M y A d v e n t u r e s

Elections!

2011-10-12T14:15:00.001+02:00

I have a great respect for the electoral process. In college, I tried to push all my roomates to go and vote. I don't really write too much about my feelings on candidates or policies. I am just not a talented enough writer to express myself fully on a blog and things could be misinterpreted very easily.

I have lived on four continents now. I have lived through Presidential elections on all four. Yesterday was election day here in Cameroon.

With all the political unrest in Africa regarding Elections everyone has been on high alert. The mood here is calm panic. In the days leading up to the elections people were stocking up on the basics; rice, drinking water, toilet paper and can foods. We went to the market and got the following; 5 chocolate bars, raisins, yogurt, chick peas (for hummus), tomato paste, pasta, rice, feta cheese, brie and lots of baguettes to freeze. We were prepared. So many people were predicting big riots or demonstrations in this capitol city, Yaounde. Walter and I really stocked up.

The week before elections a bridge in another city was caputured and the people in the cars were forced to evacuate and turn thier car keys over to the bad men (don't really know what to call them). They had machine guns and fired syronchinzed shots in the air claiming that this year things would change finally for Cameroon.

Cameroon has has the same president, Paul Biya, for 30 years. He is seeking re-election for another seven. This is typical of many African countries. The "president" is basically in power until he dies. But countries like, Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya have fought hard recently to change this.

Picture of Paul Biya and his wife

Picture of Paul Biya's campaign posters

The preisdent has put up these posters EVERYWHERE! Cameroonian people feel very little hope that this situation will change anytime soon. Elections came on the 9th of October and went off without a hitch. (I was relieved!)

The problem is that the elections are generally believed to be corrupted. Cameroonians claim that people buy votes (the voting cards) and place 20 or 30 ballots. Cameroonians also claim that fake indelible ink used for marking voters' fingers was distributed to polling stations. Someone showed how they were able to remove ink from thier thumb using saliva, minutes after voting in Yaounde, the capital. Easily removable ink opens up the possibility of people voting multiple times in the West African nation. (that was from cnn.com)

So, with faulty ink that could allow for a quick change after the voter has turned in thier vote and the fact that many people had 20 or 30 votes. The elections hardly seem like they could be fair. In 2004, the people believed that another candidate actually won, so there was rioting when they announced who the election winner was. Shortly after the rioting, there was a coup d'etat attempt which was promptly shut down by the "re-elected" president.

They announce the winner of the presidential election on the 23rd of October. This country is over-due for a change and the people are desperate for it. If the president claims to have won the election again, I fear there might be uprisings, like Egypt, Libya or Tunisia. Only time will tell......

AFRICA

2011-09-22T22:44:00.000+02:00

I wish I were a talented writer. But I'm not. I am living in Central Africa. I love it here. There are so many great things about living in Africa. I see things that shock me all the time. I see beauty. I see nature. I see poverty. I see disease. I see death. I see life at it's hardest. I see a beautiful culture of community. I see wealth, more wealth here than I've ever seen in America. I see animals. I see bugs, bugs, bugs. I see things that literally shock me all the time. I am excited and I am going to try to blog about things I see and experience here.

Since it's expensive to have cars here, most people take taxis. In Seoul, taxis were the most expensive way to travel and I only did it as a luxury. Here it is common. The average taxi ride is about .40 cents.
I like riding in taxis because it's a good way for me to meet and see different people. It's a very communal experience. I ALWAYS meet interesting people in taxis. Some of the best conversations happen in taxis. Sometimes in French but I'm starting to follow along.

Basically, getting a taxi here is like a gamble each time. You stand on the side of the road with the other travelers. The taxi pulls up and starts at the end of the line. He honks, the first honk, and this means, "Where are you going and how much do you want to pay?" You then state your destination and price. The driver will then think about it for a few seconds and then honk, the second time, which means get in. Or if he is going somewhere else he just moves on to the next person.

The driver has a destination which is determined by the first passenger. If you are on the way or if he can drop the first passenger on your way then you will be honked at the second time to get in to the taxi. Now, there are many variables. If you wish to pay more this can usually influence the driver to go out of his way and drop you, much to the dismay of the other passengers. If this happens, they (the other passengers) will not hesitate to let you know of their displeasure. If you offer about 3 dollars, which is quite high then the taxi will kick everyone out of the taxi and take you directly to your door.

On my commute to work it's common to have more than five different passengers with me in the taxi. Three passengers in the back and two in the front. Then as people get dropped off the driver will inevitably pick up more people. These taxis are desperate to fill the taxi.

This time for Africa!

2010-12-28T14:05:00.000+01:00

I am moving to Cameroon today. I have a short stint in Bangkok on the way and am now in Hong Kong again. I love Hong Kong!

Here is an old music video from Cameroon. The song that inspired Shakira for her world cup song is Cameroonian. There is alot of culture there and I am so excited to share Walters home with him! Here is the video! It's so cute!

no j.crew.com in South Korea

2010-02-28T12:46:00.002+01:00

A solid 40% of my wardrobe is from J.Crew. I have shoes, sweaters, pants, coats, jewelry......loads of jewelry, and shirts. I love the quality of the clothes. I have sweaters, pants and jewelry from 2003 still from J.crew that are in amazing condition. Each piece is so unique that I feel they will forever be in style or forever be able to be styled. I just adore J.Crew.........
but http://www.jcrew.com/ does not work in South Korea.
I am going through major withdrawals. My first month, I checked jcrew.com everyday hoping that it would eventually come online. Five months later, I have come to terms with no jcrew.com. But I miss it dearly.
I went to Guam for thanksgiving. I went to an internet cafe and spent two hours looking at j.crew.com.

I miss J.Crew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Project Runway Korea

2010-02-28T07:55:00.000+01:00

I love watching Project Runway Korea. This is the second season. A korean network bought the franchaise for only 100,000 dollars. I'm so surprised that more countries have not bought it. I love watching the Korean design process. They are very creative. I love almost all the creations which is not the case in America.

Even though I can't understand much, there seems to be less drama in the korean version. The host, Lee-so ra has tried to replicate exactly Heidi Klum's role. After a designer is kicked off, she gives a kiss and says, goodbye. Heidi Klum's aufwiedersehen is so much more charming given she is acutally german.

This is the first seasons winner, Lee woo Kyung. I love her personal style, it's so well defined. She looks like the costume designer on the incredibles.

