La Sporca

Fin

2009-09-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Another adventure comes to a close

Grazie for reading you guys....talking about in person will be even better...

Don't cha

2009-09-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

Il ultimo giorno per lavoro.

You know, when I think about how much I have learned from the people I have met already in my short life - how fascinating they were/are...

all kinds...mean ones, smart ones, good taste in music ones, smelly ones, apathetic ones...

it makes me want to meet a whole bunch more of them.

Enjoy the Trilisa gallery -

"One can never get enough"

It will go on the next round of business cards.

I like opera?

2009-09-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

I have been in Europe for too long...

Hamburger Poem #1

How is it possible

for a single simple

stimulus to produce

such disparate reactions.

Smile, cringe, giddy,

repulsed all at the same time?

The novelty always,

usually wears off

so very fast.

How many times must

I close my eyes and

plunge under

salt water

before you wash

away.

Needs some work - too much bun and not enough meat.

I have so much to do; I can't believe I only have one more full day left in San Sepolcro.

Long list of to-dos, where do you find me? Reclining in my guest bedroom and reading.

Naturally

Quick, put on some Lady Gaga before I really start to think about what it all means.

For an extremely select demographic

2009-09-02T03:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Daddy - I found cousin Mike on Facebook - this is him, Issac, and the new little guy is Mieszko Ezra - just born on the 17th!!! I tell you what, if nothing else the Madison tribe is really really really rediculously good looking :) Mother & Baby are safe and sound.

This other one is a very recent Isaac solo shot - this proves we have at east 2 things in common; killer profiles and large appetites....

When the hell am I going to get you on the phone?

*South Carolina
*Utah
*Boise St
*Troy St
*N. Texas
*Navy (great color, really works with my hair)
*Penn St (Paterno + Ice Cream curriculum = perfection)
*Michigan (Hail!)
*Ohio (I dot the "i")
*Notre Dame (my fists are up in front of the face)
*Georgia(reluctantly)
*Miami Ohio
*Oklahoma (With fringe on the top)
*Missouri (What about a little faith you guys?)
*Rice (and Beans)
*Baylor
*Minnesota (Go Gophers!)
*Army (army green is also very flattering on brunettes)
*Wisconsin
*Purdue (I will try to incorporate "boilermaker" into a conversation this week)
*Stanford (will KILL 'em)
*Auburn
*A&M
*Bama (I can see the homemade Tide detergent signs in my mind's eye)
*Idaho
*UTEP (I fell in love with a Mexican girl)
*CAL (I bought some knock off Birkenstocks yesterday)
*USC (so painful, but necessary)
*Central Michigan (I don't care what you say, I still can't pick U of A)
*UCLA (we play there on your birthday, let's fly down)
******GO HUSKIES!!!******
*Clemson
*Tennessee (I will learn to play chess only if the board is in Tenn. colors)
*Nebraska (Would I call myself a Maizehusker since I am Latina?)
*Texas (Hook 'em horns, YES)
*Mississippi
*Colorado
*Rutgers
*Miami (I'm in Italia b!"£$!)

All picks are made taking the point spread into condsideration, and none are deliberately straight up, for simplicity's sake.

I am feeling pretty good about it

Street & Smith's

2009-09-01T02:51:00.000-07:00

HOLY MOLE!!!!! (really shoudn't rhyme, as it should be pronounced "mo-LAY," unless you then pronounced it "ho-LAY mo-LAY," but that seems time consuming and laborious)

I almost completely missed that this is the first week of college football 2009!!!

Why, it's the most wonderful time of the year (arguably) all across the Northern Hemisphere; debatable because the long, luxurious, and often warm days clustered around by birthday and the summer solstice are quite the pleasure - but there's no college ball.

I will look at the line on the interweb and have my picks up before Thursday's games, as my vagabond itinerary for the remainder of my Europa stay will probably not allow for a repeat of this and my season will be left with 2 week scar, straight & pink, but easily worth the new sights and sounds.

