I’m graduating from college tomorrow. I.Am.Graduating.From.College.Tomorrow. How incredibly strange is that? Very strange, at least for me. For the last 17 years of my life, I have been in school. I knew that in August/September I would be back in the classroom through until May/June. Summer’s were a time of fun and when I got older a summer of work. This past summer was a summer of fun. The next summer is going to be a summer of work, and the summer after that and after that. I am about to enter the adult world. Am I ready? I sure as hell hope so. As of the moment, I am waiting to hear back from an amazing company about possibly one of the greatest entry level positions created for PR graduates. I want it so bad. I love the company and even though it’s in an area (tech) that I’m not too familiar with, I always welcome a new challenge.
The last few years at SJSU have been amazing. I have grown so much, met so many amazing people and have been a part of things that I could have only been a part of here. That’s the beauty in going somewhere new. You get a chance to experience something that might never happen again. I came here not knowing a soul and I finish my college career with countless friends and memories. My involvement with school and our PR department has definitely shaped who I am now and who I will become professionally. The friendships I’ve created, the conversations we’ve had and the things we’ve worked on will remain with me forever.
I remember my first day here like it was yesterday. I didn’t know any of my roommates in the on-campus apartment and I had never lived with roommates before. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous. Mom, Dad and I drove up in two cars (because I have more things than I should...and since then I’ve accumulated more). We stayed at the hotel the first night and then headed to campus. My first impression of my new living space was whoa this is tiny. And still pretty cool. My one roommate was really nice and had thankfully traded numbers with me ahead of time. My first night was a little rough. I admit I cried. I was scared, in a new place and knew no one. Well, one person but she hadn’t moved in and we had only met once. After that first night, I was fine. I met up with Anna and we explored our new home. And then classes began, and I fell into my routine. I loved it.
Since then, I’ve lived in two other places with a bunch of people. Two others in the apartment, 20 others in a sorority house that offered amazingly low rent for the summer even if you weren’t a member (which I am not) and now in a house that i have lived in with 4 other people. Oh and I can’t forget this summer with my two roommates in Italy. Oh what a life I’ve led the last few years.
Ok I am rambling, but mainly because I sat down to write this with no plan whatsoever. I just wanted to get feeling out. In a conversation the other day with my friend Nick about our upcoming graduation, I warned him I might...no definitely will cry. And he said “Good. I wouldn’t want you to hold back anything.” I am SO thankful for my friends here (and yes, I am aware that I’ve said this several times over) but really I couldn’t have made it without them. And now we’re on to the next chapter in our lives. Full speed ahead.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A little update on my life...
It’s been so long since I wrote on here. I really meant to diligently keep it up but 9 weeks into the semester, here I am, scrambling to gather my thoughts to get something down. Life is different, as it always is day to day, but especially from the summer. When I returned, I told myself that I wouldn’t let myself fall back into my old familiar habits, that I would get out more and live a little more than I had. Sadly, I haven’t. And I’m ok with that. I’ve come to realize that the person I was over the summer was a special edition of myself. I am not that person normally, although I have taken a few things from her and kept them around. I had fun this summer, there is absolutely no doubt about that. I did things I never would have done and met people who I hope to keep in touch with for years to come. I have a familiar place now in a foreign land that I can go back to with fond memories. It all feels like a dream. A really good, crazy, fun dream. I have to pinch myself sometimes to remind me that it actually happened. And when I look through pictures I smile and think ‘my god what was I thinking??’. I was totally carefree and I deserved it. It is the one time in my entire 22 years that I have fully let myself be free and have fun and act my own age. I’m a workaholic and always have been. I get bored if I don’t have enough on my plate. And my opinion of ‘enough’ is a lot of people’s idea of ‘way too much’.
So school is majorly underway and we are now, as I stated above, in the 9th week of the semester and it’s a Thursday, which means that this week is nearly over. I have to say that this is by far the busiest semester I have had, as far as a study schedule goes and even at that, I’m not doing as much studying I should be doing. I am mainly done with all of my classes for my major, save my final senior Campaign Management class, which is not as intensive as I thought it would be. But that makes room for the two history classes, one communications class and one anthropology class that I AM taking. Whew I’m getting my butt kicked. I’m almost glad I didn’t find an internship for the semester. I shudder to think how much sleep deprived I would be. And I don’t do well without my sleep. I’m a happy person but if I don’t sleep well, I start faking that smile and slowly get more and more stressed.
Anyways, per usual, I am getting off track and beginning to ramble. So what HAVE I been up to since I got back? Well, work, school, sleep. That is my life. I am working as much as I possibly can at Outback and working as hard (well not quite as hard) as I can to find a job for post grad, because, news flash, I graduate in less than 2 months. That’s right, ladies and gents. This girl is entering the working world very, very soon. Trying to save money (it’s harder than it sounds) and trying to get as good of grades as I can manage. I know it’s my last semester and most jobs don’t ask how you did in a class not pertaining to your career but I do want to finish on a good note. My classes this semester are very mentally challenging but it’s a good challenge. I’m reminded once again that if there were more that one could do with a history degree, besides teach, I would have been a History major and oh my life would have been so different. Probably still would have gone to Florence but under much different circumstances.
Another curious thing about my life right now is that I am finally starting to see the place that I live, and have lived for the last year, as ‘home.’ I have roommates who I get along with and enjoy spending time with, I have a routine and do things around the house. I feel like I’m actually growing up and becoming that young adult I have always heard about and imagined what life would be like to live like them. Well, I am. I’m not completely independent just yet, but that time is fast approaching. And I’m nearly ready for it. As I still have no idea where I’ll end up in the early months of the new year, I am hesitant to become completely comfortable. I’m excited for what is to come.
So, there is my little update. I am actually getting out tonight and going to a Tweetup networking social (a little more on that in a later post) with a friend. It will be good to get out. Until next time, ciao miei amice.
So school is majorly underway and we are now, as I stated above, in the 9th week of the semester and it’s a Thursday, which means that this week is nearly over. I have to say that this is by far the busiest semester I have had, as far as a study schedule goes and even at that, I’m not doing as much studying I should be doing. I am mainly done with all of my classes for my major, save my final senior Campaign Management class, which is not as intensive as I thought it would be. But that makes room for the two history classes, one communications class and one anthropology class that I AM taking. Whew I’m getting my butt kicked. I’m almost glad I didn’t find an internship for the semester. I shudder to think how much sleep deprived I would be. And I don’t do well without my sleep. I’m a happy person but if I don’t sleep well, I start faking that smile and slowly get more and more stressed.
Anyways, per usual, I am getting off track and beginning to ramble. So what HAVE I been up to since I got back? Well, work, school, sleep. That is my life. I am working as much as I possibly can at Outback and working as hard (well not quite as hard) as I can to find a job for post grad, because, news flash, I graduate in less than 2 months. That’s right, ladies and gents. This girl is entering the working world very, very soon. Trying to save money (it’s harder than it sounds) and trying to get as good of grades as I can manage. I know it’s my last semester and most jobs don’t ask how you did in a class not pertaining to your career but I do want to finish on a good note. My classes this semester are very mentally challenging but it’s a good challenge. I’m reminded once again that if there were more that one could do with a history degree, besides teach, I would have been a History major and oh my life would have been so different. Probably still would have gone to Florence but under much different circumstances.
Another curious thing about my life right now is that I am finally starting to see the place that I live, and have lived for the last year, as ‘home.’ I have roommates who I get along with and enjoy spending time with, I have a routine and do things around the house. I feel like I’m actually growing up and becoming that young adult I have always heard about and imagined what life would be like to live like them. Well, I am. I’m not completely independent just yet, but that time is fast approaching. And I’m nearly ready for it. As I still have no idea where I’ll end up in the early months of the new year, I am hesitant to become completely comfortable. I’m excited for what is to come.
So, there is my little update. I am actually getting out tonight and going to a Tweetup networking social (a little more on that in a later post) with a friend. It will be good to get out. Until next time, ciao miei amice.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Italy, I'll be back soon..ish
When I woke up this morning in San Giuseppe, I could not find a reason why I should leave. Well there were the obvious reasons, like school, family, work, etc. So instead I started looking for reasons why I should never go this long between visits again (last time I saw my family was April 2005). Later in the morning, when I was waiting for my ride (my cousin...sleepy head) I was talking to Z E and Z A, who are my Popi Tony's sisters (they always refer to him as Zi Antoino or my Nonno Antonio). Z E said that Popi visited every year, without fail, in May. I decided then and there that I would definitely be back in 2 years, even if no one is getting married. Somehow I will. If you book international flights enough in advance, you can find really good deals and lets face it, I don't really need to spend much besides the plane ticket when I visit the family. So, for now, I will return to Italy in May, like my grandfather, but every 2 years. Later, when my income is higher, every year. Family means too much to me not to. And in that train of thought, I am going to make more of an effort to see more of my family stateside. We're spread across the country, but that's no excuse. There really is no valid excuse to NOT see family. Because at the beginning and end of it all, family means the most.
Another big reason for going back to Italy so often is my grandpa's sisters. Out of the original 7 Bifulco siblings, only Zia E and A remain in Italy and Zi Mario lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil (I really need to get down to see him too). ZE is 84 years old and losing her hearing. That being said, the hearing loss is the only sign of her slowing down, but I'm not taking any chances. ZA is younger by about 10 years but still. She nearly broke my heart this morning when saying goodbye. She always cries right as we're leaving. It's not a big, soppy cry (as I've been known to do in the past). It's a glisten in the eye, sort of defiant cry. She sets her jaw and gets this look on her face that says to you "I don't want to cry but I just can't bear to see you go." On this trip, I learned that when my grandfather died in '96, the whole family went into mourning. Everyone closed their stores and didn't go to work. He meant so much to them. Giusy has just as much memories of him as I do. And looking through photo albums, I notice that he's very present.
There is a photo that I really want. It's from Giusy's parent's wedding 28 years ago and it's of all 7 siblings. It had to be shortly before Zi Giovanni and Zia Rosa passed away (they were the 2 oldest) It very may well have been one of the last times they were all together. From the sound of stories, Zi Giovanni and Zi Mario didn't go home nearly as much as Popi did. I didn't have time to go and find a quality print shop to get a copy made, so I will either ask Giusy or do it myself next visit. I want it framed and put in my parents house.
Another big reason for going back to Italy so often is my grandpa's sisters. Out of the original 7 Bifulco siblings, only Zia E and A remain in Italy and Zi Mario lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil (I really need to get down to see him too). ZE is 84 years old and losing her hearing. That being said, the hearing loss is the only sign of her slowing down, but I'm not taking any chances. ZA is younger by about 10 years but still. She nearly broke my heart this morning when saying goodbye. She always cries right as we're leaving. It's not a big, soppy cry (as I've been known to do in the past). It's a glisten in the eye, sort of defiant cry. She sets her jaw and gets this look on her face that says to you "I don't want to cry but I just can't bear to see you go." On this trip, I learned that when my grandfather died in '96, the whole family went into mourning. Everyone closed their stores and didn't go to work. He meant so much to them. Giusy has just as much memories of him as I do. And looking through photo albums, I notice that he's very present.
There is a photo that I really want. It's from Giusy's parent's wedding 28 years ago and it's of all 7 siblings. It had to be shortly before Zi Giovanni and Zia Rosa passed away (they were the 2 oldest) It very may well have been one of the last times they were all together. From the sound of stories, Zi Giovanni and Zi Mario didn't go home nearly as much as Popi did. I didn't have time to go and find a quality print shop to get a copy made, so I will either ask Giusy or do it myself next visit. I want it framed and put in my parents house.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Instant Time Travel Needs to Happen..NOW
I have a large family, that much is evident if you've been keeping up with these posts. And it's a very wide spread family. Spread across the States and across the world. Instant time travel would make life a lot easier. My family here has been so so amazing, it's going to stink tomorrow morning when I leave. They love us unconditionally even though we see them only once every few years. Every house I have been in has had mine or my sister's or my family's picture on display (one that we sent them at some point in time). My Zia Eleanor has a shelf in her sitting room with just pictures of my family. One is a shot that I didn't even know about. It's a different version of a picture hanging in my house. It was taken when I was around 5, nearly 6 years old because my sister was old enough to not look like a baby anymore. It's my whole family. Mom, dad, aunt, grandma, grandpa, sister and me. The one hanging in my house is a serious looking one with all of us displaying closed mouth smiles. The one in my zia's house has us all displaying huge grins. There's little me, clinging to my grandpa's arm, both of us with identical big grins. There is no doubt that I am my father's daughter and my grandfather's granddaughter. I look like him, with my mom's features as well. Being here has allowed me to hear so many stories about my grandpa, most of them involving how much he would eat when he was here (my family thinks I don't eat enough...fact is I just can't eat as much as my dad does haha). I'm not sure why we didn't keep the smiling picture for ourselves but I'm glad I saw it. I was beginning to forget what his smile looked like.
Anyways, the fact of the matter is that I love this crazy family and it just stinks that they are so, so far away from me. Since instant time travel is probably a few centuries off, I'm just going to have to either work a lot to be able to come here more often or find a job that pays very very nicely so I can still come here more often. Once every 4 years is just not going to cut it. I nearly cried last night when I had to say bye to my cousin Giusy and I will surely cry tonight when I say goodbye to Gianfranco and Antonella. I hate goodbyes. I know they're really only see you laters but when later is a few years off...it really hurts. Thank goodness for modern technology and more importantly, Facebook. It really has helped me keep in touch with my cousins here. And now that I have a better grasp on the language, it may seem like we're not even apart. Hopefully, I can come back soon. The problem is, the more I come here and the longer I stay, the more I miss them. It's a conundrum that will never be fixed. Oh well. So to all my family... I love you.
Anyways, the fact of the matter is that I love this crazy family and it just stinks that they are so, so far away from me. Since instant time travel is probably a few centuries off, I'm just going to have to either work a lot to be able to come here more often or find a job that pays very very nicely so I can still come here more often. Once every 4 years is just not going to cut it. I nearly cried last night when I had to say bye to my cousin Giusy and I will surely cry tonight when I say goodbye to Gianfranco and Antonella. I hate goodbyes. I know they're really only see you laters but when later is a few years off...it really hurts. Thank goodness for modern technology and more importantly, Facebook. It really has helped me keep in touch with my cousins here. And now that I have a better grasp on the language, it may seem like we're not even apart. Hopefully, I can come back soon. The problem is, the more I come here and the longer I stay, the more I miss them. It's a conundrum that will never be fixed. Oh well. So to all my family... I love you.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Driving in Southern Italy...
