It was because the microwave made things mushy that Ita preferred the toaster oven. It wasn't all that difficult to reheat leftovers in a toaster oven, so she didn't mind the extra bit of work. Just set it to 350 and let it run until it was warm. It was especially good for fried foods, which ended to get really mushy when it was reheated.
Ita would have loved such European meals. Meals that lasted for hours, and required socializing to allow time for digestion. Many different courses, so any cook could enjoy the variety of foods for a single meal.
"Oh, no I haven't. I figured that if I have a hard time with English - prepositions, gerunds, direct objects, and all - then it might be best to avoid foreign languages. But, maybe next semester... I'll see how this semester goes first." Ita had no illusions about her academic prowess - she never could get into her classes enough to really be a stellar student. But she could be downright tenacious to get what she wanted. If she wanted to study abroad and had to learn a language, she would. She just didn't want it badly enough just yet.
Pleasantly surprised when he cleaned up the dessert plates, Ita set to packing up the leftovers for him. Grinning, she answered, "Don't worry, I'll ask if I have questions. I'm not shy. I hope we get to do dinner again sometime." He seemed like a nice enough guy. She liked talking to him. Picking up the notes he'd left, she would walk with him to the exit if he was heading the same way. They lived in separate Houses, so they'd be parting ways soon enough.