Happy Graduation ANTHONY! Your last day of school-in-Italy AND last day of Junior High!

You will always be able to say: I graduated the 8th grade in Italy. Perhaps the fan-fare will be a bit less, and your graduation dinner will have to wait until we reach state-side in a few weeks... but isn't it cool you can say you were in Italy in the 8th grade? 

You learned to speak a second language
. And saw countless works of art in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Florence and Rome. You rode your bike on average 8 miles a day: to and from school then to and from soccer. You tried every gelato flavor at our favorite shop on Borgo dei Neri; and tasted and tried various Italian wines, olive oils and cheeses, truffles, Belgium beer, Genovese pesto and wild boar. 

We watched Billy Elliot and Jersey Boys on stage in London, rode the tube and Eye; we enjoyed friends in Windsor. You tried croissants, toured Notre Dame and saw the Mona Lisa in Paris. You went on road trips to Venice/Murano, Cinque Terre, Rome, Elba Island (Napoleon's exile), Pisa, Lucca, 5 hot springs across southern Tuscany, countless little hill-towns, tours in Parma and Edam (cheese), Gouda (stroopwafels), Delft (ceramics), Modena (vinegar), Chianti (wine) and more museums than I can count. But you did count windmills as we cycled across Holland, didn't you? The final count: 132.

I guess your 8th grade year really WAS something to write home about. We look forward to hearing your perspectives going forward---as you learn your way through high school. When you talk about art, or take history, study geography and learn a third language... your high school studies will relate constantly back to this experience abroad---your 8th grade year. You may have grown over half a foot taller during this year; but I venture to bet you grew yards in your heart and mind.

We are so proud of you, for your adventurous spirit, for your willingness to dive into the unknown all in the name of learning. We will remember your enduring pace and cat-like reflexes on your bicycle (and give you the trophy for the tightest-packed panniers!), new soccer juggling records, your appreciation for art---including your talent for painting---your interest in mechanics, history, politics, creating a new dungeon and dragon class, architecture drawings and... chickens! (In case readers don't know this, Anthony started a blog about urban chickens---check out www.pickinachicken.com).

From Italy you will always remember your soccer goalkeeping coach Angelo, who was not only well-regarded as a coach, but as a person too. And you will remember Simone---your Italian language teacher---and all the special time you had with grandparents and cousins while they visited Italy for weeks at a time. And at school: Madre Christina and Madre Lupoi. Good-hearts in Italy.

Anthony, what 5 things did you like about Italy?

1. 'forced learning': you can't just take a break--you are always learning Italian because you are always around it.
2. Italian soccer: skill level/the talent, the keeper is highly valued/appreciated.
3. Feels good to be able to speak a second language (in a particular social context); presses you to think in new thought processes.
4. Culture: old towers and buildings, art, seeing the Duomo, history and antiquity in stone streets and walls.
5. Kindness: general Italian hospitality---we were even invited into a strangers' home for dinner when we were lost once.
6. Different Perspective: Italians look at/engage the world differently. How does Italy look at the US? At the world, life, etc.

Anthony, what 5 things do you most look forward to as we return to the states (Seattle)?

1. Being able to be able to communicate intelligently, and being able to show my personality more (in Italy it has been more about basic communication, since I was just learning the language).
2. Friends and family---seeing them and getting caught up.
3. Good water: drinking great, sharp and clear water from Seattle. All summer and year the water didn't taste very good---we bought a lot of bottled water.
4. Efficiency, timeliness, organization: clear schedules, guidelines, email communication, school expectations, practice times/locations.
5. 'Bigger is Better': larger homes, space for living, instead of small, compressed living spaces. Better for entertaining, stretching out, playing hard.

What does it feel like to graduate from 8th grade?

Its a new part of my life, when you start thinking about what you want to do with the rest of your life (aka career, passion, interest). I feel older and more mature. It all feels new. New everything: new time in life, new friends, different/new classes, new opportunities, new skill sets will develop etc. Its a time of real growth and development (high school).


  1. Congratulations Anthony! I am so proud of your willingness to undertake this journey with our family during 8th grade. It has been such a pleasure to see you embrace this opportunity abroad and grow as a person. It will change you forever.

  2. Anonymous13.6.10

    Congratulations Anthony! You are ready now to start another phase of your young life - with soooo much more information stimulating those brain synapses! What a journey you have had and how fortunate you have been. It has been such a pleasure for us to witness your willingness to actively participate in learning about another part of the world. It has helped all of us grow. Can't wait to see you and watch you enjoy high school! Tiamo. Oma and Opa

  3. What a beautiful post! Your children are so lucky to have had to amazing opportunity that you have provided to them. Congratulations to Anthony! And best wishes to your entire family and you continue your fabulous adventure - what a gift you have given to each other!


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