Back to Blogging!

Hello everyone!

I am so sorry that I haven't written in a while. I am gone 12 hours a day, so I am exhausted by the time I get back to my apartment. Italy is becoming a second home for me. It is amazing how easy it is to fall into the rhythm of a new place. The culture, scenery and people are so familiar, it is hard to imagine leaving!

These last two weeks I have not been able to go to the sea. Carlo has been sick and the weather has been colder than normal. I am really enjoying the clouds and rain! I am not into the hot weather...looks like Wisconsin corrupted me.

The kids have been great these last couple weeks. Carlo is my little buddy and Maria/Enea have more energy than I thought was possible. I can tell that they have been learning more English from me, which is also really exciting!

Right now, their old nanny is here for 10 days on vacation. Her name is Jess, and she is from Australia. I have been attacking her with questions about the life of an Aussie. It is extremely nice to have someone else around that has went through this experience AND speaks fluent english. We are going to the sea together on Sunday which will be a lot of fun!

I will finish this post up with a list of weird things I miss from home..
1. Peanut Butter
2. Carpeted floors
3. Plastic milk cartons
4. Wearing sweatshirts
5. Normal sized cars
6. Tap water
7. CUSTARD and cheese curds

Miss you all! I will be home in less then 4 weeks. I promise to keep up with my blogging till I return,

First an Alien now a Celebrity

I have finally gotten used to the honking cars, double-takes and stare downs from the locals.  People in town gawk at me like I have a sign on my forhead flashing, "I am an American". I guess my new Italian skin tone isn't fooling anyone.

Today when I went to a birthday party with Maria and Enea, I was ready for the curious eyes and whispers. However, in a matter of 10 minutes, I was surrounded by 15 kids straining to get my attention. There were two teenage girls who spoke decent english translating everyone's questions. The young children were circled around me smiling and trying to communicate. Although I answered the most boring facts about my life, they acted like I was a queen gracing them with my presence. Little girls with googly eyes were tugging at my skirt just to say "hello".

Maria stood next to me the entire time, making sure I had enough space to think. She wanted to be my body guard. I have never felt so welcomed with a party of strangers. It was a blast!

Italian Fun

First off I wanted to say thank you to my Grandma and Papa. They sent me a big box of books and Sports Illustrated. It was so fun to get a package and I have already finished one of the books. Looks like Grandma knew my favorite author! Thank you both. Miss you guys!

This last weekend was the festival for Fasano. Every summer in Southern Italy, each town holds a festival for 3 days. I went two of the nights with my family and had so much fun. The festivities started saturday afternoon with a parade. People from the town lined the stone streets watching men and women dressed in old fashioned clothes.  Then we walked though part of the city that was covered with booths selling toys and gifts. The workers selling the goodies were from Africa. Every summer they travel to Italy and go to different towns for each festival.

Each building in the town square is covered with colorful lights. In the center is a castle made of lights where a live band plays. There is also a couple blocks filled with fair games and rides. The kids loved going on the mini-rollarcoasters and fun-houses. I ofcourse wanted to go on the all the crazy rides that go upside down, but the kids weren't in favor of that.

Monday night was the last night of the festival. I went with Carlo and his parents to dinner and then to the square. We ate gelato and listened to the live music. There was people packed into every skinny street you walked down. Carlo and I spent the night dancing with eachother while people stared. It was fun to soak up some Italian culture. I was suprised how similar it was to an American fair, it made me feel at home. Hope all is well in the States. Ciao

Here is a picture of the town square lit up! Sorry it is a little blurry (I used my small camera).

Festivities

Nothing too exciting has been happening this week. I got sick because the stinker Carlos doesn't know how to cover his mouth! I have been rather tired taking care of the children that do not listen half the time. Besides that it is enjoyable and I am still loving my time here.

Today we went to Roberta's birthday party (Enea, Maria and Carlo's cousin). It was outside with all pink decorations. They had a company host the party, with a cotton candy machine, puppet show, dancing and lots of food! There were adorable kids running around everywhere with sugary snacks and balloon animals.