In Florence, there wasn't much riding in cars going on. There was the occasional taxi ride when I was too far away from my house at a late hour to walk home (just wasn't safe..only happened a few times) or the ride in the car with my boss (which was scary...she was constantly on the phone and driving stick on the autostrade at the same time..eek). In San Giuseppe, I'm constantly getting in the car and going somewhere, and this has allowed me to become very observant on the driving habits of Italians down here. It's chaos. Slightly controlled chaos. Scary, ridiculous, nerve wracking chaos! I have been in the car with 7 different people in the last 2 weeks and there is similarity in their driving styles....you have to be quick. You have to anticipate someone cutting you off at all times. You really really have to have your eyes and ears wide open. Even if I knew how to drive stick (most drive stick around here...automatic is very rare) I wouldn't feel comfortable driving around here. I don't know how my dad does it. He drives auto at home but knows stick and the streets well enough to drive around here. Scary.
A big part of driving here is the horn. Good lord they use the horn a ton. It's how you let anyone who might possibly be coming up a street towards you that you're coming. Stop signs do exist but their presence is minimal and largely ignored. They took the California Roll and improved it to the Italian tap-of-the-breaks to slightly slow down just in case someone is coming. You use your horn more than you use your turning signal. And then there's the tapping of the horn to say hi to someone, which is just as frequent as tapping the horn to warn someone. Just now I went with my cousin Lina on a hunt for a gift for her boyfriend. We had tapped the horn about 5 times before we were off our street because you just have to say hi to everyone. Sometimes, you even stop to stay hello. I've been in a car trapped becuase two cars going opposite directions had stopped and the drivers were happily chatting away until all the honking and yelling has them saying "just come over later for some food and talk!!" or something to that extent.
The roads only add to the chaos of driving. They are largely unpaved in town and are therefore VERY bumpy and winding and there are switchbacks everywhere you go accompanied by hairpin turns. Scary as ever. My neck is actually sore from all the jostling I've experienced in the car. I can't wait to get back to the US where all roads that I go on are completely paved and smooth. Also, while lines for lanes exist, they are worn out and completely ignored. You can have a highway road that is meant to be 3 lanes become 5 lanes becuase people like to weave so much. Then there are the coastal roads, which are very very similar to the Pacific Coast Highway going through Big Sur. I'm not kidding. After driving around here, anyone could do that drive with ease. There are gorgeous views and if you're a passenger, it might be wise to keep your eyes on the ocean seeing as it's not moving. The driver on the other hand better pay 100% attention or there's most likely to be an accident. Becuase during the summer, it's not just cars and motorinos on the road: there's also big tour buses with tourists coming down to the coast for a looksie. I know because I was in one in late June. Oh that was scary. A big passenger bus winding along those roads. I like to think that a bit of Harry Potter-ish magic does exist here...in the damn cars. There is no other possible explanation to how no one crashes besides the explanation that all cars have the ability of the Knight Bus. It has to be that. Driving like this in the States would get you killed immediately.
In the States, men joke a lot that the worst drivers are women. Here not so much. I have noticed differences in drivers but that's based on personality and experience. Gianfranco drives with ease and on an open road likes to go all out and speed. He always has his thumb on the horn just in case and just seems completely calm. Antonella drives carefully but with a purpose. She's not shy about going but also isn't a crazy one. Francesco is a typical 21 year old male driver. He drives a little fast, turns a little sharp, uses his horn frequently, all the while grabbing his phone and talking to people. Michele would probably rather be on his motorcycle but he doesn't very much because he says it doesn't have a security system, so he's in the car. He's a good mix of Gianfranco and Francesco's driving styles. Always plays music. Enzo is a careful driver like Gianfranco but has to play referee with his two little girls in the back. That was a fun drive. They don't have car seats or really wear seatbelts here, so the little ones can be standing up and jumping around. Makes my nerves raw. Ooof. Giusy drives like Francesco but a little crazier. She's got a sweet little car that she likes to go fast in on the autostrade. But again never put us in danger. Lina is the most careful but I think that's only because she just recently got her license (March I think...she's 19 but the driving age around here is 18). She still stalls once in a while and shifts tentatively but knows how to use that horn. Oh and Angelo on his motorino is a different story but he's careful with me or with Anna because Anna is young and well I'm just not used to it. Uses the horn a lot and likes to go fast on straightaways. I like the motorinos. Makes me feel free =).
So there you have it. Driving in the States is NOTHING compared to here. And I can't wait to get back to the sane driving of the States. And a neck massage please.
A big part of driving here is the horn. Good lord they use the horn a ton. It's how you let anyone who might possibly be coming up a street towards you that you're coming. Stop signs do exist but their presence is minimal and largely ignored. They took the California Roll and improved it to the Italian tap-of-the-breaks to slightly slow down just in case someone is coming. You use your horn more than you use your turning signal. And then there's the tapping of the horn to say hi to someone, which is just as frequent as tapping the horn to warn someone. Just now I went with my cousin Lina on a hunt for a gift for her boyfriend. We had tapped the horn about 5 times before we were off our street because you just have to say hi to everyone. Sometimes, you even stop to stay hello. I've been in a car trapped becuase two cars going opposite directions had stopped and the drivers were happily chatting away until all the honking and yelling has them saying "just come over later for some food and talk!!" or something to that extent.
The roads only add to the chaos of driving. They are largely unpaved in town and are therefore VERY bumpy and winding and there are switchbacks everywhere you go accompanied by hairpin turns. Scary as ever. My neck is actually sore from all the jostling I've experienced in the car. I can't wait to get back to the US where all roads that I go on are completely paved and smooth. Also, while lines for lanes exist, they are worn out and completely ignored. You can have a highway road that is meant to be 3 lanes become 5 lanes becuase people like to weave so much. Then there are the coastal roads, which are very very similar to the Pacific Coast Highway going through Big Sur. I'm not kidding. After driving around here, anyone could do that drive with ease. There are gorgeous views and if you're a passenger, it might be wise to keep your eyes on the ocean seeing as it's not moving. The driver on the other hand better pay 100% attention or there's most likely to be an accident. Becuase during the summer, it's not just cars and motorinos on the road: there's also big tour buses with tourists coming down to the coast for a looksie. I know because I was in one in late June. Oh that was scary. A big passenger bus winding along those roads. I like to think that a bit of Harry Potter-ish magic does exist here...in the damn cars. There is no other possible explanation to how no one crashes besides the explanation that all cars have the ability of the Knight Bus. It has to be that. Driving like this in the States would get you killed immediately.
In the States, men joke a lot that the worst drivers are women. Here not so much. I have noticed differences in drivers but that's based on personality and experience. Gianfranco drives with ease and on an open road likes to go all out and speed. He always has his thumb on the horn just in case and just seems completely calm. Antonella drives carefully but with a purpose. She's not shy about going but also isn't a crazy one. Francesco is a typical 21 year old male driver. He drives a little fast, turns a little sharp, uses his horn frequently, all the while grabbing his phone and talking to people. Michele would probably rather be on his motorcycle but he doesn't very much because he says it doesn't have a security system, so he's in the car. He's a good mix of Gianfranco and Francesco's driving styles. Always plays music. Enzo is a careful driver like Gianfranco but has to play referee with his two little girls in the back. That was a fun drive. They don't have car seats or really wear seatbelts here, so the little ones can be standing up and jumping around. Makes my nerves raw. Ooof. Giusy drives like Francesco but a little crazier. She's got a sweet little car that she likes to go fast in on the autostrade. But again never put us in danger. Lina is the most careful but I think that's only because she just recently got her license (March I think...she's 19 but the driving age around here is 18). She still stalls once in a while and shifts tentatively but knows how to use that horn. Oh and Angelo on his motorino is a different story but he's careful with me or with Anna because Anna is young and well I'm just not used to it. Uses the horn a lot and likes to go fast on straightaways. I like the motorinos. Makes me feel free =).
So there you have it. Driving in the States is NOTHING compared to here. And I can't wait to get back to the sane driving of the States. And a neck massage please.
Another day =)
I FINALLY got a ride on my cousin's motorino yesterday. And yes that IS what I was most excited about. I love that bike. I love motorcycles. Don't ask me about the different makes or models, just ask me about the feel of being on one. Now I know that a motorino is probably nothing compared to a full motorcycle but sheesh the feeling has got to be the same. Or close to it.
Anyways yesterday was a full one =). Thank goodness for my timing because as soon as I was out of the shower, Lina and her grandma, my Zia Anna, were in the backyard calling for me. That's what they do...someone comes over and lets them in the gate with their key (everyone has them to my place since they all check up on it once in a while) then they stand in the backyard and call for me. It's hilarious. And of course I have to race to open one of the heavy security doors and say "i'll be down in 20 minutes!! wait!!" So I went with Lina to one of her friend's houses and listened to them chatter away and answered the few questions that came my way. I just liked to watch them talk. I know that sounds funny but sometimes they speak faster than their lips move. And they speak San Giuseppese, which is a dialect of Napoletan which is a dialect of Italian. It's any wonder how I'm learning the language properly here haha.
After we were there for a bit, went back to the family street (I'm just going to go with that since 5 out of the 7 siblings of my grandpa's family all have houses on the same street) and I went to Eleanor's for lunch again. After, Giusy and I went to the mall in Nola, which is a thing of beauty because it doesn't even LOOK like a mall....it looks like a giant hill with windows way at the bottom. It was built to look like that and has solar panels scattered amongst the shrubbery that covers it. We took her "neice" (boyfriend's niece who is 16 because his sister married young and he was way after the sisters) and we had a girls' afternoon out. I'm pretty sure I introduced Giusy to H&M and she loved it. Somehow narrowed the 8 things in her hand to buy down to 2. I don't know how that happened.
After I went and relaxed at home for a bit and tried to sleep because I knew I was going out with Michele and his friends and I had a funny feeling that it would be a late night. Nothing crazy, just sitting on a beach near Sorrento and eating pizza with a crowd of people. His friends are hilarious and I swear I think most of them have never met anyone from the States before because they were so curious about everything. Had me teach them a few English words and had a good laugh of trying to teach me some slang. I still have no idea what the words I was saying mean because they really couldn't explain it. Hilarious night but man was I happy to get to bed. And good thing too because today has proven to be a very very busy day as well. Read on =).
Anyways yesterday was a full one =). Thank goodness for my timing because as soon as I was out of the shower, Lina and her grandma, my Zia Anna, were in the backyard calling for me. That's what they do...someone comes over and lets them in the gate with their key (everyone has them to my place since they all check up on it once in a while) then they stand in the backyard and call for me. It's hilarious. And of course I have to race to open one of the heavy security doors and say "i'll be down in 20 minutes!! wait!!" So I went with Lina to one of her friend's houses and listened to them chatter away and answered the few questions that came my way. I just liked to watch them talk. I know that sounds funny but sometimes they speak faster than their lips move. And they speak San Giuseppese, which is a dialect of Napoletan which is a dialect of Italian. It's any wonder how I'm learning the language properly here haha.
After we were there for a bit, went back to the family street (I'm just going to go with that since 5 out of the 7 siblings of my grandpa's family all have houses on the same street) and I went to Eleanor's for lunch again. After, Giusy and I went to the mall in Nola, which is a thing of beauty because it doesn't even LOOK like a mall....it looks like a giant hill with windows way at the bottom. It was built to look like that and has solar panels scattered amongst the shrubbery that covers it. We took her "neice" (boyfriend's niece who is 16 because his sister married young and he was way after the sisters) and we had a girls' afternoon out. I'm pretty sure I introduced Giusy to H&M and she loved it. Somehow narrowed the 8 things in her hand to buy down to 2. I don't know how that happened.
After I went and relaxed at home for a bit and tried to sleep because I knew I was going out with Michele and his friends and I had a funny feeling that it would be a late night. Nothing crazy, just sitting on a beach near Sorrento and eating pizza with a crowd of people. His friends are hilarious and I swear I think most of them have never met anyone from the States before because they were so curious about everything. Had me teach them a few English words and had a good laugh of trying to teach me some slang. I still have no idea what the words I was saying mean because they really couldn't explain it. Hilarious night but man was I happy to get to bed. And good thing too because today has proven to be a very very busy day as well. Read on =).
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A fantastic 24 hours
Today has been my longest day here by far! Oh my gosh so much has happened in the last like 24 hours. Started out yesterday afternoon when Dana and I got dropped off at our hotel in Naples since her train left so damn early this morning. We checked in, put our stuff down and set out to explore. Got a taxi over to the Galleria (picture a mall in the shape of the Duomo....high glass dome included). Wandered through there for a bit then down one of the main streets with all the shops. Seems like everyone in Naples was on this street. Just people everywhere. The sales are coming to an end here in Italy and the stores were in chaos. We went into one store and an entire wall was blank..absolute madness.
Once we were tired of walking around (we really didn't want to venture far out of the area that we knew...it is Naples) we found a restaurant to sit and have a nice dinner at. We sat and talked for around an hour and a half, just the two of us. It was so nice. I love my family but I did want some alone time with my best friend. Haven't seen her in a year after all. Also, we got a bit tipsy. Shared a liter of prosecco and we finished it to the last drop. Delicious. Also I had her finally try limoncello. I don't think she liked it so much. Got a taxi back to the hotel and finally crashed. Set my alarm on my phone purposefully for 6:15 am because her train was at 6:50 am.
And before I knew it Dana was waking me up at 6:42 am. Luckily she didn't need to put anything away besides pj's and we both made a mad dash for the station which was (thank god) luckily just across the street. Made her train on time and got a hug goodbye in. But oof that was really close. Scared the crap out of both of us that she would miss her train which would mean she might miss her flight. BUT all is good. She is now on a plane across the Atlantic back to Toronto and I am back in San Giuseppe...and well fed once again.
Gianfranco picked me up from the hotel at 9 and went back to their house to get ready for church. Between this Sunday and last Sunday, I've observed that Sunday after church is family shopping time. The whole family will go out and go clothes shopping and talk with friends. The whole town is out on Sundays, totally unlike Florence, which was quite dead on Sundays. Shops were closed and everyone was sleeping in. It was fun. Then as soon as we got back to the house I had to run next door for a marathon meal with my dad's cousin Angelo's family. Angelo is the dad of my cousin Michele, who took Dana and I to Sorrento on Thursday. The families are all finally beginning to make sense and I'm slowly remembering who the heck everyone is. I have a HUGE family here.
