Happy Holidays!

We're off tomorrow for our honeymoon...just a slight year and a half late!

Happy Holidays to everyone - I hope your Christmas is Merry, and your 2008 is filled with an alphabet of good things...

Affection
Belly laughs
Creativity
Dreams
Energy
Friendship
Gifts
Health
Ice-cream
Joy
Krumholz!
Love
Music
Noise
Optimism
Prosperity
Quiet
Rest
Sustenance
Time
Unpredictable surprises
Value
Walks
Xylophone concerts (hey, X is a hard one!)
Your favorite people
Zen

p.s. TANTISSIMI AUGURI ANCHE AI MIEI AMICI ITALIANI...!!

Choosing Your Choices

I'm sitting here at my last day of work, in a quiet pre-holiday office (luckily that just means less awkward goodbyes) and thinking about the last 2 and a half years I have spent here. I wouldn't say I'm nostalgic...not enough time has passed yet for that. I'm just pensive, thinking about how much of our lives is made up of making choices. What to have for breakfast, when's the right time to change your career path, who to invite over for dinner, where to take your next vacation, how to fit in everything you want to do today.

I seem to be the Clichè Queen these days, but I'll risk the flying tomatoes: Life is Choice. And the decisions we make are who we are, define us. And each time we arrive at that proverbial fork in the road, we are being given a chance (or, really, giving ourselves a chance) to re-adjust our persona - to modify how we will be seen, interpreted, translated and remembered.

How often we give ourselves a chance to do that is entirely up to us. Do you want to stay where you are, are you happy with the way you are being interpreted? Or do you feel like something needs adjusting, like you've *almost* pegged it, but there's some missing element? Because, if your answer is an *almost* like I think it probably is...it's most certainly time to make a choice.

No pressure or anything.

Un Certo Signor G

Andrea and I went to the latest show of our public theater subscription, and - are you sitting down? - I actually loved it!

The show was "Un Certo Signor G" (A certain Mr. G). The main - and only - actor was well-known Italian actor/comedian Neri Marcore' who I've loved in everything I've ever seen him in, and this performance was another to add to that list. He was accompanied on stage by two very talented women pianists...oh, and a mouse statue at one point, but it was nothing like those infamous dancing dolphins.



The show, written skillfully by Giorgio Gaber, was a light, comical piece with dark undertones, about your Average Joe - or, in this case, your Average Giuseppe, seeing as it was all about your typical Italian male. Paranoid, self-loathing, proud, in search of love, infantile, curious, apathetic, warm, artistic...in love and in loathing with his country. For all its humor and music, it was a colorful, honest, at times sentimental walk through the Italian brain. In a word, it was authentic. Ahhh, finally!

Life's little presents

Just when I start to question if I'll ever figure this whole game out, Life steps in and tosses a little sunshine my way.

Yesterday I had an interview with a publishing company that's been putting out the famous Barbanera calendar/almanac for the past 200+ years in Italy. They are interested in trying to sell it in the U.S. and need someone to act as a consultant, to do an analysis of everything from content to illustrations, traditions to recipes to gardening advice.

This is a great opportunity for me now for many reasons: it gives me a chance to utilize my different interests and talents (writing, graphic design, cultural analysis, editing), it's a great transitional job as it gives me the freedom to work on my own and then present my analyses to them at each deadline, and it's open-ended: it might last 2 months or 2 years, depending on how the project goes (I'm all for open-ended right now!).

Only current negative is that nobody made any mention of how much they'll be paying me, but let's not forget we are still in Italy!

So, let this be a lesson to you all as it has been for me: don't let months and years of misery pass before you decide to change things for yourself...once you decide to make that change, Life will surely step in and help you see clearly.

It's (officially) that time o' year!

Sending a little holiday love your way!


(Multi-cultural holiday love, of course...)

Moving On.

So, the deed has been done: I gave my notice at work this morning. I'm here until Christmas break, so about 3 more weeks.

