Snapple Cap

It had been a while since the family had gone out for dinner. My mom is an amazing cook. Not just because she's italian but because she's actually really good! One night she decided to give herself a break and so we all went to the local pizzeria. Me, my parents and my younger brother. The parents each order a coke and us "kids" each get a bottle of Snapple Tea. I immediately turn the top around to read my interesting Snapple fact and the whole table "oohs and aaahs" and let's the fact sink in. A little while later, my mom turns over her bottle top and starts squinting and turning the top upside-down...

"Ma," I say, "What are you doin?"
"I can't read anything."
"Read what?"
She's got this disappointed look on her face.
"Where's my fact? This one didn't get one..."
"Ma... that's because it's a COKE bottle."
"Ooooooh..."

Dai che sei alla fine!!

i'm not one with words and i think God gets the point. -nuff said.

studying with an earful

Do i need an iPod to admit me into the library?? It seems everyone I see has these little buds in their ears with white strings dangling from their heads over their sweaters. I can understand attempting to block out any distracting noises around you like people chatting or walking passed you but can someone please explain how the music itself isn't a distraction? Then whenever I ask someone politely to please lower the volume because I can hear their music from 10 feet away, they look at me as if I just asked them for $100!!!! Hmmm... I'm sorry for thinking a library was a place to study!! Imagine where I got that idea?

Seriously, it's my last semester. I have 40 days left in this institution and I'm trying to balance my job, my new apartment (with get this: 3 other roommies), as well as trying to catch up with my research and studying for exams. I couldn't even hold down a relationship with a man even if I wanted to at this point. Contrary to popular belief, I wasn't born a genius. So I would think coming to the library is a decent place to get my work done.

I find myself praying for a small tiny room in a small tiny house in a small tiny village, far far away with nothing but a desk and a chair by an open window. Then, just maybe, I can sit down and collect my thoughts while the sweet sea breeze blows in and get something done without people bothering me!!

It's seems hopeless!

.

Right now, I need a miracle... St. Jude, can you hear me??!

A new outlook

The death of Chiara Lubich has been a hard one to swallow, in all honesty. The woman changed the outlook of many people she met... as well as those she didn't. Fortunately, her message will continue to move on through those committed to doing so...

It's been driving me crazy seeing the newspapers covered with scandalous news of our governor's affair and any other smut that is considered "news" ... it's sad that there are so many more important things that aren't given any attention to. Over in Europe, Chiara Lubich's name is popping up in places and here - all i hear is the name Elliot Spitzer. It makes me want to jump up and do something and let people in on something way more important.

At Chiara's funeral in the Basilica last Tuesday, a friend of mine was able to read an intention:

"For us young people, so that we, like Chiara and her first companions, may choose God as our Ideal and making our life become a divine adventure, be builders of a united world."

.

It's not just a prayer, it's a committment. To be responsible young adults is to promote a better future for ourselves and the next generation. It's not something just one person can do but together - we can unite and make the right choices to "fight" for social change. I think at times it can be difficult to take courage and nourish ourselves with the will of God rather than the will imposed on us by social norms or currents.

The following post was written back when I returned from Argentina in July. I never posted it for some reason but now I feel it's important to share a bit more of myself in this moment.


July 2007





Agora estou de volta a vida simples que Deus me deu... back to the simple life that God gave me. This PanAmerican Congress in Argentina was an esperienza INDIMENTICABILE. I'm so convinced that it was unforgettable, that I didn't even take any pictures. Not a single one. I had brought along a digital camera but the battery was low. So I had to charge it. Fine. I had the charger and therefore, I thought I was prepared. Only thing is - they have silly plugs in other countries...how did I overlook that?? So - no camera. I could have very well purchased a disposable camera but sometimes, pictures just don't do a scene justice.
My family finds it hard to believe that my first time in Argentina, I didn't take pictures. I didn't even buy anything. NOTHING. Not a souvenir, not even a STEAK... what in the world was I thinking??? Looks like I'll just have to go back again someday and do it right.

I was able to see old friends as well as meet many other young people with the same hopeful desires to make a difference... For the first time within the Focolare Movement, all of the americas were joined together. Representatives from Canada to Tierra del Fuego were able to participate...the whole conference was full of contagious joy!