The last time I was here I made a family tree of nearly the entire family, or as much as my dad and all his cousins that I talked to could remember. It was a really fun lunch. Just Angelo's family at first then Susy and her brother, his girlfriend and their mom came over and then it was a LOT of fast paced Italian and more food going on the table (dessert of course) and me feeling a liiiittle lost and tired. But it was also a family that I really didn't know prior to this trip so it was something that was wonderful.
So now I am back in my parent's place, resting up. Michele invited me out again with his friends to go down to Salerno but first I am going to Skype with my parents. Haven't done that in a few days and my mom even sent me a FB message asking for some sort of contact =). More cousins got in today (they were at the beach on vacation) and tomorrow a cousin from Brazil arrives that I've never met so that should be fun. I think she speaks some Italian other than her native Portuguese soooo it shall be interesting. Gotta love my international family <3 =).
Once we were tired of walking around (we really didn't want to venture far out of the area that we knew...it is Naples) we found a restaurant to sit and have a nice dinner at. We sat and talked for around an hour and a half, just the two of us. It was so nice. I love my family but I did want some alone time with my best friend. Haven't seen her in a year after all. Also, we got a bit tipsy. Shared a liter of prosecco and we finished it to the last drop. Delicious. Also I had her finally try limoncello. I don't think she liked it so much. Got a taxi back to the hotel and finally crashed. Set my alarm on my phone purposefully for 6:15 am because her train was at 6:50 am.
And before I knew it Dana was waking me up at 6:42 am. Luckily she didn't need to put anything away besides pj's and we both made a mad dash for the station which was (thank god) luckily just across the street. Made her train on time and got a hug goodbye in. But oof that was really close. Scared the crap out of both of us that she would miss her train which would mean she might miss her flight. BUT all is good. She is now on a plane across the Atlantic back to Toronto and I am back in San Giuseppe...and well fed once again.
Gianfranco picked me up from the hotel at 9 and went back to their house to get ready for church. Between this Sunday and last Sunday, I've observed that Sunday after church is family shopping time. The whole family will go out and go clothes shopping and talk with friends. The whole town is out on Sundays, totally unlike Florence, which was quite dead on Sundays. Shops were closed and everyone was sleeping in. It was fun. Then as soon as we got back to the house I had to run next door for a marathon meal with my dad's cousin Angelo's family. Angelo is the dad of my cousin Michele, who took Dana and I to Sorrento on Thursday. The families are all finally beginning to make sense and I'm slowly remembering who the heck everyone is. I have a HUGE family here.
The last time I was here I made a family tree of nearly the entire family, or as much as my dad and all his cousins that I talked to could remember. It was a really fun lunch. Just Angelo's family at first then Susy and her brother, his girlfriend and their mom came over and then it was a LOT of fast paced Italian and more food going on the table (dessert of course) and me feeling a liiiittle lost and tired. But it was also a family that I really didn't know prior to this trip so it was something that was wonderful.
So now I am back in my parent's place, resting up. Michele invited me out again with his friends to go down to Salerno but first I am going to Skype with my parents. Haven't done that in a few days and my mom even sent me a FB message asking for some sort of contact =). More cousins got in today (they were at the beach on vacation) and tomorrow a cousin from Brazil arrives that I've never met so that should be fun. I think she speaks some Italian other than her native Portuguese soooo it shall be interesting. Gotta love my international family <3 =).
Simply put, mia famiglia is amazing
This week has been SO much fun. Dana got here Monday and we had dinner with Zia Eleanora and her family (Giusy, Angelo, etc.) Tuesday we went over there again and had lunch and just chilled out the rest of the day. Went with Antonella to get dinner supplies and hang out with Anna. I got to Skype with my mom and had a good conversation filling her in on what the week has been like up to that point. I can tell how much my mom misses our family here. It's not her family by blood but she loves them all just the same. Gianfranco and my dad lovingly call each other brothers (and if you were none the wiser you would think that was a true fact..not just that they are cousins who look extremely alike), and Antonella and my mom are equally as close now. Anna came in the room and just lit up when she saw my mom.
So we had dinner over there and just hung out. Wednesday was lunch again with Eleanora and then over to Antonella's to babysit Anna for the afternoon so both Gianfranco and Antonella could go to work and Imma could have a break. It was fun. She's a VERY active 7 year old and demands a lot of attention. We played about 4 different board games. Never play Uno against her...she makes up her own rules and doesn't listen to you, besides the fact that we barely speak the same langauge sometimes. It was interesting. Later that night, Dana and I went out to dinner with Giusy and my other cousin Susy to Giusy's cousin's restaurant. My parents went there with Giusy's parents when they were here in April so it was nice to talk to Jacapo and know that he knew my parents.
Thursday was another relaxing day with a late wake up and lunch again with Zia Eleanora (my other great-aunt is at the beach with one of her daughters until Monday...). Zia E asks me everyday if I am going to her house for lunch, but it's more of telling me that I'm eating there. And Giusy and Angelo are always happy to see us. They were sad when Dana said she was only staying one week. The best thing about my family is their absolute sincerity and generostiy. I have the best family in the world. Thursday night, my cousin Michele (don't ask how he's my cousin because frankly I can't remember but he is) took Dana and me and his girlfriend down to Sorrento just to walk around the center and got us gelato. I was so happy to be back in Sorrento. We walked the English Inn and part of me wished that it was a weekend so I would have a chance to run into one of the Florence For Fun people with the group for the weekend. And just like last time I was in Sorrento at night, it started raining just as we were going to the car. It was such a nice night and I got to know another cousin. It's so strange now that I'm older and here. And on my own for the first time with the family. I wish I could return the favor to all of them, but most of my family will never make it out to California or New York.
Friday morning, Dana and I got up early and Gianfranco drove us to Pompei. Originally, we were going to go through the ruins but the morning was hot so we decided against it. Dana wanted to see them but she said she could do without and I have all my pictures from last time. So instead we walked through the streets and went into shops, sat on the grass and talked and had a nice long lunch. A day just the two of us. Such a difference from the last time we spent together, which was in the craziness of the Senior Games last summer. Both of us have been through so much in the last year. Today marks a year from the halfway point of the games. We were both exhausted. Oi vey. When we got back, we went and took a nap (we were so tired..well I was at least. not sure why) and then got ready for the night. My cousin Enzo and his wife Lina, who I met 6 years ago when they were at my parents place as a stop on their honeymoon, took us out for a drive along the coast and a walk around Naples, which is just so pretty then a late night dinner at a restaurant here in San Giuseppe. The restaurants here are so different from home. At home, they're out on the highway and in your face. Here, you have to know where you're going or you'll miss it because it's usually tucked back from the road. And they're always so pretty. It was so much fun.
Well this post is ridiculously long. Going back to Naples now with Dana for her last night in Italy. Just a few more weeks and then I'm back in CA. Weird.
So we had dinner over there and just hung out. Wednesday was lunch again with Eleanora and then over to Antonella's to babysit Anna for the afternoon so both Gianfranco and Antonella could go to work and Imma could have a break. It was fun. She's a VERY active 7 year old and demands a lot of attention. We played about 4 different board games. Never play Uno against her...she makes up her own rules and doesn't listen to you, besides the fact that we barely speak the same langauge sometimes. It was interesting. Later that night, Dana and I went out to dinner with Giusy and my other cousin Susy to Giusy's cousin's restaurant. My parents went there with Giusy's parents when they were here in April so it was nice to talk to Jacapo and know that he knew my parents.
Thursday was another relaxing day with a late wake up and lunch again with Zia Eleanora (my other great-aunt is at the beach with one of her daughters until Monday...). Zia E asks me everyday if I am going to her house for lunch, but it's more of telling me that I'm eating there. And Giusy and Angelo are always happy to see us. They were sad when Dana said she was only staying one week. The best thing about my family is their absolute sincerity and generostiy. I have the best family in the world. Thursday night, my cousin Michele (don't ask how he's my cousin because frankly I can't remember but he is) took Dana and me and his girlfriend down to Sorrento just to walk around the center and got us gelato. I was so happy to be back in Sorrento. We walked the English Inn and part of me wished that it was a weekend so I would have a chance to run into one of the Florence For Fun people with the group for the weekend. And just like last time I was in Sorrento at night, it started raining just as we were going to the car. It was such a nice night and I got to know another cousin. It's so strange now that I'm older and here. And on my own for the first time with the family. I wish I could return the favor to all of them, but most of my family will never make it out to California or New York.
Friday morning, Dana and I got up early and Gianfranco drove us to Pompei. Originally, we were going to go through the ruins but the morning was hot so we decided against it. Dana wanted to see them but she said she could do without and I have all my pictures from last time. So instead we walked through the streets and went into shops, sat on the grass and talked and had a nice long lunch. A day just the two of us. Such a difference from the last time we spent together, which was in the craziness of the Senior Games last summer. Both of us have been through so much in the last year. Today marks a year from the halfway point of the games. We were both exhausted. Oi vey. When we got back, we went and took a nap (we were so tired..well I was at least. not sure why) and then got ready for the night. My cousin Enzo and his wife Lina, who I met 6 years ago when they were at my parents place as a stop on their honeymoon, took us out for a drive along the coast and a walk around Naples, which is just so pretty then a late night dinner at a restaurant here in San Giuseppe. The restaurants here are so different from home. At home, they're out on the highway and in your face. Here, you have to know where you're going or you'll miss it because it's usually tucked back from the road. And they're always so pretty. It was so much fun.
Well this post is ridiculously long. Going back to Naples now with Dana for her last night in Italy. Just a few more weeks and then I'm back in CA. Weird.
Simply put, my famiglia is amazing
This week has been SO much fun. Dana got here Monday and we had dinner with Zia Eleanora and her family (Giusy, Angelo, etc.) Tuesday we went over there again and had lunch and just chilled out the rest of the day. Went with Antonella to get dinner supplies and hang out with Anna. I got to Skype with my mom and had a good conversation filling her in on what the week has been like up to that point. I can tell how much my mom misses our family here. It's not her family by blood but she loves them all just the same. Gianfranco and my dad lovingly call each other brothers (and if you were none the wiser you would think that was a true fact..not just that they are cousins who look extremely alike), and Antonella and my mom are equally as close now. Anna came in the room and just lit up when she saw my mom.
So we had dinner over there and just hung out. Wednesday was lunch again with Eleanora and then over to Antonella's to babysit Anna for the afternoon so both Gianfranco and Antonella could go to work and Imma could have a break. It was fun. She's a VERY active 7 year old and demands a lot of attention. We played about 4 different board games. Never play Uno against her...she makes up her own rules and doesn't listen to you, besides the fact that we barely speak the same langauge sometimes. It was interesting. Later that night, Dana and I went out to dinner with Giusy and my other cousin Susy to Giusy's cousin's restaurant. My parents went there with Giusy's parents when they were here in April so it was nice to talk to Jacapo and know that he knew my parents.
Thursday was another relaxing day with a late wake up and lunch again with Zia Eleanora (my other great-aunt is at the beach with one of her daughters until Monday...). Zia E asks me everyday if I am going to her house for lunch, but it's more of telling me that I'm eating there. And Giusy and Angelo are always happy to see us. They were sad when Dana said she was only staying one week. The best thing about my family is their absolute sincerity and generostiy. I have the best family in the world. Thursday night, my cousin Michele (don't ask how he's my cousin because frankly I can't remember but he is) took Dana and me and his girlfriend down to Sorrento just to walk around the center and got us gelato. I was so happy to be back in Sorrento. We walked the English Inn and part of me wished that it was a weekend so I would have a chance to run into one of the Florence For Fun people with the group for the weekend. And just like last time I was in Sorrento at night, it started raining just as we were going to the car. It was such a nice night and I got to know another cousin. It's so strange now that I'm older and here. And on my own for the first time with the family. I wish I could return the favor to all of them, but most of my family will never make it out to California or New York.
Friday morning, Dana and I got up early and Gianfranco drove us to Pompei. Originally, we were going to go through the ruins but the morning was hot so we decided against it. Dana wanted to see them but she said she could do without and I have all my pictures from last time. So instead we walked through the streets and went into shops, sat on the grass and talked and had a nice long lunch. A day just the two of us. Such a difference from the last time we spent together, which was in the craziness of the Senior Games last summer. Both of us have been through so much in the last year. Today marks a year from the halfway point of the games. We were both exhausted. Oi vey. When we got back, we went and took a nap (we were so tired..well I was at least. not sure why) and then got ready for the night. My cousin Enzo and his wife Lina, who I met 6 years ago when they were at my parents place as a stop on their honeymoon, took us out for a drive along the coast and a walk around Naples, which is just so pretty then a late night dinner at a restaurant here in San Giuseppe. The restaurants here are so different from home. At home, they're out on the highway and in your face. Here, you have to know where you're going or you'll miss it because it's usually tucked back from the road. And they're always so pretty. It was so much fun.
Well this post is ridiculously long. Going back to Naples now with Dana for her last night in Italy. Just a few more weeks and then I'm back in CA. Weird.
So we had dinner over there and just hung out. Wednesday was lunch again with Eleanora and then over to Antonella's to babysit Anna for the afternoon so both Gianfranco and Antonella could go to work and Imma could have a break. It was fun. She's a VERY active 7 year old and demands a lot of attention. We played about 4 different board games. Never play Uno against her...she makes up her own rules and doesn't listen to you, besides the fact that we barely speak the same langauge sometimes. It was interesting. Later that night, Dana and I went out to dinner with Giusy and my other cousin Susy to Giusy's cousin's restaurant. My parents went there with Giusy's parents when they were here in April so it was nice to talk to Jacapo and know that he knew my parents.
Thursday was another relaxing day with a late wake up and lunch again with Zia Eleanora (my other great-aunt is at the beach with one of her daughters until Monday...). Zia E asks me everyday if I am going to her house for lunch, but it's more of telling me that I'm eating there. And Giusy and Angelo are always happy to see us. They were sad when Dana said she was only staying one week. The best thing about my family is their absolute sincerity and generostiy. I have the best family in the world. Thursday night, my cousin Michele (don't ask how he's my cousin because frankly I can't remember but he is) took Dana and me and his girlfriend down to Sorrento just to walk around the center and got us gelato. I was so happy to be back in Sorrento. We walked the English Inn and part of me wished that it was a weekend so I would have a chance to run into one of the Florence For Fun people with the group for the weekend. And just like last time I was in Sorrento at night, it started raining just as we were going to the car. It was such a nice night and I got to know another cousin. It's so strange now that I'm older and here. And on my own for the first time with the family. I wish I could return the favor to all of them, but most of my family will never make it out to California or New York.
