"Grazie per ongi singolo momento nostro"

It’s strange to think that this time next week I will be back in the United States (not at home because we are moving my dad to Shreveport, but the States none the less).  I am having trouble figuring out how I am going to adjust being back, even though I have only been here 2 and a half months, this has become normal for me.  First off my house is going to be so empty (when I finally make it home) because my dad won’t be there, my brother will still be at debate camp, I won’t have the Sabatos.  Even though my dogs tend have outbursts of barking fits, it won’t be the same as Roberto’s “MAAAAA!!!”, the blaring of Riccardo’s music, Maralia on the phone walking around the apartment, and Lello’s “CIAO Lindz!”.  Second I will be able to understand everything that is said around me when I go to the mall or to a restaurant (can you say English overload?).  Third I won’t have the sea, the Nicholson’s pool will have to do J.  On the other hand I will get to have Pei Wei and Fantastic China again, lentil soup and hummus (from work), CHIPS AND SALSA.  Oh and I guess it will be good to hangout with my family and friends again.  J

And as my trip is winding down (seriously I feel like I am in like a vortex of time right now) I have been doing so much reflecting on this summer.  It has definitely been a rollercoaster, but the kind that my uncle would take us on, at Silver Dollar City, over and over again if the line was short enough because we loved it that much.  Today I have 5 days left, it feels like yesterday that I had just a week till I was supposed to arrive! It feels like yesterday that I got off the airplane in Naples and saw Maralia’s shining happy face waving at me.  It seems like yesterday that I walked into the house to big hugs from Roberto and Riccardo.  It seems like yesterday that I sat in the car with Lello talking about my Italian lessons for the summer.  I am a major homebody, I love my family very much and I don’t like being away from them, but this summer that went away (for the most part) because an equally amazing family surrounded me.  (I may or may not be bawling my eyes right now).

My whole life I grew up hearing stories about my “Italian family”. They were sort of like “rock stars” or mythical, magical beings in my mind. I just couldn’t wait til I finally got to meet them.  Then in 2007 I finally met them and I loved them instantly.  They maybe weren’t rock stars or mythical beings, but they were real and they were faces to put with all the stories.  Now after spending the summer with them they really are family.  I am so lucky to have them. 

Roberto:  I don’t know if everyone knows that my brother is my best friend.  We do almost everything together.  I think it was almost the hardest to be away from him this summer.  He is the one that gives me new music, shows me the funny videos on you-tube, tells me how it is, (he never sugar coats anything for me).  This was Roberto this summer.  It’s hard to describe, but I just clicked with him.  He made it easier for me to be away from William.  I mean down to introducing me to new songs (some being American songs) that I hadn’t heard to the “no Lindsay…no” (usually that kind of honesty would hurt my feelings, but for some reason I could take it from him).  So many beach trips, walks on the Villa, tuna fish and tomato sandwiches, “Lindsay make up your mind now”…”hurry up!”, the best bear hugs, and “saving” my life multiple times. When Zio Lello brought up the idea of Roberto coming home with me for a few weeks this summer, even though he didn’t want to (and I completely understand) I was pretty excited about the idea (that flight is too long for anyone to have to do by themselves, that’s really the only reason I wanted him to come ;)) Ti volgio bene sir :] I’ll miiiiiiiisssssss youuuuu! 

 Roberto and me :] 

Riccardo:  I have found my best friend.  Seriously.  I don’t even know where to begin with all the things that he and I think are so funny that no one else would get. Such as walking down the street singing about what we were doing or using the “William Tell Overture” not only for the motorbike theme song, but also as a theme for just about everything we did. We made up “itinglish” which is what we spoke most of the time.  There were so many times that I just needed a hug and I knew that I could go and get one from him.  I have been to the library more in Castllammare with him than I have been to the library in Little Rock ever.  I was introduced to the cappucione and Kung-fu Panda (two of my new favorite things).  There were a few days in a row that I didn’t see him and my day felt incomplete, just meaning that every other day we were joined at the hips.  I am going to save you all and not post all the inside jokes because there are so many.  Your welcome.  Kung-fu love and Kung-fu miss you already.  

Riccaro and me at the Harry Potter movie (yes...in italian)

 

Maralia:  What and extrodinary lady! I have been so blessed to spend so much time with her.  She has been my mom away from mom this summer, starting with helping me decide which dress to buy to trying to get a splinter out of my foot.  We went on many walks, shopping together (she has a great style), we painted our nails together (we tried to paint one of my hands with stripes like on the American flag for the 4^th of July), we went to the beach countless of times (she tans a lot easier than I do, like my mom), we studied together (she studied English and I studied Italian and we spoke to each other in those languages) we ate so much ice cream together (it is very hot here, you have to eat ice cream everyday to cool off ;])  we laughed together (again too many jokes to try and sum up here).  I am going to miss her so much to say the least.  

