For realz this time.

Okay, classes have started, and I'm doing better overall.

1. Conservation of Archeological Objects. Seems really great! I'll be handling artifacts that are thousands of years old, but I can't really talk about it because the publishing rights belong to the State. My teachers, Renzo (almost eighty, who can't speak English, but has been a conservator for 40 years) and Nora (his young translator/conservator) are both very sweet and helpful, but obviously enthusiastic and seriosu about their work. Our first exercise was to put together nine smashed terra cotta planting pots. We did pretty well for the most part! Next week we're going to glue them together, then we get to work on the real thing! Eep!

2. Painting Conservation. Once again, I'll be working on real masterpieces, but the publishing rights aren't mine. My teachers are Maurizio (like Renzo, but about thirty years younger), and Roberta (translator and conservator herself, but twenty years older than Nora). Roberta is smiley and has a sense of humor about her subject, but she's clearly very precise--she likes things done right. I like her. :) Maurizio is very quiet, intense, but obviously a nice man. We watched him start to retouch two paintings today--there wasn't a lot to see for the time we were allotted, but he's VERY careful and uses TEENY brushstrokes.

3. Etching. I have to spend money on supplies, which I'm not crazy about, but Melissa had to spend 175 euro for photo supplies, so I can't really complain. My teacher, Melania, is really nice, and VERY Italian looking--full-figured, black curly hair, olive skin, and a LOT of makeup (dark eye shadow, full bloodred lips). I think the class will be pretty good for me--teach me more about process.

I find that all of the classes I've signed up for do a lot to exercise patience, which is something I'm really struggling with right now. When I couldn't get online last night to talk to my mom and you guys and Robin, I nearly had a meltdown. It was an overreaction (even though there's nothing wrong with being upset and disappointed), and I should know better. I just can't control myself these days, and I hate it! (You all know what a control freak I am!)

Anyway, I'm going to upload some pictures! :D Catch you all later.

Love,

A.


P.S. OKAY. I will DEFINITELY be on between 3 and 6. I love you guys and I hope to talk to you!

P.P.S. "If I could stay, I would. Loving you is the greatest thing I've ever done." Some LJ girl's LDBF said this to her on his last night visiting. :) How awesome.