Friday morning, Dana and I got up early and Gianfranco drove us to Pompei. Originally, we were going to go through the ruins but the morning was hot so we decided against it. Dana wanted to see them but she said she could do without and I have all my pictures from last time. So instead we walked through the streets and went into shops, sat on the grass and talked and had a nice long lunch. A day just the two of us. Such a difference from the last time we spent together, which was in the craziness of the Senior Games last summer. Both of us have been through so much in the last year. Today marks a year from the halfway point of the games. We were both exhausted. Oi vey. When we got back, we went and took a nap (we were so tired..well I was at least. not sure why) and then got ready for the night. My cousin Enzo and his wife Lina, who I met 6 years ago when they were at my parents place as a stop on their honeymoon, took us out for a drive along the coast and a walk around Naples, which is just so pretty then a late night dinner at a restaurant here in San Giuseppe. The restaurants here are so different from home. At home, they're out on the highway and in your face. Here, you have to know where you're going or you'll miss it because it's usually tucked back from the road. And they're always so pretty. It was so much fun.
Well this post is ridiculously long. Going back to Naples now with Dana for her last night in Italy. Just a few more weeks and then I'm back in CA. Weird.
Dana the Canadian Comes to Italy and the Crazies =)
(warning...this was written a full week ago..but is finally up nonetheless)
DANA IS HERE!!! yayayayay! For those of you who don't know, Dana is one of my best friends whom I met last summer when I was working with the Summer National Senior Games. Unfortunately, she lives near Toronto, Canada so I haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the airport on August 17 of last year. And now she's here with me and my family and I'm just so happy =). I went with Gianfranco, Anna and Angelo to the Stazione di Napoli to pick her up because she had flown into Rome. She got a bigger welcoming party than I did! Anna ran right up to her and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Took her back to the house and settled in for a bit then went over to Zia Eleanor's house for a late night dinner. She was in a whole different world. And she is meeting everyone I run into, which is a lot of people. And she's almost completely lost on the language, which means that I'm not only translating for myself, but for her as well. She took a few years of French in high school and there's a lot of similar words so she's not completely lost.
So after pizza at Zia Eleanor's, Giusy took us over to the yogurt shop that Maria and Rafael own for some dolci. Then we went home to talk some more and sleep. Woke up at 11 and went over to Eleanor's again for midday lunch. Dana had her first full on Italian meal there and it was quite entertaining. Eating here is so different from anywhere I've ever been. They always begin with the pasta dish, then the meat dish, then fruit and then dessert. So much food in one sitting. And my family just loves her. As does the dog, Milo. The dogs, both Milo and Gennaro (Francesco's English Bulldog) are new to me and it's funny to see my family with pets. Milo is a little Yorkshire Terrier and just so cute. Gennaro is still pretty young but English Bulldogs aren't exactly tiny.
That night, after just vegging around all afternoon (there's not much to do..but that's ok), we met up with Antonella to run errands and go hang at their house. Had late night meal with them and played with Anna. Such a nice relaxing day. I love how generous my family is. I only wish that I can someday return the generosity they are showing me here. I've already told Giusy that when she comes out to California (if ever) she's not allowed to pay for anything, since she won't let me or Dana pay for anything. Ok long post. More on the next one =).
DANA IS HERE!!! yayayayay! For those of you who don't know, Dana is one of my best friends whom I met last summer when I was working with the Summer National Senior Games. Unfortunately, she lives near Toronto, Canada so I haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the airport on August 17 of last year. And now she's here with me and my family and I'm just so happy =). I went with Gianfranco, Anna and Angelo to the Stazione di Napoli to pick her up because she had flown into Rome. She got a bigger welcoming party than I did! Anna ran right up to her and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Took her back to the house and settled in for a bit then went over to Zia Eleanor's house for a late night dinner. She was in a whole different world. And she is meeting everyone I run into, which is a lot of people. And she's almost completely lost on the language, which means that I'm not only translating for myself, but for her as well. She took a few years of French in high school and there's a lot of similar words so she's not completely lost.
So after pizza at Zia Eleanor's, Giusy took us over to the yogurt shop that Maria and Rafael own for some dolci. Then we went home to talk some more and sleep. Woke up at 11 and went over to Eleanor's again for midday lunch. Dana had her first full on Italian meal there and it was quite entertaining. Eating here is so different from anywhere I've ever been. They always begin with the pasta dish, then the meat dish, then fruit and then dessert. So much food in one sitting. And my family just loves her. As does the dog, Milo. The dogs, both Milo and Gennaro (Francesco's English Bulldog) are new to me and it's funny to see my family with pets. Milo is a little Yorkshire Terrier and just so cute. Gennaro is still pretty young but English Bulldogs aren't exactly tiny.
That night, after just vegging around all afternoon (there's not much to do..but that's ok), we met up with Antonella to run errands and go hang at their house. Had late night meal with them and played with Anna. Such a nice relaxing day. I love how generous my family is. I only wish that I can someday return the generosity they are showing me here. I've already told Giusy that when she comes out to California (if ever) she's not allowed to pay for anything, since she won't let me or Dana pay for anything. Ok long post. More on the next one =).
more from San Giuseppe
When I was up north and would tell people that my family is from the Naples area, they would say "oh yeah you look like it." I never really understood what it meant to look like you were from a certain region of a country. Then I went to church with Gianfranco and Anna on Sunday morning and looked around and went "oh now I get it." It's the eyes. I have very very distinctive Southern Italian looking eyes. It's not the color but the shape and area around the eyes. I look like I could live here. And I look enough like my cousin Anna that one person that saw us out after church asked Gianfranco if I was his wife. hahaha. That was amusing.
Sunday was wonderful. After church and errands, we headed back to the house. As soon as we got there, my Zia Eleanor saw me and beckoned me over to her place. Of course, like always, she immediately put food in front of me. I swear, it's like they think everyone is constantly hungry. But I was since I hadn't eaten since the pizza the night before. So I sat and chatted as best as I could with her. Then another nephew, Santino, came over and then had me go with him to say hello to his family. It was nice to see them and a little funny since his daughters both have a Facebook and we've been keeping in touch that way. It's so much easier with Facebook.
After chatting with them I headed back to A & G's for the midday meal (I can't exactly call it lunch because it's such a huge meal..dinner isn't that big of a deal around here and it's super late). After a delicious meal of real pasta and a huge steak (yeah like I said..big meal) it was relaxing time. Anna doesn't do relaxing so we played around and then popped in a movie. Skyped with my parents and then went back to my place to change and get my computer because we figured out their wireless password. Francesco had invited me out with him and his friends so around 8 I went downstairs to his place (that's my favorite part about my family here…they all live in the same place).
When we finally got all of his friends together (we were in 3 separate cars because there were 12 of us..btw taking cars all the time is SO weird to me still) we finally headed out to the club. It was on the beach in Naples so it took a good 45 minutes to get out there. But it was so cool. The best clubs are the outdoor clubs. They're just so pretty and you never get too hot from dancing because the wind just blows right through. I had so so much fun with them. But I also noticed just how protective my family can be. The whole time Francesco made sure that he knew where I was and any time we were walking through the crowd, he made sure to have a hand either around my waist or on my shoulder. I don't know him very well and have only seen him a handful of times in my life but there's that familial bond. If he was in the states I would be just as protective of him. And everyone else. I wish they would come to the states. Angelo, Giusy's older brother, is the only one to ever come to visit and he did so with a bunch of friends.
We finally got back home around 3:30 and I passed out in Francesco's sister's bed because she's on vacation right now. He wouldn't let me go back to my house and sleep there by myself. But now Dana's here. Aaaand that's a story for a different post!
Sunday was wonderful. After church and errands, we headed back to the house. As soon as we got there, my Zia Eleanor saw me and beckoned me over to her place. Of course, like always, she immediately put food in front of me. I swear, it's like they think everyone is constantly hungry. But I was since I hadn't eaten since the pizza the night before. So I sat and chatted as best as I could with her. Then another nephew, Santino, came over and then had me go with him to say hello to his family. It was nice to see them and a little funny since his daughters both have a Facebook and we've been keeping in touch that way. It's so much easier with Facebook.
After chatting with them I headed back to A & G's for the midday meal (I can't exactly call it lunch because it's such a huge meal..dinner isn't that big of a deal around here and it's super late). After a delicious meal of real pasta and a huge steak (yeah like I said..big meal) it was relaxing time. Anna doesn't do relaxing so we played around and then popped in a movie. Skyped with my parents and then went back to my place to change and get my computer because we figured out their wireless password. Francesco had invited me out with him and his friends so around 8 I went downstairs to his place (that's my favorite part about my family here…they all live in the same place).
When we finally got all of his friends together (we were in 3 separate cars because there were 12 of us..btw taking cars all the time is SO weird to me still) we finally headed out to the club. It was on the beach in Naples so it took a good 45 minutes to get out there. But it was so cool. The best clubs are the outdoor clubs. They're just so pretty and you never get too hot from dancing because the wind just blows right through. I had so so much fun with them. But I also noticed just how protective my family can be. The whole time Francesco made sure that he knew where I was and any time we were walking through the crowd, he made sure to have a hand either around my waist or on my shoulder. I don't know him very well and have only seen him a handful of times in my life but there's that familial bond. If he was in the states I would be just as protective of him. And everyone else. I wish they would come to the states. Angelo, Giusy's older brother, is the only one to ever come to visit and he did so with a bunch of friends.
We finally got back home around 3:30 and I passed out in Francesco's sister's bed because she's on vacation right now. He wouldn't let me go back to my house and sleep there by myself. But now Dana's here. Aaaand that's a story for a different post!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
these posts...
a little explanation on why there is so many posts all in the span of about 5 minutes...i am without internet at my place but i still write a lot. so when i get internet at a cousin's house i post =). enjoy and read from the bottom up. oh i love this place.
A feeling of belonging =)
I feel at home here. Like I belong here. It just seemed so easy. Like I said before I've only been here a handful of times. And one of those times I can't recall myself because I was so young. I was here when I was 9, 11 and 15. It's been 5 years since I was here last. It was for Easter in 2005. That was the year I went to Italy twice; once with the family in April and once with my church in August. That was the only time I've come here and not seen family. Probably will be the last as well. I just can't imagine myself coming to Italy and not at least staying here a week. Anyways, I digress. Those 4 times I've been here packed in so so many memories. I can remember when I was here when I was 9 so clearly. It was the first time me and my cousins had really met and we really didn't understand each other (of course). So we created this sort of hand gesture language that we just understood completely. Oh to be young again. You didn't need to talk. All you needed to do was play. And ride bikes. And my dad's cousins' husband would take me and my sister around on his motorino.
One night, we had this huge party where my dad made pizza (go figure) and I swear anyone who was remotely related to us (which is a LOT of people…and that number has only grown since then) showed up to eat and drink and talk and dance and oh my gosh the amount of kids running around was incredible. It was just so much fun! Writing about it is making the memory just that more vivid in my mind. It was so much fun. That was the first time we met Antonella, now the wife of my dad's cousin Gianfranco. They had just gotten engaged. The trip we took when I was 11 was for their wedding. It was so beautiful. I can even remember getting ready for it at the house and getting in the rental car and somehow landing at this beautiful outdoor wedding site.
The trip we took in 2005 when I was 15 was for Easter. We spent a good week and a half here and had one of the most delicious Easter meals I have ever had. Then we did something different: we played tourist and went to Venice for the weekend. Of course we drove and I swear if I never have to drive the autostrada here I will be just dandy. It's a crazy road. It's the highway but the speeds are waaaay higher than those in the U.S.
I've been here 5 hours and already have spoken more Italian that I have in weeks. Which is good, it's what I expected out of this portion of my trip. The most entertaining part of it is Gianfranco and Antonella's daughter, Anna. She's 7 and oh she's just so damn smart. She already told me that she would be my Italian professor here. And I could teach her some English. She already knows quite a bit. On the way home from the train station, she was playing the soundtrack from Mama Mia and singing along with the English words. I'm not sure that she understood what she was singing but still. It was cute. And she's such a ham. Loves to be the center of attention. And she's just adorable. Can you tell I love her?
The feeling of being at home was simple. I walked in and sighed. It's just a comforting thought. After everyone left, I made my tea and wrote a bit. Then I unpacked a little and settled in a bit then got ready to go. Walking into the 'backyard' of Gianfranco's building (they all live in the same building…no one ever really leaves home) was so normal. I haven't gone over there in 5 years and I swear I felt like it was something I did everyday. Gianfranco's sister was just getting out of her car and when she saw me she was so happy. Ah I love this crazy family of mine. But this is getting long. And it's my 3rd post in a matter of 12 hours. A liiiitle crazy. Oh well. I need to sleep. It's been a long, good day.
One night, we had this huge party where my dad made pizza (go figure) and I swear anyone who was remotely related to us (which is a LOT of people…and that number has only grown since then) showed up to eat and drink and talk and dance and oh my gosh the amount of kids running around was incredible. It was just so much fun! Writing about it is making the memory just that more vivid in my mind. It was so much fun. That was the first time we met Antonella, now the wife of my dad's cousin Gianfranco. They had just gotten engaged. The trip we took when I was 11 was for their wedding. It was so beautiful. I can even remember getting ready for it at the house and getting in the rental car and somehow landing at this beautiful outdoor wedding site.
The trip we took in 2005 when I was 15 was for Easter. We spent a good week and a half here and had one of the most delicious Easter meals I have ever had. Then we did something different: we played tourist and went to Venice for the weekend. Of course we drove and I swear if I never have to drive the autostrada here I will be just dandy. It's a crazy road. It's the highway but the speeds are waaaay higher than those in the U.S.
I've been here 5 hours and already have spoken more Italian that I have in weeks. Which is good, it's what I expected out of this portion of my trip. The most entertaining part of it is Gianfranco and Antonella's daughter, Anna. She's 7 and oh she's just so damn smart. She already told me that she would be my Italian professor here. And I could teach her some English. She already knows quite a bit. On the way home from the train station, she was playing the soundtrack from Mama Mia and singing along with the English words. I'm not sure that she understood what she was singing but still. It was cute. And she's such a ham. Loves to be the center of attention. And she's just adorable. Can you tell I love her?