Me and Maralia!

Zio Lello:  I wouldn’t be here if Lello hadn’t of decided to study abroad all those years ago :] I can’t even begin to start thanking him for this experience. Non ci sono parole. I not only I learned some Italian this summer, I learned some English words (the one’s that only our grandparents still use hahaha!) and I learned where a lot of words come from (latin, greek).  With the help of Zio Lello I spoke in front of group of people in (not great) Italian, but I didn’t back down (which was a big deal for me, because I don’t even like doing that in English).  Really I was just plain lucky to be in the presence of such a remarkable man and be able to call him “zio”.  Again thank you so much for this summer! 

(I don't have a picture of Zio Lello yet)

I AM SO SAD, but I am trying to optimistic. I get to see my family, help my dad move into his new house. Spend a week with just my mom. WILLIAM WILL FINALLY GET HOME.  I am just going to miss my Italian family and friends so much.  This summer really has been the summer of my life! I have a wonderful time and been so blessed to get to spend it with all of these great people. :] Vi voglio bene!!

ciao a tutti!!!

Ciao!!! Io sono vivo!!! io sono stato molto occupato!...allora...hey everyone! I am so sorry for being absent for almost the whole month! I have been doing so much that it is has been hard to find time to sit down and write about it all! I may not be very eloquent now, but I am going to try and summarize everything.

The food:  I have had pizza everyday for a week...only skipping one day.  One morning I even had it for breakfast. :] I am going to get home and not know what to do if we aren't eating pizza! But seriously the pizza here is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted, having it everyday is not problem! I just want to make sure everyone knows I am not complaining, just informing.  There is one that has ham, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and this green leafy thing on it. I could eat a whole meter of that by myself! Its fantastic. 

I love that we have pasta everyday for lunch. It is a different pasta everyday!  It's my own heaven.  I found out the other day that Riccardo (one of the sons that I am living with) doesn't care much for pasta!?! I nearly had a heart attack...I don't understand how you can be Italian and not like pasta! I like it enough for the both of us though. 

Ice cream.  There is a new ice cream shop literally downstairs from the apartment.  I have only been once...but it just opened. I have a feeling they will know me by the end of the summer.  We eat ice cream almost everyday at the house.  It gets so hot during the day, and even with all the doors and windows open we are all sweating, so ice cream is the only solution to cool off. Again I am not complaining. 

The Beach:  Now I don't want to make anyone jealous (maybe just a little jealous!) but just to sum this up my birthday was 7 days ago I have been to the beach 6 of those days this week.  No big deal! I am still one of the palest people here. The difference is that they are all this nice olive color...I just turn red.  There is not much more to report about the beach: I go. I sit. I get hot and go get in the water. I sit. I get back in the water. I sit. We go shower off. I sit. We leave.  It is also fantastic! So relaxing.  I want to be a professional beach bum. 

The Events:  These are going to be hard to go back and talk about.  The past 2 weeks I have been to two birthday parties (one was my own), a day on the boat, a few name day(omnastico) parties, a "class reunion", and an AFS gathering.  There are pictures of all of these things, I can't really describe them all.  I have met some of the most amazing people here and getting to hangout with all of them is so much fun!

Last night was the AFS gathering where Lello (the dad) spoke about when he was in the U.S staying with my dad and his family.  After Lello spoke he wanted me to say a few words in Italian to everyone...I would like to let everyone know that I am not a fan of speaking in English to a group of people this big...so saying it was scary was an understatement. But I didn't back out, and though it did not go as well as i would have liked it to, I can at least say that I did it.  It was a "growing experience" as my mom would say. 


I cannot believe that it is already the 1st of July.  I am not ready for this month to be here! There is so much I still want to do...but I do miss my family and friends very much.  I have said it before yall just need to come to Italy. It would make this so much easier! :] I hope everyone has a great day (week or month...depending when my next post is :) hahaha!) 


Ciao a tutti!!! Vi voglio bene (i think that is right?)!!!

 I have gotten so bad at posting! I have just been so busy! I don't even know where to start! My fantasitc adventure gets better and better everyday.  I am  still not very good at the language, but I can understand more and more everyday. Sometimes I even try to speak, ma l'italano e' molto dificile.