The second season of Project Runway Korea has started and I wait with baited breath every week trying to catch it on tv. I can't read the tv schedule as it's in korean so it's a shot in the dark each week.

Jeju Island -- niceeeee

2010-02-09T14:20:00.001+01:00

A valentines day getaway with my boyfriend in two days.........

Photo Shoot

2010-02-04T09:37:00.000+01:00

In preparation for the upcoming school year (March is school year start in Korea) we had a photo shoot with the oldest two classes at school today. It was exhausting as little kids need so much attention. Here are a few pictures from our shoot.

The photographers spoke zero English and I had to 'interpret' everything on my own. It was an exhausting six hours. As soon as I finished preparing one student the others all required adjusting. One picture was at least 20 minutes of me running around. Plus, most Koreans are amazed by 'westerners' so all eyes were on me all day long.

Here is a picture of me running around like a crazy woman.

McKinley

2010-01-30T14:04:00.000+01:00

McKinley. I love the big M and the little c. I love and adore my last name. It is the name of a mountain and a former president. It is such a strong last name.

When I finally do get married, I don't want to loose my last name.

The kids are my school use English names which have no ties to their Korean names. I was asking all thier names yesterday and I found out that 45% of all Koreans have one of the these three last names.

45% of Korean people bear the last name Kim, Lee or Park.

This is crazy to me. They all share these last names.

Boooooooooots!

2010-01-18T03:38:00.001+01:00

I have been living in Southern California for a little over a year before I up and moved myself to South Korea to teach english.

Here are the 'Cold Weather' clothes I brought with me from California......

1. Banana Republic Trench (I can't live without this). It called thier light trench and it is not warm.

2. Nine West flats in every color offered. I think it's 6 colors.

3. Black Sequin Hat

I have a package coming from America with the following Cold Weather items.

I can't wait to get my new winter clothes and finally will stop freezing and being the most ecletic dresser.

I honestly think I am the biggest person living in South Korea. I am 5'10'' and require a tall or long. My clothes need to be shipped in from America because I am a freak here.

I feel like Ursula in a sea full of Ariels.

Melinda, the ghost whisperer

2010-01-11T03:19:00.004+01:00

Much to my own chagrin, I am a huge fan of Ghost Whisperer. I started watching with my friend Irene in Italy. I watched the entire first and second seasons in Italian. I have been a devoted viewer since my return from Italy.

At the end of every episode, Melinda (the ghost whisperer) helps each ghost crossover into the light. There is usually a meeting with the ghost and their loved ones with Melinda as the mediator or translator. The ghosts can hear the living but the living can’t hear the ghosts thus reling on Melinda. I get so annoyed with Melinda when she is acting as a translator. She is awful, often she will omit things the ghosts say or change the meaning using her own words. It's inevitable that I get upset when watching this show.

But I will continue watching as I am too in love with this show to stop.

I am such a poor writer

2010-01-09T13:26:00.003+01:00

I wish I were one of those people who could express myself with the written word. This is just not one of my talents. I would love to be able to articulate myself intelligently on my blog. Every time I read one of my posts, I feel like I am reading a child's writing. Despite these feelings, I am going to commit to writing on my blog. I don't keep a journal and this is such an easy way to share my life and keep some sort of journal.

Infidelity

2009-12-04T07:49:00.003+01:00

I was talking to my Korean co-worker about Tiger Woods. She brought something very interesting up about a Korean law that I think is interesting.

South Korea is among a dwindling number of non-Muslim countries where people can go to jail for adultery. About 70 percent of South Koreans support the adultery law. Each year, more than 1,200 people are indicted under the law, which calls for up to two years in prison for the adulterer and his or her partner.

I think it's brilliant. If you are no longer interested in your partner have the guts to tell them before you make a fool of them, your life together and your family.

Lotte World

2009-11-21T16:46:00.005+01:00

Today I went to an Amusement Park with three of my friends and I had so much fun. It was decorated in Christmas stuff and it really put me in the Christmas spirit.

Hagwons possible closing

2009-11-02T03:08:00.005+01:00

I just got word from my principal that the Goverment is seriously talking about closing hagwons in apgujeong-dong, Seoul due to swine flue. Teachers will have paid time off during this time to hopefully ''ward away any flu virus in your body'' but this will most likely result in a decreased winter holiday.

Sorry to all the English teachers teaching in Apgujeong-dong (that includes me) because it might result in no christmas break.

What is a hagwon?

Hagwon (Korean: 학원) (also Hakwon, Hogwan) is the Korean-language word for a for-profit private academy or institute prevalent in South Korea. From Wikipedia

Here is a picture of my Hagwon and the students in thier uniform......

My first couch

2009-10-31T15:06:00.006+01:00

I bought my first couch. I'm so proud of it!

When I got here my studio apartment had a bed, desk and a tv.

I've been looking everywhere for a second hand couch that is in great condition. I searched Dave's esl Cafe and Craigslist Seoul. Finally, one morning I saw this beauty on Craigslist Seoul and I knew it should be mine.

I raced to Itaewon that same night. I was meeting a guy for a first date so I dragged him along. The girl had over 50 emails for it but I was the first to get to her house. Thank goodness. A couch like this is so hard to find second hand here. Since there are so many ESL teachers here in S. Korea it's easy to find a cheap couch but they are all trashed and SO gross.

Getting it to my apartment on the other side of the city however proved to be challenging. The woman helping me arranged for a mover but I had to give my address in Korean! eeeek. I could not find anyone to translate it correctly. I had a co-worker attempt to translate it but she apparently failed as she kept calling me and yelling in Korean. All I could say was, 'I don't know.' I am a little too used to the italian way, if they can't figure it out then there is a good chance they will quit. I was desperate.

It's so nice to have somewhere to eat and watch tv other than my bed. I also feel like buying my first real piece of furinture is a rite of passage and I am so proud of it.

AAAAHHHH

2009-10-27T10:13:00.012+01:00

KOREAN FOOD......SO FAR

Pork and sweet potato breaded and fried covered in a delicious red sauce. Along with rice, corn and mayonnaise. Every Korean meal I've had so far is always accompanied by tons of side dishes. The side dishes on this day were spinach and some sort of potato pancake. The whole meal above was only 4,000 Won or about $3.70. It is so good!

So, I do not claim to be any type of expert on Korean food but so far I'm really liking it. I love seafood but I hate fish. They eat loads of fish here. I tend to avoid the fish but I LOVE everything else i've tried.