I stayed 3 hours from Buenos Aires in a quaint little town in the country... Un pequeño pueblo que vive por la unidad. The first day I was there, it snowed. Did I mention it hadn't snowed there in 30 something years? Clearly, it was a sign that something historic was about to take place. It was a light snowfall and by the next day all traces of it had gone away. But it was special to see so much joy on my friends' faces...some of whom had never seen snow in all their lives. The littlest thing that I took for granted...snow...go figure! But like each snow flake has got it's own intricate design, so did everyone present at the congress.


We were people of different regions in different countries that have different social structures and governments and what not...yet for that week - we were all together as ONE. Through music, artistic expression and cultural activities, we found ourselves to be a part of one big family, as brothers and sisters!


It was such a grace to be with people who share the same ideas and values...Initially, it was a bit nerve-racking. It was hard for me to get into the swing of things. I had to step outside myself and offer everything up in order to be open to all the things around me.


Watching the presentations of each zone, I was able to take a glance into the vita gen of various countries. To witness their triumphs and struggles was an even bigger push for me to get working in my own community.


I love this feeling...this "high" that I'm 0n. People try and bring me down and I always wonder WHY? Why do they have to ruin this feeling? They think I see the world through rose colored glasses. But I'm not naive - the good is there - i've SEEN IT.


I've returned from Argentina fully recharged and ready to conquer the world with a positive outlook. :) I'll keep it up for as long as it takes but I know I can't do it alone.


It's hard not to get bitter at the world sometimes with how people are treating one another, wars, poverty, inequality....that is clearly present and yeah, it hurts to look at. But thankfully, there's hope. If you believe things will never change, you're right. They won't. As long as that is the only reality you let yourself know, than things will not change. We have to step up and LOVE. That is the only reality worth living for. Sempre piú avanti...dobbiamo conquistare il mondo...




http://www.focolare.org/
- check it out.

"St. Anthony, St. Anthony"

...please come around. Something is lost and cannot be found." I can't tell you how often I used to repeat that phrase to myself. Normally, one would use it in those insane moments where they're trying to get to an interview and suddenly realize they have no idea where their keys are. Or they're missing their passport two days before an international flight...

(all things which have happened to me by the way)

It seems somewhere along the way though, things went missing. BIG things, like altruism and plain old courtesy. They're still around though. I've felt it and seen it on many occassions. It'd just be nice if it comes around more often.

Eat your heart out bon-bons!

i don't understand why there's this huge gap between this sentence and the rest of m post...my computer seems to be moody at the moment. my apologies.

By now, some of you may know that I lived in a small tuscan village (which I still continue to dream about) and met a whole slew of amazing people from all walks of life and different countries. Among the many types of cultures I was introduced to, was the brasilian...Go figure!

I moved to Italy and fell in love with Brasil... oh the irony!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine who is up from Brasil (she's interning at the U.N) came over for dinner and made these bon-bon looking things.

Guardate la foto:
Sapete che cos'é? Queste cose sono brigadeiro--> e non c'é niente sulla terra che mi piace di piú! (aspetta...forse pancakes...)
Anyhoo, God bless brasilian desserts! God bless Brasil, period. Saró felice se mangio solo brigadeiro per il resto della mia vita. E verdade!!! I'll be happy to eat nothing but this stuff for the REST OF MY LIFE.
I don't normally post recipes, in fact, this is the first time and probably the last. But these are so deliciously yummy that I simply had to spread the word.
It's so easy and yummy and did I mention EASY?? Dude, I don't care if it's Lent and you gave up chocolate. Trust me on this one okay? God won't mind one bit!

recipe:
1 can sweetened condensed milk -- (395g)
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon butter -- soft
1 package chocolate sprinkles

In a heavy saucepan, mix the milk, cocoa and butter. Stir to dissolve the chocolate. Put over low heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring and cooking until you are able to see the bottom of the pot when you tilt the pan(the mixture will just slide quickly). This should take 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a greased plate. Let cool. Butter your hands and roll the mixture into small balls and roll over the chocolate sprinkles.

and now...EAT THEM (and thank your lucky stars for the brasilian army brigadier with tall, dark and handsome features and blue eyes it was named after)
enjoy.

Random little things about me.