I cannot begin to say how thankful I am for this experience.  I have said it before and I will say it again: this has been the best decision that I have ever made.  Being here has taught me so much and introduced me to some of the greatest people! (I am getting a little mushy, I will save the rest of that for my last post).

I have some pictures here from the last few weeks, they are not nearly all of them but they are just an idea of what I have been up to. This one is of me and one of the cousins (I say one of them because there are so many!) Fulvio.  Our birthdays are very close together and he won't be here for either of them, so we had a birthday night.  This is us "blowing out our candle". 

Me in front of some pretty sweet graffiti. 

This is me and my Italian cousin Riccardo at the beach and in the convertible on the way to the beach. 

Me and my italian cousin Roberto!

Me at the beach! It is so beautiful!! I could live on the beach.

Fulvio, me and Roberto eating pizza for Roberto's uncles birthday!

I love these girls!! Me and Luisa and Mariapia at a restaurant in Sorento, one of the towns around Naples.

Me and Mariateresa after having pizza.  The background was so beautiful, but it was too dark!

Me in front of a church in Pompei.

I have been to so many birthday parties this past month, have had so many pizzas, ice creams, coffees, trips to the sea. I could describe each one of them in great detail and length, but that would take forever, so what I will say is that the people are wonderful, the pizza is fantastic, the ice cream is phenomenal, the coffee is terrific, and the sea is memorizing.  I am in love with this country.

I miss my family and friends terribly. So here is the deal y'all just come here and live in Italy. See you when you get here!!

ciao ciao, Lindz

Soak it up.

I am currently sitting out, doing my new favorite thing (besides shopping and eating ice cream), which is being outside enjoying the breeze, listening to the horns honking, and soaking up the wonderful sun.  I love being up this high on the balcony, so that i can watch all the people buzzing around under me.  I've started playing a game with myself, imagining where they are going, what they are going to do, who are they meeting.  It is a very entertaining past time!

 I finally got to go to the beach! I was so excited! I really think that I belong in a place this close to the sea.  There were huge stones that we layed out on instead of that obnoxious sand that gets everywhere :] I even got in the water at one point...which was incredibly cold...but it was so worth it.  Im trying to think of words that could describe it properly for you.  Bright. Salty.  Breezy.  Breathtaking (refering to the veiw and the cold water).

Yesterday started the speaking to me only in Italian (at least at the house)! EEk! I think that this is clearly the only way I will learn the language though! And I think it won't be as scary as I was thinking that it would be! I mean all of these people are speaking to me in English to me I should at least try to speak the language of the country I am staying in.  So I will keep you updated on how that is going! Haha! 

I hope all of you are having great weeks!!

ciao, Lindz

Pictures

 

 One night we went out and had such a good dinner of fish :] We all looked very lovely if I can say so myself. 

And these girls are so amazing! 

 

 

  

 I think it must be something that runs in the family, because these guys are all pretty amazing!

 Best. Cake. EVER.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIATERESA!!!

Again, I love these girls!!! Luisa and her sister (the two girls in the middle) had us over for pizza! It was so sweet!

People Watching

I went to Naples at about 930 this morning (I figured it would be a lot better than just sitting around in the apartment).  At first i was just sitting at a little coffee bar at the university reading.  It was pleasant.  Then as we moved locations, I decided to explore a little bit.  It was so beautiful outside today (and it was nice to walk in the sun considering that I am constantly reminded of how pale I am).  I walked around the university, because of my awesome (not) directional senses I didn't want to go too far.  I just walked around the block a few times and window shopped and after I finally got the courage to walk into a store and ask to try on a shoe (which have become my weakness) speaking in my way less than perfect Italian (no parlo Italiano...si beige...cuaranto...).  Then sitting out on the steps of the university I was listening to bits of Italian around me, cheerful greetings and such, and thinking to myself that it is amazing how many people I know that keep walking past me. More than once i almost yelled out someone's name, quickly remembering where I wa and instantly thanking God that I had not just been that crazy American shouting at random passerbys.


I had a post written for a couple of days ago, but of course I forgot to save it...so to sum it all up:

1. I am having an amazing time.
2. I am eating amazing food.
3. I have made some really,really awesome friends.


I miss all of you very, very much and I think of you often, but i think that this trip has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It has taught me so much already and made me really think about a lot of things.

I will post more pictures soon!! 

ciao Lindz

more pictures

There was a beautiful view behind us...but you are stuck with just a beautiful picture of us instead thanks to the flash!











