a question to which i really want your feedback

also kids, here's my current dilemma.

so next week, thursday the 19th through saturday the 21st, there's this TESOL (teaching english to speakers of other languages) conference in rome and fulbright's paying for us to go and stay in a hotel for those two nights. the conference lasts through saturday afternoon, and then i have the option of either taking a flight back to palermo saturday evening or staying the night with one of the rome etas, ashley, and hanging out with her on sunday and coming back later in the day.

i'm really excited to get away from palermo for a few days, hang out in rome (it's pathetic how little time i've spent in rome given how much time total i've spent in italy), and of course above all to see the other girls and commiserate about teaching and speak americano and do fun stuff together.

the only thing is, my fourth-years at CEI have their confirmation on saturday morning (catholic school, remember?). and they've invited me multiple times, and they're so excited about it, and they're so sincere in begging me to come that i can tell it actually means a lot to them. forgive me for being extremely ignorant about catholicism, but i gather that confirmation is kind of a big deal.

anyway, i'd really love to go. i'd really love to feel close to these guys, to show them my support and my affection, to feel part of the intimate little CEI community that i like so much. it sucks that these two things coincide. because making it to their cresima would mean getting to rome thursday afternoon and leaving friday afternoon, essentially 24 hours later, cutting short my time with the girls and making a really rushed time of it there.

so let me know what you think i should do. like, stat, cuz i have to buy my flight...

btw, this is the input i got from ashley, the one i'd stay with if i stay on in rome...
"... that is really special that your students asked you to attend their confirmation, like really really special that you've developed a bond with them that carries outside the school walls. i don't think i'll ever get that close with any of my students/classes. i guess if you find a flight back to palermo on friday night then why not take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, especially since you know it will mean a lot to them and be a neat experience for you. but that's a quick trip up to rome, so hopefully we'll get the schedule soon and you can figure out what you'd be missing here vs. in palermo. but if you end up staying, of course plan on staying with me!!!!"

other takes?