This is so delicious and by far my Favorite thing so far. It is Galbi or Korean BBQ. It is so delicous. In the middle is the marinated beef cooking right in front of us and to the left is the next piece to cook along side the scissors for cutting the meat. Around it are all the side dishes, when I find out what they all are I will update this. I do know the red bean paste near my chopsticks is delicous! This is just meat cooked and wraped in a sesame leaf. There are no carbs at all in this dinner and it's so good. If you did South Beach this restaurant would be your safest place. All of this food is only about 8 dollars. I was with my friend so the portions are double.

This is one of the many many booths on the street. This guy is pretty famous as he is in all the travel books. He speaks very little english but his food is so good. It's just Shis Kebab marinated with vegetables but a whole skewer with meat and veggies is only about a dollar. It's so divine!

These are my co-workers and we went to this awesome lunch/dinner with these transparent noodles and octopus. I love octopus and this was so good.

Single Ladies

2009-10-16T10:10:00.003+02:00

My current obsession is Beyonce's Single Ladies. Every time it comes on the radio, my ipod or at a club my heart literally races. I usually get 'stuck' on some song. In Ohio, I w stuck on Almost Paradise. In Italy, I was stuck on Evanescence Call me when you're sober. In California, I was stuck on Lady Gaga Poker Face. Now in Seoul, I am stuck on Single Ladies.

I literally listen and listened to these songs over and over and over for weeks at a time. I am so stuck on this song, it really speaks to me. Any single girl at 27, like myself, who has had a rich dating life understands this song SO well. I have had so many ex's call me after a few weeks to a few months and even a year or two after the break-up. I am so sick of taking these various men back. ''if they liked it then they should have put a ring on it.'' I am done taking back ex's.......for the time being. :)

I am sitting here in Seoul on a Friday night waiting for the man of the moment to pick me up and take me out. p.s. my man of the moment is so beyond great.

I love the beginning of a relationship, you know when you just can't get enough of each other. Emails and text messages all day long. Dying to rush home to talk on facebook or skype. Dying for the weekend when you finally get to be together. The kissing. The passion. The long late night chats. Holding hands, announcing to everyone that you are together. Actually telling everyone you are together.

I've never been married but as of now, there are not many things better than the beginning of the relationship.

Seoul

2009-10-02T03:02:00.003+02:00

I have moved to Seoul. Much more to come on this blog........

Seoul is actually quite warm still and as I exhibit signs of this (sweating profusely) most Korean people I see are not sharing my discomfort.

Fact: Korean people have 75% less sweat glands than Americans.

Fact: 50% of Korean people don't even have the gland (apocrine glands) that causes body odor. They are among the least odor-producing people on Earth.

What seems to be fact: Kimchi (pickled cabbage), a common side dish in Korea, is the strongest smelling food in the entire world.

My life's a beach!

2009-07-21T16:53:00.006+02:00

My life revolves around the beach. I inevitably end up at the beach everyday. I carry a swimsuit and a towel with me at all times.

Yesterday as I parked my vespa in a parking lot close to the beach, I heard some tourists talking. The woman said, "Can you imagine living here?" The man with her said, "I know, it's paradise."

Just look at the coast five minutes from my house, It is paradise!

Euro Trash

2009-07-18T06:42:00.004+02:00

I am Euro Trash. Okay, if you google "Euro trash haircut" and click on images, my picture is one of the first five pictures shown! At first I got really upset thinking, "How could google do this to me," but then I found it was from my very own blog!

magari

2009-01-20T19:50:00.002+01:00

No, sto pensando che
non ritornano
sto pensando che
che sei poi ci riprovo
lo so che non è più lo stesso
me lo chiedo da un po’
quei momenti con te
se ritornano le parole con te
se ne vale la pena oppure vorrei più fortuna

e per ogni giorno
mi prendo un ricordo che tengo nascosto lontano dal tempo
insieme agli sguardi veloci momenti che tengo per me
e se ti fermassi soltanto un momento
potresti capire davvero che e questo che cerco di dirti da circa una vita
lo tengo per me

SEI PARTE DI ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Elections

2008-11-01T18:37:00.007+01:00

Proposition 8, is the overturning of the California Supreme Court to allow Gay marriage. In July when Gay marriage was passed, the Church read a letter during Sacrament urging returned missionaries to knock door in support of Prop 8. During my mission I loved knocking doors. I love the boldness it requires, I love the unexpectedness, I love the improvision requried. Any of my old companions would confirm that I loved doing ''house.'' In support of Prop 8 I have; knocked doors, distributed yard signs, waived signs on the side of the road. I have never been treated so demeaningly. I have been spit on, berated by stranges, and have been called a biggot by the opposers of Prop 8. Others in my church have had bleach thrown at them, been chased by people on foot, and have been threatened with bombs. Despite all of this, I love Election time and I love the democracy we are. Our political system, while one of the youngest is one of the most stable and unwaivering. I appreciate this so much, living abroad and dating foreigners has proven to me how great our democracy is!

I am so excited as I know for whom I am voting!

Glenn Beck (one of my favorites) on Prop 8.......

The police in SoCal

2008-10-16T05:54:00.004+02:00

The police here in San Diego are so relaxed. There are no miles per hour signs on the road and every is a ''california stop offender.'' (I don't even know the speed limit here.) Only once a month I actually see someone pulled over. When I actually do see someone pulled over, I wonder what horrible driving offense they made!

Then this week, it was my turn. I was in LA and the flow of traffic was about 10 miles per hour on the 10, which is typical. I passed Mr. Policeman and he noticed my lack of seatbelt. I got a $150 ticket. UGH! This is my second no seat belt ticket. I am just really bad at wearing my seat belt.

Mission Calls

2008-06-30T08:35:00.004+02:00

A friend of mine recently got her mission call to Tokyo Japan. They filmed her opening her call and then posted it on youtube.com. As I was searching for this on youtube.com, I found tons of other videos of people opening thier calls. I loved watching these! I must of watched these for atleast a half hour. Here are my favorite two. (I tried to just upload these video so you could watch them on my profile but I can't figure it out, so sorry you have to follow the link.)

**The first is kind of long so I would just watch until right after he opens the call and starts to cry.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IifTVj0UXUM

I love this video for so many reasons.

