After this weekend's adventure I was so tired and had a bad feeling about getting up this morning. But to my surprise I had no problems in the morning and even had a little spring in my step. Work was fine and I finally got to meet my boss' husband, because he is usually at work when I am there. I made a few improvements to my drawings I did last week and called it a day. For lunch I prepared Fil some fried chicken, a Capri salad and left over Mac and cheese-which he loved :-) He said "Before you didn't cook but now you are a great cook!!" Why thank you. The plastic bottle I had the boys paper mache last week was turned into an original vase complete with a paper flower. After our weekly English lesson, Fil, Ruggie and I went to Fil's first basketball lesson of the year. At the end of the lesson the coach told him that he was putting him in the younger class right before his cause come to find out the coach is trying to build a kind of dream team and only wants the strong players in that class. Fil was crushed and this "team building" has made an uproar in the mothering community. I have a feeling Fil will get to stay in his current class.
After bball it was 7:30 and I was relieved to arrive home to a cooked dinner. Pat had fixed steak (which cost 36 euros a kilo roughly $50 a lb!!) carrots, fried potatoes, and a potato pumpkin soup (sounds strange but was really good). After dinner I noticed we were out of biscotti for breakfast so decided to bake some blueberry muffins. I whipped those up and closed down the kitchen. Another great start to another great week in Italy.....all I have to say is Move over Martha Stewart!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Mission Possible
....Code In....
Simpson, Lindsey Simpson...
...Your mission if you choose to accept it is to have a wonderful time in Monte Carlo and Cannes for your birthday.....Do you accept?....Yes.
The Hollywood of France. Monte Carlo was amazing. I have never seen so many expensive sports cars in all my life. I couldn't tell if I was at a car show or a casino. On Saturday morning Andrea came to pick me up and we headed to Monte Carlo. We arrived around 11:30 and had time to visit the royal palace-which was nice but not as elegant as the casino and then went to the cathedral that houses the tomb of Grace Kelly. We ate pizza at a sidewalk cafe along the street where they have the grand prix race every year. We took a walk around the harbor, but unfortunately it was hard to see some of the boats because they were having a VIP yatch show. All the yatchs were for sale so from the bridge we each picked out which one we wanted. We both decided on Lady Anne which was 68m (223 ft)long. After our shopping spree we went to the casino to get the money to pay for our new boat. Woa, can you say underdressed? No matter how cute my tee shirt and jeans were, it just didn't cut it. In order to get on the main floor you had to have a tie if you were a male and a cocktail dress if you were a female. So we decided to go to the slot machine room with the rest of the obvious tourists. We played a few...disappointing because they were all in English and most you can find in Vegas. I lost 10 euros pretty quick but Andy made 16 so we quit while he was ahead. From the casino we decided to head towards Cannes. We stopped in Nice and walked down the main street and the beach. I had an icecream while we sat on the beach. I was in Nice in June but this weekend I saw all new parts and really enjoyed the city. When we got to Cannes it was about 5:30. We checked into our Best Western hotel-exotic I know-and then headed to the main blvd along the sea. We went to the theater where they have the film festival and took pictures with some "stars". After "networking" we found a seafood restaraunt on the strip where I had a piece of Salmon out of this world. While we were eating this family passed the restaraunt and thought I knew them but couldn't place them. After dinner we walked back to the theater and watched street artists paint with spray paint and the same family was also watching. I finally figured out who they were, good friends of Pat and Alberto's, and went up to say hello. The last time I saw them was in May so they were surprised I remembered them...Small world
The next day we slept in until 8:30...which is late for both of us. We found a small bakery by the sea and had french pastries...yumm. Andy really wanted to swim so we went to the sea and he took a bath (that's what Italians call going for a swim in the water and really taking a bath..confusing) while I sat and read my book. We figured we saw most of Cannes so we headed to an old Medival Village, St. Paul de Vence. Che Bello (how beautiful) We both fell in love with the place. He kept saying how he couldn't believe he had never been there before. Most of the shops were art galleries so we spent time looking at the art. We went to the local church and out of all the churches I have seen in Italy I think this is my favorite. I was very suttle in decoration and had small wooden pews. There were three small stain glass windows and some amazing paintings on the stone walls. I didn't take any pictures of it cause I was in awe and forgot. Oops. We had lunch in this tiny cafe in a basement of a store. Really good food and I had my first French crepe..buono. While we were eating we met three people from Boston and then an older couple from Idaho. We wanted to miss traffic so we decided to head back to Torino, even though we both wanted to just stay and open an art gallery for me and a wine shop for him. Unfortunately we did hit traffic and it took us 4-1/2 hours to get home but we drove along the cost and could see Nice and Monacco from the clifts so it was worth it. All in all this was one heck of a gift. I really enjoyed myself and can't believe all the beautiful places I am getting to see. I have posted the pics so check them out when you have time.
