A Shocking Site

Can you see it? Do you see the tinge of gold and red in the trees?

Hold that thought, I will give you a closer look in just a second. First, the important news of the weekend. We had a very special moment this weekend and I want to share it with you. Stefano cast his very first vote as an American Citizen! *waves flag* YAY. We went through a long road of immigration and on Saturday he voted in his first ever American election. (we are early voters) and man am I ready for the big election day to be over. I get so sick of the crappy campaigning that goes on. Be done with it already! I hope I am happy with the outcome.

Now onto the rest of the weekend. We did a little road trip on Saturday (see pic above) in my convertible with Stef driving. I have to be honest - I don't really like him driving my car. First, Stef is a very "jerky" driver. Not like "you're a jerk!" but as in not smooth. It's a small car and every slam of the break, jerk of the wheel, etc is felt. Second, the driver's seat is MUCH more comfortable than the passenger's. Sorry all those who have been forced to ride with me! He is a really good and safe driver though!

I was a bit tense when we started out but the day was pretty and we had a good time. We left kind of late so alot of the trip the sun was right at eye level. But we saw some really nice land and it was great to get out of the house. And look ==================>
It is fall color! Don't even ask how long it took us to find a few trees that had colors other than green.lol Texas is not known for its nice fall folliage but hey - beggars can't be choosers. hehe I know it's a little hard to see but there are actually yellow and red leaves in there!

Thankfully Stef had the camera at that point, otherwise you would just see more pictures like this one. ==============>
What a lovely pic of my hair and oooo the road! Being the artiste I am, I was trying to take a picture of the trees behind us as we drove. So sad.lol That is a pitiful excuse for a picture but I thought it was funny so here you go =) Don't ask me why I didn't just turn around and take one. *shrug*

The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. House cleaning, napping, and laughing at the cat (she is something frisky during these cool days!). Now I have the all important job of burning my "Best of the 80's" cd. Ohh yeah! itunes rocks! hehe

More later...

Frustration

Sometimes I wonder if I have forgotten how to learn! This month I have renewed my vow to learn Italian and have actually been studying it. But MAN - it's hard! I used to think I was good at learning languages (I took a ton of French and could actually speak it... at one time anyway) but now I am starting to wonder.

After a long, busy day at work, studying is the last thing I want to do. I am taking an online course which is good, though I have to say sometimes those peeps talk way too fast! On alternate days, I have Stefano help me conjugate verbs and make sentences. In addition, the dang Rai International channel is on every nite (can I tell you how much I hate Porte a Porte?).

Ok, so for the most part I can get an "idea" of what's being said; I can pick out a few words here and there (which trips me up cuz then I translate them and get behind.. I know I know - I shouldn't translate them) but I feel like I should have a better handle on sentence structure. sigh

I believe the old saying that you're never too old to learn but sometimes i wonder. Could it be I've just forgotten how to study? Have I not studied Italian long enough yet? Am I ever going to reach that "click" moment when things just fall into place? SIGH... I DON'T KNOW. I do know it is very frustrating and I hope I'm not the only one out there struggling - it makes me feel like an idiot really. lol

More later...

Weekend Wrap-up

It was a beautiful weekend here in North Texas. Blue, clear skies and a crisp cool wind. It actually felt like fall! So, during these gorgeous days, here is what we did...

1. Laundry/clean up house. Did some laundry but haven't folded it yet. I am the worst at folding laundry - it's not that I hate it, it's just I forget about it cuz there are a million other things I'd rather do =)

2. Got my nails done and my hair cut. Women of the world know how very important these activities are. I no longer have crazy head and broken nails. My hair is totally brown with none of those nasty little grays popping out and I have all 10 fingernails. Now, I'm ready to face the world.

3. Went to Half Price Books. My love affair with this store has sadly ended. We loaded up a BIG box of books to sell to them on Saturday (there were at least 50 in that box!). We had high hopes of their value - especially since a bird pooped on Stefano's head while loading them. (HA - that was so funny). Did you know in Italy when a bird poops on your head it's supposed to bring good luck, namely money? AHA - so you see, we just knew our books were going to bring us some $$$. Guess how much we got?? go on... guess. Were you thinking $2.00? WHAT?? I can hear the shocked masses......did she forget a zero?.... did she put the decimal in the wrong place??? NO- evidently paperback fiction, old computer & how-to books are overflowing in these stores and our books were worthless. sigh - we couldn't believe it. That didn't even pay for our gas to get there or for the frappucino I had to get while waiting for the grand total. Next time, I'm donating to the library.