The feeling of being at home was simple. I walked in and sighed. It's just a comforting thought. After everyone left, I made my tea and wrote a bit. Then I unpacked a little and settled in a bit then got ready to go. Walking into the 'backyard' of Gianfranco's building (they all live in the same building…no one ever really leaves home) was so normal. I haven't gone over there in 5 years and I swear I felt like it was something I did everyday. Gianfranco's sister was just getting out of her car and when she saw me she was so happy. Ah I love this crazy family of mine. But this is getting long. And it's my 3rd post in a matter of 12 hours. A liiiitle crazy. Oh well. I need to sleep. It's been a long, good day.
Finally in San Giuseppe
I'm here. I'm really back in San Giuseppe. Back in the house that my dad and my grandpa built. Back in these familiar walls that are so so familiar even though I've only spent a handful of weeks here over my lifetime. This place means so much to me. More than I even know sometimes. Like right now. I can't believe how overwhelmed I am to be here. To be able to be here. I love it. I just spent 15 minutes looking around everything in it (it's a small place..nothing special). But I do love it. I truly love it. I have such good memories here. Laughter stands out the most. And pictures provide the rest of the memories. This is where I came on my first trip when I was 8 months old. My parents put me on the floor of the plane on top of a blanket and like a good little baby I slept most of the 9 hour flight from New York to Italy. My dad's cousin, her husband and two sons were living here at the time. Gianny is a year older than me and Francesco was a baby. I know this because of the pictures. That's why I LOVE pictures so much. Without them I wouldn't have these memories. There's pictures of Gianny and I in the play pen standing there in just our diapers because it was July/August and it was just too hot to put clothes on children. The adults wished they could dress like us. And there's video. My dad took video. Ooh I want to watch that when I get home. That is my earliest "memory" then. Of course I don't actually remember being here but still. I'm just sad that I never got to come here with my grandfather. It would have been so much fun. But I can feel him here. He built this place and therefore he is this place. I can look into the backyard and see the "garage" he built and see the stone work he put into this place. He was a bricklayer by trade and did beautiful work.
The train ride was fast….exactly why I took the bullet train. Had a little confusion when I got there and realized that I hadn't set up a meeting spot with my dad's cousin, Gianfranco. But we worked it out. His daughter, Anna, ran at me full speed and oh my goodness she was only 2 when I saw her last time. Now she's 7! SEVEN! Oi Vey do I feel old. Got in the car and got to the house. Immediately saw my great-aunt Zia Eleanora and her husband Zio Antonio. Oh I love them. She is one of 3 of my grandpa's 6 siblings that is still living and she's the only one with her spouse still alive with her. They're adorable together. I love them. And her daughter, my dad's cousin Lina came over. Then another great-aunt's granddaughters (there's a lot and you'll hear about them a lot so keep up) Anna and Milena came to say hi. All of this in a span of about ooh 5 or 7 minutes. They all live on the same street. It's not hard to see when someone new has arrived. Bustled me into the house. I had 3 different people talking to me in Italian and well it's going to be an interesting two weeks is all I have to say about that. But I'm here. I'm here I'm here I'm here. And my mommy left some green tea here when she and my dad were here in April and now I am enjoying that before I go greet the rest of my pazzo famiglia (that's crazy family). Love them. <3 being "home"
The train ride was fast….exactly why I took the bullet train. Had a little confusion when I got there and realized that I hadn't set up a meeting spot with my dad's cousin, Gianfranco. But we worked it out. His daughter, Anna, ran at me full speed and oh my goodness she was only 2 when I saw her last time. Now she's 7! SEVEN! Oi Vey do I feel old. Got in the car and got to the house. Immediately saw my great-aunt Zia Eleanora and her husband Zio Antonio. Oh I love them. She is one of 3 of my grandpa's 6 siblings that is still living and she's the only one with her spouse still alive with her. They're adorable together. I love them. And her daughter, my dad's cousin Lina came over. Then another great-aunt's granddaughters (there's a lot and you'll hear about them a lot so keep up) Anna and Milena came to say hi. All of this in a span of about ooh 5 or 7 minutes. They all live on the same street. It's not hard to see when someone new has arrived. Bustled me into the house. I had 3 different people talking to me in Italian and well it's going to be an interesting two weeks is all I have to say about that. But I'm here. I'm here I'm here I'm here. And my mommy left some green tea here when she and my dad were here in April and now I am enjoying that before I go greet the rest of my pazzo famiglia (that's crazy family). Love them. <3 being "home"
On the train
As I write this I'm on the train from Florence to Naples. It's a little strange to think that I'm done with Florence..for now. A friend was asking if I was going to come back up for next weekend and I said no, I'm done. No more so say your goodbyes. The goodbyes were tough but they were in mass quantities so they weren't as bad as I thought they would be. A lot of "I swear I'm going to come visit you!!" We'll see if that happens. In a perfect world, all of us would follow through on our promises to go visit each other. The fact of the matter is, we're all college students and by the time we start earning real money, we probably won't have the luxury of traveling all over. I want to visit everyone I've met here. Which would mean me hop-skipping all over the United States and going to England, India, South Africa, Israel and France. Now that would be a fun trip. Last night was a perfect arrivederci to Florence. Nothing too crazy, just a simple dinner out with a few friends then wandering around for a bit and finally getting everyone together. The end of the night found us sitting at a table at Red Garter with the guys sharing a beer tower, plates of nachos and french fries in front of us. Yep, you read that right. But hey it wasn't my last night in Italy…I'll eat Italian food my last night here. But at that table was everyone I had spent the most time with and it was perfect. I wish a lot more people could have been there but they've all left already. August in Florence is depressing as a student. Everyone's gone home already. Oh well I had fun. Walked home with Ali, Lizi and Yai because Yai left at 4 a.m. Craziness. She's going to Puerto Rico to visit her family for a month then it's back to Georgia for school. Hopefully we'll meet again. I would love to visit Savannah. I've heard it's beautiful. Ali, Jez and Dylan ran (literally ran) to the station right as I was getting on to say goodbye. Ali said "See you in December" and the boys just said I better come back. I love those three. Oh I don't know what I would have done without them. Especially Ali. We started talking like each other about 3 weeks ago. I spent nearly every single day of the last 2 months with Ali and Yai. It's so strange not to be with them right now. It's going to be even more strange to be with my family without my mom, dad and sister. I've never been alone with them. It's going to be fun =). Ok for now I am done with this post. I just had to write something. Will probably update again soon. I'm in travel mode again which means I have too much time to think about things again. Ooh boy. 2 weeks left in Italy, one in New York, a few days at home then it's back to reality. Ahh the life I live =).
Friday, July 30, 2010
San Lorenzo Market
In my last post, I mentioned the San Lorenzo market as one of the places that I would miss the most. Then I realized that I had never really talked about it in previous posts. So here we go. The Mercato Centrale is actually a large building that houses countless food and goods stands inside of it. It has short hours and the smells will murder your nose but it's so cool. Tons and tons of Italian food and delicacies everywhere. My langauge teacher took us there on a "field trip" once to test what we had learned thus far. So much fun. So that's the actual "Mercato Centrale"...outside is the madness. Vendors have set up their stalls all around the Mercato and down side streets so that it feels like this huge outdoor mall with cheap items. It's nuts. And the bargains you can find, oh my goodness. Most of the stands all sell the same thing so you can use that as leverage when you want to strike a deal. And the items they sell are pretty cool too. Countless clothing stores and stands with scarves and ties and all sorts of goodies. Most of the clothing stalls or that sort of thing have actual stores attached to them. Once I was wandering through with some friends and one of the girls got roped into buying a leather jacket. It was gorgeous but it would not have happened if the owner of the store hadn't taken us into his store and showed Chantall how amazing she looked in the tri-mirror. They know how to rope you in and before you know it you're getting a great deal on something you wanted but probably didn't really need.Then again you can get amazing deals on things that you DO need. Let's just say that I am an awesome bargainer and I didn't even realize it. Amazing. I love this place.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Things I'm Going to Miss
I have been here for 2 months. Two very long, eventful, fun, crazy months. It feels strange to be leaving this place. But I am ready for it. I am ready to go spend some time with my family and with my best friends. And finally ready to go home and get back into the school/work mode and get ready to graduate. I am SO SO ready to graduate. But I digress. I am going to miss this place. I am going to miss:
1. The people. I have met some pretty fantastic people here and formed friendships that I will do everything in my power to continue. You can't just spend 2 months with someone and then not talk to them ever again. We have already talked about reunions even if they're more than a year off. The friends I have made here have been sort of a temporary family for me. I mentioned that in a previous post. We have to treat each other like family. We lean on each other. And I'm going to miss them so much. It's going to be so so strange to not be able to see them every day.
2. Walking EVERYWHERE. Oh I am going to miss this part so much. I'm sure that if I actually lived here long term I would get some form of transportation because I'm sure I would have to go outside the city every once in a while but sheesh it's been so nice not having to worry about a car here. Don't get me wrong I miss my car and driving but ahh you just can't walk around San Jose and Campbell like this. I mean you can in downtown but it's not really as enjoyable as it is here.
3. Seeing the Duomo everyday. And the Piazza della Republica. And every other fantastic monument here. It's just so much of a blessing to be able to call this place home and say "yeah meet me at the Doors of Paradise in an hour, k?" I mean, seriously...that's just awesome.
4. The food. I love the food here, even if my appetite was cut in half when I got here (I don't know why but I'm not complaining). The food is just so so much better here than it is in America. Not processed at all. Just fresh and delicious. I don't think I'll be able to eat pizza in the states ever again. Well I know I will but I'm not going to enjoy it nearly as much.
I'm sure there is a ton more that I am going to miss...I just can't think of anything specific. I am going to miss Florence. As a whole. The people, the food, the views, the nightlife (ooh the nightlife..it's a love/hate feeling there), just everything. Amo Firenze.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A Day in the Chianti region
At the beginning of my trip here in Florence, we got an itinerary of things we would be doing throughout the weeks. The second to last thing was a trip to Chianti on July 24. On June 1, that sounded so far away. Well it was yesterday and we're almost done here. Finito. This time next week I will be sitting in my kitchen in my family's house down south. Ahh I can see it now =). Anyways, yesterday Emily, Ali, Sarah, Kim and I went with a group to Chianti through FlorenceForFun (the trip was meant for all the girls in the group but some opted not to come...oh well). It was an early morning, meeting at the farmacia in the Santa Maria Novella train station at 7:30. Took an hour long bus ride out and started walking. We were in an adorable little town called Panzano. Our tour guides, Remigio and Stefano, took us on a 2 and a half hour walk/hike through the country side where all the vineyards were, stopping for an hour at a church that had one of the most amazing views. The way the clouds were moving through the bright blue sky and casting shadows along the hills was just beautiful. I wish I could see that everyday. And the church was nice and cool and very pretty.
Finally around noon we got to the House of Sassolini, the family and wine makers that were hosting us for lunch and wine tasting. Delicious meal and great wine. Some not my favorite but hey I'm up for trying anything nowadays. We were just so hungry because we really hadn't eaten breakfast (it was 730 am!! I wasn't getting up any earlier than I needed to) and we had been walking around in the sun. It was a welcome break. The wine's weren't what I was used to and the grappa at the end was certainly not what I was used to. It's 40% alcohol and very very sharp to taste. Oh well have to try it once!
Got back on the bus at 5 and got to Florence around 6. My friend Kim, who was with us for the day, is actually a visiting Global girl from Milan and staying in Florence with her parents so we went back to her place to rest up and get ready for dinner. Her parents took all of us out and it was so so much fun. Ali and I suggested a restaurant that we've been to a few times and it was the perfect dinner. Everyone had a good time. We were tired but it was another friend's birthday so we ventured out after dinner just to say hello and happy birthday for a bit then it was back home to sleep. I woke up at 10 today....ahh the life. Loved it.
Finally around noon we got to the House of Sassolini, the family and wine makers that were hosting us for lunch and wine tasting. Delicious meal and great wine. Some not my favorite but hey I'm up for trying anything nowadays. We were just so hungry because we really hadn't eaten breakfast (it was 730 am!! I wasn't getting up any earlier than I needed to) and we had been walking around in the sun. It was a welcome break. The wine's weren't what I was used to and the grappa at the end was certainly not what I was used to. It's 40% alcohol and very very sharp to taste. Oh well have to try it once!
Got back on the bus at 5 and got to Florence around 6. My friend Kim, who was with us for the day, is actually a visiting Global girl from Milan and staying in Florence with her parents so we went back to her place to rest up and get ready for dinner. Her parents took all of us out and it was so so much fun. Ali and I suggested a restaurant that we've been to a few times and it was the perfect dinner. Everyone had a good time. We were tired but it was another friend's birthday so we ventured out after dinner just to say hello and happy birthday for a bit then it was back home to sleep. I woke up at 10 today....ahh the life. Loved it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Duomo
There are many "duomos" in Italy but the largest one is in Florence and I just have to say...it's huge. And magnificent to look at. Anywhere you are in the city you can almost always look down a side street and get a glimpse of it near the sky. It's amazing. I love it. And last Saturday, I finally climbed it. Yep, climbed it. There are 463 steps leading to the top of the capella and it is a feat that is done by hundreds of people a day. The climb was interesting. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, which really surprised me, as I am recovering from bronchitis right now and Saturday was only day 2 of medication. Of course, once I got to the top, I started coughing like crazy but hey I made it. And omgosh the view almost took my breath away. You can see EVERYTHING. Like everything. It's a 360 degree view of Florence and beyond. It was gorgeous. Unfortunately, a nasty incident happened later on Saturday and I no longer have my camera so all the pictures I took aren't available. Buuut I will be "stealing" my friends pictures. So so gorgeous. I will have to come back and do it again with a better camera. And maybe on a not so hot day. We were sweaty. Like normal.