This decision - as you all well know - has been long coming. I've been more or less miserable here for the past...well...seemingly forever, but in human numbers it's been more like a year. Somehow I just didn't have the courage to follow through with my instincts. Until today.

I feel strong and sure of my decision, but also scared for the future. I don't know what it holds for me, but as of today I am ready to find out.

Thanks to all of you out there who have supported me and lent your ears to my constant rants and complaining -- I couldn't have finally gotten to this point without your help.

Why I keep feeling gobsmacked

UPDATE: Many a concerned email has made its way to me since I posted this. While unfortunately the below still rings true, it was just a vent. A vent that worked, since as soon as I put it out in cyberspace, I was instantly renewed! So, no worries all, but thanks for caring.


I came to this realization today: I am not equipped with the right tools to deal with Italian culture. I don't speak their language, quite literally.

What do I mean? Ponder these:

Exhibit 1. The translation company who so certainly assured me I'd be working for them full-time has been yanking me around. They don't contact me for weeks, and then suddenly send me the last translation back marked with trillions of very stupid corrections (i.e. "as well as" instead of "and). Andrea tells me that this tactic is almost definitely a very studied one, to keep me on my toes so they can use me when they like but keep an excuse not to take me on full-time.

Exhibit 2. I finally realized that our magazine editor where I work - who loves to rip into our interns for their writing skills, or into me for the few articles I write - doesn't know how to spell, or write for that matter. She dictates emails for other people to write and hands off jobs as if they were hot potatoes. So it was like a bolt of lightning when I realized that she's been covering up that she didn't get this job on merit.

Exhibit 3. I went back to work after lunch today because I was supposed to have a meeting, but my co-worker ended up not coming because he was running late. When he told me this, he was speaking very close to the phone and most of what he said was jumbled. I realized, after I hung up the phone, that in my confusion at trying to put what he was saying together, I didn't properly express just how annoyed I was that he'd stood me up. And on the way home, I realized (taking into consideration all the learning I've been piecing together about the Italian psyche) that he mumbled into the phone on purpose, for the very purpose of distracting me.

Sound like too intricate of a conniving plan? Too deceptive or evil-handed? Well, welcome to my world. People think that way, especially in the business world. They seem to have that cunning in their Italian DNA.

Problem with all this is that I live and work here, and I am not prepared to change my own way of thinking to fit into their game. I refuse to lower myself to that, but it means that - time and time ago - I am going to have to deal with being left behind and screwed over. It means that I have to learn to deal with hanging up the telephone and then, 2 minutes later, realizing with my delayed American reaction that someone just pulled the blindfold over my eyes.

Oh, and in case you were wondering: yes, I'm having a bad week.

Urban Trekking

Map in hand, we spent the day exploring the windy side streets of Perugia - some I never even knew existed - in search of the city's public fountains, 8 of them total. My calves hurt and Mom's foot may never be the same, but it was worth it for all the great views. Plus, it gave us a chance to work off at least one-millionth of all the food we've eaten this week!

Giving Thanks: the Gang

(from left) Mom, Clare, Luca, Laura, Claudio, David, Rita, Dad, Marcello, Chiara, Andrea

Giving Thanks

Call me cliche', but Thanksgiving really is my favorite. I mean, what other time during the year can you have an excuse to eat all that pumpkin?

Thanksgiving has always been a chance for Andrea and I to make our own roots and set our own traditions, surrounded by some of the people we care most about in the world. It's a day-long moment for reflection, a chance to look inside and be thankful and - miracle of miracles in this house - stop complaining for a second and just enjoy it, dammit.

It's the official start of the holiday season I love so much, it's the warm smell of baking pies and the enormous, laughable size of the 15-kilo American-basted turkey Andrea's Italian mother has successfully added to her kitchen repertoire. Thanksgiving is nutmeg and cinnamon, tart cranberries and a comfortable couch. It is all the simple goodness of life, seen for what it really is: absolute luxury.