One night we were just taking a walk by the sea and i just looked over and saw this. It is just the most beautiful mix of colors! I kept saying to the guys i was walking with that they were so lucky to live in a place this beautiful!

Me and Giovanna at her graduation! ( I didn't get any pictures of the cap that there families or friends make them, but i will see if I can maybe steal a picture from someone!)

 On the way back from the graduation! We were being taken to another car, so we had to fit 5 people in the back seat for a brief ride.  It was cramped but we managed.

 Me and my "cousin" Riccardo at a birthday dinner! We got to listen to some really wonderful singers!

Riccardo and me with Damiano and his girlfriend Stefania! (Damiano is the birthday boy)!

More of the group from the party.

 This was the graduation party that i went to for Giovanna! It was really funny to watch the food tables.  Every time they brought out food, it would be gone within 3 minutes. No joke! 

Again at the party! Everyone looked so beautiful! :)

busy busy week :)

ciao a tutti :) see im learning! Mi sto diventendo molto!! ok ok so i would like to apollogize for not being very active this week (if I had written earlier yall would have heard a lot about how i was sitting on the couch studying).  I  was waiting for something really interesting to awe you all with...which happened yesterday! I was invited to attend a graduation (I am trying to think of a  good word to use for it since it wasnt really a ceremony) event of a friend here.  I was expecting the whole cap and gown ordeal that we have in the states, and when I asked about this I was quickly told that it was nothing like that at all. I am going to explain this the best way I can from hearing others explain it and also sitting through it (though my little knowledge of the italian language did not help me much in this setting).  What really happens is that the graduate is being examed.  They are called up on stage (where a row of teachers is sitting) two at a time to defend their final projects.  The teachers may ask them some questions, and then after their presentation they are to wait (about half an hour) to then hear what their final points are.  And after that is the celebration of the friends and family who have gathered to share in this event.  Having gone to graduation ceremonies in the states, it was a strange (but education and even fun) experience to get to witness.  My favorite part was after the grades were annoucned the graduate is given a cap (made by a family member or a friend) to get to wear in pictures.  It was really neat.
On the way to the ceremony I got to ride the train from Castllemmare to Naples, and intead of taking the train that goes straight there, we took the train that winds along beside the sea.  It was so beautiful! And if you donàt already know i love trains! (ask me about that story sometime).  But really trains are not bad and I had great company. 
I have a few parties that i am attending this weekend (which with some help from some very lovely ladies i think i will be dressed appropriately for...we will see) and I have a lot of italian to catch up on. I have been told that i have 3 or 4 more days of engish speaking before i am cut off and will be speaking only in italian! Pray for me please.
I hope you are all doing well and i promise i will do better at writting!!
ciao ciao!
lindz

 The first night! :)

 The view outside of my room.

 My new favorite thing to do!

 Soccer game...I did not play.

 Confirmation party.

That's Julio with the HUGE smile. He was so funny!

By the sea :] I am planning on stealing a boat soon, I want to go sailing so bad! :] haha!

I am going to try my best to summarize my last two days! As you can imagine it is pretty hard to put into words what i am feeling! Though, I am still having the most amazing time here (if any of you were worried that i wasn't)!! Yesterday I spent some time on the balcony (I'll stop talking about the balcony just as soon as it stops being so awesome! haha!) just soaking up the sun.  And I was corrected, when I look out of my window I am looking out at the SEA not the OCEAN, just to clarify. While i was sitting out there i was studying some Italian, which i am still so bad at, but hey i have only been here 5 days...fingers crossed I will be AMAZING just in time to come home and forget it all! I was also watching (so creepy! maybe observing is a better word?) all the people in the apartments under me.  There were ladies hanging laundry, boys kicking a soccer (football), one old man just sitting out (like me) with his feet propped up. (The man's wife came out and kissed his head and patted his face, it was really the sweetest thing.) 
One of the things that I have really loved getting to do here is meeting all of these wonderful people.  These are some of the most genuinely friendly and welcoming people I have ever come in contact with.  I mean, i knew that I wouldn't be completely shunned while i was here, but I also thought that some people would get very tired having to "deal" with me.  Its not easy to say everything twice, and the second time being in a different language, but everyone is so patient with me and i am so grateful for that!
Last night i got to go and see a friend of the family's sing in a sort of Karaoke competition (for those of you from Little Rock think of Buffalo Wild Wings, except with good singers.  Though I would have to say that, besides the family friend, my favorite was the old lady that was more concerned with moving her hips and twirling in circles rather than singing :]). The friend (Stefania) won!! It was so much fun to get to be apart of that!!
Now, I am pretty sure i am the biggest nerd in the whole world (or at least in American and Italy), but i get so excited anytime anyone mentions riding a motorbike.  I don't know why, but I just get such a rush when I ride one and I love it.  So today I finally got to ride on one! (Don't worry Mamma Mia Raffaele is a good driver and i was wearing a helmet!!) We rode through town, down the sea walk and back around.  (Gabby, I got some pictures too! I'm up to at least 12 haha!) Favorite new past time! I think i am going to have to learn how to drive one when i get home! :]
I miss all of you from the states, but you may have to come and drag me from here by the end of the summer! I don't think I will come willingly! I hope all of you have a great day!