This message will self destruct in 30 seconds.....
Simpson, Lindsey Simpson...
...Your mission if you choose to accept it is to have a wonderful time in Monte Carlo and Cannes for your birthday.....Do you accept?....Yes.
The Hollywood of France. Monte Carlo was amazing. I have never seen so many expensive sports cars in all my life. I couldn't tell if I was at a car show or a casino. On Saturday morning Andrea came to pick me up and we headed to Monte Carlo. We arrived around 11:30 and had time to visit the royal palace-which was nice but not as elegant as the casino and then went to the cathedral that houses the tomb of Grace Kelly. We ate pizza at a sidewalk cafe along the street where they have the grand prix race every year. We took a walk around the harbor, but unfortunately it was hard to see some of the boats because they were having a VIP yatch show. All the yatchs were for sale so from the bridge we each picked out which one we wanted. We both decided on Lady Anne which was 68m (223 ft)long. After our shopping spree we went to the casino to get the money to pay for our new boat. Woa, can you say underdressed? No matter how cute my tee shirt and jeans were, it just didn't cut it. In order to get on the main floor you had to have a tie if you were a male and a cocktail dress if you were a female. So we decided to go to the slot machine room with the rest of the obvious tourists. We played a few...disappointing because they were all in English and most you can find in Vegas. I lost 10 euros pretty quick but Andy made 16 so we quit while he was ahead. From the casino we decided to head towards Cannes. We stopped in Nice and walked down the main street and the beach. I had an icecream while we sat on the beach. I was in Nice in June but this weekend I saw all new parts and really enjoyed the city. When we got to Cannes it was about 5:30. We checked into our Best Western hotel-exotic I know-and then headed to the main blvd along the sea. We went to the theater where they have the film festival and took pictures with some "stars". After "networking" we found a seafood restaraunt on the strip where I had a piece of Salmon out of this world. While we were eating this family passed the restaraunt and thought I knew them but couldn't place them. After dinner we walked back to the theater and watched street artists paint with spray paint and the same family was also watching. I finally figured out who they were, good friends of Pat and Alberto's, and went up to say hello. The last time I saw them was in May so they were surprised I remembered them...Small world
The next day we slept in until 8:30...which is late for both of us. We found a small bakery by the sea and had french pastries...yumm. Andy really wanted to swim so we went to the sea and he took a bath (that's what Italians call going for a swim in the water and really taking a bath..confusing) while I sat and read my book. We figured we saw most of Cannes so we headed to an old Medival Village, St. Paul de Vence. Che Bello (how beautiful) We both fell in love with the place. He kept saying how he couldn't believe he had never been there before. Most of the shops were art galleries so we spent time looking at the art. We went to the local church and out of all the churches I have seen in Italy I think this is my favorite. I was very suttle in decoration and had small wooden pews. There were three small stain glass windows and some amazing paintings on the stone walls. I didn't take any pictures of it cause I was in awe and forgot. Oops. We had lunch in this tiny cafe in a basement of a store. Really good food and I had my first French crepe..buono. While we were eating we met three people from Boston and then an older couple from Idaho. We wanted to miss traffic so we decided to head back to Torino, even though we both wanted to just stay and open an art gallery for me and a wine shop for him. Unfortunately we did hit traffic and it took us 4-1/2 hours to get home but we drove along the cost and could see Nice and Monacco from the clifts so it was worth it. All in all this was one heck of a gift. I really enjoyed myself and can't believe all the beautiful places I am getting to see. I have posted the pics so check them out when you have time.