1.) I love the brother on this bluetooth trying to locate the dad for the opening of the call.
2.) I love how the brother turns on the music, which I think aids the spirit so much.
3.) I love how the prospective elder cries when as he reads the call.
4.) I love how there are so many people there to share the experience.

**This video is hilarious!. The family is eating dinner as the prospective elder opens his call. It is only a minute or so long.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=boL-WIhMf2M

Here are the things I think are so funny.

1.) The family is nonchalantly eating dinner while he opens his call.
2.) The brother in the background is not even phased as his brother opens his call. When he announces where he is called the brother does not even look up! He just keeps eating as nothing special has happened! I just could not believe it.
3.) The mom! She does not even stop eating to celebrate the call!

This last video was just so far from my experience. When I opened my call and saw I was going to Italy everyone in the room started screaming. We celebrated for the whole night. There was tons of laughter, smiles, and dancing. I was so beyond excited and so was my family! Thanks family!

2008-06-15T22:09:00.002+02:00

Vorrei che fosse amore, amore quello vero
la cosa che io sento e che mi fa pensare a te
vorrei poterti dire che t'amo da morire
perché e' soltanto questo che desideri da me
se c'e' una cosa al mondo che non ho avuto mai
e' tutto questo bene che mi dai
vorrei che fosse amore
ma proprio amore, amore la cosa che io sento per te

vorrei che fosse amore, amore quello vero
la cosa che tu senti e che ti fa pensare a me
vorrei sentirti dire che m'ami da morire
perché e' soltanto questo che io desidero da te
se c'e' una cosa al mondo che non ho avuto mai
e' tutto questo bene che mi dai
vorrei che fosse amore
ma proprio amore amore la cosa che io sento per te.

My Third Place

2008-05-15T09:50:00.005+02:00

There is a theory that says everyone has three main places to frequent: home, work and the third place.

My three places are all very fluid.

1.) Home. My home has changed three times in the last year. Ohio, Italy and California.

2.) Work. My work: Spanish Teacher, Supervisor at Verizon Wireless, Tennis Coach, Panera Bread, Mortgage Broker, Bob Evans, Tour Guide, English Teacher and now Kindergarden teacher.

3.) Third Place. I do have a third place independent of my location.

In Ohio my third place was Panera Bread off sawmill. On saturdays I would go there and order a diet coke and use thier wi-fi for hours at a time. I looked for many jobs at that Panera Bread.

In Italy, I had a few different third places depending on the season. During the summer months, my third place was il mare or the sea. I love the mediterrean sea. I would go to the sea at 7:00am for a morning swim. I would go back at 1:30pm, after lunch, until 7:00pm. The mediterrean sea may be as of this day, my biggest love (Certainly, the most faithful!). Then in the winter months, I took retreat into Angelo's bar. He would give me free hot milk in a glass with a free pastry everyday. (This must be how I gained 20 lbs during my time in Italy). I would read the La Repubblica every day. Then talk to the strangers who came in. There were so many ''regulars'' such as myself. Giacomo, Franco and Giovanni. These men were well over 55 years old. I had the best discussions with these guys. After about a month, I too was a regular. We talked about everything under the sun: politics, religion, the health of the pope and most importantly the men in my life (men because it was plural at the time).

In California, I can't decide where my third place would be. It is debatable. It could be any of the following: our heated pool, the internet, reading books, or hopefully soon with summer coming, the beach.

I have been looking back at the last year and realized that nothing in my life would be considered stable. I am craving stability the last six months. I am proud to say that I am taking major steps toward that. I am starting my masters program in the fall. I have decided to enroll with the University of Maryland (pending my acceptance). My first year and a half will be online. Then my last six months will be on campus. I am getting a Masters in Human Resources! I am so excited for this. I feel it will provide me with the stability I want and need. Plus, I think I am a great people person and love to work an office environment. I am now trying to determine where my home will be. I have narrowed it down to either NYC or DC. I am gong to visit both this summer to aid my decision process. As far as work goes, for the next two years that will only be determined by my location until I finish my masters.

Grant's wedding

2008-04-15T21:47:00.006+02:00

Grant and Stephanie

My Dad and brother

I have a job!

2008-03-25T23:34:00.003+01:00

With the current economic situation in California, it has been more than difficult to secure a decent job. Despite the fact that 212 teachers were cut from this district alone, I was able to secure a job in the school district. I am teaching Kindgarden! Something I never would have ever considered for myself. I was thinking back on my one elementary ed class; one week into the class I knew that Elementary Ed was not for me. I must say that teaching is what I love but I have never been so sure of my Secondary certification. Anyway, the kids are so cute! I really do love interacting with the kids! I am excited to finish out the school year here. More to come....

Mallory!

2008-03-03T05:32:00.012+01:00

This is my roomate Mallory. I had so much fun living with her. I was just looking at old pictures and thinking and almost a year has past since I left Ohio. I was thinking about some of my best memories with Mallory. I am just going to make a list of random memories.

Dressing up--either for costumes or for a fancy occasion. The picture above on the left is from Halloween. We dressed up many times for random events either to go somewhere together or seperate. We each had a lot of dates, I loved that time when we were getting ready for the date and the other kept the other company. Getting dressed up for church. Mallory would help me with my hair or accessories. I love those memories.

Walking with Mal--walking to Cheesecake with Mallory. It's a random memory but I had so much fun. Also, one time we were shopping at Easton and she was wearing heels and her stiletto got stuck in between two stones and she competely walked out of her shoe. Maybe I will put excerise here, one time we took a spinning class together at like 6am. We had so much fun.

Taking pictures on her computer--Photobooth provided many hours of fun! It seemed that every one who came over ended up eventually taking pictures on her computer.

Late night talks with Mal--we stayed up really late so many times. We would talk about life and our ward. We had so many life chats. We also could debate many things like politics. We could just pass hours talking.

Texting Mal--I got a text message from Mallory that went like this, "Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz broke up." She broke the news to me, it was a good thing if I had found out any other way who knows how how I would have reacted. I loved it!

Dinners with Mal--Mallory introduced me to the Roasted red pepper soup from Trader Joe's and we loved it. Some days I would be in charge of picking it up and some days she would pick it up for dinner that night. We also wold zip over to Panera Bread alot.

Shopping with Mal-- We would not go shopping alot but when we did we had so much fun. I remember when we went to vintage stores downtown and tried on all these old funky clothes in these funky dressing rooms. We went down to high street on a few occasions and went jeans shopping and candle shopping.

