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!