This message will self destruct in 30 seconds.....
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Buon Compleanno
Today was one amazing birthday. I figured with age the butterflies would go away but I still was excited like a small child when I woke this morning. I wore a new dress that I brought from the states even though it's just me at the office. I reached my goal and finished the library and finished two of four elevations in the dining room. So I hope to finish that room completely tomorrow but only have three hours tomorrow since I pick the boys up early. For lunch I had left over pasta and the last piece of chocolate cake from last night. I went and got the boys at 4 and had to buy milk so I splurged and bought them a chocolate egg each. When we got home the mail man was delivering packages. He was carrying two and both were for me!! One from my parents and one from my Aunt Diane and Uncle Gary. The boys could hardly wait to get upstairs to open them. My parents gave me a scarf and a purple hat. We all tried it on in the mirror and had a fashion show. My zio and zia gave me a box full of AMERICAN food!! Can you say Mac and Cheese!!? The boys begged me to fix it for dinner but their grandma bought homemade pasta from that pastaria so we had that and fish sticks. I'm turning into a gormet chef :-) We all went to the park and Balbina met me there with her Brazilian friend. He speaks English really well so we had a great conversation. Balbina baked me a chocolate cake!! The boys were really enjoying this birthday. I fixed dinner for the boys and we each had a slice of cake. Like father like daughter: I put my piece in a glass with milk and ate it like that. And just like my dad use to do, I told Fil a bedtime story about one of my adventures on my grandparents farm.
I got this idea to go to Paris for my birthday at teh beginning of Sept. So all month I have been planning and trying to save money. Balbina was going to go but then we found out tickets were 95 euros each way. So Andrea and I were going to go. We were going to take the night train complete with bunks but it was 205 euros one way and 95 back and last night Andrea called and said that he didn't think it was worth all the money just to stay 1-1/2 days. So at the end of Oct there is national holiday and everyone gets 3-4 days off and my parents said I could go then....so keep your fingers crossed that will work out. So my wonderful Paris plans are delayed. I was disappointed and Andrea was like I know we still have to go somewhere this weekend cause you were planning so hard, where would you like to go? I wasn't sure so I told him to come up with something and make the arrangements. So tonight I got the surprise that we are going to Canne France and Montecarlo. He is forgiven for delaying Paris :-) We are leaving at 8 on saturday morning and driving to Canne. We will come back late Sunday. I'm really excited cause I don't really know that much about the two cities except for the film festival and poker. I will take lots of pictures.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am slowing coming off my sugar high so it's time for bed.
Buona Notte Tutti
Lindsey
I got this idea to go to Paris for my birthday at teh beginning of Sept. So all month I have been planning and trying to save money. Balbina was going to go but then we found out tickets were 95 euros each way. So Andrea and I were going to go. We were going to take the night train complete with bunks but it was 205 euros one way and 95 back and last night Andrea called and said that he didn't think it was worth all the money just to stay 1-1/2 days. So at the end of Oct there is national holiday and everyone gets 3-4 days off and my parents said I could go then....so keep your fingers crossed that will work out. So my wonderful Paris plans are delayed. I was disappointed and Andrea was like I know we still have to go somewhere this weekend cause you were planning so hard, where would you like to go? I wasn't sure so I told him to come up with something and make the arrangements. So tonight I got the surprise that we are going to Canne France and Montecarlo. He is forgiven for delaying Paris :-) We are leaving at 8 on saturday morning and driving to Canne. We will come back late Sunday. I'm really excited cause I don't really know that much about the two cities except for the film festival and poker. I will take lots of pictures.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am slowing coming off my sugar high so it's time for bed.
