Our big trip for Memorial Day weekend was a 1-day trek down to Houston. Why Houston you ask? Well, the Italian Consulate is located there and I needed to submit my application for Italian Citizenship. Yep, that's right folks. I am hoping to be a dual citizen in the next years. I am applying as a spouse of an Italian citizen (no Italian blood in me at all!) as you can do after you've been married 3 yrs. I wish we had known earlier you could file while living in the USA since we've been married almost 6!
Aside from the 2-hr wait to speak with our lady, the process was painless. That place was BUSY! It is the 2nd time we've been there and both times, it was packed. Who knew people had so much business with the Italian Consulate?
For citizenship, you have to do some legwork beforehand and gather documents, but mostly it's straightforward. Or as straightforward as Italian bureaucracy can be. Basic stuff is required like proof that your marriage was recorded in Italy, long form of your birth certificate (with apostille - had anyone ever heard of this before dealing with immigration?? not me), local criminal checks and an FBI fingerprint clearance thingy. That thing took me forever to get. And so, everything is filed and I was properly informed approval can take up to 3 yrs. Yep, you read that right - 3 yrs. See why I wish we had know about this 3 yrs ago? With my luck right now (ie, FBI thing) it will probably take all of those 3 yrs to get it.lol oh well, if it's not approved by the time I move, it's back to the Consolate for me.
Which brings me back to why I wouldn't mind going back to the Consulate. yumminess thy name is Lupe Tortilla!! Lucky for me Cherrye emailed me some suggestions for restaurants in the area (which I had requested from her). I have been to Houston several times but am not at all familiar with the town. Can I just tell you?? that food was DELICIOUS. Stef and I split some mixed fajita's and had queso for our chips. Gosh it was so good. Their tortillas were scrumptious! no margaritas this time but next - oh yeah. If you ever get the chance, go. I sure wish they would put one here in Dallas. Thanks Cherrye - we loved it!
And so that was our big trip. It was a quick trip, we got back yesterday . Hopefully, my citizenship won't take too long. Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my American one, but once it's done, both Stef and I will hold dual citizenship. I think thats cool =)
More later...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Google me!
Sognatrice posted a funny Google activity on her blog today which I just had to try! Basically, you type "Stacy needs" substituting your name in the place of mine of course, into Google and hit search. Then you see what pops up. What have I learned from this exercise? Evidently, Stacy is a very slutty name! Good grief, I can't post most of what popped up. Which brings me to another question - what names do YOU consider slutty sounding?
My findings...
[my comments are in red]
~~~
Stacy needs sex and she needs it fast... [ahem... no comment]
Stacy…needs a soft pace to fall that day or she needs a shoulder to cry on... [don't we all?]
Stacy needs unconditional love – guess I better get a dog. [HA! this really was an entry]
Stacy (Needs a hug). [yes I do and I also need to be 29 again, as this result goes on to describe "Stacy"]
Stacy needs to kick-up her voice and work harder at it. [hmmm...again no comment.LOL]
Stacy needs your vote! [for my 2008 presidential vote of course]
Stacy doesn’t need to wear slutty/trashy outfits to look good. [but doesn't it help? HAHAHA]
Stacy needs some toning. [oh lord, this one is so true]
Stacy needs to nap... [always, power naps are the best, though I don't take them enough]
Stacy needs to develop single mindedness and focus. [truer words can not be spoken.hehe]
~~~~
Let me know if you do this too! It's fun
More later...
My findings...
[my comments are in red]
~~~
Stacy needs sex and she needs it fast... [ahem... no comment]
Stacy…needs a soft pace to fall that day or she needs a shoulder to cry on... [don't we all?]