These are just a few memories I have with my fierce friend Mallory. Mallory always had my back and one time when I stupid boy broke my heart. She stood up to this person in my behalf despite it being really uncomfortable for her. Mallory, if you read this I hope you enjoy some of the random memories.

Eccoti!

2008-01-06T08:58:00.000+01:00

Jessica, questa foto e' per te!

Getting ready for a date on a spring evening

2008-01-04T00:03:00.000+01:00

Spending time in Southern California has been so refreshing. Seeing palm trees along the freeways feels so glamorous. I have lived in many places and am a complete self-declared expert.

Okay, some things I love:

1.) The overwhelming healthy attitude. Almost every thing is organic. Stores like Trader Joe's and Whole foods are everywhere and because of that they are much cheaper and affordable. When someone takes me out I love it when they take me to a sushi bar (which are common unto Starbucks in my little town here). The dragon roll with Eel is my favorite. One last random thought, I have seen more than five people carry ginger root in their bags and a mini grinder to add to their drinks and food.

2.) Living two minutes from the Beach! I love my Sunday walks on the Beach. Running my two miles on sand without my tennis shoes. Late night dates walking the board walk. This is actually something I fell in love with in Italy but get to continue here in California.

3.) The much laid back attitude. No one is ever in a hurry and the people who are stand out like a sore thumb. I do appreciate this aspect of So Cal. Getting pulled over by police is almost like a joke. I have never seen it happen and I am confident that if pulled over you could easily talk your way out of a ticket.

4.) L.A. One of my favorite places in the world. I love movies and I love celebrity gossip. Rarely can I pass a People magazine and not pick it up. I love being so close to the heart of celebrity gossip. On January 13, Brooke and I are going to wait by the red carpet of the Golden Globes. I have been celebrity watching many times. I bought the cheap celebrity homes map and with my three sisters scout out celebrities and even 'wait it out' hoping to catch a glimpse. (a special love for those I have actually seen, Will Smith, Ben Stiller and Nicholas Cage!) I love Sprinkles Cupcakes and the must a Pinkberry!

5.) The Weather. I have struggled with this for so long. I really can't complain about the weather because it is beautiful. A constant 60 -75 degrees hardly seems worthy of complaint. I really do love this weather, the eternal spring. The other day I a familiar feeling; getting ready for a date on a spring evening. Wearing a flowery dress and ballet slippers and no stockings, there is something so fresh and so...free about the first bare legs of the season. Boys picking you up in short sleeves and flip flops. A feeling you experience in regions where actual season are distinct. This type of attire is always in season here. Getting ready for dates here always seem like this one distinct moment I have relished my whole life.

My next move: Provo or Manhattan. I am not sure which it will be but I am so excited that both have four seasons!

Ellen

2007-12-28T19:23:00.000+01:00

Brooke and I went to the Ellen show! We had so much fun. We had to be there at 12:30 and filmed at 3:30. While we were in line we kept wondering if what we would get. We ran through every possible scenerio. We never expected what we really got. So, after waiting about 2 hours in line they shoved us all through security and we waited outside for a few more hours. After much anticipation we filed into the studio. Music was pumping and everyone was encouraged to dance (ellen loves dancing). The hour of before the show started it was just like a dance club. All we did was dance for an hour straight. Then Ellen poped out and she looked so great. They assign you to your seats and they gave Brooke and I the front row right by her DJ. We thought for sure we would get on TV. Everytime the camera was on us we would get really animated and cheesy in hopes that they would use that piece of footage. (Maybe we over did it as they did not even put us on once). During our wait in line they announced that they have had a hard time geting celebrity guests because of the strike, people do not want to cross the picket line. Ricky Lake was the celebrity guest. During the middle of the show they introduced the giveaways. The theme was Home Entertainment. She gave us a pack of HD DVD, including the Bourne Series. Then she gave us an HD DVD player to play them. After that she gave us a Play Station 3 with two new games. Then she gave us RockBand! (which is by far my favorite gift). Then on top of it she gave us a $400 gift card from Ikea. We had so much fun! After the show Ellen thanked us and told us to sit still. Her assistants came and told us to put our cell phones away and keep our hands free. The presents were all outside waiting for us. They file us outside and they pile on our hands the RockBand, the Play Station 3, the HD DVD player and give us a bag with the DVD's and Ikea gift card. We had so much fun and just going to a taping was worth it but walking away with presents was so much more fun!

I was tagged again

2007-12-15T16:48:00.001+01:00

Okay, usually I don't play along with these things. I refuse to add applications on facebook and I am am still not sure how I feel about this tagging thing but I will write six things about me. So, 6 things about myself...

1.) I love Seinfeld. I could watch it all day every day. Often things I see in real life remind me of things from various Seinfeld episodes. Maybe it should be the other way around.

2.) I stand like a flamingo. I rest the side of my foot on the side of my knee. I get this from my mom and I could do it for hours.

3.) I love the Opera. I think mainly now because I speak Italian I can understand them but it is a passion. Even reading Operas now is fun to me.

4.) I am very ticklish.

5.) When I like a song I can't just sing it, I belt it at the top of my lungs no matter where I am.

6.) I love sitting down and leafing through actually devouring mail order catalogs like JCrew, Eddie Bauer, Victorias Secret, Potterybarn, and Urban Outfitters are some of my favorites.

Ellen 12 Days of Giveaways!

2007-12-15T08:02:00.000+01:00

Brooke and I got tickets to Ellen's 12 days of giveaways and boy are we excited. I entered us becasue we live close to LA on a whim. I never really truly believed that we would be asked to go to the show. There are about a million people who want to go to this show and I thought our chances were 1 in a million. A couple of weeks passed and we did not hear anything. Then one day Brooke got a phone call from Carlos the head audience coordinator from the Ellen show. He confirmed our tickets and sent us this package with all the info. We go the 19th, we have to check-in at 12:30 and the show films at 3:30. We are so excited! We are excitedly waiting for this wednesday when we head up to LA. We are both really big fans of Ellens. She is so funny. But more than that, it is a 12 day of giveaway! I hope we get a juicer, no a plasma TV, no a computer, no a PS 3, no I really hope we get a car or a house. Itsn't it funny how greedy I got so fast. Make sure to watch on the 20th for me and Brooke on TV!