Buona Notte Tutti
Lindsey
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
It's a Wonderful Life
Today was a home run...I'm talking a Barry Bonds smash!! This morning I was suppose to go to the post office for Mathilde (my boss) before work. She told me where it was but that didn't really mean I would be able to find it. I left the house at 8:45 and at 9:20 I still hadn't found the office (and yes I stopped to ask someone but they didn't know). I went to the Polytech University campus because it was rumored that it was located there. It felt nice to be back on a campus early in the early morning like I was going to class. I was even handed a flyer for a student survey. I messaged my boss' au pair to ask her where the office was and I met her at the house so that we could go together. As it turns out the office was at Polytech and was right behind the building where I asked this guy if he knew where it was!! At 10 we headed back to the house/my office but stopped for a cappucino cause we were already late and I usually take coffee at that time. I worked all day on the library of this flat in London. I hope to finish tomorrow and start the dining room. When I got ready to go I went to find the au pair, Barbara cause you have to have the key to open the door from the inside. She was on her way back from downtown so I was locked in the house!! I wasn't too worried yet cause I still had 15 minutes until I had to pick up the boys but I was getting a little antzy (spelling I don't know). I walked around the house to see the rooms. It is an incredible house but is kind of in a sad state cause all the walls need paint and all the furniture looks like it is falling apart. You just get the feeling that the house is frowning at you. I am happy to report that my house is always wearing a smile. It is really homey and full of character.
Alberto's mom met Fil after school and went with us to the park. I really like her and she talks slow so that I can understand her, well at least try. I understand 50% of what she says so not bad. I saw three other Au Pairs in the park and talked with them for awhile. One is from Virginia and is leaving in Oct, but she has been here for over a year. The other is from Cali and one from Ireland. After the park I showed the boys how to make a volcano out of a top of a plastic bottle and vinegar and baking soda...unfortunately it didn't errupt but I guess that's why they call them science experiments...they don't always work. After that I helped them papermache (spelling?) a bottle. Tomorrow we are going to paint it and I might let them wack it with a stick, you know to let out so built up energy or nanny frustration.
Pat came home and fixed my special birthday dinner. We had pasta like linguini with a tomato sauce and sausage. Wow..Wow. Then had a "salad" raw meat with thin sliced parmesaen cheese, salt and pepper and oil. At 9 Christiana from upstairs came and Alberto came home from work. We had my birthday cake and they put two candles and a "3" candle on top and sang Happy Birthday in English while bringing it to the table. They also served a special sparkling white wine cause Alberto knows I love it. I cannot even put in to words what a special moment that was. After making my wish they gave me presents!! :-) Christiana gave me gelatina-small jelly candies shaped like fruit. They are like those orange slices you can get in candy sacks at church. They came from a special shop here that is known for them. Pat and Alberto gave me this green shirt with a green wrap. It is by far the weirdest thing I have every seen and took me, im not kidding, 10 minutes to figure out how to put it on. But even though it is weird I love it. The shirt only has one sleeve and ties on the other side. The green is a mix between emerald and hunter and Alberto was like "wow that is your color". The wrap is the same color but striped and it ties too. I feel like I'm putting on a straight jacket when I put it on but I really do love it and am now super Italian.
It's funny how quick my mood changed. Yesterday I was a little bitter in my blog and now I am suffering from face cramps because I have been smiling for 5 hours straight. It is a Wonderful Life!! Thanks to all of you for being apart of it. Now that I have taken my victory lap around the bases I am heading to the dugout. More to come in tomorrow's game.
Ciao,
PS The blue loo pics and my birthday are on the web so check them out.
Alberto's mom met Fil after school and went with us to the park. I really like her and she talks slow so that I can understand her, well at least try. I understand 50% of what she says so not bad. I saw three other Au Pairs in the park and talked with them for awhile. One is from Virginia and is leaving in Oct, but she has been here for over a year. The other is from Cali and one from Ireland. After the park I showed the boys how to make a volcano out of a top of a plastic bottle and vinegar and baking soda...unfortunately it didn't errupt but I guess that's why they call them science experiments...they don't always work. After that I helped them papermache (spelling?) a bottle. Tomorrow we are going to paint it and I might let them wack it with a stick, you know to let out so built up energy or nanny frustration.