Stacy needs unconditional love – guess I better get a dog. [HA! this really was an entry]
Stacy (Needs a hug). [yes I do and I also need to be 29 again, as this result goes on to describe "Stacy"]
Stacy needs to kick-up her voice and work harder at it. [hmmm...again no comment.LOL]
Stacy needs your vote! [for my 2008 presidential vote of course]
Stacy doesn’t need to wear slutty/trashy outfits to look good. [but doesn't it help? HAHAHA]
Stacy needs some toning. [oh lord, this one is so true]
Stacy needs to nap... [always, power naps are the best, though I don't take them enough]
Stacy needs to develop single mindedness and focus. [truer words can not be spoken.hehe]
~~~~
Let me know if you do this too! It's fun
More later...
Saturday, May 19, 2007
My First Interview
Sognatrice put the call out for interviewees and so I responded! It is the least I can do as a dedicated blogger. In case you wanted to know a little bit more about me, here you go.
(1) What is usually the last thing you do before you go to bed at night?
Read. This is of course after I slather my face with "wrinkle-away". Late night reads usually consist of some sappy romance or funny book, so I can just relax and get sleepy-eyed.
(2) If you could live anywhere in the world, no cost/language/partner/other prohibitions, where would you go and why?
This is a very hard one for me. There are so many places I find unbelievably gorgeous. I am going to cheat a little bit and give you 2.
Italy - in a villa overlooking the beautiful countryside with a hint of sea beyond because I love the pace of life you can have there, the fascinating history you find around every corner, and the FOOD.
Southwest US- anywhere with a red-rock view in the Southwestern United States. I will admit it was my husband that really helped me see the majestic, unique beauty that is the Southwest desert. Give me a modern house with a pool and miles of glass overlooking the stunning contrast of red desert against blue blue sky. It is so peaceful, the quiet and vast space where the starkness lends its way towards so much beauty in every small detail. (and I love the food there too!)
(3) Do you consider yourself crafty? (Interpret as you wish.)
Hmm.. very interesting question. Crafty in the sneaky sense? I could be, but chose to not live life that way. Crafty in an artsy way - not so much =( I used to think I was and I can occasionally make a cute "craft" but I really have no artistic ability in a drawing/painting kind of way. That is one thing I really wish was different about me - I'd LOVE to be a painter.
(4) If you could only drink one other thing besides water for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Chocolate shakes. Because its CHOCOLATE and thickly yummy. I suppose if I was more sophisticated I would say some kind of wine but I have to be honest (see #3) and chocolate it is.
(5) The Bradys or the Partridges? *or* ER or Grey's Anatomy (or both if you like)?
Bradys. Now that is not to say I wasn't totally in love with David Cassidy (Keith Partridge). I just watched the Brady's more. (HA - as I am typing this, "I Think I Love You" is playing in my head... *sigh* David. If you are too young to know that song, don't tell me.) I loved ER when George Clooney (or as I like to refer to him, Mr. Texas Espresso #2 ) was on it, but it just didn't hold the same appeal for me after he left.
Be sure to let me know if you would like to be interviewed in the comments. Then I will send you some stimulating questions.
1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
More later...
(1) What is usually the last thing you do before you go to bed at night?
Read. This is of course after I slather my face with "wrinkle-away". Late night reads usually consist of some sappy romance or funny book, so I can just relax and get sleepy-eyed.
(2) If you could live anywhere in the world, no cost/language/partner/other prohibitions, where would you go and why?
This is a very hard one for me. There are so many places I find unbelievably gorgeous. I am going to cheat a little bit and give you 2.
Italy - in a villa overlooking the beautiful countryside with a hint of sea beyond because I love the pace of life you can have there, the fascinating history you find around every corner, and the FOOD.
Southwest US- anywhere with a red-rock view in the Southwestern United States. I will admit it was my husband that really helped me see the majestic, unique beauty that is the Southwest desert. Give me a modern house with a pool and miles of glass overlooking the stunning contrast of red desert against blue blue sky. It is so peaceful, the quiet and vast space where the starkness lends its way towards so much beauty in every small detail. (and I love the food there too!)
(3) Do you consider yourself crafty? (Interpret as you wish.)
