Casuale

I just got done with my Sunday exercise session!  I took the bike to a nice park nearby the house, called Monte Stella (star mountain).  It is a large man-made hill created using the debris from buildings that were bombed during World War II.  You feel a sense of bliss just by sitting on a stone bench staring at the skyline of the city.  I think it is at it's best during the Autumn, when you are surrounded by red and gold leaves.

We had a family over for dinner last night and they left at midnight, so I needed sleep this morning.  I went to 11am Mass by myself (my host family always goes to the 10am children's Mass) at a charming church named after Saint Therese.  I am attracted to it for two reasons.  First, because it is attached to a Carmelite nun convent which makes it so peaceful.  The other reason is because of the fantastic mural behind the altar.  It shows two clouds full of saints kneeling and adoring Jesus.  It makes it feel as if you are in Heaven with them.

Last Sunday Daria took the kids and I to visit her parents, who live outside of Milan in Bovisio Masciago.  The little town was celebrating their patron saint's feast day, Saint Martin.  I will never forget it.  Townspeople of every age participated.  There was a parade with horses and instruments included, which led to a performance at the end.

The performance, in the oratory of their church

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 My random notes:

- Daria and Sara do not have the colors of the rainbow memorized.  They briefly learned them in English class but it is obviously not stressed.

- Sara got to smash grapes with her feet in kindergarten!  I want to try one day!

- To say I love you to a friend or family member you say "ti voglio bene".  It literally means "I want you good"...but, anyway, naturally there is a shortcut in texting; tvb!  You can even exaggerate it with "tvbbb".  :) 

- Pizzelle cookies are not called pizzelle!  The name is cialda (pronounced chalda).  One more thing us Americans made up.

- One day I was picking the kids up with Nonna Enrica (Daria's mom) and she started a conversation with another nonna.  They talked about how they got no sleep because they had to stay up to watch their tv shows and how their husbands sleep all day long.

- I remember last year it started snowing in class and one of my classmates from Brazil had never seen snow so I had to explain to him why it was not sticking to the ground.  His face was priceless.

- Autumn in Italy is a loonnng and beautiful one.

Che Cosa Sto Facendo Ora?

So what am I doing now?  My last month of Italian school was September, and although it was extremely helpful to practice speaking and I loved the teachers, I am ok that it did.  I am preparing to apply for dual citizenship, through my Italian ancestors on my father's side.  And, mamma mia, does it takes time.  My permit expires February 15 of next year so I have until then to get my citizenship application submitted to the Questura. 

The overall process is complicated (to say the very least), but I am determined.  There are some discrepancies if I qualify or not, but I believe the polizia will take pity on this innocent American girl.  I see at the stations, that they are used to dealing with entire foreign families trying to get into the country so what harm would there be in permitting one measly girl?  To know that there is a chance I qualify gives me enough hope to work hard for it, and thankfully I have my supportive family back in the States helping me out. <3

I am really happy that I have gotten to spend more time with my host family's nanny, Alina.  She has taught me how to make pizza, soups, roast beef, risotto, perfect mashed potatoes, and homemade gnocchi so far!  They are surprisingly simple.  My host mom, Daria, loves trying new dishes so I try to get recipes from my other tutoring families.  I am like a messenger of some sorts haha, it's fun!  The other day I got a recipe of pumpkin and chickpea soup that was invented by the French teacher of my host dad, whose son I teach, and I wrote it down for Alina.  We just made it and everyone is trying it tonight.  I just worry my aupair girl will not enjoy it.  She has something against sweet foods.

I am still conversing in English with four families outside of my host family - one, being the sister of my host dad!  Some families have decided to stop lessons after the summer, but I have luckily found others to make up for them.  I am looking for one more, though.  Conversational teaching is not reliable in a bad economy, that is why teaching here illegally with an expired permit is not an option, as many have suggested to me. 

Can you believe I, Isabel Spinelli, am becoming a true Italian!?  It is unreal.  But I will always be an American-Italian and I'm proud of that.  I have realized how un-Italian I am, and that has made me embrace my Americanism.  I cannot explain how neat it is seeing the differences between these two great countries.

I have many good ideas for my future after I get this citizenship and opportunities are waiting for me here.  It is so exciting having options!

Raggiungiermi

I am back!!  After six months from my last post, it is high time for an update.  Excuse me for my absence, but I do believe I have sufficient reasons to back me up.

First off, my summer was fantastic.  We stayed at the grandparent's beach house in Livorno, Tuscany and there was certainly never a dull moment with three grandparents, two nannies, four children, and me.  Our every day routine was beach, chill, pool, sleep, for two months straight.  On an Italian vacation, you do not worry about whether wifi is available where you are headed.  This makes a very relaxing and sociable environment.  I did however notice the few spots along the boardwalk offering THE GREAT WIFI to keep in touch with the fam by Skype...it is so annoying how addictive wifi becomes.  It is a love/hate connection for me.

Livorno, Toscana

Nonna Susanna's beautiful backyard

In the pool! Yay!

Most beaches on the Mediterranean Sea have rocks instead of sand.

As you may know, all of Italy stops working during the month of August.  Last year, during my first aupair experience, I was amazed to find out my host dad who works as a pediatric dentist took off a whole month.  This year, with both of my host parents working as lawyers; I was just as shocked.  My host family took a two week vacation to Miami and I met my best friend, who is living in Istanbul Turkey, to explore Rome together.  We made such great memories. 

Ran, broke my sandal, then hopped, to hear Papà Francesco's Sunday "Angelus" and speech. Definitely worth it. (He is in the tiny window in the background, with the maroon marker!)

Train rides

Sightseeing

Sun bathing

And many many photoshoots :)

Positano, Amalfi Coast

I introduced Deniz to "aperitivo" and she loved it (what is there not to love, afterall?)

Piazza Navona

Deniz in a little Italian shop surrounded by Italian men haha

Proprio indimenticabile. 
Unforgettable.