ciao ciao :)
lindz

I don't have a window in my room at home. I know it seems a little silly, but growing up i was always a little envious of people who did. I didn't ever spend a lot of time dwelling on it, but if it came up i thought about it.  Now here I not only have a WINDOW but  i have a whole BALCONY. No big deal.  The past 3 nights I have gotten accustomed to sleeping with the door open, so every morning i wake up to the most beautiful scene.  I am going to have to upload a picture because no amount of descriptive words would be able to describe what I get to see EVERY MORNING (really every time i walk into my room). I am in awe of this place, and i know it comes from living in a landlocked state.  I mean don't get me wrong, the Arkansas River can be beautiful, but it being just a river, can't even hold a flame to the ocean.  I get to see sailboats every morning! I know that if i lived here i wouldn't even care, I feel like my Italian friends (maybe even the American friends too) are like "they are just sailboats..." but its just one of those things that makes me think that I take so much for granted in my own life and now i am trying to just sit back and take everything in.  I am going to say this so many times this summer, but i really am so blessed and so lucky to even be here to experience this beautiful place. 


Side note:  I had the best chocolate cake i have ever experienced in my life last night. mmmm! And my gelato count is now up to 2 in 2 days :] summer of 192837412903874 pounds here i come! hahaha! 


lindz

Just a sunset. :)

The Country That Never Sleeps

Everyday i spend here i get more and more confident in the fact that America (or at least poor old Little Rock,AR) is boring. I am always so annoyed that nothing stays open past 10 pm and if you want to go to the places that do you have to be 21. I mean take last night for instance, we went to dinner (pizza mmmm...) and then to get coffee at this coffee bar (i had a nutella milkshake sort of thing, double mmmm) we were still at the coffee bar until almost 1 i guess. 1 am on a Tuesday! i may be overreacting just a little, but really, where in LR can you do that? And especially on a Tuesday?  I love the fact that here, nothing ever quiets down.  I am still rather jet lagged and as I was laying awake in bed last night with the door to the balcony open and i could hear motorbikes and cars zooming around the streets below, and when i woke up this morning the same sort of noises, that i am certain did not slow down throughout the night. Between the people that stay out until all hours of the early  morning and those construction workers down the block drilling and hammering and sawing and welding, i love it. I never thought that this much noise could make me feel so peaceful, i mean i am the one that gets up at 7 in the morning to tell my dog to be quiet because i cant sleep through all her racket.  Maybe its just the fact that it is another, cooler country's noise, that if i lived here i may not feel the same.  I hope you all have a great day! :] I'm not sure what is planned for the rest of mine, but i am sure it will be fantastic ;)

ciao, Lindz

Finally rested up!

Ciao! so i finally arrived in Castllemmare yesterday around 2 pm. it was such a sight for sore eyes! Finally people that i could talk to! A bed to sleep in instead of a chair that lays back maybe an inch and a half.  Actual food, instead of that stuff they give you on airplanes that resembles food (i wasn't convinced it was actually edible). After a great meal of pasta (i am in paradise) i layed down only meaning to sleep for an hour or two, then waking up just in time for dinner (aboug 5 hours later).  It was a little more difficult the second time around trying to fall asleep, my mind was racing and i was ready to get out and see the sights.I am so glad that i finally got to sleep though, because today i feel like i could tackle anything!

I am so greatful and blessed that i have gotten this experience! (i dont even think i realize how much yet). 

The Day Before

Holler! i wanted to just say that i am going to try my hardest to keep this blog up! i really cant wait to share all of my "fantastic" journeys with everyone (even if that is just my dad!) I am sitting in my room right now looking at my suitcase, and i still don't feel like this is actually happening. I am guessing that maybe it will feel real when i actually get to the airport in the morning...or maybe when i get to Naples on monday? In any case i will keep you posted on how awesome and fantastic this trip is going to be! :]

Lindz