Enjoy the day, and remember to take one long moment just to look around the table and be grateful for all the luxury in your life. Wish we could ALL be together around my table this year!

Sunday already!?

Wow, as I sat down to write this I was totally positive it was still Saturday.

So this past week was good and bad. Good because things at work were relatively calm and because Andrea and I got to spend some nice time together. "Bad" because I went to a meeting in Florence for work on Friday and it seems the company's hoping to cushy up my job some, make me and my position more important. Which means one thing (hence the "bad" part): now I have to figure out, once again, what the hell it is I want.

Luckily, I have some time to contemplate. Most of these new-and-improved company Big Ideas are "smoke in mirrors," so I guess I can hope that this is yet another fine example, as that would make packing it in and hauling it out wayyyy easier. Eh. I can only say what I've been saying: We Shall See. (And then I can make myself giggle, because when I type that too fast I always accidentally write "We shall wee." Which, of course, is also true.)

My parents get here next week for their annual Thanksgiving visit, and Andrea and I are looking forward to it. We're finally going to do Thanksgiving on actual Thanksgiving Day this time, with Andrea's parents, Claudio, Clare, Marcello, Chiara, Giacomo, Laura and Luca. Every year I really want to invite more people - everyone I know, basically - but then I start doing a food-and-plate count and it's just not feasible. They, and you, will all be with us in spirit (unless you are one of the people listed above, then you'll be with me for reals).

In an extra note, I don't know if any of you have been following the news of the English student who was murdered here in Perugia? It happened about a week ago, and it's been weighing heavily on my mind since then. She was 22-years-old, living just a few short streets from where I used to live, and from where almost all of my foreign friends once lived or still live in Perugia. And one of the suspects, Congolese man Patrick, was an acquaintance of mine when I was a student - he befriended a couple of my roommates and came over once or twice to our apartment - for innocent chats, I even remember once that he made us some fried dough in our kitchen.

Anyway, I feel especially close to this story, as it happened so closeby, happened to a foreigner and seems to have at least in part been carried out by an American girl, both of them about the same age I was when I got here 9 years ago. So many bad things happen in the world every single day, but this whole story seems parallel to a universe I used to be part of - namely, the student population of Perugia. Which the news has been potraying to be one big drugged up sex party! Sure, foreign students here are, as the Italians say, spensierati, without a care in the world. And, sure, the study abroad life is based often on parties or drinking, but a lot of that - at least it was for me and most of the people I know - was red wine at an Italian dinner, or innocent dancing at a disco or a drink at the pub. So, what I'm saying is, don't believe all the hype. And let's hope this whole thing gets resolved soon, for everyone's sake.

I guess I had a lot to say today. Have a great week everyone!

The Dead go shopping

Having a flea market to honor the Day of the Dead is, admittedly, an oddly capitalistic tradition for an already-odd pagan holiday. But, whatever, as long as I get a porchetta sandwich and a fun and colorful walk through the kiosks with Andrea, I couldn't care less why they bring it!

Spices galore...


Rides of all kinds...


Old-school fun...


Wholesome Happiness!....


see today's Project 365 picture here

Pinocchio

Theater production number 2 at Teatro Morlacchi (public theater of Perugia) was a success this time 'round, which basically means no dancing dolphins!

The production was very interesting, and involved the chunk of the original Collodi version of the story with Pinocchio at his worst: the fox and the cat tricking him out of his gold coins, his lying to the Fairy, his journey to the Land of Toys and subsequent donkeydom. Here is a picture of Pinocchio being whipped into donkey shape by the Fire-eater:



Anyway, so two Perugian thumbs up!

'appy 'alloween!

Ghosts and Goblins,
Ghouls and Pumpkins,
Hope this Halloween's
Really somethin'!

Frozen October

The two biggest things on my mind these days: my possible/probable/hopeful new job possibility as a full-time translator and how freaaaakin COLD it is here. I'm back and forth on which is consuming most of my apprehensive frowning this week.

