All Alone

This morning Jane and the kids left for their home in the States and now its just Mark, Zeek and me. Its a totally different feeling being "on my own" in Italy than it was before at the Villa with the school trips and even when Jane was there. I am gradually moving towards a state of complete self reliance, but I can feel that shift and being conscious of it is scary, a little bit. Small things are so much harder to do here than in the states and when left to my own devices, I know I am capable, but I am still uncomfortable and timid.
Since I came to live with Jane and Mark Ive met many of their friends and each time, they give me a phone number and tell me to call for a beach day or a trip to their town or even just help if I need it. Italians are so friendly that Im blown away everytime I interact with them. For example, I go to this one internet cafè every other day or so, and owner there knows me. When he sees me walk in, he skips the other customers and goes straight to me. He takes me to a computer, gets it neat looking and then pulls the chair out for me. Its just so kind how they take care of you and how they want you to be happy with their service. Businesses are almost always owned by families here and, frequently, they live above the business itself in an apartment. They oversee everything and they know their customers. They know how to do the work at hand and have often been working on it since they could walk when their parents began teaching them as apprentices.
In other news, I have heard from Gisella (who Im staying with later this summer) and more and more I am looking forward to that time with her. She is working on arranging her work schedule so that she can be home more when I am there and spend time with me. Shes hoping that we can teach eachother everyday in a language class for my Italian and her English...its sort of unfair though because she has a big headstart! haha.
Im trying to take it one day at a time and see where things go. I just finished The Color of Light and liked that book a LOT. I miss Austin a ton and my friends and family but I know Ill be okay. I know that if I can do this year in Italy, I can do anything.