Hmm.. very interesting question. Crafty in the sneaky sense? I could be, but chose to not live life that way. Crafty in an artsy way - not so much =( I used to think I was and I can occasionally make a cute "craft" but I really have no artistic ability in a drawing/painting kind of way. That is one thing I really wish was different about me - I'd LOVE to be a painter.
(4) If you could only drink one other thing besides water for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Chocolate shakes. Because its CHOCOLATE and thickly yummy. I suppose if I was more sophisticated I would say some kind of wine but I have to be honest (see #3) and chocolate it is.
(5) The Bradys or the Partridges? *or* ER or Grey's Anatomy (or both if you like)?
Bradys. Now that is not to say I wasn't totally in love with David Cassidy (Keith Partridge). I just watched the Brady's more. (HA - as I am typing this, "I Think I Love You" is playing in my head... *sigh* David. If you are too young to know that song, don't tell me.) I loved ER when George Clooney (or as I like to refer to him, Mr. Texas Espresso #2 ) was on it, but it just didn't hold the same appeal for me after he left.
Be sure to let me know if you would like to be interviewed in the comments. Then I will send you some stimulating questions.
1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
More later...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Peace man...
Sophiecat on a normal day...
Sophiecat on catnip!!!
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing
sorry for the grainy-ness, but it was at night and I didn't have many lights on.
More later...
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
It's an Italian Miracle!
Not to be overly dramatic or anything but I mailed a Mother's Day card to my mother-in-law last week (like Monday or Tuesday) and she got it on SATURDAY! Can you believe it??? Shockingly, my mom's Hallmark store in small-town Oklahoma carries cards in Italian, German, Spanish and French. lol Probably, a store in Dallas does too, but I sure can't find it!
So she sent me a "Festa della Mamma" card and I sent it last week, thinking it would take about a week to get there. But it took less. I couldn't believe it. lol We've never had a huge problem with the Italian post like some have but it usually takes some time. YAY! Better early than late =)
On another note, I read a really good book this week. The kind that intrigued me AND made me laugh. Kept me up late late late and I finished it in 2 days! It's called The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips. It is her first book and is set in the 1600's in Venice. It is about "the Spanish Conspiracy". Some scholars say the Spanish officials had a plan to takeover Venice; others say it was the Venetian Council themselves who circulated the rumors. Whichever is true, the book is great. I really like her writing style. She switches between present day and the 1600's with ease. It's very descriptive without being "too much" (like Frances Mayes can be, but I still mostly like her). It also makes you want to run out and hit a library with historical texts and letters. Pour through them for days, weeks, months and develop your own historical theory! hehe
Well, maybe that is only me. lol However, I look forward to her next book due out next year. You should pick it up if you see it. It's an interesting read!
More later...
So she sent me a "Festa della Mamma" card and I sent it last week, thinking it would take about a week to get there. But it took less. I couldn't believe it. lol We've never had a huge problem with the Italian post like some have but it usually takes some time. YAY! Better early than late =)
On another note, I read a really good book this week. The kind that intrigued me AND made me laugh. Kept me up late late late and I finished it in 2 days! It's called The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips. It is her first book and is set in the 1600's in Venice. It is about "the Spanish Conspiracy". Some scholars say the Spanish officials had a plan to takeover Venice; others say it was the Venetian Council themselves who circulated the rumors. Whichever is true, the book is great. I really like her writing style. She switches between present day and the 1600's with ease. It's very descriptive without being "too much" (like Frances Mayes can be, but I still mostly like her). It also makes you want to run out and hit a library with historical texts and letters. Pour through them for days, weeks, months and develop your own historical theory! hehe
Well, maybe that is only me. lol However, I look forward to her next book due out next year. You should pick it up if you see it. It's an interesting read!
More later...
Monday, May 07, 2007
Deep Thoughts
I am honored to be named a "Thinking Blogger" by my new friend and soon-to-be neighbor Cyndi at Reboot. She has elevated me to the ranks of all those esteemed bloggers that I love to read. Thank you!