I know that with each passing year, it becomes more and more of a challenge to hunt one down, but you better have a PAC 10 copy by now. The question is, which QB is on the cover? I will refrain from googling it and use up some train ride time formulating guesses.

I Io Je Yo

2009-08-31T05:18:00.000-07:00

Last day at the desk on Friday, Barcelona on Saturday where I shall proudly exercise my South American Spanish for a few days, and then at long last, my much lusted after Paris. Come to mama.

Entering the home strech here, bittersweetly. This past weekend was both painful and glorious - I know I am laying on the drama thick, but if you have seen me butter toast, nothing new around these parts.

Saturday, I accidently hiked to one of St. Francis' original convents, built in 1192. After walking up hill through Tuscan countryside, whabam! Original chapel, some sort of miraculous spring, statue. What do you know. That last "I should bring my camera" thought went regrettably ignored, which leaves only the fragile and elastic medium of memory to comemerate the occasion.

And now this, I suppose.

I went to Rimini for the day yesterday;

my how I love seeing things out of context.

A consistantly well-coiffed lady without her make up on, scientific facts written for the "layman" (have you read The Selfish Gene?), children around a board table.

Italy's biggest summertime party spot, on a cloudy Sunday around 13:00.

Running into Bastyr students in San Sepolcro.

ANNOUNCEMENT

I am running the Seattle Marathon (now I have to) and I am 95% sure I have convinced my brother to walk the 26.2 as well. More on this later.

I Just Want a Little Magenta, is That Too Much to Ask For?

2009-08-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you're really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I've got a few missing. It's ok though, because I've got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who's an 8-color type.. I'm like, "hey girl, magenta!" and she's like, "oh, you mean purple!" and she goes off on her purple thing, and I'm like, "no - I want magenta!"”

I know that I am supposed to be writing original prose on the good and bad of a new, exotic environment, but that's just good/sounds something like what has been floating around my mind for the past couple of weeks. Terribly pompous sounding when you read it, no? I was afraid of that...

I will most likely be hitchhiking to Montalcino to taste the best wines known to man this weekend, as no one wants to rent a car to my under 25 years of age self (I am pretty sure one place was willing to with a ridic bribe, but it could have been my poor Italian comprehension).

I won't do any hitchhiking after dark, I promise.

And then, Love turned into Gravity

2009-08-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

There is now an explanation that is backed by a mathematical formula.

It's the idea that we have evolved into a society, or that one has evolved into a being, that no longer has same ability, desires, or framework.

Did Mom tell you about my new product idea?

All I need is a trademark/patent and we are off.

The last day I was in Croatia I walked into an internet cafè (listen to this) that offered free internet access with the purchase of one of the poor in quality (yes, I am a book snob), 2nd hand books that occupied 4 or 5 shelves in the too-hot-no-bathroom-having shop.

Made a call on skype, sent out a couple of necessary emails, and finished a bad thriller authored by an emergency room physician before bed-time the following night.

What a great idea.

Encourage Ed to use the notebook I got for him, please.

(Banana) Split

2009-08-26T02:03:00.000-07:00

I wish I had the time and patience to write thousands of words on the last few days because they deserve every last unborn cluster of letters.

I flew into Zadar, Croatia on Friday. I wandered onto a bus and then a short walk to the town's stunning Roman built enterance. It was right then that I was slapped across the face by overwhelming loneliness. Sitting under a tree and eating a roasted corn cob helped a little. I finally stopped feeling sorry for myself, figured out how to use my calling card, and got a hold of my couchsurfing contact.

The rest of the evening and well into the night was spent in discussion of Croatian politics, its past, present and future, over belgium beer and pelinkovac (the delightful Croatian digestivo) with Miso, Miro, and Miro's androgenously beautiful-student-of-history-and-archeology roommate.

