I've let it go again...

Once again I've neglected my poor blog...these past few weeks when I've found the time to relax I've always opted for reading a book rather than writing on my blog...instead Monday night at 10 to 10 I find myself sitting at my kitchen table unable to stop watching an enormous fly buzz around the kitchen; what better time to plant myself next it and write.  It's almost like an invitation for it to come and bother me.  Secretly I'm hoping it will come close, because I have a make-shift flyswatter ready and want to see if it works...

Anyways, after my birthday a lot of big things have been happening!  We moved into our new house, which means they've finished (well finished enough for us to be living here) and even though it's been nearly 8 months since I moved here, it finally feels like home.  I realized the other day that since last January I have changed 'houses' more than 5 times...it isn't something you plan or even really think about; but when all the moving finally stops and you relax on a couch you know you can put your feet on without worrying about dirtying it,  or can leave the dishes in the sink for tomorrow just because you feel lazy... it's a nice feeling.  The comforts of home.  Don't worry when you all decide to come and visit I'll wash my feet and the dishes too :) 

I feel happy and the days are getting warmer, which means I am automatically more sunshiny myself.  We've had a few holidays and long weekends to enjoy the new house and also to relax with some of our friends.  My parents will be here in 6 weeks! And V and I are excited to have them...then there's summer which is always a great time here.  

I am feeling very thankful in these days and happy for all the sunshine, both physical and metaphorical that is in my life. 

Here are a few pictures of the 'highlights' 

xxx

al

This is our kitchen...I am so happy with it and thankful to be able to cook and live in such a positive space.  

This is a picture from Pasquetta which translates to  'little easter' or as we know Easter Monday.  Here in Italy it's a holiday nearly as important as Easter.  Our friend Angelo who has a house near to ours in the country has a big backyard where he often hosts dinners etc. and he had over 70 people over for a massive "pasquetta" bbq.  Vincnezo and I found an old 500 in the garage and made ourselves right at home.  I'm voting for this to arrive at the wedding but V has his heart set on a Ferrari...I guess we'll have to leave it to a vote.  

Another picture from "pasquetta" where the group of us snuck inside to wish Claudio (blue hat and glasses) a happy birthday.  As you can see Vincenzo took blowing out the candles very seriously.  

I love this picture because we are so smiley.  It was taken this past Friday, May 1st which is Italian Labour Day.  We went with the 'crew' to one of our favorite spots on the beach which also has a restaurant, but we rarely eat there, since it's a little out of our price range.  But in a group and for a special occasion, we bit the bullet.  And it was so worth it.  It was a beautiful sunshiny day, and worth every penny.  

This is the view from the restaurant....we usually lounge out here on beach chairs in the summer....
anybody want to visit? 

Birthday Time!

Another month has passed and we are already half way through March.... I had an amazing birthday :) My mom and two Aunties,Aunt Cyndy and Aunt Marian sent me packages, along with my Oma who sent me a little something special.  It is so nice to get love even when on the other side of the world.  I have been showered with gifts and love and could not be more thankful to everyone who made my day amazing.  To top everything off, last night we threw a party with my friend Federica, whose birthday was the day before mine.  We had about 40 people at the house, Vincenzo's house used to be a restaurant and the basement, where there was a pizzeria is now used for family parties....so we made a fire and some pasta and had a few too many beers, Vincenzo as the self-appointed D.J. and we had a blast.

Me and Federica (cake made my Vincenzo's dad, Andrea) 

Our house is nearly finished and we are so excited!  This week we are going to pick up furniture and start the big cleaning process.  Then thanks to some taco spices I got for my birthday (thanks Aunt Cyndy!) I am already dreaming up a taco party to christen the new casa.

Our front door :) 

Much love from this end!  Mom and dad will be here in June and we are already picking out places to take them.  Thanks again to everyone for making me feel very special on my 24th Birthday!  Here's to many more!

Pretty luckY!  Vincenzo got me a spankin' new bike! 

Birthday with the boys 

Birthday treats 

Some of my 10 year-old students sang to me :) 

Vincenzo, King of the Selfies :) 

xxx
al

V-day with my V

Last week, we had a very busy week...but a fun one, which is how it usually goes.  Normal work week for us even though the weather was predicted to be snowy...we only got a little bit of mush and extremely cold winds! Vincenzo's dad's (Andrea) birthday was on the 10th so we went out to dinner in a local pizzeria and watched Sanremo (the Italian music festival event of the year) which was a really good time, and as usual I ate way too much.

From left to right. Me and V. Pasquale and Rosalia (V's brother and his wife),
Mara and Donato (V's Sister and her husband) and then Andrea and Graziana 

My very first Valentine (my mama) sent me a wonderful box full of goodies for me and V and I loved it! I nearly cried.  I am so thankful to have such a sweet mama that even at 23 (almost 24) years old sends me packages filled with chocolate.

I sure love my mama! 

Then the following night, I finished work late and V and I raced to his cousin's surprise birthday party...her boyfriend threw her a party at his country house complete with dancing and live music.  Her boyfriend and his friends play traditional 'country' (for italians) italian music and he is pretty good on the accordion.  It ended up being really fun, and the thing I love about these parties is that everyone is involved.  Her parents, his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends of all ages...which makes for a great party and no one is left out.  Vincenzo's little nephew, Guiseppe, who is 3 and can at times be a real handful, fell asleep while I was holding him, which was pretty sweet.  