-i think those parking spots for pregnant women are just bogusly ridiculous. I park there all the time.
-i hate cotton candy.
-i LOVE climbing stairs.
-i sing along to the radio in the car and don't care who's listening.
-my pet peeve is bad singers in church.
-i think God is totally cool!
-i eat at McDonald's about 3 or 4 times a year. my guilty pleasure is chicken McNuggets.
-i randomly burst out into songs.
-i used to be obsessed with kitchen and bathroom floorplans.
-if i ever have a daughter, i would probably name her "Olive".
-i get pulled over by the police more times than i care to remember.
-i can eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
-i have the best room mates ever. don't be jealous.

Where's the love?

Yes. I am alive. Although i haven't written on this blog for what seems like ages... and in fact, it HAS been... I am still here, very much alive. I've kept busy with moving into a new apartment, getting a promotion at work, and continuing my studies in the meantime at a local university. I've been through ups and downs these past few months - various times where I've questioned my faith, fought with my family and tried not to lose total self control... and each time was an opportunity that gave me a greater understanding of what it means to love.
***

I am typing up an email trying to respond to one of the 87 pieces of mail written to me by my family from nearly every country I can think of... and then I looked up and was overcome with this complete sadness. and so I decided to write out some of my thoughts because I didn't know what else to do. I began this blog sitting in this very library one day when I was feeling very VERY frustrated, and it doesn't surprise me that it took another stirring up of my soul to write things down again.

I'm at the university library at the moment surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the student crowd on their lunch breaks coming in and out trying to print out their papers for their next class or check their webpages, etc. and no one seems to notice one another. Their eyes glaze over as they walk - almost as if they were zombies. Do they realize they're surrounded by people...by LIFE?? Or are they in their own individual worlds where not much else seems to matter?? And so I wonder...Doesn't anybody recognize Jesus anymore?!

blog updated.

i think after a while of not writing, i figure what in the heck am I going to write about now? ... My dear friend in Sydney keeps reminding me to update this thing... that day will come soon, but in the mean time... i'm alive and well and living the word!
peace out peoples!

1.

Friday's Photo: Costa Rican Sunset

My father took this picture the day I left, so technically, I didn't see this magnificent sunset. My parents were waiting to watch the sunset from the resort restaurant's balcony and there were too many clouds out... how unfortunate eh? Gosh I was so sorry I missed this one! But I figured who wouldn't enjoy a good pic of a Central American, Pacific side sunset?

WEDDING PHOTOS!

Mentre stavamo preparando l'ultime cose per la ceremonia quella mattina...

gli uomini stavano giocando calcio sulla spiaggia... it figures!

Anyhoo, presenting... THE GLAM SQUAD (made in South Africa, Philippines, & USA)

THE ALTAR

THE WALK (arm & arm with her two older brothers)

THE KISS!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MR. & MRS...

Yep, they'll have GORGEOUS kids someday...

They are without a doubt, the most loving couple I know. I wish everyone could be this lucky and know what a love like this is. I hope someday to know that kind of love too! Honestly, it brings me such joy to know that this love exists!

Granted, many of you may not know these people personally, but who DOESN'T like looking at happy photos???

Have a nice day folks!

Friday's Photo: Why I walk...

I'm not so good at math...that's why I walk. I do not like taxis, nor will I ever. Even if they're free. I like to walk around aimlessly and take in all the city has to offer me instead.

How is anyone supposed to figure out all of this price chart anyways? All I know is that it's worth walking 40 blocks rather than weave in and out of traffic in some smelly old cab with someone who barely speaks my language.

Did you know there are TV's in the cabs now? I had no idea. I took a taxi a few weeks ago when I got back from Argentina and there it was...staring me right in the face. A freegin TV. Is that really necessary? Can't I go anywhere without being bothered with information on Lindsay Lohan or Pariggi Hilton?

Vacation after-math

Relaxing poolside in Costa Rica, reading Harry Potter.

Ok let's see, how can i put this? You know when you have a seriously relaxing vacation and you're happy as can be but then you return home and are running around like a chicken with no head going crazy?? That's me.

I arrived early in the morning from Costa Rica and was at work that same morning - all day. I'm dead tired. My cell phone is on OFF (for as long as I can take it) ...

I'm trying to throw myself back into the present moment...ci vuole un po di tempo per realizzare che non sono piu in Costa Rica, ma in NY.

