The End of 2007 - What a Year!

I can't believe this year is over, and what a year it was! I had some dreams come true, both personally and professionally, as did Fon. At the same time, we had some rather large downs as well. I'm very much aware of how quickly time is passing when I look at my girls and at my parents. I don't see myself as aging till I see the guys I grew up with and think "wow, they sure look old!" but I don't see it in my old and dear female friends. To me, Lisa, Skeeter, Becky and the others still look like we all did when we piled in a car and terrorized the roads singing REO Speedwagon songs at the top of our lungs.

I grabbed this survey from a friend's blog, it seems like a good way to recap the year.

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
I graduated from USF with a Humanities degree. I started grad school. I swam in the Mediterranean Sea. I stood up for myself a few times.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I honestly don't remember what they were, LOL! Probably something about losing weight, as usual. I actually did lose 30 pounds in Italy, but then had to go on Prednisone when I got back and gained it all back. This year I just want to make it to the end of the year in one piece, does that count?

Did anyone close to you give birth? No, thank goodness!

Did anyone close to you die? My uncle Alf, my father's older (and closest) brother died in October. I think I now have more family in heaven than on earth. My cousin Michael died at the end of December last year, and I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that. Now I'm the only one who remembers a great deal of my childhood, since he and I were inseparable for most of it.

What countries did you visit? USA, England, Italy (well, the Vatican, too).

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Time to relax. Better health. More time with Fon, just to hang out. A family vacation. Holidays without stress.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduation! That was a doozy! I also think that being an Honors graduate scholar is a big deal. The biggest, though, is being appointed as a Teaching Assistant in the Humanities department. Its a dream come true!

What was your biggest failure? I've had many. Too many. Probably not saving as much money as we wanted. I also feel like I haven't been the best parent this year, with all the school stuff going on, but my girls tell me differently.

Did you suffer illness or injury?! The psoriatic arthritis continues, and seems to be getting worse. I've wound up with a handicapped parking placard and morphine patches. Oh!! I also got road rash on my face from falling face first at Pompeii!!! If you're going to be injured, that's the way (and place) to do it!

What was the best thing you bought? A metallic red roaster, a dupioni silk comforter set, new living room furniture (including a silk chaise lounger), a tailgating grill, tailgating tent and does the construction of the new great room and garage count?

Whose behavior merited celebration? Cara has made Principal's Honor Roll all year. Emelie made Junior Honor Society earlier in the year. I graduated with a 3.91 GPA. Fon sold his first book.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Emelie's abrupt transformation from Honor Student to slacker when she hit 7th grade. She's also getting a teenager mouth and attitude.

Where did most of your money go? Paying bills, building the new addition to the house, and my Italy trip.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going to the Bulls' game in the Sun Bowl, tailgating, Italy, graduation, Fon's book sales.

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier? richer? nicer? I'm as happy, probably more content, and positive. Probably not nicer, LOL! I have a reputation to maintain, LOL!

What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent time with Fon and the girls, cooking, relaxing

What was your favorite TV program? House

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hating people takes too much energy. I don't want to spend that much energy on people I don't care for. That said, there's nobody new on my dislike list, just the same ones that have been on there for many years.

What was the best book you read this year?
I really liked the last Harry Potter, but was sad for the series to end. Any book I get to read for pleasure these days is an awesome experience!

What did you want and get? Well, the Italy trip was a big one. I also got new living room furniture, and a newly decorated bedroom. Oh, and a garage instead of a carport! I also got new stuff to tailgate with, and we all enjoyed that!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 43 this year. I don't think we did anything because its become an annual thing that on my birthday we always are broke and have some huge bill looming! I think we might have gone to Outback for a combination celebration of gradecards and my birthday.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing, really. Maybe to have more money in the bank.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Hopefully, I acquired a little Italian style. I did get my hair cut and highlighted over there, and bought some clothes. I prefer to have less quantity and better quality.

What political issue stirred you the most? The war. I feel like it has been badly mismanaged, and think that somehow it needs to end, preferably without any more American bloodshed. We need to let the military do their job, without political interference. I'm also feeling strongly about illegal immigration, I think we need to use Americans on welfare to fill the jobs that illegals are currently filling and get the illegals off of our Medicaid, Medicare and other taxpayer supported programs.