Bus to Split the next day to meet up with the girls. Exhuasted, I slept in the window filtered sun for the first hour. As I drifted in and out of sleep, I heard my mother tongue being spoken by the inhabitants of the seats in front of me. I unabashedly evesdropped - 4 lively young Irismen. Casual conversation of course ensued, and I enjoyed a pint with them when we finally arrived.

Timing has been my ally 90% of the time on this trip. Finally asked enough people to find the hostel that K & J were staying at just as they were leaving. Great evening followed, sadly only allowing 2 hours of sleep on the Irishmen's couch.

I happily spent the rest of the long weekend with K & J reveling in having 1) company, that was 2) good, and provided by 3) "old" friends. There was swimming, an island ferry ride, and lots of gelato to be enjoyed. Highlight of the hostel? The ice cube tray was in the shape of the first 8 letters of the alphabet - I love creatively shaped, cold things, but not ice sculptures, that's just cliche.

I took an overnight ferry back to Ancona, Italy on monday night, met more great people, saw the Milky way like never before, and "borrowed" a brand new roll of bright PINK toilet paper on the ferry (awesome!).

After the girls got on their bus and before I got on my ferry, I finally got that banana split.

Don't worry, I took a picture.

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

My parents were married by the catholic church 31 years ago today (married by the state of Hawaii on June 17, the day I was born on 8 years later).

I am celebrating by learning basic Croatian in preparation for this weekend's trip.

So...

Volim te Mom & Dad

Star Gazer

2009-08-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

You know the song that plays during the credits after he say "keep looking up" that you love? I found out what it is

1st Arabesque by Debussy

So you DO like the piano after all...listen to it on youtube!

I went to a piano concert in a church that was built in the 16th century last night. A great French pianist who brought out her two young daughters to accompany her on violins for a couple of pieces. She offerred 3 encores and THAT was the last piece she played.

When you know someone's soul, no matter where you go or what you do, there are always reminders of them sprinkled on top of the plate of the day.

I miss you more than anyone.

Sinking

2009-08-17T01:46:00.000-07:00

http://cia.is/venice/

Ecstatic I stumbled in on this - however, can't decide if I think these guys are genius or just cocky & lazy.

I guess if one is a genius, laziness and cockiness are both easier to pull off.

Venice is the most romantic thing I have yet to encounter - this time I can't decide if this makes it a wonderful or terrible place to visit by yourself.

I did however, meet some lovely ladies serving in the US Army and stationed in Germany. They were on the last day of leave during which they had taken a cruise around Europe. Really sweet & fun - without them I don't know if the gondola ride would have happened.

Somethings are worth waiting for after fighting through a crowd of tourists. Glass island, yes - lace island, no, etc....

So...do I get a yes?

To Fill And Be Filled

2009-08-14T00:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday -

I usually don't really like ravioli, tends to be mushy and flavorless - not what I look for in food or for that matter, in life in general. But these whole wheat, sunflower seed and zucchini (it was vegetarian, gasp!) filled envelopes at the macrobiotic (sorry Dad) restaurant I found...the best pasta I have had in Italia so far.

And then I bellydanced, haven't done that in a while.

Better than the ravioli.

This weekend will be spent in Venice.

If I come home with a mask, please make fun of me (doesn't mean I won't).

You Probably Think This Post Is About You

2009-08-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

WHY CAN'T I GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD?
******************************************

I finally got to talk to the Mommy-pants yesterday. Some things never change. Like the answer to
"What have you been up to Mom?"

"Busy"

Busy compiles all of the stuff on the mental to do list and plops it down into one, heavy word.

You know what would be great? Is if the answer was

"Oh, not too much. Drank some tea, reading a little, disscussing what our favorite colors are with your Dad....getting a massage later"

Until then, I worry (while she is of course, worrying her pants off about me).

Is that a hint of guilt that I just caught a whiff of? Na, it was probably the lavendar sitting on my desk that I picked on yesterday's lunch time walk through the fields. Can't get more safe than that.

Maybe the transatlantic worrying algebraically cancels out?

Nope

As is usually the case, arithmetic seems more applicable here.