I am excited for next week because the town has its summer festival. They have been setting up lights in the town square for 2 weeks. I don't know what to expect, but my family said I am very lucky to see it. I can't wait to get to see some more Italian culture.

I am off to bed because I am exhausted. Hopefully I will have some more exciting stories in a  week or two!

Funny things I have noticed with the family

- The grandmother uses her mouth to cut open the tomatoes we eat on our bread...

- She also eats the eyes of our fish

- Today the grandpa came into the kitchen laughing, with his eyes sparkling. He then went on to tell us a hilarious story about him tormenting his wife. She feel asleep in the living room with her mouth wide open. He took the opportunity to dump a full water bottle into her mouth and on her face! I have never laughed so hard. Watching him proudly act this story out was fantastic. He proceeded to trickle more water down her back while we ate! He is always  joking with her and slapping her in the face playfully. It is quite entertaining for me to watch.

- Carlo, his mother, Enea and Maria all have new Birkenstock sandals...I think I am setting a trend in the Rena family. I guess my footwear is Italy-approved. Maybe I can get them all to wear tie-dye too!

Italian Cars and Fishy Dinners

Tonight I just got home from driving stick for the first time. If that wasn't hard enough, the father can barely speak english! I don't think he realized how little I knew about the whole manual car concept. When the car died twice, and we bounced to an abrupt stop, he decided that was enough for today. I actually understand it though, so now I just need to practice!

Nothing too exciting has happened recently. I had my day off and was supposed to go to the sea with friends. We ended up canceling because it was super cloudy that day. Instead, I found a beautiful running trail that weaves through acres of olive trees. The road is skinny with a stone wall on both sides. The cliffs are on my left, and in the distance there are colorful, tiny houses. I wake up before work every morning to run or walk on this street. It is so relaxing and inspiring!

I had fish for dinner tonight. They handed me a plate with a full fish on it...I am talking a head with eyes  and skin! I just looked at them for a second until they offered to prepare it for me better. Besides that, the days have been pretty similar. I work, eat and sleep. It is slowly getting hotter and hotter outside. The Rena family will be moving to their house on the sea in the next month!

Well I am off to bed! I fall asleep watching "The Notebook" every night. It is the only thing my roommate has in English.  I already read all my books this week and streaming TV shows online doesn't work in Italy. If anyone feels nice and wants to send me some book and movies..I will not complain! Miss you all

Festa Della Repubblica Italiana

 This was taken on the Rena family porch. Beautiful view! (but sadly the sun was in my eyes)

Today it was Italian Independence Day. We relaxed in the morning at home and then went to the sea in the afternoon. Families were walking around everywhere. The sea has beaches and restraunts lining the shore. They also have fields going on for about a mile where boys play soccer (futbol) in skimpy, colorful shorts.

After going to the sea, we went to the same pizzaria for dinner. We then proceeded to go to the square and eat biscotti at the gelato cafe. Mine was all chocolate ofcourse! I get to bike to the Rena family apartment every day. I love breathing in the Italian air and soaking up the city on my ride. It  is still sinking in that I am living in Italy.

Currently Italian music is blasting through my porch window. The church next door is having a party for their holiday. I spend the last half hour watching fireworks exploding over my roof. I sat, pretending it was the 4th of July since I won't have one.

I am finally getting used to men in tight pants and colorful polos. They also tie sweaters around their necks to be fashionable. When I come back to the U.S everyone will look super grungy. I am still too scared to walk around in my workout clothes, which is usually my everday atire.

I am  now thankful for my loud family at home, yes you Dad, Mom and Mackenzie. That is because everyone hear screams when they talk! The first day, I thought Annapia was yelling at Carlo all the time until I realized it is normal. It is just another home of loud-talkers like the Slater's (except it's a whole county).

Tomorrow night I am going out with some people my own age. Carlo's dad has friends from work that want to meet me because they study english. I am excited to see the night life and talk with people my own age. Hopefully I will make some fun friends!