The job: an old employer who I used to teach ESL for. I contacted them on a whim, just to see if there was some extra work to be had, and they responded with a 'full time' job offer. I went to meet with them and they gave me my first trial translation, and I haven't heard back from them since. Either it sucked, or they are busy with their lawyers figuring out how to transfer the title of their business over to me, it was just *that* good. (Ok, it was only yesterday, but I wouldn't be me if I wasn't sitting here antsy about it.)

The cold: all I can say is WHAT THE HELL!? It's not even November yet and already I can't go anywhere without my ginormous winter scarf carefully wrapped around my delicate face.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, something's gotta change, and soon!

Of Transvestites, Priests and Kitch (oh and dolphins)

This is what I had to look at all night last night. Why? Because Andrea and I went to the first show of our public theater subscription: "I sei brillanti."

My favorite scene: three members of the all-male chorus dressed as glimmery dolphins (which later somehow became sharks) and one very odd looking whale, dancing pretty much the way my niece and nephew dance when they're particularly excited about something.

Andrea's favorite scene: the main actor (a 105-year-old transvestite who changed outfits about 3,539 times throughout the show, see above) and several members of the chorus dressed in priest outfits, singing "Hotel Tropicana" and toasting with their church goblets.

Needless to say, we laughed the whole way home. And they say Italian theater is dead!

Jodi's Project 365

I've done it, I am now even more part of the internet universe: I'm officially participating in "Project 365".

See what I'm talking about here.

Now you have not one, but TWO ways into my brain! Lucky you...

...And a year ago today...

:::Breathing:::

In an uncharacteristically optimistic moment, I felt drawn to write something reminding us all of what it is: that little - unspeakable...inexplicable...unfathomable something that entices us from day to day, and convinces us to keep making choices, and to share those choices with other people...in discussion...in pictures...in correspondence....in music....at the dinner table....

I am optimistic, I am hopeful, and I am calmed to infinite ends by these unexpected words which a new favorite song sings to me...

All we can do is keep breathing...

October Rocks Over

My favorite month has arrived, in all its golden glory! Already as I look out my window, I can see the sun is different, has a glowy tint to it. Ahhhh Fall has A-Fallen!

The theme of this past month has been Weddings, Weddings and more Weddings. Why all these people want to get married is beyond me! *wink wink snarky wink* Up top you can see a picture of Andrea and I at the lovely wedding of Eleonora and Marco. I have noticed that I'm always nestling my head into the crook of Andrea's neck in pictures. It's pretty damn cute if you ask me.

Anyway...this month makes me want to curl up with a warm blanket and a book. I'm currently reading "The Interpreter of Maladies" (by Jhumpa Lahiri) and I'm really liking it. October also makes me want to cook and eat, eat and cook. So far I'm planning on copying a crumble recipe (thanks Rach!) and working in a new dish to the Monday-Friday repertoire. Suggestions can be left in my comments. =)

Hope October is crisp and wholesome for you all too!

Brisket Update...

Well...(drumroll please), it was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got the cut of meat right - though a little on the fatty side so next time I'll have to specify I want a leaner part. I substituted the cranberries with (thawed) frozen wildberries and they did the trick well. Only unexpected part was that halfway through cooking, my house started to smell like my childhood and I got choked up.

I accept this Brisket Making Award on behalf of my mother, whose recipe I stole, to her butcher who sent the diagram of cow parts out for Italian analysis, to my girlfriends who happily took part in my berry obsessing, and to my husband, who (luckily for him) showed just the right amount of enthusiasm and awe at dinner last night.

:::::polite applause:::::::

A year ago today...

The Repercussions of a Long Coffee Day (plus Musings on Brisket)

If I ever write an autobiography, that's number 1 on the viable title list. Lately I have become coffee-obsessed.

Anyway.

The worst part about living in a foreign country is, of course, having to miss out on your traditions. But the best part is making up news ones! So, in honor of Rosh Hashanah, I am on a mission to (a) figure out which part of the Italian cow is the brisket cut, (b) figure out how to replace cranberries in the brisket recipe and (c) um, cook one. I'll let you know how/if/when it comes out...maybe even take a picture for posterity.