Is it just me, or is life pretty simple?

2009-08-12T01:48:00.000-07:00

Have a good time
Care for your neighbor
Sell more than you buy

Currently lovin' on:
Figs straight off the tree
John Mayer (in an appreciate-his-sense-of-humorandmusic, not have-a-crush-on kind of way, eww)
Positive reinforcement I am getting at work

All that glisters is not gold

2009-08-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

Temporale

Tormenta

Full many a lady
I have eyed with best regard and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
Have I liked several women; never any
With so fun soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed
And put it to the foil: but you, O you,
So perfect and so peerless, are created
Of every creature's best!

Don't misunderstand, I still think Shakespeare is overrated.

The rain continues to follow me; an epic thunderstorm yesterday. The planned run and movie sotto le stelle (under the stars) - foiled (folio'ed? sorry, never know when to stop). Instead I enjoyed a delicious dinner at one of my favorite spots. Windows swung wide open allowed the prickly, charged air in as I took the opportunity of cooler weather to indulge in my soup habit and read about Montalcino - must visit.

But now in keeping with the theme, let's tenitively plan on Venice for this weekend.

The Hills Are Alive...

2009-08-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

Finally made it "home" from Vienna at around 715am this morning...my boss offered to give me the day off, but here I am - a little late and writing on my blog, but here nonetheless.

I just found out late last night that my cousin had her baby on the 4th and that he is healthy and happy!!! I couldn't ask for better news and cannot wait to meet him....SO EXCITED! And grooming the next Derek Jeter begins...

Vienna was awesome. Spent a full 3 days in the city and then the weekend on an overnight hiking trip in the Alpine foothills.

I will never bungee jump, I don't use mind altering hallucigens (other than a good red wine), but the feeling of stepping out into a place you have never even thought about being before, don't know how to speak the langauge, and have no idea how to get where you need to go, is a worm I quite like the taste of.

The train stop I pick, perfect. On a tram I go that deposits me almost directly in front of Hotel Sacher, home of the previously mentioned cake. Good stuff and relatively resonably priced, but Cheryl and Sarah could make better (and it would probably be vegan, gluten-free, and do a little dance for you).

2 great art museums, 2 palaces, gorgeous church & state buildings - a whole lot of walking, pictures, and an ever open mouth. Wienerschnitzel is not that great though. It could be, it just needs to work on its breading:flesh ratio.

And the hike (guess who's idea?). I sung part of "Climb Every Mountain" at one point. We spent the night in a hut after finishing off the last part of the 2000 meter climb in (honestly) the hardest rain I have ever been in. Wet wet wet. It cleared up beautifully right after a well deserved nap, and I was reminded of how beautiful it is to look down on clouds crowning mountain tops. Then my first taste of Schnapps (the real stuff). I try the Plum and mixed fruit varieties. Pleased and currently thinking up all kinds of exotic tea/schnapps pairings (Austrian Tea?).

I must get to work and temporarily suspend daydreaming about what the upcoming weekend has in store...

Chocolate Cake & Family Jewels

2009-08-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachertorte

No, the best choclate cake in the world is not the only reason for my trip to Vienna.
I am going for architecture and dead composers, and all that highbrow stuff - I assure you.
The chocolate cake really brought it full circle though.

After finishing another deceptively easy 7 mile run after work yesterday, I thought to myself could it be the large amounts of second hand smoke that I am inhaling that is making running such a joy? Also, is it the disgusting amount of simple carbohydrates that I am eating that are giving my long lost abs back? Or is that solely from the running?

I love Italy.

Overnight train - Arrive @ Wien in the morning.

Por Una Cabeza

2009-08-03T01:48:00.000-07:00

A Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is the pilgrimage made to Mecca, at least once in a Muslim's life (of those who are able). Before and during the pilgrim's time at Mecca, an entire set of rituals are preformed that I am not going to pretend to know anything about.