Guisppe, for once very calm :) 

After the parties then there was the weekend.  Friday night we had a fun dinner at our friend Angelo's house with his girlfriend Federica and our other friends Claudio and Stefania.  We ate meat freshly grilled from the butcher's and drank too much red wine.  It was really fun!  Saturday I worked in the morning, but then V surprised me with a lovely red rose for Valentine's day.  That night we ordered pizza and watched the finale of Sanremo with Uncle Gennaro...who likes to sing and dance along with the contestants.  

rose are red...

before the fall..

Sunday we decided to go skiing.  I had not been skiing in over 5 years, so I was a little rusty...thankfully Vincenzo is patient and after I warmed up we had a great time.  The mountain is about four hours away so we left early, and I slept in the car (surprise, surprise) and we brought our own food so whenever we felt like it, we stopped for a snack.  Although my calves are a little sore today, I must say I surprised myself and V was nice enough to keep on the intermediate slopes so I wasn't alone.  Now back to work the work week, but I must say it was an exceptional weekend.  

lots of love,

xxx

al

al

A New Start

I've realized that I have not written since June 2014...we are now in February of 2015 (in case anyone forgot) and it's a bit embarrassing that I've let the blog go so long without any updates...so today February 4th, 2015 is the official reboot.

Having Korean BBQ with Uncle Fred and Aunt Cyndy...V was not a big fan
but I am dreaming about it! 

2015 started out wonderfully.  Vincenzo and I were able to come home for Christmas and stay with my mom and dad for nearly two weeks and spend some time down in sunny Southern California as well.  After we got back from our California Christmas, it was back to work in the cold wintery weather (which is still going on by the way).

Then V and I both got sick, first him and then me...I guess that's what happens when you live together. First a fever, then the flu, then a cold, and finished off with a massive ball under by jaw bone that one doctor said was puss, and other said was a swollen lymph node.  We will never know, but what we do know, is that THANKFULLY I am not allergic to penicillin and after a week of antibiotics I was in the clear.

Mom, Dad, and V having a New Years toast 

Things are busy, but good.  We are currently remodeling what will be our house.  Vincenzo's parents had a new house built-which they live in now- and gave Vincenzo their old one-but there was a bit of work that needed to be done, so that is project number one.  Along with that we are both working a lot, which is a blessing, but also means the days kind of blend into one and Sunday becomes the most glorious day of the week.  I love Sundays, especially here.  Not only do I sleep in, but it is the one day in Italy where life literally takes a break.  I don't look at my phone, recently we've had pretty bad weather so it's the day for watching movies and eating a big lunch.

Construction at the house...this will be our bedroom one day :) 

Most of you know the other big news, Vincenzo and I are getting married and I couldn't be happier.   We have started looking at different venues, but it is quite the process.  Puglia, the region in Italy where we live, is famous for their VERY elaborate weddings...which is great, but also a tad bit overwhelming at the same time.  After visiting a few places I am starting to get really excited, and even though it is a year and a half away, a lot of places are already booked up- which is about the only thing Italians plan in advance- because they want a Saturday.  You can't get married on Sunday because God says no. Friday is supposedly bad luck-depending on who you ask (although it's looking like we'll be getting married on a Friday).  Thursday is too far from the weekend.  And if you pick Monday-Wednesday it means you're cheap because you picked a crappy day that no one wants... so that's where we're at with days hahaha.

One day we will live in Santa Monica and do nothing...that's the dream

the boxy benz 

The other fun news is that I got a little car, it's an old Mercedes and a little rickety but I love it and the best part is it was cheap and is mine :) I've never bought a car before so it made me feel very capable :)

That's pretty much it for the recap...I have made a resolution to keep a blog-because a lot of fun/funny/silly/good/annoying/bad/sad/ things happen and it's much nicer when I like I've done nothing to look back and see that my life is actually pretty damn good.

xxx
al

English Adventures: The Beginning

I've made it to England, another country I've always wanted to visit and somehow have never made it to...well now I have.  Here in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  It is so unique, hard to equate this type of beauty with anything else. So far so good, getting into the groove of nanny ways and loving all the space we've got here for the boys to run around in.  

So far just getting over jet-lag and enjoying the countryside, but can't complain.  Every time I look outside and see the beautiful River Test flowing by my heart smiles.  Off to London next week and will get to see an old friend from my camp days in New York, Charlotte.  So happy to get to catch up with her and explore the city with guidance from a friend. 

Much love to all at home! 
xx
al

The River Test, running right through the property.  So beautiful and makes for fantastic sunset strolls. 

Love going on walks with Richelle, really nice to be in close company with such wonderful people. 

Not sure if you can see, but mama and papa swan are having a swim with the babes :) 

End of the year...and I went to Italy. Surprise!

Well although I know it is the nearing the end of January... I have decided to re-amp the blog.

To ring in this year I decided to make my way back across the world to the quaint little town of Castellana Grotte in Puglia Italy.  This time I went back to see a boy. Yes I know; but it was really quite wonderful.  I arrived and hours later we were at a dinner with over 50 friends to eat, drink, and ring in the new year with some dances and smiles.  Then it was a full day of eating, yet again...then we went to Rome.

Driving across Italy in a motor home with Italians is probably one of the best ways to travel...entertaining, relaxing, and honestly super comfortable.  I also was in good company so I couldn't really go wrong.  After a few days traipsing around Rome we headed back to Castellana where almost every night there was a dinner invitation, or some sort of fun event. Which meant I was having a great time, and eating my weight in the most delicious food ever.

The trip ended with a town festival wherein there were massive bonfires all over the town lit on fire and people roamed the streets drinking wine and eating bread- really there is nothing bad about that...and then my last day Vincenzo's mom celebrated her 60th birthday with a beautiful party.

I still can't stop smiling and it's already been almost three weeks since I've been back.

xxx
al

Back in Small Town USA

Back home for the summer...