Il Sondaggio

The answer for how to say "abs" in Italian is tartaruga, which means turtle.  When Sara told me, I couldn't stop laughing!  It does makes sense, since a six pack indeed resembles the shell of a turtle.  Lent starts next week and that means Carnevale (Mardi Gras) too!  Answer the next question about it!

Penso Positivo

 Alot of times things don't go the way you are hoping.
 
Today I found out the only possible way to obtain a working permit is to return to America, go to college, and graduate with a valuable degree.  Then, and only THEN, may I TRY to find a job here and wait anywhere from 6 months to a year for it to process.......

I had an appointment with my host parent's trusted tax advising company this afternoon, ACLI (which stands for Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani).  They were very patient and helpful, and I suggest them to people at my school searching for work also. 

My first idea was to change my current student permit into a working one, but apparently studying Italian does not qualify as attending school.  My next idea was to apply directly for a working permit but as I have mentioned before, the spaces are limited and right now they are only accepting college graduates (and not just any; we're talking engineers and lawyers).  

That means working permits for babysitters/nannies (what I'm going for) are not being accepted at the moment.  The advisor kept saying Italy doesn't have a government (meaning it is in the process of switching governments, which is not so convenient) and he wrote my contact information down on a long list with other names, to contact me when they do..so that's not comforting at all.

Furthermore my Grandpa died on February 13th.

That was a really tough experience to be so far away, with no one to cry with, but I felt bad for my mom who couldn't make it down in time due to the snowstorm.  She is so strong.  I got to skype her the day after, and then my aunt and Grammy to try to cheer them up.

However.  Even with all that sadness, I have had a good week.  Why?  Because I have trust.

I trust things happen at a specific time for a reason, and I was blessed with the ability to keep the positives in these kinds of situations constantly in sight.  Here's the list of reasons why I am happy:

~ With spare time between school and my appointment I went out for a spontaneous lunch date with a German and an English friend.  I got a good dose of laughter in, as we compared our cultures and languages.  For example, our completely different pronunciations of the word "eggplant" and why in the world it is called that, only in America.

~ There was a tiny chapel in ACLI's building where I got to have some quiet time to think things over with God before the meeting.

~ I've been wanting to work out because I feel yucky and can't go running in cold weather, without getting sick.  So I walked into a random gym last week (that attracted me by it's name; American Contourella) and walked out with a 2 free trial days pass!  Then my host dad got me this whole week free at his gym!  It's in the most expensive part of Milan and it is a cool feeling to be working out with models and Italian celebrities (who I just don't know are famous lol).

~ When I skyped my aunt, I got to catch up with both my adult cousins on their busy lives and relive family memories (like our cruise to the Bahamas and our big family reunion in West Virginia for my grandparent's 80th wedding anniversary).

~ Right before I was going to end my skype call to my mom, my youngest brother formally asked me to be his confirmation sponser!  :)  My other brother will walk in my place, but it was so touching.  I was in the middle of saying a novena to the saint he chose, St. Francis, too!  What a coincidence.  

~ My first niece, Kora Sophie Zaloumis, was born on February 7th at 8:08 am weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 20 inches long!  What a bundle of joy she brought with her!  

So although it may feel like you dream are in vain, you must keep moving in some direction because something better will always pop up afterwards.  And besides!  You weren't sure if you wanted that, anyway!  :)

I will live in Italy, just maybe not as soon as I thought.  That gives me time to do other things!  Like maybe live with my best friend, or hold baby panthers, or help raise my niece for a month, orrrrrr aupair in Rome?!  Only God knows!  And that's ok with me.

Tardi

It snowed here on the last day of January and since I had so many pictures and videos from Christmas time, I am taking this opportunity to upload them now.  After all, it is the best time of the year.  So I hope this post cheers you up!

Il Sondaggio

Answer to what is the classic dish from Milan?  Risotto allo zafferano!  Risotto is an Italian rice dish cooked in broth to a creamy consistency, that turns a golden color when added with saffron.  And it is heaven.  My favorite I have tried so far though,  is a vegetable-based one!  Go ahead and try to guess the next one!

Scala e Chiese

Visited my host dad's sister's boutique!  She's a fashion designer.

Matteo and his cousin, Filipo, in the design room!

Daria gets free tickets from her work to the previews of shows (prova d'insieme) at La Scala, and I got to go see the opera "Lucia di Lammermoor" with Sara.  :)

Needless to say Sara got bored within 20 minutes but Daria kindly picked her up so I could stay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Sunday I went to visit a bunch of churches in the center of the city, with two of my friends from school.

Inside Sant'Alessandro

Basilica di San Lorenzo, with Kathrine.

San Lorenzo

Front view of San Lorenzo

The new classmate Olivia, from England!

Colonne di San Lorenzo

Chiesa di Sant'Ambrogio

ACTUAL Sant'Ambrogio!

Santa Maria della Grazie

Basilica di San Vittore

Inside San Vittore. This is the most beautiful church I have ever seen.

San Maurizio

The church is separated into two parts..

..so the nuns could celebrate Mass, with the priests on the other side.

The small passageway to the left connects the two parts and there are also tiny doors where the nuns received Communion.

I had a beautiful Sunday!