To live up to that title, I thought I would share with you my thoughts of late. Let me warn you - they are not pretty. Depressing even. So please indulge me for a moment and once I get this off my chest, I am sure I will be back to my normal happy self.
There is not alot of new news in my life at the moment, but as I am going through boxes of memories and, let's face it - plain crap, I find myself crying at the drop of a hat thinking about the past and looking at the future. This week my tears were mostly focused on aging. And not the kind of aging I am dealing with at 36, with all kinds of wrinkle prevention creams and lotions. lol (Good lord that is a big business isn't it? but thatsa topic is for another day)
No, I am talking about parents. I am the youngest of 4 girls and my father was 40 when I was born - you do the math. Now, let me stop for a moment and say that blessedly, my parents are in very good health. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that. I am very close to both of them and really try to cherish every moment we have. (Of course that doesn't mean we don't get on each others nerves now and then) But in the past few years, I have really noticed my parents aging. They've always been very young looking and both still have some brown hair, but age is showing on their faces and in the slowing of their steps.
The other day, I had the unexpected surprise of my father staying with me for a night. He is retired, but likes to drive cars for dealerships and happened to have a trip to Houston. As he was coming through Dallas, he decided he was too tired to go on and would hang out with us kids for a night. It is always hard for my parents to decide which girl to stay with when they visit, so I was really excited to have him. We had a nice evening with my sister and her family - laughing and talking. We came back to my house and my sweet dad fell asleep on the sofa. But seeing him sleeping like he was, really hit me about how fragile he was becoming.
It's freaking me out. I mean I AM MOVING TO ITALY. And will be thousands of miles away if one of them has any trouble. I guess both Stef and I are dealing with this, though his parents are younger than mine. He and I have a mutual agreement that at any time in our lives, no matter what our finances look like - we will always have money to go home. My family knows this and also that if I am needed at home to deal with anything, I will be there regardless. As I have said before in this blog, the life we've chosen (and by life I mean bi-continental) can really suck at times. It is so full of excitement and sadness all at the same time. But what happens once I move? what will I do so far away from my family? How will I handle the distance as my parents get older? Why do you only really appreciate your parents as friends when you become an adult?
So here I am, tears running down my face trying to remind myself not to dwell on the inevitable. Live in the present. love my parents and enjoy the time we do have. God has really blessed me with wonderful examples to follow. I just hope I can let them know how much they mean to me and how thankful I am to have them. I know I will have sad days in the future when once again I am reminded of the my parents age, but mom & dad did not raise me to live like that. These thoughts should just be a reminder to let people know you love them and to not be embroiled in the small annoyances in life.
Sorry for such a somber post, but this is how my mind is wandering lately. Tomorrow will be a brighter day though and my next post will likely be something silly. I can't expect myself to be deep all the time. It's exhausting! Now, I think I will go back to my "What lipstick color is you" quiz.
More later...
To live up to that title, I thought I would share with you my thoughts of late. Let me warn you - they are not pretty. Depressing even. So please indulge me for a moment and once I get this off my chest, I am sure I will be back to my normal happy self.
There is not alot of new news in my life at the moment, but as I am going through boxes of memories and, let's face it - plain crap, I find myself crying at the drop of a hat thinking about the past and looking at the future. This week my tears were mostly focused on aging. And not the kind of aging I am dealing with at 36, with all kinds of wrinkle prevention creams and lotions. lol (Good lord that is a big business isn't it? but thatsa topic is for another day)
No, I am talking about parents. I am the youngest of 4 girls and my father was 40 when I was born - you do the math. Now, let me stop for a moment and say that blessedly, my parents are in very good health. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that. I am very close to both of them and really try to cherish every moment we have. (Of course that doesn't mean we don't get on each others nerves now and then) But in the past few years, I have really noticed my parents aging. They've always been very young looking and both still have some brown hair, but age is showing on their faces and in the slowing of their steps.
