Another year older

Yesterday was my birthday. It was also my twin brother Alex's birthday. We both turned 38.



I had a marvellous day. I was treated to breakfast in bed. Kev managed to sneak out and get some coffees and pastries from the cafe next door. He brought breaky in to me with some lovely prezzies. I got a toy dog, a real nice puzzle  of Venice, a massive slab of Lindt chocolate and another Bill Bryson book. Pretty good, huh?!!!



We went to Adoration for an hour at the chapel near our place, then went to work. We had a Skype call with my fam on mum's new Ipad. It was great (as always) to see my mum and dad and brothers and sis-in-law and three little nephews.

Then I did some work. It involved traipsing around Rome in the disgusting heat, but that's ok. I had to go to the Vatican to organise visas for next year's students. I was unsuccessful. But while I was so close, I decided to pop into St Peter's and pray in front of Bl John Paul II's tomb for ten minutes.

After work we went to Mass then dinner at a restaurant near our house. We were joined by some of our crazy friends.

 Me and Carly (and a prawn)

 Fr Eric, Simon, Marta, Carly and me

Fr Eric, Simon, Marta, Carly, me, Kev, Philip, Claire, Bernard

As usual, the food was good, the company was great, and the service was terrible. The gang got me some dvds: 'Mr Crocodile Dundee (this is the Italian version) and West Wing. I also got a noice scarf and some chocky.

It was a ripper day.

Lake Bracciano

This year our students took a bit longer to pack up and leave Rome, which was nice because we got to spend a bit more time with them. Some of them kindly invited us to spend a day with them at lake Bracciano.

It was such a lovely day - here are some photos to prove it.

 Hele and Kev and some of our former students

Kev and Hele

We spent the day swimming, eating and swimming and eating. The students packed lunch for us all so we had a little picnic. Later we all had a gelato. For the first time in my life, I paid the little bit extra and had a waffle cone with chocolate around the top.  I ordered four flavours: lemon, strawberry, pineapple and peach. It was the greatest icecream experience of my life.

We returned to Rome late in the afternoon and decided to stay at school for dinner. Some of the students offered to cook dinner. It started out to be a small affair with about 10 people. By the time dinner was ready we were about 20 people. It was nice because we had wine and music with our meal, and we didn't have to ring the gong after 45 minues (which is what normally happens during the year).

Now there are no students left. It is very quiet here at the school. It won't be long before we are welcoming the new batch!

End of the year

Kev and I have survived another year at the ESM!!
 

The farewell celebrations began a week ago with the annual dinner with Cardinal Rylko. As he is the head-honcho for the Pontifical Council for the Laity, he likes to come to the ESM at the end of each year and meet with the students. He puts them on the spot by asking them what they got out of the year, while at the same time, encouraging them for when they return home.

Dinner with Cardinal Rylko

We also had a dinner to thank all of our teachers, companions, tutors and the local members of the Emmanuel Community. I think the long-term teachers were a little disappointed that the students didn't treat them to drama and music created to mock them, as has been the tradition in past years. But they were thankful for the gratitude shown by the students.

Then came the 30th June - the last day of school. The students organised everything, and did such a wonderful job. They prepared all the food (it was the cook's day off), decorated, prepared the entertainment, and even bought two little pools to cool us down on the terrace.

Theresa made the mistake of coming outside with an umbrella, which in our eyes was another way of saying, 'please splash me'. So we did.

Flavio and me splashing Theresa!

After dinner, we had some entertainment. There were various 'acts' including slide shows, music, drama and dancing. Even the Team contributed. Firstly we played little clips of music while everyone had to guess which student it referred to. Then we projected an image of the student which had been 'improved' in 'yearbook yourself'.

Cris - before and after

We also perfomed a song to let the students know how we feel about them leaving. We changed the words from, "Knocking on Heaven's Door" to "Don't Come Knocking on Helen's Door" (after July 1st)

Then, to thank the members of Team who are leaving, we gave them a small gift. We got one of the students to dress up as Theresa - we even made a face-mask out of a photo. It was hilarious.

Kev, Hele and Jeanne (dressed up as Theresa)

The students thanked us for our love and care. They knew that I loved painting so they all painted a picture for me. It is a picture of St Peter's, with each of the students and Team. I was so touched as it took them days to paint (in secret)

Baptiste presents me with the painting

After all the 'organised fun' we headed outside to sit by the pools! It was so hot, so this was the perfect way to cool down.

 

 Some of the gang with their feet in the pool

Some of the boys picked Kev up from inside and carried him into the pools.

 Kev taking it easy

It was a fantastic end to a great night and a wonderful year.

 Farewell ESM 2011-2012!