My day, I mean date with a screenwriter - it all seems the same

2007-12-01T02:48:00.001+01:00

I love to travel. Many of my relationships have started as I was traveling. In the last year there has been Brian. He was a great guy I met while traveling to Atlanta. We were both living in Columbus and dated for a few months after that day on the plane. I met Nickj in Victoria Station in London. We were taking the same train up North. A long distance relationship commenced between us from London to Pisa and from Pisa to London. So, naturally while traving home from Italy I expected, okay half-expected to meet someone. Well, I did. I met a screenwriter also traveling to Los Angeles. We journeyed together from Dublin all the way to Los Angeles. A relationship commenced and I was starstruck. He knew celebrities, but not only the superficial stuff that I did (I must state I am an avid People magazine reader and know a great deal about celebrities) But he knew more and he knew more personal info. At first this was so great, I loved hearing the interesting details about Tom and Katie Cruise's wedding to his last dinner with Criss Angel and Cameron Diaz. But after a couple of days, this was all we ever talked about. He was constantly name dropping and our conversations were limited to Gwyenth's home in London and the Venice film festival (the second time he met Brad and Angelina.). I would have dreamed earlier to meet and date a screenwriter and be wisked by someone who was in tap with celebrities like he was but in the end I am actually sick of celebrities. Shockingly, I have no desire for the third date. From my day with him on the plane to my dates with him in California it all seems like the same day. A constant Groundhog Day experience. It just shows me yet again my fantasies are not all what I dreamed them to be.

My passport

2007-11-14T12:24:00.001+01:00

When I was younger I used to wish for a passport full of stamps.

Today on my way to the airport I was glancing at my passport and I realized it is almost full. I remember wishing for a full passport when I was a kid. I remember looking at my dad’s passport and pondering all the places in the world that I have never seen. After fifteen years and an unexpected life later my prayer was answered. My passport is full of memories. My Italian visa, stamps from France, England (after dating Nickja from London half my passport is filled with stamps to england), Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and of course Italy. Each stamp has so many memories. I had so much fun looking back and reminiscing (rammentando) of my adventures.

I have left Italy. It has been heart-wrenching.

Will my clothes ever dry?

2007-11-07T20:20:00.000+01:00

I am getting ready to leave and I am for once in my life starting early to pack and to get ready. Usually, I wait until the very last minute. I can't tell if it is because I am excited or if I have unexpectedly lost my procrastination. (Probably because I am excited). So, on Sunday I sorted through all the clothes I brought here. I have to wash everything in advance because it takes days to dry clothes here in Italy in the winter. There are no clothes dryers so everything is put up on a line. It is so humid here that nothing dries ever. My clothes have been on the line for three days and still not dry. I have to pack on Thursday, in two days and have no hope that they will be dry. I just don't know what to do at this point. I have started to bring clothing in and put them over all the furnaces but the state controls the furnaces and they only come on for a few hours a day and usually my timing is off.

Fashions shows are prime time viewing

2007-11-04T16:59:00.000+01:00

I am really going to miss being in Italy these next few months. A part of me feels Italianized. I drink warm milk now for breakfast. When I was in England for one week, I was dying for a plate of pasta. I don’t like to eat on the run any more. I think in Italian and I dream in Italian. I wear a nightgown just like they do. I embrace their crazy ideas. I can argue and fight in Italian. I express my opinion even if it is against everyone else’s (something that is very Italian). I even got my own Italian mullet. I love watching soccer with them. I will miss it and as I am getting ready to say good-bye I am feeling quite sad.

I love doing artsy things. I feel like I have a real creative side to me that I just love to express. I love clothes; to me fashion is an art. Whether you are wearing a designer Gucci dress or designer jeans to a skirt off from the street markets, fashion is an art that people wear. So many people think that it is superficial or material but honestly it is a type of art that everyone gets to experience every morning. I love it! I love opening my closet (which has no designer, actually a tiny bit) and picking out what I am going to wear that day. Sometimes, I try to think of all the details from my clothes, accessories even down to my shoelaces. It is an art. Sometimes, I don’t have to think at all. This is the beauty of this type of art. Today in church I wore red shoes, a black shirt, a smart black button-up with a green vest and a purple scarf tied in the classic Italian fashion. I have seriously enjoyed this fall in Italy as I think the Italians have an innate sense of fashion. I love that in Italy fashion shows are considered primetime viewing and you can get your own fashion show just sitting in a bar and drinking my glass of warm milk. Italians just seem to get it right. Sitting in a piazza you can see such extreme styles. You can see the giovani or the young kids wearing a variety of styles. They usually wear short skirts with boots and tights accompanied by a tight leather jacket. They have the most extreme hair styles, very textured and very sleek. Even the old people in Italy take part. They are so put together. They only leave the house with their best on. They are much more formal. It is not uncommon to see elderly Italian women with fur coats and high gloves on the city buses. Since there are many ways of being stylish in Italy and I love a country that accepts that with open arms.

My favorite quote from the devil wears prada:

Miranda: I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of stuff.

2007-10-31T21:02:00.000+01:00

There are so many gypsies in Italy. They are everywhere. I was in Florence giving a tour and a gypsie came up and asked my group and me for money. No one understand her except me because she spoke in Italian. She was just under five feet tall, had not showered and carried an old plastic cup with a weathered picture of Christ. This is a common occurance here in Italy. In my mission we were not allowed to give money because we used the consecrated money but now I could give money if I wanted. I rarely gave (yes, past tense) money for many reasons but that has now changed. This last gypsie who asked me money changed my life. In response to her question, I said "I'm sorry I don't have any money either." I feel content becasue I don't have work and I am very poor right now so it really is not lie. Usually this gets them to walk away without continuing and pressing. But this woman instead, took my hand and emptied her money that she had received that day. She gave me all her money she got that day. She looked at me and smiled and walked away. I was left there shocked, actually frozen or stunned. I could not believe what she did for me. I did not need her money as bad as maybe she did but she touched me in a way that no one ever has. I ran after her and said, "Listen I really don't need your money." She ssid to me, "Just as people help me I want to help other people." I was so touched by her and she would not take that money. With tearfilled eyes, I turned and faced my tour group and explained what just happened.