Who did you miss? Lisa and Skeeter back home. Other friends that I just never see or hear from anymore, like Krystal.

Who was the best new person (people) you met? Liana, Ronnie, Ian, Mark and Dave

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
People around the world have the same problems, but deal with them in different ways. In Italy, there is a huge emphasis on recyling and saving energy. I've never seen so many "green" ways of living. Other places have much less emphasis on consumerism and consumption. I think I'm going to try to adopt that philosophy in my own life. Wish me luck!

The Best Day EVER!!!!!

Yesterday (Saturday), we had the most wonderful day since we've been here!

We went to Cinque Terra, a national park with 5 train stops and a wonderful beach! Its on the Italian Riviera, and that picture up there is where I spent the day. You can all hate me now!

We met the guys at 7:30 in the morning at the train station, and had mass confusion with 7 separate opinions on how to get there, and what train to take. Finally, we got on the train, and then this guy came in our compartment speaking Italian, very rudely. Evidently the gist was that he thought he had our seat. We had to get up, and find new seats. He was such a jerk that when we left, I "accidently" swung my beach bag and got him right where it counted! He was last seen explaining to his wife why he was singing soprano.

I was feeling tired from the day before, so instead of stopping at the first train stop to walk and cliff jump, I went straight to Montorosso to the beach. I got there, bargained with a beach vendor for some towels and a pareo, bought some blood orange juice, and I was ready! Got a cabana with chairs, pulled out a good book and settled in for a very relaxing day in the best environment I could ever be in!

As for my fellow beach goers, I will only say that a) many people should NOT be wearing speedos, b) I have never seen so many uncircumcised men in my life, c) European women who sunbathe topless evidently have more gravity problems than those of us who wear bras do. Some things should really be kept under wraps (see speedo comment above!), d) Call me a crazy American, but I still think kids should wear swim diapers when they get in the water with other people.

The rest of the group found me about mid-afternoon, and we all settled down with chairs and blankets. Vanessa and I went in the water and had a WONDERFUL time! Just couldn't believe that we were actually in the Mediterranean, and in the blue water, and the sunshine... you just couldn't create a better day!

While the rest of the group went to Genoa for eventual Milan trip, me and Vanessa just came straight home. Well as straight as you can get on an Interregionale train - I think it was about 2 1/2 hours to get back to Florence through Pisa. We eventually got home, and then went to eat. I politely came down with one of the worst sunburns I've ever had, so the food didn't even taste good. I came home, fell in bed, and woke up to put aloe vera on.

I figure than any sunburn from a Mediterranean beach is better than a perfect tan from anywhere else!

Another bus trip!

Friday we had our field trip to Siena and San Gimignano. Boy, was I nervous! After my last weekend's incident of throwing up all over the bus driver, I was armed with an empty stomach and some travel gum the pharmacist had sold me. I also had the real dramamine, if needed.

I'm happy to say I did just fine, though, although I nearly made myself sick by not eating. Me and Ronnie sat together, since we both slept through the trips. His was from lack of sleep, mine was from the travel gum.

Our first stop was Siena, where we went on a cool tour of the cathedral. My blood sugar was getting low, so Vanessa and I cut out, found Liana and got sandwiches to eat on a balcony overlooking the main town square. It was heavenly! What was really cool was that this was a definite old country pub, tiny and authentic....... until you went to the restroom! When you opened the door of the restroom you immediately moved from a medieval village to 1980's LA techno bar! I'm serious, the tiles were all iridescent, the light was a blacklight, and the toilet bowl and sink water glowed in the dark!!!! It was truly amazing.

After that we went to San Gimignano, and wow! What a walk, straight uphill. I thought I was going to croak! While there, we went to the Museum of Torture and Witchcraft, and the Museum of Death. I learned a whole new lexicon for the term "going Medieval" on somebody. Oh, and they had an air conditioner. Needless to say, I found it. I think I've melted off enough sweat to fill a swimming pool while I've been here. I will never take air conditioning for granted again. If anybody wants to invite me over, please set your thermostat to below freezing!