Pat came home and fixed my special birthday dinner. We had pasta like linguini with a tomato sauce and sausage. Wow..Wow. Then had a "salad" raw meat with thin sliced parmesaen cheese, salt and pepper and oil. At 9 Christiana from upstairs came and Alberto came home from work. We had my birthday cake and they put two candles and a "3" candle on top and sang Happy Birthday in English while bringing it to the table. They also served a special sparkling white wine cause Alberto knows I love it. I cannot even put in to words what a special moment that was. After making my wish they gave me presents!! :-) Christiana gave me gelatina-small jelly candies shaped like fruit. They are like those orange slices you can get in candy sacks at church. They came from a special shop here that is known for them. Pat and Alberto gave me this green shirt with a green wrap. It is by far the weirdest thing I have every seen and took me, im not kidding, 10 minutes to figure out how to put it on. But even though it is weird I love it. The shirt only has one sleeve and ties on the other side. The green is a mix between emerald and hunter and Alberto was like "wow that is your color". The wrap is the same color but striped and it ties too. I feel like I'm putting on a straight jacket when I put it on but I really do love it and am now super Italian.
It's funny how quick my mood changed. Yesterday I was a little bitter in my blog and now I am suffering from face cramps because I have been smiling for 5 hours straight. It is a Wonderful Life!! Thanks to all of you for being apart of it. Now that I have taken my victory lap around the bases I am heading to the dugout. More to come in tomorrow's game.
Ciao,
PS The blue loo pics and my birthday are on the web so check them out.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Blue Loo
Ciao Tutti,
I was waiting to write a blog until something really interesting happened and then got overwhelmed in life, before I knew it four days passed. Unfortunately I am still feeling very overwhelmed by my two jobs that are my life. I don't really have any time to do anything else lately. This week I have the boys every night (even my birthday...I know I was sad) except Friday.
My job is going pretty well so far. Tomorrow will be the one week mark. I finished two room elevations and presented them to the client (my boss presented them) and today I worked on the other 4 rooms. My boss told me that she is leaving tomorrow morning and won't be back until next Thursday, so I will be in the office by myself and have a to-do-list longer than my leg. Little bit shocking, but I really feel sorry for their au pair cause she has only been here a week and a half and have her two girls for a week straight without any help. So I guess things could always be worse. My favorite part of my job is the bathroom :-) It is a blue loo. It is a 6' x 6' box that has a sink, toilet, mirror and a drain in the middle. The whole room is a shower too!! It blows my mind everytime I go in there and I love it. Plus the walls and floor are covered in small blue tiles. I will take pictures soon so you can all experience this amazing design.
My other job, being a super hero, is going okay. I am having to fight way more crime than I want to. Fil is starting to be really mean to me everyday because I think he is jealous of my now active social life. On Sunday, Balbina came over and we hung out in my room and then went out for pizza. Andrea and I see each other once or twice a week and Fil is always curious as to where I'm going and what I'm doing. I have made some friends at his school who are american au pairs, so we talk while we wait for the kids. Fil informed me (in a not so nice tone) that I could not talk to these girls but I have to hurry home with him, while carrying his bookbag, so he can go to the park with his friends. To his dismay I like my social life and will continue to practice it.
Tomorrow we are going to have a family dinner to celebrate my birhtday cause the parents are going out on Thursday (my actual birthday) I was sad that I can't go out with my friends or anything but oh well maybe I'll celebrate by watching a disney movie with the boys :-) That really does sound fun cause I brought all of my favorite ones on DVD.
I will let you know when I get the blue loo on the web
I was waiting to write a blog until something really interesting happened and then got overwhelmed in life, before I knew it four days passed. Unfortunately I am still feeling very overwhelmed by my two jobs that are my life. I don't really have any time to do anything else lately. This week I have the boys every night (even my birthday...I know I was sad) except Friday.