Yesterday in church there was a Halloween party. Well, as Halloween as you can get here in Italy. The missionaries organized it to take place just after english class so we could have alot of non members there. We went to the American base and bought Mountain Dew, Rootbeer, Grape soda, and Reeses Peanut Butter cups. There were pumpkins (also from the American base) that we carved. The party started slowly. I looked around and saw that everyone was just kind of standing around. I lead a group of people in dancing the Thriller. It was hysterical me leading a bunch of italians in dancing the thriller, acting like zombies. After that I kind of took control because no one else was. Then we bobbed for apples, played the egg on a spoon game, limbo and of course, something most italians love is line dancing. It was hysterical. Today, I have such a desire to watch a scary movie as it is Halloween. In Italy, they have started dressing up for Halloween but they only have the scary costumes. No spidermen or batmen only goblins, witches and zombies. It is much more graphic than our Halloween.

I come back to America in nine days and I could not be happier. I think it is easy for me to leave Italy now because I know that I will be coming back in January. If I was not coming back in January I would be devasted leaving at this point. I can't wait to be with my family. I love more than anything doing the simple things with them. I love doing errands with my Mom and Dad. I love driving my dad's car with Heather and Courtney and singing at the top of our lungs. I am so excited also because I will watch Star Wars with my brother Tyler. I found out that Brooke and Grant are coming home for Thanksgiving! I am so excited. I love my family and can't wait to be with them.

The backbone of the GOP

2007-10-27T12:14:00.000+02:00

I love election time! The fact that after 200 years we are still using the same electoral process gives me such pride. So many countries have changed their electoral process in the past 100 years, the fact that we are still firm in our convictions that the founding fathers set up gives me such a defining sense of pride.

I developed a passion for it in 6th grade when we did a mock election with all of the fifth and sixth graders. I carried the electoral votes for Texas (I got really lucky). The candidates had to really butter me up to get my 34 electoral votes. It taught a 6th grader so many lessons about politics and elections. Ever since then my passion has truly lied in the same area, political science, history and economics. All are intertwined.

As I am trying to follow the election process now from a foreign country I am constrained to see everything from the internet. I have to be aware the different biases that each major websites carry. I did see a debate from Michigan and I was shocked to have seen that the Republican part has lost touch with its rich roots in the middle-class families. These roots run deep starting with Alexander Hamiliton followed by Abraham Lincoln and even up until Reagan.

I would think that every republican would start by putting themselves at the kitchen tables of middle-class families with ambitious kids. Their first questions would be: What are the barriers to their mobility? What concrete help do these people need to realize their dreams?

At this economic debate in Michigan this week, there was no talk of that. Instead they addressed, free trade, lower taxes and reduced spending. They talked a lot about the line-item veto and the Chinese currency. But there was almost nothing that touched concretely on the lives of the ambitious working-class parents who are the backbone of the GOP.

Sometimes the candidates seemed more concerned with massaging the pleasure buttons of the Club for Growth than addressing the real concerns of the middle class. They talked far more about cutting corporate taxes, for example, than about a child tax credit for struggling families.

At other times, they sounded as if they were running for a ceremonial post. The person who is elected president will need concrete proposals, but the GOP contenders scarcely have them. Mike Huckabee has some sketchy plans. John McCain answered one element of middle-class anxiety on Thursday with his new health care plan. Others seem to have decided concrete proposals are for geeks.

It has lost intimate contact with the working-class dreamer who longs to make good, the very backbone of the GOP itself.

Instead, this ground is being seized by a Democrat. Hillary Clinton has specific policy programs for members of the aspiring middle class. This shows great understanding and insight on her part. As she attains these essential votes she is positing herself very well for 2008. Under the Clinton plan, if a family making up to $60,000 a year put $1,000 into a new 401(k) account, they would get a $1,000 matching tax credit. The plan would create millions of new investors. Struggling families could choose mutual fund options and participate in the capital markets. They'd be encouraged to move away from a month-to-month mentality to a saving-for-the-future mentality.

Clinton's plan poaches on economic values that used to be associated with the Republican Party. This is why I think nowadays you can’t vote for a party, you vote for a person. Moreover, it undermines the populist worldview that is building on the left of her party. Instead of railing against globalization and the economic royalists, Clinton gives working people access to Wall Street and a way to profit from the global economy.

She will just have to secure the electoral votes of the correct states, such as California, Texas, Florida and of course, Ohio. Once representing Texas, I understand how imperative it is to secure it. I am not making a stance for Hillary. I truly don't think I will vote for her but I am just wanting to state my observations. I have not decided as of yet who will receive my vote.

Added on January 7, 2008. I am not supporting Hillary this was just an observation. I will not support Hillary.

Venezia, la mattina

2007-10-24T23:49:00.000+02:00

When I travel I like to see each city at varying times during the day; early in the morning, lunch time, and of course the night. I have fallen in love with Venice. More accurately, I love Venice in the morning. Quite a romance has developed, I feel loved every time I go to Venice and I love Venice. It is a true love affair. There is nothing like Venice in the entire world. There are no cars in the city. For this reason it is the quietest city in the world. The whole city revolves around its location, meaning the canals. The mode of transportation is by boats. Try to imagine life without a car in the city. Mail, trash, ambulances and so much more are all parts of this culture that vary a great deal from other cultures. Because these are big projects that need to be completed these are all completed before anyone wakes up in the morning. Venice at 4 am is my favorite and I mean absolutely favorite place in the world. Mail is all delivered by boat to the correct neighborhood and is transported by hand until the actual address. Mailmen start work at 4:30 in the morning there. Most Venetians receive their mail very early in the morning. I still don't know how packages work yet? The next time I go I will have to make sure to ask. All the trash has to be brought out of the city by hand. The trash men don't drive trucks. They bring all the trash from the dumpsters to the nearest canal where depending on the amount is taken away in boat. I saw the trash men trying to drag an old desk which was thrown out. They had to transport this desk all the way to the canal where I am sure they had to call a bigger boat to come and get it. Venice is also the cleanest Italian city. They take very good care of the city. Every morning at about 6:00 am the city cleaners come out. They start with the streets; every street is swept and groomed. They then work their way eventually to the trash, bridges, and boats. They clean every ''waterbus stop.'' One of my favorite things to do in Venice is get lost, which is not hard. Every street ends in a different branch of the canals. It is virtually impossible to find your way around. Every little street in Venice leads you to a random canal where unless you want to swim across forces you inevitably turn around. I have been wanting to describe Venice for so long and I also want to explain my favorite other city. Piano piano.

2007-10-19T18:53:00.000+02:00

Today was Sunday. It was the first sunday that I did not go to church in years. I am so sick. I have so much to write but today I just want to say that I missed church so much. Also, today was my first day with my new calling. I am the ward organist and my first day I had to find a replacement. I wanted to include a picture for a few days of the uber sleek school buses here in Italy.