Sometime late in morning on Friday, I placed my hand of the tomb of San Antonio de Padua. It's been a little bit since I have cried that much ("There's no crying in baseball").

I am not Catholic, and on my very short list of universal dislikes, "posers" sits pretty high up. More importantly, I take the Ten Commandments to heart (they seem pretty legit, right?) and staunchly believe in the worship of God and God alone.

As my hand touched the light marble, the culmination of what brought me to that moment - a 23 year old, well-intentioned but often asinine, 2nd year Naturopathic medical student, daughter of Blanca & Ed, sister to Bianca & Ed - to the tomb of a man who died 800 years ago in Padua, Italy, was much more than I could/can handle.

Saint Anthony was a common household name growing up. His celebration day (date o' death), June 13, was a minor holiday that always got special mention and thus 13 is, not by choice but by tradition, one of my 2 lucky numbers.

Standing there in a line going pilgrim slow, I just wanted to be good. Not good enough, not better, not good for something, but GOOD.

Again, I won't pretend to know, but I imagine those on their Hajj might feel something similar.

I sat down in one of the cloisters along the walls facing his tomb and watched the nun I will never be, the sinner that I am, and the spouse and baby that I want, pray...

and then file by.

Lycanthropy

2009-07-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

The moon’s awake now with eyes wide open

It is requires much more courage and wisdom to live for one's purpose rather than acheive short/long term success.

Cowardice is an epidemic and I haven't proposed anything analagous to baby halving in a while.

When you are lucky enough to know the answer, there's no excuse.

2/3 full tonight

Excues My French, Emotion In My Passion/But I Wear My Heart On My Sleeve Like It's The New Fashion

2009-07-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday may have been the best day of my life

The culmination experienced at the peak of a hill
sometime around twilight
as a vineyard with a rolled up, sleeping bag looking spiral of hay came into view on my left
about 45 minutes into a 1 hour run
with Shakira in my ears

Rocky doesn't have shit on this

FELEZ FIESTAS PATRIAS PERUANAS!!!!!

2009-07-28T00:31:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiestas_Patrias_(Peru)

It's Perù's Independence Day! I would preform some seriously astonishing acts of bravery/pay a lot of money for some Lima ceviche right now (hands down, my favorite food of all time).

I have some good friends that are travelling in Perù right now....I hope they are safe, happy, and celebrating with some pisco...I really am tickled to be in Tuscany right now, but I can't wait to go back....

I am getting serious about learning Italian; this includes forcing myself into uncomfortable speaking situations, using the Rosetta's stone I lugged across the atlantic, reading the Italian biography of Saint Francis that I recently pur-chased, and lessons during the commute every morning (today's was especially entertaining as there were two Italian speakers in the car and much heated debate over simple words ensued).

I was tempted to sign up for classes at the Unversity in Perugia (Aboca would cover some of the cost), but I would like to have my weekends, etc., free for gallivanting.

In other news; the real reason for this blog? The most efficient/effective way of letting my Dad know what's on my mind (and that I am alive and well) - since phone calls are nere impossible for a plethora of reasons and as much as I try to coax, email is still not a ally. But he reads this, so its all good.

So...hi Dad. I love you. I hear that its your type of weather over there, so be a turtle for me and stockpile that delicious Vitamin D.

The Weekend You Ask? Cimbue & The Adriatic

2009-07-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

I always forget my toothbrush - had to buy one upon my return to San Sepolcro after noticing its absence. In this year alone, I must have given very short lives to ten different sets of bristles. This does not take into consideration my trusty sonicare, which is experiencing a lonely summer in my storage unit.

I was going to extrapolate with a succint, self-deprecating metaphor involving personal relationships, but I am in Italy, and quite frankly there are better things to do.

Ha niente per i punti neri?

2009-07-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Milestone:
I learned my first bad joke in Italian today

As you know, I am a HUGE fan of bad jokes ("have you heard about the new courdory pillowcases?" "what do you call 2 lesbians in a closet?" and many, many others). This one is not only in Italian, but was also found on my afternoon ice cream that my boss bought for me....classic.

