So I was on the metro today and it was crowded but I managed to see across the way...
There were three men, probably between 25-35, who all had large Disney Store bags. They sat there the whole time I was riding the metro chatting with each other about what they got. It was too funny. Just not something that you see everyday. I wish I could have taken a picture.
Oh and I also got some medicine for my ears today. I have to do this funky aerosol with different medicines...It's strange. The machine is really loud, and it takes like 15 minutes for it to all become steam...The Italian way I guess. Another one of the medicines is supposed to make me drowsy...so far, no dice. But I am off to try and sleep.
Buonanotte!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
~~ OdDs anD eNds ~~
A note about my last post...
I did get a chance to go take some pictures of the commemoration of the Berlin Wall here on the Spanish Steps. Here they are...
Today has been a pretty good day. I went for a run this morning and then ran some errands and had coffee with a friend. Now I am just sitting at home waiting for my mom to come and skype with me...hoping to catch the packer game in about an hour. (no luck...)
This week went by so quickly...they all seem to do that lately. Tuesday, I again went to the bar to find out when I worked, but again found my name not on the schedule. I spoke with the "new owner" and he went through this big spiel about why I wasn't on the schedule...because he didn't know me...because he forgot I worked here...he didn't know my work eithic...every excuse in the book. AND then the truth came out. He doesn't really want Americans working in the bar anymore, he's slowing weeding us all out of the schedule...but little does he know they are all going to quit. So take that one Guiseppe!!! He told me we want to be treated like Americans but get all the advantages of being Italian...whatever that means...So now I look for another job. No biggie...
Wednesday I went boot shopping...sounds fun but in reality it's not. I can't find any boots here that fit over my calves...There is definitely a difference between Italian calves and American calves. Guess I better start running...I did end up finding a pair at an outlet store. They were only 30E!!! A steal considering all of the cheap boots here cost around 40E. I know mom...I even find the bargains here :)
Thursday I got to go to a dinner with Guilio at the house of the American Ambassador here. I got to dress up in fancy clothes. It was fun but we were going on the vespa and I kind of forgot about that. Needless to say I had helmet hair when we got there. Guilio teaches in a program here for Americans called...insert brainfart here...so that is why were invited. Funny story...When we first arrived we dropped off our coats with a coat checker and then proceeded to go into another room because Giulio saw one of his colleagues. The only thing is we didn't see the line of people waiting to go in to this other room. When we came through the door there were about 5 important people waiting to shake our hands...We both passed thorough the line and then Giulio stopped in his tracks and turned around and asked me if we just skipped the line. I turned around and looked and saw that yes we did. Giulio then saw that the first person in line was the Ambassador of Italy...WHOOPS!!! The food was delicious...the garden amazing...and the house magnificent. I even got the opportunity to speak with an Italian woman here about how to make chocolate chip cookies better...3 times trying...all failures in their own way...she gave me some pointers so hopefully the fourth time will be a charm. :)
Friday I went to the doctor. This was a trip. I had to catch the train to La Dispoli. I was going to one of Giulio's friends. I arrived at the train station 10 minutes before the train was supposed to leave. I got my tickets but couldn't figure out which platform I needed to be on. I asked two people but they weren't sure...so I ran back to the ticket window and asked. She said, "Binario 2." So I went back up on to #2. The train was supposed to leave the station at 9:50...that came and went and so did about 4 trains on different tracks. I was starting to think I was on the wrong one, a train came and I got on. About 10 minutes into the ride I was asked for my ticket and reassured I was on the right train.
When I got to La Dispoli I met with Dr. Gentilli, got some good news and bad news, a prescription, and jumped back on the train for a half hour ride back to Rome. The train ride was really relaxing and it was only 5E. I might just do that more often. Although I had a group of drunk American tourists who thought I was an Italian girl. When I got on the train I asked if I the seat was open in Italian and they just motioned for me to sit. After while they started chatting about me and the other Italians on the train and how none of us speak English. I just thought it was quite funny.
Saturday was a pretty quiet day. We went to the opening of a new museum here in Rome. We just went to see the building. It was pretty amazing. I liked it a lot. The architecture is very contemporary which is very strange for Rome. Here's a link to an article:
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12789
That night Giulio's parents came over for dinner, and then Fabiana and I went to a graduation party for her cousin. We bonded on the way there and talked about boys and stuff. It was pretty fun. It was at the bar that her cousin's, Tiziana, friend owned. The bar itself was really neat. It looked like it was an old place where they stored water or something. It was circular and had built in booths in the walls. There was tons of food and drinks to go around and a delicious torta to top off the night. We got home around 2 and Fabiana and I were exhausted.