What if...

2007-10-17T19:36:00.001+02:00

My hair dilemma continues. I have tried many different ways of styling my hair and I have found the best way to conceal the mullet. I just have to wear my hair curly. Since I have discovered this I have worn it curly every day. I cannot find hot rollers here. The only curlers I have found are collapsible with a hard brush in the middle. So, I feel like an old woman every morning when I put my curlers in then lovingly add my scarf to cover them until my hair dries. I have not yet gone out in curlers but I am sure it is to come as it takes two hours to dry my hair like this. I can't find a curling iron big enough to curl my hair plus it costs 25 euros (32 dollars). I just can't justify buying it when it costs 5 dollars in America. I am positive they have it sadly I just don't know where to go or who to ask. I will hopefully solve this problem.

I have begun to think and dream again in Italian again. It is so welcomed. I feel like my Italian was always a little behind during my mission. I did not start to think in Italian until the end of my mission and I had barely started to dream in Italian at the end of my mission. Now after just after two months I began to think in Italian. YEAH!!!!! Then, about two weeks ago, I started dreaming only in Italian. It is funny because everyone speaks in Italian but I am sure it is not correct Italian much of the time. It is hilarious. I love this so much. But much to my own chagrin it makes me work very hard to speak and write in English.

I searched for autumn today...

2007-10-16T16:01:00.000+02:00

I woke up with such a desire to ''experience autumn'' today. Autumn is my favorite season, there is so much to ''experiencing autumn.'' Crisps mornings, followed by warm afternoons, apple cider, pumpkins, squash, sweaters, leaves falling, turning colors, school supplies, football, halloween, golfing, apples, etc. I miss it! I have a really hard time ''experiencing autumn'' here. It is just not as evident for me as in America. I miss these things so much. Today I woke up with a true sadness missing america and her great autumn season. These constant traditions which have come and gone every year have a greater impact on me than I ever realized, now that I don't have them, I feel thier absence. I have a great desire to watch two of my favorite autumn movies to experience autumn, ''You've got mail'' and ''Runaway Bride.'' When I think of these movies I think of autumn. I am really considering buying these movies today because I am desperate to experience some autumn. Today I woke up and decided that there has to be the same signs of autumn here in Italy so I went in search of these. I took a funiculare up to a mountain top in Tuscany today and walked around for hours just looking for any sign of Italian autumn traditions. I have discovered a few that have satisified my appetite. Autumn in Italy is about harvesting olives, chestnuts, figs, and of course grapes. This time of year is about working here, especially in Tuscany (It reminds me alot of Idaho's potato harvest). They are making thier wine and olive oils. I have had the experience this year of harvesting figs (thank you Willy), harvesting olives (thank you Elena) and grapes (a cultural experience I actually paid for). They are roasting chestnuts on the street corners now which carries a perfume so unique that stops me in my tracks. There are signs of autumn everywhere I just need to keep my eyes out for them.

This little town I visited today is called Montenero (or black mountain). You have to take a funiclar or cliff train that is suitable to climb steep mountains. There was a beautiful tree canopy that had some color change happening. I got to the top and walked into this beautiful town that is centered around a painting of the Madonna (or Mary). There is a famous sanctuary there that has become the center of the town's culture. Everything there is in the name of Mary the mother of Christ. I took a few pictures and will attach them below. Most of these pictures are of the sanctuary and few are of the town.

( Various statues for sale)

(These are, "Thank you hearts" people bought and wrote to Mary)

(Candles taken to the Mary)

(a local man and his candy store)

Euro class vs. Euro trash

2007-10-15T08:29:00.000+02:00

My second really bad haircut! As I mentioned this is my second bad haircut, I firmly believe my first bad haircut was exactly the same cut. So, really this is my second mullet. I could change my outlook on my "euro style cut" and call it, ''uber modern,'' however in the end every time I look in the mirror I see a mullet. My only consolation is in Italy the girl mullet is a rather common cut so now I am just more italianized. More and more people are now thinking that I am italian (which I revel in).

I am looking for a job now full time now. I have started to get really creative in my searching. I have come to realize that knowing people is half the battle here in Livorno. So, I have set out to conquer half the city. Everytime I meet someone new I am constantly trying to network and make connections. It has truly been a learning experience. I have distributed my flyers for private english lessons. I have attached them to every free light post, bus stop, library, and book store, etc. I have had many calls. First caller I quoted 30 euros an hour but nothing came to fruition. Much to my own chagrin I quoted 8 euros an hour to the second caller, really low balling it so I could get some work. He, of course, accepted because 8 euros as hour that is an incredible deal. But he has given me referrals whom I have quoted a higher price. I have also made flyers to babysit for 12 euros an hour. I am luckily still giving tours of Tuscany to groups of 50 or more. I have really enjoyed looking for work here and it has been such a learning experience about myself and my abilities to put myself out there. I have been surprised so many different times with my abilities and talents that have come out. For example ideas that i have had and the courage I have found to move them into action.

Shakespeare was right

2007-10-14T16:01:00.000+02:00

Shakespeare has made the point here that when we're disguised, we feel freer. We can do things we wouldn't do in ordinary life. I am in complete accord with this thought. Yesterday I was a living statue and had the best time. I felt so free and could do whatever I wanted. (maybe this is why burglers really put on a mask). It was really liberating to put myself in the middle of a busy piazza and try to be the "forced entertainment." Everyone looking a me in the middle of the piazza as if I was so wierd or strange. People would walk by so slowly and would be fixed on me. At certain points little kids would ask their parents funny questions, "Mamma, perche' no si muovono?(Mom why aren't they moving?" Or the kids would ask, "are they real mom?" (I should mention I did this with my friend Roberta). It was quite liberating and really artistic. I had to concentrate on my body and place it in positions that were accomadating for a long period of time. Dozens of people took pictures of me and took videos of me. It was so incredible. One american man said, as I approached him, "You are scaring the hell out of me." Little kids were the most warm and accepting. Adults would approach and just stare. After hours of doing this we decided to head off. We changed back into normal clothes again in a side street and took off our white faces. Then we headed to that same piazza as normal people and no one paid any at tention to us. Arby's always said, "Difference is good." It was just such a contrast of being the center of attention to not even being noticed. I have to say to summarize it was the most unique and freeing day I have ever experienced!