4. Watched Disc #2 of "The Best of Youth". OH. MY. GOSH. I loved it - it was so good and I cried off and on through the whole thing. Sigh.......it is my new favorite movie. you should totally see it..

5. Watched Bianca. Movie by Nanni Moretti, all in Italian. I know it's an iconic Italian movie but I couldn't really enjoy it cuz I had a hard time understanding it. My husband sucks at translating and after awhile I got tired of trying to comprehend so I stopped listening. Not good of me I know, but there it is. I get frustrated when he doesn't translate well, then I get irritated and don't want to put forth any effort =) You now know one of my personality flaws - hope you still come back to visit! :)

6. Downloaded "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake, "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol and the soundtrack to the movie "Last Kiss". Love itunes and my new tunes. No laughin at the JT song - that makes you want to dance!


Things we didn't do this weekend:

1. Go to THE FAIR. today was the last day of the Texas State Fair and we missed it. I am sad but it's my own fault. Another year down and no Fletcher's Corny Dog or Funnelcake. sigh This year they even had fried coke! (though I'm not sure how that's possible and sounds pretty disgusting) *hand on my heart* It is my solemn vow that next year we will attend. I have also committed Stefano to this vow - he really can't leave Texas without going once.

2. Paint. I've had that freaking can of paint for 2 months now and the walls of our guest bedroom are still baby blue. Personality flaw #2 - I am sometimes very very lazy.

3. Shampoo the carpets. Eh - that speaks for itself. See flaw #2. HEHE


All in all - not a bad weekend. no red letter days but hey, it's just every day life.

more later...

Culture...movie style

I am a big fan of our Netflix =) which is about the greatest thing ever! Our attention span towards dvds really varies from month to month - sometimes its all we can do to watch our 2 movies; other times we can watch 2 every few days. So the monthly fee (which is not bad at all) averages out over the months. This weekend we decided to watch the 2 movies that have been laying around collecting dust for several weeks.

They are:
- The Best of Youth (Italian) - Disc One(!)
- Sketches of Frank Gehry

Not your typical "hollywood" movies I know, but what can I say - our tastes run the full spectrum of flicks. Here are my reviews...

The Best of Youth

I have to admit, when S. picked this out - I groaned aloud. Just another depressing Italian movie that I can't understand but "should" see. AND it takes up 2 dvds! ugh It is an Italian movie (miniseries really) that follows 2 brothers (one who totally looks like a combo of Sam Sheppard and David Carradine) from the 60s to the "present" portraying the social, political and personal conflicts of the times. As S. explained, it is a movie which really defines that generation. times of Red Brigades, civil unrest, abuse of power, etc. I was so pleasantly surprised - it was great! I was totally sucked in! I am completely committed to the stories and characters and cant wait for disc 2 to arrive. I have to commend my husband - he is so good at sharing bits of Italian culture (and "pop" culture) with me through movies, music, etc. I wish I was as good at sharing American "pop" culture with him. I highly recommend this movie - it really shows you the struggles of that era in Italy. Come on Disc 2!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Sketches of Frank Gehry

Documentary about the modern architect Frank Gehry directed by his friend Sydney Pollack. I don't know much about architecture but I did know Gehry's name and I must say some of his buildings I like, some I don't. What I do really like about his buildings is the materials (titanium in particular) he uses to cover some of his work. They really are a canvas where light and shadows play with reflections, changing the picture continuously. It is beautiful. I liked the movie though it drags a bit at times. I think S. got bored, but overall it was interesting to see the process and the person behind the big facades.
Rating: a strong 3.5 stars out of 5

Next up: Best of Youth - DISC 2 (YAY - but im gonna be mad if someone dies) &
Kinky Boots (British film - with a name like that how can you go wrong??)


More later..

A proud but sad heart

This is my handsome nephew H. who just finished Army boot camp! (he was thrilled about appearing in the blog... I know its cuz he thinks it will get him some chicks.lol) He was gone for 4 months and I know went through hell. I am proud of him for this accomplishment. For having the strength and determination to see it through. He just got home yesterday and thankfully can stay here for 2 wks working with the local recruiter. But after that... well it's a waiting game for deployment.

