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So, I just uploaded more onto the resource page. It has tons of sites both written and video about the Italian language, other foreign languages and a plethora of other info…WWII info, etc. I ‘d like users to add sites too. I still have not uploaded the lessons on the Lesson Plans page. I start working on the plans and then get side-tracked with other projects…it’ll get done, it’ll get done…that’s my mantra right now…it’ll get done…ohm….

So, I didn’t get much of a chance to work on the lesson page. I have some ideas written down yet not in the form or format I’d like. I’m getting there however. I hope to have that Lesson Page ready by the beginning of March. In the midst of writing up my lesson/s, I have been working on editing the interview with Portelli, which is part of the Lesson Page work. I continue to work on ‘house stuff’…communicating with lawyers, realtors, mortgage brokers and movers. Also getting estimates on some minor work I wish to get done on the home. And also finding a doctor…I haven’t been feeling 100% and don’t really have a primary care physician so I have been doing some homework and found an Internist near my new neighborhood. Will be getting a check-up and blood-work done soon…not fun, especially because I am not a good patient. I am not that fond of doctors or how our medical practices (aka ‘business’) are dealt with in the States yet I digress…I do not want to complain. Some good news or fun news for me is that I started my workshop with the Writer’s Loft!
In the midst of all this I also worked on a resource page for the website. I compiled a number of resources/sites that can be used with the lesson page/lessons I will be uploading--general resources for language, culture and WWII.
I also discovered that the Italian actress Sophia Loren was coming to the Chicago area. The Copernicus Theater to be exact. I did some research and thought ‘wow, wouldn’t it be great to interview Sophia Loren about WWII.’ She lived through it personally and played a character in a DeSica film that won her an Academy Award--La Ciociara—Two Women. I sent an email to the producer responsible for getting the Q&A ‘show’ with Sophia Loren. she will be on stage, answering questions. At least that is how it appears it will be according to the description on the theater website. She isn’t cheap. The lowest price ticket is $95 and it goes up from there to $500. I had to try and see if I could ask her about the War. I figured I had nothing to lose. The worst that could happen was a ‘NO’. I did get a response from the assistant producer. ‘NO’ but you could buy a ticket and ask her a question. I would’ve loved to interview her but I am not convinced $95 a question is worth it. I am sure it will be a great Q&A show however--she is fairly legendary.

I'm hoping to upload the lesson/s onto the ‘Lesson Plans’ page of the website. I have been busy with ‘home stuff’. I have also been working on editing the Portelli interview. I will be using the recording as an intro to the lesson I am designing on how to go about doing your own oral history project. Aside from my experience with Portelli, he does have some thoughtful and constructive ideas about Oral History. I am also working on creating other lessons based on the recordings done by the women on the site. I have added another link to the site. It’s a website I worked on while I was in Italy. It’s currently got a weebly domain but I am looking into purchasing the domain alone. It’s www.fortheloveofallthingsitalian.weebly.com
Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I think it’s a great site to use as a resource for those thinking of traveling to Italy, for teachers, students of italian, and for all those interested in all things italian. It also has links to a course I created on Udemy.com. I will be adding more courses with time. The course is called Simple Sicilian Cooking with Nonna Grace. It’s not a typical cooking class and I actually can see it being used in my Italian classes. It’s got a lot of info about the island of Sicily and some of its towns/cities and history.

I have been working on the lesson plan on how to go about creating your own Oral History project using my own sabbatical proposal and OPRFHS template. I am creating a video (not sure if it will be a video or just an audio) of the recording done in Rome with Professor Portelli. You can read about the experience of acquiring this interview in my earlier logs—October months. I am also in the midst of home inspections, appraisals, mortgage talks, etc…all exciting things…I will also be starting this writer’s workshop soon and also planning my return trip to Italy in May/June…even more exciting!

Anna C.

Instructor of Italian language and culture at OPRFHS

**Throughout the logs, highlighted and underlined in yellow are links that will lead you to resources about Italy, WW2, and many other miscellaneous topics that may help you utilized the site in a more effective way**

February 29th, 2016

sabbatical logs

sabbatical logs

sabbatical logs

Anna C.

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