Il matrimonio era bellissima. The bilingual ceremony (Spanish/English) was right on the beach overlooking the calm waters of the bay. The bride looked like an angel! Almost everyone, including the bride, kept their cool through the whole ceremony - except me - ho pianto durante la ceremonia like an idiot. Ero molto emozionata! huahahaa... ma va bene - era feliz!

*I'll post more pictures as soon as I get them!

Niagra Falls

My family is visiting from Italy - e voi pensate che IO? sono pazza? Mamma mia, la mia casa e toda uma bagunca agora! Stanno mangiando tutte cose! Ma, e cosi la vita italiana... mangiano, parlano, mangiano ancora...e giocano le carte! ...just kidding...sorta.

Comunque, la mia famiglia mai hanno visitato Niagra falls. Per qui non sá -(Niagra divides New York and Canada)... e sono le cascate piu alto nel mondo- secondo me---

Anche se sono andata tante volte, God's ability to make something so beautiful still amazes me...I adore rainbows...

Ricominciare

Forse era questa sfida che ieri e' stato bello. ... vai VIA uomo vecchio! Provo di fare la brava. 1

una Sfida d'Amare G.A

Oggi e' stato un giorno bellissimo. ERA...a l'ultimo momento Dio mi ha dato una grande sfida e non riuscivo a farla. Adesso ho una voglia di gridare, ma non ho piú la energia. Mi sento proprio giú e giá lo so che cosa devo fare ma e molto difficile. Non c'e nessuno in la casa... qui posso amare? e' Lui. Sí, devo sceglierLo pero in questo momento voglio rimanere da sola. Pero Lui non mi lascia mai! aiutooooooo... Ho perso.

HARRY POTTER MANIA

I think I just pulled a muscle from pickin up the latest version of Harry Potter. 759 pages - Seven-hundred and fifty-nine pages... what 8 year old can read all that? Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic. I think it's great that kids are reading since it seems it's become more of a past time with all the video/computer games that are offered as other ways to kill time.

But it's the freegin size of the Bible. Did I just use the word "freegin" and "bible" in the same sentence? (Sorry God!) Maybe it's more like all of Shakespeare's works combined. Either way - you get the idea. You can't really tell but - I'm a Harry Potter fan. Not a big enough fan to dress up and wait on line for HOURS the night before the book is released but a big enough fan to buy all seven books and enjoy them...

I was watching the news reports on this Harry Potter mania and they interviewed one 16 year old girl who had flown out with her friend from California to wait on line at a bookstore in NY, just so she can have the book 3 hours earlier than her friends back home.... umm... WHAT? In cases like this I want to speak to that girl's mother and father. Is that really necessary? You don't find that your daughter has freakishly obsessive behaviors and some issues if she HAS to have her hands on that book so badly that you're willing to pay hundreds of dollars to fly her out to New York? No, on second thought, maybe I'd like to speak to THEIR parents.

My goodness - this last one is enormous. I can't carry this thing around with me! I can't just pop it in my bag on my way out the door or read it on the train, etc... I suppose I can read a few pages before bed but it will take me a long time to finish it and I'm not so sure I want to invest in all that time with Harry Potter when there are so many other books out there that I'd rather read. So...... what to do with that book?

Friday's Photo: Union Square

As I've mentioned before on this blog, I like to people watch. I enjoy walking through the city and pretend to be all touristy at times taking pictures of random things here and there. I was walking through Union Square when this little girl caught my eye. Not only was she simply adorable because she was dressed pretty outrageously but also because she was just mesmorized by the music that the man was playing. So much so that when he stopped, she ran over and begged him to play more...

My great day

Yesterday was a good day for me... No, GREAT day
Why, you ask?

1. I found gas for less than $3.00 a gallon. $2.99 in fact. I consider that a miracle.

2. I got a visit from my not-so-nice-friend which under normal circumstances, I'm not happy. But considering I'll be on a beach in Costa Rica in one week, I say - Bring on the muscle aches and back pains!

3. I had the day off which gave me a chance to catch up on my tan that I lost while in Argentina.

4. My favorite yogurt was on sale at the supermarket.

5. I find out that I'll be hosting a Slovakian guy with nice, blue eyes and a killer smile for the next day and a half. So what if I only met him once in Castelgandolfo, and once in Loppiano? We're practically family now right?