As I said before...this morning I got up and went for a run. It was great. Went for coffee etc...and then came home worked on some stuff and then we went to a birthday party for Daniele. He turned one today and is the baby that lives downstairs who cries all the time. After that we went to the Pizzeria for dinner...and then I came home to try and find the packer game...no luck...nothing would work. Better luck next time. At least they won!!! GO PACK!!!
Adios for now...
I did get a chance to go take some pictures of the commemoration of the Berlin Wall here on the Spanish Steps. Here they are...
Today has been a pretty good day. I went for a run this morning and then ran some errands and had coffee with a friend. Now I am just sitting at home waiting for my mom to come and skype with me...hoping to catch the packer game in about an hour. (no luck...)
This week went by so quickly...they all seem to do that lately. Tuesday, I again went to the bar to find out when I worked, but again found my name not on the schedule. I spoke with the "new owner" and he went through this big spiel about why I wasn't on the schedule...because he didn't know me...because he forgot I worked here...he didn't know my work eithic...every excuse in the book. AND then the truth came out. He doesn't really want Americans working in the bar anymore, he's slowing weeding us all out of the schedule...but little does he know they are all going to quit. So take that one Guiseppe!!! He told me we want to be treated like Americans but get all the advantages of being Italian...whatever that means...So now I look for another job. No biggie...
Wednesday I went boot shopping...sounds fun but in reality it's not. I can't find any boots here that fit over my calves...There is definitely a difference between Italian calves and American calves. Guess I better start running...I did end up finding a pair at an outlet store. They were only 30E!!! A steal considering all of the cheap boots here cost around 40E. I know mom...I even find the bargains here :)
Thursday I got to go to a dinner with Guilio at the house of the American Ambassador here. I got to dress up in fancy clothes. It was fun but we were going on the vespa and I kind of forgot about that. Needless to say I had helmet hair when we got there. Guilio teaches in a program here for Americans called...insert brainfart here...so that is why were invited. Funny story...When we first arrived we dropped off our coats with a coat checker and then proceeded to go into another room because Giulio saw one of his colleagues. The only thing is we didn't see the line of people waiting to go in to this other room. When we came through the door there were about 5 important people waiting to shake our hands...We both passed thorough the line and then Giulio stopped in his tracks and turned around and asked me if we just skipped the line. I turned around and looked and saw that yes we did. Giulio then saw that the first person in line was the Ambassador of Italy...WHOOPS!!! The food was delicious...the garden amazing...and the house magnificent. I even got the opportunity to speak with an Italian woman here about how to make chocolate chip cookies better...3 times trying...all failures in their own way...she gave me some pointers so hopefully the fourth time will be a charm. :)
Friday I went to the doctor. This was a trip. I had to catch the train to La Dispoli. I was going to one of Giulio's friends. I arrived at the train station 10 minutes before the train was supposed to leave. I got my tickets but couldn't figure out which platform I needed to be on. I asked two people but they weren't sure...so I ran back to the ticket window and asked. She said, "Binario 2." So I went back up on to #2. The train was supposed to leave the station at 9:50...that came and went and so did about 4 trains on different tracks. I was starting to think I was on the wrong one, a train came and I got on. About 10 minutes into the ride I was asked for my ticket and reassured I was on the right train.
When I got to La Dispoli I met with Dr. Gentilli, got some good news and bad news, a prescription, and jumped back on the train for a half hour ride back to Rome. The train ride was really relaxing and it was only 5E. I might just do that more often. Although I had a group of drunk American tourists who thought I was an Italian girl. When I got on the train I asked if I the seat was open in Italian and they just motioned for me to sit. After while they started chatting about me and the other Italians on the train and how none of us speak English. I just thought it was quite funny.
Saturday was a pretty quiet day. We went to the opening of a new museum here in Rome. We just went to see the building. It was pretty amazing. I liked it a lot. The architecture is very contemporary which is very strange for Rome. Here's a link to an article:
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12789
That night Giulio's parents came over for dinner, and then Fabiana and I went to a graduation party for her cousin. We bonded on the way there and talked about boys and stuff. It was pretty fun. It was at the bar that her cousin's, Tiziana, friend owned. The bar itself was really neat. It looked like it was an old place where they stored water or something. It was circular and had built in booths in the walls. There was tons of food and drinks to go around and a delicious torta to top off the night. We got home around 2 and Fabiana and I were exhausted.
As I said before...this morning I got up and went for a run. It was great. Went for coffee etc...and then came home worked on some stuff and then we went to a birthday party for Daniele. He turned one today and is the baby that lives downstairs who cries all the time. After that we went to the Pizzeria for dinner...and then I came home to try and find the packer game...no luck...nothing would work. Better luck next time. At least they won!!! GO PACK!!!