My job is going pretty well so far. Tomorrow will be the one week mark. I finished two room elevations and presented them to the client (my boss presented them) and today I worked on the other 4 rooms. My boss told me that she is leaving tomorrow morning and won't be back until next Thursday, so I will be in the office by myself and have a to-do-list longer than my leg. Little bit shocking, but I really feel sorry for their au pair cause she has only been here a week and a half and have her two girls for a week straight without any help. So I guess things could always be worse. My favorite part of my job is the bathroom :-) It is a blue loo. It is a 6' x 6' box that has a sink, toilet, mirror and a drain in the middle. The whole room is a shower too!! It blows my mind everytime I go in there and I love it. Plus the walls and floor are covered in small blue tiles. I will take pictures soon so you can all experience this amazing design.
My other job, being a super hero, is going okay. I am having to fight way more crime than I want to. Fil is starting to be really mean to me everyday because I think he is jealous of my now active social life. On Sunday, Balbina came over and we hung out in my room and then went out for pizza. Andrea and I see each other once or twice a week and Fil is always curious as to where I'm going and what I'm doing. I have made some friends at his school who are american au pairs, so we talk while we wait for the kids. Fil informed me (in a not so nice tone) that I could not talk to these girls but I have to hurry home with him, while carrying his bookbag, so he can go to the park with his friends. To his dismay I like my social life and will continue to practice it.
Tomorrow we are going to have a family dinner to celebrate my birhtday cause the parents are going out on Thursday (my actual birthday) I was sad that I can't go out with my friends or anything but oh well maybe I'll celebrate by watching a disney movie with the boys :-) That really does sound fun cause I brought all of my favorite ones on DVD.
I will let you know when I get the blue loo on the web
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Simpsons
Thursday was another good day at work. I got connected to the server and began working on drawing elevations for a flat in London. The plans are already finished but I am adding details to the elevations and making sure they match the floorplan. It took my most of the day to get connected to the server but are tech support guy is amazing!! He is located in London but we talked over skype and he installed this software that allows him to work on my computer. Technology amazes me. After work I picked up the boys and took them to the park were they played for a couple of hours while I continued to practice my Italian with my two grandmother friends. One of them tells me a new recipe everyday and I try to remember it just in case I cook.
After the park I got the boys ready for dinner because there aunt and uncle took them to dinner....this means I had two hours of freedom!! I cooked this amazing meal for myself, eggplant and bowtie pasta with tomatoe/pesto sauce,listened to this amazing piano player on a cd and ate my meal out on the patio. After I cleaned the kitchen I took a hot shower and got ready for bed. The boys showed up right at nine and I got them ready for bed (not an easy task but all in a days work) and then went to bed too.
Friday was a ver relaxed day at work because my boss was out of the office and I only work 3 hours on Mon and Friday. I finished working on the kitchen elevations and started on the laundry room. I picked the boys up at 1 and fixed lunch for Fil and myself (Ruggie eats at school) Pat came home early to fix a special dinner for a business meeting so I had help with the boys. Even though Pat is in the house this makes my job a little harder because the boys are meaner (yeah sometimes it's hard to believe) when their parents are around. To escape the abuse I took Ruggie to Blockbuster so that he could rent a movie for that night while their parents had their special dinner. I ate a small dinner with the boys (an amazing chop of fresh tuna and lemon....I love the food here) and then headed out for the evening. Andrea picked me up at 9 and we went to The Simpsons movie. This was opening night for the movie so the theater was packed but luckily you have assigned seats in Italy so no worries. I really enjoyed this film because all these Italians laughing at American pop culture and cheering and clapping. Andrea translated a bit but for the most part I understood everything. After the movie we went to an Irish pub to hang out some more. The pub is a popular hang out for English speaking students at the two universities so it was interesting to hear so much English in one place.
Today (saturday) I slept in and had the boys for the morning. Fil was being a punk again and I decided to give him the silent treatment until he starts treating me right. I have continued it for the weekend so I will let you know how effective it is. This afternoon I met a new au pair, my boss' from Cezch Republic downtown. We walked around the center for awhile and then went to this graphically pleasing pizzaria. The walls were covered with weird pictures of movie stars and accents of red were everywhere. Definately my new favorite place-visually. But the pizza was really good too. Afterwards we went to GROM and walked back to our homes-not very far away. We had a great conversation and have a new friend :-)
Not sure what my plans are going to be for tomorrow but don't worry I will let you know. By the way I love the title of this blog because it is so misleading. You don't know if I will talk about my family, Bart's, Jessica's, or OJ's.