It was just so surreal to think of how many other people had climbed those steps. The dome was completed in 1434 and has been in use since then. That's nearly 600 years ago. Crazy to think about. And the Cathedral is beautiful. Emily says that it's not as impressive inside as the Duomo in Milan but our Duomo is gorgeous on the outside. The colors are pink, green and white and oh it's just so pretty. And enormous. It's the longest nave of any church in the world. And it has a bell tower next to it as well as a baptistry in front of it. That is where the famous gold "doors of paradise" are. I can't believe this is where I've been living for the last 7 and a half weeks. Yep, that long. Which means that in just a week and a half, I'm leaving. Not for good but for now. Such a strange feeling. I can't really remember life outside of Florence. Well no, I do, but it feels like it's been so so long since I lived that life. I was walking with a friend last night and I said "I haven't driven in over 2 months...what if I forgot?!" Which is silly but seriously....I am not looking forward to having to drive everywhere. And that is for another post.
The Duomo was gorgeous and the views were magnificent. I am definitely coming back and doing that again. Thank you stairs of Florence for preparing me for that epic climb. I wasn't even sore after =).
It was just so surreal to think of how many other people had climbed those steps. The dome was completed in 1434 and has been in use since then. That's nearly 600 years ago. Crazy to think about. And the Cathedral is beautiful. Emily says that it's not as impressive inside as the Duomo in Milan but our Duomo is gorgeous on the outside. The colors are pink, green and white and oh it's just so pretty. And enormous. It's the longest nave of any church in the world. And it has a bell tower next to it as well as a baptistry in front of it. That is where the famous gold "doors of paradise" are. I can't believe this is where I've been living for the last 7 and a half weeks. Yep, that long. Which means that in just a week and a half, I'm leaving. Not for good but for now. Such a strange feeling. I can't really remember life outside of Florence. Well no, I do, but it feels like it's been so so long since I lived that life. I was walking with a friend last night and I said "I haven't driven in over 2 months...what if I forgot?!" Which is silly but seriously....I am not looking forward to having to drive everywhere. And that is for another post.
The Duomo was gorgeous and the views were magnificent. I am definitely coming back and doing that again. Thank you stairs of Florence for preparing me for that epic climb. I wasn't even sore after =).
Saturday, July 17, 2010
We're really growing up
Last night Ali, Yaires, Emily and I went to see Toy Story 3. It was hands down the best out of all of them and I cried like a baby at the end. Cried. Sat there with tears streaming down my face and making soft little crying noises. Sniffling included. And if you have to ask why I cried, just go see the movie. And if you've seen the movie and still don't understand why I cried...you have no heart haha. Oh I love that movie. I could go and watch it again and again. It was a little more grown up than I thought it would be but hey the movie was about growing up. I grew up with that movie. Those movies. The first one came out in 1995 when I was 7. I'm now 21. Andy is going to college. I'm about to graduate. It was all culminating. Our childhood (at least for my generation) truly is over. Between Toy Story ending and the final Harry Potter movies coming out, childhood really is over. The first Harry Potter came out when I was in 6th grade. Just a little older than Harry was. Now it's done.
Obviously I have been aware that my childhood has been over for many years. But those classics are finished too. They'll live on but not like they did with us. Oh I don't know I've just been feeling so nostalgic lately. This whole year is nostalgic for me. The end of a chapter of my life. My formal schooling is almost done. As of December I'm done. No longer a student, in the school sense. I'm in my 20's now and before you know it these posts will be about what I'm doing at work or (very very far down the road) a family of my own. And yes I will still be posting. Because I have realized that I love writing. If I don't get thoughts down on paper, no matter how rambling they may be, I get a little crazy. Well crazier than usual =). Ok speaking of rambling, I'm doing it again. Toy Story 3. See it. Multiple times. Just go. Loves and Kisses from Florence.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Feeling of Nervousness
This is the first summer in a long, long time that I have not had a job. I mean I know I am doing an internship here but it's not as stressful as past summers have been and I am not working a second "job" for income. It's been nice. And for a few weeks I let myself enjoy the freedom of it. But now...well the worry is starting to close in again. I'm starting to get into school mode again (I know I know I have 5 more weeks left why am I letting myself get like this already). I just wish that everything was easier to foresee. I wish I knew that I was going to be able to go back home and find a good paying job and that everything would be ok. It's nerve-wracking. I realized earlier this week that I had to also think about buying books for my classes. Luckily they're not that expensive (thank goodness) and I have one already. And I hope I can get enough hours right when I get back. It's not that I'm looking forward to working again...I just need to. I need to feel like I'm doing something again. I have learned that about myself this summer. As carefree as I act, I really need to always be busy with something. Need to be working on something or my mind gets idle and I start to get bored and impatient. I like doing what I do and I wish I had more to do of it. That is why I'm looking forward to this fall so much. I worked it out so I have 5 classes on two days a week and 3 days a week where I can work work work. Hopefully I can find a place that will allow me to do that. I might even get 2 jobs just so I can be busy. I've done it before. Also I think I'm going to need it. I'm going to miss this place so much that I just need to keep busy and not think about it. Oh my mind is all over the place right now. I'm also slightly sick. Woke up with a nasty runny nose and my cough just won't go away. And this heat. Oooh the heat is not helping. And that sounded a little like complaining. I'm not. Just stating my feelings.
I need a plan. I need to know what I'm doing this fall now. Which is why I've been looking up companies all week and trying to email companies about possible fall internships. No dice so far. It's also the time difference. They probably get thousands of emails a day so when I email them at 3 am their time...well it's down the pile and probably won't be found for days. I am nervous. I don't like being nervous. I'm usually a very confident person who knows exactly where she's going within the next few months. Now I don't. I do have a faint idea but nothing set in stone and that is starting to creep into my brain and bug me. I was chatting with a friend about my summer and he commented that by the time I get to NY I'm just going to want to get to school and get to work. He knows me too well. That is probably true but I will try my hardest not to think about it. That week is with Samantha. And it will be filled with catching up with her while lounging in her pool, going to the beach and going ocean kayaking (now THAT makes me excited). Until then I will try not to let my mind wander into nervousness. I will do what I need to do and then I will let it rest. Yes, that's what I'll do. Ok thanks for reading along with my rambling mind...like I said it's all over the place right now.
I need a plan. I need to know what I'm doing this fall now. Which is why I've been looking up companies all week and trying to email companies about possible fall internships. No dice so far. It's also the time difference. They probably get thousands of emails a day so when I email them at 3 am their time...well it's down the pile and probably won't be found for days. I am nervous. I don't like being nervous. I'm usually a very confident person who knows exactly where she's going within the next few months. Now I don't. I do have a faint idea but nothing set in stone and that is starting to creep into my brain and bug me. I was chatting with a friend about my summer and he commented that by the time I get to NY I'm just going to want to get to school and get to work. He knows me too well. That is probably true but I will try my hardest not to think about it. That week is with Samantha. And it will be filled with catching up with her while lounging in her pool, going to the beach and going ocean kayaking (now THAT makes me excited). Until then I will try not to let my mind wander into nervousness. I will do what I need to do and then I will let it rest. Yes, that's what I'll do. Ok thanks for reading along with my rambling mind...like I said it's all over the place right now.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Life Here is Temporary
It is now the Wednesday of my 7th week in Florence. Seven weeks. How did it get to be that long of a time? And how did the time go so fast? I feel like I've only been here a short time yet been here forever. Two weeks from Saturday I will be getting on a train and heading down south to visit my family. And when I leave, nothing will be the same. Even if I were to come back, the people I've met here (well most of them) will be gone and it will be a different time. I know I've posted in that strand of thought before, about how nothing is ever the same the second time you visit it, but here it is especially true. This city is such a youthful city that a good chunk of its residents rotate in and out around every 4 months. In the summer it's an even faster rotation. Most summer programs are only 6 weeks. I was fortunate enough to have a 9 week program and stay a bit longer. It's a fun and fast time but for those who actually live here, it's bittersweet. Sure they meet a ton of people every few months and gain friendships that allow them to visit but really, when are we all going to get the time to travel the world and visit each other. One would hope that would happen but the reality is that only a handful will. A friend of mine moved here from England with his family 6 years ago and he remarked that this life is just normal to him...making new friends every 4 months or so and then watching them go again. Some do stay longer, sometimes a year, but for everyone that just makes leaving that much harder.
The friendships that I have made here hopefully will be long lasting. I know of a few that definitely will be. You become like family. You have to because in reality you don't have anyone else to turn to when you need that family feeling comfort. You eat together, you go out together, you talk constantly, you share your daily problems with each other and you take care of each other. It becomes normal to see each other on a daily basis and before you know it you've forgotten what life was like before you met all your new friends. I was chatting with a friend from home yesterday and it struck me that I can't remember how it is to be back home. I feel like I've been here so long. And to be quite honest, I'm a little nervous about going home. I feel like I'm going to wake up in my bed in San Jose one morning and ask myself if this summer really happened or if it was a long fantastic and very real feeling dream. Of course, I know it's real and I know it's happening. This post wouldn't exist otherwise. Going home is going to be so, so bittersweet. I love the people I've met here, but at the same time, I know that this lifestyle is not one to live long term. I don't know how they do it here. I'm getting burnt out already (and yes Mom I did just admit to that...which is why I've been taking naps the last 4 days...that and it's too hot to do anything else). Of course, if I were to actually live here and make a living here, things would be different. Much different. And the next time I come back, I will be older (maybe wiser) and have different interests. I wish that I had saved a little more money to come here so I would be able to travel a little more and really see it, but I know that this is far from the last time I will be visiting Italy. I love this country. It's just so gorgeous.
So as I said, life here is temporary. The people you meet are here on a once in a lifetime meet and greet. You could meet someone by chance one night only to hear that it's their last/only night here. It's a travelers city, a stop on people's journeys. Which is fantastic. I've met people from all over the States and all over the world. We met a group of people who were traveling from South Africa who said that if we were ever in town to let them know. And with the wonderfulness of Facebook, I could very well do that. And friends from Scotland and England and everywhere else. I have a roommate from Israel that I would have never met otherwise because let's face it, Israel is not on my top 10 list of countries to visit. It's there but only as an if something comes up and it's possible.
To the people I've met and become friends with, thank you. I love you. The next two and a half weeks are going to be fantastic. To the people I'm going to meet in the next two and a half weeks, thank you as well...you're in for a fun time =).
The friendships that I have made here hopefully will be long lasting. I know of a few that definitely will be. You become like family. You have to because in reality you don't have anyone else to turn to when you need that family feeling comfort. You eat together, you go out together, you talk constantly, you share your daily problems with each other and you take care of each other. It becomes normal to see each other on a daily basis and before you know it you've forgotten what life was like before you met all your new friends. I was chatting with a friend from home yesterday and it struck me that I can't remember how it is to be back home. I feel like I've been here so long. And to be quite honest, I'm a little nervous about going home. I feel like I'm going to wake up in my bed in San Jose one morning and ask myself if this summer really happened or if it was a long fantastic and very real feeling dream. Of course, I know it's real and I know it's happening. This post wouldn't exist otherwise. Going home is going to be so, so bittersweet. I love the people I've met here, but at the same time, I know that this lifestyle is not one to live long term. I don't know how they do it here. I'm getting burnt out already (and yes Mom I did just admit to that...which is why I've been taking naps the last 4 days...that and it's too hot to do anything else). Of course, if I were to actually live here and make a living here, things would be different. Much different. And the next time I come back, I will be older (maybe wiser) and have different interests. I wish that I had saved a little more money to come here so I would be able to travel a little more and really see it, but I know that this is far from the last time I will be visiting Italy. I love this country. It's just so gorgeous.
So as I said, life here is temporary. The people you meet are here on a once in a lifetime meet and greet. You could meet someone by chance one night only to hear that it's their last/only night here. It's a travelers city, a stop on people's journeys. Which is fantastic. I've met people from all over the States and all over the world. We met a group of people who were traveling from South Africa who said that if we were ever in town to let them know. And with the wonderfulness of Facebook, I could very well do that. And friends from Scotland and England and everywhere else. I have a roommate from Israel that I would have never met otherwise because let's face it, Israel is not on my top 10 list of countries to visit. It's there but only as an if something comes up and it's possible.
To the people I've met and become friends with, thank you. I love you. The next two and a half weeks are going to be fantastic. To the people I'm going to meet in the next two and a half weeks, thank you as well...you're in for a fun time =).
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Project MODA Fashion Show
So any of you who are friends with me on Facebook have noticed that I do an awful lot of "tagging" in my status updates. It's a cool thing about Facebook and very convenient when I'm trying to get the word out about something, like the Project Moda Fashion Show that the Global Experience interns put on last weekend. It was an experimental show, one that was made to look like Project Runway show, but secretly wasn't. Of course, like I said, this was the first time and well Rome wasn't built in a day. For it being the first time and for being a little bit in disaray for a day or two there, it went fantastically. We had 6 different designers and one vintage accessory designer donate their pieces for the show and 4 of our girls along with a professional modeled the pieces. They were fierce. The stage wasn't very big but we designed a sort of cross the stage/crossing in front of each other walk that turned out looking so so cool. And our hosts were wonderful. Cassandra was our host no matter what and a few days prior, she got her friend Mario to co-host. He was awesome. He's Napoletan so he took over the Italian speaking portion. Plus he's smooth looking. Gotta love that good ol' italian good looking man. I was running around a bit and at one point even helped dress one of the girls just to turn around and run back downstairs to let the DJ know we were good to go. I swear I climbed those stairs at least 20-30 times in like 4 hours. Oof. The show went off without a hitch and one of our teams "won" and then we all enjoyed an Aperitivo and headed out for some fun. I really had a fun night. We needed it. And I looked fantastic (not to toot my own horn or anything). Somehow there was a few spare minutes in there for the hairdresser to put my hair into this crazy up do that I would have NEVER thought of and then Chantall made my eyes look amazing. She's crazy talented...and she loves doing makeup.
So I know that's not a very satisfactory description of the show but there was so much going on and leading up to it that in order to fully explain....well it would take a loooot of writing and probably a day or two of reading. We had fun and I hope that GE continues this experience next year!
So I know that's not a very satisfactory description of the show but there was so much going on and leading up to it that in order to fully explain....well it would take a loooot of writing and probably a day or two of reading. We had fun and I hope that GE continues this experience next year!