Today when I saw him I burst into tears. I am very much my mother's daughter with a soft heart and a quick tear, but there are few times I've spontaneously started crying. It always takes me off guard and I feel like an idiot. But what can I do? I look at him, all of 19 yrs old, and remember meeting him when he was 3. I wonder where he will be going and what awful things he will see. (I won't even go into my feelings about the war) I am terrified about what could possibly happen to him and wonder if those who send young people so quickly into confrontation, would still do so if they had a very personal connection with it. Maybe a few do, but for the majority - It's always some far off thing other people deal with. Until it affects someone you care about, it's easy to not think about (though I am guilty of that too.)

I have the utmost respect for the men and women in the military. I am very proud of my nephew but oh... my heart is sad and heavy. I can only pray for his safety and for circumstances to change. write stupid, funny letters to him and send yummy things to eat. What more can an aunt do?

except cry of course... dang my mother's genes *ah, damn you... damn you..." (channelling Charlton Heston re: Plant of the Apes) hehe just kidding - Lord knows you gotta laugh through your tears =)

Is it just me..

or has this year FLOWN?!!

The fact that it is almost mid-October just smacked me in the face today! I was "driving" home from work (more like sitting in traffic for about 5 minutes) thinking about how fast this week has gone - especially since on Monday I thought it was going to drag - and BAM! it hit me... Thanksgiving is a month away and Christmas right after that! (thanks to Sara for planting that seed in my head by posting her " We started our Christmas shopping" comment) UGH I am not ready for Christmas!

Lord, my mom WAS right when she said the years go faster as you get *ahem* older. We were thinking about spending Christmas in Italy this year - I guess we better start looking at airfare. And I have NO IDEA what to get as gifts. I don't love to shop (go ahead take a minute to deal with the shock.lol) so mostly at Christmas, I have a list of what I'm getting - go in - buy it - and get out! Usually this takes place a few weeks before Christmas, sooner, if I'm on the ball. I don't have much hope of being on the ball this year - I seem to be going through a disorganized phase right now when dealing with birthdays, holidays, etc. Your presents might be a little late but I do buy person-specific presents!

Stef will be so happy to know I'm starting to think about presents (I say this with a "tad" of sarcasm. HA) - he gets so bored (read that as kind of annoyed.hehe) cuz I'm always asking for suggestions for his family way early. (he is a Christmas Eve shopper - what are ya gonna do?) Also, I have no idea what is "trendy" right now and THE present to get.

In summary...
Year - FLOWN BY
Christmas - FREAKING OUT
Presents - NO CLUE - SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED

HEHE

more later...

This just makes me laugh

I don't have any opinions about Italian politics. However, this was so funny to me! The Snoop drop totally made me start doing the "white man's overbite" head bob. The rap has been around for a few days in Italy but we've just seen it. too funny!!

For another funny video (this time in English) go here. Hey look-I embedded a link.WOOHOOO

Provacative thoughts

In light of all the terrible headlines going on these days (Foley scandal, Amish/school shootings) we got into a discussion today about why things seem to be so much worse. for us. for our kids, etc. (as you can tell it was a very lighthearted lunch.lol) But it does make you wonder - what is it so different now? Is it that more terrible things are happening or is it that we are more aware of them -with 24hr news and the internet?

Is it the ease in which people can obtain guns? Is it all the violence we see on tv/movies or in games which has de-sensitized death and violence? What about the internet? as one coworker proposed - does the internet make certain acts seem less taboo and more "normal/ accepted"? therefore people with those tendences have more courage to act upon them?

I don't know what the answers are. Probably a combination of everything is to blame. I think it bears thought though - not just reactions. I wish we as a society could really objectively evaluate the issues and form solid conclusions. Extreme reactions from both the left and right don't seem to be working. It's too bad our leaders (and i mean all of them - government, religious, groups,etc) can't put aside their pettiness and really have dialogue about what to do. to actually work together and find common ground to make our societies better. I am so tired of the finger pointing and pompous, self-righteous crap that seems to flow out of people we look to for guidance. What are your thoughts?

*stepping down from the soapbox*

more later