il tempo qui e' matto.

we have had some CRAZY weather here recently.

for example, below is a picture taken as we walked into school last thursday 9th december.

that is fog. or, really, it's a giant and very thick cloud. i DROVE up the mountain in that cloud. that was the opposite of fun. 

to show you how thick the cloud actually is, here is a similar picture taken the same distance away from the front entrance of school but in clear weather. 

italian culture: in a nutshell.

we found this vending machine in our neighborhood -- just off the main piazza san giaccomo. it's inside a "free wifi hotspot" which contains only a few countertops and this machine (and apparently, free wifi).

in case you can't see clearly, this vending machine contains: illy coffee, beer, tomato sauce, olive oil, pasta, salt, milk, cookies, toilet paper, nutella, brioche, pesto, condoms, feminine pads, diapers, and pregnancy tests. 

all your basic necessities. 

x!

the drama of elementary school.

today, i had a discussion with a 9-year-old during recess. she was upset because her "friends" were about to tell a boy that she had a crush on him.  when the secret-telling issue was resolved, she and i were chatting and she just let it out to me.  she was upset because:

he used to be my boyfriend but then he left me for another girl. and now, he's always with his arm around another girl.  
so why do you like him then? he sounds a little bit mean.
but i know he has a good side.
he doesn't seem to be showing it very often...
if he would just give me a chance, though, i know i could bring it out of him.

oh mamma mia..... where to even begin...

the most beautiful sunset i have ever seen

9 december 2010

view from opicina down to the waterfront. after 29 days of rain, i forgot what these looked like.

and then the clouds parted.

today was an excellent day!  after 29 days of rain (literally) the clouds broke and yesterday and today were beautifully clear.  although i'm in bed with a box of tissues about to watch love acctually and nap in an attempt to rid my body of a yucky illness,  i am loving life.

after all the rain, today was like a breath of fresh air.  walking around in town, taking in all of the christmas decorations and the winter air, we all looked at the city in a new light.  it's days like today that make me love this city. 

view from the pier looking back at piazza unita'

we had a delicious picnic nel molo in front of piazza unita during the sunset, featuring vino rosso and fresh cheeses from a nearby tent and as lizzy's boyfriend, A, opened the wine he said, you know, it's really comforting to know that here in italy, even though no one will ever be on time to anything and nothing will be open when you want it to be, there will always be good food and wine that is easily accessible. 

and that is so true.

beautiful sunset, beautiful people.

x

this has gotta be the good life

please tell me, what is there to complain about?



[i learned how to embed!]

the wednesday evening that was v's birthday eve.

[background info: after school on wednesdays, V teaches piano and then goes to tutor. she arrives back in san giaccamo (our neighborhood) around 7 and goes to hang out with sara for a little bit. tonight is noche latina (!!) at our fave posta, ZOE and it begins at 8. all three of us (me, lizzy and v) arrive home at approxomately the same time - 650 - and the following is what ensues]

me:  hello!

veronica is making an egg to eat

she says to tell you that she was just kidding about coming early

and is wondering if you could/would come over here instead? because she's running late.

 Sent at 7:01 PM on Wednesday

 Sara:  haha,

i can go over there, thats fine...

 Sent at 7:10 PM on Wednesday

 me:  she overplans. she also wants to leave for salsa at zoe by 830. is that ok? she's sorry, by the way, she has no phone credit

she's sitting right next to me, narrating (and inhaling her egg) while i type.

 Sara:  yea thats fine...

haha

will you tell her that i also forgot to finish the chapter...haha

i just realized that.

 me:  haha, no worries. she thinks she still has like a day to go, too

she says you can just hang out

 Sara:  ok.

me there or her here?

 me:  do you want to come salsa? at zoe? should we jsut cancel?

(i'm just typing the words from her verbatim now)

sorry i'm scattered

haha

(with mouth full)

 Sent at 7:15 PM on Wednesday

 Sara:  hahaha this is funny.

i dont think i'll go to zoe...but we can reschedule if you want...

me:  hahaha yes, it's amusing to us as well

"you know me, i have a thousand thoughts at once and they never complete and rarely go together. but i love her! and i want to hang out! so whatever works, works.

"

"ok, is she coming over? what am i doing? i guess i need to change. i don't know what i'm doing"

 Sara:  HAHAHA

liz.  tell me.  am i coming over or not?

 me:  "i like what we're studying this week. we're talking about the names of God"

"one of the names is [incomprehensible]. it's pretty sweet."

"wait, are you typing? what are you typing? ooooh this should be a blog post."

wait, what?! the middle man has to decide?!

 Sara:  incomprehesible.  HAHAHA

 me:  "um ask her if she wants to go..... yeah."

"wait, i didn't finish talking"

"yeah, does she want to come over? oh i need to change. i'm going to change really quick."

 Sara:  i wish i were experiencing this craziness in person.  haha.

 me:  (smell of burning in the kitchen. lizzy saying "oh shoot. damnit." in the background)

 Sara:  i'll just come over.  just for kicks.  im in my pjs.  and ill bring chips and salsa

 me:  ok. here are the decisions i'm making

yes

 Sara:  HAHAHAHAHAHA

 me:  come over

bring chips and salsa

i'm opening a bottle of wine

she'll make you hot chocolate

we'll all hang out

 Sara:  haha ok see you in a minute

DONE!!!!!!

me:  yay!

 Sara:  hot chocolate!!!!!!!!

then: lizzy commences to lament about her burnt dinner. veronica comments that it's smoky upstairs in her bedroom when she goes up to change (oops, says lizzy), sara walks over in the bora, and i pour the vino.

happy wednesday! xx