Monday, July 12, 2010
E Molto Caldo in Firenze
One thing to know about traveling in Europe in the summer...it gets HOT. And I'm not talking about the California/Arizona/Utah/all of West Coast dry heat. Not even the East Coast humidity. Take East Coast humidity and dump a steaming bucket of water consistently on it. That's what it feels like. Like you are constantly being misted with warm water that is in no way refreshing. Oi vey. And it never stops. Even when the sun goes down, that constant slick feeling of your skin is there. You fall asleep to it and you wake up in it. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a fan or even AC out here, which is a biiig rarity. Electricity is precious and the buildings are pretty old. Having AC is a big time luxury. However, it's all part of the experience right? It takes some getting used to and the locals who live here treat this weather as if it's a regular 70 and sunny. I see people in pants around here all the time. I want to know their secret to not sweating profusely...maybe I can learn someday haha.
Actually it reminds me of a picture from one of the first times we visited my family down in Southern Italy. It was August (the worst and hottest time ever) and my dad snapped a picture of me and my sister still sleeping. The covers are down, our hair is up in messy ponytails and I believe we're both just in our underwear because it's so hot. And we're in that baby sleeping position with our arms above our heads and our legs kind of spread eagle. I know that sounds so strange but honestly it is pretty much the only comfortable position to sleep in when it's this hot. No covers, no pillows and minimal pjs. Of course we were young then. That sort of picture today can't be talked about haha. But honestly, I don't remember what it's like to feel cold. I know the feeling of a breeze on my face, but it's no where being cold. The AC is barely a relief. It just gets you back to a normal feeling. I know I'll look back on this in oh say November when I'm back in San Jose, freezing cold in my bed and curling up under the covers and wishing I could get warm. Grass is always greener on the other side eh? Ok that's my little rant about the heat. And even though I rant, I do love it here. Just wish it was about 20 degrees (F) cooler. =)
Actually it reminds me of a picture from one of the first times we visited my family down in Southern Italy. It was August (the worst and hottest time ever) and my dad snapped a picture of me and my sister still sleeping. The covers are down, our hair is up in messy ponytails and I believe we're both just in our underwear because it's so hot. And we're in that baby sleeping position with our arms above our heads and our legs kind of spread eagle. I know that sounds so strange but honestly it is pretty much the only comfortable position to sleep in when it's this hot. No covers, no pillows and minimal pjs. Of course we were young then. That sort of picture today can't be talked about haha. But honestly, I don't remember what it's like to feel cold. I know the feeling of a breeze on my face, but it's no where being cold. The AC is barely a relief. It just gets you back to a normal feeling. I know I'll look back on this in oh say November when I'm back in San Jose, freezing cold in my bed and curling up under the covers and wishing I could get warm. Grass is always greener on the other side eh? Ok that's my little rant about the heat. And even though I rant, I do love it here. Just wish it was about 20 degrees (F) cooler. =)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
A Slice of Normalcy
Last night I got to spend time with the Redmonds, a family from home that my family has known for years. Kelsey is two years younger than me but we all grew up together and it was just so, so nice to see them and spend time with them. Even more so when Jack met me for mass at the Duomo. That was when I felt just SO content. I could close my eyes and just pretend that I was transported back home to Padre Serra sitting in church next to Jack and maybe my mom and my other side. I even had to pull him away from the priest, just like we do at home. All of my parents friends can talk for ages. It was always the same when we were kids. "get out of the pool we're leaving in 10 minutes!!" An hour later and dressed, all the kids are sitting there while the parents are still happily chatting away, maybe with a purse in their arms or something. Never changes. Of course I do that too now. "We're leaving...oh wait let me say bye!"
So I met up with Jack at the Duomo while Sharon and Kelsey took a nap (shopping in this heat will run you down). After mass, we went out and met them outside the Doors of Paradise (I love that I can call that spot my "meeting spot"...so surreal) and Kelsey and I nearly knocked each over. I haven't seen her in so long. In fact we were talking about how much, or little, I've been home since I moved up north and I think I've been home a total of 6 or so weeks since last January. SO strange. And then Kelsey started at U of A this past year so none of are home now. The parents are all home with empty nests. Anyways, we had a drink outside one of the restaurants near the Duomo, one that I always walk past but don't even think about stopping at because well it's damn expensive. Then we strolled around for a while and did some window shopping before going to dinner at this adorable little restaurant where I tasted the most amazing ravioli ever. It has cheese and pear in the middle. OMG. Unfortunately that wasn't what I had ordered so now I have to somehow go back. Before I leave. I have to haha. And it was just so nice to sit and talk with someone that has known me and I could feel like I was with family again. I miss my family so much, and when I say family, I don't just mean blood relatives. My friends at home are my family. Like I've said before, I have about 20 sets of parents. Sharon and Jack are one of them. We had such a good talk about what I've been doing, what they've been doing and so forth.
After dinner, I asked if I could have Kelsey come and hang out with some friends of mine. They've been on a two week tour of Italy and well I figured the girl could use some fun night time fun haha. We met up with my usual group and just went to one of the bars we frequent. It seemed like a low key time so Ali and I took her to Red Garter for a little taste of some of the dancing that goes on here. We called it a night early though because they had an early wake up time. But seriously it was just so much fun. It was so cool to be able to somehow connect my two worlds. Because this is seriously a whole different world for me. I have my world in Camarillo, I have my world in San Jose and now I have my world in Florence. I doubt the three will ever really be combined but that would be so cool someday. Maybe at my wedding haha. Which is eons away by the way.
Seeing someone from home made me appreciate what I have back home. I know I want to travel the world and see as much as I possibly home and I can find comfort in the fact that no matter where I am, I can always go home. I will always have someone to talk to there and "family" to visit. My parents talk about moving somewhere different, but secretly I hope that they never leave there. I know they will (they want to live in Italy for a few years, which is perfectly fine...as long as they go straight back to Camarillo). I love where I grew up and I love the people I grew up with. I know someday we will all be far flung from each other but we'll never truly be away from each other. It's how family works.
So I met up with Jack at the Duomo while Sharon and Kelsey took a nap (shopping in this heat will run you down). After mass, we went out and met them outside the Doors of Paradise (I love that I can call that spot my "meeting spot"...so surreal) and Kelsey and I nearly knocked each over. I haven't seen her in so long. In fact we were talking about how much, or little, I've been home since I moved up north and I think I've been home a total of 6 or so weeks since last January. SO strange. And then Kelsey started at U of A this past year so none of are home now. The parents are all home with empty nests. Anyways, we had a drink outside one of the restaurants near the Duomo, one that I always walk past but don't even think about stopping at because well it's damn expensive. Then we strolled around for a while and did some window shopping before going to dinner at this adorable little restaurant where I tasted the most amazing ravioli ever. It has cheese and pear in the middle. OMG. Unfortunately that wasn't what I had ordered so now I have to somehow go back. Before I leave. I have to haha. And it was just so nice to sit and talk with someone that has known me and I could feel like I was with family again. I miss my family so much, and when I say family, I don't just mean blood relatives. My friends at home are my family. Like I've said before, I have about 20 sets of parents. Sharon and Jack are one of them. We had such a good talk about what I've been doing, what they've been doing and so forth.
After dinner, I asked if I could have Kelsey come and hang out with some friends of mine. They've been on a two week tour of Italy and well I figured the girl could use some fun night time fun haha. We met up with my usual group and just went to one of the bars we frequent. It seemed like a low key time so Ali and I took her to Red Garter for a little taste of some of the dancing that goes on here. We called it a night early though because they had an early wake up time. But seriously it was just so much fun. It was so cool to be able to somehow connect my two worlds. Because this is seriously a whole different world for me. I have my world in Camarillo, I have my world in San Jose and now I have my world in Florence. I doubt the three will ever really be combined but that would be so cool someday. Maybe at my wedding haha. Which is eons away by the way.
Seeing someone from home made me appreciate what I have back home. I know I want to travel the world and see as much as I possibly home and I can find comfort in the fact that no matter where I am, I can always go home. I will always have someone to talk to there and "family" to visit. My parents talk about moving somewhere different, but secretly I hope that they never leave there. I know they will (they want to live in Italy for a few years, which is perfectly fine...as long as they go straight back to Camarillo). I love where I grew up and I love the people I grew up with. I know someday we will all be far flung from each other but we'll never truly be away from each other. It's how family works.
Friday, July 2, 2010
What a Difference a Year Makes
Being here in Italy has had me reflecting a lot on what my life was like a year ago, specifically my crazy but wonderfully fun internship last summer. It's all so different. I got up every morning and went to an office and worked all day, albeit had fun laughing with my fellow interns but hey we worked hard. The entire summer. Well actually March through August. 6 months long. Driving a car a half hour every day. Wow that's different from now. I haven't driven a car since ohhhh May 28th and well I was in one the other day and it was just so strange to me. I don't know how I'm going to feel about having to drive everywhere. I mean I could walk but San Jose can not hold a walking around candle to Florence. It's just not going to happen. And last summer, I was working towards a specific event. It had a huge purpose and all of us were working towards the same goal. I feel like this is my "float" summer, where, yes I am doing an internship and experiencing a new life, but it doesn't hold the same level of stress as last summer did.
There was so much more riding on my success in what I did last summer and so much depending on the team I was working with. I kind of miss that crazed "we have to get this done right and get it done NOW" frenzy. Even the 2 weeks of the Senior Games where I was driving to Stanford at 8 am every day and staying til 9 pm because I just wanted to do so much and just didn't want to leave. The days where I left early were so strange to me. I wanted to soak it all in and experience as much as I could of being in that event. This summer, all of my fellow interns from last year are all doing so many different things. Some of us have graduated by now and are working in real jobs, some are doing other internships and yet others are just traveling and having fun, like me. I feel like I've grown immensely in the past year and by the end of this summer, I will yet again have changed or rather tweaked some things. That is what life is...constantly growing and changing. It's a good thing.
Ook got that off my chest =). I suppose I should get back to work, huh?
There was so much more riding on my success in what I did last summer and so much depending on the team I was working with. I kind of miss that crazed "we have to get this done right and get it done NOW" frenzy. Even the 2 weeks of the Senior Games where I was driving to Stanford at 8 am every day and staying til 9 pm because I just wanted to do so much and just didn't want to leave. The days where I left early were so strange to me. I wanted to soak it all in and experience as much as I could of being in that event. This summer, all of my fellow interns from last year are all doing so many different things. Some of us have graduated by now and are working in real jobs, some are doing other internships and yet others are just traveling and having fun, like me. I feel like I've grown immensely in the past year and by the end of this summer, I will yet again have changed or rather tweaked some things. That is what life is...constantly growing and changing. It's a good thing.
Ook got that off my chest =). I suppose I should get back to work, huh?
Homesickness
So I have been here in Florence for over a month now and well to be quite honest I am getting a little homesick. Twice now I've skyped with my mom and made her stay on with me for over an hour just because I miss her and want to hear her voice and see her face. It's different than being at home because in San Jose, I can just call her (which I do...sometimes too much) and hear her voice. They say that hearing someone's voice, such as a parents, is equivalent to getting a hug. And I'm a girl who likes hugs. Just ask anyone =). It's not so much that I miss home (well I do) but more so that I miss seeing familiar faces. I could be anywhere in the world and as long as I had a familiar face with me, I would be fine. Most of the time I am a very independent person. But right now, I just want a good long hug from someone I know and love and just to spend time and talk. Everyone around here is from such different walks of life, and I love it. But sometimes I feel like I just want to jump over to San Jose or Camarillo for a quick minute, see who I want to see, then come right back. They are working on instant transportation, right? (my best friend and I have been dreaming about that for years...imagine how much easier life would be with instant, snap-of-the-fingers transportation would be).
I think the thing that is getting to me the most is the fact that I feel like I've already been here for so long and I know I have sooo much longer to be here, even if my last two weeks will be spent with family. I am so excited for that. Mainly the food haha. My family makes extremely good food. And a good time is always had with them. It will be strange to be there without my parents and my sister but we all have to do that someday right? It's only July 2 and I don't return to CA til August 20. That is a verrrry long time from now. And once again I'm missing birthdays and such. At least last year, I was still in the same state and time zone. Oh well, such is life and I am truly enjoying living here. It's a crazy lifestyle, one that I'm still getting used to but in due time, right? I am making friends here that I hope will be lifelong friends. Of course, none of us have a crystal ball and no one can say where we will all be in a year's time. Who knows.
Ok this rant is over. But I have another one up my sleeve (which you already know if you read this from top to bottom like any other normal person reads a blog)
I think the thing that is getting to me the most is the fact that I feel like I've already been here for so long and I know I have sooo much longer to be here, even if my last two weeks will be spent with family. I am so excited for that. Mainly the food haha. My family makes extremely good food. And a good time is always had with them. It will be strange to be there without my parents and my sister but we all have to do that someday right? It's only July 2 and I don't return to CA til August 20. That is a verrrry long time from now. And once again I'm missing birthdays and such. At least last year, I was still in the same state and time zone. Oh well, such is life and I am truly enjoying living here. It's a crazy lifestyle, one that I'm still getting used to but in due time, right? I am making friends here that I hope will be lifelong friends. Of course, none of us have a crystal ball and no one can say where we will all be in a year's time. Who knows.
Ok this rant is over. But I have another one up my sleeve (which you already know if you read this from top to bottom like any other normal person reads a blog)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
things work differently out here
So another observation post is in order. And this time it's about how Italians do business. I know I haven't seen too much of it, but what I have seen is interesting. And I have been around my family down south to see how it works.... sort of. So first I'll start with my friends. I have become friends with some club promoters and they do business in such a weird way. Well to me it is. They're young and they're here for fun so it's ok, but jeez I don't know how they do it. They hand out flyers for clubs and then get paid according to that. And in order to get paid they have to wait for whoever it was that hired them to meet. And usually that's a local and jeez do Italians take their sweet time. I waited with them once and the person was a good half hour late. That would so not happen in the US and if it did, it would be a one time thing and not happen again. It's just so much more lax out here. And then when the person finally got there it took another 40 minutes for anything to get done because they like to have a cappuccino and then have a smoke and then another shot of espresso. It's nuts to watch.
Then there's the business that I'm in. I am doing my internship with an event planning company that specializes in weddings, private parties and congresses (big meetings) and the office is very lax. Most days I'm only there 3 hours and then go home. Granted it is their slow season. And again with taking their sweet time. Yesterday my boss brought me and the other intern to a planning meeting for a wedding expo they're participating in in November and we got there at the start time. The meeting didn't actually start til 40 minutes later and it was sporadic at best. Very very strange to me. It would make me crazy to work like this. But of course it's all what you're used to and adaptation is all part of working with different countries. That is, after all, what I am here to do. To get international experience.