Adios for now...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
~~ CrAZy DaYS ~~
So the last few weeks have been a little crazy...
I have been all over the place...well in Rome but...just going a little rollercoaster ride. Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride...
Today I gave Alessandro his first time out...he decided he wanted to rip up a page in "Lilli e il Vagabondo" (Lady and the tramp), and crumple it up and pretend it was a ball. The book was one of Guilio's from when he was little. It was a little beat up already but still...Let's just say he was one of the best kid's that every took a 2 minute timeout. I was amazed. Anyway...after words I asked him if he understood what he did and he said "yes" and proceeded to give me a kiss and asked me to read him a book. It was cute.
I am still going to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which I enjoy. Although, the first couple of weeks after we changed classes it was frustrating because I was relearning things that I already learned, but I stuck it out and the class is ok now. It's only a class of women...A few Americans, whom are very nice, a lady from Russia, she is great...I like her a lot, but my favorite one is little old Lucy...
Lucy is a nun from Holland...She has lived in England for the past 11 years and she has 5 sisters and also had a brother that passed away about a year ago. She has come to Rome to work in a church here that is near the Spanish Steps. Every day for our "pausa" (our 15 minute coffee break) we go to get coffee and she tells me stories. It's great. She has been everywhere in the world helping other people and living her life. She offered to pay for my coffee one day which was very generous...and then the next, and she has offered about 5 times now. I try to pay but she says no...She says she is a very fortunate woman who's brother left her quite a bit of money and she enjoys helping people. It brings her joy. Sometimes I feel bad for her because she has difficulty in class but then I remember how much she has done and how much she has seen in this world and I know that she is strong and it probably doesn't bother her as much as it does me, but still. I enjoy having her around.
Speaking of school...When I go to school I always grab the free Metro Giornale before I get on the metro so I have something to read...although trying to read when you are packed in like sardines isn't the easiest thing in the world...anyway...I read as much as I can about the news from around the world...eventhough I don't understand everything...I came across an article about the Berlin wall...Last Tuesday was the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the wall. There was a small picture that was above the article. I didn't realize it at the time, but when I came out of the metro and walked passed the Spanish steps I realized that the picture and what I saw was the same. A group of students had recreated a portion of the wall and it was there on the steps. It was great. I hope it is still there tomorrow so I can get a picture of it.
In no particular order...
~~I ate a chestnut for the first time...not sure how I felt about it the first time...It kind of tasted like ham...I thought only squirrels at them.
~~We started Sunday Fundays!!! in Rome. I go to a friends house and we hang out and cook, watch movies, games, or whatever is on, and eat...It's great. Sometimes we may crack open a bottiglia di vino or a beer now and then ;)
~~I have attempted to bake cookies with my friend Erin...which we haven't had real success. We've tried both chocolate chip and oatmeal. They always turn into one big buttery cookie...The boys eat them if nothing else.
~~I did a load of laundry and the drain wasn't hanging over the tub, so when I came home with Alessandro after the park there was a little bit of a flood in the bathroom. Not really my fault because the housekeeper was her in the morning and if I would have told him that there was laundry in there maybe he would have remembered to put it back...
~~On a brighter note...Ale is starting to speak quite a bit of English, which is fun.
~~I learned to make flour tortillas...so easy...who would have thought.
~~I realized that when I go shopping for a pair of boots here I shouldn't be too optimistic because I have American calves and they don't fit in most boots...and it's really hard to find a size 41...
~~I have my first real ailment here...a double ear infection. SWEET!!!!
~~I miss my family and hope that my lil bretters, emily, and robert get better soon, especially Robert so he can read the "word of the day" tomorrow at school. Only 10 first graders get to do it all year.
~~I went for what I thought was going to be an easy morning jog in Villa Pamphili with a very tall guy from Holland whose stride was quite a bit larger than mine...let's just say I was sore for about a week afterwards, but it was a gorgeous day! The sun was shining and it was warm.
~~I got another letter from my Grandma Rudy today which brought a giant smile to my face...and made the news of me not being able to work at the bar anymore a little more bearable...still searching for a new job.
~~I bought a new sweater the other day :)
~~I got a great package from my friend LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved it...I wore the scarf she got me the other day, and the socks today...because all my other ones were dirty...
~~Got news that one of my friends is coming to visit the second week in December.
~~I want to plan a trip to Venice sometime soon.
~~I am going to be babysitting at home friday night so anyone that wants to skype please call me. I will find a lot to do but it would be nice to hear from people :)
Now I have to put some eardrops in and head to bed...it's past my bedtime, and if I want any clean socks tomorrow I better get some sleep so I can get up early and do some laundry.