6. I found $5.00 in a pair of old jeans...

7.... that I recently fit back into.


Ain't life grand??

What's an american?

Hey all! I realize i've been M.I.A lately but considering I had been working extra hours (...hello over time pay!) and my computer being busted, there weren't many opportunities for me to write much of anything. Today is an absouletly gorgeous day where I'm at and I was hoping for a little time at the beach but considering I still have to finish laundry and packing there isn't much hope for that.

In less than 12 hours I'll be at JFK watching a slew of people rushing in every direction going to and from wherever they're coming or going. God, how i LOVE airports!

**

I'll be in Argentina for a week which means pulling out all my sweaters that I already packed away for the summer. I'm real excited to go and most of all to learn - not only improve my spanish but also to hear how things are going on the other side of the world. To meet new and old friends, and realize the concept of North and South America as being one, whole continent...I'm lucky to have had the education I had growing up (my parents did the best they could and I was sent to those ridiculous private schools) but the USA is one of those countries that teaches its children that we are in fact, two SEPERATE continents...NORTH & SOUTH... so right from the start we're set out to think of how completely different we are, rather than focusing on what draws us together as common people...

We learn that Mexico is part of Latin America but scratch our heads like baffled monkeys when asked if it's truly part of North America or not. (The answer is yes people.) Yes, mexico is part of north america. PERIOD. But because of the whole spanish speaking country that lies south of our border thing, we assume it's not. What is America? Who are americans? Let's not forget our dear neighbors to the north... Yes, God bless Canada, eh?! I mean, so what if they add the letter "u" to the words like neighbor, color and honor and switch the "z" to "s" like in "realize" or what not.... Che confusione!

Never in my life have I ever been a patriotic citizen of this country - The good ol' US of A... - I never even owned a flag and I sure as hell would NEVER wave it around in a big piazza anywhere abroad. To this day I'm amazed at how proud Brasilians are to be...well, brasilian!!! Wherever they go it's a guarantee that there will be a lot of blue, yellow and green everywhere - and I truly mean EVERY- freegin -WHERE. I sometimes wonder what that would be like, to love my country that much that I would want to tell the world where I am from...What am I so afraid of? ...errr...

I'm not a hater or anything though. I'm just not particularly proud...at the moment. We're not all pagans who worship BUSH and consumerism...and each country has their own problems too. We're not perfect! There are downright good people in this country and some foreigner don't see that!! ...BUT there are also down right good people in those places where we shouldn't be either....and some people would rather not think about that either...but I'll save that for another time because once I get started on that topic...look out!

There was never a big red,white and blue star spangled banner proudly hanging outside my house. Not even on the 4th of July (our independance day) ... Sure, we celebrated it with a crazy BBQ, but that was for the mere fun of being surrounded by great company and good wine....

Anything "american" was seriously considered to be schifo. The very word, "Americana" was usually preceeded by the word, "Babba" ... Babb'Americana was what I'd hear anytime I did something my parents disapproved of. To even be thought of as american was mostly disrespectful. It meant, ignorant, not knowing, not being bilingual and not knowing anything about geography. So why whenever I'm out of the country do I get all "patriotic"?? Where does this come from??? Isn't it odd that I'd all of the sudden say while out of the country that i'm "american"?? I sometimes amaze myself.

This should be quite an extra-ordinary experience, i think, this going to Argentina for a Panamerican congress.

And this whole "label" of being "American" --- tell that to someone from south or central america... are they not american too? But when I say, "Hi, I'm american" - I don't mean any disrespect to anyone who is from south and central. I don't want to sound like I'm saying "You're NOT american if you're from central and south america" because in fact, they are...very much so...they're just as much american as I am...!!!!!!!

In english, there is no other way to put it though. We say we're "American" because there's not a word for anyone who is from the USA, EUA or whatever. When you're from Italy, you are Italian. Or if you're from Mexico, you're Mexican. In other languages, someone from the USA could say, "Stati Unidense" or something of that nature. But there is no "United States-icans" and America is in our country's name - "united states of america." --- rather than introduce myself as being "American" ... I think i'll just stick with , "Hola, soy de Nueva York" and let them decide what in the heck I am!!!!

Don't worry people, depois ti escreo contando como foi! Knowing me, I'll probably learn more portugues than spanish while I'm down there...vediamo.

See you in a week!

Adios!