Happy New Year all...make new traditions this year!

1 Reason I'm Glad I'm an Expat

Ok so I'm disgusted. More than disgusted: I'm annoyed and angry. We're the richest (freakin) country in the UNIVERSE, and yet we can't manage to get everyone proper healthcare.

You guessed it, I went to see Sicko. And not only did I see Sicko, but I was so unnerved (and, did I mention, disgusted?) by it that I immediately started looking into insurance, since I no longer have any of my own. Every time I go back to the U.S. I pretty much take my life and my pocketbook into my hands. And you know what I discovered in my research? OUR SYSTEM SUCKS! Not only do those who can't afford it pay more ('individual coverage' - those without a job or a labor union to back them up..or, um, the most vulnerable! - pay MORE money...OUTRAGEOUS amounts of money for monthly coverage), but they make the fine print and the different policies and the jargon so convoluted that you can't tell your head from your...elbow...after about 10 minutes of reading a Cigna website.

In Italy? If I'm sick, a doctor COMES TO MY HOUSE, for (you guessed it): FREE. If I have to go to the hospital? Immediate admittance, just have to hand over an ID (oh, right, I forgot, Americans think having to carry around an ID is an invasion of their liberties...). If I need to buy medicine? Depending on what's wrong with me, I either get it free or pay a MINIMAL fee - and even then, pharmacists BY LAW are required to offer you the generic version first. And if I decide I don't want to go to a public hospital or doctor for care, I can go to a private clinic and pay what's called a 'ticket,' which is a minimal fee.

Yes, my taxes are high here, I admit it. And, same as in the U.S., if I ever get to retirement here I probably won't see one tiny cent of my 'social security.' There are so many problems here, yes, (I could write a whole rant JUST on how people bump into me at the supermarket) but for Italians it's not even a question that we should be taking care of the needy - the old, the young, the unemployed, the unlucky bastards who just happen to have caught strep throat in August...maybe one day we Americans will wake up and follow suit.

Wait a second...

I'm sorry, did I actually say I was ready to get back to work?

Slimy & The Waiting Game

I just realized I forgot to share my summer triumph with you all, so I'm adding this picture. When we were at the Cape, we went on a fishing trip and I caught The Big One: 42 inches, 26 pounds. Apparently I have a gift.

Soooo work starts on Monday and, well, suffice it to say I feel I've vacated long enough and am actually ready to get back already. Yeah, I know.

Fall things I'm looking forward to: taking my sweaters back out (I heart sweaters), the Fiera dei Morti huge flea market for the Day of the Dead, pumpkin soup, reading in a rainstorm, Thanksgiving, designing this year's holiday cards.

Summertime!

This particular picture's from dinner at NOBU (!!!!!)

Sooooooo I'm back from vacation. Well, physically anyway. Jet lag has me from actually waking up in the morning, or being able to sleep at night...but other than that...!

Managed to stuff lots of good things into the 3 weeks in the U.S. of A.: MoMa, dinner at Craft and the Shake Shack and at Nobu, the lights of b'way for A Chorus Line, a trip to the Catskills and to Boston and Cape Cod, visits with the fam and a great lunch with my girlfriends (who I miss to pieces). Yeah, so you can understand why Real Life is giving me the heebie jeebies right now!

Well, I won't complain too much, since I just have to do some work from home these next couple of weeks, the office doesn't re-open till the end of August. Ahhhh Italy, home of the Endless Summer!

Spelunking!

Another adventure to check off the to-do-before-I-die list!

Sunday morning, Andrea and I headed out early to the Grotte di Frasassi caves, where we had signed up for spelunking! For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, (and might confuse it, as I did, for an onomonopeic word meaning "falling splat face-down a large well") it can also be referred to as "potholing" or "caving." Basically, look at the picture - that's not us, we didn't bring a camera - but it might as well have been, yellow and orange mechanics' outfits, mining hats, silly boots and all!