After the park I got the boys ready for dinner because there aunt and uncle took them to dinner....this means I had two hours of freedom!! I cooked this amazing meal for myself, eggplant and bowtie pasta with tomatoe/pesto sauce,listened to this amazing piano player on a cd and ate my meal out on the patio. After I cleaned the kitchen I took a hot shower and got ready for bed. The boys showed up right at nine and I got them ready for bed (not an easy task but all in a days work) and then went to bed too.
Friday was a ver relaxed day at work because my boss was out of the office and I only work 3 hours on Mon and Friday. I finished working on the kitchen elevations and started on the laundry room. I picked the boys up at 1 and fixed lunch for Fil and myself (Ruggie eats at school) Pat came home early to fix a special dinner for a business meeting so I had help with the boys. Even though Pat is in the house this makes my job a little harder because the boys are meaner (yeah sometimes it's hard to believe) when their parents are around. To escape the abuse I took Ruggie to Blockbuster so that he could rent a movie for that night while their parents had their special dinner. I ate a small dinner with the boys (an amazing chop of fresh tuna and lemon....I love the food here) and then headed out for the evening. Andrea picked me up at 9 and we went to The Simpsons movie. This was opening night for the movie so the theater was packed but luckily you have assigned seats in Italy so no worries. I really enjoyed this film because all these Italians laughing at American pop culture and cheering and clapping. Andrea translated a bit but for the most part I understood everything. After the movie we went to an Irish pub to hang out some more. The pub is a popular hang out for English speaking students at the two universities so it was interesting to hear so much English in one place.
Today (saturday) I slept in and had the boys for the morning. Fil was being a punk again and I decided to give him the silent treatment until he starts treating me right. I have continued it for the weekend so I will let you know how effective it is. This afternoon I met a new au pair, my boss' from Cezch Republic downtown. We walked around the center for awhile and then went to this graphically pleasing pizzaria. The walls were covered with weird pictures of movie stars and accents of red were everywhere. Definately my new favorite place-visually. But the pizza was really good too. Afterwards we went to GROM and walked back to our homes-not very far away. We had a great conversation and have a new friend :-)
Not sure what my plans are going to be for tomorrow but don't worry I will let you know. By the way I love the title of this blog because it is so misleading. You don't know if I will talk about my family, Bart's, Jessica's, or OJ's.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
In Deep End Without Floaties
Hey everyone, sorry for the mini vacation on blogging...okay here's a brief recap of what has happened in two days.
Yesterday was my last day of "freedom" before I started my design job. I spent most of it watching "American Idol" reruns on Youtube (my addiction). I know that sounds lame but I was trying to be lazy and it sounded fun. At 5:30 I took the boys to a stationary store to buy their school supplies. The shop is a hole in the wall run by this nice man named Mossimo. The store was so crowded with parents and kids that there was a line going outside. After waiting our turn we bought all the essentials we needed and headed home. Pat and Alberto planned to go bike riding for an hour so they entrusted dinner to me. I have cooked for the boys before and make my lunches but I wasn't really prepared to make dinner for the whole family especially when the menu was already set. Alberto told me to cook roast beef, zucchini and pasta with pesto. I was scared cause I've never cooked roast beef, but Alberto TOLD me to cook it for one hour. When they got back from their ride dinner was served...kind of. I made just enough pasta for the boys but they wanted more and were mad that I didn't fix more (Cinderella apologized), the zucchini shrank so there was only enough for Pat and Alberto and one small serving each, and turns out that the roast beef was only suppose to be cooked for 20 minutes not an hour!! But I still testify Alberto told me an hour...suprisingly enough the meat wasn't too tough just more than they prefer. I only ate a banana because I had planned to go running with Andrea. So my first experience with cooking for all of them was like swimming in the deep end without floaties for the first time; I didn't drown just a little water logged. While they ate I met Andrea and we went for a run through the park. This was amazing therapy because the cooking stressed me out so it was nice to run it off. We ran for thirty minutes (I know I was a little suprised myself) and then we walked for awhile to cool down. By the time I got back it was time to go to bed and get ready for my new job.