The question is posed by an assumed teenage ladybug to its doctor, who happens to be a cow.

What a fabulous product; ice cream and a bad joke being told between animals. The only thing better would be a very attractive man made out of ice cream who told bad jokes upon request and continually poured me Amarone. Ah, but he would melt...there's always that twist...

The first person to get the joke wins a highly coveted, yet to be determined prize - I will permit the use of google translator (doesn't mean you'll get it).

45min left in my one day work week, better go....

Just Friends

2009-07-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering.

Last few hours here in Denmark...the ARoS museum has been its highlight.

First real time Warhol experience.

Great use of mirrors.

I love the concept of allowing the museum space itself to dance its own little art jig.

I just finished talking to my Dad for the first time since I left and as I filled the transcontinental space with highlights and plain ol' first-things-that-came-to-my-mind it was the most disturbing piece that of course made it past cutting (literally) room floor;

Jars of parts - I immediately recognize the unique coiling of a small intestine and the excellent posture of striated muscle (yes medical school does change you).

It of course can't be human, right? Tufts of thick, still auburn hair confirm bestial origins (one would hope)....

A video from 1970 plays on a very small screen of to the side of this display case, depicting men killing the now immortalized horse. This is, as I mentioned to my father, done in the name of protesting (or as a statement about, or a product of, or whatever) the ongoing Vietnam War.

All four of my uncles were in the military of one country or another during the Vietnam War.

My grandfather, fought in the WWI (not a typo) as a teenager.

Who's name do I get to read on a wall for paying 75 kroner?

I wonder how many days these artists shaved off the war.

I wonder how many of us are producing equivalent bullshit in the wake of the overwhelming mistakes made in Iraq, Afghanistan, New Orleans, etc.

As for now, you can check me off under the Goliath sized thinker column.

I may traverse across European countries, but the David sized doer column is a scary place that I seldom shimmy to.

Playing hookie

2009-07-20T00:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2455644&id=10730136&l=d80556ca38

Hamburg was surprisingly delightful....in Denmark until Wednesday

The Danes for the most part are beautiful people and going out on Saturday night was really fun...you know Seattle has a poor nightlife when a small Danish college town kicks its ass...

23 years, 1 month

2009-07-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Headed to Pisa tonight, then Hamburg, Germany in the morning, a couple of other places before I return to Italy on Wednesday....need to make sure I get some work done while I am gone so that I have something to show for myself when I get back....it's never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you....

Why not? It's like having a birthday 12 times a year...you can never have too much of a good thing (yes you can, hence the art and practice of moderation, but sush now...I just tend to ignore the necessity of that which I am not good at, like calculus, ironing, juggling, being patient, etc.).

Moving on....

I am so excited for tomorrow afternoon that the fact that Ryan air will some how find a way to charge me for something only bothers me a teeny tiny bit.

Summary of Working in Italy Thus Far

2009-07-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

Scenario 1:
You would like to tack 3 days on to the weekend to take a trip? No probelm, who knows when you will be back in Europe?

Scenario 2:
Trilisa!! You DO NOT put pasta and your meat course on the same plate! They are different courses!!! So American, that's a crime! I will check on you tomorrow to make sure this does not happen again...

Buon Giorno!

2009-07-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

Embarking on my second day work @ Aboca...great weekend...

I dont even know where to start.

Saturday was my sightseeing day. Museo Civico & probably 5 of Sansepolcros 20 churches (a rough estimate, but not outrageous). Notte Bianca = Insomnia

Yesterday (Sunday) I took my coworker up on an invite to an agriturismo farm/B&B that she and her husband run. Beautiful day with her family & neighbors in the Tuscan country side.

Up to 45min on my run this morning. Nice.

I have a meeting at half past noon in which what exactly I will be doing will be discussed...let you know how it goes.