Invigorating, exciting, fun, exhausting! A great experience...and now Andrea's convinced me to go back and try the Advanced Spelunking path. Oh dear. It's a good thing it has a funny name...

3 days and counting till we take off for the U.S.!!!

Country Side

Here we are on our Agriturismo vacation, sponsored by our friend Luca (belated wedding present!). Behind us to the right you can San Gimignano. Ahhh what I'd give to go back. Anyone else feel like sponsoring us? I could promote you on a t-shirt or something...

...And Liberty and Cous-Cous for Paul...

Happy Independence Day my peeps!

Since this holiday ( like pretty much any I can think of - religious, patriotic or otherwise) is all about food: BUON APPETITO!

Firecrackers, poolside beers and steamy ears of corn to you all!

Summer Fun

Since work's been pretty slow lately, I was able to finagle my boss into letting me have summer hours, which will be in effect until probably September. Yay! And it couldn't be better timing, it's HOT out there!


Andrea and I are trying to get away and do stuff, take advantage of the summery temps as much as possible on the weekends. Last weekend we went for two days to Senigallia (on the Adriatic), perfect sun/relaxation/seafood eating. This weekend we're going to visit Andrea's family in Nocera, then on Sunday we're heading to what's called the "Citta' Buzziana" which is basically a huge park of architectural models by a half-crazy guy (love the way I just explained that). Then we've got a surprise weekend away thanks to Luca - we're finally cashing in on our wedding present, a weekend away at the destination of his (ok, and our) choice! Then a weekend in Rome to visit Elizabeth who's up and going back to NY on me in August. And then, before I know it, we'll be heading back to the U.S. for a nice vacation.


So that's the plan....aren't you glad you asked!?

Keep cool all!

Happy Birthday Andrea!

Tanti auguri a te,
Tanti auguri a te,
Tanti auguri Andreeeiiinnoooo
Tanto auguri a te!!!

Happy Italian Republic Day!

Today marks the 59th year of the Italian Republic - a virtual baby in the world of Republics, which does in fact explain quite a bit! I'm not quite sure what this holiday was thinking, falling on a Saturday and therefore depriving good people like myself of an extra day off, but sometimes these things just happen I suppose.

Tomorrow is Andrea's big playoff game, and this time it's home so I'll be there with my S.Enea hat donned and a flicker of worry in my brow. If they lose this one, they go down a category - which, to most of you means absolutely zero, but to me means a lot of long faces. If they win, they play again next Sunday (best out of three), if they win that one...I think they're safe...but here I admit to being clueless. All I know is the season seems to have gone on more or less 16 months this year, if I've done my math correctly.

Anyway, I do realize I spend most of this blog complaining, so here I will add in a little sunshine for once: it's almost time for summer vacation! Yayyyyyy!!!!!!! Hang on to that one, and hang onto it tight my little readers!!!

Public Enemy Number 1: The Poplar Tree

Take a good look at these trees. They look innocent enough, I know, but they're not. They are, in fact, ruining my life.

Perugia is full of thousands of poplar trees (pioppi in Italian) which produce a massive attack of pollen through the Spring. Little cotton-looking poofs of pollen that waft through the air, falling to the ground to then cover it in what looks like mounds of snow. It's GROSS.

Anyway, I spent almost all of Romina's wedding sneezing and my face was so puffy I think Andrea didn't recognize me at one point.

So that's what's going on with me: constant allergy-related angst. Well, if we're looking for a silver lining, I guess it makes my work angst seem like a peach in comparison....

Semblance of normality

I'm back! The festival was as stressful as I thought it'd be...but now I'm back and don't have to worry about crazy again for the next, well, 9 or 10 months, or at least I hope so!

Here, Spring (practically Summer) has Sprung, and my allergies are proof of it, as well as the zillions of "sagras" (like little town parties, generally honoring a type of food and with live music) popping up all over the place. Next week maybe we'll go to one in honor of cherries. Ahhh, sometimes I do recall why I liked it here in the first place...*sometimes* =)

Happy cherry weekend to all!

