7.28.2010

10 things that tell me im in the Right place:

1. Good food. duh .. I eat A LOT and really like all of it. even the little octopusses the other day were cooked in beans and wine. you know i like beans! I have at least 3 espresso a day and then usually coffee ice cream with candied beans. omg i love the beans. Tomatoes are eaten like candy here and the pizza is like something youve never had (unless youve been to Italy.) Also, fatty meats and breads with rich cheeses is like really popular with me here. Its like Rays ... but italian.

2. The Hedwig pillow case. Some of you may be remembering how I made an A in Brit Lit by writing an A-R account of The Lighthouse. H stood for harry potter. I do believe I was called out in class for writing a brilliant essay, especially the insightful approach i took by including modern film in my interpretation of a British classic. text me if you would like an emailed copy of the essay (roughly 10 pages.)

3. The language is brilliant. so brilliant, not even words can describe it. Sometimes we'll all be talking with our hands and between 8 people, a story told, a point will be made and reactions expressed, all by gesture. One womans leaned forward with one arm in a right angle and her other hand cupped in the corner (think Friends); some one else has their eyes rolled back, forearms up and shaking their wrists,limp, fingers joined at the thumb; fingers, in a gun at hip; the middle finger (translates everywhere i guess); one hand extended, palm up, the other hand backhanding it. Oh dio, I could talk with my hands forever. The verbal part of the language is beautful too and im finally catching on. Some of my favorite words (i cant actually spell in italian so pretend with me): Forbici (FOR BEE CHEE) is scissors, piccolo (PEE COH LOH) is small, faggani (FA JAH NEE) is pheasant, mama mia is like oh my gosh, and there are a few others that i dont know yet but are SO funny. like una booba. one boob. really could it mean one boob? maybe so.

4. I nap everyday.

5. the weather is amazing. outstanding. beautiful and bright and breezy; like california without all the blonde bitches (only me).

6. Discretion is rarely used so the kids curse like sailors and announce when they have to take a shit (usually in the middle of dinner or done on the neighbors lawn. Did I tell you about the day i kept smelling poop? Mom you and I both know our noses. we know when we smell something and we are usually right. And ill sniff around and hunt it down like a dog until I find gold. So one day i kept smelling caca. really, like everywhere i went i thought ugh when did i step in dog poo? well its not me im barefoot. two hours later, outside, still smelling it. long story (many many hours) short, I STRUCK GOLD. Lorenzo had been on medication that gives him diahrhea and he had pooped his pants a little. so he took his mutande off and changed them. Well, his foot had contact with the soiled spot and THE CACA HAD DRIED ON HIS FEET. I found it later as we were playing legos (lego my eggo) outside. There was absolutely no embarrasment or discretion. we ran around yelling PIEDI DI CACA! all day. That translates to shit feet.) So, yes, i enjoy the freedom, but rarely take advantage of it myself. although i was tempted to tinkle in the pool the other day ...

7. Seven minutes heaven. No, really i cant think of anything else because im craving coffee ice cream and my mind will not release information until its been satisfied. This is why i made Bs in college. and Cs. but only 1 F!

7.21.2010

ALSO IM GOING TO BE AN AUNT!

I cant believe i forgot to announce it. Aunt Alyssa. Here, they call me Santa Alyssa, so could we just get used to that and keep in going when I get home?

Anway, i am so excited! Tony and fertile Myrtle, I AM SO PROUD AND EXCITED!
ciao ciao miss me? Ive been super busy these last few weeks running from town to town, from puppet shows to church to festivals to the bathroom etc. I have even had time to read a few good books which is something that makes me happy too.

a few weekends ago we went to Gubbia, a gorgeous little medieval town in the mountains to visit Luca's family. The people and food were amazinggggg. think everything homemade and simple; spinach ravioli, amaaazing tagliateli(?) which is pasta and chicken and duck (why dont we really eat duck?) and two deserts and wine and this type of pound cake that is traditionally dipped in wine. WHY DONT WE DIP CAKE IN WINE? seriosuly it was amazing. i dont think i ate for 2 days after.

I think what is so special about this place is the conjunction of food and people, a community that is built around the church and kitchen table. We have a weekly dinner with a few other families and those nights are always the best. the kids play and the adults wine and dine for hours. we never get in bed before midnight! I respect how time is taken out for evenings like this. sure, the next day sucks (for those who cant nap hehe) but this importance of food and friends is a lesson i know ill take home. its like the knut that actually happens! (knut was our weekly dinner plans in college that turned into nightly dinner plans which was so amazing and one of the best memories I have!)

Last weekend I went to Vicenza to meet David (elizabeths boyfriends boyfriend) and we trained to Venice for the festa del redentore which celebrates a church built in honor of when God saved Venice from the plague. There was a SPECTACULO (show) featuring about 45 minutes of fireworks and lots of drinks. it was a great time!! (i think ....) It was so hot and crowded -- just like i would expect Venice to be on a summer night. On the train ride back there was a hail storm and tons of rain .... So obviously i just laughed at how Davids new car (bought the day before) was uncovered.

What else ... other than being severly intoxicated for two days, my 2 hour train ride turned into 6 after someone leapt in front of the train in front of us. So the trains were backed up for hours. When I finally got to my stop, a man tried to take me home. you know, like he thought i was a prostitute. me, in my sweet little jcrew outfit, my silk scarf and cake platter. yea, I was carrying a cake platter. a 50s housewife prostitute. thats me! So, obviously it was a phenomenal weekend. :)

Did you know lindsey lohans in jail? yeah, shes going to die. rip parent trap.

Also, the neighbors kids (the ones that look like you mal!) keep pooping. The baby made her first caca in the potty with me ... the day before she pooped on the patio while we were eating dinner. Then a few days later she peed on our patio. Then last week her sister pooped in the neighbors yard. Did i mention they are always naked too? Imagine .. girls gone wild, always naked, always pooping. I peed my pants in the kitchen, but a dare is different! right?