The other day, I had the unexpected surprise of my father staying with me for a night. He is retired, but likes to drive cars for dealerships and happened to have a trip to Houston. As he was coming through Dallas, he decided he was too tired to go on and would hang out with us kids for a night. It is always hard for my parents to decide which girl to stay with when they visit, so I was really excited to have him. We had a nice evening with my sister and her family - laughing and talking. We came back to my house and my sweet dad fell asleep on the sofa. But seeing him sleeping like he was, really hit me about how fragile he was becoming.
It's freaking me out. I mean I AM MOVING TO ITALY. And will be thousands of miles away if one of them has any trouble. I guess both Stef and I are dealing with this, though his parents are younger than mine. He and I have a mutual agreement that at any time in our lives, no matter what our finances look like - we will always have money to go home. My family knows this and also that if I am needed at home to deal with anything, I will be there regardless. As I have said before in this blog, the life we've chosen (and by life I mean bi-continental) can really suck at times. It is so full of excitement and sadness all at the same time. But what happens once I move? what will I do so far away from my family? How will I handle the distance as my parents get older? Why do you only really appreciate your parents as friends when you become an adult?
So here I am, tears running down my face trying to remind myself not to dwell on the inevitable. Live in the present. love my parents and enjoy the time we do have. God has really blessed me with wonderful examples to follow. I just hope I can let them know how much they mean to me and how thankful I am to have them. I know I will have sad days in the future when once again I am reminded of the my parents age, but mom & dad did not raise me to live like that. These thoughts should just be a reminder to let people know you love them and to not be embroiled in the small annoyances in life.
Sorry for such a somber post, but this is how my mind is wandering lately. Tomorrow will be a brighter day though and my next post will likely be something silly. I can't expect myself to be deep all the time. It's exhausting! Now, I think I will go back to my "What lipstick color is you" quiz.
More later...
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Quest
I saw a new thing today on my monthly trek into Central Market - green (or spring) garlic. Have you ever heard of it? I hadn't and it could be that I'm being sucked in by the evil spin-doctors. However, they claimed this garlic to be sweeter than normal and the shoots have a mild garlic taste and can be eaten like chives. So I thought what the heck? (on a side note, this just proves that I am TOTALLY sucked in by those end-cap displays or those displays right by the cash register. sigh) And that brings me to the second half of this post...As I may have mentioned before, I love mexican food. (I am using "mexican" as a generic term to include authentic Mexican, Tex-Mex and any other mezzo-or-south American Latin food.) So in light of the fact I will be in Italy this time next year, I am on a quest to find and perfect good recipes that I can recreate overseas.
I've gotten pretty good with salsa, have a couple that I can break out when I need to, but am still perfecting them.
Guacamole - no problem. Got it down.
Margaritas - woohooo, been making those for years.
Now my sights are set on a really good street taco recipe. In particular, the marinade for beef or chicken to put in the taco. "Mojos" that can be used as a good marinade or condiment depending on what ya want. I have heard that some good mojos use orange or pineapple juice - is that true? Also, the street tacos I've had seem very simple but yet so full of flavor. and the meat - oh the meat just melts in your mouth. A noble quest no?
I found a few recipes and since I made another impulse buy of flank steak while on my market excursion, I decided to try a "carne asada" recipe I've been eyeing. It used orange juice, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garlic (green garlic of course) and oregano for the marinade. Sounds good, no? I didn't grill it outside since we were having big storms so I just cooked it in a grill pan. That was probably a mistake. sighNow let me interject one thing - I don't cook meat very well. For some reason, meat (including chicken) doesn't work for me. I have one recipe for chicken that usually comes out well but other than that - eh. I guess I don't practice much cuz we don't eat it that often at home and I must not season it enough because the taste is never exceptional. So needless to say, this time was no exception to that rule. I was sorely disappointed in my result.
It doesn't look so bad - and the avocado salsa was delicious - but eh. It was boring. What can I do?? I like FLAVOR! I guess my quest is not over. If anyone has any ideas or recipes - send them my way!
More later...
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