It's Festival time....

Well, it's that time boys and girls. Tomorrow we leave for Florence for what will surely be the craziest week of my year. Wish me well!

What time zone am I in again?

We got back from our whirlwind trip on Tuesday and I headed back to work on Wednesday morning...and my head is honestly still spinning from it all. Work is totally nutso -- with the festival just three weeks away (it starts May 2nd), there is a literal ton of work to do. Pressure is high, meetings are numerous and anxiety levels (namely, mine) are sky-rocketing.


Joyfully appreciated my Saturday yesterday: long walk in the park with my iPod, a gelato with Andrea (Spring has definitely Sprung here), watched "The History of Violence" (which was, well, violent) and avoided turning into a pumpkin as I passed out before midnight. Not bad!


Anyway, much of today will probably be spent with nagging worries in my head about the long and stressful week ahead of me....followed by inner pleas to just let it go and enjoy my Sunday. Ahhh isn't it nice to know that I will never change!?

And you all...what time zone are *you* in?....

I need a break!

In the loop-dee-loop of my Like/Hate relationship with my job, I can say that last week was nearing a downward spiral. I definitely need a few days off and - look at that! - I'm getting just what I need, as we're leaving for the U.S. and my grandfather's 90th bday party. It's only 4 days, and oh.how.i.wish.it.was.more, but it's better than nothing - otherwise my co-irkers might not have made it to Easter!

Anyway, on a happier note, we had a great dinner at a restaurant called "Opera" last night, then today we're actually getting the house clean!! It may not seem like excitement to you...but then again, *you* apparently haven't seen my house lately!

Happy Pesach and/or Happy Easter to you all! May this spring bring us all peace and (hey, a girl can dream) be allergy-free!

Luck o' the Irish!

Happy St. Patrick's Day for all my Irish-and-non friends!

It's a beautiful Spring-like day today, putting me and children everywhere in a very happy mood. Went on a nice walk, did some food-shopping, tonight we're having friends over for dinner and the finally-finalized menu is going to be Tex-Mex theme. Perfect for St. Patty's Day, don't you agree?

Happy Saturday everyone!

Festa della Donna!

Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Women's Day as well! Certainly fitting that they're on the same day! =)

Slow recovery

Well, my visit with Kelly was not everything we had ever hoped for. We all got the flu!!! Mine is slightly still with me, but I am on my last day off work and antibiotics and am almost out of the tunnel.

You will, I hope, forgive me that I dont have anything else to talk about...I have been staring at these same four walls for the past 6 days!!!!!!!!!

Gab-and-biscuit-fest 2007

After pressure from my mother ("So... how come ya haven't updated the Blog????"), here I am. Another week passed, another Saturday almost finished. And what do I have to show for it?

Well, for starters, KELLY'S COMING TO VISIT TOMORROW! She's coming with her boyfriend Gavin, who I am very excited to finally meet. I wonder how long he'll survive the gab-and-cookies-fest (in Kelly's world I do believe it's the gab-and-biscuit-fest, of course....) that Kelly and I generally partake in -- see Exhibit A above of us at my wedding. Used to be nights of tarot cards and wine. Now we're old and I have to go to work early Monday morning, so it'll be cookies and decaf tea. But, hey, the gab's still just as good!

Right now, Andrea's sitting here next to me, we're both on our computers (we're sooooooo SATC) and exhausted for a change, after a long week. Exhausted, (and I smile as I write this....) but Content.

p.s. A Happy Birthday to the lovely and enchanting Baroness Meredith =)

From where I'm sitting NOW...

Not much news to pass on, just wanted to reassure all the worried masses that care that, YES, this week has been *much* better, thanks for askin'.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Week from Hell

See those? Those are the flames that I spent this last week burning in. NOT fun. Warm and uncomfortable.