My first day of work was great. Even though I didn't do much design work it still felt good to be in a design studio (nothing like the smell of fabric samples in the morning....) I spent most of the day trying to get logged onto the server and am still not connected. I love my Mac but it makes it very hard because the rest of the world still uses Windows....but if they only knew how amazing Macs are...enough preaching....I was briefed on what projects are being worked on and what exactly I will be doing. I am excited beacuse I actually get to help design several projects as well as do all the finish work for an exisiting project, not to mention all the final drawings for a flat in London. I can tell that I am going to be very busy but I will get some great experience.
After work I took the boys to the park and sat with Nonna Deana and another Nonna. I love hanging out with them (even though I don't always understand them) because I feel like I am in a Woody Allen movie or something. They are your sterotypical Italian grandmothers; fast talking-hand waving-loud laughing women. I know that life is a race and we are all running after the prize but after today I learned that the pace of the marathon was turned up a notch. I am turning in early tonight so I can function tomorrow and finish the day with a decent lap time.
Yesterday was my last day of "freedom" before I started my design job. I spent most of it watching "American Idol" reruns on Youtube (my addiction). I know that sounds lame but I was trying to be lazy and it sounded fun. At 5:30 I took the boys to a stationary store to buy their school supplies. The shop is a hole in the wall run by this nice man named Mossimo. The store was so crowded with parents and kids that there was a line going outside. After waiting our turn we bought all the essentials we needed and headed home. Pat and Alberto planned to go bike riding for an hour so they entrusted dinner to me. I have cooked for the boys before and make my lunches but I wasn't really prepared to make dinner for the whole family especially when the menu was already set. Alberto told me to cook roast beef, zucchini and pasta with pesto. I was scared cause I've never cooked roast beef, but Alberto TOLD me to cook it for one hour. When they got back from their ride dinner was served...kind of. I made just enough pasta for the boys but they wanted more and were mad that I didn't fix more (Cinderella apologized), the zucchini shrank so there was only enough for Pat and Alberto and one small serving each, and turns out that the roast beef was only suppose to be cooked for 20 minutes not an hour!! But I still testify Alberto told me an hour...suprisingly enough the meat wasn't too tough just more than they prefer. I only ate a banana because I had planned to go running with Andrea. So my first experience with cooking for all of them was like swimming in the deep end without floaties for the first time; I didn't drown just a little water logged. While they ate I met Andrea and we went for a run through the park. This was amazing therapy because the cooking stressed me out so it was nice to run it off. We ran for thirty minutes (I know I was a little suprised myself) and then we walked for awhile to cool down. By the time I got back it was time to go to bed and get ready for my new job.
My first day of work was great. Even though I didn't do much design work it still felt good to be in a design studio (nothing like the smell of fabric samples in the morning....) I spent most of the day trying to get logged onto the server and am still not connected. I love my Mac but it makes it very hard because the rest of the world still uses Windows....but if they only knew how amazing Macs are...enough preaching....I was briefed on what projects are being worked on and what exactly I will be doing. I am excited beacuse I actually get to help design several projects as well as do all the finish work for an exisiting project, not to mention all the final drawings for a flat in London. I can tell that I am going to be very busy but I will get some great experience.
After work I took the boys to the park and sat with Nonna Deana and another Nonna. I love hanging out with them (even though I don't always understand them) because I feel like I am in a Woody Allen movie or something. They are your sterotypical Italian grandmothers; fast talking-hand waving-loud laughing women. I know that life is a race and we are all running after the prize but after today I learned that the pace of the marathon was turned up a notch. I am turning in early tonight so I can function tomorrow and finish the day with a decent lap time.
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