Volume 124 Issue 16
kansan.com
Monday, September 12, 2011
SPEAK
These Are My People
Finding spiritual identity in Italy
I had high hopes for my time abroad. Both sets of my dad's grandparents emigrated from Italy, so 50 percent of my blood is legitimately Italian. After three semesters of studying the language in the States, I was ready to connect with my roots in the birthplace of the Renaissance: Florence. I just knew that once I set foot on the land of my ancestors, the language would osmose into my brain, my Italian blood would rise up, and I would blend right into Italian culture. In fact, they'd probably take one look at me, see my Italian nose, my big eyes, my olive skin, and think I was una locale (a local).
Instead, my first week of four-hour language classes in Italy left me with hellacious headaches. The rapid-fire Italian shot at me from native Italian speakers was more than my brain could handle. I got accustomed to saying phrases like, "Ripeti, per favore?" (Could you repeat that, please?), "Mi scusi?" (Excuse me)? and most embarrassing of all was the oft-repeated, "Mi dispiaca, ma non ho capito." (I'm sorry, but I didn't understand).
Another blow came when my host dad said to me, "One of your parents is not Italian, right?"
"Yeah, my dad's Italian, but my mom isn't."
"I can tell."
Seriously? Apparently I didn't even look like a legit Italian!
I tried to convince myself as I walked through the bustling streets that these people, this culture, this land somehow resonated inside of me. I strained to hear some ring in my soul of "Yes! We are one and the same! These are my people!"
But it never came. I wasn't in love with Italy the way my classmates were. My roommate was having the time of her life. Sweetly, she tried to help me feel my roots, saying, "Oh, I bet you're more Italian than you think!" But I wasn't feeling it. For three weeks I wasn't feeling it. Don't get me wrong - Italy certainly had its delights and I thanked God for the opportunity to experience them. I saw works by Boticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Donatello. Most nights we chased our delectable three course meals down with fine wines, often followed by the dreamy goodness that is gelato.
By day, I walked narrow cobblestone streets that were often filled with the sound of accordions or violins – just as you would imagine Italy. Yet somehow it all felt so empty to me. Everybody in my program seemed content to fill
their days and nights with museums, shopping, bars and clubs and I wasn't. I wanted something deeper.
Something alive. Something eternal. So I talked to God – a lot. I told God how frustrated I was that my values didn't sync up with the Italianis' the way I'd imagined. I missed my life in Lawrence, my friends, my family, and my church.
I floated along in the crowd of people exiting the station. The Mediterranean sunlight temporarily blinded me from what was just across the street. Within a few seconds, my eyes adjusted and focused on the ancient, arched building towering over me. Dumbfounded, I stood there a moment or two, just staring up at the Colosseum. How many times had I seen this building on cute elementary school atlases, on t-shirts, magnets and other cheap souvenirs? I gazed upon a centuries-old world icon as unexpected tears spilled down my cheeks. Why am I crying?
One weekend I decided to meet up with a friend in Rome. I had a couple hours all by myself before meeting her. So I hopped on the B line and got off at the second stop: II Colosseo, or, as we know it, the Colosseum.
And then I remembered what actually
never see. I realized that stronger than my cultural heritage is the identity I have as a follower of Christ. It trumps everything, transcending time and bloodline, connecting me to Christians past, present, and future. I hope that my life will make the martyrs' count for something as I live with the same dedication to Christ. There is a verse in the Bible, which says,
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)
happened just on the other side of that wall. The Colosseum has had various uses throughout history: it was a quarry, provided housing for monks and was built to be an amphitheatre for entertainment. But there was only one use that was running through my mind as I stood silently crying, staring up at it. I remembered that people who once walked the same ground I was standing on went inside that arena, never to come out again. I tried to imagine what it would be like to face brutal death simply for following Jesus. What were these people's last thoughts as they watched the lions approach and heard the roar of thousands of people cheering for them to die? Did they feel at peace with their end, that they'd done exactly what they were meant to do in their time on earth? Did they realize that their choice to identify themselves with Christ, even in the face of death, would make one girl thousands of years later stand in awe? For the first time in Italy, my soul rang with, "Yes. We are one and the same. These are my people."
I walked away from the Colosseum that day with new perspective on my small life. I realized that, like these martyrs, the choices I make now will affect people generations away, whom I will
Since that day, I sometimes imagine myself in the arena, looking up at packed stadium seats and seeing the martyrs, my people, cheering me on to life.
JENNIFER DIDONATO
Thirteen escape unharmed from Tennessee Street blaze
A house burned on the 1300 block of Tennessee Street Sunday. All occupants escaped unharmed, but the house suffered severe damage.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
"We're just so happy everyone
IAN CUMMINGS icummings@kansan.com
All of the occupants escaped with no injuries, but the fire destroyed virtually all of their possessions, and the house is severely damaged. At least 13 people were in the house, including seven students who lived there, according to James Hennahane, a sophomore from Leawood. Hennahane said he was asleep inside when the fire started.
Fire engulfed a house on the 1300 block of Tennessee Street around 6 a.m. Sunday.
Andrew Adford, a sophomore from Moorpark, Calif., was one of the first to discover a sofa on fire on the porch. After waking several people on the first floor, Adford saw that the fire had grown out of control and consumed the porch.
Hennahane was one of the last to exit; neighbors lent him shoes and a shirt. He watched the fire from outside as a propane tank on the porch by the grill exploded, destroying part of the roof. He said every part of the house was damaged by fire and water.
"The fire alarm was going, but people were still sleeping." Adford
sald. After helping to warn people on the second and third floors, he exited the house through a third-floor fire escape.
offer help obtaining textbooks, temporary housing and emergency funds. Students can donate house- hold items and money at collection boxes located in the Student Union Activities office in the Kansas Union or at the office of the Jayhawk Towers.
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire-Medical is investigating the cause of the fire, according to Sgt. Randy Roberts, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman.
Chance Penner and Matt Gasper contributed to this story.
Index CLASSIFIEDS 11A CRYPTOQUIPS 4A SPORTS 12A CROSSWORD 4A OPINION 5A SUDOKU 4A
got out alive," he said.
"You don't really have time to think," he said. "Just try to get everybody and get out. The fire started so fast, and the smoke was so thick."
Some residents will stay with family in the Kansas City area while they make decisions about what to do next. Kathynn Tuttle, the Vice Provest for Student Success, contacted the students Sunday to
John Kindscher, a sophomore from Leawood, also was asleep when the fire started.
- Edited by Laura Nightengale
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
This is the last week to add or drop a class. Make sure your schedule is set. You can't do this one online — stop by the registar's office.
Today's weather
Forcasts done by
University students.
For a more detailed forecast,
see page 21.
HI: 94
L0: 61