~~BUONANOTTE A TUTTI~~
I have been all over the place...well in Rome but...just going a little rollercoaster ride. Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride...
Today I gave Alessandro his first time out...he decided he wanted to rip up a page in "Lilli e il Vagabondo" (Lady and the tramp), and crumple it up and pretend it was a ball. The book was one of Guilio's from when he was little. It was a little beat up already but still...Let's just say he was one of the best kid's that every took a 2 minute timeout. I was amazed. Anyway...after words I asked him if he understood what he did and he said "yes" and proceeded to give me a kiss and asked me to read him a book. It was cute.
I am still going to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which I enjoy. Although, the first couple of weeks after we changed classes it was frustrating because I was relearning things that I already learned, but I stuck it out and the class is ok now. It's only a class of women...A few Americans, whom are very nice, a lady from Russia, she is great...I like her a lot, but my favorite one is little old Lucy...
Lucy is a nun from Holland...She has lived in England for the past 11 years and she has 5 sisters and also had a brother that passed away about a year ago. She has come to Rome to work in a church here that is near the Spanish Steps. Every day for our "pausa" (our 15 minute coffee break) we go to get coffee and she tells me stories. It's great. She has been everywhere in the world helping other people and living her life. She offered to pay for my coffee one day which was very generous...and then the next, and she has offered about 5 times now. I try to pay but she says no...She says she is a very fortunate woman who's brother left her quite a bit of money and she enjoys helping people. It brings her joy. Sometimes I feel bad for her because she has difficulty in class but then I remember how much she has done and how much she has seen in this world and I know that she is strong and it probably doesn't bother her as much as it does me, but still. I enjoy having her around.
Speaking of school...When I go to school I always grab the free Metro Giornale before I get on the metro so I have something to read...although trying to read when you are packed in like sardines isn't the easiest thing in the world...anyway...I read as much as I can about the news from around the world...eventhough I don't understand everything...I came across an article about the Berlin wall...Last Tuesday was the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the wall. There was a small picture that was above the article. I didn't realize it at the time, but when I came out of the metro and walked passed the Spanish steps I realized that the picture and what I saw was the same. A group of students had recreated a portion of the wall and it was there on the steps. It was great. I hope it is still there tomorrow so I can get a picture of it.
In no particular order...
~~I ate a chestnut for the first time...not sure how I felt about it the first time...It kind of tasted like ham...I thought only squirrels at them.
~~We started Sunday Fundays!!! in Rome. I go to a friends house and we hang out and cook, watch movies, games, or whatever is on, and eat...It's great. Sometimes we may crack open a bottiglia di vino or a beer now and then ;)
~~I have attempted to bake cookies with my friend Erin...which we haven't had real success. We've tried both chocolate chip and oatmeal. They always turn into one big buttery cookie...The boys eat them if nothing else.
~~I did a load of laundry and the drain wasn't hanging over the tub, so when I came home with Alessandro after the park there was a little bit of a flood in the bathroom. Not really my fault because the housekeeper was her in the morning and if I would have told him that there was laundry in there maybe he would have remembered to put it back...
~~On a brighter note...Ale is starting to speak quite a bit of English, which is fun.
~~I learned to make flour tortillas...so easy...who would have thought.
~~I realized that when I go shopping for a pair of boots here I shouldn't be too optimistic because I have American calves and they don't fit in most boots...and it's really hard to find a size 41...
~~I have my first real ailment here...a double ear infection. SWEET!!!!
~~I miss my family and hope that my lil bretters, emily, and robert get better soon, especially Robert so he can read the "word of the day" tomorrow at school. Only 10 first graders get to do it all year.
~~I went for what I thought was going to be an easy morning jog in Villa Pamphili with a very tall guy from Holland whose stride was quite a bit larger than mine...let's just say I was sore for about a week afterwards, but it was a gorgeous day! The sun was shining and it was warm.
~~I got another letter from my Grandma Rudy today which brought a giant smile to my face...and made the news of me not being able to work at the bar anymore a little more bearable...still searching for a new job.
~~I bought a new sweater the other day :)
~~I got a great package from my friend LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved it...I wore the scarf she got me the other day, and the socks today...because all my other ones were dirty...
~~Got news that one of my friends is coming to visit the second week in December.
~~I want to plan a trip to Venice sometime soon.
~~I am going to be babysitting at home friday night so anyone that wants to skype please call me. I will find a lot to do but it would be nice to hear from people :)
Now I have to put some eardrops in and head to bed...it's past my bedtime, and if I want any clean socks tomorrow I better get some sleep so I can get up early and do some laundry.
~~BUONANOTTE A TUTTI~~
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