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