things here have been a little crazy. Orientation days were long and exhausting running from about 9 to 5. We learned a lot of fun games and songs to use with the kids, and went over how to plan effective lesson plans for the different age groups and language levels. We actually got to work with some kids on thursday which was really cool....they were so adorable but speaking to some of them was definitely harder than i thought it would be, especially the little ones. We also got to put on a little skit similar to the shows we will be planning with the kids at the end of each camp week. It was hilarious with our play being about the Jolie-Pitts....i have some great pictures.

After orientation everyday i've been pretty much heading back to the hotel to sleep and/or going to the beach. We went to a nice one yesterday but it was a bit rocky so i didn't really head in the water. The beaches and the sunset here are absolutely gorgeous. ACLE has been feeding us HUGE dinners everynight at different restaurants each night.....the food is amazing but god i feel like i can't fit anything else in my stomach. Luckily though we've been walking for more than an hour a day so hopefully that will negate all the pasta and carbs they've been feeding us. Best meal so far was definitely the pesto lasagna we had for lunch yesterday.....it was amazinggggg. After dinners we've gone out to a few bars...pretty good drunken times. Everyone on my orientation is pretty great so we've been having an excellent time so far. Many many pictures....althought with no blowdryer (i burnt it out) i probably look like crap in most of them.

The big news is that apparently ACLE was informed this week that the two camps were most of us were supposed to be going were cancelled because of low enrollment or something. Three tutors are heading to san pietro and torino today and the rest of us our off to Boiardo (totally spelled wrong)...a little mountain town with a population of 200 to relax, and plan, and i guess that's it. They are also going to take us to Cannes and Monte Carlo for a day I believe which should be really beautiful. The best part about this little vacation is that they are still taking care of all our food and even paid us 100 euros....pretty sweet deal. I hope this doesnàt happen the week after though because then i'll be really mad....i really do want to work with the kiddos.

Welll i should be on my way. I think checkout is at 10 and we are heading up to the mountains at 11 or so. I won't have internet up there so please please call my phone whenever and i'm gonna try to come down to san remo at one point to go to the beach and come back to the internet cafe. Talk to you all sooon. love and miss you!!!

love, lauren

PS. CONGRATS BOSTON CELTICS!!!!! WOOOOOOOT!!!!! i'm so sad i wasn't there for the game and parade but i just went on boston.com and saw all the festivities....and thanks for the texts letting me know are boys killed kobe and the lakers!!!!wooooot!!! i can't wait to come back and get my shirts, lol. woooooooot!!!!!!