It was a great day - this picture is of the bunch of us that hang out together. The one with all the hair is Ian's 15 year old brother, Terry - he's going home next weekend, with a ton of new moms and big sisters. He's such a sweetheart!

OK, back now!

Well, as I was saying, Thursday stunk!

After Vanessa and Liana's test, we went to get some lunch at pizza place on del Corso, which also has some great shops, and our friends live near there. First, we went to the teller machine so Liana and I could get some cash. Then we went to the pizza place, where it was horribly crowded.

We ate, and Liana went back for her late class, while Vanessa and I slowly ambled down the street. At one point, I felt somebody bump my backpack, but when I turned around, all I could see were a couple of Asian tourists behind a map, and they immediately went into a shop window.

Few minutes after that, we saw our friend Mark walking down the street. He was on his way to get a pastry and invited us up to see their apartment (they have a gorgeous fresco on the ceiling). We went up, and as we walked in, his roomate, Dave, showed me a postcard of a whizzer, thinking to shock me no doubt (these are college guys - no couth, LOL), so I politely proceeded to show him that not only had I seen it, I had bought the whole calendar! When I opened my backpack, I found that my wallet was missing! Oh hell!!!!! It had my passport, a whole bunch of euros, my museum pass, and all my receipts!

I immediately panicked and called Fon. As usual, he proved to be the most wonderful husband anybody on earth could have. He took care of cancelling cards, and wired me some money so I could function. He really went above and beyond the call of duty for that one! Between him and Vanessa, they calmed me down, and in the middle of all that was a hailstorm, a rare occurrence in Florence.

After the storm passed, we went back to the school, and met Liana, and from there went to the Questura to file a police report. Monday I'll have to go to the embassy and get an appointment for a new passport. Sigh.......

All's well that ends well on that issue, but it was an expensive incident. It truly sucked. But my husband is wonderful and takes very good care of me, even when I make it hard on him!

Pickpocketed!

Well, Thursday stunk!

The day started great, with a guided tour of Santa Croce, and seeing all the cool sculpture on the tombs, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, et al. I found Vasari's burial spot and stepped one foot on it for all the problems he's caused me in my research. Petty, but fun!

Then it started to go down hill quickly - this new guy from one of the new schools that started this week grabbed my butt. I moved pretty quickly, and I don't think he'll do it again, but if he does, I'm going to sic Vanessa on him.

Oops...... going to eat! Back later!

Hosting A Dinner

Wednesday night we hosted the most fun dinner party ever!

The four guys in the picture down there came over and while most everybody studied for their test, Ronnie and I (who didn't have a test) cooked dinner. We fixed carbonara sauce with the pancetta I got in Greve, and we made chicken parmesan. Vanessa fixed pecorino/honey and a salad, and Liana provided fresh strawberries and cookies for dessert. It was fabulous!

All eight of us had to sit around our tiny dining room table since it was raining too hard to go out on our courtyard. It was a squeeze, and David had to sit on a high chair, but it worked. With Ian and I being left handed, they put us in the back where we couldn't get out, and told us to stay there. I threatened to cut David's food for him, LOL!

Ronnie refused to eat Vanessa's cheese, and she will be getting on his case about it for the rest of his life!

We had a wonderful time, and laughed our butts off! This is such a great group of kids - responsible, mature and still able to have fun!

Italian Shoes!

I am here to testify!!!!!

It really is true that Italian shoes are superior to all other shoes made in all other places in the world! No peers!

I did extensive research on the subject and can now report that they are made of the softest leather, and the most comfortable construction. 4 inch spike heels feel like Birkenstocks.

Needless to say, I had to have a pair and am now the proud owner of a pair of the sexiest black high heels you've ever seen! Simply gorgeous and a dream to walk and dance in!

Now I just need an outfit to go with them!

(Oh, and if Fon is reading, stop here now sweetheart!)

I also now own a real, live Versace shirt - white and purple! Woo Hoo! But it doesn't match the shoes, its more casual.

I found a shop with really cool hair ornaments as well, and got some of them today, too. It was a shopping day, that ended with pizza and fizzy water on the piazza, and a walk down to the river to see the 35 pound rats. Vanessa still thinks they are otters..... whatever gets her through, LOL!