Sorry to everyone for not uploading any photos. My wireless is too slow to allow it, so I don't know how I will get them up yet. Hope Wisconsin is beautiful! Miss you all.

KISS KISS

P.S: Grandma...You should still convince Papa to take a trip and visit this beautiful place and me!

My New Home

Today I went to the other house I will be nannying at (sister of family). We drove up winding roads until  colorful houses, built into the cliffs, came into view. Their artistic house is white with green shutters and has the most beautiful view of the entire city! The roof is made of giant domes that Fasano, Italy is known for. The house isn't huge but their property is filled with gardens, seating areas, and a tree farm.

The two children are Carlo's cousins (ages 7 and 9). They are two of the happiest children I have ever met. The patience they have with communicating English to me is so exciting. I constantly am learning from them while they do the same with me. I have am now aware of how much Italian families hug and kiss. After two days of knowing these children, they are already kissing me on the cheek!

The food has been amazing, and I am finally starting to adjust to Italy time. The family works constantly to make sure that I am happy and comfortable here which is so awesome! The weather has been to my liking...around 70 degrees and sunny (getting chilly at night). My family says the hot weather will kick in very soon. I started to take pictures today, but my internet is too slow to load them. I should be getting some up quite shortly!

Funny Fact- Before lunch I was washing my hands and grabbed a towel in the bathroom to dry them. Shortly after, I realized it was the towel for their bidet! Yuck.

Dinner

Tonight the family took me for some "real Italian pizza". It is a margaritta pizza with buffalo mozzarella on top of crust that takes all day to prepare! We sat outside on a beautiful night while they spoke in Italian and I made out 1/100 of the words. I laughed to myself because it was the perfect italian scene, but Bob Marley was jamming on the speakers of the restaraunt. English music is playing in every store and building I go into, so atleast I hear some of my native language through out the day! I am off to bed because I am going to church with them in the morning.

I forgot to mention that after dinner we went to the town square and got gelato! I had coffee and black chocolate. It was so yummy!
Buonanotte!

First Real Day

I got to Bari yesterday after the longest trip I have ever taken. I was up for over 24 hours and then had to act chipper around the new family. The flights all went smoothly, and I only felt rushed in Munich, Germany. My apartment is nice. I have a bigger closet here then I do at school and I have my own bathroom! My roommate is a sweetheart and speaks some English which is very helpful. She said she will work on teaching me some Italian, so I am quite excited about that. The family lives above their company in an apartment next to the grandparents. We eat all our meals as one big family. The food has been spectacular. I do not think I will be able to eat mozzarella at home ever again. They eat pasta every day for lunch, with a lot of bread. I will probably come back weighing 200 pounds!

We drove around their city for a little yesterday, and it was really interesting. The roads are all narrow, with people driving crazy everywhere you look. In J uly, the family moves to their house on the sea. It is only 10 minutes away and the city is so neat. It has one of the first golf courses ever to be made in Italy, so there is a lot of tourism in the summer. The houses are all white and open to the outside. In the bay, there are dozens of colorful boats that you would see in the Greek Islands. 

The kids are adorable. Carlos is 3 years old, with curly brown hair. He is always screaming in Italian which I found quite cute! I have spent most of my time with him so far because the other two children are in school till June. Maria is the oldest and speaks better english then most of her family. It is her confirmation tomorrow so we are having a little party. The grandparents do not speak English at all, but their papa is still my favorite person here. He is always smiling and kissing Carlos. He also tries to have conversations with me which is really interesting. 

Today we went shopping in a town over called Monopoly. The fashion here is amazing! I dont want to go back there, because I could buy everything. And the shoes...they are everywhere you look, beautiful and expensive. I feel like people are always looking at my feet now! 

I have not taken out my camera yet. I figured I have 3 months time to be snapping shots and I want to take everything in first. There is something slightly lonely about not being able to speak to 99 percent of the people around you, but it is motivation to learn some italiano. Carlos should be waking up from his nap soon so this rushed blog is coming to a close. I hope everyone is doing great. I will be thinking of all of you!

Ciao Ciao!