This week has taught me nothing, but reminded me of an unfortunate truth: People Suck. Plain and simple, they just do. When I was 12, my brother wrote a song for me: "Jodi Hates Everybody" and, I have to admit it, not much has changed since I was 12.

My little vent here thankfully is in reference to my work life and not my personal life -- two things which I am desperately trying to keep separate (suggestions welcomed). Let's just say the last time I witnessed such back-stabbing, two-faced, manipulative choosing camps was, well.... There's a reason the song went "Jodi Hates Everybody."

I am going to ask that whoever reads this posts me a comment about something positive to think about. Like, "Ice cream and pug puppies." I need my spirits lifted.

Hope you all managed to keep cooler under the collar than I did this week.

Baggage, found.

Gone missing: Friday, December 22nd, 2006 somewhere on my American Airlines flight from JFK to Puerto Rico.

Recovered: January 16, 2007, Delta Airlines in Atlanta. Far be it from me to judge (anyway, I am too busy rejoicing).

To all my beloved readers, things I have learned from my experience:

1. Whenever possible, don't check anything.

2. If you must check a bag, bring essentials in your carry-on (underwear, change of clothes, a picture of what your checked bag once looked like).

3. Leave the bottles of Nocino that you were supposed to be giving to your brother at home. This way, you can carry it on (no liquids).

4. Have a mother who is willing to waste half a month on the telephone with airlines everywhere.

There: I have been to the luggage brink but somehow made it back, to teach all of you my valuable lessons. Now let us rejoice!

It's my birthday, dammit!

Admittedly not the BEST birthday in my history of birthdays...first day back to work after a 3-week break. And my first full-time gig in, well...a reeeeeally long time! So, needless to say, I spent most of this, the 32nd celebration of my birth, feeling suffocated.

But now I'm home, Andrea's taking me out to dinner (again! this is my fourth birthday meal in 3 days!) and all is right with the world. Till tomorrow at 9am again!

Happy Birthday to meeeeee! =)

The Befana brought me pre-birthday fun!

Yay! Andrea's the greatest!

We got up early and drove the hour or so towards Ancona, where he surprised me at our final destination: The Frasassi Grotto, one of the largest and oldest (120 million years...I asked Andrea if he brought me there to make me feel younger...) group of stalagmite and stalagtite caves in Europe. It was breathtaking (see photo above) and we had an amazing time. Then we went out to lunch in a nearby town (tartufo, tartufo, tartufo!) and headed home. It was the perfect pre-birthday day.

A day of fun surprises perfectly planned in theme for today's Italian holiday, called the "Befana". Befana is a legendary female gift giver (a witch of sorts); the story is told that Befana, a very old and decrepit woman, refused to interrupt her household duties long enough to accept the invitation of the Magi to accompany them on their journey to find the baby Jesus.

However, after the Magi left, Befana had a change of heart and at dawn went in search of the Wisemen. She had prepared a basket of food for the journey and added toys and gifts for baby Jesus. She was unable to find the Wisemen, but she distributed her gifts along the way.

Nowadays in Italy, the Befana is celebrated on January 6th, the Catholic Epiphany. Her arrival (during the night, bringing stockings full of either coal or sweets...I got some of each...) marks the last day of the feste, or the holiday season.

Post Vacay!

I'm back! The vacation was great - relaxing and fun, and now I'm trying to get over my jet lag and mentally prepared for my return to life and work. Luckily Andrea has planned some surprise outings for this weekend in honor of my birthday (Monday the 8th -- mark your calendars m'dears!) so my brain won't be swallowed up by unkind thoughts of 8-hour days in front of my *gasp* computer screen. Argh!

My mom also made a CD of the professional pictures from our wedding so we finally had a chance to check them out. THEY'RE AWESOME! To the left here you can see one of my favorites, but there were too many to choose from, really.

I hope everyone had a good holiday break and is easily sliding right back into life, a little more relaxed and chubbier than before (what with that holiday eating and all). Pudge up, it's cold out there! =)