For some reason TS Elliot kept popping into my mind as a brief thunder storm interuppted my church marathon on Saturday and sent the whole town back indoors with heads covered.

like a patient etherized upon a table

Wonder what that means. Anyways, I hope to post pictures on facebook soon as I have already taken more than a hundred...keep your fingers crossed people.

Have a beautiful day, ciao

Notte Bianca

2009-07-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

Stopping into the little tourist info place to say hello during "Notte Bianca" (my sisters name is everywhere), a music/art festival in Sansepolcro that goes until 5am...its so loud I might as well take part in the festivities.

First gelato of the trip tonight...the addiction has been resurrected (an ode to the Piero della Francesca masterpiece I also enjoyed today).

Ciao for now...

Lil blogging from work

2009-07-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

It is now 11am during my first day of work and I have already been urged twice to take it easy so here I am.

Oh my, where to begin. Yesterday...

After 2 trains and 4 hours from Rome I was fetched from the Sansepolcro train station by Massimillio from Aboca. We go straight to Abocas (excuse me, I cant find the apostrophe on this here Italian laptop) storefront, grab a set of keys, and I am then taken to my apartment, which is literally feet away. The giant medival wooden door opens....

I LIVE IN A MUSEUM. SERIOUSLY. A museum under renovation granted, but a museum nontheless. Painted vaulted ceilings, glass display cases, and random boxes of Riedel wine glasses make up the antrum. It is a building owned by Aboca which (I think) will one day be an extesion of the already functioning musuem of theirs.

I am the first door on the right. Two bedroom apartment with everything I need. Beautiful. There is even an adorable little teeny tiny washing machine in the kitchen. Perfeto.

After the walk through, I meet some of the stores staff (this is all in Italian, no English speakers to be found). First things first: to PAM, the grocery store less than a block away to quech my first that has been a good 5 hours in the making (Italians dont drink water and it is therefore not very available...you think I am joking).

Some aimless wandering then ensues as I am in a severe state of sleep deprevation (not a wink to be had the night before) - hit the the stereotypical visitors center, meet the staff of the restaurant down the street that I am to be a regular at, etc.

Then it is nap time. mmmmmm

I make myself get up 2 or 3 hours later and saunter over to il ristorante.

Beer
Carpaccio
Pasta
Happy

Interlude: I was just given a "key" for the companys coffee machine. No water, the office just lives on multiple espressi, all day long.

Interlude Number 2: I brought my own water in the Cinnomoroll bottle that Riz gave me to work. Nothing says competent and professional like Sanrio products.

Back to whatever was happening earlier....
got my first night of sleep in days woke, popped out of bed at 530am, went for a run (always causing a scene), enjoyed a shower and cup of Scientific Botanicals own loose leaf green tea (for home just add hot water).

Davide was in front of the Aboca museum as promised this morning at 830am. I can already tell he is a great guy, I look forward to working with him. Abocas office building is a maybe a 15 minute drive away and modernly beautiful. Introductions all around, some espresso, and a powerpoint presentation to look over.

On the drive up, Davide explaned what I would be doing over the next few months. Primarily, I will be working to update their product literature an website for the US. Davide explained that I had two very vauable things for the job: a background in biology and English as my native langauge.

I also finally met Antonio, my human resources guru. Minature and impeccably dressed, he reiterates that I should ask if I need anything (a housekeeper, english speakers to hang out with, etc) and mentions that I am their first intern from the US.

Trailblazer, right here.

The presidents secretary, Roberta, is a swetheart. You shall be hearing more about her.

As I was unpacking last night, I realized that I will be living alone for the first time ever. If I am not even a little more grown up by the time I get home, shoot, nothings going to do it.

Enjoying this as much as possible for all of you....

Alive & Well

2009-07-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

I am currently sitting in the spare bedroom of Mauro, my couch-surfing host (I know, the irony). After a fabulous night of pasta, wine, Romans, and one fellow American, my head will drop on a pillow for the first time in 36 hours.

Tomorrow, 755am to Sansepolcro....that's when it really starts.