Well that's my piece for today. The weather is getting hotter and therefore making everyone very tired. Ahhh italia =)
Then there's the business that I'm in. I am doing my internship with an event planning company that specializes in weddings, private parties and congresses (big meetings) and the office is very lax. Most days I'm only there 3 hours and then go home. Granted it is their slow season. And again with taking their sweet time. Yesterday my boss brought me and the other intern to a planning meeting for a wedding expo they're participating in in November and we got there at the start time. The meeting didn't actually start til 40 minutes later and it was sporadic at best. Very very strange to me. It would make me crazy to work like this. But of course it's all what you're used to and adaptation is all part of working with different countries. That is, after all, what I am here to do. To get international experience.
Well that's my piece for today. The weather is getting hotter and therefore making everyone very tired. Ahhh italia =)
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Hidden City
So since I've been here around 4 or 5 weeks (I've lost track) I have made some other observations about Florence. I know my last post was supposed to be about my "observations" but something struck me today. Florence is a BIG little city. By that I mean that the actual land size of it is not very large but there is just so, so much packed into it. And it works so well. From the street, all you see are little shops. However, once inside you see that they go on forever and many of the larger stores are multi level. H&M for example (what, a girl's gotta shop) doesn't look like a big store from the front but then it goes back and down. The main floor is below street level. All of them are like that. Take one of the pubs I went to a few weeks ago. From the front, it looks like a rinky-dink pub (and yes I did just use those words in an actual sentence). Then we went inside, up stairs and into this HUGE open upstairs room. It was amazing. It's the outside of the buildings that gets you. You don't realize it but many of them are complete squares so they have a lot of room inside. And the buildings are TALL. Shops are always on the first floor and here and there are scattered doors into the apartments. There are no apartments on first floors. Anywhere. Which is why the "first floor" here is actually the second level of the building. So when I go to my friend's place on the 4th floor...it's really the 5th. Oof. And I wonder why my legs are looking so great. Last time they looked this good was when I was at water polo camp like my sophomore summer and had to climb a staircase of 115 stairs up and down 3 times a day...before and after workout. Whew. And my clothes fit better. And I'm more confident. I love it.
I feel more free here. Maybe it's the spirit of summer and the little to no responsibility that I have right now. Sure I'm going to be stressed about money when I get back home but I will deal with that when I get home. Although I do have to start sending out my resume soon...I want a better job when I get home. More like need a better job. It's a necessity. Especially if I want to move back here with a sufficient savings account. I know it's a funny thing to say I want to move here after only being here for a few weeks but it really feels good. I love walking around here. And being here. I want to be able to experience it in the winter too. I think it would be just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. Of course different styles but... I don't know I just really like the thought of it. And I will. I may not be able to get back here for a year or two but it will happen. And my friends will be here. The group(s) of people that I've been hanging out with are people who repeatedly come back here. Go home and work their butts off for a few months and then move back and live freely.
So I guess this was more of a two part post. My love for the big little city and why I love it so much. It kind of reminds me of San Jose State (go with me here....) in that it's a BIG place but in a small space. SJSU is crowded but comfortable. It's a set block. Like Florence, which once had city walls (they all did). Of course those walls only remain as the "doors" and it has overflowed but not by much. Sorry I get a little carried away with all the history of this place. It's so freaking fascinating to me. If I did live here, I would be sorely tempted to take an Italian "history of Florence" class. Maybe even in Italian. Probably not though. There are plenty of university satellite campuses here, including NYU =). Oh yes that dream is still alive and well. And since they have a campus here, I could literally have the best of both worlds. And I think I will. Ok well, we're going out for the night....a post will follow on that subject soon. Like I said, I just feel more free when I'm here. =).
I feel more free here. Maybe it's the spirit of summer and the little to no responsibility that I have right now. Sure I'm going to be stressed about money when I get back home but I will deal with that when I get home. Although I do have to start sending out my resume soon...I want a better job when I get home. More like need a better job. It's a necessity. Especially if I want to move back here with a sufficient savings account. I know it's a funny thing to say I want to move here after only being here for a few weeks but it really feels good. I love walking around here. And being here. I want to be able to experience it in the winter too. I think it would be just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. Of course different styles but... I don't know I just really like the thought of it. And I will. I may not be able to get back here for a year or two but it will happen. And my friends will be here. The group(s) of people that I've been hanging out with are people who repeatedly come back here. Go home and work their butts off for a few months and then move back and live freely.
So I guess this was more of a two part post. My love for the big little city and why I love it so much. It kind of reminds me of San Jose State (go with me here....) in that it's a BIG place but in a small space. SJSU is crowded but comfortable. It's a set block. Like Florence, which once had city walls (they all did). Of course those walls only remain as the "doors" and it has overflowed but not by much. Sorry I get a little carried away with all the history of this place. It's so freaking fascinating to me. If I did live here, I would be sorely tempted to take an Italian "history of Florence" class. Maybe even in Italian. Probably not though. There are plenty of university satellite campuses here, including NYU =). Oh yes that dream is still alive and well. And since they have a campus here, I could literally have the best of both worlds. And I think I will. Ok well, we're going out for the night....a post will follow on that subject soon. Like I said, I just feel more free when I'm here. =).
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Vita in Firenze
So I have come to realize that I haven't written a whole bunch on my observations of daily life in Florence. Of course, you can't really characterize everyone's days as the same; this city is just filled with too many diverse people. I can tell you about it from my point of view though. For me, this week so far, life has been a little slower than the first 3 weeks, mainly because I am done with my language class and this past weekend I was in Amalfi and then Monday had literally nothing to do. I ran some errands, found a new friend and acted as tour guide all day. For the last two mornings, I've gotten up, showered and hustled over to the train station to catch bus 17 to my internship. On my first day yesterday, I was here for a total of 2.5 hours. Not too shabby eh? Especially since some of my classmates are already working 9 hour days. In a way, I'm envious. There isn't much for me to do just yet and I'm trying to make the most of it and going above and beyond. My assignment is slightly narrow though. Obviously, since I'm blogging from the office. Thank goodness I got my laptop back. It makes life so much easier.
What I've observed of daily life around here is simple. The workers of the city get up in the morning and make their way to work, either by car, train, bus or their trusty feet. When I leave around 9:30 in the morning, there are people everywhere. And you can tell who the locals are. They are walking with determination and know how to best use the side streets. The tourists are the ones who look completely lost and are wandering around with a map. I try to help give directions if I can manage it but usually just let them fend for themselves. The best way to learn your way around a city is to get lost in it. That's what I did. I still do =). Oh and breakfast over here is a huge part of the morning routine. It is very rare that an Italian eats breakfast at home. Usually it's a shot of espresso or cappuccino or some other coffee drink and a pastry whilst standing at the bar at the local pasticceria. That's what I did this morning when my bosses got in and said "ok we go to eat!" then around the evening when everyone is off of work, everyone just walks around. It truly is a walking city. I mean yes, there are those who get around by other modes of transportation but the streets are so small and crowded that it's just easier to walk. And if you walk fast and know where you're going, it doesn't take long to get anywhere. I believe I made it home in like 20 minutes last night because I FINALLY figured out the most direct route from one of our favorite hangouts back to my place. Thank goodness too... I was dead tired.
Ok that wasn't much of an observation buuut it's all I've got. Sheesh I need to sleep more. Yes Mommy you're right.... =)
What I've observed of daily life around here is simple. The workers of the city get up in the morning and make their way to work, either by car, train, bus or their trusty feet. When I leave around 9:30 in the morning, there are people everywhere. And you can tell who the locals are. They are walking with determination and know how to best use the side streets. The tourists are the ones who look completely lost and are wandering around with a map. I try to help give directions if I can manage it but usually just let them fend for themselves. The best way to learn your way around a city is to get lost in it. That's what I did. I still do =). Oh and breakfast over here is a huge part of the morning routine. It is very rare that an Italian eats breakfast at home. Usually it's a shot of espresso or cappuccino or some other coffee drink and a pastry whilst standing at the bar at the local pasticceria. That's what I did this morning when my bosses got in and said "ok we go to eat!" then around the evening when everyone is off of work, everyone just walks around. It truly is a walking city. I mean yes, there are those who get around by other modes of transportation but the streets are so small and crowded that it's just easier to walk. And if you walk fast and know where you're going, it doesn't take long to get anywhere. I believe I made it home in like 20 minutes last night because I FINALLY figured out the most direct route from one of our favorite hangouts back to my place. Thank goodness too... I was dead tired.
Ok that wasn't much of an observation buuut it's all I've got. Sheesh I need to sleep more. Yes Mommy you're right.... =)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Amalfi Coast
This past weekend I had the absolute pleasure of traveling down to the Amalfi Coast with Ali, Yaires, Cassandra and the rest of the Florence For Fun crew. It was SO much fun. We took the bus down to Sorrento Thursday night and got the hotel around 2 in the morning. Got up early the next day to catch the ferry over to the island of Capri, one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Seriously. We took a boat tou around the island and took a dip into the Blue Grotto. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to do this, i INSIST that you do. It's not a very long trip in there, takes more time to get there and wait outside than you are inside, but it is seriously one of the most breathtaking sights you will ever see. It's a little cave that is accessible only by a small entrance, and that's only if the ocean isn't too choppy. But once you're inside, it's simply gorgeous. The light from outside reflects off the bottom of the ocean to make it took like the clearest blue you will ever see. Check out my facebook if you want to see. Or google it. It's amazing. It's SO peaceful. You can venture into the water if you want but the coastlines of Capri are infested with Jellyfish. Tons of baby ones everywhere. And they still pack a serious punch. Ahh so beautiful. I envy people who get to live there.
So after we went around the island and Cassandra pointed out all the famous people's villas and palaces (yes, the Gerber family has a palazzo on Capri...I know it's redic), we ventured over to Marina Picola for lunch and lying on the beach. Swam in crystal clear water and got all salty. Seriously, I could have licked the salt off of me. Accidentally did when I put my finger in my mouth. Haha. Such a relaxing day. Got back to the marina and took the ferry back to Sorrento for the night. Had dinner at the Hotel Cavour (where we were staying...such a cute little hotel and the staff there was so nice and so patient with all 71 of us crazy American tourists/students...we were trouble!) and then headed down to the English Inn in downtown Sorrento. I know English Inn?? Buuut Cassandra's been there a million times and they love her there. I love that place. It's my favorite out of all the places I've been as far as pubs. Mainly because it's a pub downstairs and then an outdoor club upstairs. So if you want to dance and have some fun go upstairs. But if you need a break just head back down the stairs and people watch on the street. People watching in Italy is so so entertaining. Mainly because of the variety of people and states of dress. Seriously, sometimes we wonder if some of these people have a mirror in their house. Or they just don't like looking in it because they know how ridiculous they'll look.
So the next morning, we got on the bus again and headed about a half hour away to Positano. Such a relaxing day. Literally layed on the beach all day and had the most delicious lunch with complimentary wine because I ate with Cassandra and Jenn (the two tour guides) and again, they go quite often and always eat at the same place. So nice to know people =). The weather was alternately sunny and hot and overcast and warm, so it was a good day. Went back to the hotel, had dinner and went back to the English Inn. Unfortunately, I got another case of Bronchitis this weekend (found out yesterday and don't worry I am on meds already. thank god) So I really wasn't feeling well. Walked home with Jenn, Cassandra and Brendan. And thank goodness. One of the coolest lightning storms was happening across the bay over Vesuvius and it just lit up the entire sky. Absolutely gorgeous. I loved it. I love thunder and lightning (I'm a little strange what can I say) and then right when we got back to the hotel, it started pouring. Like torrential down pour. LOVED it. haha.
Oh another little note about Sorrento. To get down to the beach from where our bus dropped us off, we had to walk down 801 steps. Yes 801. Thank god we ponied up a little money and got a bus back to the top at the end of the day. That was ridiculous. My legs were jello by the time we got to the bottom. And that's why Italians are so damn thin over here. They have to walk up and down mountains just to do their daily business. Absolutely ridiculous. But the beach felt oh so wonderful after. And even though the water wasn't nearly as clear as on Capri, it was still fantastic. I love the Mediterranean Sea. I could seriously live by it the rest of of my life.
So after enduring the lightning and thunder storm Saturday night, Sunday morning found us bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for Pompei. Took us about an hour and a half to get there and we immediately went into the ruins for a tour. Well Mother Nature must have been having some personal issues because she made it POUR on us the first 5 minutes which were of course uncovered. And most of us were in shorts and tank tops with no umbrellas to speak of. Oh well it felt nice and the sun came back shortly after. Now, I was in Pompei last when I was 9 years old. All I remember are the plaster casts of the people, dogs roaming everywhere and how damn hot it was. The cool weather was not unappreciated by me. I loved it. And now that I am older and was armed with a camera I will remember even more. It's just so crazy to think of how old that place is. The tour guide was spouting off years that were BC, acting like they were just in the late '80s. Nuts. And to think that these buildings, although completely ruined and still not completely excavated, are original just blows my mind. So so much history in this gorgeous country. I find European history so much more fascinating than American history at times, mainly cuz there is sooo much more to learn about.
The tour of Pompei took around an hour and a half then we had about an hour before heading off to wherever we were going next (more on that in a second). Jenn suggested Hotel Suiss to us and thank goodness. I LOVE pizza here. And since we were down there, people were talking to us asking how we liked southern Italy. I mentioned that had family down in San Giusseppe and omgoodness the guy that was helping us got SO excited, that he dragged 3 pour male waiters over to introduce to me during our lunch because they're from there. They were so confused and I couldn't really explain because A) i was stuffing my face with delicious pizza and B) i didn't know quite exactly how to explain haha. But sheesh they were cute. I like Southern Italian men.
So after lunch the original plan was for us to take the bus up to Vesuvius and hike to the crater. Unfortunately that little storm from the night before was still brewing and if we had gotten stuck in the rain up there, it would have quickly turned into a not so fun trip for all of us. So instead we jumped back on the bus and headed home about 3 hours earlier. Thank god because we got back to Florence at 10 pm as it was. By this point, I figured I had Bronchitis again ( I swear I can self diagnose by now...when I get home I'm going to a specialist and telling them to fix me...3 times in a year is a little ridiculous), and I just wanted to get home and sleep.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend. Met some new friends, some of which I've already run into around Florence. It's always nice to make new friends. We're all here together but when we get back to the States, it's just another friend to visit =).
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